Haven’t planned a trip in a while? You are not alone. Many of us haven’t taken a proper holiday in nearly three years, and in that time, the travel landscape has changed and travelers’ preferences along with it according to the Amenity Report.

• From working out facilities to not wanting to work at all, the 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report takes a look at the travel trends shaping the new-normal of hotel stays.
• The 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report compared internal search data on US sites and mobile app from January 1 – February 7, 2022, with the same time period in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
• Whilst much of the findings are based on US data, many trends do ring true for South Africa too.
• Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.

Hotels.com examined how travelers’ search patterns and preferences changed during the pandemic to identify the most in-demand and out-of-touch amenities so far in 2022.

The pandemic impacted nearly every aspect of our lives, including how we search for our next hotel stay. The amenities we love and are looking for in 2022 reflect everything we’ve felt and experienced over the past few years. From hotels that helped us relax and take the edge off to those that complemented new hobbies like cooking and skiing, there’s a lot to learn about where travelers are going this year based on how they search for the perfect hotel stay.

// Senior Brand Manager at Hotels.com, Mel Dohmen

Here are the key findings from the 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report:

1. The Bathtub Surge
Call it a cry for help or just good old-fashioned self-care, but bathtubs were the most-searched hotel amenity during the peak of the pandemic. Searches so far this year are up 25% compared with 2019 and interest in spas have grown, too (+35%) outlines the 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report.

2. We Ski Now
Unlikely to be a massive trend in South Africa, but the pandemic forced everyone to get in touch with their outdoorsy side, so it’s not all that surprising that searches for ski-in/ski-out hotels are at peak levels, up 50% since 2019. Interest in properties with ski shuttles and storage are also up 20% according to the 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report, but chances are, South African travelers are swapping the snow ski for the jetski!

3. Cooking At Home And The Hotel
From baking bread to trying out that crazy TikTok pasta, kitchens were all the craze as the second most sought-after amenity in 2021. The trend is continuing with kitchen searches increasing 15% year-over-year says the 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report.

4. No Wi-Fi, No Problem
ZOOM meetings and doom scrolling aren’t on the itinerary this year as searches for properties with free Wi-Fi are plummeting, down 50% since pre-pandemic according to the 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report.

5. We Have No Business Here
It looks like travelers are tired of working from home and turns it out they really don’t want to work from anywhere else, either according to the 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report. Searches for properties with business facilities are down 40% compared with 2019.

6. Dude, Where’s My Car
Don’t retire that road trip playlist just yet. Searches for properties with free parking are up 70% this year as travelers continue to favor destinations within driving distance shares the 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report. For those who can’t stand another 10-hour drive, you aren’t alone. Searches for properties with free airport transfers are up a whopping 105% so far this year.

7. We’re FINALLY Taking A Family Holiday
Families have desperately missed out on quality holiday time together and it shows. Searches for properties with cribs (+65%), childcare (+45%), and connecting rooms (+20%) have increased in double digits says the 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report. And let’s not forget the fur children, too. Interest in pet-friendly stays is up 35% in 2022.

8. Working Out While On Holiday
Working out really wasn’t a top priority during the pandemic. Searches for gyms were down 30% or more last year compared with 2019. However, in 2022 travelers are getting back into their wellness routine and year-over-year searches for gyms have increased 65% shares the 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report.

9. Breakfast Is Back
Free breakfast has been the top amenity since pretty much the beginning of time. But the pandemic knocked this fan favorite down a few pegs as hotels traded hot buffets for pre-packaged grab-and-go items. This year, breakfast is back and searches are up 75% in the 2022 Hotels.com Amenity Report.

Stand a chance to WIN with The Sandton Times.

Advertise on The Sandton Times today!

Head back to The Sandton Times Home Page for more stories.