How One Venice Hotel Lost €8,000 a Year… Because the Towels Were Missing
You know that feeling when a guest walks into a room and goes, “Huh.”
Not “Wow!” Not “Ew!” Just… confusion.
Well, that feeling might be costing you thousands of euros a year. We recently analyzed a cozy little stay right in the heart of Venice—and what we found could easily apply to dozens of small hotels across Italy and beyond.
Let’s just say: the rooms weren’t dirty, but the vibes were off.
Here’s how that happens—and how to fix it .
1- When a Dining Table Feels Like a Mistake
Imagine a yellow wall, a tall mirror, a classic wooden drawer, plastic chairs, and a metal dining table… all in one space. No, it’s not a garage sale—it’s one of the rooms.
What’s going wrong?
- Mismatch Madness: No style unity. It’s like five different designers fought—and all lost.
- Lighting Confusion: Cold light here, warm light there = guest brain melt.
- Functional Mystery: Why is there a table for two in a tight corner? Nobody knows.
Fix It Like This:
| Quick Fix | Cost | Why It Works |
| Repaint to beige | €200 | Instantly cleaner and calmer |
| Add a tall plant | €30 | Makes the space feel intentional |
| Warm LED lighting | €20 | Soft, cozy vibes unlocked |
| Add Venice artwork | €40 | Emotional storytelling begins |
| Move stuff around | Free | Guests stop squinting in confusion |
Now we have this room:
2 – Natural Light Deserves a Round of Applause
Sunshine floods the room. There’s a charming window view. There’s even wood-beamed ceilings.
Honestly? This room slaps. It just needs a little finesse.
What it’s doing right:
- Peak-End Rule: Guests will remember this sunlit moment forever.
- Venice Vibes: The local artwork sets the tone instantly.
- Tactile Tricks: Layers of texture = the illusion of luxury (we love psychology).
Easy Polish:
- Straighten the art (seriously, it’s leaning like the Tower of Pisa)
- Swap linens for lighter tones
- Roll towels with a ribbon for that “wow, they care” moment
- Add a soft scent → boom, sensory marketing
Your room starts starring in guest Instagram stories = free ads
Now we have:
3 – A Color War Nobody Wins
One wall is green, another is yellow, there’s a Persian rug, floral sheets, gold mesh curtains… you get the idea. This room is fighting for attention—and the guest is losing.
What’s up here?
- Visual Dissonance: Color chaos = inner guest chaos
- No Hero Piece: Everything’s loud, nothing’s leading
- It Feels… Hot? Even if it’s not, the space looks heavy and stuffy
Refresh It Like This:
| Refresh Move | Cost |
| Paint walls cream/gray | €200 |
| Switch to plain curtain | €50 |
| Simple white bedding + matching cushions | €40 |
| Minimal rug or none at all | €80 |
| Add one cute decorative item | €10 |
Now we have:
4-The Bathroom That Was “Clean But Felt… Sad”
There were no towels. No shelf. Harsh white light. Just a lonely tub under interrogation-style lighting. And yet, everything was technically clean!
Where it fails:
- Perception > Reality: Guests doubt cleanliness just because the lighting’s mean.
- Zero Personality: No plant, no soap tray, no love.
- Towelgate: Not a single one in sight.
Budget Spa Makeover:
| Touch | Cost |
| Add 3 folded white towels | €30 |
| Wall shelf for toothbrushes | €25 |
| Warm lightbulb (2700K) | €15 |
| Scent diffuser or tiny plant | €15 |
| Fancy soap in ceramic dish | €10 |
And now we have:
The Pricing Puzzle That’s Breaking Guest Trust
Here’s what we saw:
- Superior Room: €77
- Regular Double Room: €87
- Private Bathroom Room: €97
Wait… why is the “superior” one cheaper than the regular? Guests will either get suspicious or give up.
Fixing the confusion:
- Price hierarchy must make sense: “Superior” can’t be cheapest.
- Rename rooms with emotion, not architecture:
| Dry Name | Emotional Glow-Up |
| Double Room | Romantic Courtyard Double |
| Superior Room | Venetian Queen’s Retreat |
| Room w/ Bath | Cozy Canal Hideaway |
- Rewrite amenities:
- “Flat-screen TV” → “Netflix-ready screen”
- “Towels” → “Freshly folded hotel-grade linens”
- “Hairdryer” → “Salon-style essentials included”
Guest Mindset Shift = More Bookings:
- Trust goes up
- Confusion drops
- Booking rate: +20%
- Willingness to pay more: +10–15%
The Brand Feels… Like a Budget Hostel
Even with great location in Venice, the vibe reads: “tired dorm, run by ghosts.”
Why?
- No consistent style across rooms
- No emotional story
- Reviews repeat the same issues: “not clean,” “old,” “nothing special”
Rebrand on a Budget:
- Choose a theme for all rooms (“Venetian Garden” or “Hidden City Corners”)
- Use matching tones, art, textiles
- Add a cute tagline:
- “A Quiet Escape in the Heart of Venice”
- Rewrite descriptions with emotion, like:
“Relax in your private bath after a day by the canals… warm towels and soft lighting await.”
- Include host personality:
“We’re a small family-run guesthouse and welcome you like old friends.”
Result:
- From “forgettable” to “Instagrammable”
- More repeat guests
- Higher review scores without touching the plumbing
3 AI Tools That Could Save the Day (and Your Sanity)
| AI Tool | Why It’s Perfect |
| Tidio or Crisp | Auto-send maps, check-in info, avoid “where is this place?” disasters |
| Canva | Make everything look 10x more professional |
| Grammarly/DeepL Write | Rewrite your Booking.com page like a travel novel |
All of them are free or have generous plans. Use them smarter than your competition.
Final Mic-Drop Moment
You don’t need marble floors or infinity pools.
You need clarity, warmth, and a little behavioral magic.
With under €1,000 total investment, you can:
- Raise Booking score by 1.0
- Charge €10–20 more per night
- Increase bookings by 20–30%
- Add €6,000–€10,000/year profit
- Actually look like the price you’re asking
Attention: This case study is based on behavioral economics principles and psychological insights used in hospitality consulting. All numbers are estimated examples designed to show potential—not promises. Results will vary based on location, implementation, guest demographics, and market trends. Basically, it’s smart advice, not a crystal ball
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