8 Cost-Saving Ideas for Hotels
How to Reduce Hotel Expenses Without Sacrificing Guest Experience
Running a successful hotel means managing expenses without compromising on quality. From housekeeping costs to guest toiletries, every area of hotel operations offers opportunities to save.
In this guide, we’ll explore smart and sustainable cost-saving ideas for hotels that not only reduce overheads but also enhance the guest experience - helping you stay competitive and profitable.
Eight cost-saving ideas for hotels include:
- Switch to refillable toiletries and then buy in bulk to cut product and packaging waste
- Improve housekeeping efficiency with fewer restocks and less plastic to manage
- Implement preventative maintenance to avoid costly emergency repairs
- Cross-train staff to reduce overtime and boost flexibility
- Reduce waste and disposal costs with eco-conscious purchasing and recycling
- Encourage guests to participate in energy-saving practices
- Promote direct bookings to cut third-party commission fees
- Monitor and showcase your cost-saving results
Let's look at those eight recommendations in more detail so you can integrate them at your hotel and become more profitable.
1. Switch to Refillable Hotel Toiletries to Save on Guest Amenity Costs
Traditional single-use mini toiletries are expensive, wasteful, and increasingly unpopular with eco-conscious travellers. Refillable toiletries are a smarter, more sustainable solution.
Why refillables save money:
-
One refillable dispenser replaces 20+ mini bottles per guest room, reducing monthly supply costs
-
Less plastic waste means fewer disposal and environmental impact costs
-
Fewer restocks simplify housekeeping routines and reduce labour time
-
Stock up with eco-friendly bulk refills - natural, vegan, and cruelty-free, available in 1L and 5L
-
Try before you commit with our free sample packs
2. Improve Housekeeping Efficiency with Bulk Hotel Toiletry Solutions
Switching to refillables not only cuts product costs - it significantly improves housekeeping efficiency.
How it helps:
-
Reduces time spent replacing individual toiletries
-
Minimises plastic waste to be collected and disposed of
-
Requires fewer stock checks and top-ups by staff
-
Integrates seamlessly with existing cleaning routines
-
Enhances room presentation and consistency across properties
3. Preventative Maintenance Helps Avoid Costly Hotel Repairs
Preventative maintenance keeps your property running smoothly and avoids expensive emergency fixes.
Where to start:
-
Schedule regular HVAC and boiler inspections to reduce long-term energy and repair costs
-
Perform monthly plumbing checks to prevent water damage and leaks
-
Keep kitchen and laundry equipment serviced to extend lifespan and efficiency
-
Create a simple monthly checklist for your maintenance team
-
Monitor usage of high-energy equipment for early warning signs of faults
4. Cross-Train Hotel Staff to Reduce Labour Costs
Cross-training staff involves teaching employees to perform multiple roles, which enhances flexibility and efficiency - optimising your workforce helps reduce costs without sacrificing service quality.
Benefits of cross-training staff:
-
Enables flexible scheduling during high and low seasons
-
Reduces the need for additional hires or temporary staff
-
Builds team resilience during staff absences or busy periods
-
Improves communication across departments
-
Encourages career growth and retention among staff
5. Reduce Hotel Waste and Save on Disposal Costs
Being sustainable saves money too. Waste reduction is a simple and effective way to reduce ongoing expenses.
Easy waste-saving strategies:
-
Add clearly labelled recycling bins in guest rooms and staff areas
-
Use eco products made from recycled or biodegradable materials, such as slippers or toilet tissue
-
Track amenity usage and adjust reordering to avoid excess stock and waste
-
Educate staff on waste separation and eco-friendly policies
-
Promote your green practices to enhance brand appeal
6. Encourage Guest Participation in Hotel Energy-Saving Practices
Engaging guests in energy-saving efforts is cost-effective and appreciated by eco-conscious travellers.
How to reduce energy usage:
-
Add signage encouraging guests to turn off lights and AC when leaving rooms
-
Set thermostats to energy-efficient default temperatures (e.g. 21°C heating, 24°C cooling)
-
Use blackout curtains to retain heat or cool air naturally
-
Encourage towel and linen reuse with well-placed sign cards
-
Share energy-saving achievements with guests to inspire involvement
7. Use Smart Marketing to Attract Direct Bookings and Cut Commissions
Marketing smarter helps reduce dependence on third-party booking platforms and saves on commission fees, while also strengthening your brand identity.
Tactics to try:
-
Highlight your cost-saving and eco-friendly initiatives on your website and social media
-
Incentivise direct bookings with perks like late checkouts, upgrades or custom welcome packs
-
Build and nurture a guest email list to share exclusive offers, sustainability milestones, and loyalty rewards
-
Create blog content around your budget-conscious and environmentally-friendly practices
-
Showcase guest testimonials that praise your refillable toiletries and sustainable efforts
-
Offer branded amenities, helping your hotel stand out while reinforcing your identity and values
Custom packaging creates a consistent and professional impression that encourages repeat bookings, and it’s available at no extra cost from New Dawn Wholesale. Learn more about our custom packaging options here.
8. Track Your Hotel Savings and Showcase Results
Measuring your results ensures accountability and helps justify future investments.
What to monitor:
-
Monthly comparisons of utility and product costs before/after implementing changes
-
Staff time saved through improved workflows and training
-
Guest satisfaction via review platforms and internal surveys
-
Increases in direct bookings and reductions in OTA commissions
-
Eco-certifications or awards received after switching to sustainable practices
Start Saving Today with Eco-Friendly, Cost-Efficient Hotel Supplies
Top picks for hotels looking to reduce operating costs:
Final Thoughts: Smart Hotel Cost Reduction Is Sustainable and Guest-Friendly
Saving money in your hotel doesn’t mean cutting corners - it means making smarter choices. By implementing refillable toiletries, preventative maintenance, energy-saving practices, and efficient staffing strategies, you can significantly cut costs while boosting your sustainability credentials.
Ready to get started? Browse New Dawn Wholesale for cost-saving hotel products or get in touch for personalised advise: 07905 451466
References
Green Hotelier (2017) Top 5 tips to reduce your hotel’s waste. [Online] Available at: https://www.greenhotelier.org/our-themes/waste/top-5-tips-to-reduce-your-hotels-waste/
Energy Star (2022) Guidelines for Energy Management in Hospitality. [Online] Available at: https://www.energystar.gov/
TripAdvisor (2022) Eco-Travel Trends. [Online] Available at: https://www.tripadvisor.com/blog/eco-friendly-travel-trends/
Booking.com (2023) Sustainable Travel Report. [Online] Available at: https://news.booking.com/
