Millennials love DINE inns

Millennials flock to DINE innsWhen we in DINEcountry consider the kinds of travelers we appeal to, we’re often surprised to find that more and more younger travelers are being attracted to our 11 distinctive inns.  While Baby Boomer travelers still represent the lion’s share of those who choose inns and B&Bs over hotels and vacation rentals, we’re realizing that our 11 inns have increasing appeal to the millennial traveler.  What’s a millennial traveler?  Also known as Generation Y, researchers and statisticians use birth years ranging from the early 1980s to the early 2000s when referring to the “millennial generation”.  This is the youngest group of travelers choosing where to stay on their own, and they’re increasing opting to enjoy DINE inns.

We asked DINE innkeepers to help us understand this phenomenon.  Here’s what we heard:

Elopement packages at Captain's House Inn, Chatham, Cape CodFrom Captain’s House Inn:

Owned by a millennial couple, Jill and James Meyer can certainly relate to the millennial segment of the traveling public. According to Jill, “One of our biggest attractions for millennials is our elopement package.  We find that more and more, young people do not want to spend a lot of money on a wedding and would rather take that money and use it as a down payment on a home or something more lasting.  Our elopement package is a very reasonably priced way for couples to get married while still enjoying a beautiful ceremony with minimal stress.”

Recently redone, Room 16 at Chesterfield Inn appeals to millennial travlersFrom the Chesterfield Inn

Says co-owner and innkeeper, Judy Heuber, “We offer free wi-fi, iPod docking stations by the beds, breakfast in bed if they want it, and power strips so that all devices can be charged at the same time. Our rooms offer privacy and are comfortable and not “cutesy”. We also have a responsive web site that conforms automatically to whatever device is accessing it so that millennials can reserve online easily, something that they are more apt to do than older travelers (in fact they require it!). They choose us because we don’t have a lot of rules, and meet them on their own terms.”

From Manor on Golden Pond

According to Mary Ellen Shields, co-owner, it’s the Manor’s food that attracts the millennial traveler. Their trendy approach and concessions for food intolerances and preferences  is what makes the Manor on Golden Pond a choice for millennial travelers.  “We have vegetarian options, and options which are moving away from protein-at-the-center-of-the-plate,” says Mary Ellen. “In general, the menu is lighter, healthier and more globally-influenced than in the past which appeals to millennials and also to the boomer traveler.”

Rabbit Hill Inn millennial guests enjoy a Clyde River paddle tripFrom Rabbit Hill Inn

The Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford, VT welcomes more and more millennial travelers each year.  Why? Because the innkeepers there cater to them.  They have learned that millenials desire variety and personalized experiences.  They have a strong craving for social spaces allowing the opportunity to mingle w/ fellow guests.  They want to feel special. They want to be pampered, but not at the expense of their privacy.  They demand value for their money. They are very interested in social media interaction prior to arrival, during and after their stay. So, what actions have Rabbit Hill Inn taken to appeal to millennial travelers?

  • Ongoing accommodation renovations: They continue to create a wide variety of décor and amenity options, appealing to varied tastes & preferences. No two guest rooms are the same. The inn offers contemporary, urban chic, and art deco styles with varied traditional styles.  Millenials enjoy new & difference lodging experiences every time they visit.
  • Social Spaces:  By design, the inn provides guests with a variety of social spaces. This includes fireplaced sitting areas, game rooms, covered porches, and a very popular cozy pub (with full bar & local craft beers on tap). Millenials flock to all these social spaces. They love to mingle with others guests, find quiet corners to read, and enjoy all the available games & puzzles.  Without doubt, the Pub is a key social space for these guests.
  • The inn provides very personalized concierge services.  Millenials want to enjoy several different experiences during their getaway (even if it is a short escape). Rabbit Hill Inn provides customized activity planning to help them experience a perfect time away. Guests are matched up with the perfect hiking or biking trails.
  • Millenials are attracted to highly interactive Social Media platforms.  They often connect with the Rabbit Hill Inn prior to their visit, expressing anticipation of their visit and asking questions. During and after their visit, they share their experiences with others.  They love the Rabbit Hill Inn’s abundant video gallery.

Each and every one of the 11 Distinctive Inns of New England offer accommodations and social spaces for all travelers – millennial and older.  Next time you think about visiting a DINE inn, know that you’ll find guests of all ages, from younger to older enjoying the accommodations, personalized service and social opportunities with other guests that Distinctive Inns of New England inns are expert at providing.