Why service with a smile is the ultimate travel upgrade

While we love the little luxuries that come with a hotel stay, it’s the warm welcome and friendly service that really matter. 

Two thirds of Brits rate great service as one of the top drivers of a good hotel experience (69%), along with delicious food (67%), a fabulous shower (55%) and soft towels (34%), according to a new study. 

Nor does it stop at feeling welcome. Hotel guests who got “service with a smile” were six times more likely to remember their visit, felt 51% more welcome, and 75% more likely to come back.

Incredibly friendly staff can actually make your food taste better, your bed feel comfier and your break 22% more enjoyable overall, according to the survey conducted by Hampton by Hilton and researchers at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Researchers used guest surveys combined with innovative eye-tracking technology and facial analysis to measure guests’ emotional responses to friendly service, revealing that ‘service with a smile’ displayed 3.5 times higher levels of overall happiness during their stay.

The hotel brand also teamed up with rapper and TV personality Big Zuu – known for his big smile – to test how simple gestures can turn an ordinary stay into an unforgettable experience. 

“I’m all about big smiles and bringing good vibes to whoever I meet,” Big Zuu said. “The science doesn’t lie – smiles really do make the difference. From making breakfast taste better to improving your overall hotel stay – that’s a lot to smile about.” 

Professor Jonathan Freeman, Professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, said: “The findings illustrate a fascinating link between interpersonal warmth and guest perception. Even small gestures of friendliness, such as a simple smile, genuinely affect how people experience their environment – from physical comfort to mental well-being.” 

Shruti Gandhi Buckley, Global Brand Head at Hampton by Hilton says: “At Hampton by Hilton, our passion for exceptional service runs so deep, we’ve given it a name, Hamptonality!

“This study confirms what we witness every day from our incredible Hampton team members around the world: a genuine, warm, and inviting smile doesn’t just brighten a moment – it transforms the entire guest experience. From making a morning coffee taste better to turning a brief stay into a lasting memory, the power of a smile is undeniable.”

For more information on the research and to book your own experience of ‘Service with a Smile,’ visit here Join the conversation at #ForTheStay.