Trends and tendencies for Hotel Photography in 2023 

There is a new visual narrative emerging for hotels. Hotel Essence founder Michelle Chaplow shares her first-hand experience 

Images showing fresh air and the great outdoors is very appealing to guests: in fact, this may be a deciding factor when booking.

Al fresco covid-friendly dining at Finca Cortesin
Al fresco dining at Hotel Finca Cortesin

Guests often have a strong desire to immerse themselves in nature, and therefore want to be reassured that there are beautiful, easily-accessible open spaces, either within the property or close to the luxury hotel or resort, whether parks, beaches, woods or mountains, which they will be able to enjoy together.

Hotel The Serras, Barcelona, Roof top pool terrace.  © Michelle Chaplow
Hotel The Serras, Barcelona, Roof top pool terrace.
Hotel La Val, Mountain Spa, Brigels, Surselva, Switzerland. A haven of wild flowers © Michelle Chaplow
Hotel La Val, Mountain Spa, Brigels, Surselva, Switzerland. A haven of wild flowers
Beautiful Hotel bathroom Photography
Bathrooms with fresh air and a front line view to nature. Location Benbow Historic Inn.
Outdoor seaweed baths at the Cashel Place Hotel Spa  © Michelle Chaplow
Cashel Palace Hotel, Cashel, Tipperary, Ireland, outdoor Seaweed Baths

These wide open spaces don’t have to be within the hotel property itself; they can be in the surrounding countryside – as long as they are nearby. 

Dreamy journeys on Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Dreamy journeys on Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

Also, include at least one image on your website showing that guests can breathe in clean, fresh air when they open the windows of their hotel bedroom. If you don´t have the possibilty to open windows, depict areas with the message of, fresh air and nature.

Hotel Avani + Luang Prabang; Laos © Michelle Chaplow
Hotel Avani + Luang Prabang; Laos
Hotel Lifestyle Photography
Park Hotel Vitznau, Switzerland, immersing yourself in nature
Lifestyle photography for hotels
Cycling across bridge laughing at Hotel Fairmont Barcelona gardens
Boutique hotel Photography by Michelle Chaplow
Roof top dining at La Maison Blanche, Tangier, Morocco

Fresh air and nature are becoming more and more important in hotel photography, another way to introduce nature is to “say it with flowers”.

Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The elegant, flower filled winter Garden at the Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, in the Spring © Michelle Chaplow
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, in the Spring

For any forthcoming photoshoot don´t forget, even if you are a city hotel, try to bring nature and fresh air into your imagery. Historic hotels, Boutique hotels, Luxury hotels, your guests will just love to “feel” that fresh air.