Hotels are leaning more heavily on ancillary revenue instead of room-rate hikes as costs rise and guests stay price-sensitive, according to SabeeApp. The company says add-on services such as breakfast, parking, late check-in, late check-out and room upgrades are becoming a core part of smarter pricing strategies.
SabeeApp argues that the model works because the individual charges are small enough that guests are less resistant to them than they would be to a higher base rate. At the same time, the cumulative effect can materially improve total revenue per booking without requiring hotels to attract significantly more guests.
How guests chose a hotel?
A Qualtrics research show that 77% of travelers choose hotels based on convenience of location, 75% on budget fit and 62% on free breakfast. Other key factors include helpful customer service at 58% and loyalty programs at 51%, while only 47% say onsite dining is a deciding factor.
That supports a strategy built around what guests actually value, rather than broad price increases. SabeeApp says hotels that align extras with guest expectations can convert more bookings into higher-value stays while preserving satisfaction.
Space as revenue
The report also points to a broader trend: hotels are rethinking underused spaces as revenue generators. Lobby areas are being turned into community spaces, coworking corners and event venues, creating additional uses for the same square meters and broadening the customer base.
In Hungary, SabeeApp says ancillary revenue is still far from fully structured, especially at smaller and mid-sized hotels. The company recommends gradual adoption of monetized late check-out, pre-sold breakfast or package offers, optimized parking sales and locally relevant experiences, all timed through digital systems to lift conversion.
