Insider: What Resort Managers Want Guests to Know — Practical Etiquette and Booking Tips for 2026 Stays
Resort managers reveal the booking and behaviour choices that make stays smoother for guests and staff. If you're an ethical traveller or an expat booking a restorative stay, these are the practices that matter now.
Insider: What Resort Managers Want Guests to Know — Practical Etiquette and Booking Tips for 2026 Stays
Hook: Staying at a resort in 2026 should be restorative — not administrative work. Resort managers shared operational pain points and guest tips that help you avoid surprises and support local staff and communities.
Booking clarity and lead time
Managers ask that guests read cancellation and house rules carefully, especially when booking packages that include local partners like yoga studios. For more on how managers coordinate expectations, see this insider briefing: Insider: What Resort Managers Want Guests to Know.
Direct bookings vs OTAs
For mediation and clearer redress, direct bookings can simplify refunds and special requests. If you’re deciding between channels, this practical comparison outlines exact trade-offs: Direct Booking vs OTAs.
Partnerships and curated experiences
Managers increasingly partner with local studios and activity providers to co-create itineraries. Understand how revenue-sharing affects pricing and tipping; curated resort activities often explain inclusion and optionality in detail: Adventure at the Resort: Curated Activities.
Sustainability and guest choices
Small behaviour changes have large cumulative effects: bring refillable bottles, choose low-linen-change programs, and book longer stays to reduce carbon intensity per night. Resort groups are also investing in smart rooms and matter-ready tech to optimize energy use — a significant move toward sustainable stays: Major Resort Consortium Commits to Matter‑Ready Rooms.
How to be a good guest
- Communicate dietary restrictions in advance.
- Respect local staff and cultural norms.
- Support local partners by booking experiences through vetted channels and tipping appropriately.
Final manager tip
Don’t expect a resort to be your concierge for large administrative asks (visas, long-term tenancy). Use resorts for short restorative stays or to test a region — and pair with local partners for deeper services.
— Hospitality Desk, Foreigns.xyz