We had the incredible pleasure of staying at the Glass Light Hotel a few weeks ago. Doing Virginia boutique hotel marketing isn’t easy – and it’s important to fully understand the client experience when you’re marketing them. Staying here was SO amazing. We got a beautiful room that overlooked the Elizabeth River, ate some of the best food I’ve had in forever, experienced their wonderful hospitality and staff, and spent some time enjoying the other things to do in downtown Norfolk at the same time.
When we arrived, there was champagne in our room, a gorgeous view of the city, amazing customer service at the front desk, and more. They valeted our car so we didn’t have to worry about parking. We made dinner reservations for the restaurant (I’d heard so many good things about it – and not just from the hotel!). It delivered more than I could’ve imaged. They offered us the chef’s table, so we got to sit and watch the kitchen in action. The awesome folks in the kitchen all worked so hard and so well together, and it was clear that they take a lot of pride in what they get to do. Sous Chef Jeff was a great host, offering recommendations for dinner for us, and getting to know us and letting us get to know him, too!
Getting Content While You’re a Guest (And Being Respectful of Others!)
I brought my camera, but I didn’t want to be invasive with lights and things while there were other guests around, but I wanted to make sure I got great content. We focused on getting some real-life photos and short form videos for Reels for their Instagram. While Glass Light is known for being an upscale restaurant (for real, where’s there Michellin star?), it’s also a place that you can go in jeans to have an amazing crafted cocktail and dinner with friends. It doesn’t have to be a special occasion to go. You don’t have to be spending the night in downtown Norfolk like we did. Truthfully, we’re already planning our next trip to eat there because the food was so good. Our kids are already asking about the poached pineapple dessert that I can’t stop talking about.
After dinner, we went with some friends to Circuit Social. We hit up a local record store, Not for the Weak Records, before dinner. Then we came back, went to bed, and woke up and had breakfast downstairs, too. I’m not usually a fan of hotel breakfast, but this wasn’t your buffet-style breakfast. They made things to order, and what they made was also carefully crafted, just like dinner. I got an omelette and Chris got pancakes (which is on brand for both of us).
When you’re thinking about marketing your boutique hotel – it’s all about the experience. It’s all about showing what it’s ACTUALLY like to eat there and stay there. You’ve got to be relatable. It’s extremely cool that the crew at Glass Light gets that – and that they let us be part of the experience to capture it.
Want to Book a Stay or a Reservation?
You can do that here. And you should. You’ll be bummed if you miss out on it, I promise.
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