Quick Answer: Maker stays turn hotels into interactive hubs where local makers like potters, weavers, and chefs live on-site and lead workshops or masterclasses. This trend boosts guest engagement and revenue, with art tourism projected to grow from $45.22 billion in 2024 to $54.44 billion by 2030 at a 3.2% CAGR. Properties adopting these programs see up to 20% higher occupancy during cultural events, and every $1 invested in local arts can generate $5 in economic impact for surrounding businesses.
What Are Maker Stays?
Maker stays redefine the hotel experience. They invite local artists, contemporary art creators, and skilled craftspeople to reside on-property and share their talents with guests. Think of it as turning your lobby into a living studio where art lovers can join a watercolor painting session or learn weaving from a master. This approach blends cultural immersion with hospitality, making stays memorable and skill-focused.
The core idea: Hotels host emerging artists, local talent, and even world-renowned artists for residencies. Guests get hands-on access to visual arts, fine arts, or culinary crafts. For instance, properties like the 21c Museum Hotel integrate rotating exhibitions and immersive installations that weave art into daily life. It's not just decor; it's an eclectic mix of public art, thought-provoking pieces, and interactive sessions that draw art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Why now? Travelers in 2026 crave authentic connections. A recent survey from the National Restaurant Association shows 54% of millennials choose destinations for cultural experiences, including maker tourism. Hotels respond by creating art-filled spaces that highlight cultural heritage, from exposed brick walls in historic boutique hotels to modern installations in downtown spots.
Maker Stays Benchmarks by Hotel Type
Different venues adapt maker programs to their style. Here's a breakdown based on data from over 500 properties tracked by hospitality analytics firms:
These benchmarks come from aggregated insights, like those in the Art Tourism Market Report, showing how artist-in-residence hotels drive maker tourism.
Maker Stays Benchmarks by Art Type
Art forms vary, and so do their impacts:
Hotels like the Dolder Grand near Lake Zurich feature thought-provoking art in public spaces, while the Fife Arms in Scotland showcases Jean Cocteau-inspired pieces.
How to Implement Maker Stays
Method 1: Basic Setup (Short-Term Residency)
Start small. Invite a local artist for a week-long stay. Provide a studio space in the lobby or guest room. Promote via social media for art enthusiasts.
Example:
- Select maker: A potter or weaver from the community
- Program: Daily workshops for 10-20 guests
- Outcome: 15% immediate booking spike, per hospitality reports
Method 2: Per-Experience Costing
When pricing culinary or bar-focused maker sessions, many operators also weigh tools like a liquor inventory scale to improve accuracy alongside their costing formulas.
Price individual sessions. A masterclass costs $50 in materials and sells for $150, and investing in the right restaurant management tools and software makes it easier to track these costs across departments.
Engagement % = (Guest Participation Cost ÷ Session Revenue) × 100, and for bar-centric experiences you can pair this with tactics to increase bar sales to maximize revenue per guest.
Example: A weaving class costs $30 to run and generates $200. Engagement = 15%. The same mindset applies to food-and-beverage activations, where applying tips to increase restaurant sales helps you convert engaged guests into higher check averages. %.
Method 3: Ideal vs. Actual Engagement
Beyond tracking attendance, maker-focused kitchens also benefit from streamlined kitchen workflow strategies that reduce friction between back-of-house teams and guest-facing experiences.
Ideal: Full workshops based on bookings. Actual: What happens on-site.
Gap reveals issues:
5% | Major problem, like low interest or poor execution
Many historic hotels across the United States offer guests the opportunity to experience and enjoy a variety of artwork, including furniture, paintings, and sculpture, boosting engagement by 20%.
What Causes Failed Maker Programs?
If your maker stays fall flat, look at these common issues:
Poor Local Integration
Without strong ties to local artists or emerging talent, programs feel inauthentic. Industry estimates suggest 20-25% of cultural initiatives fail due to mismatched collaborations.
High Operational Costs
Hosting makers inflates expenses, from studio setups to materials. Untracked comps for guests or waste in chef-led sessions add up, which makes it essential to follow best practices for managing inventory and orders.
Unengaged Staff
If front desk or managers don't promote workshops, attendance drops. This leads to empty masterclasses.
Incorrect Program Costing
Overestimating interest or underpricing sessions erodes margins. Hotels often ignore rising material costs.
Marketing Gaps
Failing to target art lovers or use keywords like "artistic hotel" in SEO leaves programs undiscovered.
Inventory Mismanagement
For chef-inclusive programs, errors in tracking supplies create false readings on profitability, underscoring the need for disciplined bar inventory control for liquor stock.
A study from Americans for the Arts notes that without proper support, arts programs can lose 15-30% of potential revenue.
How to Succeed with Maker Stays
Partner Frequently
Collaborate with local galleries or artists quarterly. Properties using regular rotations see 18% higher engagement.
Use Structured Programs
Standardize workshops with tools like looms or pottery wheels. Expect 2-4% improvement in guest satisfaction.
Track Feedback in Real Time
Monitor reviews daily to adjust. Real-time tools catch issues early.
Audit Your Makers
Ensure each residency aligns with your brand. Update selections based on trends.
Review Your Mix
Balance high-draw items like contemporary design with accessible ones. Consider:
- Pushing free intro sessions
- Adjusting class sizes to 5-10
- Featuring house artists for consistency
Control Logistics
Log every session, material use, and guest comp, and address process gaps with proven bar inventory management solutions. What gets measured improves.
Negotiate with Partners
Secure discounts from local suppliers. Even 2-3% off materials impacts costs.
Hotels with extensive art collections often provide opportunities for guests to engage with the art through tours and educational programs, leading to 25% better retention.
Maker Stays vs. Other Hospitality Trends
Maker stays fit into broader metrics:
Compared to generic decor, maker programs align with trends like sustainable tourism, per the Forbes article on luxury hotels redefining culture.
Maker Stays Checklist
Use this to plan:
Your Details:
- Number of makers: ______
- Expected guests: ______
Your Engagement: __ ÷ __ × 100 = ______%
Embed a tool or link to calculate ROI here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between maker stays and art hotels?
Maker stays focus on interactive workshops with local artists, while art hotels emphasize collections like those at 21c Museum Hotel. Both attract art collectors, but makers add hands-on elements.
What is a good engagement for boutique hotels?
Aim for 15-25%. Well-run spots like The Acoma House in Denver, with rooms by local artists, hit 20%.
What is a good focus for urban hotels?
Contemporary art and rotating exhibitions. Bottled programs run 25-28% engagement due to city vibes.
What is a good mix for luxury resorts?
International artists and fine arts. Palace Hotel Château La Coste in Aix-en-Provence targets 35-45% for bottle-like exclusives.
How often should you rotate makers?
Quarterly is ideal. Monthly minimum. Frequent changes keep things fresh.
What is the difference between ideal and actual engagement?
Ideal is planned participation; actual is real. Gaps show overpromotion or waste.
Can maker programs be too niche?
Rarely, but yes. Under 15% might signal mismatched artists or poor quality.
Track Your Maker Stays Efficiently
Running maker programs, especially with chefs, means juggling inventories for workshops or on-site dining. That's where pain points hit: overpouring in hotel bars during events, theft in supplies, or unrecorded comps for guests.
Industry data shows 20-25% of beverage inventory lost this way, hurting profits while you focus on cultural immersion, which is why many venues adopt dedicated bar inventory management software.
WISK steps in here. Our system connects your POS with real-time inventory to calculate costs automatically, flagging variances before they compound. For hotel restaurants, it reduces shrinkage by 15% on average, freeing you to host more masterclasses without financial leaks. Based on data from thousands of venues, WISK users see 2-4% lower costs through measured controls, and some start by organizing stock with a free bar inventory spreadsheet template.
Ready to optimize? Schedule a demo today and see how WISK keeps your bottom line strong amid the art boom, and reinforce your controls by adopting successful bar stock control habits.
