What information should a hospitality map include?

Start with the guest journey

Start by thinking about the experience your guest is having. What do they need to know when they first arrive? What might they be looking for during their stay? What would help them feel oriented and confident as they explore?

Think about the questions guests are likely to have at each stage of their visit, and what information will be most useful to them first. A guest arriving at a resort may need to find reception, their accommodation or the main facilities, while someone planning their day might want to know what's nearby and how different parts of the property connect.

The map doesn't need to show everything. It needs to show the right things, in a way that makes sense from the guest's point of view.

Include the places guests are most likely to need

A hospitality map should make it easy for guests to find the places and services they'll really need during their stay. This might include reception, parking, accommodation, restaurants and bars, the spa, activities and walking routes.

It can also be useful to show practical details such as accessible routes and other facilities, depending on the property and the needs of its guests.

The key is to think from the guest's point of view: what are they likely to be looking for, and what would they be frustrated not to find?

Show what's special about your destination

Of course, it can help guests find their way around, but it can also introduce them to the places and experiences that make the destination special.

This might include a beautiful viewpoint, a garden, a beach, a historic feature or somewhere known for its wildlife. Local highlights can give guests ideas for what to explore and help them discover things they might otherwise miss.

The map can be useful before guests set out, as well as while they're exploring.

Avoid overwhelming your guests

Too much information can make it harder for guests to see what matters and find what they're looking for. A map doesn't need to spell out everything there is to know about a property or destination.

Clear visual hierarchy helps guide the eye, so the most important information is easy to find first. Careful editing can keep the map useful and prevent clutter.

The aim is to give guests enough information to feel confident exploring, without making them work through information they don't need.

How illustration creates a better guest experience

Illustration can make a map feel friendlier and more welcoming than a strictly functional guide. Colour, lettering, imagery and little details can add personality and create a sense of the atmosphere guests can expect from the place itself.

It can also reflect the character and visual identity of the hotel, resort or business, making the map feel like part of the brand rather than a separate piece of information.

That first impression matters. A map can be one of the things guests encounter when they're planning a stay or arriving somewhere new, so giving it warmth and personality can help the whole experience feel more considered and inviting.

Making your map work across print and digital

Of course, map illustration can be useful in more places than a single printed guide. Depending on the property and how guests use it, the same artwork might appear in a welcome pack, bedroom folder, brochure or on signage, as well as on the hotel's website or other digital guest information.

Thinking about these different uses from the beginning can help the map work well at different sizes and in different formats, while keeping the same visual identity throughout the guest experience.

Is your current guest map doing enough?

Take a look at the map you currently give your guests. Does it just show where things are, or does it help them understand the property and make the most of their time with you?

Does it reflect the character of your business? Does it draw attention to places many guests could miss? And does it give them the information they need without making them work to find it?

If there's more your map could be doing for your guests, it may be worth considering whether a different approach could make it more useful, more welcoming and more connected to the experience you're trying to create.