14 hotel Instagram accounts to get inspired by
According to regular Hotelier Middle East columnist Martin Kubler, summer is an excellent time for hospitality businesses in the Gulf to take stock of, review, and improve their social media activity.
With this in mind, Hotelier has hunted down 14 of the most engaging and well thought out Instagram accounts in the Middle East.
Hotelier has selected the best accounts from individual hotel properties, as well as a handful of Middle East-based hotel groups.
We've championed the accounts that show more than just glossy brochure pictures of their resort, have a unique look and feel to their account, and achieve plenty of engagement as a result. In no particular order, here's our top 14 hotel Instagram accounts below.
Follow Hotelier Middle East on Instagram at @HotelierME.
Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre
185 posts
731 followers
631 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre has a great feel for turning its staff into the stars of this Instagram account. The hotel posts plenty of interesting behind the scenes footage, introduces its new staff members (across departments), and better still has a fun (and at times slightly wacky) way of doing so, as this "hero post" below proves.
Hero post
Fairmont Ajman
172 posts
1,197 followers
178 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
This property in the northern emirates works on highlighting each and every USP it can find, giving real character and variety to the Fairmont Ajman's Instagram account. Posts range from videos of live Cuban music at the Friday brunch, through to impressive creations at the property's recent sand castle competition.
Hero post
Mövenpick Jumeirah Lakes Towers
567 posts
1,367 followers
668 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
Mövenpick JLT has a happy knack of catching guests and staff in pictures and video content, which make it look like everyone is having fun dining, sleeping, or working at the hotel. And who doesn't want to visit a hotel like that?
Hero post
W Dubai
119 posts
3,474 followers
339 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
Although there is nothing especially unorthodox about W Dubai's social media strategy, the photography used on this feed is uniformly professional and stunning, always showcasing the property from its very best side.
Hero post
R Hotels UAE
471 posts
9,061 followers
592 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
This hotel group's UAE Instagram account successfully ticks two boxes. One, this feed is always full of fun behind the scenes pictures of staff at the hotel. Two, R Hotels is also doing a great job of driving guest interaction on social media, through social competitions.
Hero post
Cloud7 Hotels
229 posts
620 followers
150 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
This Turkish hotel group's Instagram account is fresh, witty and young, which is 100% in keeping with Cloud7's brand identity. The account also does well at showcasing Istanbul as a must-visit destination.
Hero post
St. Regis Saadiyat Island
353 posts
9,388 followers
5,094 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
St. Regis Saadiyat Island's Instagram photos are more often than not perfectly composed, as if they are straight out of the pages of a glossy magazine, which is an ideal image for a premium resort to project to potential guests.
Hero post
Vida Downtown Dubai
696 posts
15.7k followers
513 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
This Downtown Dubai hotel present the hotel as a "place to be", by staying engaged with current trends and news in the emirate, such as the recent healthy-eating trend. This particular hotel also gets a big "like" from Hotelier for being one of very few properties in the region to promote International Women's Day in a switched on manner, rather than through a promotion on feminist-baiting pink cupcakes.
Hero post
Kempinski Hotel Ajman
457 posts
2,066 followers
655 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
This Kempinski resort in the northern emirates has extremely strong Instagram game. The pictures in this feed showcase the property itself as inticing, the F&B offerings as unique and creative, and what's more the Kempinski Ajman still finds Instagram energy to champion the hotel staff themselves. Big thumbs up.
Hero post
Burj Al Arab
854 posts
382k followers
74 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
Despite being one of the most 'grammed properties in the region, the Burj Al Arab has a smart and creative knack of showing off a fresh and unexpected side of the hotel. Whether that's bike riding on the helipad (don't try this at home, kids), or behind the scenes interiors of private dining rooms, and guest bathrooms.
Hero post
Doha Marriott Hotel
1,016 posts
3,921 followers
409 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
This Instagram account has so much character and personality, it even has it's own leitmotif: copious fun posts related to the hotel's "resident camels" Bashoosh and Sahara. When an account feels this fun and friendly you can only assume the property and staff are too.
Hero post
Taj Dubai
415 posts
4,678 followers
1,976 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
It's hard to fault Taj Dubai's social media personality. It manages to embrace the brand's Indian heritage, a USP which sets it apart from other hotels in the region, in between plenty of great food shots, staff holiday snaps and selfies with celebrity chefs that just happened to have popped in to the hotel for a meal.
Hero post
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
694 posts
14.4k followers
281 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
Many hotels in the region fall into the trap of posting a limited selection of pictures that feature only the pool, beach and F&B offerings at the property. Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay ticks those boxes, but also promotes its spa facilities, CSR initiatives and kids' activities taking place at the hotel. Another tip many hotels in the GCC can learn from this Bahrain hotel: if you've got a celebrity chef's restaurant on your books, work their star potential when they come to town. Ask yourself, who doesn't want to see Wolfgang Puck shopping for spices in the souk, and learning to play the oud?
Hero post
JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
502 posts
9,043 followers
847 following
Why it gets a "like" from Hotelier
The world's tallest hotel has worked out what it's USPs are and really works at promoting the most unique sides of the hotel, including the great variety of colourful cakes it's pastry chefs can create.
Hero post