Learning the local language (even if it’s only the basics) can go a long way when traveling in a foreign country.
It helps with cultural immersion, makes it easier to navigate and problem-solve, and adds a layer of depth to your vacation.
That’s why some of the world’s top hotels are embracing language classes. The new exclusive amenity takes guests away from apps like Duolingo and into an immersive and convenient learning experience.
Hotels Offering Immersive Language Classes as a Perk
Here are some of the hotels around the world elevating the guest experience with language classes:
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
From Monday to Friday, guests at Chinzanso can take a 40-minute Japanese language class. You’ll learn basic greetings and phrases as well as instructions on Japanese culture and manners, such as how to visit shrines or properly use chopsticks.
To amp up the cultural experience, the classes take place in a Japanese-style suite.
The Four Seasons Hualalai
At the Kaʻūpūlehu Cultural Center, guests are encouraged to discover Hawaiian culture. You can book immersive activities to master the art of traditional feather tying, learn about local Hawaiian plants, and sign up for language classes.
Don’t have time for a lesson during your stay? The Four Seasons has a Hawaiian language landing page with videos to help you learn basic words and pronunciation before you arrive.
Royal Mansour Marrakesh
When the hotel’s owner is the King of Morocco, you know the amenities will be luxurious and top-notch. The hotel’s calligraphy classes exude decadence, taking place inside a glass greenhouse in the hotel’s quiet garden oasis, Le Jardin.
Six Senses Seychelles
Learn the basics of the Creole language – on the house. The complimentary language class will have you saying “bonzour” like a local in only one hour.
To book it, all you need to do is contact the Experience team at Six Sense, and your Seychellois host will lead you through an introductory language model and a short quiz.
Cruise Ships Are Jumping in on the Language Trend
While you’re out at sea, there’s a lot you can do on a cruise.
Hang out at the pool, feast at the buffet, or take a language class and immerse yourself in a foreign language.
Royal Caribbean offers language classes (depending on your trip and itinerary) to help guests learn greetings, phrases, and basic questions.
For example, you can take a crash course in Spanish while abroad. You’ll learn everything that will come in handy while exploring onshore, and before you know it, you’ll be speaking like a local, amigo.
Over at Princess, you can learn various languages depending on the cruise you choose for “Festivals of the World.” The King Kamehameha festival (October – May) comes with hula, Hawaiian music, and language classes, while the Festival of the Med (April – November) offers basic language classes in Spanish, Italian, French, and Greek,
Enriching the Travel Experience: Why More Hotels Should Include a Language Class Amenity
Language classes enrich the guest experience by providing a deeper cultural immersion. Guests who learn the local language can engage more meaningfully with the destination, giving you a competitive advantage. The amenity sets hotels apart and attracts culturally curious travelers who want more from their stay.
Besides cultural immersion, language lessons add extra value and convenience for guests. Many travelers aspire to learn new languages but struggle to find the time. By offering on-site classes, hotels make it easy for guests to achieve their goals during their stay and even inspire them to continue learning at home.
Finally, offering language classes demonstrates a hotel’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. By promoting cultural understanding and communication, hotels contribute to a more inclusive and globally connected world.
So next time you book a stay, consider a hotel that offers language classes and unlock a new world of opportunities.
Would you like to learn a new language on your next vacation? Is this an amenity you would want at your hotel? Let me know in the comments below!