37 Tips For Best Local SEO for Resorts
1. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Include your full address, categories like “Resort,” “Boutique Hotel,” or “Mountain Lodge,” high-quality photos, direct booking links, amenities (like spa or pool), and Q&A responses.
Example: A beachfront resort in Destin, FL adds “Ocean View Rooms,” “Private Cabana Rentals,” and “Onsite Dining” to their profile to boost visibility in local maps.
2. Use “Resort + Location” Keywords in Page Titles and Headings
Incorporate location-specific keywords naturally into H1s, meta titles, and descriptions.
Example: “Luxury Mountain Resort in Asheville, NC | Book Direct & Save”
3. Create Landing Pages for Each Resort Activity or Amenity
Break out pages for the spa, golf course, horseback riding, hiking, yoga, or lake access.
Example: A Colorado resort creates “Guided Snowshoe Tours in Steamboat Springs” and ranks for local winter activity searches.
4. Build a Dedicated Page for Each Room Type or Accommodation
Include high-quality images, descriptions, and local keywords.
Example: “Lakeview King Suite with Private Balcony – Lake Tahoe Resort”
5. Add Schema Markup for Local Business and Lodging
Use LodgingBusiness, LocalBusiness, Review, and Offer schema to provide extra detail to Google.
Example: A resort in Vermont uses schema to display availability and nightly rates directly in search results.
6. Optimize Your Website for Mobile Bookings
Make sure your booking engine is mobile-friendly, fast, and secure—many travelers book on mobile.
Example: A resort in Palm Springs increases mobile conversion rates by 30% after simplifying its room selector on phones.
7. Get Listed on Local Tourism and Chamber Sites
Earn local citations by listing your resort on regional tourism boards, destination blogs, and chamber of commerce directories.
Example: A boutique resort in Napa Valley gets traffic from VisitNapa.com and a local wine trail website.
8. Create City- and Region-Specific Landing Pages
Include content like travel tips, top attractions, and how your resort fits into the local area.
Example: “Plan Your Weekend Getaway from Dallas to Our Texas Hill Country Resort”
9. Use Google Posts for Events, Offers, and News
Share updates like seasonal packages, special events, or last-minute availability through GBP posts.
Example: A New York resort posts “Fall Foliage Weekend Packages – Book Before Oct 10!”
10. Encourage and Respond to Google Reviews
Reviews with keywords help SEO and influence bookings. Always respond—especially to critical feedback.
Example: A resort in Lake Michigan replies to reviews mentioning “kayak rentals” and “sunset views,” reinforcing those ranking signals.
11. Publish Blog Content Around Travel & Local Attractions
Write posts about things to do nearby, seasonal travel tips, or local events.
Example: “Top 10 Things to Do in Sedona This Spring” supports bookings for a local spa resort.
12. Include Driving Directions and Local Landmarks
Help users and search engines associate your resort with the area.
Example: “Just 12 miles from Gatlinburg – nestled at the base of the Smoky Mountains.”
13. Use “Near Me” and Voice Search Keywords
Include phrases like “spa resort near me,” “family resort near Orlando,” or “all-inclusive resort nearby.”
Example: A Phoenix-area resort ranks for “resorts near me with pool and golf” after optimizing local page content.
14. Add Photo Galleries Tagged with Local Keywords
Use descriptive filenames and alt text for SEO and image search.
Example: sunset-over-resort-pool-maine.jpg with alt tag “Oceanview Resort Pool in Southern Maine”
15. Include a Local Events Calendar or Partnership Section
Show you’re integrated into the area by promoting festivals, winery tours, or local excursions.
Example: A Vermont resort includes links to the local maple syrup festival and hosts yoga retreats in partnership with a studio.
16. Offer a Downloadable Travel Guide
Capture leads and build SEO with a free PDF that includes things to do, dining, and tips.
Example: “Download Our Free Sedona Adventure Guide” helps build email lists and increase bookings.
17. Embed a Google Map with Your Location Pin
Add a map to your Contact or “Getting Here” page, optimized for search.
Example: A luxury lodge near Asheville displays trailheads and driving routes from the airport.
18. Feature Real Guest Testimonials with Location References
Highlight reviews that mention your region, experience, or amenities.
Example: “The hot springs were just a short walk from our cabin—perfect winter getaway from Denver!”
19. Create a “Why Book Direct” Page
Highlight direct booking perks (discounts, flexible cancellations, upgrades) and support SEO with keywords.
Example: “Book Direct with Our Lake Tahoe Resort – Save 15% and Get a Free Paddleboard Rental”
20. Optimize for Multilingual SEO if Serving International Travelers
Add translated content for key landing pages and booking FAQs.
Example: A Caribbean resort offers Spanish, German, and French versions of its homepage and room descriptions.
21. Build Location-Specific FAQs
Answer questions that travelers might Google—include travel times, seasons, and weather.
Example: “When is the best time to visit a beach resort in Florida?”
22. Add Local-Targeted Structured URLs
Use clean, keyword-rich URLs like /lake-resort-north-carolina or /spa-getaway-berkshires.
Example: A Massachusetts resort uses /berkshires-winter-getaways to capture seasonal travel intent.
23. Use Internal Linking Between Service, Room, and Blog Pages
Link your blog content to rooms and amenities to build page authority and navigation.
Example: A “Best Fall Hikes in Vermont” blog links to the “Mountain View Cabins” and “Weekend Deals” pages.
24. Create Pages for Different Travel Types (Couples, Families, Solo)
Customize content and calls-to-action for specific audiences.
Example: “Romantic Getaways in Sonoma for Wine-Loving Couples”
25. Showcase User-Generated Content and Social Proof
Embed Instagram posts or guest photos on your homepage or gallery.
Example: A Florida Keys resort features a #SunsetAtCoralCove hashtag feed on their homepage.
26. Highlight Seasonal Packages and Limited-Time Deals
Create dedicated pages for packages tied to seasons or holidays.
Example: “Spring Break All-Inclusive Resort Packages – Cancun 2025”
27. Add Click-to-Call Buttons on Mobile
Simplify contact by adding floating call buttons or “Tap to Call” in CTAs.
Example: A Santa Fe resort improves mobile conversion by 28% after adding a sticky “Call to Book” button.
28. Use Booking Engine Schema to Improve Rich Snippets
Display prices, room availability, and special offers directly in search results.
Example: A resort in Utah shows “from $199/night” and links to their booking calendar in Google.
29. Feature “Things to Do Near [Location]” Content
Help guests plan itineraries—and keep them on your site longer.
Example: A Smoky Mountains resort writes “Things to Do in Pigeon Forge with Kids” and links to family suite bookings.
30. Add YouTube Videos of Resort Walkthroughs or Activities
Video content boosts engagement and rankings—especially if it includes local and resort name in the title.
Example: “Sunset Lodge Tour – Oregon Coast Resort” ranks for “Oregon Coast resorts with cabins.”
31. Conduct Seasonal SEO Updates
Update your content, offers, and images each season to stay relevant.
Example: A ski resort in Vermont updates homepage and meta descriptions to highlight “2025 Ski Season Deals.”
32. Use Event-Driven SEO Around Local Holidays and Festivals
Target local dates: “Labor Day Weekend Resort Deals Lake George” or “Mardi Gras Getaway in Louisiana.”
Example: A New Orleans resort gains 40% traffic increase from a page targeting “Mardi Gras hotel packages 2025.”
33. Add Google Analytics & Conversion Tracking
Track direct bookings, newsletter sign-ups, mobile calls, and page engagement.
Example: A Scottsdale resort adjusts CTA placement after noticing higher conversion on package pages than the homepage.
34. Highlight Pet-Friendly, Kid-Friendly, or Adults-Only Features
Target specific demographics through optimized landing pages.
Example: “Pet-Friendly Resorts in North Georgia Mountains” includes pet policy, trails, and nearby dog-friendly cafes.
35. Create Pages for Weddings, Retreats, or Corporate Groups
Group travel requires dedicated SEO targeting and longtail keywords.
Example: “Mountain Resort Wedding Venue in Colorado” ranks for multiple local terms and drives high-value event enquiries.
36. Audit Your Local Listings Every Quarter
Ensure address, phone, hours, and amenities are consistent on Google, TripAdvisor, Expedia, and OTA partners.
Example: A Montana lodge finds inconsistent hours on Bing Maps and updates them to improve local accuracy.
37. Translate Review Content into On-Site Testimonials
Use reviews to create keyword-friendly testimonials with headings and CTAs.
Example: A Maine resort pulls a 5-star review from Google and builds a “Why Guests Love Our Lakefront Lodges” testimonial page.
Local SEO Strategies for Different Types of Resorts
Best Local SEO for Beach Resorts
Focus on sunny, seasonal search terms like “beach resorts near [city]” or “oceanfront rooms [region].” Create pages around seasonal deals, local attractions like boardwalks or surfing, and highlight amenities such as private beaches or beachside dining.
Example: A resort in Clearwater Beach ranks #1 for “Florida Gulf Coast beachfront resort” after building location-specific landing pages.
SEO for Mountain Resorts
Target keywords tied to outdoor activities, seasonal sports, and regional features—like “ski resort in Vermont” or “hiking resort in Colorado Rockies.” Create pages for summer and winter stays separately.
Example: A resort near Lake Tahoe builds content for “Snowshoeing in Winter” and “Mountain Biking in Summer,” ranking for both.
Top SEO for Family Resorts
Target family-related search queries: “kid-friendly resort near me,” “resort with waterpark,” “family holiday resort [location].” Add content around safety, kids’ clubs, dining options for picky eaters, and family suites.
Example: A resort in Myrtle Beach ranks for “best resort for toddlers in South Carolina” with a blog post and a tailored family FAQ.
Best Local SEO for Wellness & Spa Resorts
Target health-focused keywords like “wellness retreat in Arizona,” “spa resort near Sedona,” or “mindfulness retreats.” Emphasize content around yoga, massage, detox, and calm. Use soothing design and structured content with pricing and itineraries.
Example: A resort in Sedona built an SEO hub around “holistic wellness retreats in Arizona,” generating steady organic bookings.
Local tips for Eco-Resorts and Sustainable Lodges
Use SEO to highlight sustainable credentials: “eco-lodge Costa Rica,” “off-grid mountain resort,” or “solar-powered accommodation.”
Build trust by detailing your green efforts on every location or room page.
Example: A resort in British Columbia ranks for “eco resort Canada” after writing content on solar power, composting, and local partnerships.
Local and international SEO for All-Inclusive Resorts
Build content around inclusive pricing and value, like “all-inclusive resort in Cancun” or “all meals and drinks included.” Create pages for package types (couples, family, adults-only), and detail what’s included in bullet points.
Example: An all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic saw conversion rates spike after updating SEO copy to answer “What’s included?” on each offer page.
SEO for Adults-Only or Couples Resorts
Target romantic and retreat-oriented terms: “adults-only resort near Orlando,” “honeymoon resorts in Jamaica,” or “romantic cabins [region].” Use aspirational content, emotional language, and couple-specific CTAs like “Celebrate Your Anniversary Here.”
Example: A couples-only resort in Key West dominates rankings for “honeymoon beach resort Florida” thanks to targeted pages with love-focused messaging.
SEO for Pet-Friendly Resorts
Include “pet-friendly resort” + city keywords and build pages for dog amenities, nearby trails, and pet policies. Use images of real guests with pets to increase engagement.
Example: A resort in Asheville ranks locally for “dog-friendly cabins NC” after adding a full landing page with rules, pet fees, and pet welcome kits.
Local SEO for Luxury Resorts
Use terms like “5-star resort,” “luxury escape in Napa,” or “high-end wellness retreat.” Create comparison-style content like “Why stay at a luxury resort vs hotel?” and support SEO with premium visuals, video, and awards.
Example: A Napa Valley resort ranks for “luxury wine resort California” with a wine-focused service page and local vineyard partnership content.
Common Questions About SEO Services for Resorts
What are the best SEO services for resorts?
The best SEO services for resorts include on-page content optimization for room types and amenities, Google Business Profile enhancement, technical SEO (speed, schema, mobile), backlink building from local travel blogs or tourism sites, and content creation around local attractions or seasonal travel.
Example: A resort in Lake Placid saw a 60% increase in direct bookings after combining content marketing with local SEO targeting skiing and hiking holidays.
How can local SEO help my resort stand out from bigger booking sites?
Local SEO allows your resort to rank independently of OTAs like Booking.com or Expedia by targeting intent-rich queries like “resorts near Denver with hot springs.” This boosts your visibility in organic and maps results, giving you direct traffic and avoiding commission fees.
Example: A North Carolina resort ranks ahead of OTA listings for “family resort in the Smoky Mountains” thanks to local-focused SEO content.
Should I work with an SEO agency or freelancer for my resort?
This depends on your goals. Agencies often offer broader support (e.g. web dev, listings, analytics) while freelancers may provide hands-on, personalized SEO help. Make sure either partner understands hospitality, user intent, and how to create content that both ranks and converts into bookings.
Example: A boutique resort in Vermont used a solo SEO consultant who built out blog content targeting “romantic winter retreats in New England.”
What keywords should my resort website target?
Focus on search intent tied to location, property type, and experience. Keywords like “romantic resort near Boston,” “hot tub resort in Oregon,” “dog-friendly mountain lodge,” or “all-inclusive adults-only resort” perform well.
Example: A Colorado spa resort targets “hot spring resort in Colorado” and gets bookings from Denver residents seeking weekend escapes.
How long does SEO take to work for a resort?
You can usually see improvements in map rankings and keyword visibility within 3–4 months. Organic bookings take longer—around 6 months for consistent growth. Seasonal resorts may see spikes tied to travel periods if content is updated regularly.
Example: A ski resort in Utah started SEO in July and saw traffic spike in November from “early ski season lodging Park City” content.
Can I still benefit from SEO if my resort is on Booking.com or Airbnb?
Yes—SEO helps you capture guests before they turn to third-party platforms. Many travelers search for specific types of experiences or packages that only your website can fully explain. Plus, booking direct is often preferred once trust is established.
Example: A lodge in Montana gets traffic from “cabins near Glacier National Park” and directs users to a special offer page unavailable on OTAs.
Do I need to create different SEO pages for each activity or package?
Yes. Targeted landing pages for “fly fishing retreats,” “yoga weekends,” or “New Year’s packages” give you more keyword opportunities and allow for seasonal promotions.
Example: A New Mexico resort launched a “Santa Fe Artists’ Retreat” page and ranked locally for art getaway weekends.
Should resorts invest in content marketing as part of their SEO?
Definitely. Blog content that answers “What to do in [destination]” or “Best time to visit [region]” ranks well and builds early trust with planners. It also supports your core resort pages with internal links.
Example: A Maine resort saw direct bookings rise after writing blogs like “5 Things to Do in Bar Harbor After Dark” and linking to “Weekend Getaway” packages.