Hotels.com Rings in Savings with New Mascot "Bellboy"

Hotels.com has introduced a new mascot, Bellboy, to promote summer travel savings available through the Expedia Group-owned travel booking site. Bellboy, an 18-inch anthropomorphic hotel desk bell, stars in a new campaign supporting a sale running through May 26.

Bellboy's Mission: Travel Hacks and Savings

This marks a return to mascot-focused marketing for Hotels.com, previously known for the Captain Obvious character. Bellboy is designed to exude confidence while sharing travel hacks and savings gleaned from an upbringing in the hospitality industry. A key part of Bellboy's role is educating consumers about helpful tools available via the Hotels.com app, such as a new price alert function that notifies users of price drops on hotels they're watching. This feature aims to drive customer loyalty.

The campaign, featuring a catchy jingle, is live on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, as well as the Hotels.com website and app. Bellboy will also be featured in Hotels.com's global marketing efforts in the coming weeks.

Summer Savings and Rewards

The campaign's jingle introduces Bellboy with lyrics like "He's a bell, he's a boy, he's Bellboy!" and highlights the current sales push. Hotels.com is offering consumers 25% or more off a wide range of stays, plus the chance to earn 50% more rewards on bookings. This deals-focused campaign comes ahead of the summer travel rush, amidst concerns about a potential recession impacting consumer confidence.

From Captain Obvious to Bellboy: A Shift in Strategy

Hotels.com retired Captain Obvious in 2022 after nearly a decade. Since then, the company has explored character-free advertising, including the 2024 "Introductions" campaign, which positioned the platform as a "matchmaker" for travelers and hotels.

Mascots Make a Comeback

The reintroduction of a mascot aligns with a broader trend of marketers embracing recognizable icons for cross-platform campaigns. Brands like Hi-Chew and Buffalo Wild Wings have also introduced animated spokescharacters in recent years.