Sex Sells: 'more fun in the confines of the hotel room...'

If it is up to entrepreneur Viviane van den Bichelaer from Heerhugowaard, the term 'experience' in the hotel industry will gain real meaning. "I am convinced that sales can grow creatively if the experience for the guest is made personal and surprising." Viviane seems to be making a cryptic start to this interview but nothing could be further from the truth. "A couple or married couple stays overnight in a hotel also to be able to pay mental and physical attention to each other again. So: more love! With definitely a sensual angle too!"

Viviane has been related to Personal Care Concepts for several years, manufacturing cosmetic products based on proprietary recipes. The company does this for large chains that market private labels. "We are a supplier of everything in skin and hair care. In recent years, I have expanded those activities and that has grown into a separate company: Love Business. How it ever started? While staying overnight in a hotel, I found a bag of 'love products' on the sideboard. A toy, some condoms, a bit of lubricant... But really, this was cheap rubbish. We could do a lot better, I thought. So we set out to develop a more inspiring ánd romantic alternative with a better look and feel."

This has worked out well, as Viviane and her colleagues now supply a large number of hotels in the Netherlands. They also export to Curaçao, Germany and Belgium, and more countries seem "ready" for love (and good conversation) in hotel rooms. 

"We have developed luxurious, beautifully designed black boxes with exciting contents to encourage love and togetherness in hotel rooms. From a soft-romantic angle and products to make foreplay more exciting to more exciting things. Yes, from the innocent rose petals to gorgeous vibrators, cock rings, handcuffs, massage oils and even whips. The goal? To provide lots of fun for guests in a hotel room. We also let them get a step closer together mentally. For example, each box contains fun assignment cards with naughty questions couples can ask each other, such as "What turns you on?" or "What grade do you give for.... (well, fill it in!)?'"  

Viviane explains that right from the start, many hotels were not only curious about these chic love boxes, but successful pilots were launched right away. "For example, in several hotels the boxes are offered as a choice option when booking," Viviane says. "Even a somewhat more conservative General Manager was won over and saw the commercial opportunities and added value with our products. And, everything can be done discreetly. One can discover how many guests like this! For example, some hotels put a custom-made leaflet from us on the sideboard in the hotel room. The guest can order the box of their choice after which it is neatly delivered to the hotel room."

Of course Viviane understands that her products arouse curiosity. "Sex sells," she says. "Fortunately, I see that since the corona era, there are fewer taboos around this subject. People dare to experiment more and talk about it more often. Therein lies the opportunity for the hotelier who understands that an experience is not just literally 'experience' but is also about creating memories. Why wouldn't you want to give a guest that exciting retrospective of their stay at the hotel?"

Several versions are available. From the 'Key to Start' (discreet way to provide the guest with condoms) and the 'Key to Love (a wonderful foreplay) ', to the 'Key to Romance' (helps housekeeping to fill out the romantic package), the 'Key to Experience', the 'Key to Adventure', the 'Key to Heaven' and the 'Key to Wellness'. 

"Ultimately, every hotelier wants to pamper their guests. Fortunately, this is possible now more than ever!"...