What would it be like to spend the night in a Taco Bell Hotel? Superfans of the Mexican-fast food chain will find out on August 9, when The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel & Resort opens for a limited run in Palm Springs.
This promotion proved to be immensely popular. So much so that the pop-up hotel sold out in two minutes after reservation lines opened.
This pop-up marketing campaign has received generally positive worldwide attention. Taco Bell had initially declined to announce what desert hotel it will take over—though Junkets & Jaunts spoke to, and reported about, an employee at V Palm Springs who spilled the beans.
Mediapost.com had also reported that multiple sources said V Palm Springs is the property that will become the “Tacoasis.”
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So what does it all mean? According to a press release from Taco Bell, which is owned by Yum! Brands, The Bell hotel will be “inspired by tacos and fueled by fans…Everything from guest rooms to breakfast and poolside cocktails will be infused with a taco Bell twist, making this the flavor-filled getaway of 2019.”
Taco Bell gets high marks from advertising experts on its marketing and social media wizardry. But infusing an entire hotel with a “Taco Bell twist” is cause for curiosity. How do you merge soft tacos, Cheesy Gorditas and Crunchwrap Supremes with hospitality staples such as room service, in-room amenities and experiential activities?
Perhaps in the following ways. With tongue clasped firmly in check, here’s a Top 10 list of “Ways Taco Bell Could Disrupt the Hotel Industry.”
The Taco Bell Hotel
1 Reservations. Yes, we have them regarding a fast-food-themed hotel. Good luck making one at The Bell. Reportedly, preference will go to superfans who are social media influencers.
2 Valet. No valet. Get in line for drive-through check in, then self-park. Two complimentary Chalupa Supremes will be waiting in your room.
3 Room keys. No room keys required. Instead of iris-scanner door locks, though, The Bell could debut a new Belly Button Recognition System.
4 Mini bars. Stocked with Tums, Pepto Bismol and Maximum-Strength Zantac.
5 Robes. One size does not fit all. Rooms will contain Mumus, and velour sweat suits with stretchy pants.
6 Bedding. All beds will be covered with round, brown-and-white-on-one-side tortilla burrito blankets.
7 In-Room Movies. Just a continuous loop playing Demolition Man. This 1993 sci-fi action thriller features Sandra Bullock’s character telling Sylvester Stallone: “Taco Bell was the only restaurant to survive the Franchise Wars…now all restaurants are Taco Bell.”
8 Room phones. Yep. You can auto dial room service, as well as 9-1-1, the Desert Regional Medical Center and the Diabetes Hotline.
9 Do Not Disturb signs. These come with a cute photo of a guest laying under a burrito tortilla blanket, with the message: FOOD COMA.
10 Fitness Center. Nope. Temporarily commandeered to sell Taco Bell pool floaties and other branded schwag. J&J
