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🛎️ Copy That Sells: Write Menu & Room Descriptions That Actually Work

🛎️ Copy That Sells: Write Menu & Room Descriptions That Actually Work

In this week's newsletter, 5 simple tips to spice up your menus and room descriptions

July 01, 2025

Let’s be honest: most room and menu descriptions are… well, boring.

They either sound like they were written by a robot (“spacious room with en-suite bathroom and modern amenities” or “grilled chicken with vegetables”) or ChatGPT (insert lots of emojis and —, as ChatGPT likes to do)

Here’s the thing: your words matter. And they’re often the first impression someone gets of your space or food.

So let’s fix this and write copy that actually makes people want to book, order, or forward your menu to their friend/partner.

5 Tips To Write Better Descriptions ⤵️
1️⃣ Lead with Feelings, not Features
2️⃣ Be Specific Enough
3️⃣ Ditch the Corporate Tone
4️⃣ Sensory Language
5️⃣ Keep it Short
🔑 Key Takeaways
✅ Three Things You Can Do Right Now
Final Thoughts

5 Tips To Write Better Descriptions ⤵️

1️⃣ Lead with Feelings, not Features

Instead of just listing what’s in the dish or room, start with how it makes someone feel.

OK: “Deluxe double room with king-size bed and private balcony.”
Better: “Wake up slowly in our deluxe king-size bed, sunlight pouring in through your private balcony doors.”

Same for menus:

OK: “Tomato soup with basil.”
Better: “Rich, slow-roasted tomato soup, finished with a swirl of cream and hand-picked basil.”

Ask yourself: what’s the mood, the vibe, the experience? Describe that.

2️⃣ Be Specific Enough

Generic words kill the vibe. “Nice room” or “tasty dish” doesn’t cut it.
Get a little more detailed—but stay casual.

Instead of:

“Spacious room with modern amenities.”
Try:
“A calm, modern space with everything you need to unpack, recharge, and get a little work done if you need to.”

Instead of:

“Fresh salad with local ingredients.”
Try:
“Crisp greens, goat cheese from the farm down the road, and a zesty lemon dressing.”

And…

“Daily catch with seasonal vegetables.”
Try:

“Fresh, grilled sea bass with lemon-thyme butter, served with roasted carrots and crispy potatoes.”

Specifics help people picture it. “The farm down the road” makes them visualize the farm in their head (even if they may be far off and romanticize that farm a lot, let them!).

3️⃣ Ditch the Corporate Tone

Your copy should sound like you, not a committee. Ditch the corporate tone and write like you're explaining something to a friend of a friend. The latter is key: you don’t want to be too informal. Maybe leave out the slang, except if that’s your brand’s style.

Here’s what I mean:

❌ “Guests are encouraged to utilize the shared lounge space.”
✅ “Grab a book, play some chess, or enjoy a glass of wine. Our lounge is your living room away from home.”

❌ “We offer a wide variety of international dishes.”
✅ “From house-made pasta to crispy falafel, there’s something here for every guest and craving.”

❌ “All rooms come with modern amenities.”
✅ “Fast Wi-Fi, good coffee, soundproof walls, and blackout curtains.”

4️⃣ Sensory Language

Sensory language? Yes. Those words that describe texture, scent, sound, temperature.. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a poet or a high-end food reviewer. However, adding one or two sensory words can truly bring your copy to life.

For food:

Home-made, al dente pasta in a rich, roasted tomato and garlic sauce, finished with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Grilled halloumi with roasted cherry tomatoes, marinated Kalamata olives, and a lemon-oregano dressing.
Soy-glazed chicken, served with jasmine rice, pickled cucumber, and toasted sesame.

For rooms:

Spacious suite with a king-size bed, blackout curtains, fast Wi-Fi and a private desk area to unwind or catch up on work.
A light-filled apartment with a private balcony, full kitchenette, Netflix, and everything you need for a short (or longer) stay.

These tiny touches help readers feel what you’re offering. Especially for menus where you may not always be able to show a photo along with the food, copy can do wonders.

5️⃣ Keep it Short

Especially on social media or on booking websites: people skim.

They don’t read every word. So keep your descriptions tight, clear and focused. Say what you need to say, add maybe a few sensory words, then stop.

Instead of:

“Our deluxe suites offer a wide array of thoughtful amenities designed to ensure your comfort and convenience, including a spacious layout, elegant furnishings, and a luxurious en-suite bathroom.”

Try:

“Spacious suite with a king-size bed, a cozy seating nook with a coffee machine, full amenities, and a luxurious en-suite bathroom.”

Instead of:

“Our chef has created a diverse and innovative menu featuring a range of international dishes using the freshest seasonal ingredients. They can be ordered individually or family style.”

Try:

“Seasonal dishes inspired by flavors from around the world, perfect to share.”

🔑 Key Takeaways

Lead with feeling, not just features. Help your reader imagine and visualize the experience or dish.
Write like you talk—friendly and clear, not stiff or formal.
Use sensory details (but don’t overdo it).
Avoid long, dull blocks of text.

✅ Three Things You Can Do Right Now

1️⃣ Rewrite one menu item or room description using the tips in this newsletter.

2️⃣ Read your current descriptions out loud. This is a great way to catch typos, as well as to check if they sound like you. If not, make them more conversational.

3️⃣ Kill your darlings! Remove unnecessary words and break long paragraphs into short lines. People should be able to skim the text and still get the main point(s).

That’s it for this week!

Great descriptions don’t have to be complicated or fancy. That often loses people’s attention. Instead, they need to create a connection.

Keep it simple, short and… dare I say: sexy. You’ll see this type of copy sells.

See you next week,

Caroline 👋