What Hotels Should Put in a Creator Stay Agreement

Hosting a creator is a real commitment for a hotel: a room that could otherwise be sold, staff time, meals and access to spaces. A clear creator stay agreement protects that investment and helps the creator deliver exactly what the property needs. It also makes the experience smoother for staff and other guests. This guide outlines what to include in a creator stay agreement. It is general information, not legal advice.

Why a written agreement matters

Hotel collaborations involve more moving parts than many product collaborations: dates, room types, inclusions, guests, filming rules and on-site behavior. Without a written agreement, small misunderstandings can become awkward moments at check-out or disputes about deliverables later. A short, clear agreement prevents most of these problems.

What to include

1. Parties and contacts

The hotel or management company entering the agreement.
The creator, and any agency representing them.
A named contact at the property for the stay itself.

2. Dates and room

Check-in and check-out dates.
Room or suite type, and whether an upgrade is possible but not guaranteed.
Number of guests included, and names if required for registration.

3. What is included

Be specific to avoid surprises:

accommodation,
which meals and drinks are included, and any limits,
spa treatments, activities or experiences,
transfers or parking,
what is not included, such as minibar, additional guests or extra services.

State how incidentals will be handled at check-out.

4. Deliverables

List exactly what the creator will produce:

number and type of videos and photos for the hotel's own use,
posts and Stories on the creator's account, if any,
formats, lengths and aspect ratios,
delivery or posting deadlines after the stay.

Proportionate deliverables help both sides feel the exchange is fair.

5. Filming rules

Areas that can and cannot be filmed.
Times for filming in busy public spaces, such as the pool or restaurant.
Guest privacy: no identifiable guests without permission.
Staff: ask before filming team members.
Equipment limits in public areas.
Drone use, which is often restricted and may be subject to local regulations.

Our guide on filming other people explains releases and consent.

6. Usage rights

Which content the hotel may use, and where: social channels, website, booking pages, email, paid ads.
For how long, and in which territories.
Whether the hotel may edit the content.
How the creator will be credited, if at all.
Whether the creator may use the content in their portfolio.

If paid ads or long usage periods are important, agree them up front.

7. Approval and review

Whether the hotel reviews posts before they go live.
A time limit for providing feedback.
What kind of changes are reasonable, such as factual corrections.

Heavy rewrites make content feel like an ad and reduce its credibility. Light-touch review usually works best.

8. Disclosure

The agreement should require the creator to disclose the hosted stay clearly on any posts, in line with FTC guidance or local rules. Hotels should never ask creators to hide the arrangement. See our FTC disclosure guide.

9. Honesty clause

Many hotels include a line acknowledging that the creator will share their genuine experience. If something goes wrong during the stay, the agreement can set out a process: raise it with the on-site contact first, so the hotel has a chance to fix it.

10. Cancellations and changes

What happens if the creator cancels or needs to change dates.
What happens if the hotel needs to change dates, for example due to a large booking.
What happens if facilities are unexpectedly closed or weather prevents planned filming.
Whether deliverables are reduced if the stay is shortened.

11. Conduct

A short conduct section is common: respectful behavior toward staff and guests, compliance with hotel policies, and responsibility for damage. Keep it reasonable and clear.

12. Payment (if applicable)

If the hotel pays a fee in addition to the stay, include the amount, the payment schedule and invoicing details. If the collaboration is a hosted stay only, state that clearly.

Practical tips for hotels

Use a one or two page template for most stays, with room for specifics.
Brief your team so front desk, restaurant and spa staff know the creator is coming and what is included.
Pick dates wisely: quieter periods make hosting easier and filming better.
Make the first impression count: a ready room and a friendly welcome go a long way.
Track usage rights for every piece of content you receive.

Practical tips for creators reading this

If a hotel sends you an agreement, read the inclusions, deliverables, usage and cancellation sections carefully. Ask for clarification on anything vague before you travel. Our guide on pitching a hotel covers the earlier stage.

Frequently asked questions

Do short stays need a written agreement? Yes. Even a one-night stay benefits from a short written summary of inclusions and deliverables.

Can a hotel require positive content? A hotel can ask for specific deliverables, but creators should share their genuine experience. Honest content builds more trust.

What if the creator brings an extra guest? The agreement should say who is included. Anyone else is handled under normal hotel policy.

Unresourced helps hotels and hospitality brands connect with creators and set out stay details, deliverables and usage clearly. Post a hotel campaign to get started.