In the dynamic world of professional basketball, where athletes crisscross the country for over 40 games and cover 40,000 miles in a season, the importance of a comfortable and convenient stay becomes paramount. Recognizing this unique lifestyle, Hotels.com, the Official Travel Partner of the NBA, has unveiled its latest campaign, “Hotel Like a Pro™.” The spotlight of this campaign falls on the ultimate road warriors—the NBA players themselves.
Premiering during the highly anticipated Christmas Day games, the “Hotel Like a Pro™” films feature two basketball juggernauts: two-time Kia NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals MVP Jimmy Butler. The campaign takes a playful and insightful approach, with the stars sharing their personal and often quirky hotel hacks with their younger teammates, Peyton Watson and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The spots not only provide a glimpse into the amusing and sometimes peculiar lives of NBA players on the road but also introduce viewers to Hotels.com’s latest offerings. The campaign highlights the newly launched rewards program, One Key, and showcases the app’s smart shopping feature, enabling travelers to easily compare and narrow down hotel options.
In one of the films, Jokić, known as “The Joker,” infuses whimsy into the campaign by combining his love for horses with hotel scouting on the Hotels.com app. Accompanied by a pony, he and his teammate Watson embark on a quest for pet-friendly hotels. Another spot sees Jokić utilizing OneKeyCash to plan a trip back to his homeland, Serbia, leaving fans curious about Watson’s potential invitation.
Meanwhile, coffee enthusiast Butler, renowned for starting a $20-a-cup coffee shop during the 2020 NBA Restart, guides Jaquez through the art of comparing coffee—a nod to Hotels.com’s ability to let travelers compare hotels side by side in the app.
Expedia Group’s Senior Vice President of Global Marketing, Michele Rousseau, explains the campaign’s foundation: “Being on the road for over 40 games and 40,000 miles every season makes NBA players quite the hotel experts.” Teaming up with last season’s NBA conference MVPs adds a winning touch, inspiring fans to make the most of their hotel stay and find their perfect somewhere.
This marks Hotels.com’s fourth season as the Official Travel Partner of the NBA, with the campaign filmed at the Roosevelt Hotel and Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The films, ranging from 10 to 30 seconds, will air throughout the season in the U.S. and Canada. Beyond the screens, fans can expect to encounter branding and campaign elements in arenas across the country and even within the NBA2K video game.
“Hotel Like a Pro™” invites basketball enthusiasts and travel aficionados alike to uncover the secrets of NBA road warriors, providing a delightful blend of sports, humor, and travel insights. As the campaign unfolds, viewers are encouraged to embrace the winning spirit and discover their perfect somewhere with Hotels.com.
