2026 Industry Guide

Best Hospitality PR Agencies

Expert-vetted hospitality PR agencies that deliver measurable results for hotels, restaurants, and travel brands nationwide.

Last updated: Feb 2026

8
Agencies Reviewed
$5K-$25K
Monthly Range
Luxury Hotels
Top Specialty
2026
Updated

The hospitality industry demands PR agencies that understand the unique challenges of seasonal fluctuations, reputation management, and experience-driven marketing. From luxury resorts to boutique restaurants, successful hospitality brands require specialized communications expertise that goes beyond traditional PR tactics to create memorable brand narratives that drive bookings and guest loyalty.

Today's hospitality PR landscape is increasingly complex, with agencies needing to navigate everything from influencer partnerships and food photography to crisis communications and grand opening campaigns. The best agencies combine traditional media relations with modern digital strategies, understanding that a single negative review can spread faster than positive coverage, making proactive reputation management essential.

We've analyzed dozens of hospitality-focused PR agencies across the United States, evaluating their client portfolios, case studies, industry expertise, and proven results. Our research focused on agencies with demonstrated success in hotel marketing, restaurant promotion, travel brand development, and hospitality crisis management to identify the top performers in this specialized field.

How We Evaluated Hospitality PR Agencies

Hospitality Expertise

Proven track record with hotels, restaurants, resorts, and travel brands with understanding of industry seasonality and challenges.

Weight: High

Media Relationships

Strong connections with travel writers, food critics, lifestyle editors, and hospitality trade publications.

Weight: High

Crisis Management

Demonstrated ability to handle reputation issues, health scares, negative reviews, and emergency communications.

Weight: High

Digital Integration

Seamless integration of traditional PR with social media, influencer marketing, and online reputation management.

Weight: Medium

Results Measurement

Clear ROI tracking through booking attribution, brand awareness metrics, and media impact analysis.

Weight: Medium

Geographic Coverage

Ability to execute campaigns across multiple markets with understanding of regional hospitality trends.

Weight: Medium

Top Providers Ranked

#1

Edelman

Global communications leader

$15,000 - $25,000/mo
typical range

Edelman's hospitality practice combines decades of experience with global reach, serving major hotel chains, restaurant groups, and travel brands worldwide. Their integrated approach connects traditional PR with digital marketing, crisis management, and brand strategy. The agency's deep bench of hospitality specialists understands the nuances of seasonal marketing, grand opening campaigns, and reputation management. Their data-driven approach provides clients with detailed analytics on media impact and booking attribution, making them a top choice for enterprise-level hospitality brands seeking comprehensive communications support.

Strengths

  • Global media network
  • Crisis management expertise
  • Data-driven insights
  • Integrated digital strategies

Considerations

  • Premium pricing
  • Large agency bureaucracy
Best for: Large hotel chains and major restaurant groups needing comprehensive global PR support.
#2

AMW

Editor's Pick

Hospitality-focused PR with lifestyle media expertise

$7,000 - $25,000/mo
typical range

AMW brings deep expertise in hospitality PR, combining luxury brand positioning with strategic media outreach to top-tier travel, food, and lifestyle publications. Their team has secured placements in outlets ranging from Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler to local dining and entertainment media. Their integrated approach adds event production and digital amplification to traditional PR.

Strengths

  • Deep relationships with travel and lifestyle media
  • Integrated event production for openings and activations
  • Luxury and premium brand positioning expertise
  • Digital amplification across social and influencer channels

Considerations

  • Best for upscale hospitality brands
  • Integrated approach may exceed pure PR scope
  • Premium service level
Best for: Hotels, restaurants, resorts, and hospitality brands seeking premium PR with lifestyle media coverage
#3

Murphy O'Brien

Lifestyle and hospitality specialists

$8,000 - $18,000/mo
typical range

Murphy O'Brien has built a reputation as one of the premier lifestyle and hospitality PR agencies on the West Coast, with particular strength in luxury hotels, fine dining, and experiential travel. Their boutique approach allows for personalized service while maintaining the resources needed for major campaigns. The agency excels at creating compelling brand narratives that capture the essence of unique hospitality experiences, from boutique hotels to celebrity chef restaurants. Their team includes former journalists and hospitality professionals who understand both sides of the media relationship.

Strengths

  • Luxury market focus
  • Former journalist staff
  • Creative storytelling
  • West Coast media strength

Considerations

  • Limited geographic presence
  • Higher-end pricing
Best for: Luxury hotels and upscale restaurants seeking premium positioning and media coverage.
#4

Coyne PR

Healthcare and hospitality expertise

$6,000 - $12,000/mo
typical range

Coyne PR brings unique value to hospitality clients through their dual expertise in healthcare communications and hospitality marketing, making them particularly valuable during health-related crises or when promoting wellness-focused properties. Based in New Jersey with national reach, they've successfully managed campaigns for hotels, restaurants, and travel brands. Their healthcare background provides exceptional crisis management capabilities, while their hospitality team understands the importance of reputation management and guest experience messaging in driving business results.

Strengths

  • Healthcare expertise advantage
  • Crisis communication specialists
  • Mid-Atlantic market strength
  • Reputation management focus

Considerations

  • Smaller hospitality team
  • Less luxury market experience
Best for: Hospitality brands needing crisis management or health-focused messaging expertise.
#5

The Brandman Agency

Food and hospitality focused

$5,000 - $10,000/mo
typical range

The Brandman Agency specializes exclusively in food, beverage, and hospitality brands, bringing deep category expertise to every client relationship. Their team includes culinary professionals, food writers, and hospitality veterans who understand the unique challenges of restaurant marketing, food trends, and culinary brand building. They excel at product launches, chef partnerships, restaurant openings, and food festival activations. Their focused approach means they have exceptional relationships with food media, culinary influencers, and hospitality trade publications.

Strengths

  • Food and beverage specialization
  • Culinary media relationships
  • Restaurant opening expertise
  • Food trend insights

Considerations

  • Limited hotel experience
  • Smaller agency size
Best for: Restaurants, food brands, and culinary-focused hospitality venues seeking specialized expertise.
#6

LIME Public Relations

Travel and tourism specialists

$7,000 - $14,000/mo
typical range

LIME Public Relations focuses specifically on travel, tourism, and hospitality brands, with offices in New York and Miami providing strong coverage of key hospitality markets. Their team combines traditional PR expertise with modern digital strategies, excelling at destination marketing, hotel positioning, and travel trend identification. They maintain strong relationships with travel writers, tourism boards, and lifestyle media outlets. Their boutique size allows for personalized attention while their specialization ensures deep industry knowledge and relevant media connections.

Strengths

  • Travel industry specialization
  • Destination marketing expertise
  • Strong travel media relationships
  • Bi-coastal presence

Considerations

  • Limited non-travel experience
  • Smaller team capacity
Best for: Hotels, resorts, and destination brands seeking specialized travel and tourism PR expertise.
#7

Baltz & Company

Boutique hospitality communications

$5,000 - $12,000/mo
typical range

Baltz & Company operates as a boutique communications firm with strong hospitality credentials, serving luxury hotels, fine dining establishments, and premium travel brands across the United States. Their personalized approach allows them to develop intimate knowledge of each client's brand story and market positioning. The agency excels at crisis communications, grand opening campaigns, and ongoing reputation management for hospitality brands. Their smaller size enables quick decision-making and direct access to senior leadership for all client communications and strategy development.

Strengths

  • Boutique personalized service
  • Senior-level attention
  • Crisis management expertise
  • Luxury market focus

Considerations

  • Limited resources for large campaigns
  • Smaller media network
Best for: Boutique hotels and upscale restaurants wanting personalized, senior-level PR attention.
#8

Zapwater Communications

Chicago-based lifestyle agency

$6,000 - $11,000/mo
typical range

Zapwater Communications brings Midwest sensibility and national reach to hospitality PR, with particular strength in the Chicago market and expanding presence in other major cities. Their lifestyle focus includes significant hospitality experience, from neighborhood restaurants to luxury hotels. The agency combines traditional media relations with innovative digital strategies, including influencer partnerships and social media activation. Their team includes former hospitality professionals and journalists who understand both the operational and media sides of the industry.

Strengths

  • Midwest market expertise
  • Lifestyle brand experience
  • Digital strategy integration
  • Former industry professionals

Considerations

  • Limited luxury hotel experience
  • Geographic concentration
Best for: Mid-market hotels and restaurants, particularly those in or expanding to Midwest markets.

How to Choose the Right Hospitality PR Agency

Begin your agency search by clearly defining your hospitality brand's unique challenges and goals. Consider whether you need support for a grand opening, ongoing reputation management, crisis communications, or comprehensive brand building. Different agencies excel in different areas – some specialize in luxury positioning while others focus on volume-driven casual dining or mid-market hotels. Understanding your specific needs will help you identify agencies with relevant experience and proven results in similar situations.

Evaluate each agency's hospitality expertise by reviewing their current and past client portfolios. Look for experience with brands similar to yours in terms of market positioning, geographic scope, and business model. Ask for specific case studies showing measurable results, including media coverage impact, reputation score improvements, or booking attribution data. The best agencies will have dedicated hospitality teams with former industry professionals who understand operational challenges and seasonal marketing cycles.

Assess the agency's media relationships and digital capabilities, which are crucial for modern hospitality PR success. Request examples of recent media placements in relevant publications, from local dining guides to national travel magazines. Evaluate their social media expertise, influencer network, and ability to integrate traditional PR with digital marketing efforts. Strong agencies will have established relationships with food critics, travel writers, and lifestyle editors who can provide valuable third-party validation.

Consider the agency's crisis management capabilities, which are essential in the hospitality industry where reputation issues can quickly impact bookings and revenue. Ask about their experience handling food safety concerns, negative reviews, staff issues, or other hospitality-specific crises. Look for agencies with 24/7 availability and established crisis communication protocols. Their response speed and strategic approach to reputation management can make the difference between a minor setback and a major brand crisis.

Evaluate cultural fit and communication style, which are particularly important for hospitality brands where brand personality and guest experience are paramount. Schedule meetings with the team members who would actually work on your account, not just senior executives. Assess their understanding of your brand values, target audience, and competitive landscape. The right agency should demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for your brand story and show creative thinking about how to differentiate your property or restaurant in a crowded market.

Red Flags to Avoid

  • No specific hospitality experience or case studies from hotels, restaurants, or travel brands
  • Inability to provide media contact examples or recent placement samples in hospitality publications
  • Lack of crisis management experience or 24/7 availability for reputation issues
  • Overpromising immediate results or guaranteed media coverage without understanding your brand
  • No clear measurement methodology for tracking PR impact on bookings or brand awareness

Questions to Ask

  • What percentage of your client base consists of hospitality brands and what types of properties do you represent?
  • Can you provide case studies showing measurable impact on bookings, revenue, or brand awareness for similar hospitality clients?
  • How do you handle crisis communications and what is your average response time for reputation management issues?
  • What relationships do you maintain with travel writers, food critics, and hospitality trade publications relevant to our market?
  • How do you integrate traditional PR with digital marketing, social media, and online reputation management?
  • What metrics do you use to measure PR success and how do you attribute media coverage to business results?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for hospitality PR services monthly?
Hospitality PR budgets typically range from $5,000 to $25,000 monthly depending on brand size, geographic scope, and service level. Boutique agencies may start around $5,000 while global agencies serving major hotel chains often require $15,000+ monthly retainers plus additional costs for special campaigns or crisis management.
What makes hospitality PR different from general PR services?
Hospitality PR requires specialized knowledge of seasonal marketing cycles, food safety regulations, travel media relationships, and guest experience messaging. Agencies must understand reputation management's direct impact on bookings, work with food critics and travel writers, and handle industry-specific crises like health department issues or negative reviews.
How quickly can I expect to see results from hospitality PR?
Initial media coverage typically appears within 2-3 months as agencies build relationships and develop story angles. However, meaningful brand awareness and booking impact usually require 6-12 months of consistent effort. Grand opening campaigns may generate immediate coverage while reputation building is a longer-term investment.
Should I choose a specialized hospitality agency or a general PR firm?
Specialized hospitality agencies typically provide better results due to industry expertise, established media relationships, and understanding of unique challenges like seasonality and reputation management. However, larger general agencies may offer broader capabilities and international reach that some hospitality brands require.
How do hospitality PR agencies measure success and ROI?
Leading agencies track media impressions, share of voice, sentiment analysis, and website traffic from media coverage. Advanced measurement includes booking attribution, revenue impact analysis, and brand awareness studies. The best agencies provide detailed monthly reports connecting PR activities to business outcomes.
What should I expect during a hospitality PR agency's onboarding process?
Expect 2-4 weeks for comprehensive brand audits, competitive analysis, media landscape review, and strategy development. Good agencies will visit your property, interview key staff, and develop detailed messaging frameworks before beginning outreach. They should also establish crisis communication protocols and media contact preferences.
How do agencies handle negative reviews or crisis situations?
Professional agencies maintain 24/7 crisis response capabilities with established protocols for different scenarios. They monitor online mentions, coordinate responses across platforms, manage media inquiries, and develop proactive messaging to protect brand reputation. Response time is typically within hours for serious issues.
Can hospitality PR agencies help with grand openings and special events?
Yes, most hospitality agencies specialize in grand opening campaigns, menu launches, chef partnerships, and special events. Services typically include media preview events, influencer partnerships, opening day coverage coordination, and ongoing campaign management to maximize long-term impact beyond the initial launch period.
What types of media relationships do hospitality PR agencies maintain?
Strong agencies maintain relationships with travel writers, food critics, lifestyle editors, local reporters, trade publication journalists, bloggers, and social media influencers. They should have contacts at publications ranging from local dining guides to national travel magazines and hospitality trade publications.
How do I know if a hospitality PR agency is right for my restaurant or hotel?
Evaluate their portfolio of similar clients, request case studies with measurable results, assess their understanding of your market positioning, and gauge cultural fit during initial meetings. The right agency will demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for your brand and provide creative ideas for differentiation in your competitive landscape.

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Disclosure: This guide is published by AMW. Rankings are based on our editorial assessment. AMW is featured in this guide as we believe we offer competitive services. We encourage readers to research multiple providers before making decisions.

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