MOO x AvantStay: Designing memorable guest experiences

In hospitality, first impressions matter. Sometimes they’re made through a warm welcome, and sometimes through the small details waiting in a hotel room. Thoughtful, well-designed merch can set the tone for a stay, bring a brand experience to life and give guests something worth keeping. That’s what MOO’s recent partnership with hotel brand AvantStay set out to do. For the opening of The Code, a new design-led hotel in Austin, the team wanted every detail to feel intentional. So they partnered with MOO to create custom Water Bottles and Notebooks to support the launch.  

We caught up with Travis Cox, General Manager at The Code, to talk about the launch, the role of gifting and why little details really do matter.

Setting the tone

For the launch, AvantStay left no stone unturned. They wanted guests to experience the thoughtful attention to detail they’re known for from the moment they arrived. Not with throwaway freebies. Not with logo-slapping. But with gifts that felt useful, premium and part of the space.

Custom Notebooks and Water Bottles did just that. They gave guests something they could actually use during their stay, while reinforcing The Code’s design-forward feel. From the Notebook format to the engraving placement on the Water Bottle, every design element was chosen with purpose. Because in hospitality, it’s often the smallest details that leave the biggest impression. 

“MOO felt like a very natural fit for us,” said Travis. “There’s a shared appreciation for design, quality, and the small details that really make something feel special.”

Merch that belongs

Great hospitality doesn’t stop at the hotel lobby. It lingers in the minds of guests for months, possibly years to come, and the merch they received will always be a physical reminder of that experience (whether it’s good or bad). That’s where branded products have a big job to do. They can’t feel like an afterthought. They have to belong. “At The Code, we think a lot about how everything feels; from the design of the space to the items guests interact with in their room. MOO’s products fit into that really naturally”, Travis told us. 

He added, “They’re clean, well-made, and thoughtfully designed, which aligns with how we approach the hotel itself.”

It’s all in the details

Understanding your audience is a no brainer, especially when launching something new. The Code welcomes plenty of business travellers, creatives and guests with packed schedules. For them, a good stay isn’t just about where they sleep. It’s about the holistic experience. “When you’re traveling a lot, it’s the small things that make a difference. Having something useful, but also well-designed, just makes the experience feel easier and more comfortable”, explained Travis. 

In a digital-first world, physical things still have real staying power. A well-made object can make someone pause. It can create a moment. It can remind them how a place made them feel. “Digital tools are important, but they don’t replace how something physical makes you feel. There’s something about holding a well-made object that sticks with you. In hospitality, those are often the things guests remember,” Travis said.

“Digital tools are important, but they don’t replace how something physical makes you feel”

The opening of The Code took place during SXSW Film & TV Conference, when Austin was buzzing with screenings, talks, networking and creative energy. For guests navigating busy schedules and back-to-back events, MOO Water Bottles and Notebooks gave them practical tools they could actually use throughout the conference.

“SXSW is such a high-energy, creative environment, and these gifts really fit that audience well. They were practical, but also design-forward, which people appreciated. It also gave guests a small moment to slow down” Travis shared. 

The right partnerships just click

The best brand partnerships don’t feel like partnerships. They feel like they were always meant to be there. For AvantStay, working with MOO meant creating products that reflected what The Code already stood for: thoughtful design, quality materials and a guest experience built around care. And guests noticed.

“A lot of the feedback centered around the quality and how intentional everything felt. Guests noticed the materials, the clean design, and the overall finish,” Travis shared.

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