As a solo traveler, I’ve learned to get creative when it comes to capturing Instagram photos alone. There have been times I’ve propped my phone up between tree branches, balanced it on a rental car, and most commonly, propped it up against a water bottle. While TikTok is also filled with a plethora of solo photography hacks, the truth is, nothing beats having another human look through the lens.
Finding the right stranger passing by who will take the time and effort to frame the perfect shot also takes some luck, so IHG Hotels & Resorts has come up with a solution.
At select locations of the group’s Hotel Indigo properties around the world, dedicated “Instagram Boos” are on hand starting this week. Each person is “trained to capture the perfect Insta-worthy pic to make all your followers jealous,” the company said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure.
All the solo traveler needs to do is go up to the front desk of the Hotel Indigo property they’re staying at and ask, “Where’s the Insta Boo?” Then during set timeframes, that Instagram expert will be at the guest’s disposal, not just to take the like-worthy photo, but to also help edit down to the right frame and consult on the exact wording of Instagram captions.
While the perk is mostly intended for those traveling alone, any guest can take advantage of the Instagram Boos during their travels.
The service, which launched on Oct. 3, is currently available at five U.S. hotels: the Hotel Indigo San Diego-Gaslamp Quarter, Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown – University, Hotel Indigo Nashville – The Countrypolitan, Hotel Indigo New Orleans – French Quarter, and Hotel Indigo Kansas City Downtown, as well as three United Kingdom locations, Hotel Indigo Bath, Hotel Indigo York, and Hotel Indigo Manchester – Victoria Station.
Down Under, Insta Boos are offered at Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre, and Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, plus the new Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point, opening Oct. 27.