How are recent trends influencing hotel design?
How are recent trends influencing hotel design?
The year of 2017 is set to see more design changes and innovations for hotels. As traveller demands shift again, it’s essential hotels evolve to meet expectations.
It’s no surprise guests want more value. They’re searching for a hotel that delivers a unique and memorable experience, in whatever form it may take. These trends manifest year on year, meaning hotels are constantly required to think more creatively.
From new technology solutions and themed restaurants, to smarter working spaces and capturing the home away from home vibe, hotel owners are transforming the travelling experience.
Here’s an insight into some of the major trends and where hotels are currently focussing their investment.
Technology upgrades
As technology develops rapidly, hotels are faced with better opportunities to reinvent how guests check in, introduce in-room features and improve their overall service.
In some cases, hotels are getting rid of their check in desk altogether to free up space for guests, allowing staff and customers to interact more casually. It’s becoming increasingly common for guests to use their smart phone as a room key, and this means the process has become streamlined making the traditional check in desk unnecessary.
Other hotels are embracing technology to enhance the in-room experience by creating the ultimate relaxing escape. Now it’s much easier for guest to put their feet up and not lift a finger.
We’re now seeing more hotels offering in-room ipads so guests can call for service, as well as control the TV, blinds, temperature and more.
A rise in pod hotels
These smaller kiosk-style hotels are on the rise due to a lack of availability in overcrowded cities. They’re designed with innovation at the forefront, both in a construction sense and technologically.
With flat screen TVs and storage solutions such as motorised fold-away beds, they’re built with practicality in mind offering a low cost, no fuss break without compromise.
The rooms are small but make clever use of the space, and are aimed at people who’d rather spend money seeing the sights than a luxury hotel room.
An increase in co-living and co-working spaces
More hotels are putting an emphasis on community, a fixed place where strangers and locals can connect and come together. It’s an idea to help guests feel a part of the neighbourhood, to focus on delivering experiences that make them feel like they’re really living there.
That’s one advantage hotels have over concepts like Airbnb — these breaks do offer a home away from home, but in most instances guests only meet the owner and lack that opportunity to get immersed in the community. The result can be rather isolating.
Many hotels are maximising this benefit and upgrading their central lobby and other communal spaces to meet this demand.
On the flip side, co-working spaces are on the rise to accommodate the needs of today’s high-speed professionals.
More advanced break out spaces and work stations with super-fast Wi-Fi and hi-tech technology are taking top priority. The aim is to remove restrictions and give professionals a smarter space to be more creative.
Advances in technology means meeting styles have changed over the years, putting the pressure on hotels who must adapt to satisfy their business guests.
Spa-like bathrooms
Bathrooms are no longer seen as a room to minimise to make way for more living space. Guests now want far more than what they have at home. It’s not enough to have a small space with a standard suite, the bathroom should be a cause for surprise and excitement.
Spa bathrooms are seen as the ultimate invitation to relax, giving hotels the opportunity to charm guests with a promise of luxury.
We’re seeing a shift with more hotels prioritising en-suite bathrooms with indulgent upgrades. Free-standing baths, his and hers sinks, state-of-the-art monsoon showers, mood lighting, flamboyant beauty products and oversized bath towels are high on the list of redesigns.
Making the restaurant a stand out feature
As mentioned earlier, more hotel owners are steering towards making their property a fixture in the community. As a result, we’re seeing many putting emphasis on revamping their restaurants to appeal to the local clientele.
This also presents another avenue for hotels to encourage repeat visits and increase revenue.
Hotel restaurants are pushing away from being seen as just a practical option for guests, and instead being transformed into a stand-alone destination in itself.
They’re shaping their restaurants with their own design personality to make the customer experience more memorable. They’re pushing the boundaries of creativity and using themes to capture the hearts of the local community.
These major trends are sweeping the hospitality industry in 2017. It’s clear to see hotels place emphasis on the need to be innovative to satisfy customer demand.
For a small hotel it’s not always possible to make such drastic changes, but every small change you can make, such as making booking easier for guests, could make all the difference for creating a positive customer experience.
The Booking Factory
