The hospitality industry is simply a war zone today! Guests are very hard to please, they have high expectations and they love sharing their experiences (both good and bad) with the world. But, most of all, hotel guests want to be wowed with luxury! So, here are some of the new hotel design features that no modern hotel can go without. Homely feel In order to satisfy and keep long-term guests, many hotels of today are adding concept kitchenettes and other useful amenities to their rooms or public spaces. Also, by designing different layouts and scattering “homely” elements throughout the space like home-made goodies, soft textures and interesting materials and furniture, hotels can provide their guests with a unique experience they will want to live and relive. Different type of lobby Another way to boost the homely feeling is by ditching the traditional lobbies and front desks. Once these public areas were pragmatic and business-like, but now they are moving towards living room comfort and warmth. Think comfy sofas and concierge desks where you can check in with an iPad while sipping coffee! Unique experiences While luxury is still number one, what most hotel guests today crave is better “experiences” rather than better “things”. That’s why new hotels will have to engage their guests by giving them unique experiences in the shape of spaces, products and services. One thing that stands out in this area is “photo op” spaces ! By providing guests with selfie areas or Instagrammable corners, the hotel will not only engage and entertain the guests but also promote itself on social media! Pampering treatments are a must As the number of health-conscious travelers grows, the hospitality industry is forced to rethink its design and layout. If a hotel wants to survive among the competition, it will need to provide its guests with spas, luxury retreat areas, sports activities, gyms, in-room workout equipment and relaxing pools. For instance, an experienced architecture firm from Hong Kong chose to enrich their project with a rooftop pool and a signature cocktail bar that will wow guests with luxury and comfort and provide them with plenty of Instagram-worthy photos. The rooftop also offers shaded loungers and a sunbathing area perfect for catching some sun while overlooking the Marina! Designs like this one will be a must in the upcoming years. Comfort is the ultimate luxury One thing hotels of the future will have to provide their guests is not more gorgeous spaces, but more comfy feelings! While luxury is still going strong, comfort is slowly taking over with guests wanting to feel good in a space. Soon, excellent service and convenient amenities will be a part of luxury as much as expensive materials. So, the secret will be to FEEL luxurious, not only LOOK luxurious! Tech is everywhere Smart rooms are just about to enter the hotel scene! Today, we can already see hotel rooms and social spaces that respond to smartphones and allow guests to manage locks, lighting, temperature and entertainment with their phones or tablets. Also, texts will replace landlines, Li-Fi (internet connection through lights) will replace Wi-Fi and paper city maps that are usually available for pickup at hotel lobbies will be replaced by free map apps! Sustainability as a priority Most hotels are already installing smart thermostats and automatic lights to save energy and other resources, but we can expect to see new hotels taking their sustainability up a notch! Solar panels, reused materials, organic cleaning supplies, water-harvesting systems and biophilic design will help increase environmental consciousness and reduce hotels’ carbon footprint. These innovative trends will have a huge influence on hotel design not only in 2019 but also in the upcoming years. People are finally embracing change, so hotels need to keep up by providing green design, new technology, comfort and unique experiences to all of their traveler guests!
