I thought I had a quite simple approach regarding hotels. I’ve always thought of myself as a practical hotels-person IF there’s such a term. I mean, Hotels by any standard is as good as the next one-right? I mean let’s be honest about it- you just want a comfortable bed and a decent bathroom-in other words a nice place to chill after a long day of sightseeing or business meetings right? Well I was quite wrong, a recent trip to Japan made me realize how wrong I was. Nowadays modern hotels have found ways to rapidly adapt to our ever changing times with smart and creative solutions. In this post I will list 3 Interior Design trends the hotel industry is focusing on after the widespread of Air BnB. I will try to be concise and to the point… so without further ado here we go-
#1- Lobbies – Because there is no place for a Best Second Impression-
Lobbies should have that aura of mysticism and tranquility- Warm colors with a strong emphasis on lighting.
I’ve seen many hotels that focus on creating an impact with their lobbies. Owners have realized that the Lobby is where “love at first sight” occurs. There is no other area where this impression is created. The entrance lobby is becoming THE area for social or business encounters, more and more hotel chains are focusing on this idea and are re-vamping their lobbies. Along with the business travelers or those who are on pleasure travels hotel lobbies should accommodate a multi-purpose space for formal or casual gatherings. Creative space classification is suggested – with the purpose of providing both social and private zones- No more- simple couch and bland coffee table proposals. The emerging market pushes designers to think outside the box- Indoor waterfalls, textures, green walls and visually striking lighting fixtures should all be considered as part of the new standard.
#2- Guestrooms- Out with the old and in with the new
The classic concept of bed-table-locker combo is dead, so is the dark old carpet with heavy drapes décor found on typical hotel rooms. In today’s world guests expect to be wonderstruck– especially since they are away from home. The modern hospitality industry is now pushing the boundaries with fresh and novel ideas. The market for interiors has evolved so much that the options are now limitless as to how to create smart, visually striking guest rooms without breaking the bank. Yes, in hospitality interiors volume is a factor to consider- but this doesn’t mean you can create striking interiors throughout the corridors or be bold with color inside the rooms. Out with the old, boring and sterile interiors and welcome the new fresh and bold interiors.
#3- Bathrooms- The re-invention of purpose
I think, as users/travelers, we have stopped perceiving the bathroom as a mere supplementary room- a space to be minimized or neglected as a consequence of gaining a more generous living space. The modern traveler expects much more of what he/she has/gets at home. Let us be reminded he/she is traveling either business or pleasure, the bathroom then becomes this micro-cosmos where he can unplug for a few minutes and have a candid talk with his thoughts or just a moment to reflect on the day- A hotel bathroom with a Spa-feel features is an invite to tranquility and relaxation and a guaranteed method of guilt-free temptation through the promise of vanal luxury. Think waterfall showers, over-sized bathtubs, his & hers sinks, giant towels, plus the always welcoming beauty items with the gratifying feel of spatial freedom.