HOTEL BUSINESS REVIEW

November FOCUS: Architecture & Design

 
November, 2023

Architecture & Design: Work from Anywhere

One major consequence of the pandemic was the necessity of employees to transition to a work-from-home situation. Millions of workers found themselves abruptly exiled from their offices, with a need to set up a workspace in their kitchen or basement. Today, because of advances in communication technology, the remote work phenomenon is widely accepted and people have discovered they can work from anywhere. As a result, hotels are adapting by creating spaces to accommodate those travelers who wish to remain connected to the office while on the go. Lobbies are being transformed into co-working spaces where guests can work, make calls, participate in video conferences, and charge their devices. These spaces also function as social and networking centers. Some are converting to fabulous bars and live entertainment venues. The lobbies also appeal to local remote workers who seek alternative places to work, thereby promoting community engagement, reinforcing brand loyalty, and increasing food and beverage sales. The November issue of the Hotel Business Review will report on these and other notable trends in hotel architecture and design.

This month's feature articles...

Casey Scalf

Guests are craving more than the typical luxury hotel - they long for a unique, immersive experience that tells a story about the local community and area they're traveling in. Using the local environment, history, culture, and people as the design's foundation, this approach enriches the guest's stay, giving them a taste of what it's like living in the destination. READ MORE

Claudia Abt

Hotels are increasingly at the center of the work world. The post-pandemic work environment relies more heavily on hotels as 'third places' for co-working and hybrid mobile teams from organizations with diffuse worker locations and largely remote work setups. The case study of citizenM is considered as a model of a co-work-oriented hospitality typology, with a review of the design of the hotel, its common areas, and its lifestyle-oriented brand position. READ MORE

Carla Niemann

Hotel lobbies are no longer just a space where guests check-in. Modern hotel lobbies have evolved to become dynamic, multi-purpose spaces that shape the guest experience. Today, lobbies must cater to a wide range of activities and preferences. By embracing authenticity, flexibility, and innovation, designers can create lobbies reflecting local culture to meet diverse needs and upcoming trends. READ MORE

Mary Cook

As curious, problem-solving designers whose clients strive to be at the forefront of trend setting, trend watching informs today's design solutions for tomorrow's interiors. Designing spaces that allow people to be and do their best doesn't happen by accident. 7 evolving trends highlight the changing ways people use space, are drawn into spaces, linger longer or return again and again. READ MORE

Lori Horvath

Every hotel brand has specific design elements and needs for their spaces to embody their unique brand and culture. Just like each hotel brand has varying needs, the needs of each individual guest also varies – from business travel to vacations and everything in between, guests desire spaces that suite them. By integrating flexible designs, hotels can define their core brand. READ MORE

Martha  Weidmann

With remote and hybrid work as the new normal, the synergy between art and hospitality has resulted in refreshing, art-forward hotels that satisfy the "work from anywhere" mentality. By leveraging art for innovation, collaboration, and connection, these establishments can attract both leisure travelers who need to take a quick meeting and local residents looking to change up their office scenery. READ MORE

Mimi Oliver

Recent data shows that the future of hospitality goes beyond providing a comfortable stay; guests are staying longer and demanding more from hotels. As remote work becomes more common, travelers are looking for hotels that provide the necessary amenities that facilitate work-from-anywhere culture. Flexible lodging, a solution to this trend, involves accommodating the various needs of on-the-go professionals and remote workers. READ MORE

Paul McElroy

In today's remote work environment where bleisure travel reigns supreme, dynamic, functional, sustainable, and creative hotel design is more important than ever. By intentionally designing hotels to be worth guests' time and meet their range of needs and expectations, we can not only move the hospitality industry forward together, but also make a lasting impact on the world. READ MORE

Sam Khazary

The digital nomad lifestyle is rapidly becoming one of the top millennials travel preferences. This lifestyle is not a dream anymore, it's the day-to-day life of a lot of travelers who now enjoy using technology to work remotely while exploring the world. Co-working spaces, cafes, and hostels equipped with reliable Wi-Fi have become their new offices, allowing them to strike a balance between work and travel. How can the travel industry offer a hospitality experience that matches these new lifestyle necessities? READ MORE

Paige Harris

It's no secret that remote work has opened the floodgates for digital nomads looking to make travel their full-time gig. With this increased interest in travel comes an increased demand for functional yet stylish workspaces to promote productivity. Hotel designers are rising to the occasion to recreate the home office infused with a sense of place and community. READ MORE

Jennifer Kearney

Discover how stayAPT Suites is transforming the extended-stay hotel experience! In our in-depth article, we delve into the evolving landscape of extended-stay accommodations and how stayAPT Suites' innovative apartment-style design and strategic locations near business hubs and popular destinations are revolutionizing the hospitality industry. Explore how the extended-stay hotel model is redefining long-term stays with spacious suites and a strong sense of community. Don't miss this insight into the future of extended-stay travel. READ MORE

Herbert Laubichler-Pichler

Amid growing demand from remote workers, the hotel industry worldwide is changing how it approaches design. Hotels and resorts can offer this relatively new guest demographic an attractive mix of privacy, spaciousness, comfort and support, providing environments free from the typical distractions of home and office, in addition to facilities like F&B outlets, spas, swimming pools and more. READ MORE

Sergio Bocci

In the new age of work-from-home and workplace flexibility, travelers have adapted to remote working while on vacation, allowing hotels to adjust their accommodations to support these new types of guests. Hilton Anaheim has evolved operations to meet the needs of the on-the-go worker and traveler, curating the perfect spaces and accommodations for those seeking a space for business and leisure. READ MORE

Kirk Pederson

Over the last few years, the hospitality industry has seen a significant shift emerge in the luxury traveler space as preferences are moving away from seeking out high-end accommodations and instead prioritizing unique and meaningful experiences. READ MORE

Kristin Fields

Hotel brands are continually evolving their signature styles to entice distinctive traveler profiles. Today, they're welcoming the remote-work revolution by waving goodbye to the once-popular business center and making way for residential-inspired co-working lounges that transport visitors to the home office to which they've grown accustomed. Form and function combine, delivering niche guest experiences while staying true to brands' fine-tuned identity. READ MORE

Samuele Sordi

The number of remote workers traveling while working is increasing, so hotels must adapt to keep up with the demand for business centers and designated work areas. Enter the concept of "workspitality" - an elegant integration of work and hospitality design that embraces diverse thinking, new amenities, sustainable ideas and advanced tech to meet the needs of this growing nomadic workforce. READ MORE

David Tracz

The hotel industry is undergoing a transformation due to the rise of remote work. With more people working from anywhere, hotels need to re-imagine their spaces to cater to hybrid work needs. This shift has led to the integration of multipurpose co-working areas and dynamic guest room designs that balance work and leisure. READ MORE

Robert O'Halloran

Hotel spaces have evolved over time and are intended to be functional, comfortable and profitable. Hotels offer rooms, meeting spaces, restaurants and amenity spaces that should and can provide functional workspace, opportunities to connect with nature and be equipped with good internet options and WIFI. This article will discuss the trends and innovations in hotel architecture and design and their impact on customer demand, loyalty and profitability. READ MORE

Jeff Josephson

With hotel owners constantly looking for ways to increase guest satisfaction, contactless experiences are a great option for them to consider. They give guests a wide array of amenities and benefits to staying at the hotel. These methods can also be investments that should also be considered because of the great ROI hotel owners can potentially get out of them. READ MORE

Adam Mogelonsky

As the place where first impressions are codified by guests, the lobby experience must be strong. Thinking broader, a great lobby also contributes to a hotel's overall reason to visit which in turn supports occupancies and higher nightly rates. Moreover, a vibrant lobby is a space where visitors will want to linger, resulting in greater food and beverage sales. READ MORE

Tim Reber

Extended-stay hotels are becoming increasingly popular, with a growing number of guests preferring short-term housing over traditional weekend stays. Sustaining this popularity will require hoteliers and investors to refresh the perception of extended-stay lodging. How can they re-imagine the designs of these hotels to fulfill the new guest type's needs? READ MORE

Miguel Campo

The traditional indoor, 'big box,' shopping mall with sprawling parking lots and anchor stores has been waning for decades, inspiring new design strategies for reimagining shopping centers into multifaceted destinations that offer a sense of discovery, community, open-air experiences, and more. This article explores how carefully curated mixed-use destinations can set the tone for vibrant communities, especially in places undergoing growth and transformation. READ MORE

Paul Boldy

Public area design in the post-pandemic world has experienced a profound shift in form and function that was not prevalent pre-pandemic. Hotel planning for these new adaptable and flexible spaces requires a design that aligns with new metrics for success, but how do we ensure utilization that will drive revenues and capitalize on the changing demands of the hotel guest. READ MORE

Scott Rosenberg

Working remotely no longer means having to work from home. Due to technological advancements, workers are able to extend trips and work from their hotel. Hotel owners are making modifications to the hotel to account for these new travelers. The article walks through the areas of a hotel to explore ways to maximize the impact of this new market segment. READ MORE

Kathleen Dauber

A well-designed hotel has always been about functionality, not just aesthetics. Hospitality design continues to become more sophisticated, from customization and technology integration to sustainability, wellness, accessibility, and more recently, a focus on adaptation to hybrid work. Beyond the traditional work desk and flexible lobbies, a closer look at hotel spaces reveals design elements that accommodate remote workers seemingly everywhere. READ MORE

Bendegul Okumus

Religious sensitivities are an important element that shapes our daily or lifelong decisions. Although it is not seen in statistics how our religious sensitivities affect our accommodation and dining decisions, many people in the world still eat, drink, or carry out other daily activities as their religion allows. Understanding the religious sensibilities of individuals helps us understand their service expectations. READ MORE

Richard Oakes

Establishing a successful hotel purchasing team requires a combination of strategic planning, effective communication, and strong leadership. In order to transform a procurement team into a profit-driving force, there are a number of different strategies and tactics that must be considered. These strategies include building strong relationships with suppliers and vendors, investing in technology to help streamline procurement processes, and improving accuracy while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement. READ MORE

Coming up in March 1970...