Ms. Locke

Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment

'Wow!' - A Word You Want Your Guests to Use in Public

By Amy Locke, Director, Interior Design, Hatchett Hospitality

The irony is that while lobbies, hallways, and elevators are among the areas most "seen" by hotel guests, their design impact and importance is too often overlooked by hotel owners. But if you give the following public space ideas your attention, you'll get the attention - and repeat business - of your guests.

The Lobby

It's said that when we meet a new person, the first 15 seconds determine how we're going to feel about the individual. A hotel lobby triggers a similar reaction - it's where guests both start and end their visit, so the lobby must make a great first impression that lasts and lasts.

Hallways

The lobby leads to hallways and to elevators, which in turn lead to further hallways. Therefore, it's essential for all of these areas to be coordinated into a design plan that's both comprehensive and integrated.

• Wide hallways create an upscale, comfortable look. An added benefit is there is more room for people and luggage to move, so wall coverings get less "wear and tear" and last longer.
• Continue the upscale, comfortable, residential look with ceilings that feature wide molding and smooth ceilings. Avoid drop ceilings with lay-in tile.
• Then "soften" your hallways even more with artwork, plants, and small furniture pieces such as sofa tables, chairs, or seating benches.
• Floors represent a large part of the available space in a hallway, so your choice of covering goes a long way in establishing and enhancing the "feel" in this public space. For example, you can gain both aesthetic appeal and functional durability with tile, marble, or granite.
• A variation is to use tile, marble, or granite as a decorative "fringe" that leads in to carpeted area. Carpet can be specially-woven to feature a pattern that is unique to your property and that complements guest room schemes.
• Be sure hallways are well lit, for example, with a combination of decorative ceiling mounted fixtures and ADA-compliant wall sconces.

Elevators

Elevators are high traffic areas, so wall and floor coverings should be both durable and attractive.

• Flooring of natural stone or terrazzo-style tiles works best. Consider developing a special decorative pattern that's unique to your property, perhaps linked to the floor design in your lobby or hallways.
• If possible, use a glass-sided elevator that overlooks the atrium or lobby as it travels up and down. The impact is very dramatic for people both inside and outside the vehicle.
• When glass sides are not an option, consider using beveled glass mirrors set into wood panels. The result is space that looks both larger and more upscale.
• Install a brass or stainless steel hand rail on all elevator walls - this reduces passengers leaning on walls, which in turn minimizes scaring and damage to whatever wall covering you have.
• Lighting is important in completing the ambiance of your elevators. For an upscale look, use small recessed can lights in combination with LED lights and a wood paneled ceiling. For a more limited budget, use lay-in tiles with grids of bronze or stainless steel.

Restaurants

Restaurants can provide not only a strong income stream, but also a strong design focus.

• Themed restaurants are popular and the focus can be as varied as music, sports, transportation, or a '50s style diner. Architectural elements should be used generously and creatively to reinforce the theme. For example, a nautically-oriented restaurant might have guests enter through the simulated bridge of a ship, then feature portholes for windows and live fish in over-size aquariums as artwork.
• Very simple layouts are best, especially ones that encourage guests to come in, to walk around easily, and to savor the environment you create. For example, multiple levels provide both a powerful visual impact and an optimal use of space.
• Consider architectural elements that are "inviting" and "interesting" such as a large stone fireplace or an open cooking area. Accent elements might include columns, arches, and unusual ceiling treatments such as domes or skylights.
• Lighting and millwork are two important ways to heighten the ambiance you wish to create. Surfaces should be "grade one" woods, stone, granite, or marble - or some appropriate combination of these materials.
• Banquet-style seating can be used effectively both for function and for design. It's very comfortable furniture - soft for sitting and stylish for viewing. With the right upholstery, banquet seats can even become works of art in themselves. The public areas of your hotel set the tone for the remainder of your property. But high impact doesn't have to mean high cost, especially if you and your FF&E supplier shop wisely.

So as you consider making improvements for the benefit of your guests - and your bottom line - don't forget the power of public spaces.

Amy Locke is director of interior design at Hatchett Hospitality. She works with franchisers and franchisees on a wide variety of hotel brands, styles, and themes – from economy to luxury, from resort to business conference, and from traditional to modern. Previous to joining Hatchett, she held a position in interior design with Ethan Allen Interiors. Ms. Locke earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta. She is completing a degree in feng shuiand is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Ms. Locke can be contacted at 770-227-5232 or Amy@HatchettHospitality.com Extended Bio...

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