Ms. Locke

Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment

FF&E Trends Can Enhance Your Hotel's Look

By Amy Locke, Director, Interior Design, Hatchett Hospitality

Nowhere is that more true than the highly competitive hotel industry, where the look and feel of a property can immediately turn guests on - or off.

But in the months after September 11, occupancy was down dramatically and franchisors relaxed their quality inspections - so hoteliers put many of their purchases for furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) "on hold."

Instead, owners and operators have been spending on soft goods such as bedspreads, carpet, and drapes. These products have a high impact on customer appeal by making a room look refurbished, without costing very much money.

FF&E is always going to be an important consideration and major expenditure for hoteliers. Why? Because new construction is regaining momentum, but more importantly because hotels that delayed refurbishment are due for a face-lift.

Here's how you can maximize your FF&E investment and minimize your service interruptions.

Design Guidelines

Every guest wants to stay in a pretty room, no matter the price point of the hotel.

So owners and operators are responding - by turning to professional designers who can put together FF&E packages that are both attractive and affordable. These hoteliers realize that simply adding furnishings is not the same thing as creating a finished look.

Our studies show that the three most important impressions guests typically remember about a hotel stay are the look of the lobby, the feel of their room, and the quality of the customer service. That's why a hotel must continually and carefully focus considerable attention on all three of these things.

The lobby is among the hotelier's - and the designer's - toughest tasks because it must capture the attention of everyone who walks through it. The space and the furnishings must be carefully adapted to your geographical location as well as to your mix of clientele.

Your property's unique appeal must then continue in the hotel room. Many properties are currently trying to create a feeling of comfort and home with such features as:

Another emphasis in hotel rooms is on durability - in case goods as well as in the upholstery that goes on those case goods. For example, night stands and armoires are being offered with easily replaceable "fronts" on the drawers. This saves money when damage occurs - as it inevitably will - because you won't have to replace an entire drawer or piece of furniture.

As for fabrics on bedspreads and furniture, they are becoming heavier and more stain resistant. Look for materials that meet or exceed the "double rubs" standard and that feature acrylic backing for less seam slippage.

In short, quality is "in." So for the best selections, involve a designer early in the planning process - at the same time as your architect is best.

Then for the best implementation of your design decisions, encourage your designer to visit the construction site regularly and work closely with your contractor and crews. Often it's little construction things that can make a big design difference, such as moving a light switch or adding a soffit for accent lighting.

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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