HOTEL BUSINESS REVIEW

November FOCUS: Architecture & Design

 
November, 2021

Architecture & Design: Wellness is Key


Like every other facet of hotel operations, architecture and design firms are adapting their work to ensure the safety and well-being of both guests and staff. New ways to bring Wellness into hotel spaces are being explored and these solutions are taking on many forms. Hotel designs are incorporating more open floor plans, open air spaces, high ceilings, outdoor areas and operable walls into their spaces. Guests no longer want to be packed into tight areas. More "biophilic" elements are also being incorporated, offering guests the sense of being outdoors. Another trend is the reimagining of guest rooms to support remote work capabilities. Some hotels are converting empty guest rooms into office spaces, complete with effective lighting and suitable backgrounds for video conferencing. Dedicated Zoom Rooms are also becoming increasingly popular. The main goal is to provide guests with a positive experience in a space that feels safe and comfortable. These are some of the architecture and design subjects that will be covered in the November issue of the Hotel Business Review.


This month's feature articles...

Jochen Ehrhardt

During the current crisis, Quality (Assurance) has not been high on the agenda of most hoteliers or their bosses in the corporate offices. The situation is being exacerbated by huge staff challenges-turnover-that most hotels face. Perhaps this is a good time to question the status quo and the traditional approach to improving and perfecting quality. READ MORE

Hector Sanchez

After a year marked by quarantine and isolation, travelers are looking for total escape. Families and individual travelers are more eager than ever to think out-of-the-box and reluctant to book a room in a run-of-the-mill hotel with generic amenities and design elements. The kinds of nuanced design and architecture features that provide guests with truly transformative experiences will be increasingly more important for the next generation of hospitality projects. READ MORE

Darin Cook

Travelers re-engaging the world after COVID-19 pandemic isolation seek culturally authentic, spiritually fulfilling, and physically safe and healthy hospitality settings for rejuvenating experiences and a sense of well-being. Business travelers or families on vacation may be interested in exploration and adventures or a place to decompress from their busy work schedule; wellness and sustainability are central to satisfying these desires. READ MORE

Cheryl Smith

Cheryl Smith, Regional Practice Leader, and Alex Campbell, Director of Hospitality Studio, of NELSON Worldwide, discuss the hotel design trends hoteliers and travelers can expect to see in the new year. The design experts will provide insight into how the pandemic shifted traditional hotel design and how to create a memorable experience for guests while keeping their health and safety top of mind. READ MORE

Sara Murray

Hotels have provided well-being-focused amenities for years, but pushing the boundaries to provide a better sleep experience in the guestroom may be the next frontier. One important tool in equipping a guestroom to foster great sleep-precise control of light. Explore the opportunity to differentiate a property by offering a more convenient, higher quality, lights out experience. READ MORE

Colletta Conner

Traditionally, historic hotels do not boast cutting-edge technology. In the case of the Sinclair Building, now a Marriott Autograph Collection in Fort Worth, TX, however, developers envisioned and brought to life the latest in innovative technology. Collaborating with some of the biggest names in tech made it possible to create one of the only smart hotels in the world. Guests even get to contribute by taking steps on the cardio equipment. READ MORE

Pat McBride

As the pandemic inspired shifts across the industry, Hoteliers have been forced to innovate. Guests have adapted to different methods of escapism and relaxation, such as staycations, all-inclusive resorts, and branded experiences. The intersection of technology and destination offerings allow both leisure and business travelers to choose experiences that appeal to their needs and desires across a global market. READ MORE

Belinda O'Kelly

The hotel industry is emerging with a wave of optimism after the chaos and trauma of the pandemic. Placing extra emphasis on interiors and ensuring that guests are left with a joyous and uplifting experience will be key. Coming out of the last few months, some trends will emerge as we look to the future of hotel design. READ MORE

Pope  Bullock

Now that travelers are feeling the wanderlust and returning to hotels, the hospitality industry is examining what the future of travel will look like and what design trends will facilitate that experience. In this article, the Hospitality Studio at architecture firm Cooper Carry discuss solutions that benefit hoteliers and guests, including thoughtful employee-dedicated areas, authentic placemaking, and wellness and sustainability. READ MORE

Bruce Greenfield

How can hoteliers respond to the ever-changing trends of hospitality design, while ensuring the concept remains relevant for years to come? The answer lies in the symbiotic flow of information and ideas between developer and architect. By presenting a clear and inspiring vision, the developer enables the architect to connect current trends to innovations, resulting in exciting and memorable guest experiences. READ MORE

Joel Villalon

In a world that's always in search for the latest and greatest, designing for longevity can feel like a radical shift from this trend-hungry, disposable mindset. However, given the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the hospitality industry, a long-term approach to design is timelier than ever. READ MORE

Paige Harris

Community is not only a sense of place, it is also a feeling of fellowship with others, be it those within our immediate family ties, or those around us with a commonality of values or identity. It is this community that Valor Hospitality Partners strives to create in each of our hotels through thoughtful design and crafted service. READ MORE

Franciska Rivera

The hospitality industry has always evolved but a series of events have drastically shaped and influenced a new way of living. With these changes came the demand for a new era of hospitality. We have always focused on offering services as amenities within a hotel, but what about hybrid spaces that offer the service of a place to stay? READ MORE

Monika Moser

Following the recent global pandemic period, remote work has become the norm for employees of most companies. The opportunities for the hospitality industry are various, affecting the use of hotel executive floors, business centers and room office spaces. How will this change the design of workstations and the use of conference and event spaces? What are the customers looking for nowadays? Is it possible to anticipate the next trend? READ MORE

Martha  Weidmann

As leisure travel increases around the country, hotels must reevaluate how they can create safety and well-being for guests. One unexpected way is through the use of art. Creative placemaking throughout all corners of your property can set you apart and build community connection. READ MORE

Griz Dwight

Working from home increases the flexibility of the office space, breaking away from the traditional cubicle structure to further one's mobility. Where the pandemic retroactively affected the ideas behind flexibility in hospitality spaces, contemporary architecture and design firms are evolving these concepts. Moving forward, guests should expect more seating and amenity options in the lobby and front of house areas. READ MORE

Herbert Laubichler-Pichler

Given how people throughout Asia prefer to travel, creating a multi-generational holiday experience is the best approach when determining a resort's design in this part of the world. Hotel design catering for multi-generational travel is dependent on researching each age segment's preferences and determining the right blend of engaging recreational and dining experiences, underpinned by the right blend of facilities. READ MORE

Becky  Zimmermann

While the Covid-19 pandemic has created many twists and turns there are some great enhancements it has made the hotel and resort property industry review including the outdoor spaces customers can enjoy. Becky Zimmermann and Jeff Zimmermann dissect new trends in outdoor spaces they are seeing in the projects they are working on across the globe. Learn about six outdoor design trends taking the spotlight. Read on… READ MORE

Raad Ghantous

The heightened self-care focus of many in the continuing post Covid age, is where monumental opportunities lie for hospitality and wellness industries, and if we are wise, we will pivot and strive to add offerings and increase accessibility to our services in truly authentic new ways, with new thinking and daring innovation that reflects this new reality and not simply repackage the same old we have known thus far. READ MORE

Monica Salter

Through thoughtful and intentional curation, Outrigger Hospitality Group has emerged as an industry leader in hotel design, creating the roadmap for cultural preservation and sustainability by following the call of its voyaging ancestors. As evident through an $80M transformation, Hawai'ian heritage remains top of mind for hosts and guests alike at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. READ MORE

Scott  Lee

How might travelers achieve a sense of comfort and retreat, while immersing in the character and energy of an urban environment? With increased focus on mental health and well-being, now is the time to adopt creative, holistic design strategies to enhance the urban hotel guest experience, considering everything from the arrival and building façade to innovative interiors and lighting technology. READ MORE

David Ashen

We've all heard about the conversation of hotel restaurants, once the gold standard, into marketplaces. Examples include DoubleTree's Made Market and Hilton's Herb N' Kitchen. David Ashen, president & CEO of interior design and brand consulting firm dash design, builds upon this conversation, looking at the new world we're in and how it will impact the design of food and beverage spaces in hotels for years to come. READ MORE

Penny Duelk

The enchanting motor hotels of the past have morphed into more convenient motor lodges of today. Many became part of hotel groups, with the promise of higher revenue and greater exposure, but find themselves struggling to remain relevant. Economy hoteliers should be re-evaluating their priorities. Just because they have less amenities doesn't mean they can't be trendy, desirable and competitive. READ MORE

Nicole  Roselio

While wellness is taking the design spotlight in these pandemic times, we can't let the health of our guests and employees sterilize the travel experience into blandness. Interior branding is more important than ever as weary travelers look to unique experiences, personal interactions, and poignant travel memories to rejuvenate and sustain them, plus keep them coming back. READ MORE

Loren North

If your teams are not showing up to the standard you have for your property, it may be because your style program needs an overhaul. Your style program is the site-specific overall style direction, guidance, and dress code. This is an overview of the process that can ensure lasting success with your style program. READ MORE

Mark Heymann

With indoor dining largely banned and many guests forgoing minibar services, F&B revenue became nearly nonexistent at hotel properties throughout the pandemic. As properties grapple to boost F&B revenue again, innovative workforce strategies are emerging to boost employee efficiency, serve a greater number of guests, and improve satisfaction throughout the dining experience. READ MORE

Coming up in March 1970...