Hospitality Design Trends

H e l l o!

Up on the blog this week it's all about the interior design trends in the hospitality world.  The top trends in the hotel industry today are being determined by a massive shift in consumer preferences.  Input from today’s top travelers, namely millennials and zoomers, has transformed the way hoteliers treat and attract guests.  These shifting tastes are impacting the top hotels and their interior design, chosen building materials, food & beverage offerings, furniture, artwork, lobbies and more.  Here are some of the top trends we are seeing!

Lobbies for Connections

Now being deemed “lifestyle lobbies”, checking in will feel more like entering a family room rather than the typical lobby structure you’ve grown up seeing.  While kiosks may be increasingly popular, lobbies still need to accommodate a traditional check-in experience. While this is extremely important, it's also important to keep up with generational trends.  For example, I just stayed at a Hilton and I was able to check into my room via the Hilton Honor App, with keyless entry and virtual check-out.  The point is to provide the guest with options and ensure the design feels friendly and welcoming.  

Photo Cred:  Pinterest

Access to the Outdoors

With pandemic-era concerns about indoor air quality and social distancing deeply embedded in our psyches, the outdoors represents an escape and safe haven, and is a key element to mental health. Travellers will seek uninterrupted sightlines to the outdoors, access to fresh air and open space in 2022. Integrating outdoor spaces in urban environments, such as rooftop amenities, will be a big driver for both hotels and residential developments in the future. Rooftop amenities create a sense of escapism in which residents or guests are nestled in an outdoor environment, perhaps with natural elements, but views to a city skyline are within reach. 

Large patios, decks and courtyards that can be accessed by sliding doors or operable windows are increasingly popular. A variety of nooks in the landscape for guests to linger, with amenities that invite guests to stay and play are very important.

Photo Cred:  Stab Studio

Amenity Spaces

Many staying in hotels want more personalized experiences and unique surroundings, a trend that has kicked into high gear.  With this in mind, many hotels now have an increased focus on amenity spaces. In fact, Marriott International’s AC brand has an expanded footprint for the lobby and restaurant space.

Photo Cred:  Pinterest

Self-Care Spaces 

There is a huge uptick in hotels wanting self-care spa facilities on site. Coming through the pandemic, we’re seeing a trend towards a ‘choose your own adventure-style’ approach, where there are a number of options for guests to use on their own.

Photo Cred:  Pinterest

Co-Working Spaces

The traditional hotel business center model is now being overshadowed by a desire for coworking spaces, where the lines between working and social interaction are often blurred.  Communal work areas are very high on the list of amenities for hotel design. Community tables or coffee bar-style seating areas are a must, along with some enclosed rooms that let guests hop on a Zoom call. These typically offer ample glazing, providing guests visibility into the vibrant common space.

Photo Cred:  Mercato Grove

Technology

With guests expecting an ever-increasing range of technology services, interior designers are planning for future capabilities before construction begins.  

This generation has come to expect smart rooms where they can control the room temperature, lighting and even entertainment through a mobile device or by voice.  Hotels are delivering.  As I mentioned earlier, Hilton has already implemented smart rooms, allowing contactless check-in and check-out on mobile devices. Interaction through  mobile devices has also begun to define the experience of the future.  In 2018 I stayed at a hotel in Atlanta for a business trip and the iron didn't work.  I was able to text message my concierge for a new iron.  Messaging staff through a smartphone is convenient for the guest and can often free up the phones for the front desk staff, saving time and money for the hotel.

Photo Cred:  Oakywood

Sustainability

The urgency of the climate crisis have placed the importance of sustainability front and center in every industry. The interior design industry is no exception.  When it comes to sustainability in hospitality, one of the important issues is the life cycle of the interiors.  On average, hotels renovate every 5-7 years.  There are ways to shorten renovation cycles with the environment in mind. 

A few other things you’ll see being implemented:

• Green buildings using recycled materials.
• Recycling linens.
• Use of more LED lighting in rooms.
• Use of more water conservation devices as efficient ways to minimize waste..

The construction of hotels is going to mean contracting with material providers who can prove their products are truly sustainable and easily installed.

Photo Cred:  Pinterest

As we start look past the crisis period of Covid-19, and start to settle into a ‘new normal’, the definition of hospitality has a new meaning – one of comfort, security and escape.  If you’re looking for some ideas or advice for your hotel property, we’d love to help. Contact the Delia Designs team and we can discuss your next steps and how we can help you take them.

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In addition to being a Philadelphia Multifamily Interior Designer,  I also design boutique hotels, fitness centers, office spaces, residential development projects, other commercial spaces such as office and retail spaces, and the senior living community throughout the tri state area.  We work here in Philadelphia, the main line, and even Nationally!