HOTEL DESIGN TRENDS
GUESTROOMS FROM TOP ARCHITECTS
Design interplay
It’s not just about designing a place anymore, it’s about designing an experience that flows from check-in to sleeping, bathing and dining. Psychographic profiles are driving design decisions. It’s not enough for a hotel to label itself as business or leisure. People are doing business while they play and they are playing while they travel for business. There has to be a degree of escapism, fun and leisure, even in business hotels. People want to go beyond their routine and try something new. As a result, a guest room has become a cocoon, encompassing functionality, multifunctionality and comfort, all in a space of 35 to 45 m2.
Self-pampering
People are taking better care of themselves by frequenting spas. As a result, guest bathrooms have become more relaxing and cozy, less stark and slick, with more natural light. In spaceconscious city hotels, you will see large pampering shower experiences, rather than a tub and shower. The exception is a soaking tub where space allows. The one place in which bathtubs are still a must is in family-oriented resorts and then, usually, only in double-bedded rooms.
Functionality
When guests work on their laptops, they do not want to look at a wall. They want to see a view, but they also want to watch TV. They want enough space to indulge in relaxing activities in their rooms as well, hence interiors that are warm and friendly, all while maintaining a design edge for the experience. Guestrooms are getting bigger because they have to be multi-functional. Also, rooms used to give guests a dining table and provide desks. Now, you might see a table on casters that can be rolled up to the foot of the bed. Guest have new working tools that are light and compact, allowing them to work on the bed, a lounger or a couch. The working desk is not a priority fixture anymore. Guests can decide how the table is used, whether as a desk or a table for breakfast in bed. They need a place to relax and watch TV, a place to just lounge. They need to be able to customize the experience by changing lighting levels. Furthermore, the TV itself has to be connectable to mobile electronic devices so the guests can prepare their business presentations or watch the movie or series they previously downloaded. gm-architects.com
Experience design
As an architect by vocation and an interior designer for hospitality and residential projects, I strongly believe in the power of every detail to contribute to the creation of unique experiences. The world has become one and travelers of tomorrow move at a very fast pace. Whether it is for business or leisure, coming back to the hotel room is a privileged moment. Regardless of its scale, range or budget, a hotel room must convey a feeling of intimacy, a sense of being in a curated space, where comfort, yet stimulation of all senses reign!
The attitude
Our design approach is holistic and we like to think of the guest’s journey and scenario as a memorable one. From the overall concept, layouts, color scheme and furniture design to the choice of the tiniest object, art piece and books, every detail matters. This is the way we approached our latest hospitality project, Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, in Paris, where the suites were conceived as a Parisian apartment with both clean lines and modern comfort. The use of strong bold marbles evokes a historical edge, drink cabinets are specific to every room, often tucked within a wall-to-wall library, where every object is carefully curated and placed in an artful manner. I like to call these ‘objects of affection’, since their presence triggers emotions and curiosity. They invite the guest to embark on a different experience; touch, feel, read and celebrate the moment! The desk is replaced by an elegant round table for multiple use. The mix of contemporary furniture and classic French armchairs, made modern by the choice of plain textured fabrics, creates the balance between old and new. Seeking spaces with intense resonance in each of our projects, we aim to weave stories which can only belong to one place, bridging heritage and innovation, cultures and their knowhow with forwardthinking creativity. cultureinarchitecture.com
A delicate equilibrium
Balancing design and functionality is always a challenge. The story you want to tell with the design and experiences it creates are integral, and even more at the forefront of our thinking these days. In designing a hotel, it’s more than just creating a pretty space; it’s the feeling and experience you have in the space. One size does not fit all anymore! In that respect, the three main criteria are: the brand, location and demographic, all of which should work in harmony to achieve the final effect.
The environment
People are extraordinarily savvy these days, and, as a designer, you want to create an experience relevant to the environment they are in. If someone is taking a business trip to downtown LA but will only be there for two days, they still want to have a sense of the downtown neighborhood while they are there. Most cities are big and complex with many different neighborhoods. In appealing to a savvy clientele, the designer really needs to have that understanding and be mindful of it in the execution phase of the project.
The size
We are seeing more hotels with smaller guestrooms, because hotels are shifting importance to a more social environment. The rooms no longer drive revenue for a hotel - the amenity spaces and public areas do. I might visit a hotel to have a drink at the bar or dinner in the restaurant, but not stay there. Increasingly, the public spaces are appealing to locals and guests alike, driving the neighborhood to interact with the property and its guests in a new, more social way. wilsonassociates.com