What causes new hotel design trends to emerge?
You may think it impossible to predict trends but ultimately they stem from changes in the world around us. Answering questions like "how have guests changed?" and "what is now important to them?" can provide insight into how hotel design will evolve to cater to travelers.
For example, since the pandemic hit in 2020 one big change the hotel industry has seen is a focus on contactless technology to help guests prevent the spread of the virus. This trend was predicted at the start of the pandemic and has since grown and will continue to grow throughout the industry.
After answering these questions for ourselves we can share our best assumptions as to what hotel design will look like in the coming years. While predicting future trends in hospitality design it's important to remember that the industry is currently in flux and there are still a lot of “unknowns” of what the future guest experience will be. That being said, there are a few new trends that will most likely become part of a new standard in hotel design for this new era of travel. While these new trends emerge, previous trends like biophilic and sustainable design are here to stay.
What to Expect
Moving forward into 2022 and beyond, new hotel design standards will be inspired by how guests have evolved in a time with little to no travel and what’s now most important to them as travel resumes. Designs will be tailored to improve and increase the guest experience beyond leisure.
A new level of functionality & originality will emerge that caters to guests looking for unique & clean places to work, play, unwind and gather in addition to being visually appealing.
If hotel design is catered to the guest, it’s important to know who your guests are.
Like many industries, the hospitality industry has had to evolve and change over the last two years but so have the guests who stay in those hotels. As guests have evolved, so have their wants and needs when it comes to travel.
Today’s guest is concerned with technology, unique experiences, cleanliness and more. Because we know this to be true, we can predict how hotel design may look in the next few years. Below we’ve outlined how guests’ new wants and needs have shaped our predictions for both interior and exterior hotel design.
Design Tailored to Guest Experience
Making sure every space is tailored to a guest’s experience will be increasingly important in future hotel design prototypes.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Increased Technology
The need for increased and more advanced technology in hotels is a trend we see only growing in the future.
New tech that has been introduced in recent years like robot butlers, mobile or contactless check-in has been helpful to guests who want to avoid direct contact with other people.
Smart rooms have also been on the rise to provide guests with an easier way to make their stay more comfortable and personalized to them.
Functionality / Modular Design
As we mentioned above, functionality will be a major factor in future hotel designs. To achieve this functionality, many hotel brands will begin incorporating modular design elements meant to provide guest rooms and common areas with the ability to adapt to the needs of travelers.
Guests are ultimately looking for spaces that are multi-functional and serve a purpose aside from being visually appealing.
With many travelers today having the ability to work remotely, a new type of guest has emerged that would benefit from modular design. The “bleisure” guest is not only looking for a space to rest and relax or spend time with family and friends but they are also in need of personal, private work areas. Bleisure guests are combining business travel with their leisure and we predict travelers will start to see hotel designs that offer new ways to accommodate this lifestyle.
A great example of how hotels could incorporate more modular capabilities into their interior design efforts are the Pocket Office & the Cloud Bed, Sofa Edition designs from Ori. Both of these designs could provide guests with more space within their own rooms to relax, sleep and work.
Guests can expect to see modular design outside of their rooms as well. Interior lobbies and common areas will include designs with these capabilities so that guests can make the most of the spaces. Bleisure guests can enjoy breakfast in the morning, an individual work area in the afternoon after the buffets have been removed and an open space for gathering in the evening.
Sustainability
Materials used for interior design will be increasingly sustainable and energy-efficient.
Using locally sourced, recycled, low-emission and long-lasting materials will become widespread. Not only to increase sustainability efforts but also to improve wellness by providing better indoor air quality.
Unique Elements
It’s becoming increasingly important to give hotel guests a unique experience. Because of this, recent hotel design prototypes have allowed for some flexibility within PIPs. This flexibility could allow hotels to individualize themselves with local art, food, culture, furniture and materials to give their property it's own personality.
Creating a unique experience can also be accomplished through design focused on mental and physical health. Due to increased understanding of the importance of mental and physical health during the pandemic, many travelers are now looking for hotels that accommodate their new healthy lifestyles. Renovated gyms, in-room fitness equipment and inclusive dietary options like vegetarian breakfast items are all elements that will set hotels apart from their competition.
Biophilic Interior Design
Biophilic design is not something we see going away anytime soon. Hotels will continue to bring elements from nature into their lobbies, common areas and guest rooms. Newer designs have brought the outside in with floor to ceiling convertible windows that open to create a larger gathering space combining their outside with their inside.
EXTERIOR
Recycled & Sustainable Materials
Like interior design, materials used for exterior hotel design will be increasingly sustainable and energy-efficient.
In recent years we’ve already seen the implementation of LED lighting, energy-efficient windows, low-flow water fixtures and electric vehicle charging stations. Moving forward hotel owners should expect these sustainable design elements to become even more widespread.
Nuanced Architectural Features
When it comes to the exterior façade of hotels, expect to see more nuanced architectural features or features that make the property edgy and on-trend.
Right now what we’re seeing in recent designs are cantilevered details. This is where one end of the design is attached to the building and the other end is suspended freely. Seen widely in rooftop pool design, cantilevers are one of the more diverse design elements. These details are effective in adding fun, 3D elements to buildings.
Textural Diversity
Textural diversity in exterior hotel design is here to stay. Designers are including more than one or two different exterior finishes giving their buildings even more dimension. To increase curb appeal and create a never-boring exterior, hotels will begin implementing a variety of finishes such as:
Textured Fiber Cement Siding
Brick
Cultured Stone
Reflective Glass
External Insulation Finishing System (EIFS)
Matte Aluminum Composite Metal (ACM)
These design elements are chosen to help create unique exteriors and are made to fit and integrate into the local landscape or cityscape.
Dynamic Building Shapes
We all recognize and remember a few buildings with unusual and memorable architecture. The same is true for hotels.
Since most branded hotels are prototyped to some extent, hotel designers seem to be creating unique elements in accordance with the brand’s standards and identity.
For example, an unconventional entrance, cantilevered details, or a particular theme can mark this trend. Entrances can demonstrate some unique elements, creating a relaxed—yet dynamic—appearance. Think beyond Porte-Cochère for a welcoming entranceway.
Improved Lighting
A good play of lights can dramatically transform your hotel.
As with the Hampton Inn hotels, many brand prototypes feature exterior light panels for a more modern look.
“I see some “millennial-focused” flags like Moxy and W even utilize neon lights to create interest and allure.” - Richard Jenks, Sales Executive at Amerail Systems
Hotels will continue to use exterior lighting to attract and draw in visitors. But we will start to see customizable LED lights become an industry standard. With the advancement in LED lighting, hotels are able to customize their properties even further to attract guests with multi-colored LED lights and effects.
2022 Design Predictions Wrap Up
Keywords we would use for our 2022 design predictions are unique, sustainable and guest-tailored. While the future of hotel design may still be adapting to the ever-evolving needs of travelers, hoteliers and guests alike should look forward to experiencing hotels with advanced technology, multi-functional public spaces, and unique designs inside and out.
Why does hotel design matter to us?
Hotels connect us to family and friends, provide us with new experiences and are there for us when we need to rest along our journey. They’re there for your celebrations, new adventures your business deals and family breakfasts. No matter what is happening in our world, the hospitality industry has persevered while providing accommodations for the weary or not so weary travelers. They're there for us, so we're there for them.
At Amerail Systems we’re dedicated to providing top-tier renovations in the most efficient way possible so hotels can provide their guests with beautiful and comfortable spaces to gather and rest.
We do what we do best so hotels can do what they do best.
We aim for WOW
See how at amerailsys.com
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