Design Trends In today’s competitive global landscape, more and more guests are seeking hotels that are unique, flexible and in sync with their lifestyle. It’s less about place and more about experience. In this snap shot of design trends, our team give insight into the key design, technology and hotel trends set to influence the industry in 2016. Carr Interiors Level 4 31 Flinders Lane Melbourne Victoria 3000 61 3 9665 2300 www.carr.net.au
Public realm must capture and retain the guest ‘ .. Too many hotels lose their guest to the city. In response, a hotel’s public realm must create something that is missing from the surrounding areas, enticing the guest to stay. These social spaces should provide all forms of seating and lighting suitable for a business meeting, a champagne breakfast, a casual meal or a romantic date. Usefulness and understated luxuries will often win .. ’ 1 2 3 4 1 & 2 The Conservatorium Hotel, Amsterdam I 3 Monsieur Bleu Palais Paris | 4 Sanderson Hotel London
Rooms are getting smaller ‘ .. With public areas upping the ante, guest rooms are able to decrease in size transforming into a comfortable nest for retreat. Along with ‘invisible’ technology, the guest room is becoming streamlined and stripped down to the bare essentials of what makes for a great stay; a good bed, power shower, quality consumerables and variable lighting conditions.. ‘ 1 1 1 Citizen M London I 2 Mama Shelter Marseille 2
Bathrooms are bigger and more spa-like ‘ .. The perception of the bathroom has a huge impact on how guests rate hotels. Serving more than just a functional purpose, the bathroom has become a space for repose and relaxation. This has meant a move away from an 70/30 space split (on bedroom to bathroom) towards a 50/50 split, with a sense of openness between the spaces. There is also much more attention paid to the fixtures and finishes and spatial layout .. ’ 1 1 2 1 Park Hyatt Seoul | 2 Puli Hotel Shanghai 1
Joinery items as loose furniture ‘ .. As guest rooms shrink, the perception of space becomes crucial. A typical guest stay is no longer than three days and generally this means an ‘open luggage’ scenario’, whereby objects and clothing are on display and generally not unpacked. Open joinery systems, clever designs and loose furniture pieces are being favoured over heavy built-in items ..’
F&B Renewal: Re-imagining an existing site to thrive ‘ .. Re-imagining sites provides immense opportunity to tap into historic context and local narrative. By referencing the meaning and functions of the original building creates a story that today’s travellers want to know about .. ’ 1 2 1 The Conservatorium Amsterdam I 2 The Edition London
Poshtels leading the pack ‘ .. This new breed of hotel offers the best components of a hostel and a hotel. Generally built on a serious budget with a major aesthetic impact, they offer different types of accommodation – from luxury suites to 18 room dorms. A huge emphasis is also placed on the public realm, a place where everyone can meet at a level playing field. These public spaces have a ‘cool’ factor, activating and creating instant buzz ..’ 1 2 3 1 & 3 25 Hours Hotel HafenCity Hamburg | 2 Superbude Hamburg
Photo opportunities ‘ .. It’s about the power of ‘the image’. The use of social media is an integral part of a millennials life. Photo opportunities require iconic visual triggers that will be circulated at rapid speeds. Not only must we consider what a space feels like, but we also have to ask ourselves: how do the ‘2D’ aspects perform? ..’ 1 2 3 1 Ace Hotel London I 2 & 3 Sandeson London
Collaboration & brand alignment ‘Neighbourhood Story’ ‘ .. People seek a community wherever they go and we are seeing more hotels create stronger local connections and collaborations with businesses that offer something unique. This allows for cross-pollination of services and increases brand awareness due to the multiplied forms of marketing that occur in the process ..’ 1 2 3 1 Kensington Quarter at Hotel Indigo London I 2 Albion at Boundary Hotel | 3 Albion Southbank London 3 1 2
No need for an ‘address’ ‘ .. More hotels and restaurants are popping up in unexpected locations. The need to be on the main drag or have a prominent street address is no longer a key factor. With real estate at a premium, locations are increasingly in the unexpected pockets such as rooftops, laneways, or up-and-coming suburbs. Discovery is a bragging right .. ’ 1 2 1 Entrance via a florist into Hoi Polloi at Ace Hotel London I 2 Hotel Alex Perth
Intuitive Technology ‘ .. In this super-connected world, time is a commodity we need in order to survive and thrive, and technology saves us over and over again. It’s about giving guests maximum control of hotel services via their own devices, as opposed to providing them with a device. Technology now travels with the owner and the guest room becomes more serene as it is free from wires and gadgets. When was the last time you ever used a hotel phone or iPad? .. ’ 1 1 1 Fujiya Ginzan Hotel Japan
A new work order *B-leisure and the Millenials .. ‘ .. The line between work and leisure is becoming more blurred. We are seeing four to five generations in the workplace for the first time, and our cities and public realm must keep up. In response to this, hotels need to create genuine experiences and a sense of place that will appeal to all generations .. ’ 1 2 1 Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht I 2 Private dining at Hotel Indigo London *B-Leisure : Business / Leisure guest | Millenial : mid 20’s to mid 30’s generation
Wellness is the new luxury ‘ .. Being sporty is chic. The perception of health and wellbeing is the new luxury and aspirational item. Practicality is taking over and the way we design our spaces is catching up on this trend. Wellbeing is now a major priority in a hotel’s layout and design, with fitness, spa and wellness centres becoming major attractors .. ’ 1 1
Death of the star rating ‘ .. The star rating has lost its relevance and pulling power due to the resurgence of the ‘boutique hotel’, the advent of Airbnb, and the social craving for authentic experiences. Star ratings are connected to amenity alone and don’t speak about experiential value or cultural aspects. As a result, people are paying less attention to this rating and more on the transparent reports provided by TripAdvisor, Expedia and other media outlets .. ’
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