Page 93 - 2017 Hotel Cost Estimating Guide

DESIGN TRENDS FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

by Christine Shanahan
Managing Director of Design, HVS Design

Trends are often thought of as the newest, hip thing incorporating the local community ambiance in the design.

that has everyone jumping on the bandwagon to do, but Guests want to be able to experience the local vibe and
eventually fade away until the next hot trend rolls through. culture, to experience their surroundings. Putting the

The hospitality industry is no different. There are, at times, local creamery’s ice cream in the Market or the local craft
trends that people try that don’t pan out. However, there brewery’s beer on tap in the bar provides that local touch.

are some trends that are well-received and change the This desire to have a neighborhood feel has challenged

direction of how we think or act. Those trends become designers to dive deeper into the neighborhood to ind
the norm. In an ever-evolving industry, it’s fun to examine the hidden gems that make it special, all the while staying

those successful trends that have altered the direction of true to the brand. It’s a way to encourage the guests to
hospitality design.
get out and explore the area.

Smaller Guestroom Size – Reducing the square footage Wellness / Health – It’s not only healthy options in the

of guestrooms is becoming more commonplace. Owners food and beverage area that guests have come to expect.

are able to it more keys on a site to help their bottom Guests want a way to incorporate their healthy lifestyles
line. Technology is one area that has played a key role at home into their time on the road. IHG developed the

in helping with the smaller space. Televisions went from EVEN brand speciically designed with wellness in mind.
being nearly 20” deep to being 4” deep, eliminating the It features a larger itness center, work out equipment

need for a furniture piece to house it. Dressers are in each room, water stations, and exercise programs to

giving way to open-air shelving or closets. The desk size participate in like group jogs. Other brands are following
is decreasing as well due to guests working on iPads suit by increasing the prototypical itness center size and

or laptops. The biggest challenge to the smaller room incorporating “Stay Well” branded rooms that encompass
size is ADA requirements. A larger bay size is needed a holistic approach to wellness from the lighting to the

to meet the ADA regulations and this needs to be taken aroma. It is too early to tell if this trend will pay off in the

into consideration in the initial planning stages for those end, but it does appear to address bringing the guest’s
rooms.
home life with them on the road.

Inluence of Lifestyle Brands – The days when every
Communal Public Areas – The transformation of the hotel within a brand would look the same, no matter

lobby area into a social gathering place has been a huge which city it was in, are nearly non-existent. The growth

success. What once started as one eight-person, high- of lifestyle and soft brands has started to blur the deined
top table with connectivity has evolved into multiple, lines between branded and boutique. Creating a sense

shared seating arrangements to expand the communal of place that sets the hotel apart is becoming the new
sense of place. Brands are activating the lobby space in standard.

a way that appeals to both millennials and baby boomers.
Days of staying in the room to work are disappearing. As The dynamic nature of the hospitality industry craves

designers, the seating is no longer somewhere to sit for experimentation with new ideas and methods to reclassify

10 minutes to wait for someone. Comfort is must more what is normal or expected. It’s that redeinition that
important as is durability.
creates a unique and inviting guest experience that keeps

the guest coming back.
Food and Beverage Options – More of an emphasis

is being placed on the food and beverage options in a
About the Author
hotel. A small sundries shop tucked in a corner behind
the front desk has grown to become a larger Market
Ms. Shanahan is an accomplished interior
that offers prepared foods and healthy choices. These
Markets areas are incorporated near the communal areas designer with more than twenty years
of professional design experience. As
so they are easily accessible by guests and encourage Managing Director of Design at HVS

interaction. Together with communal spaces, more food Design, she oversees and manages the
and beverage options are also energizing the public design team as well as creates exceptional
designs for the irm’s hospitality projects.
space and adding to the bottom line.
In addition to hospitality, Ms. Shanahan
has extensive experience with commercial, industrial, health
Neighborhood Feel – While each brand has their signature
care, assisted living, and residential projects.
elements that are included at the property, hotels are

JN+A and HVS DESIGN | HOTEL COST ESTIMATING GUIDE 2017
93