Welcoming spaces, easy tech and bleisure-based design are trending in 2023
What’s the first thing you notice when you walk into a hotel? The flooring, hotel lobby furniture, lighting, number of windows in meeting spaces? All of this is of the utmost importance to those who create these large and small touches to enhance the visitor experience. One of those people is Paige Harris.
Harris joined Valor Hospitality Partners in 2021 as corporate director of design and development and has been in the hotel design world for more than 25 years. In this time, she has seen designs from all over the globe and, as a result, is able to provide different points of approach to the design process. Through offering alternative ways to approach the hotel design process, she hopes to encourage her partners to think outside of the norm and inspire creative thinking.
This creative thinking has taken Harris beyond just the four walls of the guest room. “Hotel design is no longer focused on rooms alone,” Harris says. “The guest journey, from arrival to their room to the F&B outlets they will visit during their stay, must all be well thought out and designed with unique touchpoints to create a truly memorable experience.”
A Space That Says ‘Welcome’
The atmosphere of the meeting space is everything. You can make it as dark and dreary or as light, airy and welcoming as you please. If you’re going for the latter—which I hope you are—Harris made a several suggestions for meeting professionals to create a space that feels like an open embrace.
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“Meeting and event planners are more than ever looking for modern, easy and functional technology in event spaces that aren’t intrusive if not being used,” she says. “[As well as] intuitive, wireless interfaces that make it easy to connect to a display without having to have a degree in electrical engineering.”
In addition to this, Harris named several other elements that’ll give your space a more welcoming atmosphere:
- An abundance of thoughtfully positioned electrical outlets.
- Ergonomic and comfortable seating.
- Natural light with blackout blinds when needed.
- Ability to change lighting in a space depending on the need/event type. Colored lighting options offer planners a wide variety of mood lighting without having to rent and set-up traditional event lighting. This saves money and time and tends to be more reliable.
- For smaller meetings: Having a section of the room equipped with comfortable lounge seating for guests to have more intimate conversations.
- Colorful accents such as artwork, pillows and florals that are not heavily arranged.
- Built in AV, including stereo and surround sound.
- Water stations to fill reusable bottles.
As for hoteliers themselves, Harris recommends they look more into local community engagement. “It’s no longer enough to create spaces that reflect the local culture or promote local artisans,” she says. “What we at Valor strive to do is create an environment which brings the locals to our hotel for work, socialization, and to drink and dine.”
The Biggest Trends, Now and Beyond
According to Harris, bleisure is still going strong, as employers continue to allow staff to work remotely and the travel industry continues to recovery from the pandemic.
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“Today’s guests are working and vacationing in the same place,” Harris says. “Professionals are seeking lodging where they can work and relax in equal measure. Flexible lounge spaces are a must so guests can plug in and work within the common areas while also connecting with others. Guest room design is shifting away from traditional desks in lieu of true laptop-style FF&E with means of connectivity.”
As for the years ahead, Harris says the next generation of travelers are looking for a sense of the real. “The newer traveler is seeking authentic experiences, a place to relax and reconnect,” she says. “This means connecting to nature, luxurious gardens to explore, interior green spaces, biophilia. We see this in rooftop bars that feature flower and herb gardens that are tended to by the chef of the restaurant, and outdoor lounge spaces, including hammock gardens or meditation areas.”
