The world is adjusting to a new normal after a global pandemic, and so is the hospitality industry. What do places meant to simulate the ideal home look like after people have been sequestered in their houses for months on end? 

People are still looking for luxury in hotels and places of temporary accommodation, but these trends are taking the hospitality industry to another level of comfort and friendliness. 

1. Interactive and Instagrammable Lobbies

Hotels and resorts drum up excitement by designing Instagrammable lobbies. Some sites are integrating interactive displays unique to the local culture. 

Consider the excitement of digital signs flashing picturesque landscapes, local art and wearable designs like butterfly wings. Lush gardens, water features and chandeliers are also highly photographed pieces. 

Lobbies are becoming more interactive. Guests seek open floor plans with long couches, televisions and video games. Board games and other entertainment features urge people to explore places outside their rooms and rave about their fun online. 
People can now leave their homes again and are seeking that interactive, engaging lifestyle.

2. Sustainability on All Levels

Sustainability is at the core of hospitality luxury, and promising green and eco-conscious accommodation makes venues more trustworthy. Substantive efforts include buildings constructed or renovated with recycled materials. Some resorts are also installing solar panels to harness their sunny locales’ clean energy. 

On the interior design side, energy-saving LED lighting brightens up any suite. Integrated lighting systems help hospitality designers keep a low-profile while providing tens of thousands of hours of low-carbon lighting. Laundry services with water conservation devices to save on all the towels and linens circulating throughout the venue. 

More people are conscious of ethical tourism and potential dangers to local communities, so sustainability also comes into play. Hotels must communicate with local leaders about ethical excursions and interactions with customs and cultures. Providing this thoughtfulness at all levels allows the hospitality industry to foster healthy bonds with the surrounding community for years to come. 

3. Smart Suites

The union of technology and homes is progressing every day, but people are still impressed when they encounter something new. They may find something they want to incorporate into their own homes. Hospitality designers are seeking ways to weave technology into suites to control temperatures, lighting and room service.

Automated services allow extra comfort and personalization for guests while saving time for busy hospitality staffers. 

4. Blending of Leisure and Work

One major outcome of the pandemic is the blending of travel for work and leisure. Some businesses are seeking hotels for remote workers on long-term stays. During this time, they will need offices and workspaces.

Office designers are leaning toward integration with living spaces in the suites themselves. Because people are so accustomed to working from home, this is a familiar and comfortable sight. 

Hotels should also consider implementing more reservable studies and offices so remote workers can host important videoconferences or get fresh air out of their suites. Covered outdoor pavilions like those built on the terrace of the Four Seasons Atlanta are a great example of creating luxurious usable space.

Another design aspect impactful for workers staying for the long haul could be more advanced kitchens inside suites. Continental breakfasts and room service meals are nice, but people often want the personalization of their own home-cooked or microwaved meals. 

5. Micro-Dining Options

People who don’t want to cook appreciate the option to eat at various restaurants. Innovations called micro-restaurants allow different cuisines at mock storefronts depending on the time of day. For instance, a salad bar opens from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., while a steak restaurant is open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

This offers variety and luxurious exclusivity. Designing these micro food options allows people to chart their day around their favorite foods and explore new offerings. 

6. Self-Care Bathrooms

Bathrooms are one of the most talked about aspects of hospitality, as they enable guests to feel pampered while traveling to unknown spaces. Consider unique features like rainfall showers or tubs with water jets when designing a luxury bathroom. 

Another option is installing heated floor tiles and towel racks to add to the luxury experience. Allowing the bathroom to be a place of self-care shows guests this is a venue of elegance. 

The Future of Luxury in Hospitality Design

The idea of luxury is not static, so it is important to understand how the public engages with elegance, substance and design in unique ways. Interactive and distinctive hotel features are trending now and far into the future.

Author: Evelyn Long is a writer and editor-in-chief for Renovated, a web magazine for the home industry. Her work focuses on design and construction tactics for industry professionals.

Cover image by Edelle Bruton on Unsplash