21 guest-centric ideas to elevate your hotel room design
Practical upgrades for an improved hotel room design
When stepping into a hotel room for the first time, what are the elements that make it stand out as exceptional or forgettable? At Escandi, know that thoughtful and innovative room design is crucial in shaping a guest’s overall experience. Our extensive knowledge and experience in the hotel business have shown us that a well-designed room does more than look good – it provides comfort, functionality and a unique sense of place, making guests feel welcomed and valued.
In this article, we’ve compiled 21 creative hotel room design ideas. These ideas, drawn from our own experiences and industry insights, aim to help you craft spaces that leave a lasting impression on guests.
Photography by Escandi, New Works and Muuto
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A tendency that is here to stay is the desire for authentic, local experiences.
4 tips for elevating first impressions
As established, first impressions matter, and the aesthetic appeal of a hotel room sets the tone for a guest’s stay. From thoughtful lighting design to artistic accents, creating a visually stunning and cohesive environment can elevate the guest experience.
Colour schemes, material palettes and themes
When designing a hotel room, first consider the typical guest and their persona. Are they business travellers looking for a serene, professional environment or vacationers seeking a vibrant, lively space? Younger guests might prefer modern, trendy designs, while older guests might appreciate classic, elegant aesthetics. Choosing the right colours can significantly impact your guests’ mood. Soft, neutral tones can create a calming atmosphere for relaxation, while vibrant hues can energise and invigorate those looking for a lively experience. Tailor your colour palette to match the intended vibe of the room, enhancing your guests’ stay.
Materials play a crucial role in how a room feels to your guests. High-quality, sustainable materials not only look stylish but also add comfort. Luxurious textiles and natural wood finishes can enhance the sensory experience, making guests feel pampered and at ease.
Flooring should be both durable and visually appealing. Options like hardwood, stone or high-quality carpet provide a solid foundation that complements the room’s design while ensuring comfort underfoot. Unique wall art and sculptures add character and tell a story, giving guests a sense of the hotel’s personality and the local culture, making their stay memorable and engaging.
Thoughtful lighting design
Lighting can greatly influence a guest’s experience, making them feel comfortable and welcomed. For a soothing atmosphere, use soft, neutral lighting that mimics natural light. This helps guests relax after a long day of travel or work. Layered lighting, including ambient, task, and accent lighting, lets guests adjust the lighting to their needs, whether they’re reading, working, or unwinding.
For added convenience and comfort, consider installing smart lighting systems that adapt automatically or manually to different times of day and moods. These systems provide brighter, more energising light in the morning and softer, warmer light in the evening, helping guests wake up refreshed and wind down easily. Customisable mood settings allow guests to create the perfect ambiance for any activity.
Embrace local culture
A tendency that is here to stay is the desire for authentic, local experiences. When guests step into their room, they should feel an immediate connection to the local area. Use local art, crafts, and motifs to create a sense of place and immerse your guests in the unique culture of your location. Displaying works by local artists or incorporating traditional crafts can make the room feel special and authentic.
Incorporate regional colours and materials to enhance this connection. Use textiles, woods, and other materials that are native to the area, giving the room a distinctive local flavour. This not only supports local artisans but also adds a layer of authenticity and charm that guests will appreciate and remember.
Personalised guest experience
A trend that guests love is having a personalised touch in their hotel stay. Offering customisable room settings, such as adjustable lighting and temperature, allows guests to tailor their environment to their preferences, ensuring maximum comfort. Whether they want a cosy, dimly-lit room for relaxation or a bright space to energise their morning, giving them control over these elements enhances their stay.
Personalised welcome messages and amenities add an extra layer of warmth and hospitality. A simple welcome note with the guest’s name or tailored amenities based on their preferences can make a significant impact. Perhaps it’s their favourite snack waiting for them or a local guidebook with personalised recommendations. These thoughtful touches make guests feel valued and special.
In the ‘bleisure’ age, where business and leisure blend seamlessly, multi-functional furniture is a must for modern hotel rooms.
4 tips for enhancing comfort in hotel rooms
Once guests have formed their first impressions and begin to settle in, the true test of their satisfaction begins. Creating a comfortable environment is essential for ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable stay.
Luxurious bedding
The comfort of a hotel bed is often the highlight of a guest’s stay. Providing a bed that combines comfort and ergonomics ensures guests wake up refreshed and ready for the day. Invest in high-quality mattresses like those from Dux, which offer excellent support, and pair them with luxurious linens from Frette for a touch of indulgence.
Offer a variety of pillow options to cater to different preferences, whether guests prefer firm or soft pillows. This attention to detail can make all the difference in ensuring a restful night’s sleep, leaving guests feeling pampered and well-rested.
Bathroom oasis
Creating a bathroom oasis can significantly enhance a guest’s stay, offering a retreat where they can unwind and rejuvenate. Spa-like features such as rain showers and soaking tubs add a touch of luxury, making the bathroom experience truly special. These elements help guests relax and feel pampered after a long day.
High-end toiletries and amenities further elevate the bathroom experience. This is not an area to cut corners. Provide quality products that reflect the hotel’s commitment to excellence, such as premium shampoos, conditioners, and lotions. Adding plush towels and robes can make guests feel even more indulged, turning their bathroom into a personal spa sanctuary.
Comfortable seating options
Comfortable seating can elevate the entire guest experience, transforming a room into a welcoming retreat. Imagine sinking into a plush sofa or lounge chair after a long day of travel – these cosy spots invite guests to relax, read a book or enjoy a moment of peace.
For those on a working trip, ergonomic chairs are a must. Providing proper support and comfort, these chairs ensure that guests can stay productive without sacrificing their well-being. Whether they’re catching up on emails or attending virtual meetings, a well-designed workspace with an ergonomic chair makes all the difference. By offering a mix of luxurious seating options, you create a space where guests can both unwind and work comfortably.
Multi-functional furniture
In the ’bleisure’ age, where business and leisure blend seamlessly, multi-functional furniture is a must for modern hotel rooms. Space-saving designs like foldable desks and murphy beds allow rooms to serve multiple purposes without feeling cramped.
Furniture with built-in storage solutions helps keep the space tidy and organised, making it easy for guests to find what they need. These elements should not be afterthoughts but key considerations from the start. Thoughtful design choices ensure the room remains functional, flexible, and efficient, catering to both work and relaxation needs.
A decluttered room is great for the guest’s peace of mind and simplifies housekeeping tasks.
6 ideas to up in-room convenience
Enhancing convenience in your hotel rooms can significantly boost guest satisfaction and create a more comfortable and seamless experience for your guests. Here are six key ideas to help you elevate convenience in your hotel rooms.
Open-concept layouts
Open-concept layouts can make a hotel room feel more spacious and inviting. Using glass walls and partitions creates a sense of openness while still providing necessary separations. This design choice allows natural light to flow throughout the space, enhancing the overall ambiance.
Seamless transitions between the bedroom and living areas further enhance the sense of space. By eliminating harsh divides, you create a cohesive environment where guests can move effortlessly from one area to another, making the room feel larger and more comfortable. However, maintain privacy between the room and bathroom to ensure guests’ comfort and convenience.
Creative storage solutions
Effective storage solutions can transform a hotel room, keeping it organised and clutter-free. Hidden closets and under-bed storage make the most of available space, allowing guests to stow away their belongings neatly out of sight. A decluttered room is great for the guest’s peace of mind and simplifies housekeeping tasks.
Stylish luggage racks and shelving provide additional storage options while adding to the room’s decor. Incorporating plenty of hooks ensures guests have ample space to hang clothes, towels, and other items, proving that there is no such thing as too many hooks.
Soundproofing
Nothing ruins a stay like unwanted noise from the street or neighbouring hotel rooms. Effective soundproofing is essential for creating a peaceful and restful environment for your guests. High-quality insulation and windows are crucial for blocking out external noise, turning the room into a quiet sanctuary.
Additionally, soft furnishings such as carpets, curtains, and upholstered furniture can help absorb sound, further reducing noise levels. A properly soundproofed room not only enhances comfort but also adds immensely to that luxurious feel.
Privacy options
Ensuring privacy is a key aspect of creating a comfortable and secure environment for your guests. Blackout curtains and privacy screens are essential for providing guests with the ability to control their level of privacy and block out unwanted light, contributing to a restful night’s sleep. Frosted glass on bathroom doors and partitions can offer an additional layer of privacy while maintaining a modern and stylish design.
Secure locks and peepholes on doors enhance safety and give guests peace of mind.In-room safes provide a secure place for guests to store their valuables, adding another dimension to personal privacy.
Effective signage and wayfinding
Clear and aesthetically pleasing signage is essential for helping guests navigate your hotel with ease. Well-designed signs that blend seamlessly with the hotel’s decor can guide guests to key areas such as reception, rooms, amenities, and emergency exits.
Easy-to-follow wayfinding systems, including floor maps and directional arrows, ensure guests can find their way around without confusion. These systems enhance the overall guest experience by reducing stress and making the hotel’s layout intuitive and accessible.
Accessibility features
Ensuring that all guests, regardless of their physical abilities, have a comfortable and enjoyable stay is crucial. Providing easily accessible amenities is key. Features such as wide doorways, grab bars in bathrooms, and low-threshold showers make rooms more accessible. Additionally, consider installing adjustable-height beds and providing visual and auditory aids for guests with sensory impairments.
While we cherish the charm of the analogue, integrating smart tech features can elevate a stay from good to great.
3 ways to use technological enhancements
When used properly, technology can significantly enhance the guest experience, providing convenience and modern comforts. While we cherish the charm of the analogue, integrating smart tech features can elevate a stay from good to great. Here are some key technological enhancements to consider for your hotel rooms.
Smart lighting and thermostats
Great lighting and comfortable temperatures can make all the difference in how we feel. Smart lighting and thermostats offer guests ultimate control over their environment, enhancing comfort and convenience. These systems allow guests to adjust lighting levels and room temperature to their personal preferences with ease, whether through a wall panel or a mobile app.
Smart lighting can adapt automatically to different times of day, providing bright, energising light in the morning and soft, warm light in the evening, enhancing the overall ambiance. Similarly, smart thermostats ensure the room is always at the perfect temperature, improving energy efficiency and guest satisfaction.
In-room tablets for guest services
Imagine a guest wanting to order room service, adjust the room temperature, or book a spa appointment – all with just a few taps. In-room tablets make this level of convenience a reality, providing a seamless and modern experience. These devices offer guests easy access to a range of services, from room service orders and housekeeping requests to local information and entertainment options. With an in-room tablet, guests can effortlessly control room settings, find recommendations for nearby attractions and restaurants and communicate directly with hotel staff.
Charging stations
Providing thoughtful amenities can greatly enhance the guest experience by adding an extra layer of convenience. Charging stations for devices are essential in today’s digital age, ensuring guests can easily power up their smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Feeling bored shouldn’t be a thing when staying in a hotel.
4 tips for enhancing in-room entertainment
Feeling bored shouldn’t be a thing when staying in a hotel. Providing top-notch in-room entertainment options can significantly enhance your guests’ experience.
Free high-speed internet
Free high-speed internet is no longer a nice-to-have but a must for any modern hotel. Reliable and secure Wi-Fi access is essential for both business and leisure travellers, allowing guests to stay connected, work efficiently, and enjoy streaming services without interruptions.
Ensuring your internet is fast, dependable and completely secure guarantees guests can safely access their online needs, enhancing their overall stay. By prioritising high-speed internet, you meet the expectations of today’s travellers, making their experience seamless and enjoyable.
State-of-the-art TV and sound systems
Providing state-of-the-art TV and sound systems can transform your guests’ in-room entertainment experience. High-definition televisions with excellent sound quality immerse guests in their favourite shows and movies, offering a cinematic experience right in their room.
Streaming services and game consoles
Offering streaming services and game consoles adds an extra layer of entertainment. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of movies, series, and games at their convenience.
Rethink the mini bar
Modernising the mini bar can significantly enhance the guest experience by offering a curated selection of items that cater to today’s discerning travellers. Instead of the traditional assortment of high-priced snacks and drinks, consider providing healthier options, locally sourced products and unique treats that reflect the local culture. To add an element of excitement and intimacy, why not include an adult toy or novelty item to spice things up? This unexpected touch can delight guests.
Implementing a smart mini bar system can also improve convenience, allowing guests to easily track their consumption and request restocks via an in-room tablet or mobile app.
Ready to transform your hotel rooms and elevate your guest experience? Contact us at info@escandi.se for expert assistance and innovative design solutions. Let’s create memorable stays together.
