Biophilic design:
Hotel trends in interesting times Out of crisis comes opportunity... The past few months have thrown the hotel industry into turmoil that has challenged and focussed the need to be more relevant than ever. Australia and New Zealand have an opportunity to be a key destinations for travel once the world opens again, and to that end, we should make sure we are ready for business and can meet the relevant, changed social dynamics and traveller demands. How has the post-COVID world shifted tourism and influenced hotel design? Here are some key trends‌
Less is more. The rise of experiences as essential. Returning to a simpler way of life has been one of the shifts that has occurred through these strange times. Coupled with millennials’ awareness of care for the planet, the design trend is heading back to minimalism with a sustainable focus. Overt materialism is now a turn-off. This has manifested not only in the elimination of singleuse plastics for guestroom amenities in lieu of bulk refillable dispensers, well-designed of course, but also the elimination of guestroom non-essentials, such as leaflets, sewing kits, and
Vee Kessner, Space Studio
the like. In the spirit of hospitality, these may still be available upon request like stocking up a minibar. However, guests no longer demand endless consumption of electricity. Including a bar fridge in every guestroom, to be replaced in the next refurbishment cycle, is no longer necessary. Consider every aspect of the room: what is essential? Craft that with care.
New standards of hygiene and interaction, sanitation and density. As we all emerge from various levels of isolation with a heightened sense of hygiene, the impact on design in hotels will be felt. Simple solutions may include well-designed sanitation stations integrated into various areas
of the hotel; a heightened importance of a towelling ritual on arrival; the ability for less density in restaurants and bars; and, a complete review of how shared food stations or buffets will be managed. Buffets are in for a revamp to ensure better standards of hygiene and control over open food areas.
Seamless technology This period of isolation has only enhanced reliance on technology. The appeal of contactless registration and checkout, contactless access to rooms through the use of your device and the ability to access hotel offerings through apps is appealing in the new era of hyper hygiene awareness: this should be carefully balanced with an increased desire for digital privacy. While artificial intelligence can be used to monitor guest behaviours and present options to them, this should be balanced
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with a respect for their privacy. Consider wireless device charging stations throughout the hotel: in-room but also in shared co-working and leisure spaces. The ability to support streaming of one’s own content, keyless entry, contactless payment, digital control of lighting, temperature, etc., are also worth considering. Technology is becoming more reliable in this area and new-build properties should be integrating their systems to prepare for a brave new wifi-centred world.
Solo travel: an emerging trend This drives several key design considerations for operators, such as creating meeting spaces within the hotel for informal interaction, a homely atmosphere for socialising in common areas, and providing social activities to encourage solo guest engagement and interactions. www.accomnews.com.au
