Contemporary Hotel Renovations: What Can We Learn from Them?
Reasons for hotel renovation can vary, from converting an independent hotel to a franchise, rebranding or simply freshening up the appearance. Unfortunately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution that will tell you exactly what to do – the competition in the industry is rather fierce and design trends are ever-changing, so hotels have no choice but try their best to stay on top of the game. Most of the times, when undergoing renovations, they are trying to keep up with the trends hotel construction as much as possible.
What we’re witnessing lately are upgrades of a wide array of amenities and features, such as guest rooms, bar areas, pools and retail shops, so here’s a quick overview of these contemporary renovation projects.
Guest rooms
Most hotel renovations and transformations start with their number one feature – the guest rooms. Projects go from making rooms smaller to reducing room count in order to create larger suites or meeting rooms, or to simply split up oversized guest rooms. This trend with smaller rooms is driven by the millennials’ desire for more personal social interaction, and since this age group constitutes a large portion of the hotel guest market, it would be foolish to ignore it.
Modern technological developments are another big game-changer when it comes to hotel room renovation. For instance, using smartphones instead of keys at some locations to enter the room has become quite popular. Some of the leading hotel franchises are in different stages of a digital key rollout and already allow guests to use their phones not only for room entry, but also for check in and out, room selection, and entrance to other hotel amenities.
Amenities
One thing that hotel executives firmly believe has the power to increase the customer base is providing their guests with special amenities, such as the rooftop bar that can bridge the indoor and the outdoor, or a sort of a work area in a divided lobby. It’s a great room concept and hotels are doing everything to take advantage of it. So, now we can see restaurants and bars integrated into the lobby, rather than being completely separated as a dining or drinking establishment.
A car parking that is both eye-pleasing and fully secured is also a big plus in the eyes of your clients. With this in mind, you should use quality line marking paint to make the traffic flow and single parking spots clearly visible, in addition to investing in reliable security equipment and finding a trusted staff for the job.
Another key idea that hotel managers are keeping in mind is that after a long day of sightseeing or working with business partners, the guests really want is to relax and unwind. And, most frequently, it’s the swimming pool that they choose as their go-to place. This amenity caters to all personality types and ages, so upgrading it with new tiles, spectacular lighting or simply using pool paint to spruce it up and give it a quick makeover will surely be rewarding in all aspects.
Retail shops
For a long time, on-site retail shops have been a sure way for hotels to drive traffic, generate income and provide guests with convenience, but the game has changed now, and shopping options are no longer limited only to hotel gift and souvenir shops. However, vacationers still love spending their money on things they can’t buy back home, so it’s up to the retailers to use this opportunity to strengthen their relationship with guests during their stay.
As things change quickly in the hotel industry, if a retail store fails to build this kind of bond with the guests, the management will shut it down and during a renovation, replace it with another in-house amenity that can be more successful, such as a spa or a gym. To stay in the game, hotels are constantly on the lookout to maximize their space and generate revenue.
Any type of hotel renovation is a considerable investment and an overwhelming task which comes with a certain risk. But, with the changing consumer tastes and industry trends, this is something hotels must do in order to stay ahead of the competition and keep making guests feel safe and comfortable in their home away from home.
Lillian Connors
Senior Digital Marketing Strategist
Bizzmark
