Hospitality Design: A Curated Selection by Boca do Lobo

A hotel reception is a place of particular value. It is here where the first (and last) contact of the guest with the facility takes place. It is critical to make sure that visitors get a positive first impression. Every detail matters when it comes to making sure the reception area efficiently serves and pleasantly surprises guests. The design should be expressive and convey a strong character but not for the price of overwhelming the guests with any unnecessary excess. Comfort and functionality are essential to make guests feel even more comfortable than at home. Materials usually include stone, wood, ceramics, glass, and concrete.

A Lobby is no longer a vacant waiting area, as hotels are no longer just a place to sleep. Hotel Lobbies are being reimagined as vibrant social hubs, a place to socialize and, above all, engage. Stepping into a perfectly designed space filled with beautiful artwork and elegant furniture is a sign that a guest is about to have an amazing stay. In fact, there may be no greater indicator of a hotel’s quality than the lobby. But should be integrated into the design so travellers can easily connect to Wi-Fi, use mobile or kiosk check-in, and engage with other technologies. A hotel lobby must be conceived as a destination point for both modern travellers and locals.

The perfect Hotel Lounge is a place to enjoy a drink while surrounded by a spectacular ambience that is mentioned in every travel guide as one of the best spots to visit in the city by modern travellers. The Hotel Lounge is no longer a stuffy place for solo business travellers. The biggest change in bar design is making the bar a more prominent part of the lobby. In fact, more and more hotels are emphasizing the bar as the leading element of the lobby and the anchor of a hotel’s public space. Key elements when designing a lobby include modern technology. Furniture options at hotel bars can include lounge chairs, barstools and traditional tables and chairs.

Apart from a great menu, a restaurant must be able to create a memorable experience overall for its visitors. Modern restaurants have carefully designed entrance seen from the street that provides a centralized view of the entire restaurant. Inside, you can create a pleasant atmosphere by including modern lighting fixtures, artwork, greenery, statement furniture and surprising elements that will set the restaurant apart from others. It could be blending the space seamlessly into the surrounding landscape or including local elements in the design and general experience. Many hotel brands have invested in eye-catching modern designs paired with incredible tasting experiences signed by Michelin-starred chefs.

Design-oriented hotel suites are the most common inspiration hunting ground for residential projects when it comes to creating outstanding master bedrooms. When designing a hotel suite, comfort and technology are key. Who doesn’t love the feeling of a soft, freshly made-hotel bed? Pair those elements with a large bathroom and walk-in closet specially designed as well-being-focused spaces for pampering guests and voilà… The master bedroom of dreams is born. A hotel suite is a home away from home, and therefore it must be even more welcoming than home. Statement furniture like iconic luxury safes is an unexpected element that will surprise the Modern Guest.

Just like the Hotel Suite, luxury hotel bathrooms are ofter wellness retreats that set the example for residential bathrooms. While creating a luxurious, wellness-focused experience may be the common goal for these spaces, when designing hotel bathrooms the starting point is usually the overall story the hotel’s design is telling. Guests want to be surprised and charmed, and creating that experience is all about the details. Use sliding glass doors to bring natural light into these spaces. Choose walk-in showers with oversized shower heads and statement freestanding bathtubs, with brass and marble accessories. Overall, creating spa-inspired bathrooms remains a common standard when designing Hotel Bathrooms. It’s all about impressing guests and creating that “wow” moment.

Hotel hallways and corridors may not seem like the most important spaces to consider in a hotel interior design project. However, they present another opportunity to convey the hotel’s design story by providing a seamless transition from the lobby to the hotel suite. Corridors are the natural extension of the hotel suite and must therefore provide a cohesive style and ambience. Adorn a hotel corridor with statement floors, some artwork exhibited in beautiful displays and luxurious art pieces like marble consoles and statement mirrors with intricate details. The result is the perfect transition from public to private areas.

Spas are often associated with luxury and are now considered a necessary element in hotel interior design. Spas must provide distinctive and inspirational experiences to guests who demand originality and a strong character from luxury hotels. These spaces are often designed to allow natural light in, and connections to the outdoor spa areas, gardens, or even a roof terrace. Therefore the spa’s sitting is crucial. Luxury spa design is no longer formal and minimalist. Instead, the focus is creating welcoming retreats designed to appeal to all the senses, that are all about comfort, relaxation, and reconnecting with nature.

Office and meeting rooms are places for creativity to flow and collaboration to bloom. This has led to different design requirements, including the need for more comfortable, stylised furniture and advanced technology solutions. The basic categories to have in mind when designing an office are seating, work surfaces, collaborative equipment, acoustics and privacy. Adding some artwork and decorative accessories, as well as the right lighting fixtures will create a more welcoming feel in the room. The central piece of an office is the desk. Pair the table with an ergonomic leather office chair for maximum comfort, and the modern luxury office is born.