Hotel décor today is a bit of dichotomy: On one hand, properties are upping their tech offerings and amenities; on another, there's been a return to more natural designs, furniture and color schemes. Following, we feature key examples of the environments hoteliers are creating for today's travelers.
Lobbies to linger in. Hotel lobbies have gone from formal hubs that guests quickly pass through to comfortable and engaging epicenters of human interaction. At the new 463-room Conrad New York (right), modern works of art set a lively atmosphere and engage visitors in an atrium-style lobby and public areas. Among the standout pieces are Loopy Doopy, a gargantuan wall drawing by conceptual artist Sol Le Witt.
Taking it to the top. The highest floor is where hotels in cities across the United States and abroad are opening their trendiest lounges and bars. In New York City, at least six rooftop venues debuted last year. Among them, the hip Glass Bar at the 122-room Hotel Indigo Chelsea New York (right). This hot spot features a retractable roof that makes it a viable year-round, all-weather venue.
A return to comfort. Out with the cool, in with the
cozy. According to interior designer Rachel Ashwell, hotels are moving
away from slick, modern, minimalist aesthetics and more toward warm,
homey décor. "I love that properties are embracing simple touches like
fluffy duvets and mushy chairs that you actually want to sit in," she
says. New York City's Hotel Chandler (right) is among the properties
aiming to capture that down-home feel. Its recent revamp of all 138
guest rooms was done in a style and color scheme inspired by residential
design. These touches include classic bay windows, rich cherry wood
armoires, tufted headboards, rainfall showerheads and even four-poster
beds in suites.
Flexible work space. There's
been a big shift to make hotel meeting and event areas conducive to
hosting small breakout groups and doubling as work space. Along these
lines, Marriott Hotels & Resorts recently partnered with furniture
company Steelcase to introduce Workspring, a unique meeting concept that
specifically addresses the need for comfortable and practical
prefunction spaces and featuring flexible workstations such as those at
the 262-room Redmond Marriott Town Center (right) in Washington.