Asserting a defined layer of opulence through sophisticated aesthetics is a fundamental interior approach to any luxury hotel. However, many high-end hotel owners and designers fall at the same hurdle – overindulgence.
An unbalanced focus on style over function can result in sacrificing the function of a space, and while aesthetics of course play a role in the overall guest experience, the very best hotels offer hospitality refined for both function and appearance.
So in today’s post, we’ll show you how to successfully perform the ultimate balancing act, offering some practical considerations for your hotel to ensure a five-star experience from start to finish.
Use minimal-maintenance sumptuous materials
An effective interior approach to a luxury hotel is to invest in high-quality building materials, emphasising their opulent connotations through a minimalist design that lets the material do most of the talking.
Nowhere is this more suitable than in communal areas, where guests often form their first impressions of your hotel. Never letting practicality stray too far from the mind, use aesthetically pleasing materials that also require minimal maintenance, ensuring a consistent and reliable ‘wow factor’.
“Never letting practicality stray too far from the mind, use aesthetically pleasing materials that also require minimal maintenance”
Stone is our top recommendation for achieving this. Vary the type depending on its purpose and style – granite worktops maintain a sleek and contemporary style in breakfast dining areas while minimising the post-catering clean up time, for example.
Likewise, the implementation of marble in a reception area will create an effective lavish aesthetic, while remaining highly practical by collecting little dirt despite the consistent flow of traffic in reception and lobby areas.
Less can mean more
Approaching your hotel interior through a minimalist technique creates an effective impression of opulence from the moment your guests enter – and as hotel visitors begin to prioritise the overall experience of their stay over a simple place to rest up for the night, creating an immediate impression has arguably never been more important.
“The stylish decluttering of any area from the lobby to the rooms is of great practical advantage too”
But minimalism doesn’t solely boast aesthetic advantages. The stylish decluttering of any area from the lobby to the rooms is of great practical advantage too, creating more space to accommodate larger quantities of guests, baggage and the rest!
But how do you achieve this?
Just like letting your practical sumptuous materials do the talking, the trick here is to find statement pieces that create a distinct luxury impression without feeling over-the-top.
The over-decoration of an area can easily create a sense of claustrophobia in your interior, so instead look to be logical and sparing with your decorative items, whatever the space. In your reception, look for that one special gradious item to establish that immediate ‘wow factor’. Our choices are a striking piece of wall art or an elegant lighting feature.
Likewise, look to utilise furniture as statement pieces within your guest rooms. From charming and characterful occasional tablesto striking and unique bed posts, pick a couple of items that will optimise the guest experience while maintaining a grandiose aesthetic all the while.
The most effective luxury hotel interiors find the perfect balance between practicality and style to offer an unrivalled guest experience – by following these tips, you can ensure your hotel boasts the same, creating a five-star experience that keeps guests coming back for more.
Angus Ponsford is the Director at Ponsford – an independent, family-run furniture retailer that boasts a huge selection to suit every style and budget
Imagery: Pexels