Designed To Be Different

By Mary Scoviak -- Hotels, 9/1/2007

Whether new build or renovated, hotels such as the Traders Kuala Lumpur are using fundamental differences in their design approach to gain visibility in major gateways.

Some key points to consider in each area of the hotel:

Lobbies aren’t just there to impress. “Traders Kuala Lumpur’s lobby is not just a typical hotel lobby,” says interior designer Brian Chan, BC&A Ltd. A mirrored wall subdivides it to eliminate the “airport hangar” feeling of large spaces. Suspended art work, grids along the windows and changes in materials draw the eye around the space—not only to reception, but to the restaurants and bar. Casual seating groups give guests ample opportunity to create their own gathering spaces secluded from the transit areas. Groups and individuals check in at in separate lobbies, relieving congestion and giving each market a welcome appropriate to its needs.

Restaurants don’t have to be at street level to succeed. A sky bar may not be a hot concept for every hotel, but for the Traders Kuala Lumpur, ‘It is the differentiating facility in the hotel,” says Reto Klauser, general manager. More than its location in the hotel, Traders’ SkyBar represents a new generation of multi-use spaces. A spa and pool also located on the hotel’s top floor generate business all day long and into the evening while the SkyBar draws a hip crowd looking for a place to chill-out at night. What makes it even more special, “It’s a rather unusual feature for a convention hotel,” Klauser says.

Guestrooms don’t have to be suite-sized to be interesting. “With an average of 376 sq. ft. (35 sq. m.), our rooms do not appear big on paper. However, various design details and a strict adherence to absolutely clean lines and functionality create a room that feels much bigger,” Klauser says. “Guests rave about the bathrooms.” To recreate the illusion of a larger space, consider angling seating to frame a window and using a sinuous, small loungeable chair as a focal point. Forget the over-sized desk and incorporate a work area into the casegoods. Mix mood and task lighting for a more residential feel.