HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates team talks about trends, technology and toys for guests

by Mary Scoviak, Contributing Editor -- HOTELS Magazine, 2/1/2007

HOTELS: What puts a hotel’s design on the cutting edge?

Casey Noble, Sharam Vaziri

Shahram Vaziri, senior associate designer: Style, comfort, and the availability of modern amenities (such as wireless Internet, plug-in iPod stations, etc.). Attention to practical detail should not be lost when planning tomorrow’s hotel design—but it often is. Esthetically, the emphasis will be placed on luxurious fabrics, colors, and materials.  Spatially, the standard floor plan and amenities scheme will be changing. There is a movement away from using bathtubs in hotel bathrooms and toward enlarging the shower. A new wave of creativity is hitting the guestroom’s spatial planning.  The guestroom will soon have no walls. The water closet will become the only compartmentalized space in the room.

HOTELS: If a hotel can make only one change to update its image, what would that be?   

Casey Noble, designer:  It definitely depends on the property and purpose of the hotel. For example, in a resort hotel, value would be placed in renovating guestrooms and suites. While in an urban hotel, the major change would be to update the lobby and meeting facilities. Many designers would argue that changing the lobby is vital, as this area receives the most attention, makes a lasting first impression and sets the tone for the rest of the stay. But, a great restaurant always draws a great crowd and great publicity for the hotel.  A restaurant has the power to change the entire image of a hotel.

HOTELS: What will be different in the hotels that are coming on line in 2007?

Sylvia Limm, designer: The bright color fad is getting left behind. The new color trends in color favor a rich, saturated scheme. This new palette will be more dramatic and will play with contrasting tones and new patterns. Within the pattern we will see cleaner lines, simplified graphics and less detail.

The use of space is changing on two fronts: materials and function. The exploration of new materials now plays a role in a spatial sense because it creates a malleable space with room for innovation and creativity. Functionally, space does not need to fit in its traditional compartments. The investigation of the efficiency in the space planning is central and is the foundation for what makes the area successful.  

Casey Noble, Sharam Vaziri

HOTELS: Few resorts are being built without residential components. Even new urban hotels want the financial help of residential sales. How are these trends impacting design?

Misha Bedner, business development director: The addition of residential components changes the amenities guests expect. Designers have to try to match--and surpass--the comforts and amenities that they would have in their own private residences. It’s about assessing guests’ expectations and providing them with more amenities that they didn’t even know they needed.

HOTELS: What will guests expect?

Lemor Moses, director of marketing: Hotels of the future will be smaller and more personal. Their concept will be more about a personalized experience than a simple stay. Hotels and restaurants are becoming mini-vacations. This does not mean that every hotel will be small and “boutique.” There will always be a need for and a demand for variety in hospitality to serve all levels of guests and accommodate myriad different backgrounds and expectations. Hotels are going to aim at making an impression through updated and innovative technology--which must remain user friendly and be matched by a parallel standard of style. Not to be forgotten in the future design of hotels is the purpose and function of the establishment as well as the location. A property needs to live in its local environment. For example, an urban hotel must make its customer feel efficient and accessible. Some of the next hot amenities include an in-room spa paired with luxury branded products in the bathroom. The bathroom is also moving towards having only four to five fixtures, making way for trend wars in over-sized showers with top of the line finishes.

HOTELS: As frequent travelers, what do you demand from hotel design and how does that inform your design?

Vaziri: Everyone has a different view. Our design team’s favorite things in hotel rooms range from service to function. Providing good customer service is unparalleled. It dictates the tone of your stay as well as the feeling of personal care and attention. Another much appreciated and favored attribute is an interesting and innovative layout – one that functions to accommodate the guests’ sought and unsought needs. On the flip side, one of the worst features we find in hotel rooms is a highly trendy look with very little function and extremely complications. A busily designed room with high expectation very little delivery or functionality is most disappointing.

Noble: One of our favorite things to put into restaurants and bars (aside from pretty people) is great lighting. Often times the first thing you see is a great focal chandelier or a modern lighting fixture, which is key in achieving the right ambiance. It is essential to set the right ambiance for the customer’s overall experience. Really creating authenticity in each space leaves a unique and lasting impression.

HOTELS: What under-the-radar trends are part of your future vision for hotels?

Moses: The hotel of the future will be totally green. Everyone from operator to owner to guests is looking for eco-friendly use of resources in their hotel experience. We’ll see budget set aside for environmentally beneficial design. A few other items on our wish list for future hotels is to have a full time technology wizard on staff to personalize and customize each room per the client’s needs, comfort level and wants. In terms of schematic elements the check-in lobby will no longer function in its traditional manner. When guests arrive they will take an elevator up to a rooftop bar. On the way up their bags will filter away and guests will check-in at the bar with drink in hand and a view in sight. Another amenity for the full service hotel of the future would be a personal chef, complete with kitchen and dining room, as part of the suite package.