Hotel Tends: Including Guests in Hotel Design

As we mentioned previously, Marriott Hotels began experimenting with the idea of allowing hotel guests to be involved in the design and technology of guest rooms. Aside from Marriott, other hotel companies have started using this tactic to attract and retain guests who look for a more modern and personalized stay. Let’s take a look at those following this trend…

The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) directly reached out to its customers for help in redesigning its Holiday Inn lobbies. They asked 5,000 consumers about the kind of amenities, technology, and design they would like to see in their lobbies. IHG also asked students at the Savannah College of Art and Design for ideas in renovating its guest rooms at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. 

Starwood Hotels recently released its own design lab in Stamford, CT. Their design lab allows hotel guests, hotel owners, and employees to take a first look at new design elements in guest rooms and a look at the new technology Starwood is thinking of implementing. Guest feedback collected from the design lab is used by the company when redesigning guest rooms. For example, electrical outlets were added near beds and eco-friendly LED lights were installed in guest rooms in the company’s Westin hotels. 

Hyatt Hotels has been working on improving the guests’ experience and recently partnered with Chicago’s Gravitytank, an innovation consulting agency, to brainstorm ideas for a “hotel of the future.” Hyatt hosted “The World’s Largest Focus Group” this past September allowing Hyatt employees, regardless of their location, to lead discussions about travel via Facebook and Twitter. 

These are just a few hotel companies looking to take the next step in customizing the guest experience. What new, innovative ideas do you think hotels will come up with next to continue this trend?