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Hospitality Furniture: Comfort & Design
By Mark Friesen
When guests visit a hotel, first impressions are critical. High quality hospitality furniture plays an important role in that first impression. Now more than ever hotel guests are no longer simply searching for a “place to sleep”, but instead are searching for a “superior guest experience”. From the spa like bathroom to the casual high tech lobbies or the green luxuriously comfortable interiors, guests are looking for experiences that are noticeably nicer than their homes.
In response to the demand for a “spa like experience,” the trend has seen hotels increase the size of bathrooms and replace conventional shower heads with “rain-like shower heads.” Guests are increasingly savvy when judging bathrooms. As more and more people visit spas on a regular basis, the expectations are increasingly higher. There is no substitute for fresh scented soaps, superior terry, high design tiling or modern vanities and plumbing fixtures. There has also been a strong movement away from bathtubs with traditional shower curtains. Instead the light and airy glass enclosures are becoming the norm in many hotels in the same way they’ve become so popular in residential construction.
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The sleeping experience is one of the most important memories guests will have at any hotel. By selecting premium thread-count sheets along with choosing the ideal pillows and mattress, guests should be assured a restful night sleep. The rule remains that anything that comes in contact with the guest’s skin should be of the highest quality.
Since the introduction of the “White Bed” more than 10 years ago, hotels have uniformly moved away from the polyester bedspread replacing them with the ultra soft, white covered duvet. With this simple backdrop, the addition of a decorative bed scarf, or luxurious woven blanket, or a statement fabric on a side chair can change the look of a room instantly. Toss cushion or bolsters have also made their way onto the bed to help provide colour and depth, once again striving to create an inviting customized oasis.
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The need for sustainability has brought forward the focus on energy consumption and an increasing demand for green products. Guests are becoming very conscience of hotels that are environmentally friendly and are very aware when they see wasteful practices.
Comfort comes in many forms, one of which is having all wireless needs at the fingertips. The average traveler demands connectivity wherever they are and the traditional guestroom now features flat screen televisions, Wi-Fi accessibility and IPOD accessories for the guest’s pleasure. No longer is there a need for a large armoire to house the big box television and TV’s can be found in bathroom mirrors or over the soaker tub.
We are seeing a shift to sleek, smaller pieces and a more streamlined, minimalist design approach. The furniture is looking more and more like millwork and the veneers and wood types that are being used are exotic and extreme. From a wenge, walnut, and white oak, there is a strong movement to wood types that pose a lot of character.
Just as the interior design and furniture in the guest rooms are important, the same also applies to the lobby and common areas. No longer simply traffic zones, lobbies and public areas have evolved into social gathering places that are warm and inviting. Large and small seating areas co-exist without the privacy barriers. Openness between lobbies, bars, restaurants and other meeting spaces allow guests to be connected and aware of all their surroundings easily. Just as the lines between work and play have been blurred throughout the years, so has the separation between rooms. There is a longing for guests to mix the use of spaces available to them whereby they can enjoy a glass of wine, while working away on their laptops and conducting social and business meetings simultaneously. Sleek lines and interesting textures are definitely en vogue. From the ultra high pile area rugs (circa 1960s) to the ankle high coffee tables with high sheen finishes, we’ve seen a continued interest in furniture that’s funky and functional. Signature items in the lobbies also include oversized wing backed chairs and low profile sofas that make you take notice.
Mark Friesen is a principal at Beyer Brown & Associates in Vancouver. The company specializes in hospitality FF&E and OS&E. Contact him at mark@beyerbrown.com or visit www.beyerbrown.com.
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