As a project director at PLASMA, I have had the opportunity to work on numerous configurations, typologies, and concepts in different locations, and something that stands out in the current hospitality industry is the design of spaces for short stays and the importance of complementary spaces that serve multiple purposes.
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Guests are increasingly looking for unique and personalized experiences, even on business trips or weekend getaways, and the quality of the available offerings is very diverse: from the highest imaginable luxury to stays in seemingly rugged, remote places surrounded by nature.
Below, I share some clear guidelines and real data on why these types of spaces are essential today in interior design for hospitality, and how you can implement them effectively and accurately.
Today’s travelers seek comfort and functionality during their stay.
According to a Deloitte study, 65% of business travelers prioritize the comfort and amenities of a hotel when choosing where to stay and place high importance on details that make an experience unique. This means that the design of these spaces should focus on maximizing comfort, efficiency, and attention to detail.
Offering an experience that combines the warmth of home with a set of memorable details that can trigger the memory mechanisms we all have built into our receptors makes an experience stay etched in memory as a memorable event.
In short stays, every square meter counts. The key lies in the multifunctionality of furniture and spaces, the efficiency of interior and architectural design, and the creation of a set of unique experiences and highly memorable details that enhance the guest experience.
Modular beds, foldable desks, smart storage areas, and the incorporation of technological aids are some useful elements that can be considered to achieve an optimal, functional, and flexible space.
A CBRE Hotels report indicates that hotels optimizing their spaces for short stays have a 12% higher occupancy rate compared to those that do not.
First impressions are crucial.
When designing spaces for short stays, it is important to balance aesthetics, functionality, and the use of technological tools.
Use warm colors and cozy materials to create an inviting and practical environment while thinking about reducing maintenance costs. This should go hand in hand with creating disruptive spaces that take risks in using furniture, textures, lighting, decorative elements, and incorporating technological elements to facilitate both work and enjoyment for end users.
Studies from Cornell University have shown that good interior design significantly influences customer satisfaction, which translates into positive reviews and returning guests who recommend their experiences to their close ones.
Technology is a great ally in creating memorable experiences.
From automated check-in to smart lighting systems and incorporating connectivity accessories, using technology not only improves operational efficiency but also elevates the guest experience.
According to Hospitality Technology, 89% of guests consider technology important when choosing their hotel.
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Not all moments of the stay occur in the room, so thinking about the intelligent design of attractive and functional common areas is key. These areas should be flexible, allowing for both work and leisure and the sense of well-being and comfort that only good design, proper lighting, and the right atmosphere can achieve.
Incorporating modular furniture and coworking spaces can transform the hotel into a social and business meeting point, fostering interaction and networking among guests.
Customizing the space not only enhances the customer experience.
Offering options that allow guests to adapt the spaces to their needs can make a big difference. To achieve this, you can include everything from lighting and temperature controls to à la carte services that cater to users’ preferences: carefully curated music stations, access to exclusive digital content, state-of-the-art connectivity options, among others.
Allowing guests to modify the spaces to some extent to better suit their needs can also be a key differentiator from the competition.
Sustainability and well-being as major differentiators.
According to a Booking.com report, 72% of travelers prefer sustainable accommodations. More and more travelers value the efforts brands implement in terms of sustainability and well-being: using eco-friendly materials, including energy-saving systems, incorporating yoga or meditation areas, among other examples, can attract a segment of customers concerned about the environment and their personal well-being.
Branding and brand consistency are part of the experience.
An essential aspect for the success of any hotel project is the coherence between brand elements and space design (architecture, interior design, and furniture design). At PLASMA, we create comprehensive brands that consider all dimensions of the experience: graphics and brand, furniture and objects design, architecture, and interior design.
A hotel’s brand is not just its logo and colors but the entire guest experience and the stimulation of all their senses: textures, lighting, sounds, flavors, aromas, graphics, typography, illustrations, signage.
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A space design that reflects and reinforces brand values and identity significantly improves customer perception and satisfaction. Visual and conceptual coherence creates a 360-degree narrative that guests can identify with and remember.
In a competitive market, a strong and consistent brand is a key differentiator.
Interior design and architecture aligned with the brand help highlight your project against the competition. Design details, from souvenirs or merchandising pieces (merch) to signage and furniture, should clearly communicate the hotel’s unique value proposition.
Guests who find a consistent and satisfying experience are more likely to return.
A space design that aligns with the brand not only attracts new customers but also contributes to loyalty.
Consistency at every touchpoint reinforces brand trust and recognition.
Project execution cannot be the loose wheel that wrecks the prior creation work.
Our experience of over 23 years working on creating brands and commercial and residential spaces has taught us that the meticulous work created by the design and architecture team cannot be ruined by poor execution.
In our effort to take maximum care of details and control the quality of execution in projects created by PLASMA, we decided to establish NODO, our production workshop specialized in furniture and architectural carpentry.
Contracting with us for both design and production has multiple advantages:
- By managing both design and manufacturing, we ensure absolute consistency between the design vision and the final product reality.
- Eliminating any discrepancy between what was planned and what was executed, we guarantee that the final result is exactly what was expected, or even better.
- Coordination between designers and manufacturers within the same group of companies facilitates smoother and more efficient communication, translating into faster delivery times and the ability to respond quickly to any changes or adjustments needed during the process.
- Having full control of the manufacturing stage allows us to maintain high-quality standards at every step, as we can closely monitor each detail, ensuring that every piece of furniture and carpentry element meets our specifications.
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At PLASMA NODO, we have fully customized solutions tailored to the specific needs of each project.
From initial design to production, we can adjust and modify construction details to meet our clients’ unique preferences, ensuring an exclusive, bespoke result and meticulous budget care.
Integrating design and production can result in significant cost reduction by adding up all variables: design and production times, total control of purchases, supplies, and supplier selection, reduction of rework, agility in post-sale services, among many others.
Averaging some of our most representative projects in several countries, we have discovered that by eliminating intermediaries and optimizing processes, we can offer more competitive prices without sacrificing quality, achieving total cost reductions of up to 11%, as follows:
Our furniture and architectural carpentry production is carried out with a focus on sustainability, durability, and reducing rework and guarantees thanks to our high-quality control. We use eco-friendly materials and responsible production techniques with the environment and our team of collaborators.
Designing spaces for short stays is a necessity in the competitive and growing hospitality market.
By understanding and addressing your guests’ specific needs, optimizing the interior and exterior design of spaces, integrating technology, taking care of all your brand’s details, and offering personalization and a proper mix of services, you can transform your hotel project into a preferred destination.
By trusting both design and furniture and architectural carpentry production to our companies, you guarantee precise, efficient, and high-quality execution. Additionally, creating a brand consistent with space design strengthens your identity, enriches the final customer experience, and positions your project in the demanding current market.
Our team is ready to help you take your project to the next level. Let’s start designing and bringing to life that perfect space and memorable brand you dream of creating.