Design trends in the hospitality and travel industries are constantly evolving as architects and interior designers strive to create unique and memorable experiences for their guests. As these industries continue to recover from COVID-19, we’re seeing an even more significant shift away from traditional, luxury designs to the more accessible, wellness-focused, sustainable options guests want.

Here are some of the top hotel design trends we expect to see in 2023:

Smart Technology

Technology has played a major role in making hospitality design more futuristic and efficient. For example, technology can be used to control everything from lighting, temperature and curtains to music and TV channels. 

Interactive and Immersive Experiences

With heightened technology comes the ability to truly change the customer’s experience, even before they arrive. This could include virtual tours of the hotel and its rooms, which builds trust with your potential guest and gives them a taste of what they would enjoy while staying there.

Other technological trends we expect to see more of include:

• a virtual check-in process using mobile devices,
• website chatbots for communication at all hours of the day and night, 
• and keyless entry to guest rooms using an app on a phone or tablet.

These features allow for a more personalized experience for each guest that stays at the hotel.

Local Inspiration

The newest generation of travelers is seeking authenticity. They want to get to know the area they’re visiting, whether it's for leisure, business, or a combination of the two. Because of this, hotel trends will begin including local flair in their design. By leveraging the local culture and community, hotels can transform their building into something special that feels alive and vibrant with personality and make it a true part of a travel experience.

A Focus on Sustainability

As the world – and therefore consumers – becomes more conscious about their environmental impact, they are considering sustainability when choosing where to make purchases, including when selecting accommodations. It’s imperative the hospitality industry pays some attention to its environmental and carbon footprints, both for the planet’s sake and to remain competitive.

Although historically an industry that has been slow to embrace sustainability, hotels are now adopting sustainable practices to create an eco-friendly environment for their guests. This includes recycling and even composting and using environmentally friendly materials for construction and design.

We expect to see more energy-efficient and cost-saving tech, recycled linens, the use of greenery to improve air quality, LED lighting in lobbies and rooms, solar panels, and the use of locally sourced materials and design in the coming years.

Adaptive Hospitality

It’s no surprise that COVID-19 changed how people work. There’s been a shift toward hybrid work, flexible hours, and an increase in a freelance workforce. 

And that’s not the only thing that’s changed. Today’s business travelers – especially among the younger generation – prefer to mix business and pleasure. They often want to extend their work trips for mini vacations.

Hotels need spaces that are suitable for working, such as informal meeting spaces, but also spaces where guests can relax and be social. Creating an adaptable space that can fill both needs takes clever and insightful planning and design.

Natural Elements

The designs of hotels are changing from the traditional look of the past into something much more modern and sleek. The new trend is all about earth tones with pops of bright color, open spaces, and large windows that bring in natural light.

For earth tones, we specifically expect to see sage, terracotta, and lavender continue to trend into 2023. With sustainability and guest experience at the heart of hotel planning, nature comes not far behind. Natural design can influence a guest’s emotional experience and connection to a space, and we expect to see natural elements not only in paint palettes but in material selection and the inclusion of green spaces like gardens and rooftop terraces as well.

In keeping with sustainability and client experiences, hotels will be designed with an outdoor, airy feel.

In 2023 and beyond, we expect to see a continued focus on sustainability, an increase in locally inspired design, and greater use of technology to enhance and personalize guest experiences.  Please let us know if we can assist you in transforming your hotel with updated spaces your guests will love. 

Whether you’re rebranding, renovating, or building from scratch, budgeting is one of the most important tasks during the early stages of hospitality project management. Funding is essential to set the resources in motion and can be one of the most daunting tasks when starting a hotel renovation.  

Your property’s project budget is the estimated total expenses required to complete the project, considering both major and miscellaneous costs along the way. But how do you create a comprehensive budget? Let’s walk through the process.

1. Identify project scope
   The hotel renovation project scope is the key to making accurate estimates. Before establishing project costs, define and master your scope, timelines, and deliverables.
   
   A well-defined project scope means better project planning. For example, a larger renovation with a shorter deadline means you will likely need more staffing and other resources at the ready. By understanding the size and other details of the project, you can define the equipment and resources required more easily.
2. Use historical data
   Chances are that hotel renovations or builds like yours in scope have been done before. Take the time to look for these projects and their budgets to help you develop a proper estimate from the start.
3. Define resources
   Now that you’ve figured out the project scope, it’s time to gather the different budget pieces. This means determining the resources required.
   
   Most projects have four essential items: equipment, staffing, training, sales, and marketing. These items will vary depending on your specific project and it’s important to note that there will likely be other miscellaneous resources to be added as well.
   
   Here is a quick overview of the four main factors:
   
   • Equipment: For construction projects, equipment will largely refer to machineries, such as bulldozers or excavators. For software development projects, however, it could mean software tools. Be sure to note all necessary equipment to avoid underestimating costs.
   • Staffing: Often the most expensive cost and one you should consider first when defining your resources, is staffing. Does your project need additional team members? If so, how many? Think in terms of payment when adding this to your budget. For example, hourly employees require the project length to be listed in hours.
   • Training: It is common for an organizational change to occur when a new project is undertaken. This means training is required. The more extensive the change, the more time and cost should be put into this piece.
   • Sales and Marketing: Although not always needed, determine ahead of time if you will be doing any marketing around this project. If you are rebranding your resort, will you be sharing the changes and new messaging with the public in advance? If you’re building a brand-new hotel, will you build excitement around a grand opening? If yes, don’t forget to budget for it.
4. Evaluate resource costs and assign amounts
   Once you know what resources are required for your project, you can begin evaluating the costs of each one and assigning the amounts needed. To determine dollar costs as accurately as possible, do plenty of research for each item.
   
   Now is also a great time to look at previous similar projects again. Don’t be afraid to involve other people to get accurate estimates.
5. Build a budget
   Now that you have reviewed your list of resources and assigned amounts, you have your estimates. Remember to include a contingency fund within your budget as well. 
   
   Now you can begin compiling everything in your spreadsheet or project management software. As you begin, group related items together. For example, all training items and materials should be under a training group or section. This will be helpful when reviewing later. 
   
   It’s also a good idea to include a timeline if your budget spans a longer period of time, allowing for recurring costs to be clearly identified.
   
   Make note of any assumptions related to item costs. That way, if any of these costs don’t hold true once the project begins, you’ll know why and where the budget changes occurred.
6. Check your math
   It is crucial that your budget accurately reflects the costs needed for completion. A simple typo or mathematical mistake somewhere can knock the entire budget off. Ensure accuracy by checking your math multiple times before handing it off for approval.
   
   (Bonus tip: Have a partner or coworker review your math, too. You’ve been staring at it forever, it’s far easier for you to miss something than it is for a fresh pair of eyes.)
7. Obtain approvals
   You’ve compiled your budget and triple-checked your math. Now, it’s time to present your budget to other business leaders or stakeholders who need to approve it.
   
   Keep in mind your budget could be higher than others expected or wanted. Be prepared to explain the need for items and how you came up with the amounts. This is where highlighting cost assumptions can help your presentation be as persuasive as possible.
8. Implement and Track Spending
   Once your budget has been approved, you should have a project manager oversee it. Spending should be tracked carefully using project management software.
   
   Maintain a report of everything purchased and the project progress against your budget. Remember, if teammates fall behind on deliverables or you face unexpected delays, the cost will be affected.
   
   Having detailed reports can help you request a budget increase, should it be needed.

Creating a comprehensive budget can be an intimidating task but breaking it down into the steps listed above will help you to have it done in no time at all. Preparing your budget before the project begins helps you stay on track and meet objectives. 

As an award-winning hospitality renovation company, we specialize in preparing reliable, comprehensive budgets. We are known for the accuracy of our estimates and budgets, and deliver continuous cost guidance throughout the entirety of the project.  If you need assistance getting your hospitality renovation off the ground, please contact us. 

Which is right for your next hotel renovation or new build? 

Whether you are looking to rebrand your hotel or build a new, stunning facility from the ground up, there are many time-consuming parts and pieces that must flow together to get the project to the finish line. 

A traditional design-bid-build (DBB) procurement can get the job done through the traditional sequential phases where construction does not begin until the design process is complete (and a bid accepted), so there is no overlap between design and construction.  However, with recent supply chain issues and labor shortage challenges, ensuring all the moving pieces are falling into the right time frame can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if you’re unfamiliar with construction.

Another way to manage a large project such as a hotel renovation or new build, is to utilize the turnkey delivery process which means all that is required of an ownership group is to show up and “turn the key.”  This type of project is accomplished by consolidating multiple aspects of the development, building design, financial, construction, operations and maintenance into a full scale property solution.  This method also offers financial and organizational flexibility with a single point of accountability which contractually aligns development, design, and building team members into one.

This method creates a single, effective source for managing everything from scheduling and design to procurement and construction support to ensure your project runs smoothly, within budget, and on time. (Maybe even ahead of schedule!)

Unlike design-bid-build methods, turnkey delivery eliminates many inconveniences and liabilities you face as a client and owner by placing responsibilities on the vendor. With this method, you don’t have to actively participate in the design, supply purchasing, and construction phases, you only need to provide access to the site and approve project phases.

Where does Hospitality Project Advisors fit in?

In turnkey projects, HPA offers services from pre-construction to project delivery to bring your vision to life. With award-winning experience in hundreds of renovations, from large-scale resorts to full-service convention properties to smaller select-service hotels, our team understands the ins and outs of transforming an idea into a built reality. 

Let us bring your idea to life. We are with you every step of the way. 

Hospitality Project Advisors (HPA) announces the launch of it's newly designed website. HPA in conjunction with eMax Hotel Internet Marketing and Sunshine Internet Marketing developed a new design to capitalize on new and evergreen design trends to express HPA's forward thinking yet grounded in tradition business philosophy. A large part of the new visual update is the new logo.

Hospitality Project Advisors new initialized logo features a strong appeal toward tradition paired with a modern futuristic asymmetrical font. These design choices serve as a nod to the company's 15+ years in service and the combined 100+ years of hospitality experience of the management team.

For more information please contact us.