The Lobby of the Future: Hospitality Design Shifts
JULY 17, 2020
CONTRIBUTING EXPERT: NIKKI OJER | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
HOW DO WE HELP GUESTS FEEL SAFE DURING THEIR STAY?
As we continue to travel through the unknown landscape of COVID-19, perspectives are constantly shifting. There's much uncertainty surrounding short and long-term solutions to keep guests and staff safe in public environments. Hotel owners face more daunting problems than restaurants or retail spaces in the hospitality market. How do we help hotel guests feel comfortable and safe while away from their homes during a pandemic? We're observing changes in the design of hotel public spaces to overcome concerns with social distancing, hand hygiene, airflow, and proper sanitation.
REIMAGINING HOTEL LOBBY SPACES
Broader entry points promote proper distancing as guests enter and exit the lobby. Upon entering the lobby, a handwashing ritual is encouraged. The built-in wash stations are entirely touchless, making them more sanitary and conveniently located right at the lobby's entry.
For guests entering with luggage, using UV light helps sanitize their belongings. UV light compartments are entirely enclosed, protecting employees and guests from the harmful rays while cleansing luggage in a few seconds.
Front desks remain so guests still have the reassurance of talking to someone upon arrival. Clear acrylic barriers offer protection against airborne pathogens, and mobile check-in options are available for those who would rather check-in online.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRENDS
With the CDC's guidelines for eliminating buffets and self-service dining, hotels must rethink food and beverage options. Grab-and-go markets, pre-packaged meals in smart lockers, and wellness areas are on the rise. Pre-packaged snacks, meals, and drinks in the lobby's markets include more distancing options. Food locker trends such as digital lockers placed in the lobby filled with pre-made meals or made-to-order food are helping guests have less contact than restaurant dining or room service would. Guests place their orders or select their meals at the locker, receive a code to open them, and enjoy the meal in their room or in the lobby.
Replacing the traditional lobby's self-serving coffee and tea areas, we now see coffee bars staffed with baristas to reduce cross-contamination. The flexible space quickly transforms a cozy coffee bar into a cocktail bar for evening relaxation. Touchless water dispensers are also being incorporated into lobby spaces to eliminate single-use water bottles, generate less contamination, and provide cold, clean water for single bottle refills.
THE IMPORTANCE OF AIRFLOW AND SANITATION
Proper airflow is essential for maintaining healthy air quality in public spaces. We expect to see more multi-purpose lobby spaces with indoor-outdoor areas, individual hangout pods for work or lounging, and small group areas for families. The indoor-outdoor spaces give an open flow and improve ventilation, which is crucial for maintaining healthy environments.
Hotel owners may consider updating HVAC systems for better air quality and adding new cleaning regimens with mobile cleaning carts for increased sanitation in the lobby throughout the day.
In preparation for the increased design demands, EIS is building future environments using our design and creative expertise to develop concepts that promote safety and physical wellbeing. Let's partner together to design your hotel's lobby of the future. Reach out to EIS to start the conversation.