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The Human Side of Guestroom Design
The guest room plays an essential role throughout a guest ’ s stay . It ’ s typically the first place they go upon arrival and the last place they ’ ll be prior to departure . In between , it serves as their home base : a sanctuary to which they can return for comfort , rest and relaxation . And , as such , it can also ‘ make or break ’ their stay and leave them with a lasting impression of the property .
That ’ s why hoteliers invest in making guest rooms both inviting and memorable using , for example , high-quality bedding , bathrooms with spa-like amenities , local artwork , turndown treats , and the latest digital technologies . With themed rooms – and some offering grand pianos , cocktail stations , arcade games , or even campsites for kids – nothing is off limits . However , the effect of these ‘ extras ’ is greatly reduced if the room doesn ’ t cater to its occupants ’ basic needs .
In other words , while it ’ s important to create unique experiences that help guests break from the monotony of everyday life – and a property to stand out from the crowd – it ’ s equally important not to lose sight of the ‘ human side ’ of guestroom design . This necessity has been highlighted in recent years by initiatives such as StayWell™ by Delos , which call attention to the need for the built environment to support occupants ’ physical and emotional well-being .
To make a space comfortable and responsive to guests ’ needs , designers must draw on multiple resources , including psychology , sociology , anthropology – and an understanding of sensory perception . While hoteliers have often led the way when it comes to designs that appeal to more than just sight ( e . g ., introducing signature scents to trigger olfactory memory , adding textures to provide a more tactile experience ), hearing is an often overlooked or misunderstood sense and , unfortunately , noise remains a top complaint across all property types .
negative impact of noise goes beyond irritation and sleep disruption ; it has also been linked to variations in heart rate , blood pressure and metabolism – physiological effects that can result from volumes far lower than those associated with hearing damage .
Attempts to reduce noise itself ( e . g ., through quiet floors ) have been largely unsuccessful given the variety of sources to which guests are exposed , including in-room equipment , occupants in neighboring rooms and corridors , bars , restaurants , and external traffic , to name but a few . To mitigate their impact , hoteliers must turn to acoustical design strategies . While many are aware of methods used to absorb and block noise , what often surprises those unfamiliar with the physics of acoustics is the need to provide cover , particularly in environments like guest rooms in which the background sound level is rarely more than 28 to 33 A-weighted decibels ( dBA ). In these ‘ library-like ’ environments , just about any noise seems loud and disruptive to guests .
For decades , sound masking systems have been used to address this issue within facilities such as offices , banks and hospitals . Using a sound often compared to softly blowing air , this technology provides a higher and more consistent background level , covering up many noises , while reducing the disruptive impact of others . Overall , masking creates a less variable – and , therefore , more acoustically comfortable – environment in which occupants can enjoy improved noise control , speech privacy and acoustical comfort .
MODIO ® Guestroom Acoustic Control brings this commercialgrade technology to hotels . Unlike ventilation or ‘ white noise ’ apps , its masking sound follows a spectrum specifically developed by the National Research Council ( NRC ) to balance the need for acoustical control with that of occupant comfort . Data collected from a wide variety of properties shows MODIO can reduce noise complaints by up to 85 % and dramatically improve guest scores for comfort and quality of sleep . This solution is also quick to install , meaning no lost room nights .
While the ‘ human side ’ of guestroom design can easily be forgotten , it can just as easily be successfully addressed . A high-quality acoustical environment is calming , physically and psychologically restorative , and paves the way to better sleep — benefits that improve guest experience and , ultimately , lie at the very heart of hospitality .
Whether they intend to relax , work , receive an in-room spa treatment , or simply get a good night ’ s rest , guests need an acoustically comfortable room that supports their expectations for its use . Many are also paying greater attention to their personal health and are aware that the
26 hotelsmag . com Mar / Apr 2023