F & B
Seating in the Ovolo Wooloomollo ’ s Alibi Bar
souvenirs or gifts , also add value to guests . “ It ’ s a really great way to interact with guests , and the products should be elevated , packaged in artful ways and a point of differentiation ,” she says . Check out how hotels are renovating their lobbies :
In the mornings , furniture is cleared from the W New York Times Square ’ s Living Room bar and it becomes a workout space ; later , it becomes a social space once again .
OVOLO WOOLOOMOLLO , SYDNEY The Ovolo Wooloomollo extends along Sydney ’ s Finger Wharf , and while the building ’ s original industrial exterior remains , the interior ’ s Lo Lounge is light-filled and airy . This lobby space has been artfully fragmented into co-working spaces , intimate seating areas and others offering old-school video games , a pool table and The Alibi , Australia and New Zealand ’ s first plant-based hotel bar and restaurant . Meeting spaces are walled out with glass and build-outs .
Both continental breakfast and happy hour with beer , wine and snacks are free in the lounge to guests . The multiple uses “ are all organically integrated into the design of the lobby ,” says Girish Jhunjhnuwala , founder and CEO of Ovolo Hotels . “ There are multiple ways for guests to interact and use the design and art-inspired space .” That encourage both guests and locals to linger – and spend money .
W NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE “ Optimizing the different public spaces within the hotel is always an intriguing challenge ,” says Christine Devers , GM of the W New York Times Square . In the morning , the lobby is a workout space , and later it transforms into the Living Room bar .
“ Furniture is cleared , and the Living Room bar becomes a literal barre ,” she says . “ In the afternoons , music is slightly subdued to facilitate the many business meetings and create a comfortable environment for guests using the lobby as a co-working space . When the evening hits , cocktail menus come out , and music turns up .”
When locals come for a class in the morning , they sometimes stay for a juice or coffee when the bar opens at noon . “ Perhaps , more importantly , it ’ s an opportunity to showcase the venue and encourage everyone who attends a workout class to consider the space for future needs ,” Devers says .
BAUR AU LAC , ZURICH The 175-year old hotel remodeled the focal point of the lobby , Le Hall , in 2014 into a
42 hotelsmag . com May 2019