Design
A laboratory for
innov
Contributed by Grace Leo , president and ceo , Grace Leo consuLtancy , London
I get questioned regularly about the next earth-shattering design innovation or concept that will revolutionize the hotel business . Without sounding negative , I dare say that the business
hasn ’ t evolved as radically in the past 30 years as one would expect from an industry that employs an enormous workforce and occupies substantial commercial real estate worldwide .
44 hotelsmag . com September 2016
Yes , there have been great improvements with how hotels are conceived and built to a gamut of brand standards , budgets and themes , providing more comfort and consistency and using more sophisticated construction , materials and
technology . But ultimately , we professionals continue to take a very traditional approach to how we design and build accommodations for sleeping , dining , well-being and entertainment for guests .
Surveys of what hotel customers consider important amenities are unsurprising and uninspiring : free Wi-Fi , free breakfast , free parking . So how does the hotel business determine the most important design component
Hotels that introduce these ‘ domestic ’ innovations and technology make the experience more believable , less intimidating and a lot more fun for guests who then try to emulate it at home .
— Grace Leo to attract a younger , more mobile , tech-savvy and demanding clientele ?
I find it extraordinary and disappointing that higher technology is still not available at most hotels —
Ation