HOSPITALITY
The hospitality sector is notoriously slow at adopting new changes. Nevertheless, the pandemic provided a long-overdue catalyst for hotels to reimagine the experiences they provide and the roles they play in their communities. As the industry recalibrates, versatile layouts and innovative design will be key to long-term sustainability.
Hilton La Sabana, San José, Costa Rica
01
Remote work is attracting new guests and driving a new demand.
Many employers are implementing flexible work policies as a result of the pandemic. Now, hotels are seeing a rise in guests with travel-friendly hybrid work arrangements. As more people enjoy the perks of remote work, they will book extended trips beyond what traditionally may have been a quick weekend getaway.
02
Hybrid conventions will be the new norm.
As business travel resumes, hotels are reimagining their meeting rooms and multipurpose areas. Instead of indoor exhibition halls, hotels will host “hybrid conventions” with more virtual connectivity and seamless integration with outdoor areas. Flexibility will continue to be essential when designing alternate options within existing spaces to maximize usage and revenue.
03
Tech-savvy travelers will drive new types of personalized experiences.
Hotels have started to integrate technology into their designs to future-proof their establishments. By offering a hybrid “physical-digital” experience, hotels will be able to cultivate guest loyalty with thoughtfully personalized service. New technology will also help free up physical spaces for renovation as more functions, such as concierge services and wayfinding, are offloaded to virtual platforms.
04
The hospitality industry will cover more types of needs.
Multiuse hospitality developments are on the rise to accommodate a wider array of visitors. The sector is looking to incorporate coworking spaces, extended-stay hotels, and branded residences to better serve the evolving needs of guests and increase profitability.
Hyatt House Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
“Restaurants and shared spaces are among top amenities that travelers booking hotels are looking for.”
Cocoa Beach Westin, Cocoa Beach, Fla.
citizenM South Lake Union, Seattle
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Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
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Fairmont Austin
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Located downtown, next to the Austin Convention Center, this new 37-story, 1.4-million square-foot hotel is the third-tallest building in the city. With...
Surf Simply
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The Surf Simply resort is all about experiencing the surf coaching process in a personal, curated way.
Tom Ito
Hospitality Leader, Principal
Tom Ito is a Hospitality Leader at Gensler who launched the firm’s Hospitality practice in the late 1990s.
Trevor To
Hospitality Leader, Design Manager
Trevor To is a Hospitality leader for Gensler’s Europe region and a dedicated architect working on all stages of architectural projects.
