Future of Hotel Design

Millennial and Gen Z designers just opened a boutique in California that may overturn assumptions about beachside hotels. Plus, its web-based app hints at what next-gen guests expect in service.

Funky furniture and art grab all the glory in hotel design talk on Instagram and TikTok. But lighting has under-appreciated importance. This example of a lighting refresh at this Dominican Republic resort could offer broader lessons to the sector.

Place what are essentially glass boxes amid breathtaking scenery. That's the "landscape design" trend in hotels. A great case in point is the new luxury hotel Ambiente Sedona.

Updates to fixtures, furnishings, and food can reinvigorate motels for the next generation. But you need to use a consumer lens, not just a developer's budget, to make the right design choices.

The pandemic juiced up traveler interest in the outdoors. The Evo is an adventure hotel aiming to meet that demand. Its design reflects an integration of art and community, not just gear storage boxes.

After the pandemic, many travelers seek a "maximalist," or more-is-more, aesthetic, immersing all their senses in a profusion of color, pattern, and texture. Designer Bill Bensley captures this look at a new Thai resort. Expect to see maximalism at more hotels.

True, the world already has its niche glamping products. But when the traditionalist Four Seasons also blurs the lines between indoors and out by adopting tented experiences, hotel designers worldwide will take notice.