Hospitality Design Analysis: Interior and Exterior Hotel Design Report

This report delves into the significance of interior and exterior design in the hotel industry, emphasizing its impact on consumer perception and the overall success of hospitality businesses. It explores the evolution of hotel design, driven by socio-cultural, technological, economic, political, and enviro...Read More

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UNIQUE HOSPITALITY DESIGN IN RELATION TO HOTEL EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR
DESIGN
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Course
Professor’s name
University name
City, State
Date of submission

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INTRODUCTION
Design is an interesting field that involves the human power of conception, arrangement and
creation of products for human benefit either individually or collectively (Buchanan, 2001, p.
21). During a design process, the designer tries to achieve a more gorgeous and attractive
product. Design of hotels has been significant in the contemporary society considering its direct
influence on the rise of profits and success of the hotel industry. Hotel designing took effect due
to socio – cultural changes, technological advancements, economic, political and environmental
factors (Chen & Chen, 2012). These elements have a strong influence on the demands and
desires of customers and lead to the creation of a macro-economic environment in the business
of hospitality (Bowie and Buttle, 2004).
Hotel designing does not only involve architecture and assets development but it also considers
consumer performance, service advertisement, product development and branding strategies.
Broadly, hotel designing can be categorized into exterior and interior designing.
Interior designing concentrates on the internal aspects of a hotel in such a way to achieve
attraction. Such internal elements looked at include; the lobbies, rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and
balconies. Interior designing can further be classified as either Structural Interior Design (SID) or
Comprehensive Interior Design (CID).
Structural Interior Design covers design elements related to a building as well as part
components of the buildings, like; walls, floor coverings and ceiling whilst Comprehensive
Interior Design contains structural interior design as well as Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
(FF&E) design. Hence Structural Interior Design takes care of the hotel furnishings for example,

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interior plants, artwork, furniture, trash receptacles, window coverings, water fountains, entry
directories, signs and other items of a similar nature.
The exterior design on the other hand constitutes the amazing creation of things external to the
hotel building, such as, entrances, parking spaces, pools and gardens. It is worth noting that the
exterior designs present a first impression to the guests, therefore, the design patterns have to be
cautiously looked at in the process of designing (Lee, et al., 2018).
‘The Experience Design’ is an approach key in hospitality business that should be taken in hotel
designing to enhance emotional connection with guests by planning carefully the service
elements which are both tangible and intangible (McNeill & McNamara, 2009). The rise of
competition in hospitality business has hastened the managers towards improvement of their
businesses. Many of them have adopted this concept in a bid to attract more tourists through
continuous improvements, gorgeous designs and customer experience supervision (Walls et al,
2011, p.170).

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Case study of Calile Hotel for unique interior design
Figure 1: Calile Hotel
Source: https://thecalilehotel.com
The stunning and opulence of Calile hotel on James St. is like an oasis in the desert. The brain
behind this masterpiece is by Richards and Spence Architects. The complex hotel has seven
storey that accommodates 178 luxury suites all celebrating a lush atmosphere (Monsour, 2017).
The rooms have pool sides and terraces that illustrate the suites. Calile hotel has been selected in
the interior design case study to showcase comprehensively the importance of a correct
specification of hotel interior design (Sayigh, 2013). The Calile hotel is a landmark along James
Street in Australia and is a unique place identity in the hospitality business. Moreover, in its

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outstanding interior design, the hotel has strategically implemented its experience design to the
guests thereby becoming a leader in the global hospitality market.
The interior design based on the clarity of a specified hotel concept.
In hotel designing, focus always mistakenly is on aesthetics with disregard to establishing a
connection to a specific experience concept that is desirable for its guests. The results are weaker
hotel character and design inconsistency spanning various departments of the property. A clearly
specified hotel concept will focus on a specific experience (Sayigh, 2013). By following this, the
designer can create appropriate spaces and very well determine the flow of visitors and staff.
Calile hotel developed a “Feel like home” experience by setting the lounge and lobby bar area as
its main reference point of the design concept as far as dinning and drinking is a major activity
(Monsour, 2017).

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Figure 2: Calile Hotel, Fortitude Valley
Source: https://stylemagazines.com.au/travel/designer-hotels-australia-2018-2/
The result is a resemblance of a beautiful and functional city house, donned by elegant French
aesthetics.
There should be a recognizable place identity created by having all hotel spaces with common
design elements.
A unique identity is a necessity for a successful hotel design; it would be easily recognizable
even without the hotel branding. A strong place identity can easily transform visitors to
marketers. This happens when every picture of the place shared online can identify the hotel.

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However, how easy is it to create unique spaces with differentiated characteristics whilst keeping
a common place identity? Richards and Spence Architects specified the key design elements that
would be recognizable in the final result. Its typical blue color captures the eyes of the audience,
and also the implementation of open libraries in all common areas in a characteristic fashion
makes one to easily identify a specific facility as part of the hotel even if seen for the first time
(Sayigh, 2013).
Figure 3: Maximum functionality and a unique character captured in all aspects with an original
design, from furniture to fabrics. Source: https://thecalilehotel.com

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The design of original and unique products requires a sacrifice on getting materials from the
general market because of low costs. It is important to go for what is unique, from furniture to
fabric patterns as it aids in developing a unique experience (Monsour, 2017). This is an
investment which offers value for money, and even so, field specialists claim that the value
effect is only by a slightly increased cost. In Calile Hotel, a bigger portion of the furniture is
custom designed hence creates an emblematic setting that satisfies the experience of the guests.
Case study of the Westin Hotel for unique exterior design
The Westin is a 5 star hotel with boutique luxury rooms located in Brisbane CBD along Mary
Street, in the heart of Brisbane, Australia. The hotel was opened in November 2018 and was
designed with an urban retreat for leisure and business travelers with comfort and convenience in
mind. The hotel accommodates fitness studio, executive lounge, conference rooms and a variety
of dining options. Its design recognizes the value of sustainability as well as environmental
factors and the importance of exposing the guests to a luxurious experience (Lee, et al., 2018). It
implemented green building practices at the stages of development and even received the LEED
Platinum certification award.

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Figure 4: Westin Hotel
Source: https://stylemagazines.com.au/travel/designer-hotels-australia-2018-2/
The green building site strategies adopted by Westin hotels reduce carbon emissions related to
transportation, manage storm water runoff, eliminate light pollution and reduce heat island
effect. The hotel grounds are also well landscaped to enhance relaxation and enjoyment of guests
during the operational phase of the hotel (Monsour, 2017). The hotel also provides its guests a
riding experience on the nearby bicycle trials by having a bicycle rack with ready bicycles.
The development of the Westin Hotel was done held back from the creek at a minimum distance
of 35 feet. The land in between was planted with native riparian plants thus fostering a healthy
vegetative environment that sustains the animals.

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CONCLUSION
The interior and exterior designs of a hotel impact demand. An increase in the design leads to an
increase in hotel arrivals. A positive relationship therefore exists between the exterior and
interior design elements with a factor of consumer perception.

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REFERENCES
Buchanan, R., 2001. Design research and the new learning. Design issues, 17(4), pp.3-23.
Bowie, D., Buttle, F., Brookes, M. and Mariussen, A., 2016. Hospitality marketing. Routledge.
Chen, Y.C. and Chen, Y.T., 2012. The Advantage of Green Management for Hotel
Competitiveness in Taiwan: In the Viewpoint of Senior Hotel Managers. J. Mgmt. &
Sustainability, 2, p.211.
Lee, A.H., Denizci Guillet, B. and Law, R., 2018. Tourists’ emotional wellness and hotel room
colour. Current Issues in Tourism, 21(8), pp.856-862.
McNeill, D. and McNamara, K., 2009. Hotels as civic landmarks, hotels as assets: The case of
Sydney's Hilton. Australian Geographer, 40(3), pp.369-386.
Monsour, A., 2017. Tell Me My Story: The Contribution of Historical Research to an
Understanding of the Australian Lebanese Experience. Mashriq&Mahjar, 4(2), pp.9-39.
Sayigh, A., 2013. Sustainability, energy and architecture: Case studies in realizing green
buildings. Academic Press.
Walls, A., Okumus, F., Wang, Y. and Kwun, D.J.W., 2011. Understanding the consumer
experience: An exploratory study of luxury hotels. Journal of Hospitality Marketing &
Management, 20(2), pp.166-197.