The best kept secrets of hotel interior design

Hotel interior design is an art form that combines aesthetics, functionality, and comfort to create spaces that leave a lasting impression on guests. Whether it's a luxury hotel, boutique hotel, or a charming bed and breakfast, thoughtful design work can elevate the guest experience to new levels of luxury and sophistication. In this article, we explore some of the best kept secrets of hotel interior design, including the role of aesthetics, the impact of functionality, and the importance of comfort. We will also take a closer look at some stunning hotel interiors, and how designers can source hotel-inspired luxury materials and furnishings through Portaire, a platform that connects interior designers with high-quality suppliers.

What makes hotel interior design special?

Residential design prioritizes personalized, functional living spaces for homeowners, while hospitality design focuses on creating compelling and durable guest experiences that abide by regulations and commercial needs. The latter is known for luxury, immersive atmospheres that take guests into different states of living that differ from their usual routine.

The role of aesthetics in hotel interiors

Aesthetics play a crucial role in hotel interiors, as they create a memorable first impression for hotel guests. Hotel interior designers carefully curate natural textures, local art, high-quality materials, and attention to detail in decor and upholstery to create visually pleasing environments. Every design element, from the colour scheme to the decor, is chosen with great care, ensuring that it complements the hotel's branding and creates a cohesive design aesthetic.

In contrast to residential design, the aesthetics of hospitality projects can be a lot more heavy-handed. Because guests only stay in hotels for a limited number of days, the hotel industry and the interior design services they employ can afford to be extra creative and cohesive. Of course, great design is simply great design, but hotels do tend to add that extra magic.

The impact of functionality in design

Functionality is another essential aspect of hotel interior design, as it ensures that spaces are designed to meet guest needs and preferences. Hotel designers prioritize functionality in public spaces, hotel rooms, and outdoor areas, ensuring efficient use of space, functionality, and ease of navigation. Thoughtful design ensures that hotel interiors provide high levels of service and comfort, catering to the diverse needs of hotel guests. From well-designed workspaces to comfortable seating arrangements, functionality is key in creating spaces that enhance the overall experience of hotel guests.

Another layer that the creative team of a hotel might have to consider, is the ease of movement and function for staff. While the guests are priority number 1, hotels must consider cleaning methods, cooking, ventilation vents and other pragmatic elements when decorating and floor-planning a space.

Comfort above all

Comfort is of utmost importance in hotel interior design, as hotels strive to create spaces that offer exceptional comfort for guests. Designers consider factors such as lighting, acoustics, and temperature control, ensuring that hotel interiors provide a comfortable environment for guests to relax and unwind. Attention is given to ergonomic design, providing comfortable seating and sleeping arrangements, allowing guests to feel even better than at home during their stay. Hotel interiors are designed to create a warm, inviting, and relaxing atmosphere, providing guests with a sanctuary away from home.

From inspiration to sourcing; with Portaire

When it comes to residential interior design, finding the right inspiration and sourcing high-quality materials and furnishings is essential. This is where Portaire, the curated directory for luxury suppliers, comes into play. Portaire provides designers with access to 40,000+ high quality products and dozens of suppliers from the UK and Europe, allowing them to source everything they need for their residential design projects (inspired by hotels). Did we mention it's free? Don't forget to join, today.

Hotel Sanders Copenhagen

Within the hotel's 54 guest rooms and public areas, Sanders Kitchen, The Living Room, Tata bar, The Courtyard, and the top floor Conservatory, a design experience has been curated by Lind + Almond that combines mid-modern Scandinavian influences with a colonial twist and decadent English eccentricity. Since its opening, Sanders has garnered international acclaim and has become a popular destination for both locals and visitors, winning awards in categories such as 'Renovation & Restoration' and 'Hotel of the Year' at the AHEAD Europe Awards 2018.

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Bellustar Tokyo

The BELLUSTAR TOKYO's 5-room luxury penthouse, designed in collaboration with Keiji Ashizawa Design and Norm Architects and furnished by Karimoku Furniture Inc., offers a serene escape 200 meters above the city. With unobstructed views and a blend of modern and traditional Japanese aesthetics, the penthouse, featuring three restaurants, a spa, and five unique suites, provides a harmonious balance between contemporary comfort and Japanese culture, creating an otherworldly, sophisticated retreat within the bustling city.

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Passalacqua in Lake Como

Passalacqua embodies the essence of "la dolce vita," allowing guests to embrace the Italian art of idleness, "dolce far niente," with epicurean indulgences, yoga sessions beneath magnolias, and refreshing swims in Lake Como's pristine waters, all expertly curated by a third generation of hospitality connoisseurs. The rooms, adorned in rich jewel tones and adorned with Venetian silk, offer a sensory and artistic feast for a quintessential Italian summer experience you've always envisioned.

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Nos Hotel in Sifnos

Strolling through the Nos Hotel offers a harmonious blend of authentic Greek architecture and the untamed beauty of the surrounding landscape. Using natural materials, rustic textures, and artisanal embellishments, the villas exude an elegant simplicity that preserves a tranquil ambiance and the genuine luxury of comfort. Additionally, you'll discover outdoor dining venues, a wine cellar, fitness facilities, spa amenities, and a pool bar, allowing you to enjoy relaxation and social interactions with fellow guests.

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Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Kelly Wearstler's design at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel creates a sophisticated beachside haven, drawing inspiration from the city's climate, history, and iconography. The reception area features artistic interpretations of coastal elements, such as a hand-carved desk resembling a shell, a sand-infused gesso canvas, and a reclaimed oak hardwood floor with an octagonal pattern reminiscent of a beach umbrella's view from above. Additionally, a 9-foot-tall bronze chain link sculpture, adorned with neon light, enhances the unique decor.

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What can you do on Portaire?

Portaire is a curated directory for forward thinking designers. You can source 30,000 products from luxury suppliers, chat to their representatives and organise said products into schedules and libraries. If you'd like to, you can upload your own products too.

Source from luxury suppliers

Portaire connects interior designers with luxury suppliers, giving designers access to high-quality materials and furnishings for their design projects. From carpets to tiles and lighting, designers can source everything they need through Portaire's network of luxury suppliers, ensuring that their interiors reflect opulence, quality, and sophistication. The brands on the platform are curated and vetted by co-founder Lori Bolon, who has decades of experience in the design industry and a design approach featured by the likes of Vogue Living.

Chat with suppliers

Portaire's platform allows designers to easily communicate and chat with luxury suppliers, creating a seamless sourcing experience. By chatting directly with suppliers, designers can ask questions, get product specifications, ask for samples and discuss design ideas, all within the Portaire platform. This direct communication allows designers to build relationships with luxury suppliers, ensuring a smooth and collaborative design process.

Build professional product libraries

Say you're a design studio who needs to have a library of all their favourite products. Portaire's platform allows designers to curate personalized product libraries, making it easy to organize and keep track of their favorite materials, furnishings, and design inspiration. By building product libraries, designers can quickly reference and find the products they love, without having to search through multiple sources. These libraries can also be easily shared with team members, allowing for seamless collaboration and design work.

Organise into shareable live schedules

Efficient scheduling is crucial for the successful execution of interior design projects. By prioritizing design tasks and organizing schedules, designers can ensure that project deadlines are met. This allows them to allocate sufficient time for creative work and minimizes design conflicts through effective communication. Additionally, effective scheduling enables hotels to achieve their design goals within budget, ensuring a high-quality and visually appealing result. Embracing well-structured schedules is essential in the hospitality industry for creating stunning luxury hotel interiors that leave a lasting impression.