The document discusses key considerations for designing a boutique hotel, focusing on style, practicality, and attention to detail. It outlines the importance of the arrival experience, journey to guestrooms, corridor design, and creating a multi-functional guestroom experience, with an emphasis on comfort, functionality, and luxury amenities. Design elements like lighting, finishes, artwork, and comfortable furnishings are highlighted as important to crafting an intimate atmosphere and memorable stay for guests.

1. VDIS10006 Restoration Interiors 1
Lecture 4:
Design Considerations for a Boutique Hotel
Ramona Solomon

2. There
are
three
important
aspects
of
bou2que
hotel
design
which
remain
constant.
These
are:
• Style
• Prac2cality
• A>en2on
to
detail.
Bou2que
hotels
are
all
about
luxury
and
individuality.
They
have
an
eclec2c
style
which
tells
a
story
of
the
history
of
the
hotel
or
owner,
and
can
either
be
a
sanctuary
within
a
densely
populated
environment
or
a
place
of
tranquillity
located
next
to
a
secluded
beach.
As
hotel
designers
you
need
to
focus
on
the
a>en2on
to
detail,
quality
of
finishes
and
eclec2c
style
to
create
the
individuality
of
the
space.
Create
in2macy
by
use
of
low-­‐level
ligh2ng,
rich
coloured
fabrics
and
warm,
invi2ng
spaces.
Outlined
in
the
following
slides
are
a
few
key
considera2ons
when
it
comes
to
designing
a
bou2que
hotel.

3. Arrival at the hotel exterior
As
soon
as
the
guest
steps
inside
they
have
to
know
they
have
'arrived'.
There
should
be
good
circula2on
leading
to
a
well-­‐lit,
well
designed
recep2on
desk.
This
is
the
heart
of
the
hotel,
and
it
is
here
where
first
and
last
impressions
are
made.
Good
ligh2ng
is
also
essen2al
in
crea2ng
the
correct
ambience.
Where
possible,
to
incorporate
a
sea2ng
area
within
the
recep2on
lobby
-­‐
an
area
which
is
oKen
used
as
a
mee2ng
place
for
fellow
guests
or
friends.

4. Journey to guestroom
This
is
a
very
important
area
to
think
about
as
guests
usually
spend
2me
wai2ng
here
and
it
can
oKen
can
get
over
looked
from
a
design
point
of
view.
LiK
lobbies
need
to
be
as
spacious
as
possible.
It
can
be
a
very
well
used
area
of
the
hotel
and
it
is
oKen
the
transi2on
from
the
recep2on
lobby
to
all
the
other
areas
of
the
hotel.
Good
signage
is
essen2al,
along
with
good
circula2on
leading
to
other
public
areas.
Great
use
of
floor
finish
design,
ligh2ng
and
wall
treatment
are
all
used
to
lead
the
guest
through
the
hotel.
Try
to
incorporate
a
special
piece
of
artwork
or
wall
finish
here
and
possibly
a
piece
of
accent
furniture.
This
could
include
individual
pieces
of
art
or
sculptures,
or
even
a
special
piece
of
an2que
furniture
collected
by
the
owner.
This
area
is
a
showcase
and
needs
to
be
addressed
in
that
manner.

5. Corridor design
Corridors
need
to
be
robust.
It
is
here
where
luggage
and
housekeeping
trolleys
are
constantly
being
pushed
up
and
down
giving
the
walls
and
carpets
a
good
hammering!
Finishes
need
to
be
durable
e.g.
fabric
backed
wall
covering,
good
quality
carpet
and
so
on.
It
is
here
where
good
carpet
design
is
required
to
break
up
what
is
oKen
a
"long
corridor
feeling"
.
Use
the
design
to
lead
guests
to
their
guestroom
doors
making
the
journey
as
simple
and
stress
free
as
possible.
Good
Ligh2ng
is
paramount.
It
needs
to
be
low
enough
to
create
a
comfortable
ambience
but
light
enough
to
be
able
to
take
guests
to
their
door.

6. Guestroom experience
Nowadays,
guest
bedrooms
are
no
longer
just
a
place
to
rest.
They
need
to
be
a
mul2-­‐
func2onal
space.
An
area
to
work,
dine,
relax
and
sleep.
They
don't
necessarily
require
luxurious
finishes,
but
acute
a>en2on
to
detail.
No
ma>er
how
well
designed
the
room
is,
if
a
guest
has
a
bad
night's
sleep,
it
is
very
unlikely
that
they
will
return.
A
well-­‐manufactured,
comfortable
bed,
along
with
good
blackout
curtains
and
temperature
control
is
a
must.
In
the
bathroom,
guests
are
almost
expec2ng
a
spa
experience
within
their
own
bathrooms.
Depending
on
the
loca2on
and
if
at
all
prac2cal,
incorporate
something
which
will
give
a
las2ng
memory,
for
example
an
external
shower
or
a
bath
with
a
view.