Hotel gyms or spas are important amenities that can be a deciding factor in whether a guest checks in or not.
Hotel spas especially are a growth area according to the 2016 edition of Trends® in the Hotel Spa Industry: up 5.6% from 2014 to 2015, the fastest growing source of hotel revenue. Spa tourism is booming – with day and overnight visitors – a spa not only provides a competitive advantage for hotel stays, but also attracts a targeted group of guests to your hotel.
As for hotel gyms, many guests want access to exercise facilities even if they don’t use them. In a recent hotel amenities survey by Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, 46% of respondents said they planned to use the gym (although only 22% actually put their trainers on and visited)!
But tired and dated facilities are not going to get your hotel any rave reviews, repeat guests or Instagram virality! Gym goers and spa visitors want state of the art facilities and a fantastic guest experience. Therefore, if you’re planning to renovate your hotel gym or spa, what key factors and trends should be on your design wish list? Read on…
Hotel Spa Design Tips
Space
Space is a luxury, as any hotelier knows. It’s a balancing act between maximising trading space and providing a luxurious space for guests. No more so than when planning treatment rooms. While more treatment rooms increases revenue, and meets demand from guests; cramped treatment rooms do not create a luxurious guest experience.
A designer can look at the available floor space and make layout suggestions that use the space more effectively. Or, alternatively, create a feeling of more space by introducing design elements such light walls, monochromatic colour schemes, natural and artificial lighting and a space saving room layout.
Sensory Experience
Colour, texture, light, acoustics and scent stimulate the senses and create different moods. Think about what type of experience you want your guests to have – overall and within different areas of the spa. Subtle changes to the interior design can make one area more uplifting and invigorating, whereas another area could be more calming and serene.
Part Of The Hotel Experience
While the spa provides an escape and therefore should be a private space away from public areas of the hotel such as the restaurant or business suite, it should never feel like it’s been bolted on. The story of the hotel is also told through the spa – design features, branding and guest experience should be integrated to create a unique visit.
Hotel Gym Design Tips
Not Just A Functional Space
Gym equipment may be functional and no different to what’s available at your guests’ local gym, but the hotel gym must set itself apart. As with the spa it’s a continuation of the hotel story; whether that’s a luxury 5* experience, a quirky boutique hotel, or home-from-home ambiance. The gym design should reflect this, while at the same time offer a safe and practical space to exercise.
Make It Unique
It may not be feasible to provide better exercise facilities than a large corporate gym, but your hotel gym can differentiate itself in other ways. Hoteliers already understand the importance of customer service, more so than many gym chains. Those little extras, from luxury toiletries in the changing room and showers, to bowls of fruit for gym users to help themselves to, can deliver a unique guest experience.
A well-designed hotel gym that has a good balance of equipment and provides an inspiring space to exercise will soon motivate your hotel guests to use the gym!
If you would like to discuss your hotel gym or spa project with one of our designers, please contact us on 01252 783995 or email info@patondevelopments-co-uk.stackstaging.com
