Hotels have changed drastically over the last few decades and customer expectation and experience has altered radically, a driving factor behind the adapting physical construction and building architecture. These changes are also due to the size of the global market demanding larger and larger hotels, and with limited ground space in ever popular destinations, skyscrapers have become a more frequent sight.
So, how have hotels changed in recent decades and what can be expected from a modern hotel?
Sustainability
Sustainability is hugely important to the public, and with so much focus on environmental damage in the media, the construction industry cannot avoid the demand for more sustainable practices. The demand for less water intensive practices, and materials which are sourced in a more sustainable way has lead to attempts to curb the use of concrete. The hotels themselves must also be adapted to function in a more sustainable way and appliances should be energy efficient and water-conserving. Many hotels use the fact that they are eco-friendly as a key marketing point which can be effective in appealing to today’s environmentally conscious customers.
Modernisation
Modernisation has, of course, had a huge impact on the development of hotels in recent times, particularly with so many advances in technology. People now expect to have access to a wide range of facilities and equipment during their stay, including state-of-the-art fitness centres, spas, satellite TVs in rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi etc. This means that hotels are being built with smart technology, and greater automation that before.
Multi-use Hotels
In today’s hotels, you will often find that the building is much more than somewhere for people to stay. Construction wise, there is a challenge to create a space which serves so many purposes, with lower floors dedicated to different businesses that appeal to travellers, gyms, and large several storey car parks. The increasing popularity of infinity pools is a recent phenomenon which has changed the way hotels are constructed, with pools previously being on the bottom floor.
The Internet
The internet has completely transformed many industries, including the hotel industry. In addition to being a great platform for attracting customers with a high-quality website, the internet has also increased the importance of providing an excellent service for customers. People often share their experiences in hotels on social media and on popular review websites which are both trusted sources when it comes to choosing a hotel. This means that hotels have needed to up their game in order to maintain a positive reputation.
Branding
Branding has always been important but even more so in today’s day and age. People will always re-use a brand that they recognise and have had a positive experience with so if the hotel has multiple properties around the world they need to make their branding memorable. This will include an eye-catching logo which is then used on amenities, on social media etc.
The hotel industry has changed drastically in recent decades with the above being just a few ways in which it has changed. This will certainly continue in the coming years with different economic, social and technological factors all playing an important role.