Snobby Lobby

http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Interior-Design-of-Five-Star-Hotel-Lobby.jpg

Lobby design is the most important part of a hotel's design. The instant the guest walks through those automatic doors, their experience of the hotel begins with their impressions of that first view. 

So what are your first impressions of these lobbies? 

Hotel Lobby 1: 

http://i0.bookcdn.com/data/Photos/OriginalPhoto/122/12217/12217569/Holiday-Inn-Amarillo-I-40-photos-Interior-Hotel-Lobby.JPEG

Hotel Lobby 2:

http://www.misterimportant.com/index.php#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=5&p=7&a=0&at=0

If you noticed in the first picture: bad lighting, no natural light, poor color choices (does not portray brand), and unsightly materials-- then you know the difference between good and bad hotel lobby design. The second hotel lobby picture is an exciting view of the W Hotel in San Diego. This design has great lighting, exuberant color palette, and lots of textures.

Keys to successful lobby design:

• Great lighting
• Provide a place to linger
• Easy to navigate
• Act like a "living room"
• Portray brand- it's a competitive advantage over other companies

Michael Bedner, the CEO and Chairman of Hirsch Bedner Associates, writes about successful lobby design in his article Best Practices in Hotel Lobby Design. He says, "... lobbies have the power to charm, dazzle, and entice you... luring you in and seducing you to stay." 

 “Best Practices in Hotel Lobby Design”

    Bedner, M. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://hotelexecutive.com/business_review/729/best-practices-in-hotel-lobby-design