As 2024 came to a close, Hotel Management contacted several design experts to learn what hoteliers should expect in the coming year. Casey Scalf, director of The Society, and Ann Hampton, interior designer, CREO Architecture, shared their thoughts on top colors for the year ahead, the challenges of labor costs and how technology will change how hotels look.
Casey Scalf
What are a few major trends you expect to see in hotel design next year?
“Eclectic maximalism” will be leading in hotel design next year, embracing patterns on patterns, organic shapes, and rich, dynamic colors to transport guests and immerse them in captivating visual experiences. Color drenching, a technique that saturates a space (walls and ceilings included) with the same shade, will also be here to stay.
Curved, inviting forms and soft lines are also becoming increasingly prominent in everything from casework to furniture design. Warm chocolate brown colors and accents are making a comeback.
What trends do you see fading away?
A lot of the popular design elements from a few years ago, like brass, buckles and straps, jewel tones, painted millwork walls, tambour panels, the color grey in general and big traditional meeting spaces like ballrooms which are already done less frequently since the pandemic.
What do you think are the main factors that are driving these changes?
I think it’s purely driven by guest experience and the guest’s desire to see something new. The market becomes saturated with trends and people get sick of it quickly. If the design is on-trend, it gets stale fast. The consumer wants to see something they have never seen or experienced in a long time. It can be cyclical in that sense. The 90s have been coming back, and before then it was the 80s.”
What should hoteliers and designers do now to be ready for the new trends that are on the horizon?
Hoteliers and designers should be faster to respond to current and emerging trends.
The timing of design phases needs to be thoughtful. Construction variation in our field can make it difficult, as it’s at least 18 months out from design to seeing it in the flesh. This means that designing should be avoided so early in the process that by the time the building is constructed the trend you’ve committed to is already out of date.
Study what’s happening abroad, in art, and in other industries (fashion, residential design, etc.) to help identify the trends that are to come.
Ann Hampton
What are a few major trends you expect to see in hotel design next year?
With rising construction and labor costs, as well as increased guest expectations, hotel design will become more intentional, focusing on a balance between design aesthetics, guest experience, and getting the biggest bang for the construction budget. Full service hotels will focus more on total guest stay revenue (including F&B) rather than just room count and revenue.
Hotels will increasingly embrace local culture, artisanal craftsmanship and bespoke elements. Lifestyle and boutique hotels will dominate, offering an environment that makes guests feel at home, encouraging them to linger and embrace smaller, quaint destinations. Using colors, textures, and aesthetic elements from the local cultures, a brand will create an approachable and unique vernacular design language.
With the rise of AI and personalized guest experiences, smart rooms with seamless controls (streaming, contactless service, mobile wallets) will become more prevalent. Hoteliers will need to stay ahead of the game and integrate AI into their concierge offering customized services and experiences.
What trends do you see fading away?
The obsession with Instagram-worthy destinations is declining in favor of more authentic, immersive experiences. Guests are seeking genuine local encounters rather than locations designed for social media appeal.
The era of cookie-cutter luxury, where the focus is purely on opulence, is giving way to more unique, down-to-earth, and purposeful luxury. Travelers are increasingly looking for a balance of sophistication with authenticity.
The traditional hotel experience that only offers basic accommodations is being challenged by more diverse offerings such as Airbnb, co-living, and long-term rentals. Guests are looking for more personalized and flexible options.
What do you think are the main factors that are driving these changes?
After the pandemic, the focus shifted to human connection, shared experiences, and family/group travel. Hotels are adapting by offering more flexible spaces and emphasizing the value of shared experiences in a safe and welcoming environment.
As guests seek more unique and meaningful experiences, there is a growing demand for more immersive and authentic destinations. This is a direct response to a shift away from conventional tourism toward hyper-local, bespoke experiences.
Advancements in AI and smart technology are shaping how hotels cater to guests. Personalized experiences, seamless transitions from online to offline services, and contactless technologies are becoming standard.