5 Hospitality Trends to Watch in 2018

Catering to “Bleisure” Travelers

Combining business travel with leisure, the “bleisure” trip makes up about 43 percent of business trips in the U.S., according to a recent study by Expedia. Bleisure travelers not only need uninterrupted Wi-Fi and access to meeting areas, but they are also likely to grab some time in the hotel gym and want to experience the local hotspots. They may even have brought their spouse and children with them in anticipation of their off time. Accommodating their mixture of interests and needs is key: special promotional packages and late check-out options are important. Consider offering co-working spaces with comfortable chairs and access to multi-port chargers. On-site activities for kids and spa treatments are also great options for the “leisure” portion of the trip.

Nature-Centric Design

From living green walls to on-site herb gardens, hotel and restaurant design is all about being surrounded by (and utilizing) local plant life. And though this trend is not new, designers like Ray Chung of The Johnson Studio don’t anticipate it going away anytime soon. As Chung told Architectural Digest, “We will likely see more ornamental plants integrated into interior design as an antidote to the machine-made world.” Not only are hoteliers and restaurateurs using potted plants and hanging gardens of trailing greenery to bring natural elements indoors, but they are also incorporating recycled wood, organic materials, and handcrafted and repurposed furnishings into their designs.

Speaking of natural elements, the return of wood paneling in 2018 has been experienced across the hospitality design sector—from resorts and local eateries to theme parks. From rich, white oak to the warmer, rustic tones, hospitality designers are using decorative wood paneling to create warm and inviting areas for their guests.

“Maximalism” and Millennials

It has been argued that the minimalist design trend has reached its saturation point, and this year’s turn toward designs with eclectic colors, textures, and patterns seems to support that viewpoint. Hospitality interior design trends for this year cater to a more “maximalist” design approach, with its joyful, expressive colors, and touchable fabrics like velvet. Bold, graphic wallpaper and a boost of color that includes fun pastels and strong jewel tones are geared towards millennials, who tend to spend more time in bars, coffee shops, and restaurants than older generations. And since millennials have been known to choose their hotels based on the décor shown in online photo galleries, many hotels are opting for brighter, more eye-catching and unique design themes.

“Instagrammable” Moments

Being social media-savvy with marketing and décor is a no-brainer for any hospitality provider, but with recent research finding that millennials are expected to spend $1.4 trillion a year on travel by the year 2020, those in the hospitality sector need to be on their game. This means providing “Instagrammable” moments that millennials, and all guests, can share on their social networks, such as Snapchatting an authentic meal made by locals or Instagramming a selfie with the swanky hotel lobby as their backdrop. Colorful tiles, kitschy antiques, and unique cocktails at the bar are all worthy of a hashtag or two.