Prem Nath, Principal Architect & Owner - Prem Nath & Associates, talks about the design and aesthetics of smart hotels

“Hotels are places for the people” is a common slogan in hospitality industry. Hotels are said to be great places for people where they like to see and like to be seen. By virtue of design, architecture and facade, hotel buildings become landmark destinations in a city. Hotels are places of fashion where trends are set. Hotels become multifunctional and serve as prime locations for events and parties with unique experiences. Hotels are used by business magnates, billionaires, bigwigs, Presidents, Prime Ministers and other heads of states and hence require high-end security and services.

As the world advances with latest technologies and tools, life becomes smarter with loads of automation and people becoming techno-savvy with smart phones. Internet of Things (IoT) has become a part of our daily life: at work, at home and even when we are on a vacation. IoT is becoming a standard feature for the guests in hotels and hence, it is no longer a smart feature for hotel design which needs to create memorable features to make the hotel a smart destination. 

Therefore, it is a challenge for the designers to set new trends in hotel design by creating memorable experiences to identify it as a smart destination. For example, glass overhang deck on high floor, waterfall as a facade, illusion displays, rotating rooms with a 360 degree view, an artificial beach in a desert hotel, underwater aquarium, lounges, robo lounges and bars, aero space suits for weightlessness  experience and more. 

The new generation is well aware and familiar with the latest technology and art, even architecture and engineering and this seeps down to their expectations of a hotel in terms of design – to be modern and contemporary as well as lavish and unique. These basis have formed the trends for smart hotels. The architecture design approach and outlook is changing. So we don’t see art decos or monumental hotels with frills and carvings. The new and smart generation needs minimal and clean design with electric ambience using modern materials, colours and lights as visual aesthetic. Smart hotel design should be elegant not cluttered with ornamentation, sleek and not loaded with frills. Hence, a smart hotel design needs to have visual appeal and an exciting experience and in-built efficiency in terms of simplicity of function.

A hotel should be charming to look at with beautiful textures, shades and tones and give the user a different and an out-of-the-world experience. It is important that a hotel be simply functional and not be like a jigsaw puzzle. It should be easy for the guests to find their way to their rooms and exit during emergency or evacuation without chaos. Hotels should be secured but need not be a fortress or a secured jail. 

Smart interiors make hotels look smarter and elegant. At present, the trend for smart hotel interiors is Whirling White: white curtains, white bed sheets, white flooring and white furniture. Everything serene and simple, well-lit but aesthetically appealing with a soothing effect.

Bathrooms are also becoming more and more open now. Extended decks are becoming a part of the bathrooms so that the guests can stay connected with Nature and has a bit of outdoor experience within. Rather than concealing the bathroom in the inner corridor of the building, it is now getting the exposure to the outer face of the building with a “view of the city” so that the guests can enjoy the openness and Nature yet maintain privacy.

The pandemic has given us a wakeup call that hygiene should be our foremost priority. Higher occupancy is permissible in non-air conditioned spaces thus telling us the importance of natural resources. Hence, smart hotels must be fully hygienic. A hotel cannot be smart if it is not sustainable. Therefore, optimum use of natural light and ventilation should be achieved by having cutouts, atriums, courtyards, double height patios and lounges. Thus, a smart hotel design should be an amalgamation of technology, appealing building facade and exciting features, aesthetical interiors and overall sustainability with functional simplicity.

This article was published in BW hotelier issue dated '' with cover story titled 'SMART MANTRAS ISSUE VOL 7, ISSUE 4'