Hotel & Motel Management - December 27, 2007 - (Page 29) Design outlook Continued from page 27 hotels if there’s no economic incentive, said Shaun Hannah, associate, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. Going green will resonate with hoteliers “if it involves bringing down operating costs. A sustainable hotel should be a meaningful place—and always about the guest experience,” he said. “The greening of the global hotel industry is well under way, and the products, finishes, assemblies and lighting strategies that underpin this shift are the targets of designers and architects who are presented with amazing variety from which to choose,” said Stephen Perkins of the hospitality design firm ForrestPerkins. “All markets are being driven by the economics and marketability of green hospitality. With the green premium at less than 5 percent, owners and asset managers are looking positively on the [return on in- vestment] of green strategies.” tional announced a new, designThe younger generations are key forward prototype called Atria. drivers for everything green. GenX It features guestrooms designed and Millennial travelers are comaround a loft concept and a multiing into their prime business travel function community space. years, while baby boomers look to Despite the rosy outlook, chaldominate the leisure segment. lenges loom. Catering to the younger market “The design business looks very with hip yet high-functioning de- Perkins good going into ’08,” Perkins said. sign are new brands like Starwood FORRESTPERKINS “But there are inflationary presHotels & Resorts Worldwide’s aloft sures from labor and health-care and Element, Hyatt Hotels Corp.’s costs that could result in higher fees Hyatt Place, Choice Hotels International’s and reimbursables.” Cambria Suites and InterContinental Hotel “Escalating construction costs, due to a Group’s Hotel Indigo. host of factors, including rising energy costs, Earlier this year, Marriott International movement of the dollar, and so on, will presannounced a partnership with Ian Schrager, ent an increasingly significant challenge,” considered the father of the boutique-hotel Sprinkle said. “This will create an interestconcept. The partnership hopes to find suc- ing balancing act when combined with the cess blending Marriott’s operational and res- trend we have seen in which clients are willervation systems with Schrager’s expertise in ing to invest more in high-quality and susdeveloping design-forward hotel concepts. tainable design approaches.” Even traditional Best Western Internapsheehan@questex.com DESIGN MEETS SUCCESS WHERE D E S I G N INTERIORS PLANNING 3 10 . 4 4 2 . 5 2 5 1 www.kaylangassocs.com 12100 wilshire m-70 los angeles 90025 http://www.kaylangassocs.com http://www.kaylangassocs.com
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