How Does Design Influence Guest Perception of a Hotel?

Discover how effective hotel design communication can transform your property’s image and guest experience.

Hotel design communication is a matter of cardinal importance. Design-driven communication can be the fine line between the most memorable or most forgettable guest experience for an independent hotel.

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Let’s dig deeper into the principles of effective design, the way it impacts your branding, and how you could establish a consistent visual language that will move guests.

Why First Impressions Matter

First impressions are critical. Effective design is one of the building blocks that ensure the first impression a potential guest receives when visiting your website, or when walking threw the lobby doors of your hotel.

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Consider the following few tips when designing the visual elements of your hotel:

Consistency is Key:

Maintain the use of colours, fonts, and images across all platforms. This not only gives a sense of consistency but also contributes to a better brand identity.

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Clarity and Simplicity:

A visual treat, with no clutter in the design, clean and easy to follow.

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Emotionally Stimulating:

Elements in the design should be a source of delight. Warm colours, friendly images, and inviting fonts— all these will help a guest feel welcomed, valued, and excited.

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Consider walking into a cluttered, disorganized hotel lobby. Picture a perfectly clean, well-lit, tastefully designed lobby instead.

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Which one would you prefer?

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Well, the answer is obvious, and the point can be made as to why design is fundamental.

Power Of Visual Storytelling

Visual storytelling is powerful in hotel marketing. Design tells the hotel story, expresses the unique hotel features, and connects with guests emotionally.

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Show Off Unique Features:

High-quality images and videos should be used to show off the unique features of your hotel. Whether it is a breathtaking view, an exclusively luxurious suite, or a comfy lounge, let your pictures do the talking.

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Guest Testimonials:

Photos of happy guests with their testimonials. This builds trust and a personal bond with future potential guests.

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Behind-The-Scenes:

Share what goes on behind the hotel’s closed doors. This builds trust and may be an even greater source of curiosity for the guest.

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A photo-perfect visual story can help you differentiate your hotel in a crowded market. For instance, a boutique hotel can use imagery in such a way through unique decoration and personalized services in order to target guests who are seeking an experience out of their ordinary hotel stay.

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The Importance Of Branding In Design

Branding, it’s more than putting a logo on something. It’s the overall perception of your hotel. If professionally designed, branding helps to make a strong, significant identity to differentiate your property from others.

Logo Design:

Your logo should be simple, memorable, and reflect the character of your hotel.

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Colour scheme:

Select colours that will create emotions in line with your intentions and those that can relate to the personality of your brand.

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Typography:

Use legible typefaces that work well with your brand’s personality.

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Think of iconic hotel brands like The Ritz-Carlton or Marriott. Their branding is so recognizable and speaks to a level of luxury and security. Independent properties, through strategic branding, can attain the same levels of recognition.

User Experience (UX) Design Effects

UX design is done to provide a smooth and pleasurable journey to guests. Great UX design can really help to boost your communication efforts.

Responsive Design:

Make sure your website is easy to navigate on any device’s screen.

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Clear Call-to-Action (CTA):

Use big and clear CTA buttons that will directly click through to room bookings in your hotel or to contact your hotel.

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Short Load Times:

Maintain optimized web pages for speed, as long load time is a major turn-off for potential guests.

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Your website is often the first point of contact for potential guests. A website well-designed with a smooth user experience is a winning combination toward more bookings and higher satisfaction among guests.

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Integrating Design with Marketing Strategies

Integrating design with your marketing into your strategies means that your visual communication is not just going to look good but is purposeful.

Social Media Graphics:

Create consistent, correct, and appealing graphics for social media posts in order to generate interest among the followers.

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Email Campaigns:

Design eye-catching email templates that resonate with your brand.

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Print Materials:

Have professionally designed brochures, flyers, and other print materials that are consistent with your brand.

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When you put design and marketing together, you create a cohesive professional image that will significantly enhance your marketing content and assist in drawing more guests.

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What strategies do you integrate into your hotel marketing?

Let me know in the comments

In Conclusion

Effective hotel design communication is what independent hotels need to achieve memorable, engaging experiences for their guests. Better levels of hotelier communication through first impressions, visual storytelling, branding, maintaining a cohesive visual identity, UX design, and integrated marketing strategies are greatly enhanced through advancements in design.

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In the next episode, I talk about Aligning Brand Identity.