Gotta love the changeover from summer to fall. One minute you are wearing a tank top, the next minute, you’re in your hoody and jeans. Seasonal transitions hardly happen like flipping a light switch. Instead, they are like dimmers adjusting between almost off and almost on and staying in between a lot of times. Unlike the seasons, transitions in the interior design world are usually more linear and
predictable. You go from the concept phase to development to construction, where you see your
beautiful dwelling. Every phase requires constant collaboration and negotiation. Of course, although you may have established a timeline for each phase, projects can still take on a mind of their own.
An important transition that happens in my world is when we do a hotel renovation. Renovations can be complicated because you have a hotel that guests have come to know. Therefore, before gutting guests rooms or the lobby, you have to maintain the familiarity and convenience of the current space. This matters most in terms of guest check-in, restaurant, and elevators that guests most often utilize. I
know first-hand how awkward it can be to walk into a very modern lobby and then go to your dilapidated hotel room. However, all hotels must plan for the inevitable transition between old and new. A r
enovation requires a fine balancing act between being efficient, but also invisible. No guest wants to hear any sort of construction or see dust and debris . Here are some mistakes I have seen:
Mistake #1 – Attempting to do a renovation during their busy season. Even if it means not finishing your project on time, never compromise the guest experience. Luckily, I haven’t seen this too often but what
I have seen is that hotels don’t research past occupancy rates before making a decision, leading to losing business at opportune times.
Mistake #2 – Not curtaining off areas being worked on. Sure you want to make sure that hallways are
accessible at all times. However, when serious construction is being done, such as electricity and
painting don’t just throw down plastic on the rug and put up scaffolding and expect your guests to
walk around you. Using a curtain before the entrance of the hotel is a clear way to divert traffic and
prevent accidents.
Mistake #3 – Not providing extra amenities/perks. If your hotel is under renovation and the kitchen hours are limited and the gift shop is closed, do something for the guest. Whether that’s a discount on their room rate or putting together a bag of toiletries and snacks, make it known to your guests that
you appreciate their business during this transition time.
While you might want to complain that a hotel you might be staying in is undergoing renovations and not every part of the building is beautiful or even open, be grateful that the hotel is investing in an even better guest experience. And, always remember that transitions happen in all phases of life. They may seem like they’re taking forever, but after cloudy days eventually comes sunshine. Now, let’s get on to Fall already!