Ironically, whilst the hospitality industry is built upon people leaving their homes, its success depends upon making them feel as at home as possible. A welcoming atmosphere, comfortable environment, and appealing surroundings are the core elements of any hotel, café, bar or restaurant where people want to be – and without them, failure is almost guaranteed.
That’s why the old adage ‘first impressions count’ is so important within this industry, particularly for hotels. From the moment a guest enters the building, they need to feel as if they are in a space that is built to cater to their needs – from the facilities and the staff to the chairs, beds and baths; everything should make them want to stay longer, come back quicker and tell as many people as possible how enjoyable their stay was. And from the second a guest walks through the foyer, they start building this opinion.
After all, how many of us have entered a cold, dated or scruffy reception and thought about turning around and finding somewhere else to stay? Or taken one look at a sterile, poorly designed, mismatched bedroom in a hotel and immediately decided it’s not the place for us? It’s an instantaneous reaction, one that is difficult to overcome, and with poor décor ranked as one of the most common deterrents for guests, a hotel’s interior is one of the critical elements of its success; arguably the critical element.
One of the most integral aspects of creating an interior which is welcoming yet stylish, has impact but provides comfort, is the fabric used throughout it. Applied correctly, it has the power to pull rooms together, offering cohesion and aestheticism. Used poorly, it can ruin an otherwise beautifully decorated space.
So, here are just a few things to consider when choosing fabrics for hospitality...
In thinking carefully about these four key areas, it’s possible to create a space that offers the welcoming, comfortable, stylish environment treasured by guests – and will do so for years to come.
See Camira’s complete range of hospitality fabrics here.