How to design a hotel reception?

Reception should be the friendly face of the hotel. The space needs a smile, so the interior created must be welcoming, warm, and friendly. Unfortunately, the designer has no influence over the staff, who must also smile their welcome. A famous hotelier once said to me that they could not understand anyone being in the hospitality industry if they could not smile a welcome at guests.

As a designer, I tried to imagine a guest arriving in the hotel. So come with me whilst I imagine, and see how it leads to a set of criteria for the design.
Imagine it is November. Imagine yourself as a salesperson that has not had a good day. Your car is full of samples, and no one has liked them. Much as you might want them all to be stolen overnight, your first requirement is that they are safe in the hotel car park, so as you arrive you look for the most secure place to park. It is dark and pouring with rain so as you run to the door into the hotel, you are looking for a welcome, perhaps a nice fire to dry off in front of and a welcoming armchair to sink into. A drink put in your hand would be nice, together with some slippers and a menu for a good restaurant. You have been here before so recognition would be good, along with someone taking your bag to your room and making you feel as at home as you ever are on your travels.

Is this fantasy? Not really, some hotels are able to use computing power to achieve this. Others dispense with a reception desk altogether and greet and register with a hand held tablet computer, putting a guest at their ease and sitting them down to register them. If a guest is a regular then make them feel welcome back. Use your geography, the layout of the hotel to help deliver the surprise and pleasure of a proper welcome.

The ambiance and environment of a hotel is glimpsed through the neatness and appropriateness of the hotel reception desk. There is more to designing it than merely adding furniture pieces that look good…

The texture, color and shape of the reception in your hotel must reflect a mood that is appropriate for its function. As soon as the guest enters a hotel, the first place they head to is the reception desk. A comfortable, stylish, functional and non-cluttered reception desk makes sure they don’t turn around and head out instantly!

(Different color and shape of the reception desk for your hotel)

Hotel areas should be designed keeping in mind the frequency of use and the reception is the most frequently used area no doubt. Other elements to keep in mind are factors like spillage in the area, amount of space required and the number of people who will man it.

(Attractive hotel reception design with sitting area)

The hotel reception area should be a large open area where visitors get their first exposure to the hotel’s amenities. The cliched saying, “first impression is the last impression” really holds true here and most hotels spend a great deal of thought and funds into creating a beautiful reception area.

(Large open area for hotel reception)

Fabrics used for furnishing the reception area must be looked at both from a wear and tear basis and the design point of view. The reception area is also used by guests for meetings visitors, hosting business meetings, afternoon teas could be taken here – this means upholstery could be prone to spillage. This makes it important to choose carefully yet tastefully when designing the area.

(Hotel reception area used by guests)

A large, spacious and attractive reception desk looks neat and tidy. All the electrical paraphernalia required by the staff like computers and other machinery must have inlaid consoles to hide away all the untidy wiring. Any art work and colors used must be attractive yet functional so as not to override the purpose of the reception desk.

(Spacious and Attractive reception desk)

You could choose desks made from Hickory, Sawn Oak or Cherry wood tables – all of these have different grains and colors that can do wonders to the ambiance. Add a finishing coat for an even luster or a gleaming glass table top. These could be plain or with etched colorful art on the glass for that extra effect. Instead of paperwork on the table, add sliding drawers and filing cabinets that remain hidden under the top.

(Designer Hotel reception desk with wood table) 

Another important factor when choosing the reception desk is the required height. Depending on whether the staff will be seated or standing, the height of the reception desk can vary. Also, you must consider the comfort of your guests when choosing the height. Another factor to consider is ample knee space and proper height consideration for guests who use wheelchairs.

(Height of the hotel reception desk)

Together with the feel and look of the reception area, you need to adopt practicality as well when designing the space, display and seating of your hotel’s reception area.

(Seating near hotel reception)