Design is more than décor, it’s the language of experience ! Modern travellers don’t just book a stay; they seek spaces that feel right thoughtful, aesthetic, and emotionally grounding. At Katha Hospitality, we believe good design isn’t about luxury, it’s about intent. When aesthetics and operations align, guest satisfaction, reviews, and brand value naturally follow. Read our latest blog on how aesthetics shape the modern traveller’s journey 👉🔗https://lnkd.in/gMZ88Bai #KathaHospitality #HospitalityConsulting #HotelDevelopment #HospitalityDesign #GuestExperience #HotelInvestors #HotelOperators #TravelTrends #HospitalityLeadership #HotelBranding #BoutiqueHotels #HospitalityBusiness #TravelIndustry #DesignMatters #HospitalityCommunity #HotelOwners

🌿 From Heritage to Hospitality: South Africa’s New Design Narrative  🌿 In 2025, South African hospitality is moving beyond grandeur and opulence, to something deeper: authenticity. This is where luxury is increasingly defined by the successful collaboration between bespoke charm and storytelling. Hotels are grounding their spaces in local identity using designs, furnishings and fabrics as a means of celebrating heritage and community in a modern way. A striking example of this evolution is Cape Town's Mount Nelson Hotel, which partnered with designer Thebe Magugu to launch the Magugu House - as well as a bespoke suite infused with Afro-modern artistry. This collaboration fuses Mount Nelson's timeless charm with Magugu's contemporary vision - transforming the hotel into a living gallery of South African creativity; where textile and patterns tell a story of heritage reimagined. Across the country, South Africa's heritage hotels are also redefining luxury. As IOL Travel notes, properties from Cape Dutch estates - to colonial-era mansions - are being restored to blend historic architecture with modern design. The result is elegant, culturally grounded hospitality that resonates with both global travelers and locals alike.    These shifts highlight a growing demand for industry professionals who understand that true hospitality is about meaningful and authentic experiences.  At Hospitality Placements, we go beyond matching skills to roles - we connect passionate, creative individuals with brands and businesses that share their values and vision.  As South African hospitality continues to evolve, we're proud to partner with the industry's most forward-thinking establishments - helping shape teams that provide culture, creativity and purpose to every experience. More Info on the Mount Nelson Hotel and Thebe Magugu's collaboration:  https://lnkd.in/dUF_SUez https://lnkd.in/dJAX9eSk More info on IOL Travel's heritage article:  https://lnkd.in/dKpY84wd

Lighting is more than just illumination in hospitality—it's the subtle storyteller of your brand. The right lighting transforms a hotel's lobby from simply functional to warmly inviting, a restaurant from ordinary to truly memorable. It shapes atmosphere, directs flow, and highlights design features that make your venue stand out. In a recent hotel refurbishment we completed, layering ambient and accent lighting improved guest comfort while showcasing bespoke art pieces. The outcome? A 25% uplift in guest satisfaction scores and glowing reviews praising the ambience. For hospitality environments, lighting requires a strategic approach: • Balance aesthetics with practicality—ensure visual comfort while creating atmosphere. • Employ layering techniques to add depth and flexibility throughout the day. • Highlight architectural and design focal points that reinforce your brand identity. At Harp Design, our award-winning team crafts bespoke lighting schemes that improve guest experiences and support your business goals. Because in hospitality, every detail matters. How well does your current lighting design tell your brand's story? #CommercialInteriorDesign #InteriorDesigner #DesignInspiration #InteriorDesignExperts #HotelDesign #FutureOfWork

𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 The hospitality industry is increasingly embracing holistic wellness experiences and slow living design elements, aiming to restore balance and foster deeper connections. These emerging trends reflect a shift toward environments that nurture both body and mind. Insights on this evolution come from two design leaders at DLR Group — Hospitality Leader Kiko Macharg Singh and Middle East Design Director Bianca Van der Merwe — who highlight how wellness-driven interiors are reshaping the future of hospitality. DLR Group | Kiko Macharg Singh | Bianca Van der Merwe #HospitalityDesign #WellnessArchitecture #InteriorDesign #DLRGroup #SlowLiving #HolisticDesign #FutureOfHospitality

Did you know that 83% of travelers consider it essential to choose sustainable accommodations? That’s what a recent Booking.com survey reveals. And this growing interest is turning into real results: in 2023, hotels that implemented sustainable practices reported a 12% increase in revenue compared to those that didn’t. What does this mean for the hospitality sector? That sustainable furniture is no longer a decorative extra, but a key part of a smart business strategy: • Designed durability – furniture built to last for years, with parts that can be easily repaired or refreshed. • A circular economy that works – conscious design aimed at reusing, not replacing. • Consumer trust – more and more guests are choosing to stay in places that reflect their environmental values. Designing with long-term thinking isn’t just a responsibility. It’s a competitive advantage that more players are starting to embrace. #HospitalityInsights #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #SustainableFurniture #HospitalityTrends #EcoHospitality #CalmaiStudio

Beyond Aesthetics: How Multi-Sensory Design is Redefining Hospitality ROI The real estate industry's relationship with F&B and hospitality design is no longer just about luxury fit-outs—it’s about crafting an experience that drives loyalty and longevity. According to a recent analysis in Hotel Yearbook by designer Yasmine Mahmoudieh, the future of hospitality is defined by a seamless integration of sustainability, technology, and experience. This is where true ROI is generated. The key takeaway for developers and asset owners is the fundamental shift in design philosophy: - The Wellness Factor: Design is now recognized as directly impacting the health and well-being of occupants. This pushes for biophilic elements, natural light, and open spaces that resonate with guests on a deeper, emotional level. - Multi-Sensory Approach: The adoption of a multi-sensory approach. By engaging all senses (beyond sight), spaces become "immersive, resonant," and contribute to a culturally relevant and deeply engaging narrative. - Longevity and ROI: Sustainable, innovative designs that are built to withstand time reduce the environmental impact and the financial impact of frequent refurbishments. This thoughtful, enduring design is central to long-term economic viability and improved ROI. Simply put, a building’s design must transition from being a static backdrop to a dynamic, emotional amenity that generates its own positive brand equity. How are developers and real estate funds effectively modeling and justifying the higher initial CapEx for truly innovative, experiential, and sustainable F&B design, ensuring their investment thesis successfully captures the intangible benefits of increased retention, premium pricing, and enhanced asset valuation over a 10-15 year holding period? Read the full article on Redefining Hospitality: A Vision for Sustainable and Innovative Design here: https://lnkd.in/da4XBCpC #ExperientialDesign #HospitalityDesign #RealEstateDevelopment #AssetStrategy #Sustainability #NeuroArchitecture #PropTech #LuxuryRealEstate #WellnessDesign #Hotels #FutureOfWork Unstudio Architects Rockwell Group

Hotel Furniture Trends 2025: What Hotels Really Care About In 2025, hotel furniture decisions are no longer just about looks. We see a few clear shifts: ✨ Sustainability – More hotels want eco-friendly materials, but they also balance this with cost. ⚡ Speed & Flexibility – Shorter renovation cycles push demand for modular solutions and faster delivery. 🛋️ Quality & Durability – Owners are asking for longer life cycles and stricter QC, since replacing poor furniture hurts both budgets and guest satisfaction. 🎨 Design Impact – Bolder colors and textures are used to create memorable guest experiences. For suppliers, this means not just selling furniture, but offering quality assurance, shorter lead times, and real customization. 💬 What do you think matters most when selecting hotel furniture today — cost, speed, or durability? #HotelFurniture #Hospitality #Sustainability #Customization #DesignTrends #GuestExperience

In modern hotel design, technology is no longer a layer added near the end. It quietly shapes how spaces are experienced, managed, and remembered. From the way a guest connects to the network, to how lighting, access control, and digital signage respond to their presence, every interaction depends on systems working seamlessly behind the scenes. Achieving that balance begins with early clarity, not only on what technology to include but on how it integrates with architecture, interiors, and operations. The decisions made in those early stages define the quality, reliability, and adaptability of the final outcome. When these systems are considered holistically from day one, the result feels effortless: technology that enhances comfort, security, and efficiency without demanding attention. When they are not, even the most refined spaces risk operational inefficiencies, guest frustration, lost revenue and technology that feels more like an obstacle than an enabler. Poor coordination can also lead to abortive works, costly variations, and construction delays that affect both delivery and guest experience. For Hotel developers and operators, the question becomes: how early in the process should technology integration be part of the conversation? #AV #ICT #Security #Acoustics #HospitalityDesign #SmartHotels #TechnologyIntegration #AcousticDesign #thinktechnology #ARPConsulting

We couldn’t agree more with Alex’s perspective. Technology should never be an afterthought - it needs to be embedded into the design and development process from the very beginning. From our experience, when technology decisions are left to be cost-engineered late in a project, the result is often a patchwork of systems trying to achieve the same goal but not quite aligning. This creates inefficiencies, fragmented guest experiences, and operational challenges that undermine the original design intent. #SmartHotels #HotelTechnology #GuestExperience https://lnkd.in/guE-uay4

Octavio Lora Aranda met the team at Studio Moren this week together with Callum Brewer where he was invited to deliver a CPD on good acoustic design principles for hotel projects. It was great to be able to return to the Studio again this year following the CPD that Callum delivered in November 2024 on Noise and Planning. In hospitality and leisure environments, sound plays a crucial yet often overlooked role in shaping visitor experience. From hotels and restaurants to fitness centers and entertainment venues, acoustic design can be the difference between a space that delights or disappoints. During the session, discussion was had on how to achieve good sound insulation performance with slim partitions, considering all elements like door seals. The team also looked at acoustic treatments for communal spaces and hospitality spaces within hotels ensuring the space is fit for purpose. We hope you found it of interest and useful to your design work and thank you for booking in a session with us. For more information on our Lunch and Learn sessions click here:-https://lnkd.in/ePq58mEZ #CPD #LunchAndLearn #Hotel #BuildingAcoustics #AcousticDesign #AcousticTreatment #Architect #AcousticConsultancy