Leading upscale hotel brands are finding few things work as well as music when it comes to connecting with today’s traveler

You know the saying – you only get one chance to make a first impression. The moment guests step through the hotel door for the first time, the judging starts.

Hospitality employees can make or break the customer experience at your hotel.

When it comes to renovating or building boutique and premiere hotels, the best owners and operators know they can’t limit themselves to décor.

They understand that while the finest custom-designed carpets, wall coverings and furniture in the world are critical to delivering a unique guest experience, they can’t cover up the stain of poor customer service.

The desire to connect will continue driving hotel design in 2019.

Here are four trends that drove hotel design in 2018 and are poised to strengthen in the New Year.

Fun communal spaces

Many hospitality experts foresee hotels redesigning lobbies to create fun gathering places that will draw guests out of their rooms to mingle.