Futuristic hotel concepts: Living lobby is a must-have – Living, working and enjoying is more important than check-in

Hamburg, Germany – 06 June 2016 – Lame lobbies are out: future hotels will welcome their guests with “living lobbies”. Warm welcome, breakfast, business with high-speed WiFi and enjoying football evenings together in front of the flat – this is the new, or: rediscovered Melting Pot of the smart hospitality industry with potential. TOPHOTELPROJECTS is focusing on these trends as well.

Living lobby at new Tru by Hilton hotel concept (Photo/Graphic: Hilton Worldwide)

Latest aspirant is still the young hotel brand Tru by Hilton. With “The Hive” the brand will create a new, active encounter zone in the budget design hotels: Relaxed working in shielded areas, entertainment and fun with video games, casual relaxing on lounge furniture and supply of snacks and cool drinks.

Europe’s Hotel Group No. 1, Accor, realized this in a new concept for its Ibis budget hotels: The reception desk is remarkably short, the breakfast buffet for the tightly calculated price / performance ratio abundant, the wireless internet access acceptable and long benches and casual armchairs are urban-modern. “Living Lobby” is staged media-friendly through several large TV screens.

Literally alive is the new Steigenberger concept Jaz in the city. The first hotel in Amsterdam is characterized by live performances in restaurant and bar. The shooting success confirms the unusual concept: Shortly after the opening, the occupancy rate was 65 percent, far above target. In a hotel of this new, ground-breaking class you cannot stay in the room, you are looking for connection and inspiration in the lobby and bar.

The spirit of “living lobbies” is being developed further by innovative hotel concepts such as Moxy, element Prizeotel, Citizen M, Mama Shelter. The hotel industry will reinvent itself with smart nonchalance (“Work hard, play hard”). This follows pioneering hosts such as César Ritz, where every guest received a “Grande Entrée” in its Grand Hotels – only now in jeans and without a tie.

Smart technology for new top hotels – Useful tools and applications to increase the comfort

Hamburg, Germany – 30 March 2016 – More than 5,500 hotel projects with over 1.2 million rooms are currently in the pipeline worldwide. New technology is a huge part in new projects. TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the specialized service provider in the exchange of cutting-edge information between clients and contractors in the international hotel industry, is showing some new trends:

• Tablet computers – printed documents are already replaced by digital ones. Via a tablet the guest can read newspapers, stream videos and control the air conditioner.
• Service robots – a new towel, a bath robe at the pool or another soft drink in the spa is no problem for the android. Further robots are already in action in the kitchen and the basement, the logistic or in the storing place.
• Entertainments in F&B outlets – embedded touchscreens in bars and in tables are offering fun with games, short video clips and simplify the reorder of food and beverage.
• Interactive smart TV to become information spots – innovative screens in the lobby could be controlled by fingertip or foot kick. The digital lifestyle concierge supports the guests with valuable tips and advices for new hot spots in the area and must-do’s for sightseeing.
• The VR goggles help to discover new destinations – with brilliant 3D footage hotel guests can discover their next travel destinations along with tasting the local wines and foods.