How to Create Luxurious Entrances for High-End Hotels

When it comes to hotels, their design significantly impacts whether the guests will have a good experience and want to recommend it to their friends and family, or quite the opposite—and while room design is included in it, it all starts from the entrance.

If a hotel does not have a welcoming entrance, the guests’ first impression of it might not be the best one, which, subconsciously, might affect their enjoyment of the whole stay.

It’s safe to say the entrance design is crucial. However, how do you create a welcoming yet luxurious entrance for a high-end hotel? It’s actually much simpler than one could imagine - and we’ll talk all about it here. From exploring the key elements of a luxurious entrance to the best sustainability practices for this type of establishment, we’ll cover it all.

Key Elements of a Luxurious Hotel Entrance

Creating a luxurious hotel entrance is all about finding the balance between extravagant features so that they don’t result in a tacky and over-the-top look. It’s good to focus on a few main aspects you want to incorporate into your design and build the rest around them.

Some of the key elements typically included in a luxurious hotel entrance project can be divided into a few separate sections,

Grand Entrance Features

As mentioned, the entrance is the first thing that guests will see before even entering the hotel, and although often overlooked, it can make or break their impression of it. That’s why it’s important to focus not only on what they see once they walk through the main door but also on everything before that, from the very moment they step onto hotel grounds.

Those include:

• Driveway - The hotel’s driveway is the first point of contact the guest has with the establishment, so ensuring it is well-designed and visually appealing helps secure a positive first impression. At the same time, it should be easily navigable so that the guests have a comfortable experience from the start.

• Porte-Cochère - If you wish to create a truly luxurious feeling, then including porte-cochère in your design is an easy way to do so. Associated with wealth due to their historical context, as they were a frequent sight in grand estates and mansions, porte-cochères also serve a practical purpose and protect guests from the elements when they’re waiting to be picked up and brought home.

• Lobby - The lobby design is another element that can decide how guests perceive the hotel. Designing a grand yet functional lobby can create an inviting atmosphere and make guests more eager to check in and explore what else the hotel has to offer.

Landscaping and Greenery

Other crucial elements of a luxurious hotel entrance design are landscaping and greenery. Just think about it - if you had two hotels to choose from, each with a spectacular lobby, but one of them has a well-taken-care-of garden, while the other’s lawn was less than pretty, which one would you be more inclined to stay at?

Most would probably say the first hotel and the reason is simple - even if the lobby you designed is the epitome of luxury, it might not be as impressive if it’s the only feature properly maintained.

However, it’s not only about the visual impact—adding greenery in front of the hotel can actually help create a calming atmosphere, as it is known to provide a sense of tranquility and a calming effect. This can positively affect especially those guests who come to the establishment you’re designing after hours of traveling.

This is not to mention all the other benefits having a well-maintained garden landscape brings, such as environmental sustainability, noise reduction, or increased property value.

When coming up with the perfect arrangement, consider two things: what kind of plants you would like to see there and whether you want to include any water features. Adding a small water fountain and a bench next to it can create a dedicated zone where the guests can relax, listening to the sounds of running water.

A good idea, if you don’t want to go overboard with greenery, is to set up a few planters along the hotel entrance - they combine the best of both worlds, as they’re not too flashy, but at the same time, they add the green accent a full garden would. Still, even in this case, lawn maintenance shouldn’t be forgotten.

Lighting and Ambiance

Adding ambient lighting can help you set the mood, and when placed in strategic locations, the light can also help you showcase design features that might otherwise have been overlooked. Additionally, lighting increases guests’ safety by improving visibility and reducing the risk of a tripping accident.

Artistic Accents

Most luxurious entrances will have artwork displayed in different locations, and there’s a good reason for that - art can add character and visual interest to almost any space and, when chosen correctly, can also become a conversation starter.

By carefully selecting a special piece for the hotel entrance you’re designing, you can further enhance the place’s overall aesthetic or showcase an important historical aspect of the district or city the establishment is located in.;

Signage and Branding

An important aspect of every business, clear and stylish signage and branding can go a long way in creating a sense of security in guests, especially if we’re talking about a very young business that hasn’t yet had the time to build its reputation.

If you don’t have the signage yet, remember that it should align with the hotel’s general aesthetic—otherwise, it might look out of place, and your decor might clash with it. It should also be consistent, using the same fonts, textures, and colors across different spaces.

Functional Considerations

A luxurious hotel entrance is not only meant to stun but also needs to be functional—otherwise, no matter how extravagant it is, guests will be less than impressed if they can’t enjoy it comfortably.

Some functional considerations to keep in mind include:

Accessibility

Hotel entrances should be ADA-compliant so that everyone has a good experience when using them. There are several conditions that should be met for that, such as:

• Door width - Doors should be wide enough to accommodate a mobility aid user, with the recommended width being at least 32 inches (81.28 cm) when the door is opened at 90 degrees.

• Door hardware - The hardware, including handles, pulls, and latches, should be operable with one hand and placed no higher than 48 inches (121.92 cm) from the floor.

• Thresholds - Doorway thresholds should be no higher than 0.5 inches (1.27 cm).

• Hallway width - Hallways should be at least 36 inches (91.44 cm) wide.

• Turning spaces - To ensure a wheelchair user is able to turn comfortably, a space of at least 60 inches (152.4 cm) in diameter or a T-shaped space of 60 inches by 60 inches needs to be provided.

Seating and Shelter

Sometimes, the hotel guests might want to enjoy the nice weather outside without having to leave the hotel property - or they might have to wait for their taxi after checking out. Whatever the reason, it’s important that the hotel entrance offers them shelter and comfortable seating while they’re there.

Including benches or outdoor furniture near the entrance, along with some structures that will protect the guests from heat, rain, and other weather conditions, can be very beneficial to their overall experience with the hotel.

Incorporating Local Culture and Sustainability

As a hotel designer, you have the chance to make a difference and choose locally sourced materials and art pieces rather than going for those available anywhere.

Cultural Elements

Nowadays, people are looking for authenticity, and there’s no better way to build it than by using locally sourced materials and supporting local artists by purchasing their art. Doing so can help the hotel stand out from its competitors while still maintaining the luxury feeling.

Sustainable Practices

Luxury and sustainability don’t have to be separated–there are many ways to incorporate sustainable practices into hotel design, especially when it comes to landscaping. Some of the best practices in this case include:

• Opting for native plants - Native plants are already used to the conditions your location’s climate offers, meaning they won’t require as much water or fertilizer.

• Choosing drought-resistant plants for dry climates - If the hotel is in a location that rarely gets rain, going for drought-resistant plants might be the most sustainable option.

• Proposing smart irrigation systems - It’s not always possible to keep track of when each plant was watered, especially if they have different watering needs. With a smart irrigation system, this is done automatically to ensure water needs are met without overdoing it.

• Opting for permeable paving - By using permeable paving materials, you can reduce rainwater runoff, as it will filtrate the soil instead. This can also minimize the chances of someone slipping, especially during winter when rainwater turns into slippery ice.

• Choosing LED lighting - LED lights can reduce energy consumption and light pollution while still keeping the hotel’s architecture well-lit up.

The Bottom Line

A luxurious entrance for a high-end hotel is all about finding the balance between adding extravagant features while keeping the rest of the design simpler so that it doesn’t become an overwhelming sight. It’s a skill that is easy to master as long as you’re willing to put in the work to put in the effort.

Depending on the final outcome you’re going for, when it comes to luxury hotel entrance design, it’s important that you understand that not everything has to be big and spectacular to add that sophisticated look most luxury hotel entrances give off.

Take planters as an example - while they might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word luxury when used correctly, they can be more eye-catching than an expensive garden.

At Pots, Planters, and More, we know that, and that’s why we offer each of our customers a chance to create their own sense of luxury without the high price tag. Our planters are made to last and come with a years-long warranty as proof.

BROWSE THROUGH OUR SELECTION OF PLANTERS AND FIND THE RIGHT ONES FOR YOUR NEXT LUXURY PROJECT HERE