The hotel lobby
Lobby of Only You Hotel in Madrid
Dear traveler and friend,
It's been a long time since the last time I wrote. Today I found inspiration in the lobby of a beautiful hotel in the heart of Madrid, and I wanted to share with you these thoughts about one of the most often undervalued spaces in a hotel: the lobby.
We tend to think of a hotel as just a room, a bed to sleep, and breakfast, but it's so much more than that. It's the street it's located, the clientele who come and go, the restaurants and cafes nearby... countless times I've come across 5-star hotels that, just because of these details, should be rated 3.
A hotel lobby is the hotel's calling card. It's like when you go to a job interview: the initial details and how you present yourself make all the difference. Just by the atmosphere in the lobby, you can already get an idea of what your stay will be like. Is it noisy? Are things tidy? Is it cold or welcoming? Are there many business people? Is there background music? How were you greeted? Was there a concierge at the entrance? Did they know you were arriving? Those 5 minutes can truly make all the difference.
I recently read that one of the secrets to the success of one of the world's best hotels was the complimentary cookies they offered in the lobby. One day they stopped removing them, and many travelers complained: the only reason they booked was for that cookie they received upon arrival because they really felt welcomed and like being at home.
Personally I've had countless experiences in hotel lobbies. I've had calls, meetings, waited, I have been waited for, walked past the entrance ten times because I forgot something, encountered setbacks; and other days, like today for example, I can simply stand quietly and observe.
This text is a call to everyone who works in this industry to take care of the hotel lobby, to don’t take it for granted and to ensure that first impression is excellent. Many stories unfold within those four entry walls.
At Luxscape, we believe these details are what make the difference. Our partners are hotels that tell stories, that have their own unique personality. This lobby has warm Asian touches and then opens onto a bright, plant-filled courtyard where you're welcomed. You're transported to another place for a second, and those are the kinds of experiences we're looking for. We invite you to experience it for yourself.