The Hotel Inspector 2013 - (Page 48)

LET THERE BE PHOTOGRAPHY: Getty Images J ames Thurber once wrote that ‘there are two kinds of light – the glow that illuminates and the glare that obscures’.’ For a hotel, it’s imperative that its lighting creates that illuminating glow: getting the mood right in each area of the establishment is critical to constructing the perfect setting for your guests’ delectation. On the other hand, incoherent or just plain ugly lighting will become the ‘glare that obscures’ the other assets of the venue. Bright lights in a cocktail bar for example will have your clientele running for cover, whereas excessively dim lighting in corridors could leave your guests struggling to find their way to and from their rooms (and could constitute a major safety hazard in the event of an emergency). Lighting should be considered right from the start of an interior design (or redesign) – especially in the primary communal areas where its impact is so important when it comes to setting the appropriate tone. In many ways, it’s an art as much as a science, being used to decorate as much to 048 BRIGHT IDEA A modern bar requires sharp, clever lighting. shining off both the shelves to show off the drinks and the floor to guide people to their places – but elsewhere subtly diffused to encourage patrons to relax and stay put. illuminate (again, particularly when it comes to locations such as bars and restaurants). Lights can add to – or even create – the wow factor every hotelier wants his establishment to possess, so make sure you’re fully aware of the effect you want to achieve when making plans to build or redecorate any of those crucial communal areas. And, of course, be aware of the role played by natural light too: a beautifully lit bar might lose much of its impact if the effect is drowned out by the sunlight pouring in on a summer evening, while on the other hand natural lighting can create stunning effects in atria and lobbies which even the smartest artificial lighting might struggle to match. Of course, today’s technology enables us to change a venue's lighting at the touch of a button, the turn of a dial or a few keystrokes into a central control system. But having such variable, flexible lighting is not an option for every establishment as costs can be relatively forbidding; those businesses which can afford it, however, now have access THE HOTEL INSPECTOR 48-49 lighting.FINAL.indd 48 7/1/13 11:53:28 

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Hotel Inspector 2013

Alex's welcome
News bulletin
Bedrooms
Statement pieces
Refurbishment
Bathrooms
Series round up
Gym & Spas
Fine dining
Lobbies
Lighting
Seating
Kitchen matters
Energy efficiency
Food management
Cooking equipment
Technology upgrade
App integration
Bioenergy
Renewable energy
Weddings
The Hospitality Show
Hospitality Technology Expo
Business supplies
Cleaning
Hotel management
Global clients
The 10 best hotels
AA interview
Hotels of the future

The Hotel Inspector 2013

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