Human Spaces 2.0: Biophilic Design in Hospitality

We all love a hotel room with a view, especially if we can see water. In fact, these hotel rooms tend to be priced significantly more than the same room without a view. This is an obvious example of biophilia – human connection to nature – but there are also other ways that hospitality design can connect with nature and create a better guest experience. This paper explores the biophilic design strategies used by hotels around the world to enhance guest experiences. It includes an investigation of pricing differentials for rooms with a view to nature and a discussion of the biophilic qualities of different properties and different space types. Many brands are rediscovering that lobbies can function as more than just transitory space, that they can become spaces that encourage dwell time and increase revenue. This paper also includes the results of an observational study of hotel lobbies with and without biophilic design features. In short, guests like to spend more time in spaces with connections to nature. Biophilic design is becoming an important topic in hospitality design. We should embrace this design trend; it is good for reducing stress, improving well-being and hopefully, the success of a hotel.