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A multi-billion dollar revenue source, the hotel industry is constantly growing and evolving to accommodate its clientele. To encourage repeat business and profitability, the entire guest experience needs to be as perfect as possible from stepping into the lobby to the eventual checkout. As a result, the scope of hotel design has expanded beyond luxury and aesthetic appeal to incorporate elements that are increasingly important to today’s guests in traditional spaces.
Hotel design encompasses three main area types: public spaces, guest rooms and back of house. Each area has different needs and with Altro’s diverse portfolio of products we have solutions for all three.
Consisting of lobbies, corridors, dining halls, fitness centers, spas and even pools, this category of spaces should reflect the hotel’s unique personality while providing a safe and hygienic environment. Where these are often the first spaces seen by guests, it is extremely important that they prioritize cleanliness and aesthetics. The increased foot traffic results in stringent cleaning regimes and a need for finishes that can resist wear and tear. Slip resistance, comfort underfoot and bacteria resistance are all design elements to consider in these areas.
Hotel lobbies provide an attractive, comfortable space for both work and socialization. Natural visuals and finishes work particularly well in this application to create a soothing, calm setting in which guests can unwind.
Altro Lavencia LVT offers a wide variety of these finishes with impressive durability that can endure heavy foot traffic without compromising its appearance. Combine this range with Altro Whiterock wall designs decorative wall cladding for a complete interior solution.
When considering flooring for widespread use throughout corridors, noise reduction and the ability to withstand constant foot traffic as well as rolling loads are essential. Designed with integrated sound insulation properties, Altro Orchestra offers noise reduction of up to 15dB with low residual indentation, making it ideal for corridors and circulation areas. Coordinating walls should be impact-resistant to avoid cracking or chipping from carts and luggage. Similar to other public spaces, dining areas should balance aesthetics and durability in their design.
Easily cleanable products are valuable in these environments to counteract food and beverage spills, promoting hygiene and deterring slip and fall accidents. Altro Symphonia smooth flooring and Altro Lavencia LVT provide low-maintenance solutions with sufficient slip resistance for these applications.
Hotel fitness centers are intended primarily for casual workouts involving cardio exercises and light to moderate weight training. In these rooms, flooring products with ample comfort underfoot and noise reduction properties are the preferred choice. Foam-backed ranges with integrated sound insulation including Altro Wood Comfort and Altro Orchestra are ideal in active environments as well as spa areas that prioritize a quiet, soothing experience.
For areas with more advanced workout gear, Altro Walkway 20 boasts lasting durability as well as additional slip resistance to optimize safety.
The safety of both guests and staff alike is the highest priority when designing hotel pools. Flooring specified for these areas should provide ample slip resistance, as guests spend a majority of their time walking across slick surfaces barefoot. Altro Marine 20 was developed for lasting performance in poolside settings, achieving a high slip resistance value for barefoot use. This range is also easy to clean and maintain, making it a hygienic option that prevents bacteria accumulation.
The primary goal of any guest room is to resemble a “home away from home” as closely as possible so that patrons are encouraged to return for multiple stays. Noise reduction as well as familiar aesthetics have grown to play a significant role in determining whether guests will consider a particular hotel beyond their initial visit. Materials with integrated acoustic benefits as well as a residential feel are preferred for these applications.
Altro Wood Comfort and its thicker counterpart, Altro Wood Acoustic, provide impressive sound insulation of up to 19dB, ensuring peace and privacy between rooms. Both of these ranges share coordinating shades as well, allowing for a consistent design that can adapt to the specific needs of each area.
Hygiene is the top priority when designing guest bathrooms. Though ceramic tiles are a common option in these areas, they are susceptible to cracking and chipping, while porous grout can harbor harmful bacteria immune to routine maintenance. Products with smooth, consistent surfaces such as Altro Orchestra and Altro Serenade offer improved durability and are easier to clean efficiently. Their heat-welded seams create a watertight seal that prevents moisture from escaping below the surface and compromising guests’ safety.
From kitchens and employee locker rooms to laundry rooms and storage, back-of-house spaces should provide staff with a safe and comfortable environment. Slip resistance is especially crucial in kitchen and laundry room areas where liquid contaminants are more common and can become safety hazards. Flooring products with ample cushion underfoot are important for back-of-house spaces as they can potentially reduce fatigue in employees standing for long periods.
Kitchen walls and surfaces must adhere to strict hygiene standards to ensure the safety of guests and staff. While quarry tile and epoxy alternatives are typical in these settings, they are not necessarily efficient. Both of these options are susceptible to cracking and chipping that can harbor harmful bacteria while simultaneously increasing the risk of slip and fall accidents. To make matters worse, FRP panels used to cover kitchen walls can break upon impact and produce airborne glass fibers that can potentially land in a guest’s food for drink.
Combining slip-resistant flooring with impact-resistant wall panels, Altro offers hotel kitchens a fully integrated system to create a safe, hygienic environment for both food and personnel. We have specifically designed our safety flooring and wall protection to address common kitchen issues including accidents, contamination, cleaning and maintenance.
Altro Stronghold 30 registers our highest available slip resistance rating, while Altro Puraguard’s hygienic PVC surface prevents wall damage from moving carts, bumps and dings. Employee areas can refer to any room that is accessible only to staff members. Break rooms, locker rooms and storage spaces are all included in this category.
Employee break rooms and locker rooms require slip-resistant surfaces that are easy to clean and maintain. Brighter palettes rather than neutral colors are especially helpful in these areas in terms of increasing morale among staff. Available in 41 versatile shades, Altro Symphonia smooth flooring can help communicate brand identity while keeping employees safe.
Storage areas can afford to sacrifice aesthetics for increased safety. In these applications, particularly those where liquid contaminants can appear, utilize finishes with higher slip resistance and additional padding in the event of an accident.
In computer and server rooms, flooring with a static dissipative finish is essential to avoid static buildup that can potentially damage electronics. We recommend Altro Walkway 20 SD, the anti-static variation of our popular Altro Walkway 20 slip-resistant flooring range.
Our floor and wall products have become a staple of Marriott hotels, appearing in the national specifications for new construction of their Residence Inn and Courtyard brands. With multiple installations worldwide, Altro provides the hospitality sector with an impressive variety of stylish and practical design options that promote the safety of both patrons and staff. Our flooring and wall cladding collections offer a complete interior solution that is sure to enhance the overall guest experience.
Altro is a Marriott approved sustainability partner and is a Starter Member of the MindClick EH Index™. Products in this program have been reviewed and audited by MindClick to meet Marriott’s rigorous social and environmental goals. Learn more about approved products in the program by visiting the MindClick website.
