RESORT DESIGN REFERS TO THE PROCESS OF CREATING AND

PLANNING THE PHYSICAL LAYOUT, ARCHITECTURE, AND OVERALL

ATMOSPHERE OF A RESORT PROPERTY. THIS INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM
THE DESIGN OF INDIVIDUAL GUEST ROOMS AND SUITES TO THE OVERALL
LAYOUT OF THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING AMENITIES SUCH AS SWIMMING
POOLS, RESTAURANTS, AND OUTDOOR SPACES.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RESORT DESIGN IN THE HOSPITALITY

INDUSTRY IS PARAMOUNT, AS IT CAN GREATLY IMPACT A GUEST’S OVERALL
EXPERIENCE AND SATISFACTION WITH THEIR STAY. GOOD RESORT DESIGN
CAN HELP TO CREATE A WELCOMING AND IMMERSIVE ATMOSPHERE THAT
TRANSPORTS GUESTS AWAY FROM THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES AND INTO A
WORLD OF RELAXATION AND LUXURY. IN CONTRAST, POOR RESORT DESIGN
CAN DETRACT FROM THE GUEST EXPERIENCE AND LEAVE A NEGATIVE
IMPRESSION THAT CAN IMPACT THEIR LIKELIHOOD OF RETURNING OR
RECOMMENDING THE RESORT TO OTHERS.

INTERNET TOURISM SERVICES PROVIDE CHOICE FROM A WIDE RANGE

OF ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING DOMESTIC PROPERTIES (E.G. B&B, GUEST
HOUSES), TRADITIONAL INNS AND VACATION USE OF UNIVERSITY AND
COLLEGE ACCOMMODATION. TOURISTS, PARTICULARLY FAMILIES,
INCREASINGLY CHOOSE SELF-CATERING FACILITIES IN NEW OR
CONVERTED PROPERTIES AND RESORT AREAS WITH ALTERNATIVE OF
EATING PLACES NEARBY. RESORT COMPLEXES ARE DEVELOPED AS SELF-
CONTAINED TOURIST DESTINATIONS COMPLETE WITH EXTENSIVE LEISURE
FACILITIES AND SUPPORTING SERVICES ON SITE. MOST ARE DESIGNED AS
SEASIDE, MARINA, SKI, SPA, GOLF, OR FOREST-BASED HOLIDAY VILLAGE
RESORTS. TOURIST RESORTS MAY BE OPERATED BY A COMMERCIAL
COMPANY, OR CO-OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT. IN THE LATTER,
ACCOMMODATION IS BASED ON APARTMENTS, LODGES, AND OTHER
PROPERTIES FOR SALE ON INDIVIDUAL, TIME-SHARE, OR CONDOMINIUM
ARRANGEMENTS.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
SITES AND SURROUNDINGS THE LOCATION AND SITE LARGELY DICTATE THE
DESIGN AND RELATIONSHIP OF THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF A HOTEL:

• RESORTS – VIEWS OF THE ATTRACTIONS (E.G. SEA, LAKE, PARK,

SPECTACULAR SCENERY) PROVIDE MARKETING AND HIGHER VALUE
REVENUE HOTELS BENEFITS. THIS SHOULD BE MAXIMIZED FOR
GUESTROOMS AND PUBLIC AREAS SUCH AS RESTAURANTS. INTERESTING
SITE ACTIVITIES (E.G. MARINA, GOLF COURSE, SWIMMING POOL) AND
EXOTIC LANDSCAPING ALSO INFLUENCE THE LAYOUT.

• CITY CENTER DEVELOPMENTS – THESE ARE DETERMINED MAINLY BY SITE

CONSTRAINTS AND PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS. HIGH SITE COSTS MAY
LED TO HIGH VALUE FRONTAGES BEING USED FOR SHOPS AND MALLS,
PENTHOUSE FLOORS AS LUXURY SERVICED APARTMENTS OR SUITES.

• KEY CITY SITES – THESE ALLOW FOR HIGH-RISE STATEMENT BUILDINGS

WHICH, THEMSELVES, ATTRACT ATTENTION. THEY MAY BE DESIGNED
ENTIRELY AS A HOTEL OR FOR MULTIPLE USERS WITH SPECIFIC FLOORS
ALLOCATED FOR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICES.

• SUBURBAN SITES – HERE SITE AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS ARE LOWER

AND ALLOW GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN SITE LAYOUT AND BUILDING DESIGN.

• ROADSIDE AND STOPOVER PLACES – THESE CATER FOR MOTORISTS AND

OTHER TRAVELERS AND ARE INVARIABLY CHAIN OPERATED BUDGET
DESIGNS, WITH STANDARDIZED ROOMS AND MINIMAL FACILITIES FOR
MEALS.
• THE MAIN ENTRANCE MUST BE PROMINENT, APPROPRIATE FOR THE STYLE
AND GRADE OF HOTEL. IN URBAN HOTELS, SECONDARY ACCESS FROM THE
CAR PARK MUST LEAD DIRECTLY TO THE RECEPTION LOBBY. A SEPARATE
ENTRANCE AND RECEPTION MAY BE REQUIRED FOR LARGE CONVENTION/
FUNCTION GROUPS.

ACCESS AND SITE DEVELOPMENT

IN THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN STAGE, CONSIDERATION MUST BE GIVEN TO:

• RESTRICTIONS, INCLUDING PLANNING, PROPERTY RIGHTS AND OTHER

LEGAL LIMITATIONS, WHICH MAY LIMIT PLOT RATIO AND HEIGHT OF
BUILDING.

• ACCESS ROUTES TO SEPARATE GUESTS FROM GOODS

DELIVERY/SERVICES AND EMPLOYEE ENTRIES.

• SITE PLANNING FOR PARKING REQUIREMENTS AND POTENTIAL FUTURE

EXTENSIONS.

• SUPPORT AREAS (E.G. FOYERS, EQUIPMENT STORES, FOOD SERVICE

FACILITIES, STAFF ACCESS) MUST BE SITED ADJACENT OR EASILY
ACCESSIBLE WITH EFFECTIVE SCREENING TO AVOID DISTURBANCE IN USE.
2.5 GUESTROOMS BEDROOMS AND SUITES FOR RESIDENT GUESTS ARE
LOCATED TO BENEFIT FROM VIEWS AND DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE NOISE AND
DISTURBANCE. RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION IS THE LARGEST
GENERATOR OF NET REVENUE AND TYPICALLY OCCUPIES SOME 70–75 PER
CENT OF THE BUILT AREA IN FULL-SERVICE HOTELS, SEE TABLE I.
UNDERSTANDING THE SITE AND ITS CONTEXT

ANALYZING THE SITE AND ITS CONTEXT IS A CRUCIAL FIRST STEP IN

RESORT DESIGN, AS IT ALLOWS DESIGNERS TO UNDERSTAND THE UNIQUE
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF A PARTICULAR LOCATION AND TO
CREATE A DESIGN THAT IS HARMONIOUS WITH THE SURROUNDING
ENVIRONMENT. BEFORE BEGINNING THE DESIGN PROCESS, IT IS ESSENTIAL
TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH SITE ANALYSIS THAT CONSIDERS FACTORS
SUCH AS TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATE, LANDSCAPE, AND CULTURAL CONTEXT.

WHEN CHOOSING A SITE FOR A RESORT, THERE ARE MANY FACTORS

TO CONSIDER. TOPOGRAPHY, FOR EXAMPLE, CAN IMPACT THE LAYOUT AND
DESIGN OF THE RESORT, AS STEEP OR UNEVEN TERRAIN MAY REQUIRE
INNOVATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY AND COMFORT
FOR GUESTS. CLIMATE IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION, AS IT CAN
IMPACT EVERYTHING FROM THE MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION TO
THE DESIGN OF OUTDOOR SPACES AND AMENITIES. THE LANDSCAPE AND
SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT ARE ALSO KEY FACTORS, AS THEY CAN
INSPIRE THE DESIGN AESTHETIC AND CREATE A SENSE OF PLACE THAT IS
UNIQUE AND IMMERSIVE.

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A SITE INCLUDE

ACCESSIBILITY, PROXIMITY TO KEY ATTRACTIONS OR AMENITIES, AND THE
CULTURAL CONTEXT OF THE SURROUNDING AREA. FOR EXAMPLE, A
RESORT LOCATED IN A CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT AREA MAY WANT TO
INCORPORATE ELEMENTS OF LOCAL ART, ARCHITECTURE, OR DESIGN INTO
THE PROPERTY TO CREATE A SENSE OF AUTHENTICITY AND RESPECT FOR
THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. ONCE A SITE HAS BEEN SELECTED, A THOROUGH
SITE ANALYSIS CAN INFORM THE DESIGN DECISIONS FOR THE RESORT. BY
UNDERSTANDING THE UNIQUE FEATURES AND CHALLENGES OF THE SITE,
DESIGNERS CAN CREATE A DESIGN THAT IS HARMONIOUS WITH THE
SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT AND MAXIMIZES THE OPPORTUNITIES
PRESENTED BY THE LOCATION.

FOR EXAMPLE, A RESORT LOCATED ON A HILLSIDE MAY INCORPORATE

TERRACED GARDENS OR DECKS THAT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NATURAL
LANDSCAPE AND PROVIDE STUNNING VIEWS FOR GUESTS. SIMILARLY, A
RESORT LOCATED IN A HOT AND HUMID CLIMATE MAY INCORPORATE
NATURAL VENTILATION AND SHADING STRATEGIES TO KEEP GUESTS COOL
AND COMFORTABLE. OVERALL, ANALYZING THE SITE AND ITS CONTEXT IS A
CRUCIAL STEP IN THE RESORT DESIGN PROCESS THAT CAN INFORM
DESIGN DECISIONS AND HELP CREATE A UNIQUE AND IMMERSIVE
EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS. BY CONSIDERING FACTORS SUCH AS
TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATE, LANDSCAPE, AND CULTURAL CONTEXT,
DESIGNERS CAN CREATE A DESIGN THAT IS BOTH FUNCTIONAL AND
HARMONIOUS WITH THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT, LEADING TO A
MORE MEMORABLE AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS.

DESIGNING FOR THE GUEST EXPERIENCE

THE GUEST EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF RESORT

DESIGN, AS THE GOAL OF ANY RESORT IS TO PROVIDE A MEMORABLE AND
ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS. A SUCCESSFUL RESORT DESIGN
SHOULD PRIORITIZE THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF GUESTS AND CREATE AN
ENVIRONMENT THAT IS BOTH WELCOMING AND IMMERSIVE. BY FOCUSING
ON THE GUEST EXPERIENCE, RESORTS CAN DIFFERENTIATE THEMSELVES
FROM THEIR COMPETITORS AND CREATE LOYAL CUSTOMERS WHO RETURN
TIME AND AGAIN. CREATING A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS IS
ESSENTIAL IN RESORT DESIGN, AS IT CAN GREATLY IMPACT THEIR OVERALL
SATISFACTION WITH THEIR STAY. FROM THE MOMENT GUESTS ARRIVE ON
THE PROPERTY TO THE MOMENT THEY DEPART, EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR
EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE CAREFULLY PLANNED AND EXECUTED TO ENSURE
A SMOOTH AND ENJOYABLE STAY. THIS INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM THE
CHECK-IN PROCESS TO THE LAYOUT OF GUEST ROOMS, THE QUALITY OF
AMENITIES, AND THE DESIGN OF OUTDOOR SPACES.

KEY DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A POSITIVE GUEST

EXPERIENCE INCLUDE AMENITIES, OUTDOOR SPACES, AND ROOM LAYOUT.
AMENITIES SUCH AS SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, AND FITNESS CENTERS CAN
PROVIDE GUESTS WITH A VARIETY OF OPTIONS FOR RELAXATION AND
RECREATION, WHILE OUTDOOR SPACES SUCH AS GARDENS, TERRACES,
AND COURTYARDS CAN PROVIDE STUNNING VIEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES
FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. ROOM LAYOUT IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT DESIGN
ELEMENT THAT CAN IMPACT THE GUEST EXPERIENCE. GUEST ROOMS
SHOULD BE DESIGNED WITH COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY IN MIND,
PROVIDING AMPLE SPACE FOR RELAXATION AND REST, AS WELL AS
NECESSARY AMENITIES SUCH AS COMFORTABLE BEDDING, HIGH-QUALITY
LIGHTING, AND AMPLE STORAGE SPACE.

IN ADDITION TO THESE KEY DESIGN ELEMENTS, CREATING A POSITIVE

GUEST EXPERIENCE REQUIRES ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND A COMMITMENT
TO EXCELLENCE IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE RESORT DESIGN. FROM THE
SELECTION OF MATERIALS AND FINISHES TO THE LAYOUT OF PUBLIC
SPACES AND THE QUALITY OF SERVICE PROVIDED BY STAFF, EVERY DETAIL
SHOULD BE CAREFULLY PLANNED AND EXECUTED TO CREATE A COHESIVE
AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS. OVERALL, PRIORITIZING THE
GUEST EXPERIENCE IS ESSENTIAL IN RESORT DESIGN, AS IT CAN
DIFFERENTIATE A PROPERTY FROM ITS COMPETITORS AND CREATE A LOYAL
CUSTOMER BASE. BY CREATING A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS
FROM ARRIVAL TO DEPARTURE AND INCORPORATING KEY DESIGN
ELEMENTS SUCH AS AMENITIES, OUTDOOR SPACES, AND ROOM LAYOUT,
RESORTS CAN CREATE A TRULY MEMORABLE AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE
FOR THEIR GUESTS.

BALANCING DESIGN AND FUNCTIONALITY

 BALANCING DESIGN AND FUNCTIONALITY IS A CRUCIAL
CONSIDERATION IN RESORT DESIGN, AS A RESORT MUST NOT ONLY BE
VISUALLY APPEALING BUT ALSO MEET THE PRACTICAL NEEDS OF GUESTS
AND STAFF. WHILE A VISUALLY STUNNING RESORT CAN ATTRACT GUESTS
AND CREATE A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE, A RESORT THAT FAILS TO MEET
FUNCTIONAL NEEDS CAN LEAD TO FRUSTRATION AND DISAPPOINTMENT
FOR GUESTS AND STAFF ALIKE.

ONE OF THE KEY CHALLENGES IN ACHIEVING A BALANCE BETWEEN

DESIGN AND FUNCTIONALITY IS ENSURING THAT THE RESORT’S DESIGN
ELEMENTS ARE NOT ONLY VISUALLY APPEALING BUT ALSO SERVE A
FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE. FOR EXAMPLE, A RESORT THAT PRIORITIZES
AESTHETICS OVER PRACTICALITY MAY HAVE BEAUTIFUL BUT
UNCOMFORTABLE FURNITURE, WHICH COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE
GUEST EXPERIENCE. ON THE OTHER HAND, A RESORT THAT FOCUSES
SOLELY ON FUNCTIONALITY MAY HAVE A STERILE, UNINVITING
ATMOSPHERE, WHICH CAN BE EQUALLY DETRIMENTAL TO THE GUEST
EXPERIENCE. ONE WAY TO ACHIEVE A BALANCE BETWEEN DESIGN AND
FUNCTIONALITY IS TO INVOLVE ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THE DESIGN
PROCESS, INCLUDING GUESTS, STAFF, AND MANAGEMENT. THIS CAN HELP
TO ENSURE THAT THE RESORT’S DESIGN MEETS THE NEEDS AND
PREFERENCES OF ALL PARTIES INVOLVED.

ANOTHER STRATEGY IS TO PRIORITIZE FLEXIBILITY IN THE DESIGN,

ALLOWING FOR CHANGES AND ADAPTATIONS AS NEEDED. THIS CAN HELP
TO ENSURE THAT THE RESORT CAN EVOLVE AND ADAPT TO CHANGING
GUEST NEEDS AND PREFERENCES OVER TIME. EXAMPLES OF RESORTS THAT
HAVE SUCCESSFULLY BALANCED DESIGN AND FUNCTIONALITY INCLUDE
THE AMAN TOKYO, WHICH FEATURES A MINIMALIST DESIGN THAT IS BOTH
VISUALLY STUNNING AND FUNCTIONAL, WITH A FOCUS ON CREATING A
PEACEFUL, ZEN-LIKE ATMOSPHERE FOR GUESTS. THE RESORT’S USE OF
NATURAL MATERIALS AND NEUTRAL COLOR PALETTE CREATES A CALMING,
RESTFUL ENVIRONMENT, WHILE THE LAYOUT OF THE ROOMS AND
COMMON AREAS IS CAREFULLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BOTH PRIVACY AND
SOCIAL INTERACTION.
 BEACH RESORTS ARE TYPICALLY LOCATED ALONG THE COAST, AND
THEIR DESIGN OFTEN EMPHASIZES ACCESS TO THE BEACH AND WATER
ACTIVITIES. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR BEACH RESORTS MIGHT
INCLUDE THE PLACEMENT OF ROOMS AND PUBLIC AREAS TO MAXIMIZE
OCEAN VIEWS, THE CREATION OF OUTDOOR SPACES SUCH AS POOLS AND
BEACHSIDE LOUNGES, AND THE USE OF MATERIALS AND COLORS THAT
EVOKE A BEACHY, RELAXED ATMOSPHERE.

DESIGNING FOR ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVITY

DESIGNING RESORTS THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE FOR ALL

GUESTS IS ESSENTIAL IN CREATING AN ENJOYABLE AND WELCOMING
EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR PHYSICAL ABILITIES,
AGE, OR CULTURAL BACKGROUND. IN ADDITION TO BEING A LEGAL
REQUIREMENT IN MANY COUNTRIES, DESIGNING FOR ACCESSIBILITY AND
INCLUSIVITY CAN ALSO BENEFIT ALL GUESTS BY IMPROVING NAVIGATION,
REDUCING STRESS, AND ENHANCING THE OVERALL GUEST EXPERIENCE.

ONE KEY DESIGN STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY IS THE

USE OF RAMPS AND ELEVATORS. RAMPS CAN BE USED TO PROVIDE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO BUILDINGS AND OUTDOOR AREAS, WHILE
ELEVATORS CAN MAKE IT EASIER FOR GUESTS WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS
TO NAVIGATE BETWEEN FLOORS. CLEAR AND CONCISE SIGNAGE IS ALSO
AN IMPORTANT DESIGN STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY AND
INCLUSIVITY. SIGNS CAN BE USED TO PROVIDE DIRECTIONS, IDENTIFY
AMENITIES AND SERVICES, AND CONVEY IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT
THE PROPERTY. LARGE, HIGH-CONTRAST TEXT AND SYMBOLS CAN MAKE
SIGNAGE EASIER TO READ AND UNDERSTAND FOR GUESTS WITH VISUAL
IMPAIRMENTS, WHILE CLEAR AND CONCISE LANGUAGE CAN MAKE IT
EASIER FOR GUESTS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS OR LANGUAGE
BARRIERS TO UNDERSTAND.

OTHER DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY AND

INCLUSIVITY CAN INCLUDE ADJUSTABLE LIGHTING AND TEMPERATURE
CONTROLS, WIDER DOORWAYS AND CORRIDORS, AND ACCESSIBLE
PARKING SPACES. BY DESIGNING WITH ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN
MIND, RESORTS CAN CREATE A MORE WELCOMING AND ENJOYABLE
EXPERIENCE FOR ALL GUESTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR PHYSICAL ABILITIES,
AGE, OR CULTURAL BACKGROUND.

ALL OF THESE RESORTS SHARE A FEW COMMON DESIGN STRATEGIES THAT

CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR SUCCESS:

• USE OF NATURAL MATERIALS: ALL OF THESE RESORTS INCORPORATE

NATURAL MATERIALS, SUCH AS WOOD, STONE, AND BAMBOO, INTO
 THEIR DESIGN. THIS CREATES A SENSE OF WARMTH AND
CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
• UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENTS: EACH OF THESE RESORTS HAS UNIQUE
DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT SET IT APART FROM OTHER RESORTS. THESE
ELEMENTS HELP TO CREATE A MEMORABLE GUEST EXPERIENCE AND
PROVIDE A SENSE OF LUXURY AND EXCLUSIVITY.
• FOCUS ON GUEST EXPERIENCE: EACH OF THESE RESORTS
PRIORITIZES THE GUEST EXPERIENCE, WITH A FOCUS ON PROVIDING
COMFORT, RELAXATION, AND REJUVENATION. THIS IS REFLECTED IN
THE RESORT’S AMENITIES, SUCH AS ITS SPA, POOLS, AND
RESTAURANTS.
• THESE DESIGN STRATEGIES COULD BE APPLIED TO OTHER RESORT
DESIGN PROJECTS BY PRIORITIZING THE GUEST EXPERIENCE,
INCORPORATING NATURAL MATERIALS AND UNIQUE DESIGN
ELEMENTS, AND USING TECHNOLOGY AND MODERN AMENITIES TO
ENHANCE THE GUEST EXPERIENCE.

BY DOING SO, RESORT DESIGNERS CAN CREATE ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE

BOTH VISUALLY STUNNING AND FUNCTIONAL, PROVIDING GUESTS WITH A
MEMORABLE AND SATISFYING EXPERIENCE.

SUSTAINABLE RESORT DESIGN

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT IN

THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, AS THE INDUSTRY SEEKS TO REDUCE ITS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND OPERATE IN A MORE RESPONSIBLE AND
SUSTAINABLE MANNER. BY INCORPORATING SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
STRATEGIES INTO RESORT DESIGN, DESIGNERS CAN CREATE PROPERTIES
THAT ARE BOTH ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND ECONOMICALLY
EFFICIENT, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING A UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE
EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS.

THERE ARE MANY SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STRATEGIES THAT CAN BE

USED IN RESORT DESIGN, INCLUDING PASSIVE COOLING, WATER
CONSERVATION, AND THE USE OF LOCAL MATERIALS. PASSIVE COOLING
STRATEGIES, SUCH AS SHADING DEVICES, NATURAL VENTILATION, AND
GREEN ROOFS, CAN HELP REDUCE THE NEED FOR ENERGY-INTENSIVE
COOLING SYSTEMS, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING A COMFORTABLE AND
PLEASANT INDOOR ENVIRONMENT FOR GUESTS. WATER CONSERVATION IS
ANOTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION IN SUSTAINABLE RESORT DESIGN,
AS WATER IS OFTEN A SCARCE RESOURCE IN MANY REGIONS. DESIGN
STRATEGIES SUCH AS LOW-FLOW FIXTURES, RAINWATER HARVESTING, AND
WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS CAN HELP REDUCE WATER
CONSUMPTION AND ENSURE THAT THE PROPERTY OPERATES IN A
RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE MANNER. THE USE OF LOCAL MATERIALS
IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STRATEGY, AS IT CAN
REDUCE TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND SUPPORT THE LOCAL ECONOMY. BY
USING LOCALLY SOURCED MATERIALS, DESIGNERS CAN CREATE A UNIQUE
AND AUTHENTIC AESTHETIC THAT REFLECTS THE LOCAL CULTURE AND
ENVIRONMENT, WHILE ALSO REDUCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF
THE PROPERTY.

TRENDS IN RESORT DESIGN

THERE ARE SEVERAL CURRENT TRENDS IN RESORT DESIGN THAT ARE

GAINING POPULARITY, INCLUDING WELLNESS-FOCUSED RESORTS, ECO-
RESORTS, AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES. WELLNESS-FOCUSED RESORTS
ARE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING THROUGH A
VARIETY OF AMENITIES AND SERVICES, SUCH AS SPAS, FITNESS CENTERS,
AND HEALTHY DINING OPTIONS. THESE RESORTS AIM TO PROVIDE GUESTS
WITH A HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE THAT FOCUSES ON MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT,
AND CAN APPEAL TO A WIDE RANGE OF TRAVELERS SEEKING TO IMPROVE
THEIR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

ECO-RESORTS, ON THE OTHER HAND, PRIORITIZE SUSTAINABILITY AND

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND AIM TO MINIMIZE THEIR IMPACT ON
THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT. THESE RESORTS OFTEN INCORPORATE
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STRATEGIES SUCH AS THE USE OF RENEWABLE
ENERGY SOURCES, WATER CONSERVATION, AND THE USE OF LOCALLY
SOURCED MATERIALS. IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES ARE ANOTHER CURRENT
TREND IN RESORT DESIGN, WITH MANY PROPERTIES OFFERING GUESTS A
CHANCE TO FULLY ENGAGE WITH THE LOCAL CULTURE AND
ENVIRONMENT. THESE EXPERIENCES CAN INCLUDE EVERYTHING FROM
GUIDED HIKES AND CULTURAL TOURS TO COOKING CLASSES AND
LANGUAGE LESSONS AND AIM TO PROVIDE GUESTS WITH A DEEPER
UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.