The hospitality industry is moving in a new direction, and lifestyle hotels are leading the way.

Today’s travelers are reshaping guest experiences and setting new standards in hospitality. Besides a hotel’s classic amenities, they're looking for authentic, immersive experiences. In response, the next generation of hotels has emerged, one that blurs the lines between luxury and lifestyle.

Lifestyle hotels offer these travelers the experience they’re looking for through a combination of elements. To start, they feature rich cultural influences, sophisticated design, and well-crafted interiors to create a feeling of immersion. Despite their more casual, approachable atmosphere, they offer premium amenities like state-of-the-art facilities and tech-forward features.

What is a lifestyle hotel?

Lifestyle hotels showcase local culture and provide a sense of connection to their locations. They’re meant to make you feel connected to a destination as soon as you step inside. More than just a place to stay, they offer a meaningful, immersive experience that brings the local culture to life.

These hotels combine the best features of boutique hotels and chain hotels. They bring together the intimate, modern charm of a boutique hotel with the advantages of a chain hotel, like rewards programs and lower rates. They’ll usually have special features that cater specifically to today's travelers, including automated check-in systems, co-working spaces, and communal areas.

Differences Between a Lifestyle Hotel and a Luxury Hotel

A hotel’s design reflects the expectations of its guests.

In luxury hotels, guests expect high-quality, attentive service tailored to their individual needs. Guests at lifestyle hotels, in contrast, value exploring and new experiences above service. Service is still important to them, but, more than anything, they’re looking for authentic, local experiences - both inside and outside of the hotel.

The hotel itself tends to be the main attraction for luxury hotel guests. These guests are usually after a more pampered experience, preferring to make the most of on-site services like spa treatments. Lifestyle hotel guests will typically spend more time outside of their hotel. They want to explore the city, visit the trendiest bars, make friends at local specialty coffee shops, and discover hidden gems. Essentially, luxury hotel guests crave comfort and convenience, while lifestyle hotel guests crave adventure and a sense of place.

Luxury hotel design can be hard to define, but it's rooted in the idea that a hotel should be designed to maximize comfort. Luxury hotels are generally characterized by artistic, high-quality craftsmanship and design elements. They prioritize using pieces that are beautiful, functional, and perfectly crafted. That means opting for premium materials such as real leather, hardwood, and metals like copper and brass. Their interiors will often feature handcrafted or hand-carved pieces.

Ultimately, it's less about the furniture itself and more about the mindset. It’s about deciding to go with a higher-priced piece with the intention of making a big impact. It means using real leather instead of imitation leather, knowing that doing so will make a lasting impression.

Lifestyle hotels use design to tell a story. Their interiors are usually inspired by the neighborhood they're located in, providing a glimpse of the local culture. Their interior design, branding, and guest service all come together to create an immersive stay.

They use locally sourced textiles, art, and furniture to create a local aesthetic and a space that is both authentic and inviting. The goal is to create a connection with the destination by showcasing the local culture, history, and people. Some other ways they make a location come alive inside is by offering locally inspired dining options and community or cultural events.

The Intertwining of Luxury Hotels and Lifestyle Hotels

These days, more and more guests are looking for accommodations that are unique and full of personality, but without the high price tag and high level of service of traditional luxury hotels. As such, this is where lifestyle is heading: properties that combine design-heavy experiences, luxury touches, and a true sense of place.

There are already many hotels that are embracing the idea of being both luxury and lifestyle. A few examples include chains like Marriott's Edition, Hyatt's Andaz, and Hilton's Canopy, which combine high-end amenities with original, locally inspired design and experiences.

W Hotels is a great example of a luxury hotel brand that has embraced the lifestyle hotel concept. They've integrated tech-savvy amenities into guestrooms, offering guests a variety of digital services, including mobile room keys, robotic butlers, and smart lighting. In some of their hotels, the brand has partnered with artists to exhibit interactive digital art in common areas.

Find Out How We Can Help You With FF&E

At Lang & Schwander, we’ve been furnishing hotel interiors in the US, Caribbean, and Latin America for over 17 years. For branded hotels and independent hotels, we offer a full-service Interior Design studio, custom FF&E production and shipping services, and in-house installation services.

Contact us to schedule a call and discuss your project!