Poor lighting can cast a shadow (pun intended) over your hotel’s ratings. Research shows that hotel lighting influences guests’ overall experience, so much so that unhappy customers may spread the word all over the town, keeping potential customers away and hurting your business.
But things don’t have to be this way. Improving your hotel lighting is something that doesn’t take much. We’ve put together this hotel lighting guide to help you elevate your lighting design and receive shining reviews from customers.
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Adjustable lighting
More and more hotels are opting for a free-flowing format, where one room is used for different purposes. Adjustable lighting can help you use the same place differently during the different hours of the day.
For example, for breakfast, cool lighting — which helps you feel more awake and alert — might be a good choice. On the other hand, as the sun goes down, dialing down to warmer lighting might be a smart decision, as it helps create a cozy, relaxing atmosphere. Cool LED lighting is typically in the range of 4000K–6500K, while warmer lights are usually around 2000–3000K.
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Overall design is paramount
Before installing a lighting fixture, ask yourself: Does it go with the overall design of my hotel? If it does, go ahead with it. But if it doesn’t, it’s best to not use that lighting fixture, regardless of how attractive that fixture is in itself.
A case in point is statement lamps. They serve more of a purpose than simply illuminate the room. When used intelligently, they can add personality and visual interest to a space and help create a focal point in a room. Despite multiple benefits, you should use a statement lamp only if seamlessly fits your hotel’s overall design concept.
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All areas need good lighting
Light shouldn’t be just at the end of the tunnel — it should be inside the tunnel as well! When deciding your hotel’s lighting design, make sure the corridors aren’t overlooked. Because they can shape the guest experience, as they move from the lobby to their rooms and other areas, it’s crucial that they are well-lit and reflect the hotel’s overall atmosphere.
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Flexible room lighting
When it comes to room lighting, flexibility is the name of the game. Room lighting must be cosy enough to help occupants relax and unwind, but it should also be bright enough to work. Therefore, it is crucial to have enough fittings. One must-have, according to hotel lighting experts, is an attractive reading lamp. Another one is a master switch, which gives occupants the freedom to switch multiple lamps with a single click.
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Keep it simple
Have you ever experienced difficulty locating the bathroom light switch in a hotel room? That’s very annoying — isn’t so? You would do well to avoid using lighting systems which aren’t intuitive. If you plan to use a IT-based lighting system, go with touch panels that use international icons and symbols. Avoid text. For rooms, systems which use phones and tablets is the in-thing. But, remember usability is the most important thing.
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Offer lighting for different events
Hotels are not just a place to stay; they can also offer the perfect setting for a range of events. From weddings to business meetings, hotels have the space and facilities to cater to diverse occasions.
It's important for event planners to consider the atmosphere and ambiance of the venue, as people are not likely to get excited about celebrating a special event, like a reception or b’day party, in a place which with a look and feel similar to that of their office. That's why hotels must provide options such as a wide choice of colours and adjustable dimmers so that guests can have the perfect lighting for their needs.
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Incorporate natural light into your lighting design
Natural light helps create a sense of airiness and openness in hotel spaces. Bright and airy lobbies and corridors make guests feel right at home and help them start their stay off on the right foot.
Natural light also improves mood and well-being. More than one study has shown that exposure to natural light helps improve wellbeing and mood. Since in a hotel, guests seek rejuvenation and relaxation above anything else, incorporating natural light into your hotel’s overall design contributes to a more pleasant and enjoyable stay.
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Embrace LEDs
LED lights are a great choice for hotels because of a number of reasons:
- Energy efficient: LEDs use far less electricity than traditional bulbs, reducing your hotel’s carbon footprint and energy bills.
- Long lasting: Since LEDs last much longer than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, they need to be replaced less often.
- Better light quality: LEDs provide not only better colour rendering but also enhanced ambient and sharper focus.
- Mimic natural light: Because LED lights can closely mimic natural lighting, they can help improve your guest’s overall experience.
- Dimming: Dimmable LEDs allow your customers to set mood for any situation.
The benefits of LED lights are many, but not LEDs are created equal. If you want to give your customers the best possible experience and at the same time reduce your overall electricity bill, opt for high-quality LED light bulbs. Look for LEDs that are dimmable, have a CRI of 90 or above, and are backed by a decent warranty and great customer service.
LiquidLEDs is your one-stop shop for all lighting needs. Get in touch with us to find out how we can help with your lighting needs.