In today’s competitive hospitality industry, hotel room design is more than just aesthetics—it plays a pivotal role in shaping the guest experience and influencing booking decisions.
A thoughtfully planned guest room layout not only enhances comfort but also maximizes space efficiency, operational flow, and long-term return on investment.
From luxury resorts to economy hotels, room layouts are tailored to align with brand identity, guest expectations, and evolving travel trends.
In recent years, industry leaders have embraced hotel interior planning that balances style with function—prioritizing ergonomic furniture, seamless circulation, integrated technology, and a sense of privacy and relaxation.
As modern travelers seek personalized and intuitive spaces, hotel developers and designers are reimagining room configurations to adapt to new demands.
Whether it’s incorporating modular furniture, creating multi-use zones, or ensuring smooth accessibility, smart layout choices are shaping the future of hotel room experiences.
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A successful design depends not only on what the building looks like and the effect that it creates on the user, but also on practical considerations.
Since each hotel type targets at different kinds of clientele, its planning requirement will vary by the location selected, size, image, space standards and other characteristics.
1) Design Considerations
Convention hotels require closeness to airports, while vacation villages and ski lodges do not. Airport hotels and motels need high visibility sign ages, while country inns, vacation villages seek seclusion.
Super luxury hotels must be small to create an intimate atmosphere, while luxury hotels must be large enough to justify the large number of restaurants, lounges and banquet rooms required by first class or five star international standards.
Design considerations also vary by type. For example, resort hotels require larger rooms, closets and drawer space than down town hotels.
Roadside motels may require larger restaurants than other hotels for peak periods, such as breakfast, but no room service. Casinos require a glittering design, while conference center decor needs to be understated. The social pastime of people watching, in the downtown hotels are accommodated by its lobby or atrium space.
In a resort the same purpose is served by the pool deck, the sun deck at the ski lodges, the common area at the conference centers, and a tea lounge of the super luxury hotel.
Many hotel operators believe that the guest room makes a more lasting impression than the public areas. During the architectural planning of the room structure, the designer should establish the following.
- The type of clientele – the market mix. And the room mix. This influences the hotel’s ability to let out 100% of its rooms and to generate maximum revenue. The transient business person needs single accommodation; convention markets need twin beds and tourist market rooms to sleep for two or more guests.
- The type of furnishing can be determined by analyzing the guestroom functions – sleeping, relaxing, working, entertaining, and dressing.
- Flexibility to accommodate different types of clientele. For example a studio room attached to a double room can be sold as a single unit or as two units.
- Durability – This is particularly important as guests are seldom as careful about furniture or furnishings as in their homes.
- Ease of maintenance.
- Decor which pleases a large section of the clientele.
- Comfort
- Budget. To combine function and comfort in a design within realistic budgets; use fewer individual pieces of furniture.
- Space utilization: Since space is at premium, scale furniture slightly smaller to give the perception of larger and more luxurious rooms.
Queen size beds instead of king size.
Lounge chairs designed to be used at the work surface eliminate the straight desk chair.
Mirrors enlarge space visually.
Wall mounted bedside lamps permit a smaller bedside table.
Convertible sofa or bed.
Adequate luggage / clothes space will reduce the clutter of clothes throughout the room.
Armoire – combining drawer space with a television cabinet and possibly a pull out writing ledger in a single unit eliminates the need of two or three separate pieces.
In the bathroom designs should expand the countertop mirror and lighting as much as possible and compartmentalize the tub/WC
- Security both of guests and staff. For example the reception counter must be positioned in such a way that the front desk staff can keep an eye on all guests entering and leaving the hotel.
- Meeting fire and safety requirements.
- Energy conservation – Use of sensors to switch off electric supply automatically, when the guest leaves the room.
- Sound insulation.
- Environment friendly. For example recycling of water for horticulture and laundry.
2) Corridor And Room Positioning
It is usual for rooms to be on either side of the corridor. Primarily the location of the guestrooms must be considered in relation to the other areas of the hotel.
The guest rooms must be away from the public areas ( for security and privacy), yet easily accessible to the Front office and parking facilities.
Time saving advantages for service should be considered thus saving operating costs. Elevators, Room Service and housekeeping pantries, staircases must be considered. Schematic diagrams indicating the flow of service and guest service is desirable.
Corridors must be wide enough to enable the use of wheel chairs, trolleys and to prevent any feeling of claustrophobia. To overcome the monotony of a long corridor, create a patterned break on carpets, walls etc. Avoid steps, instead use ramps if necessary.
Many corridors do not get natural light (unless if they face an atrium); hence sufficient artificial lighting must be provided. Fire doors or fire breaks in the corridors can help prevent the spread of fire.
i) Corridors
Corridors need to be a minimum of 1.5 m wide and up to 1.8 m in a 5 star hotel. The lighting can be recessed lights in the middle in budget hotels up to more elaborate recessed lighting and wall lights in higher star properties.
Flooring must be carpet tiles. In 4 or 5 star hotels can be Carpet rolls The carpet can be wall to wall or inlaid to be cheaper and easier to rotate and replace.
All corridors must have skirting of the same type of tile, wood or brown aluminum. Corridors in 4 and 5 star hotels should have AC. Corridors should be a minimum 2.2 m.
ii) Room numbering
It is important to do the room numbering as soon as the design as done and that all groups such as architects, contractor and operator use the same numbering in order to avoid problems later on.
iii) Guest room
Guest rooms are the most important spaces of tourist accommodation facilities. They are considered the heart of the building and the conditions and comfort of the guestroom is the main indicator of a good design.
Designing a guest room is rather complex since the designer has no single person to design but a variety of people who have different tastes, likes and back grounds. The guest room must be designed around the needs of the guests.
For this, one must keep the activities of the guests in mind whilst allotting space, furniture, fittings, lighting and other components.
The largest space is dedicated to Sleeping – the comfort of the bed ( mattress, pillows, duvet), the functionality of the bedside tables, light, darkness, (window and its treatment, natural and artificial lighting), sound insulation (floor, wall, ceiling, windows), the room temperature (air conditioner, heater)
Relaxing – the sofas, television, music, radio, mini bar, lighting. Working – table chair
Dressing – Mirrors, Wardrobe, Luggage Rack
Bathrooms include shower/tub, watercloset, vanity unit. Safety is of paramount importance – separate wet and dry areas to prevent slipping; electrical safety must be taken into account. Ventilation must be included. Luxury hotels include fittings and amenities to pamper the guests.
The minimum space requirement for various types of rooms in five star category is as follows:
- Single Bed Room: 180 sq.ft. Double Bed Room: 200 sq.ft.
- Twin Bed Room: 220 sq.ft. Bathroom with tub: 45 sq.ft.
- Bathroom without tub; with shower: 35 sq.ft.
Entrance: Doors are usually 76-90 cms ( 3 ft) wide, usually simple in design (for ease of maintenance). Room numbers are fixed to identify the rooms. Locks are designed for security and privacy of the guest at the same time, they can be opened by the management in case of emergency.
Door locks are usually self locking, when shut. A metal shield may be provided under the keyhole to prevent the key tag from scratching the door. Computerized card keys are much more secure.
A safety chain and a peephole may be provided inside the door for additional security. A door stop is necessary to prevent the wall from being marked. Sometimes a long mirror is fitted on the back of the door.
Vestibule: The main switch is fitted near the entrance. Wardrobe and the luggage rack is usually placed here.
Beds: Average sizes of beds:
- Single – 6’6″ length, 3′ width, 1’3″ height.
- Double – 6’6″ length, 5′ width, 1’3″ height. Mattress may be 4″ to 6″ in height.
Beds usually consist of a headboard but no footboard. Headboard should be 12″ inches above the mattress height and 1″ thickness.
Castors are provided so that the beds can be moved for cleaning; but should not move when the guest is in it! Mattress can be of spring, foam rubber, cotton. Pillows can be filled with foam rubber, kapok or feathers.
Bedside table/console: houses the telephone, channel music, controls for the room lighting, TV, and ventilation. It should have ample space to place guest’s personal items such as glasses, books etc. The top of the table should be in line with the top of the mattress. Width 15 to 24″. Height 24-30″.
Bedside lamps may be fitted on to the wall to save space. If placed on the table, it must be screwed on to the table to prevent accidents, thefts.
Dressing table / Desk: Dimensions – 30″ height, 21″depth. Stool or chair – 18″ height. Dressing tables are provided with drawers. Drawers should preferably have recessed grooves to make hardware unnecessary; should slide out smoothly; laminated to avoid the use of lining papers.
The table itself could be laminated for durability and ease of maintenance; must have rounded corners to prevent accidents. The dresser mirror should be positioned in such a way that the guest can view the mirror while sitting down. Adequate lighting must be provided to light up the face.
Luggage racks: Dimensions – length 30 -36″; depth 1’9″; height 18-24″. Luggage racks may be cantilevered or may stand on legs. It should be sturdy enough to take the weight of suitcases and people sitting on it.
If made of wood, strips of rubber or brass studs can prevent the surface from getting marked. Drawers under the rack can add on to the storage space.
Wardrobe: Dimensions – depth 2′ ( deep enough to accommodate the hanger) Height 6′ ( 3″ clearance must be given above the rod, to remove hangers). It should be high enough to hang long dresses without creasing them. In resort hotels, larger wardrobes may be necessary.
The door of the wardrobe can be of the sliding type to save space. It must preferably be slatted for adequate ventilation. A door may be avoided in motels. Light can be provided in the wardrobe which can be operated by a door switch.
However the light must not damage the clothes. Drawers may be provided; but avoidable since guests normally tend to forget things in there. Hangers can be of the theft proof type.
Seating: One or two armchairs with a two seater sofa and a coffee table is usually provided near the window. a floor standing lamp may also be provided.
Television: is usually positioned in such a way that it can be viewed both from the bed and the seating area. It is normally placed on a swivel stand. A remote control is advisable.
The TV can also double up as a VDU with a keyboard catering for electronic shopping, settlement of guest accounts from the room, guest information system etc.
Windows: should as far as possible be of standard size as this avoids the need for many spare sets of curtains and sorting curtains of different lengths.
The ease with which windows can be cleaned both from the inside as well as the outside should be given due consideration. Windows may be double glazed to provide sound and heat insulation.
Soft furnishing: like drapery and upholstery must be durable, easy to maintain, comfortable, enhance the appearance of the room and help in acoustics. In all rooms a full length mirror may be fixed to some convenient place on the wall or even fixed to the inside of the door.
Accessories: Waste bins, ashtrays, wall pictures, foliage, sometimes even curios in suites.
Ceiling, wall, floor: Acoustical properties, safety, appearance and insulation are the factors which are considered when choosing walls, floors and ceilings.
There are a wide variety of ceiling surfaces and wall coverings available in the market today. Paint is by far the most common.
Vinyl wood paneling, wall paper, tiles are some other options. Skirting boards, while essential to prevent wall damage, should not present a ledge which needs dusting; they may be slightly recessed or coved.
Carpets are the most common floor covering and they are available in different varieties. Hotels close to sandy beaches should preferably avoid carpets as the sand brought in can pose a problem. Tiles, stones, vinyl are other options.
Central air conditioning system or heating system is normally provided and they should be regulated from the bedside also.
Fire detectors and alarms must be provided in rooms.
Other amenities may be provided, like: Tea and coffee making machines Minibar (sales from the minibar can be automatically recorded) Dumb valets i.e., trouser presses which also take skirts. Shoe cleaning machines. Intercom cum baby listeners. Electronic safe.
Samples of the various guestroom layouts are presented in the figure below. A detailed list of guestroom inventory items is also provided, along with a sample inventory shown in the figure below.
The minimum height of guest room areas:
- For living rooms and bedrooms – not less than 2.80m;
- For bathrooms, lavatories, water-closets, porches, balconies, terraces and garages – not less than 2.20m.
The following items suitable for a tourist accommodation facility can be foreseen:
- Bed;
- Bedside tables;
- Armchairs with a coffee table;
- Dressing table with mirror and stool/chair;
- Writing table with chair;
- Television;
- Wardrobe or wall cupboard with adequate racks and hangers; and
- Well stocked mini bar
Every guestroom shall have the following electrical lighting:
- General room illumination controlled by a master switch located close to the entrance door;
- All lighting shall have the facility of being controlled from the bedside in addition to the individual controls;
- Adjustable lamps of good quality and sufficient illumination for reading in the armchair and in bed;
- On-the-face lighting over mirrors; and
- Door activated lighting for the wardrobes.
Guestroom lighting levels recommended to be maintained are as follows: bedroom general lighting 75 Lux; reading (bedside and armchair) 300 Lux; and on the face lighting at the mirrors 300 Lux.
Guest room layout samples
iv) Bathrooms
The minimum size of a bathroom with a tub should be 45 sq.ft. If only a shower is provided, it should be 35 sq. ft.
Ventilation in bathrooms should be given careful consideration. Electric light switches should either be outside the bathroom or of the cord type.
Bathroom floors and walls should be hygienic, easy to maintain and unharmed by water. Marble, ceramic tiles, vinyl are the options.
Bath tubs are available in various colors with soap dishes, grab bars and anti-slip devices sometimes incorporated. Baths are generally 6’2″ in length and 2’4″ in width; but vary in depth. Showers are usually sited over the bath and their height, ifnot movable, should be given careful consideration.
The water must be thermostatically controlled. A towel holder and a shower screen or a curtain should also be provided. A retractable clothes line across the tub can be a convenience to the guest.
Vanitory unit consists of a wash basin and a counter surrounding it. They match the bath in color. The vanity unit can be made of ceramic, acrylic or plastic laminate.
A mirror must be provided above the unit and preferably fluorescent lighting must be provided so that the guest’s face is properly lit. A razor socket and a face tissue holder can also be provided.
The Water Closet is about 1’4″ high, 2′ deep and 1’8″ wide. Toilet paper holders should be within reach.
A Bidet may not be provided in a standard size room; but usually seen in suites. It is 1’3″ in height, 1’3″ in width and 2′ in depth.
Towel rails should be sufficiently far from the wall to allow ample space for the thickness of the towels. A clothes hook and a latch may be provided on the back of the door.
A dustbin must not be forgotten in a bathroom. A telephone fixed on the wall, preferably at an easy reach from the WC and the shower can avoid a lot of irritation to the guest.
Suites are spacious and more luxuriously furnished. Livingroom and the dining room are elegantly furnished. Bathrooms may be provided with a bidet and a whirl pool bath.
3) Special needs
i) Designing for the Disabled
- Easy access is very important; cars carrying disabled persons should be able to stop just outside the main entrance. Reserved parking should be provided for the disabled drivers.
- Doors should be wide enough for the wheelchairs to pass through, and open automatically or by pressing a conveniently located switch or by a gentle push.
- A section of the Reception counter should be dropped down so that a person on the wheelchair can easily check in.
- Where there is a change of floor levels, a ramp must be provided.
- Hand rails should be designed to help warn the blind and those with poor vision of approaching corners and the start and end of stairs. Elevator floor switches must be easily accessible from a wheelchair.
- Signs should be easy to read with large lettering against a contrasting background. Wherever possible warning signals should be visible as well as audible, for example strobe light alarms for the deaf and a vibrator to alert them when they are asleep. Dining room tables should be high enough for the person to not have to be transferred from a wheelchair.
- Room door should have an additional peephole at the wheelchair level.
- Wardrobe Hanger rod should be flexible enough to be brought down; within easy reach from a wheelchair.
- The room and the bathroom must be spacious enough for a person to move around in a wheel chair.
- The bathroom door must be wide enough and should be devoid of a threshold.
- A shower cubicle with a stool is preferable to a tub. Handrails and grab bars should be provided wherever necessary. `Drop-down’ arm supports can also be provided on approach side of the WCs.
- The vanitory unit may have to be adjusted to the height of the wheelchair.
- Fire exit plans and room service menu cards should also be provided in braille.
- Special bed head unit with light switches, message signal, door release for automatic opening of door, flashing fire alarm signal and bed frame vibrator for the hard of hearing.
- Sharp corners and edges should be avoided.
Women traveling alone will appreciate rooms near lifts. Since they are more concerned with safety, a good locking system is a must. Added amenities like a good flexible mirror to view the back as well, adequate lighting for make- up, hair dryers etc. will be appreciate
Checklist of facilities for classification / re-classification of operational hotels
By integrating these guest room planning advice points into the design process, hoteliers can create welcoming, efficient, and future-ready spaces that enhance the guest experience and operational performance alike.