Accommodation is regularly advertised as luxury, but what really does luxury mean? Many definitions surrounding the topic make reference to comfort, elegance and wealth but when applying this to hospitality what does luxury accommodation mean?
There are a number of factors that could be used to determine whether an accommodation is luxury or not, but as elements of the definition can be subjective it can be difficult to be certain. So what factors have been suggested to determine luxury accommodation?
What does luxury mean in hospitality
In recent times, the concept of luxury focuses less on the material goods and values surrounding those but more on having refined experiences. These experiences should evoke emotional responses including feelings of safety and pleasure. That being the case, facilities management happens to be an important part of creating luxury experiences. This involves managing the physical environment, such as lighting, temperature, and sound, as well as overseeing services such as security, cleaning, and more. All of these are crucial components of creating a luxurious atmosphere.
Accomodation decor
A big contributing factor towards whether accommodation is considered luxury or not depends on the decor of the rooms and reception areas. It is known that people form first impressions within 7 seconds of meeting each other and that is no different when it comes to accommodation, the first few seconds in luxury accommodation should be breathtaking. This means accommodation should have a beautiful centre focus of each room, immediately drawing in the attention. The rest of the room should be complimenting to the focal point, through other detailed features on ceilings, curtains and walls.
Facilities
Another key aspect that contributes towards being a luxury accommodation includes the additional facilities that are also present. These facilities are present purely to enhance the pleasure of guests’ stay. Hot tubs (like the ones offered by Regency Spas), saunas, spas, and steam rooms are some of the common facilities offered in luxury accommodations. These facilities provide guests with a sense of relaxation and comfort, making their stay even more pleasurable.
Dining
For luxury accommodation where food is provided such as hotels, there needs to be delectable offerings provided from professional kitchen facilities. As mealtimes are some of the key parts and distinguishable factors of accommodation, to be considered luxury the whole experience should be seamless. Service from staff should be the highest quality and the food should be made with fresh ingredients and ideally sourced from the local area.
Location
The location of accommodation is one of, if not the most important feature for potential guests when they are searching for a place to stay. The location can have a big impact on guests’ first impression of accomodation, and can add or take away from the luxury feel being presented. For example, one of the UK’s most iconic hotels, The Ritz is based in one of the most affluent areas of London. This means that when guests arrive, the sense of luxury is immediately present and can then follow through with the rest of the stay.
Luxury is defined differently for every individual therefore it can be difficult to pin down an exact definition when it comes to luxury accommodation. However it is clear that luxury is based on the feelings that are evoked during an experience. There is a wide range of accommodation to choose from so it is important to identify the key characteristics of a stay and which ones you personally consider most important to be luxury.