Meeting the Needs of Sustainability, Economics, and Luxury in The Specification of Hotel Interiors

Abstract

There is an immense need for 'green' hotel buildings to provide guests and employees with a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. However, sustainability in indoor environments, especially for five-star hotels in terms of materials and finishes, could harm the hotel’s superiority and luxury experience. This paper explores these essential concerns and limitations regarding the hotel industry and its move to become more sustainable. It considers an approach whereby interior designers can address and balance the need to integrate materials and practices that create five-star luxury together with reducing environmental impact. The study is based on a comprehensive literature review conducted to identify these conflicts in addressing ‘green’ indoor and luxury hotel environments and also proposes an approach to analyzing materials and finishes that can contribute to the establishment of green hotels while maintaining luxury. The hotel industry needs more research on sustainability. Studies such as this will provide interior designers with an informed process of specifying sustainability and luxury in the context of the design challenges they face in the hospitality field.