The concept of hotels and accommodations has a very long tradition. In the Middle East, caravanserais (roadside inns) were raised along caravan routes. During the Middle Ages, monasteries provided refuge for travelers. But the starting point from which all hotels can be traced is ancient Rome. Mansions were built to offer visiting politicians and business travelers places to stay for the duration of their trips. These were the first “luxury” accommodations. Much has changed since these early times. Not only in construction but in diversity, amenities, and availabilities. While Roman “luxury” was opulent, today’s luxury hotels are in a complete class of their own.
Luxury hotels are, of course, amazing. It doesn’t matter how often you stay on a 5-star property, there is always something new and unique or appreciated and discovered during your stay – the pleasures and service, the efficiency and design. Who doesn’t have a tinge of regret when checking out and leaving the property? The good news is that with a few design changes and additions, you can create your own luxurious spaces in your own home.
The focus on creating this space is to magnify and improve your sense of well-being and to elevate your daily living standards – just as in the luxury branded hotel. And we start right at the beginning – the entrance…
The Foyer/Living Room
The hotel lobby/lounge is the place that not only welcomes visitors but is the ultimate brand statement. This too can be said for your foyer. It is the visitor’s first impression and expectations of the rest of your home. The question to ask yourself is: Do you enjoy crossing the threshold of your entryway or do you experience displeasure?
If the answer is displeasure, then it’s time for a change. Retrieve from your memories the hotel lobbies and lounges that most brought you the feeling of enjoyment. What is it that you liked about them? What in these lobbies welcomed you? What in the lounge made you hang out there? Use your memories to update your space.
It could be adding plush carpets to hardwood floors, bringing in a large comfy chair to provide warmth, or adding a small table for scented candles or flowers. If your home has an industrial feel – instead of large and comfy, go with sleek and sexy. And artwork matters. Whether it is an original painting or print, a beautiful piece of pottery or glass, make sure to line up your taste with that of your entryway furnishings. Make your foyer a place that you, yourself, would want to enter and maybe even rest a while.
Likewise, your living room (and family room) should reflect what is in the foyer. Most hotel rooms do not have a living room or family room area, with the exception of suites, so the lobby is this space. Seamlessly bring the vibe of the foyer into your home’s living room with additional touches. Big throw pillows, ornamental clocks, and gorgeous pottery. Or, if minimalism is your style, keep it clean and simple.
The Kitchen
Hotel kitchens are a hub of activity. Chances are that your kitchen is a hive of activity too. Wouldn’t it be nice to heighten your everyday kitchen experience? Granted, this part of converting your home into bliss isn’t sexy or beautiful, but it is necessary to enjoy the full experience while reducing stress.
Alignment and function are the key factors to accomplishing this. Home kitchens and hotel kitchens are both designed for functionality. But unlike hotel kitchens which are run tightly and highly organized, home kitchens are more in the grey zone. Your kitchen is just not a chef running around the space retrieving ingredients and pots and pans. Therefore, you need to utilize the space for your specific purposes. Think of who will be in your kitchen. Is it a social space? A cooking space? And prioritize from there.
However, just like a hotel kitchen would not have a pasta roller taking up space if pasta wasn’t on the menu, your kitchen should be home to those items, appliances, and gadgets that you actually use. Toss out what you haven’t used in years. If you can’t toss, find a box, and put those items in storage. For those items that are used enough to stay but not enough to be a priority, rearrange the cabinets and shelves. You will be amazed how less stressed you become when you no longer need to dig behind the pasta maker to grab the strainer or become entangled in apron strings when you haven’t ever even worn the apron.
Add or remove appliances as needed to make your hive run smoothly. Perhaps you do not frequently visit the grocery store. When you do, would you like to buy more but can’t because condiments and jams and water bottles and packages of butter are taking up too much space in your refrigerator? Put in an additional small freezer or refrigerator. Or, you have a big family, and it takes more than one dishwasher to clear dinner’s dishes? Add a small dishwasher. Of course, the configuration of the kitchen looms large in decisions such as these but, more often than not, space can be made. Think of the efficiency of a hotel’s kitchen and recreate that in your own.
The Bathroom
The first bathroom in hotel history was found at Boston’s Tremont Hotel which installed indoor plumbing. Since then, bathrooms have grown more luxurious in hotel accommodations. They have become retreats laden with enhancements. It is easy to transform your bathroom into 5-star luxury. Though it can be expensive.
Imagine brushing your teeth while your feet are warmed by heated slate floors. Or gazing out floor-to-ceiling windows while applying a face mask. Although these do require renovations, the feel of the five-star will be duly noted.
Of course, you can make small additions and leave the grand overtures by installing things like plush towels and towel warmers, dual showerheads, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and customized bath products. In-mirror televisions are more and more common allowing you to enjoy a show or continue a binge while in the bathtub.
The Bedroom
The bedroom – where it all began for hotels with the need to have someplace to rest a weary head. The bedroom is probably the easiest of all the rooms to convert into a space that oozes luxurious living. Nothing needs to be remodeled. Appliances don’t need to be added or removed (apart from a small refrigerator and shelf). Small modifications will turn it into a luxury oasis.
Bedding is very important when creating a luxurious feel. Sheets with a higher thread count that are crisp. Cotton duvet covers that are beautiful and exude style. Pillowcases that are thick and comfortable to the touch. And multiple pillows – not throw pillows – actual pillows will provide that extra touch.
Add a shelf and refrigerator to create a snack space. Furnish it with a Nespresso machine or kettle, coffee pods, packets of tea, sugar, and small jars of nuts and dried fruits. Tuck milk into the refrigerator along with bottled water. When waking in the morning, it’s a few quick steps to your first cup of coffee. And when settling in at night, cozy and with a good book in hand, a cup of chamomile is at arms’ length.
While we are at it, add a chaise lounge and ditch the chair. Burn a richly scented candle on the dresser and toss the infuser into the garbage can. Invest in an expensive bathrobe. And slippers! Yes, slippers. Sometimes, it’s the small things in life and when converting your home into an oasis, don’t leave these out. They are comfortable and functional and if you aren’t a slipper-wearer, you will be surprised at how this simple footwear matters.
The Fun Stuff – Background Music and Signature Scents
While the living spaces in hotels are the draw, what keeps travelers coming back are the amenities and the special touches. Hotels entice guests by appealing to sensory pleasures. Sound is very important. It can be utilized to foster intimate dining conversations, fuel energizing workouts, or set a relaxed tone in the spa or lounge area. Music powerfully sets the mood. Do you have a household track for your living?
If not, create one. It can be a “mixed tape” variety of the ‘80s with different tunes to appeal to each family member or those that invoke memories. Or, like a hotel, it can be thematic. Classical or opera or country or pop. Whichever represents you and your family the best.
Many people claim a “signature scent” – well, guess what? Hotels do too. They lean on the olfactory sense so that guests will linger, have positive impressions of their spaces, and add another level to their hospitality. Scents bond to people and when outside of the property and smelled, invoke memories of the stay.
If your home doesn’t already have a signature scent, incorporate one. Aside from adding a luxe feel, the scent will create a subtle bond between you, your family, and your guests. Whether it is woodsy or citrus, floral or spicy, the scent you choose will brand you.
The Other Fun Stuff – Room Service and Tea Trays
Who doesn’t love room service? It’s one of the best perks of staying in a hotel. Room service is all about three things – food, delivery, and service. But how do you prepare room service for yourself? After all, you will be the one cooking, delivering, and setting the cutlery…
Well, the simple answer is that you can’t. Not for yourself. But you can for other members of your family. Especially on special days – birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and the like. It’s easy and fun.
First, decide what will be presented on the menu. For example, breakfast may have choices like oatmeal and fruit, toast with honey, bacon and eggs, an omelet, coffee, tea, juice, and milk. Then, ensure that you have the ingredients in your kitchen. On hard stock paper, write out in script the choices with the requisite time of delivery. Voila – very simple. And the next morning, when you deliver the tray to your “guest” you will be sure to see a big smile on their face.
Tea rituals date back centuries to Buddhist monks in China and Japan who performed tea ceremonies but became mainstream when Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford (England) invited friends to share tea with her in the afternoon. This is a wonderful tradition – and quite 5-star – to initiate in your home. Perhaps a monthly treat for you and your closest friends. Or, a special bonding experience for your family. But like room service, you will not have hotel staff to prepare and lay it out for you and your guests. But making time for this tradition is wonderful and restorative.
Here, customization is the key. Thick napkins and tablecloths, porcelain cups and dishes along with small pots, a crystal bud vase with dainty bloom, shiny silverware, and a beautiful tray are all that is needed. Once you have these necessities, choose your tea. Earl Gray or Darjeeling. Irish Breakfast or Pu’er. There are so many choices. And each month, you can experience a host of new flavors. If instead of tea tray service, you decide on high tea, finger sandwiches are easy to make to accompany the tea. But it’s not necessary. The tea tray itself is a luxe and bonding experience and is just fine on its own.
