· Hotels.com celebrates its 25th birthday with a look back at lobbies then and now
· Instagram-able lobby spaces: The quirky features taking over the modern lobby
· 11 leading ‘Lobbyists’ from around the global
Chandigarh, 18th July 2016: We all know that exciting feeling of walking through the front door of a hotel and into the lobby, knowing at that moment your holiday has officially begun. That first impression is cemented in your mind the second you clap eyes on the lobby and it sets the tone for your whole hotel experience.
Lobbies have long been the heart and soul of a hotel but they’re the part that’s changed the most over the years. As Hotels.com™ celebrates its 25th birthday this year, it takes a look back at the lobby evolution over the past quarter of a century,as these welcome hubs have changed from mere check in points to becoming the real heartbeat of a hotel.
The Role of the Lobby
What used to be a simple thoroughfare for guests and often a subdued, lifeless empty space, has today evolved beyond all recognition.Today's lobby is multi-functional and often a magical space, with eye-catching features, unusual services or fun discoveries. It's still an area for checking in and out but it's also a social hub, a place to wine and dine, a party zone and even a remote office. The biggest changes have come thanks to advances in technology, as today’s modern lobby must be Instagram-ready and offer connectivity at every turn.
As a leading lodging expert for the past 25 years, Hotels.com reveals some of the most outstanding, quirky and wonderful hotel lobbies that showcase some of the best lobby features that never existed a quarter of a century ago.
11 Leading ‘Lobbyists’ from around the world
1. The Live Music Lobby
5 Star Ace Hotel London Shoreditch
Too cool for skool is the best way to describe the Ace Shore ditch in London and that’s certainly the impression you get when you sashay into its lobby space. A real social hub, where you can work and relax in the day but party by night. The lobby has a full bar, top-notch coffee shop, plus a sixteen-seat communal work table. There's a gallery space, with regularly rotating exhibitions by artists from Shore ditch and in the evening the lobby really comes alive and turns into a live music venue, with DJ sets, live musicians and even musical afternoon tea. There is a musical treat every night of the week, so 24-hour party people need to check this one out.
Rooms available on Hotels.com from INR 19,252 per room per night.
1. The Modern Living RoomLobby
4 Star CitizenM New York Times Square
At citizenM, high design is stylishly fused with cutting-edge technology and unequalled comfort. The hotel lobby is like an oversized living room, with soaring 26-foot ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves showcasing an eclectic mix of art from the likes of Andy Warhol and David LaChapelle. Guests can check-in via self-service tablets in under 1 minute and can then relax in this social stunning space. Relax in front of the fire playing chess, graba bite from the 24-hour canteen or pull up a pew in the designated working areas.
Rooms available on Hotels.com from INR 11,935 per room per night.
2. The Playground Lobby– Slide on in!
4 star Barcelo Malaga
Now this is a lobby that you can slide on into in style. The Barcelo Malaga is a designer hotel in the heart of Malaga, with a cutting-edge lobby area you have to see to believe. The main attraction is the giant stainless steel slide known as the EDHA (meaning "sliding structure for daring humans" in Spanish). This impressive slide takes guests straight from the first floor to the hotel’s trendy B-Lounge bar. It’s perfect if you’re in a real hurry for a tasty cocktail.
Rooms available on Hotels.com from INR 8,033per room per night.
3. The Swimming Pool Lobby
4-star Room Mate Grace, New York
Smack bang in the centre of midtown Manhattan, you’ll find the hidden gem that is Room Mate Grace. With its unique lobby space, complete with an indoor pool, sauna and steam room, it’s the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The funky lobby has the enviable swimming pool as its stylish centrepiece. The warm mood lighting along with the cushioned colosseum-style seats, give this 24-hour pool, with the only swim-up bar in NYC, a cool pool-party vibe. If you don’t fancy a dip, you can always watch the action from the mezzanine bar.
Rooms available on Hotels.com from INR 9,614 per room per night.
4. The Instagram Lobby
4 star Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour, Sydney
Known as the first Instagram hotel, the 1888 Darling Harbour is a boutique hotel combining Sydney’s old world charm with contemporary& vibrant design. The Instagram theme kicks off the second you hit the lobby, as guests actually check in via Instagram. The real photo-action though takes place at the selfie stand next to the lobby bar - a giant picture frame that’s been installed for guests to take snaps and tag #1888 Hotel. Their image then instantaneously appears on screens at reception that show the live Instagram feed. The biggest Instagram incentive though is that those with more than 10K Instagram followers get to stay for free!
Rooms available on Hotels.com from INR 9,617 per room per night.
5. Self-Check-in Hotel Lobby
4 star U&Me Hotel, Umeå in Sweden
Labelled as one of Europe’s most innovative hotels, the U&Me Hotel is a creative, hip hotel right on the river in cultural Umeå. Check in (and out) is a high-tech affair, which is done from kiosks in the lobby area. Well if you can call it a lobby. The hotel doesn’t have a traditional lobby space (because everything here is done online, even ordering hotel services), but the check in pod sits at the heart of Umeå’s cultural arena Väven. You could therefore argue that the hotel has the world’s largest hotel library (Umeå City Library), a theatre, an art-house cinema, a museum, a conference centre and a deli – all accessible from the ‘lobby’ zone.
Rooms available on Hotels.com from INR 4,270per room per night.
6. The Coffee Connaisseur Lobby
5 star Lux Belle Mare, Mauritius
The second you step into the luxurious open-air lobby of the Lux Belle Mare in Mauritius, you know you’re in paradise. The serene setting has a stunning water feature, relaxed seating area and an unexpected but delightful waft of coffee in the air as you step inside. This is because the lobby is also home to Café Lux, an impressive coffee bar where every day you can enjoy coffee tastings from trained Baristas and even watch the coffee beans being roasted, before they’re shipped off to other hotels onthe island.
Rooms available on Hotels.com from INR 13,269per room per night.
7. The Garden Lobby
5 star Hotel ICON, Hong Kong
Asia’s largest indoor vertical garden designed by world-famous botanist, Patrick Blanc can be found towering above the lobby space of Hotel Icon, in Hong Kong’s lively Kowloon district. At this super stylish hotel, greenery meets a great view, as the indoor garden, which features over 8,000 plants, acts as the entrance to the lobby café Green, a sleek place to grab a bite amidst the bustling city.
Rooms available on Hotels.com from INR 13,335 per room per night.
8. The Game Zone Lobby
4 Star Hotel Zetta San Francisco
Hotel Zetta is an urban retreat in San Francisco, where sophisticated, state-of-the-art features meet interactive gaming. The lobby is the social hub of the hotel with its lounge, bar and even Mac stations for guests to use. The most eye-catching feature however is the giant 30 ft Plinko game wall. Cascading down from The Playroom on the mezzanine, where guests can also enjoy a game of pool, shuffleboard, ping pong or giant Jenga! You’re never too old to play games, especially if you’re on holiday!
Rooms available from INR 18,758 per room per night.
9. The Art Gallery Lobby
5 star Molitor Paris by MGallery
For 60 years Molitor was the most popular swimming baths in Paris, with its pools, galas and avant garde ambiance. It closed in 1989 and became a haunt for artists, who turned it into an urban art venue. In 2014 Molitor was reborn into the hotel it is today, with the pool and art at its heart. The lobby feels more like a pop up art gallery, with a graffiti Rolls Royce as its centerpiece. When you check in here your heart will be racing with excitement.
Rooms available on Hotels.com from INR 16,993 per room per night.
10. The Ultimate Lobby Bar
5 star InterContinental Hong Kong
Renowned for its views of the Victoria Harbour and the city’s renowned skyline, this stunning lobby offers an extraordinary vantage point of Hong Kong. Its wrap-around, expansive glass windows and panoramic harbour views have made this “the place to see and be seen” for over three decades. The lobby has evolved with the times and its latest design creates a refined and luxurious space. Guests will want to check out the famous cocktails the second they check in.
Rooms available on Hotels.com from INR 19,501 per room per night.
With 25 years of hotel expertise, Hotels.com is the obvious choice to book all of these stunning hotels, plus hundreds of thousands more. Book online via Hotels.com or through the mobile app available for IOS, Android, Windows and Amazon Kindle devices, where customers will also have access to special Secret Prices* to help them save even more on their next stay away.
Prices quoted include taxes and fees and are subject to availability at the time of booking. All prices quoted are ‘from’ prices and are accurate as of 14 July, 2016.
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