Turning dreams into reality at luxury hotels

We all love luxury hotels, the chance perhaps, for just a brief few days to appreciate and experience the same benefits and facilities enjoyed by the wealthy and successful. The world’s finest hotels and hospitality venues know that first impressions really do count – which is why they work hard to deliver style, finesse, but most all – distinctive good looks and stunning design.

Some hotels exude classic architecture and elegance

Staying at a luxury hotel should be a memorable experience and this is one of the many ongoing challenges Lees Associates have faced when turning dreams into reality for more than 40 years, working in partnership with some of the world’s leading hotel groups.

Every new project is different, but they all have one objective in common, to leave every guest wanting more. So, what really is so special about luxury hotels? As the description suggests, they provide the experience of living in the heart of a city or holiday resort with access to facilities such as luxury spa treatments, restaurants and bars, fitness centres, but most particularly, a range of well-designed rooms and suites. We learned our trade working for 10 years for The Savoy and have combined this with our experience in meeting the needs and desires of the wealthiest private clients to know exactly what a great hotel should aspire to. 

Delivering an experience guests dream of is integral to top hotels

The word luxury works like magic in the hospitality industry, where every hotel is competing to provide world-class services to win customer loyalty. It’s because the best hotels are dealing with some of the wealthiest and most demanding customers, which is why everything always has to be the best.

As well as working for the hospitality industry, we also deliver major residential projects for high-net-worth individuals, and that track record counts when you are delivering a home-from-home experience for guests who really do understand what luxury is all about.

The good news is that in spite of the cost-of-living crisis and Covid, the luxury hotel market is still expected to prosper in the next 10 years according to industry estimates, but it is likely that the hospitality industry will have to work harder to attract and keep their top customers.

The medium to long-term trend show no abatement in consumer appetites to enjoy the luxurious lifestyle top hotels afford.

Recent trends have seen hotels becoming more individual in their design and style. Technological innovations are also taking smart hotels to the next level, a trend which is becoming increasingly more important to meet the needs of business people and international travellers.

To deliver these new facilities for hospitality clients, we have a nine-point plan, which starts with a briefing and appraisal to first understand the brand and agree standards and guidelines. We then prepare initial design responses and assessments and will liaise with a cost consultant to assist with outline budgets.

The difference with a premium hotel stay should always be obvious

A survey, if required will follow – at Lees Associates we do 3D point-cloud surveys in-house – before a BIM model is produced to develop the selected design option into a coordinated initial concept from which we can then apply for planning permission. The other stages cover the developed design, procurement, technical design and construction, before concluding with the final handover.

The end result is, of course, a spectacular success every time. Check out one of our largest projects at London’s renowned Savoy Hotel, an extension which added 88 new bedrooms and bathrooms to this historic building.

Delivering architectural dreams that turn into a magical reality

We also worked our magic on the Sawan Estate in Thailand after successfully completing their London home, we were asked by the client to assist with the design of their private Thai island’s guest accommodation.

Arranged as a collection of luxury chalets set around water features between palms and banana trees, the buildings were designed in the vernacular Thai style. We had a site presence throughout construction, providing the most effective way to successfully communicate the design to the building contractor.

It really is all about luxury in the end, which is why there is no substitute for good design and a team of people who really know what they are doing.