Written by Ruud Zegwaart, LOT1038
The Luxury Traveler is willing to spend more to enjoy more while on vacation. They are demanding. From where they will stay to where they will dine. Minimum 4 or 5-star accommodation, with a boutique feeling.
But sometimes even this is not enough. They want to feel like their room was designed uniquely for them. Big beds with beautiful headboards that beckon them to dive in and spend long languid days in comfort. High thread count sheets that feel super soft. Lighting that makes a statement and sets the holiday mood. Furniture that is stylish and comfortable, but look handpicked for each room. Throw pillows that add the right touch of color. Bathrooms that mesmerize and allow for luxuriously long pampering baths. The list goes on and on. The attention is on the detail.
Yes, they can be demanding, but strike the right balance and they will keep coming back for more and you will enjoy a great reputation and higher revenue. The trick is how? Getting help from experts is a great way to start. They can help you select items that hold vast under the influence of the Caribbean elements of sun, sand and sea, such as proper fabrics for outdoor lounging areas that hold their color and look as great 3 years down the line as they did on the first day.
Many hotels have different properties on the same or on different islands and desire to have a cohesive look, but still wish to make each property feel like an entity on to its own. Sometimes it is as easy as changing the color palette, but sometimes environmental issues need to be taken into consideration. For example, a hotel on Bonaire would have to address the higher salt contents in the air, while a hotel on St. Martin would have to take the higher amounts of rain into consideration.
In some cases, it pays off to incorporate interior decorators early on in the process, as they can come up with creative solutions to issues and help enhance the overall wow factor of the property from the get go. After all, you only get one chance to make a first impression.