Your Hotel Lobby: To Redesign, Or Not To Redesign?

In hotel management, the burden of making a great first impression falls on the shoulders of your lobby. The responsibility of instantly making guests feel like they’re in the right place is no easy task. These days, the lobby is no longer simply a place where guests just check in or out. Design trends in recent years have completely changed the hotel lobby and its function. It’s now an opportunity to make a real impact on guests’ perceptions as soon as you walk through the door.

For managers who find themselves considering a lobby redesign, just the thought of it can be overwhelming. But with the right approach and planning, understanding the challenges of a hotel lobby redesign and how to overcome them can help reduce the stress involved with the project.

First things first: Do you even need to redesign your lobby?

It’s easy to go chasing current trends simply because everyone else is doing it. But redesigning the lobby is a big project, so it’s important to really consider the reasons for doing it. Does it need a complete makeover? Or will a few small changes suffice? Some questions to get you thinking include:

  1. Is there enough room for guests to gather comfortably?
  2. What kind of food and beverage options are currently available?
  3. Are there enough electrical outlets and wifi?

Before taking any real action, you should first evaluate your current lobby. Evaluating your current lobby design before taking any real action can help prevent any wasted time and money. If your evaluation leads you to deciding to redesign the whole lobby, there are challenges you need to be prepared for.

Hotel Lobby Redesign Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Redesigning your lobby has its challenges, no doubt, but if you prepare yourself and your staff for the undertaking the project should run as smoothly as it possibly can. That’s not to say there won’t be issues sprung upon you at that last minute. That’s a given with any construction project. But understanding the challenges will help you get over those hurdles.

Challenge #1: Budget

Redesigning the lobby can be expensive, so it’s important to establish a budget and stick to it. To help you determine the cost, write down all of the ideas you have for the project. Your wants and needs and expectations. Next, get some rough estimates for the project. What you should strive for is an equal balance between price, quality, and schedule. Just be sure to steer clear of anything done too fast at a cheap price.

Challenge #2: Planning & Strategy

Once you’ve established a budget, you’ll need to layout a plan for how you’re going to manage the project. That means organizing the right group of people and making sure everyone is on the same page, from the hotel owner to management to front-desk staff, and (if you’re part of a hotel management group) your brand and design team.

Challenge #3: Choosing Firm

For hotels not part of a management group that might already have its own design resources, the assistance of an interior design firm is invaluable. Here are some tips to help you choose the right firm for your hotel lobby redesign:

  1. Research a list of firms that specialize in commercial design.
  2. Create a design brief or a request for proposal (RFP).
  3. Discuss the project in detail and decide.

Not using a design firm will save you money, but the quality of the project will be much better having had a professional design your lobby.

Challenge #4: Managing Construction

During the construction phase of your hotel lobby redesign, it’s essential to stay on top of progress and keep in regular communication with the construction team. This is especially true if your hotel will remain open during the project. If necessary, you can have the work done in phases to minimize the disruption it will cause guests.

Key Trends in Hotel Lobby Design

The days of pragmatic hotel lobbies are over. Guests expect the lobby to be an space where they can gather and socialize. This means designing your lobby to be a social hub where dining and recreation take precedence over a business-like atmosphere. Features like plush furniture for comfort and unique food and beverage options, such as a hotel pantry, are in demand.

greek yogurt with granola for protein snack

12 High-Protein Snacks to Keep You Going At Work

Some days at work are so busy you barely have time to glance at the clock, let alone have a decent meal. High-protein snacks are perfect for keeping you fueled. Not only are they filling, but protein also helps suppress hunger and helps stabilize blood sugar. Here are 12 high-protein snacks that are convenient to bring to the office, or are often available through a snack delivery service.

 

1. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a high-protein snack that’s sure to give you a boost of energy. In addition to protein, Greek yogurt provides other nutrients including probiotics, calcium, and vitamin B-12.

 

2. Jerky

Jerky is another great snack that’s simple and convenient and is easily available through most snack delivery services. Jerky is made of dried meat that has had the fat stripped out of it, and comes in choices of beef, chicken, turkey, or salmon.

 

3. Hard-Boiled Eggs

hard boiled eggs for protein snack

Hard-boiled eggs are virtually the perfect snack. They’re high in many essential nutrients, and pack about 6 grams of protein. They’re also portable, making them convenient for bringing to the office.

 

4. Trail Mix

Dried fruit, nuts, and (sometimes) chocolate combine to make this excellent snack great to munch on at work. The nuts have protein, while the dried fruit and chocolate provide some carbohydrates to give you a burst of energy. Just be aware of how much you eat. Trail mix can be high in calories, so you don’t want to go overboard.

 

5. Tunafish

In addition to protein, tunafish is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and low in calories, making it a perfect choice for a quick snack at work.

 

6. Apple with Peanut Butter

apples with peanut butter

Apples are full of great nutrients. Add a dollop of peanut butter, and you’ve got a great healthy snack that’s packed with protein.

 

7. Celery Sticks with Peanut Butter

Another great tasting snack to pair with peanut butter is celery. Get a dose of protein from the peanut butter as well as essential vitamins and minerals from the celery.

 

8. Cheese

Cheese is a healthy and filling snack that you can easily bring to work or, with the right snack delivery service, have some delivered right to your office. Cheese offers a good amount of calcium and protein, as well as some essential vitamins. Moreover, there are plenty of different types to choose from, including string cheese, squares and sticks.

 

9. Protein Bar

protein bar

Filling, portable, and tasty, protein bars are a great snack that will tide you over until your next real meal.

 

10. Almonds

With six grams of protein for every ounce, almonds are another solid choice for a quick and easy snack.

 

11. Veggies with Hummus

humus with vegetables is a good high protein snack

Hummus is made from chickpeas, which pack a solid protein punch with 6.5 grams in just 1/3 cup. Add some veggies to the mix and you’ve got yourself a healthy snack that will keep you going.

 

12. Protein Shake

Sometimes getting some protein from a whole food source isn’t an option. Protein shakes can be a great alternative. Many beverage brands have high-protein products available.

different hands holding coffee mugs

Funny Coffee Mugs For The Office

Any coffee drinker worth their beans knows that the mug from which they drink is just as important as the coffee itself. If you’re searching for a good coffee mug to bring to the office, below are seven choices.

1. 

At least there’s coffee in those meetings, right?

2. 

coffee mug for the office

Weeeeee! Okay, now get back to work.

3.

coffee mug from etsy

*Sniffle*

4.

funny coffee mug from Amazon

Good job! (Sort of.)

5.

coffee mug

Yeah, you’re gonna have to build up that tolerance.

6.

You can only go so far with your BS. (Or can you?)

7.

crazy to work here coffee mug

At least you have coffee?

Perks of free snacks in the workplace

10 Guilt-Free Snacks You Can Enjoy At Work

Getting through the workday sometimes requires a little extra energy, and a quick snack can do just the trick. But if you want to munch on something without feeling guilty, what are your options? To help you power through those lulls you need real substance and not just a quick sugar rush. Below are ten snacks you can feel less guilty about eating while at work.

1. Greek Yogurt with Fruit

yogurt is a healthy snack to eat in the office

Greek yogurt is a great source of calcium, has probiotics, and is high in protein.

2. KIND Bar

KIND bars are a healthy snack to eat at work

Made with whole nuts, fruits, and grains, KIND granola bars make for the perfect healthy snack on the go.

3. Almonds

Almonds contain a lot of healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium, and vitamin E. They’re sure to help fight hunger to get you through the day.

4. SkinnyPop Popcorn

Non-GMO. Gluten Free. No artificial flavors. Skinnypop Popcorn is a great healthy snack alternative to traditional options that won’t make your insides regret eating it.

5. Apples with Peanut Butter

apples with peanut butter

You know what they say: an apple a day keeps the doctor away. This tasty snack is as healthy as you can get. It has fiber from fresh fruit, and healthy fats/oils and protein from the peanut butter.

6. Fruit Salad

Fruit salad provides plenty of fiber and complex carbs to give you a healthy jolt of energy.

7. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate has great health benefits

Dark chocolate is one of the best sources of antioxidants, so you can snack on some to satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling too bad.

8. Smoothie

While some smoothies can be packed with non-healthy ingredients, there are plenty of options for ones that are good for you.

9. Fruit with Cottage Cheese

This convenient, high-protein choice of snacks is sure to give you momentum to finish out your day.

10. Animal Crackers

Most people think animal crackers are just for kids. While they do make for a good snack to give little Johnny, they’re also low in calories, fat, and sugar, so you can snack on some in the office without feeling too guilty.