When you think of improving functionality and connectivity, technology tends to come to mind.
But what about the use of space and light?
Enter La Quinta Holdings Inc.'s new prototype design, Del Sol.
By using space, light, shadows, textures, color and natural elements effectively, La Quinta hopes to create warm-feeling and highly functional workspaces and relaxation centers at its hotels, from its spacious "great rooms" to its guestrooms.
So far, the idea has been a hit. To date, 14 franchise partners have signed up to use the Del Sol design.
The development began, as most do, with guest demand.
"We heard from our guests and clients that they certainly like the element of brightness, they like the element of sun, they like the element of natural light," said Rajiv Trivedi, La Quinta's Chief Development Officer. "They would like spacious public areas where they can actually mingle. So, all of these components truly needed a good lighting and good natural light availability."
Del Sol offerings include such things as larger windows, community-sized seating and colors that make the building brighter.
In terms of the guestrooms, La Quinta has paid close attention to spacing and placement under the Del Sol design. For example, outlets that accommodate personal mobile devices are situated in several areas of the room for easy connectivity. In the guest bathrooms, all of the bath amenities are set in a convenient, easy-to-locate place so guests don't have to needlessly look around for items. The guestrooms under the Del Sol design will strive for "comfort, convenience and productivity."
Other features of the Del Sol design include wash lighting and accent LED lighting specifically for nighttime, clean geometric lines, pod-style front desk counters, decorative paving, different types of seating in the breakfast area, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs, and two pairs of sliding glass doors at the entry vestibules. The spacious "great room" is meant as a "multifunctional area for social gatherings or as a place of relaxation and connectivity."
On top of that, the design is easily scalable, making it simple to incorporate for both small and large properties.
As Trivedi noted, it's not only important to meet guest demand these days, but it's also crucial to be inventive with offerings such as the Del Sol design.
"It is critical to constantly innovate," Trivedi said. "As they say, if you stay stagnant, other people are going to move ahead. You have to think based on what consumers are thinking, you have to think based on what developers are thinking, you have to think based on what the competition is doing. And you want to make sure you are staying ahead and you are staying in line with your guests' expectations on a continuous basis as technology changes, as aspirations change, as design elements in the world change. It is very critical that you continue to innovate because that allows you to remain highly competitive."
La Quinta, which owns and operates the La Quinta Inns & Suites and La Quinta Inn brands, expects to first roll out its Del Sol design at one of its La Quinta Inns & Suites in late spring/early summer 2015, according to Trivedi.
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