Hilton is one of the world’s most famous hotel brands, and its success is largely due to its innovative approach to design. Even if you’ve never spent a night in a Hilton hotel, you’ve likely seen plenty of photos of them online, in magazines, or on travel shows.
What sets a Hilton hotel apart from others is its well-defined brand identity. Hilton hotels aim to provide a consistent experience to guests across their many locations, and a key part of that is the design. Hilton designs are meant to be timeless but also modern, appealing to both the business traveler and the leisure traveler.
One of the secrets to Hilton’s design success is the use of a design “playbook”. The playbook is a guidebook that lays out the specific design elements that should be present in every Hilton hotel. This includes everything from furniture to artwork to lighting fixtures. Hilton’s designers are given room to be creative within this framework, but they must adhere to the playbook’s guidelines.
Another key element of Hilton’s design is the incorporation of local culture and landmarks into the decor. Depending on the location, this might mean featuring artwork from local artists or including design elements inspired by the surrounding landscape. This approach is a way to make each Hilton hotel feel unique and special while still maintaining its brand identity.
Hilton’s designers also pay close attention to the guest experience. For example, they carefully consider how lighting and sound affect guests’ moods and emotions, and they work to create a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. They also use design to create practical solutions to common problems, such as how to make a small room feel more spacious or how to add privacy to a shared space.
In addition to these design elements, Hilton has also been experimenting with new technology to enhance the guest experience. For example, some Hilton hotels now feature smart rooms that allow guests to control everything from the temperature to the lighting to the TV with just their voice. This kind of cutting-edge technology helps keep Hilton ahead of the curve and helps to solidify its reputation as a leader in the hotel industry.
In conclusion, Hilton’s design success can be attributed to its use of a design playbook, its incorporation of local culture, its attention to the guest experience, and its willingness to experiment with new technology. By paying close attention to these elements, Hilton has managed to create a brand identity that is recognizable around the world and that appeals to travelers of all kinds.
