Ever wondered what life without deadlines and work calls looks like? That is how leisure vacations are described – a time to unwind, restore the body’s energy and relax. Even though leisure hotels are mentally relaxing spaces for visitors, a lot goes behind the functionality and design of these summer recreational spaces for hoteliers and architects to leave a long-lasting impression on their users.
Hospitality Engagements
Leisure in hospitality has been a boon post pandemic. Not only do visitors volunteer to indulge in bespoke activities, but desire to spend quality time with their family and loved ones. “Leisure, in my opinion, is an experience and leisure activities significantly contribute towards guest attraction and retention that further lead to guest satisfaction. We let our guests enjoy specially curated experiences designed to bring focus in the mind, body and spirit through activities that help re-connect with each other,” says Neeraj Lumb, Director of Rooms – Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center.
Hoteliers also ensure maximum engagement of their guests cocktails, bars and grills etc. Vikas Sood, General Manager, The Leela Gandhinagar and Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre managed by The Leela, says, “The hospitality canvas has taken an interesting turn where guests are keen to explore various activities that are organized in the hotel premises. It especially enhances the experience of our young guests, who are keen to participate in such activities. We, at The Leela Gandhinagar, are a large hotel with ample indoor and outdoor venues that can be explored for such activities. This summer, we are planning to showcase a complete spectrum, from teaching them to spin yarn on a charkha to various forms of Zumba to teaching them the treasures of culinary arts. Our focus, while planning an array of activities, has been to minimize their screen time and add some physical or mental activation.”
Summer Funk
Summer activities can be a fun time for guests to enjoy, but hoteliers look into the functionality and consistency of their services as well. Dr Praseed Nair, Director of Spa and Wellness, The St Regis Goa Resort, opines, “The key to managing hospitality operations in recreational areas is cross-departmental collaboration and having a mix of activities that are complimentary, easy-to-execute or outsource, as well as having some halo, signature offerings that are chargeable but so unique that they retain their appeal.”
He further adds, “Beach activities conducted by the in-house team are scheduled in such a way that the family can experience the daily Champagne Sabrage Ritual right afterward and relish signature cocktails with sundowners at Susegado. We have outsourced some activities, such as archery, bangle-making, and face-reading, which typically take place in the drawing room, the most beloved area for enjoying the Afternoon Tea Ritual at our resort.”
Seeking Sustainability
All the same, hoteliers take extra care so that there is less environmental impact. Neeraj Lumb articulates, “Our green initiatives predominantly revolve around reducing waste, saving energy and cutting down on water usage. One will always spot disposable cups and hot beverage accessories near tea/ coffee vending machines around recreational areas. Sheraton boasts about being one of the few hotels in Bengaluru that has an in-house bottling unit and uses reusable glass water bottles in all guest-facing areas. Our Fitness Centre uses glass bottles for water, fresh juices and smoothies for the guests. Our residential baths and toiletries are installed as large dispensers in relevant spaces to discourage the use of soap, shampoo, and lotion in plastic bottles. We have low-flow fixtures such as faucets and sprinkler systems that help us save up to 30% (approx) water.”
Taking a green pledge on behalf of the hotel, Dr Praseed adds, “Our nine-hole executive golf course is irrigated using the 500 KLD sewage treatment facility that recycles waste water from all of the guest rooms, the laundry, and the kitchens. The recycled water is also rich in minerals, thereby reducing the use of fertilizers.”
Talking about the sustainability impact on water resources in and around the hotel, he discloses, “In our effort to preserve the serenity of our Mobor Beach, the garbage and debris are continuously cleaned throughout the day by our skilled hosts using machinery to rake and sieve the sand periodically to remove cigarette butts, stones, and metal.
“The gel from our homegrown aloe vera plant is presented to guests who are basking in the sun or taking long walks on the beach. Acting as a natural moisturizer and containing active enzymes, aloe vera gel can help protect skin from sun damage. This experience ties back to the usage of natural resources, perfectly blending with our positioning of being a soulful sanctuary.”
Designers take
Keeping the local context and climate in mind, architects are designing their recreational spaces with utmost care. Khushboo and Kunal Khandelwal, Founders, Studio Design Inc, elaborate, “To provide recreational spaces effectively, it is crucial to separate areas that serve specific practical functions. At the same time, these areas should blend harmoniously with the overall hotel design, allowing guests to utilize them easily. This can be accomplished by integrating them into circulation areas or utilizing seamless landscaping techniques.”
“Another way to create recreational areas is by incorporating breakout spaces at different junctions of the property. These areas can include a variety of amenities like fitness facilities such as gyms, yoga rooms, and jogging trails that are important for guests who want to maintain their fitness routine while travelling. By making these areas a part of the overall property design, they can be organically developed and offer guests a variety of activities to enjoy.”
Thoughtfully crafted design
Surrounding atmosphere, materials of the recreational spaces, orientation, and play of sun and shadow – all play a crucial role in designing swimming pools at a leisure-centric hotel.
George E Ramapuram, MD, Earthitects, gives pointers for designing recreational areas to beat the heat during summers: “Surround the periphery of the pool with ecosystemic lily ponds to offer a meditative soak in the natural atmosphere. Create the perfect oasis of calm with a temperature-controlled pool. Focus on the microclimate (ideally a tree-dense site) to make the swimming pool a pleasant change from the sweltering climate. Use natural flooring materials with cooling colours in the hues of green to make the pool blend with the surroundings rather than employing conventional pool tiles with hues of blue.”
Focusing on the Indian context
Besides the northern states, India is classified as a hot tropical country, thus swimming pools become essential for architects to execute the design gently. The Khandelwals further explain, “With respect to the Indian context, the climate is a major consideration. To address this, our design approach emphasizes on the importance of incorporating appropriate landscape elements. We ensure that certain recreational areas are integrated into the well-shaded parts of the building to provide relief from the heat. Screens can serve a crucial function in filtering light and ventilation, which is especially important in a tropical country like India. Overall, our goal is to design recreational spaces that not only look good but also take into account the unique climatic conditions of the location. By doing so, we can create spaces that are both functional and comfortable for guests to use and
enjoy.”
Pool trends on the rise
Hotel recreational areas, especially swimming pools, have seen a vast change in the past few years. From modern water features to infinity pools, and swim jets to illuminating pool lighting – these few trends in design are carefully adapted by architects with sustainability in mind.
Ramapuram spotlights a few trends: “Incorporate a gazebo next to the pool. Include daybeds or dewans to relax. Incorporating a seamless ‘infinite’ edge to the pool gives the illusion that the water exists beyond the pool’s edge. Pool designs increasingly incorporate outdoor living spaces like daybeds, lounging areas and dining spaces. “These areas can extend the use of the pool beyond just swimming and provide additional space for entertaining and relaxing,” he concludes.
