Love at first sight – Why the Lobby is the Heart of every Sustainable Hotel

Research has shown that the first 60 seconds of a guest's visit can significantly impact their perception of a hotel. The lobby is often considered the "DNA" of the hotel, serving as a central hub that reflects the style of the hotel while simultaneously providing a space for guests to interact. It can serve as a meeting place, a waiting area, a source of information, a work area, and even a bar or café. Still, not only is a consistent design concept important. Additional factors like air, light, room temperature, and acoustics have also a significant impact on the perception of the guests.

First Impressions are important – They always have been

The lobby is one of the hotel areas that has undergone the most significant transformation as it always reflects the zeitgeist of the respective era. In the last century, hotels were known for their glamor and opulence, with a strong focus on appearance. Today, it is more about comfort and coziness. The lobby should be a kind of living room, only in a different location, which is used by guests and locals alike for interaction. Good hospitality involves everyone, which is why hotels are increasingly becoming meeting places in their city and region.

Given the importance of the lobby to the guest experience, it is important to design these areas carefully – and with an eye toward the future. Sustainability and eco-friendliness play an equally important role for Green Pearls® Unique Places partners as the guest experience and overall design. For example, they incorporate energy-efficient lighting, recycled or natural materials, and local products into the interior design of the lobby.

However, sustainability is often defined more broadly than just “eco-friendliness”. Many of the Green Pearls® hotel managers are committed to rooting the hotel locally and regionally. In addition to gastronomy, modern co-working spaces and round-the-clock shopping facilities are on offer. Residents add to the unique spirit and flair of each hotel, creating an authentic and welcoming atmosphere. This contributes to the attractiveness and uniqueness of the hotel, as well as the acceptance of tourism by the local population, which ensures the long-term use of the hotel.

Let us examine how Green Pearls® Unique Places hotels have integrated sustainability concepts into their distinctive entrance areas.

Coming Full Circle at OLM Nature Escape

The OLM Nature Escape, an eco-aparthotel in the Tauferer Ahrtal Valley in South Tyrol, is probably the first completely energy-self-sufficient hotel of its kind. Its circular design, inspired by the shape of the millstones of the former mill on the property, is conceived as a modern alpine pasture. Owner Christian Lechner's focus on genuine sustainability runs throughout the hotel. The hotel lobby is designed as an open area, in which the reception, a cozy lounge with a fireplace, the coffee bar, and the restaurant merge seamlessly. Seating areas in natural and pine green provide color and coziness. The hotel is designed to accommodate guests of all sizes and types, from large families and singles to guests with dogs. The reception area also houses the OLM shop, which offers a wide range of high-quality organic products for sale. These products are available for purchase at any time and can be used for self-catering in the apartments as well as at home.

A Meeting Place for Everyone in Milan: The Hotel Milano Scala

Milan's first zero-emission hotel is situated in a 19th-century palace in the heart of the city, within walking distance of most of the city's sights. The entrance area is designed to convey a cozy feeling, with light and sustainable materials alternating with darker wood and a light, delicate design. The lobby is located in the former inner courtyard with a glass roof providing plenty of natural light. The hotel also houses a multimedia library for guests, where a log fire creates a cozy atmosphere. A concierge service is available to all visitors offering advice and lots of tips. In the morning, a harpist plays soothing sounds amidst the city backdrop. Milano Scala is also popular with locals and is a favoured meeting place in the heart of the Brera design district for a restaurant visit or an evening cocktail at the lounge bar or on the hotel's roof terrace. 

At the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel, less is more

The lobby of the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife exudes an open and inviting atmosphere. Flooded with light and boasting large glass fronts, the proximity to the sea is palpable throughout. The use of solid wood armchairs and light-colored materials, coupled with natural stone floors, ensures a relaxed arrival for guests. As a refreshment, "infused water" is available to all guests in a large water dispenser, which is refilled several times a day and flavored with local fruits such as lemons, oranges, and dragon fruit. The water itself comes from the hotel's filter station. The hotel management has opted to avoid a flood of information in the entrance area. Instead, in addition to the staff, guests have access to a hotel app that summarizes the most important information.

Get inspired at the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio

The Traubel family wanted to create a tranquil retreat in the mountains and found an ideal location in the Allgäu Alps. The hotel is designed to be a place of inspiration and tranquility, with the lobby serving as the heart of the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio. This is where all guests, those staying at the hotel and locals alike, meet upon arrival and departure. There are plenty of seating areas for guests to relax and unwind after an eventful day in the mountains. The entrance area doubles as a tea room and wine bar, providing a comfortable space for guests to enjoy a refreshing drink or fine wine from the hotel's wine cellar. For those guests traveling with their dogs, the lobby lounge also offers a place to dine together.

Biophilic Design at Hotel Luise

Hotel Luise, located in the heart of Erlangen, is one of the most environmentally friendly city hotels in Germany. The hotel adheres to the "Cradle to Cradle®" principle and incorporates sustainability into all aspects of its operations, including its furnishings. The hotel lobby is undergoing a transformation to align with the forest theme. A variety of plants, a small stream, and tree trunks in the entrance area, the dark green ceiling color, and natural materials as decoration form the basis of the hotel's biophilic design concept. The main objective is to incorporate elements from nature to enhance the well-being of guests. These elements not only influence people's mood but also their creativity and productivity. Another focus of the hotel is the search for new, creative solutions. Materials are repurposed repeatedly. For instance, the entrance area features an old apothecary cabinet from around 1930 that has been meticulously refurbished by the hotel team. Furniture crafted from old wooden beams or plant arrangements in former jam jars or discarded boilers complete the décor.

Lounge Lobby of the Lifestyle Hotel SAND

The lobby of the SAND Lifestyle Hotel is the heart of the hotel, naturally forming the center of all activities. Like the entire hotel, the lobby of the lifestyle hotel is a harmonious blend of natural and boho elements, perfectly aligned with the hotel's location on the Baltic Sea in Lübeck Bay. The interior design is largely inspired by natural materials, with furniture crafted from sustainable materials and recycled teak. The theme of sea sand runs like a red thread through the design concept and physically throughout the hotel as a 3D sand-look carpet. The lobby is more of a lounge than a reception area, supported by chilled music and a subtle room fragrance. The SAND also offers co-working spaces for business.

Feng Shui at the Schwarzwald Panorama

The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb has designed the entire hotel according to the Far Eastern design concept of Feng Shui. "Feng" and "Shui" are Chinese for "wind" and "water." The fundamental principle of feng shui is that the life energy "chi" can flow unhindered through the rooms, thereby maintaining a positive atmosphere and sense of well-being for guests. The hotel's spacious entrance area is furnished with comfortable wooden and wicker pieces, combined with the color green. Full-length panoramic windows offer a unique view of the Swabian Alps, while also allowing guests to feel the energy of the place. Indoor plants and cut flowers represent the element of wood. Individual walls in the lobby reflect the element of fire with shades of red and orange. The terracotta flooring reflects the balancing character of the element earth. Glass and crystals symbolize the element metal, while the entrance area's irregular ceiling design represents the element water.

Lobby in a modern Allgäu style at Hotel Das Rübezahl

Guests enter the Hotel Das Rübezahl through an entrance area with a cozy lobby and reception. With an airy and open design, the lobby invites guests to linger in the Alpenrausch Bar, the Vinothek, and the fireplace lounge. Daylight streams into the interior through an atrium and floor-to-ceiling window fronts, creating a natural feel and space for relaxation. The Thurm host family made a conscious decision to use materials from the region and local craftsmanship. With great attention to detail, they created a romantic retreat that combines authentic Allgäu tradition and coziness with contemporary living and chic. High-quality wooden floors, stylish lamps and decorations, as well as harmonious color tones, create a warm ambiance. The lobby is decorated seasonally. The many seating options invite guests to enjoy a second coffee, read the daily newspaper, or reflect on the day with a cocktail from the bar in the evening.

Artistic Carpentry in the Lobby of ADLER Lodge RITTEN

Comfortable leather wing chairs, colorful Indian fabrics, cowhides paired with natural materials, and unusual color patterns, as well as a crackling fire, welcome guests in the lobby of the ADLER Lodge RITTEN. The lodge-style is unique, creating a living room atmosphere in the wooden rooms. Guests are encouraged to feel completely at home in the lodge living room and find peace and serenity. Over a glass of wine or a cup of tea, one can enjoy the view of the forest and mountains through the large glass façades. The wooden ceiling of the lobby and the artfully clad elevator of the main lodge are also worth a closer look. Every table, every panel, and every cupboard in the ADLER Lodge RITTEN is crafted with artistic precision and is made by hand in the carpentry workshop in Siusi. The ADLER Lodge RITTEN exemplifies the pinnacle of South Tyrolean craftsmanship.

In the Middle of the Outdoors at Naturhotel Outside

The Naturhotel Outside's motto, "In the Middle of the Outdoors," is reflected in the entrance area through a sustainable interior design and the use of natural materials. An almost 300-year-old tree slice is the hotel's signature design element. The full glazing allows plenty of natural light to enter the room, creating a cozy, feel-good atmosphere for guests throughout their stay. Many of the materials used in the lobby and throughout the hotel are sourced from the immediate vicinity, including the subtle green shimmering East Tyrolean serpentine. The rough leather and untreated wood are also sourced from East Tyrol. The high-quality natural materials, an abundance of larch wood, and loden fabric on the couch furniture take nature from the outdoors inside. The Ganzer family also pays attention to sustainability when it comes to plants. In the winter, dried plants are used on the tables, and even in the summer, there are no short-lived cut flowers. Instead, potted plants are used for decoration.

Four Natural Elements for Naturresort Gerbehof

Surrounded by meadows, forests, and orchards, the Naturresort Gerbehof offers guests the opportunity to unwind and recharge their body and mind with new energy. In keeping with the region's cultural and natural heritage, the hotel's interiors feature a distinctive blend of local woods and fabrics. The natural surroundings of the Gerbehof are reflected in the interior design. The spacious lobby area was designed with a harmonious arrangement of materials to create a warm ambiance and cordiality, which is mirrored in the personal service provided by the staff. The lobby design incorporates natural stones representing the element of earth, a fountain representing the element of water, and large window fronts representing the connection to the outside and fresh air. Handcrafted wooden furnishings and a variety of crystals are employed to enhance the harmonious atmosphere of the rooms. Candles symbolize the last of the pure elements: fire.

Love of Home at Hotel Okelmann's

Relaxed mindfulness and a conscious lifestyle are hallmarks of the design style of sisters Maren and Kristin, the fifth generation to run the Hotel Okelmann's in the heart of Lower Saxony. "There is nowhere else like this," they tell us cheerfully and proudly. Airy and light, with a touch of Northern Design, natural materials and furniture that the sisters themselves find beautiful have found their way into the lobby. Old oak cabinets from great-grandma Okelmann's trousseau are displayed alongside new handmade furniture from the region, which is produced in the local joinery. The entrance area is given a special touch with paintings by local artist Pablo Hirndorf. Guests should feel welcome and have a good time in an informal environment. The Café Heimatliebe serves as a meeting point for guests and locals alike, offering a selection of home-baked cakes and tarts, as well as a daily breakfast for hotel guests and out-of-towners. The café also features a concept store with a range of sustainable gift ideas, dog accessories, and homemade products from the café's kitchen.

Today, a hotel's entrance and lobby are more than just showpieces. They should create a connection between inside and outside, guest and hotel, locals and travelers. Learn more about the featured hotels and their unique stories on the linked microsites. If you have any questions or need additional images, contact us directly at press@greenpearls.com