Hospitality Design Trends for 2025
HBG Design Thinking: From Sustainable Innovations to Immersive Guest Experiences
As the hospitality industry gears up for 2025, the landscape continues to shift in response to economic, cultural, and technological forces. Insights from recent conferences such as The Lodging Conference, BDNY, and HD Expo provide a roadmap for what’s next in hospitality design. From sustainable innovations to immersive guest experiences, the trends shaping the future align closely with HBG Design’s mission to craft inspired and transformative spaces. HBG leaders Nathan Peak, Emily Marshall, Alexandra Milkovich and Landon Shockey weigh in on the trends.
Here’s what to expect in 2025 and how these trends will impact hospitality projects.
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Sustainability as a Core Value
HD Expo 2024 Show Floor
Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s integral to the guest experience and the development process. Hotels are weaving sustainable practices into their brand narratives, using them as a competitive advantage.
Key Takeaways:
- Material Choices: Expect an emphasis on eco-friendly materials, such as rattan, rich wood tones, and recycled metals.
- Operational Practices: Digital keys, water refill stations, and large-format amenities reduce waste and align with consumer expectations.
- Circular Design: Designers are scrutinizing supply chains to reduce carbon footprints, inspired by innovations like Styrofoam-free casegoods and eco-conscious packaging.
"HBG Design’s approach prioritizes solutions that enhance both operational efficiency and environmental stewardship – focusing on product longevity and sustainably made products, creating spaces that resonate with eco-conscious travelers," says Nathan Peak, AIA, LEED GA, HBG Principal and Practice Leader.
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Wellness and Well-Being Take Center Stage
The wellness economy continues to flourish, influencing everything from luxury spa design to guestroom amenities.
"Wellness isn’t just a trend—it’s a fundamental expectation for guests," says HBG Sr. Interior Designer, Landon Shockey, ASID, NCIDQ.
Key Takeaways:
- Holistic Offerings: Wellness extends beyond spas. Guests seek spaces that nourish mind and body, from sound baths to in-room wellness features like sleep-enhancing technologies.
- Luxury Wellness: Hotels like Six Senses are redefining luxury by integrating sleep science, spiritual well-being, and sustainable design into the guest journey.
- Flexible Programming: Spaces designed for multi-use programming—yoga classes by day and stargazing at night—offer unique experiences while maximizing ROI.
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Technology: Enhancing, Not Replacing, the Human Touch
Guest rooms and suites at Oaklawn Resort, Hot Springs, feature in-room tablets as digital concierges, offering seamless access to dining, promotions, events, and more.
"As artificial intelligence and automation advance, successful hospitality design will balance technology with human-centered experiences" explains Emily Marshall, IIDA, NCIDQ, HBG Principal / Interior Design Leader.
Key Takeaways:
- AI-Powered Guest Experiences: From personalized room preferences to virtual concierge services, AI adds convenience while preserving the essence of hospitality.
- Connected Spaces: Smart room technology enhances intuitive design, providing guests with seamless control over lighting, climate, and entertainment.
- Community Connection: Digital platforms are enabling guests to engage with one another, enhancing the sense of belonging and discovery.
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Elevated Design: Nostalgia Meets Modern Luxury
Design trends are leaning into warm palettes, nostalgic textures, and tactile materials, creating spaces that feel both luxurious and welcoming.
Key Takeaways:
- Color Trends: Deep plums, cranberry reds, olive greens, and butterscotch tones evoke a cozy, grounded atmosphere.
- Biophilia and Texture: Rich biophilic elements and layered textures add visual and sensory depth.
- Experiential Elements: Thoughtful design moments—like curated art installations or locally inspired storytelling—leave lasting impressions on guests.
"HBG Design excels at blending these elements into cohesive narratives that connect deeply with guests and reflect the property’s location and brand identity," offers Alexandra Milkovich, IIDA, NCIDQ, HBG Sr. Associate / Sr. Interior Designer.
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The Rise of Lifestyle and Extended-Stay Models
The Hadsten Solvang, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, blends a “vineyard vibe” with vintage Danish charm, the design reflects the rich heritage of Solvang and the allure of its wine-country surroundings.
"Increased demand for lifestyle boutique hotels and extended-stay options is reshaping the market, driven by the need for flexible, experience-rich accommodations," adds Marshall.
Key Takeaways:
- Lifestyle Hotels: Brands like Moxy and Virgin focus on curated experiences, from local art displays to intimate dining.
- Extended Stay: Accommodations catering to 30-, 60-, or 90-day stays provide opportunities for innovative design that bridges home and hospitality.
- Personalization: These models emphasize creating environments that feel unique and personal, offering a sense of discovery with every stay.
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Storytelling: Creating Emotional Connections
Milkovich adds: "The art of storytelling is redefining hospitality. Guests crave narratives that shape every aspect of their journey, from booking to departure."
Key Takeaways:
- Unique Branding: Fictional personas or cultural references—create memorable, cohesive brand stories.
- Local Integration: Leveraging neighborhood influences, such as street art or regional culinary themes, creates authentic connections.
- Consistent Messaging: Every touchpoint, from architecture to amenities, must reinforce the story and immerse guests in the experience.
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Looking Ahead: Opportunities for 2025
"The year ahead promises growth, innovation, and creativity in hospitality design," says Peak. "HBG Design remains committed to staying at the forefront of these trends, helping clients achieve their vision while crafting spaces that inspire and endure."
By combining sustainable practices, cutting-edge technology, and emotionally resonant storytelling, HBG is creating destinations that not only meet guest expectations but exceed them—ensuring properties thrive in an ever-evolving market.
Let’s start the conversation about how these trends can elevate your next project. Reach out to our team at HBG Design to explore the possibilities.
HBG Design Projects Set Industry Standard in Spa/Wellness
We’re excited to announce that two of our standout spa projects, the WinStar Spa at WinStar World Resort & Casino in Thackerville, OK, and the Cedar Spa at Four Winds Casino Hotel & Spa in South Bend, IN, are highlighted in the 4th edition of the Global Wellness Institute’s Guide to Hydrothermal Spa & Wellness Development Standards, setting the industry standard in spa design.
The WinStar Spa is particularly notable for housing the largest hydrotherapy tub/pool in the U.S., exemplifying innovation and HBG’s commitment to wellness-focused design. This recognition by the Global Wellness Institute underscores our role in setting new standards for luxury spa and wellness experiences across the country.
Wellness industry specialist Don Genders, of Design for Leisure, was instrumental in creating this comprehensive guide, which has become a key resource for developers, architects, designers, and builders interested in incorporating hydrothermal wellness elements into their projects. As spa and wellness facilities continue to grow in demand, the updated edition provides essential insights on integrating features such as saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunges into both residential and commercial spaces.
We are proud that HBG Design's work is helping shape the future of wellness design and are thrilled to be included in this global resource, available now for complimentary download. Whether it's the large-scale hydrotherapy features at WinStar or the tranquil luxury of Cedar Spa, our team’s projects continue to define the industry standard for spa and wellness environments.
For more details, download the guide and explore how hydrothermal spa elements can elevate wellness experiences in any space.
HBG Design Shares Resort Designs for Changing Times in Tribal Government Gaming
https://issuu.com/globalgamingbusiness/docs/tribal_government_gaming__2021/30
Pressure eases off the brake pedal. Slowly but surely, the pandemic that shut down gaming has less force.
Operators await business beyond Covid-19. And tribal properties, like their commercial colleagues, will benefit from those who innovate ahead of the post-pandemic curve.
Casinos are already placing social distances and guest separation into their plans to gain an edge for the future. Sharp vendors serving tribal gaming interests are both anticipating and reacting to market needs.
Building Outside the Box
HBG Design has a long, storied presence in tribal gaming. Principal Dike Bacon says the company has worked with more than 40 sovereign nations across the United States, bringing their strategic visions to life through the design of award-winning casino resorts.
HBG’s SafeBet gaming pods offer social distancing and a patentpending UVC Breathing Zone that kills 99.99 percent of airborne pathogens
Along that journey, the company took a game-changing side trip in the past couple of years. Its innovative SafeBet product allows properties to continue to operate amid Covid-19. The concept of SafeBet can also spread to other industries.
“As creative people and problem-solvers, it’s in our DNA to design with the intention of making places and spaces better,” says Bacon. “That’s fueled the creation of our SafeBet slot pods, which HBG designed in 2020 and is patenting. We’re now manufacturing SafeBet through our partnership with KGM Gaming.”
The pods offer social distancing “with additional layers of comfort and personal space,” says Bacon. “SafeBet literally creates the safest seat on the gaming floor, with the only personalized ventilation system available in the market today.” Its patent-pending UVC Breathing Zone kills 99.99 percent of airborne pathogens and bacteria.
“Think of it like this: As a guest in a casino, playing at a slot machine that has the SafeBet product, you essentially have a personal ventilation cleaning system working for you and killing pathogens in the air immediately around the you while you play,” says Bacon. “It’s a win-win for owners and their guest… What we’re doing with SafeBet is providing a path for owners to maximize floor space and push revenues higher, while offering the kind of protection that provides guests with peace of mind.”
The breakthrough product was part of HBG’s multiple-faceted approach to the crippling pandemic.
“One of the biggest takeaways from Covid in our industry is the focus on making cleanliness, safety and wellness top priorities,” Bacon says. “The perception of cleanliness is paramount in bolstering a positive feeling of safety and well-being among guests, but the measures operators take have to work.”
Bacon says current design projects show better utilization of interior and exterior spaces, blurring the lines to bring the outdoors in and the indoors out. This is especially true in food and beverage, in which seating capacities can be increased with little to no new square footage. Designers are rethinking how to seat and serve guests to achieve social distancing, and compartmentalizing spaces in a natural, fluid manner.
“We’ve been analyzing and re-purposing existing space—often square footage that’s underutilized or, in some instances, unused, in the casino,” says Bacon. “We’re weaving design- and facility-planning principles with emerging technologies to develop responsive design solutions.”
Beyond safety breakthroughs, HBG retains a presence as an industry heavy-hitter, ranking among the Top 5 hospitality design firms in the country for more than a decade, according to Bacon.
“We’re one of only a handful of design firms working in the tribal sector that’s laser-focused on hospitality and entertainment design as the core of what we do, and that’s a real differentiator,” Bacon says.
Many of the firm’s Indian gaming clients continued to pursue projects during and despite Covid-19, both on the design side and in new construction. The prevailing attitude was that the calendar doesn’t stop, and lost time is lost revenue.
Two projects opened recently: the 1.2 million-square-foot Desert Diamond West Valley Resort in Glendale, Arizona, and the $180 million, 459-room, Four Diamond hotel expansion at Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, California, outside Sacramento.
In addition to gaming, both projects include a diverse range of non-gaming amenities targeted to each region’s specific market and guest demographic.
Completion of the Desert Diamond West Casino in Glendale, Arizona proceeded despite the Covid 19 pandemic