Hotel trend: social lobbies

Hotels that want to remain relevant to tech-savvy and social travellers are investing in social lobbies. It is the new 2014 hotel trend, Hotelnewsnow.com reports.

A social lobby is an inviting lobby, where guests can power up, connect to Wi-Fi, meet with colleagues or conduct business privately while out of their hotel rooms.

Loews Hotels and the hotels of Spire Hospitality in the US is investing in this type of hotel lobbies to create a gathering space for small groups to meet and socialize. The key qualities of such a lobby is in offering great WiFi and seating that offers plug-in facilities where guests can charge their phone and laptop.

In many hotels, the social lobby is replacing the traditional enclosed business center by a more informal, social lounge space offering signature coffee drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, couches, chairs and low tables suitable for travellers or visitors working on laptops or using tablets and other digital devices.