As hotel rooms trend smaller, and guests tend to spend more time outside them, either away or in common spaces, hotels continue to rethink what’s in them. And, increasingly, closets aren’t.
Recent trends have spotted the disappearance of desks in favor of laptop workspaces, of huge entertainment centers in favor of personal electronics.
Now storage is on the table. Hotels are finding guests with less luggage; it can fit under the bed. Closets wall off space and make the room look smaller; toss the door. Travelers aren’t filling up dresser drawers for a long stay; eliminate dressers and add shelves in the ‘storage nook.’
“Many guests aren’t using drawers, but don’t want the ‘economy feel’ of exposed hooks on the wall or a stark hanging bar. But, they also don’t want to inadvertently leave anything behind,” says Anne Smith, vice president of brand management and design for Choice Hotels, told USA TODAY. “These changes reflect the way guests use the space today.”
Another trend I’m not crazy about. For a night or two, I don’t care if there’s a closet. But for a longer stay it’s nice to unpack one’s bag, hang your clothes and puts tuff in drawers. Makes it seem much more homey.