Bathrooms are becoming more important and an integral part of the hotels: Shiv Kashyap

Accor has a huge footprint in India with properties across its major brands known as Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, ibis and the brand plans to have strategised continued growth with its three strategic objective which are focus, simplicity and expansion. Informing about the evolving design trends implemented at Accor hotels, Shiv Kashyap, Vice President - Technical Services, India & South Asia, Accor said, “Design is evolving and we are also continuing our growth to be more dynamic, flexible and acceptable. It is not only related to food and beverage, but we have also focus on guest health and safety as well which has become of prime importance now and moving forward. Bathrooms are becoming more important and an integral part of the hotels from all angles, be it public area bathrooms or private guest rooms. We are working towards our growth with all these factors in mind in all our segments across hotels.”

Speaking at the third episode of BW HOTELIER- Hansgrohe ‘Design – Innovation to Conservation’ weBBlast series which was themed as ‘Where Innovation Meets Emotion’, Kashyap mentioned that these innovations and expansions are being adapted by all Accor brands globally with the same objective.

Talking about the new norms, he shared about the ALLSAFE programme that is designed to reassure guests with an all-encompassing set of procedures responding to new consumer behaviours and expectations around a safe experience. He pointed out, “I am proud to say that, as of today, we have already implemented the programme in all operating properties. From operational perspective in terms of health, hygiene, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guest comfort and staff’s health, all areas have been taken care of.”

Furthermore, Kashyap gives insights on the Unique Selling Point (USP) of Accor brands, he stated that the relation between guest room and bathroom design should form one story and Accor always has a story. “What starts from concept of the public area, it flows into the circulation space and then rooms but there is still an element of surprise with the use of local elements that tells a story so that the guest is more eager to explore and then it becomes a USP,” he added.

He also mentioned that moving away from former hotel look to more bespoke hotel design is also a new thing which is becoming a USP. “We would like our hotels to be more boutique and exclusive,” he concluded.