Best colours and patterns for resorts and hotels

Merino Laminates, November 4, 2024

Designing a hotel or a resort can be an exciting albeit challenging experience for a designer. As the scale of this typology is often large and the number of amenities needed are high, the spatial planning, optimization of space and circulation are some of the key elements that one must focus on. A well designed hotel or a resort is user-friendly, safe and secure, thus offering the guests a relaxing and peaceful getaway. While the aforementioned parameters take precedence, the finishes, colours and accessories play a massive role in determining the opulence and the experience that the space ultimately offers. Be it a budget hotel or a luxury resort- the finishes you use and the colour palette you apply can help you create a desired ambiance that the space wishes to offer to its guests. Here are some of the best colour and pattern options that are ideal for the interiors of a hotel or a resort:  

1. Ideal colours for a resort 

When you are looking at the design of a resort, you must bear in mind that it is a space dedicated to fun, relaxation and enjoyment. Many resorts offer an escape into the wilderness or a fun and adventurous time by offering adventure sports, outdoor sports etc. Hence, bright colours like yellow, lime green, bright blues, reds and oranges are some of the ideal colours that you can consider. A chirpy combination of yellow, lime green paired with lots of natural light, fauna and a neutral base like white makes for a great colour scheme in a space that will be visited by families with children. One would come to this kind of a resort to enjoy amenities like the pool, games for kids, spas etc. This theme with an addition of blue can also work well for beach resorts or waterfront resorts. 

If the resort is nestled amidst nature, like in a forest or in a hill station and offers a more relaxed, laid back experience where one would enjoy being amidst the wilderness-  warmer earthy tones like mustard yellow, reds and terracotta orange paired with lots of brown and beiges offers a sophisticated and elegant ambiance that is preferred by older travellers, and groups with a niche of nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.  

2. Colour scheme for hotels 

A hotel is more functional in nature and guests who choose to reside here may be travelling on leisure or for business. Hence, the colours used are more formal and depending on the desired outcome, one can choose themes that are minimalistic, classic or extravagant. Minimalistic colour schemes comprising of white, greys and a splash of colour like green or red are ideal for business hotels. Many modern and high end hotels also opt for a contrasting colour scheme of glossy blacks and whites to give the space a futuristic and extravagant appeal. Some chains of hotels which are known to offer a luxury experience often go beyond the conventional and choose a theme with metallic highlights like gold finishes, accessories etc, thus inclining towards a more maximalist approach. 

3. Classic wood finishes

Classic wood finishes are often chosen as a safe theme as a space with a lot of wooden panelling, classic wood finishes for wardrobes, furniture etc., often offers a comfortable, elegant and welcoming ambiance. You can choose darker wooden finishes like walnut if you want to recreate the classic hotel, or if you wish to for something more modern, you can choose to pair lighter wood finishes with block colours like maroon, green or dark blues. 

A theme with a lot of focus on deeper wooden finishes is often preferred in resorts which are located on the hills or forest or in hotels that  aim to offer a more sophisticated and timeless ambiance that is more dated and takes one back in time. 

4. Bright and bold colours in super glossy 

Modern hotels that may fall in the budget or business hotel categories often have bright and colourful themes and the same is realised using super glossy laminates and colourful upholstery. Super glossy laminates offer a sleek and elegant look while being easy to clean and maintain, thus making them an ideal wall finish. This is paired with modern lighting fixtures and minimalistic fittings to give the space a modern and trendy look. Colours like yellow, white, lime, blue are preferred for this kind of interior design theme. 

5. Indian motifs for panels, focal points etc

Many hotels and restaurants, especially those that wish to create a more indigenous ambiance prefer to use Indian motifs and patterns to elevate the look of the space. Be it a resort that aims to give the look of a traditional palace or a hotel that aims to give inhabitants a peek at the rich INdian heritage- Indian motifs are a great way to create a welcoming theme. These patterns are often intricate, hence they cannot be used in abundance. You can create focal points, panels, headboards etc using Merino Laminates from our latest Sampada range and pair it with neutral colours like whites, beiges or browns to give the space an elegant look. 

We hope that this understanding on the application of colours and patterns will help you create a hotel or resort design that is inviting, pleasant and relaxing for the users while offering a unique and memorable experience that will become the USP of the hotel.