Lobby Essay Example for Free

Lobby Essay The objectives of the architect 1- To cluster the public facilities- restaurants, lounges, conference rooms, front desk and so forth around the lobby, ensuring hotel guests can find the various facilities with a minimum difficulty. 2- Also when guests linger in it, the lobby in it, the lobby serves as an informal gathering space. It also functions as a control point with the staff visually over seeing access throughout the building. 3- Provide clear path to front desk, food and beverage, reservation, public relation officer through the lobby. 4- Make the front desk visible to entering guests. It should have sufficient space for check in / check out lines and have direct access to the front office. [pic] 2. 0 Profile of our hotel Le Royal Hotel is set on a superb location, tucked between Le Morne Mountain and one of Mauritius’ most beautiful beaches. It stretches itself on the spectacular Le Morne Peninsula, on the South-West tip of the island. This luxury hotel covers an impressive 150-hectare, bordered by 7 km of protected beaches and the largest lagoon of Mauritius. With a name that says it all, Le Royal Hotel positions itself as the ultimate 5-star resort in Mauritius. It offers 2 Spas and a total of 7 superb restaurants, with different cuisines and characteristics. The hotel also boasts a stylish collection of high-quality accommodation, including Junior and Senior Suites and 13 luxury seaside Villas featuring their private beaches. Le Royal Hotel also proposes a comprehensive array of land and water sports including diving and deep-sea fishing. [pic] 3. 0 What is a lobby? Every hotel, regardless of its size, must have a public lobby. The size of the lobby is largely determined by the number of guest rooms as well as by the type of hotel that is on the architect’s drawing boards. It goes without saying that the larger the hotel, the larger the lobby. The lobby will also have to be larger in a resort or convenient hotel. A resort hotel will require a large lobby because guests will congregate there in the evening. A hotel catering to conventions needs a large lobby because here again there is a constant gathering of conventioneers before they go off to lectures, seminars, meetings, luncheons, and dinners. There is no rule of thumb to determine the size of a lobby. One must proceed by making a careful study of similar types of hotels and arrive at decisions after discussions with hotel operators and managers. A hotel lobby sets the mood for a hotel. This space, more than any other, will create the first and usually the most lasting impression. Furnishings, color, finishing materials, lighting, and decor must create the proper ambience regardless of whether the hotel is large or small, in a city or a resort, moderately priced or expensive. The interior designer plays a most vital part in planning and designing hotel lobbies. [pic] 4. 0 Plan of the lobby [pic] 5. 0 The functional areas of the lobby; 5. 1 Cyber Cafe There would be a cyber cafe located near the main restaurant. The guests will have access to the computers and Internet access is also available. The room is also composed with a fax a telecopy service that can help the guests from time to time. [pic] 5. 2 Luggage Room It is where we put the cases and the belongings of the guests after their arrival to the hotel. The baggages will be put there and shortly after that the guests have completed the formalities it will be out to the respective guests’ rooms. The luggage compartment is not so big; it occupies a small space only. [pic] 5. 3 Lounge It is the sitting area. The lounge is near the front office and face to the main entrance. It is divided into two sections where the guests and employees can provide services to the latter more easily. The lounge is also composed with some plants just to give a sense of relaxation in the hotel. [pic] 5. 4 The back offices The back offices are mainly composed of the Sales Marketing department, the Reservation office department, Administration department and the Front Office department. All these departments are located at the back of the Front Office found in the lobby. There will be a corridor with the door for staff entrance close to the Front Office desk. The guests won’t have access to the back of the house area of the hotel. [pic] 5. 5 Main Entrance The main entrance of the lobby will have a width of approximately 5-6 meters where it will make circulation a lot more comfortable. The main entrance has also been built by taking into consideration disable persons; a special floor is made available to those people. [pic] 5. 6 Administration office Office Administration is a set of day-to-day activities related to financial planning, billing and recordkeeping, personnel, and physical distribution and logistics, within a business. Administrative functions Administrators, broadly speaking, engage in a common set of functions to meet the organizations goals. †¢ Planning is deciding in advance what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and who should do it. It maps the path from where the organization is to where it wants to be. The planning function involves establishing goals and arranging them in logical order. Administrators engage in both short-range and long-range planning. †¢ Organizing involves identifying responsibilities to be performed, grouping responsibilities into departments or divisions, and specifying organizational relationships. The purpose is to achieve coordinated effort among all the elements in the organization. Organizing must take into account delegation of authority and responsibility and span of control within supervisory units. †¢ Staffing means filling job positions with the right people at the right time. It involves determining staffing needs, writing job descriptions, recruiting and screening people to fill the positions. †¢ Directing is leading people in a manner that achieves the goals of the organization. This involves proper allocation of resources and providing an effective support system. Directing requires exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate people. One of the crucial issues in directing is to find the correct balance between emphasis on staff needs and emphasis on production. †¢ Controlling is the function that evaluates quality in all areas and detects potential or actual deviations from the organizations plan. This functions purpose is to ensure high-quality performance and satisfactory results while maintaining an orderly and problem-free environment. Controlling includes information management, measurement of performance, and institution of corrective actions. Budgeting, exempted from the list above, incorporates most of the administrative functions, beginning with the implementation of a budget plan through the application of budget controls. 5. 7 Lifts Lifts are expensive. They should be wider than they are deep to facilitate entry. Tough surfaces are required to resist damage by baggage. The main lift bank must be visible on ente ring the reception area. Specialist design of the lift system may be necessary. Additional service lifts may also be required for housekeeping and room service. There are often one or two service lifts to every three guests’ lifts, and these open onto service lobbies on each floor. At least one lift should be large enough to take furniture such as bed or bath, or a stretcher case as accidents and illness occur in hotels, and it may be preferable not to use the public areas in such event. [pic] 5. 8 Stairs Staircase design is dictated by fire escape requirements. The main stairs should be beside the lift bank to enable guests to find them easily, with secondary stairs at the end of each corridor. Some ramps may be required for guests using wheelchairs. [pic] 5. 9 Concierge The concierge counter is located at the right of the entrance. The counter is normally occupied by one person; therefore there is no need for a large desk. The concierge counter has drawers for keys, message indicator panels, and the wake up system, brochure holders, and the stationery drawer. A concierge is somebody who works at the concierge counter and very often has great contacts and can make things happen that the guest might not be able to do. For example, if the guest needs theater tickets, or if the guest needs a reservation at an exclusive restaurant, often a hotel concierge can use his or her contacts and make those things happen. They can also do some fairly ordinary things too, for example, helping the guest print out a boarding pass or helping the guest with flight arrangements, but theyre great at doing things that just seem impossible. In a nutshell, the concierge is there to satisfy the needs of the guest. [pic] 5. 10 The public relation counter The public relation counter is located at the left of the entrance. This enables the guest relation officers to quickly reach the guests as they enter the lobby and this facilitates the work of both the public relation officers and the guests. The public relation counter is enhanced with lightings and plants. This counter has been set up so as the queries of the guests can be satisfied. The public relation officer can be asked to organize a wedding, therefore he has to make suitable arrangements concerning the wedding and if additional requirement is needed. [pic] 5. 11 Reception Reception areas should provide a clear introduction to the building, with straightforward unobstructed routes to the enquiry desk, lift, stairs and waiting area. A screened telephone point is helpful, especially in buildings where visitors will need to call taxis or waiting colleagues. The reception of our hotel is located at the right of the entrance. The reception is enhanced by lightings and this contributes to the esthetics aspects of the reception. The reception desk is large enough so as to be able to accommodate the different working stationeries and office tools; the computer, printer, credit/debit card transactions, telephones. There is enough space at the reception to allow paper work to be carried out comfortably, to cater many guests at a time and to allow the employees to move comfortably. [pic] 5. 12 The Water Fountain For most consumers, indoor fountains are decorative water features that simply look good as lifestyle furnishing items in traditional or contemporary homes. The benefit of flowing water is maintaining a balanced, healthy and serene environment. Given that they moisturize the atmosphere in air-conditioned rooms or buildings, relieve stress in pressured lives and are a powerful form of relaxation therapy for hyperactive children, insomniacs, and those living with noisy neighbors or busy roads Water features add an element of natural energy and serenity to any environment. Fountains designers and their clients are increasingly choosing water features as a compelling, cost effective way to distinguish and differentiate their work and home environment. [pic] 5. 13 Information desk The information desk is located at the left of the entrance. This is the desk where the different tour operators would be present and allowing them to be within the reach of the guests. Tourists can get different magazines from which they can get information about the hotel’s surroundings and some places of interest. The tour operators can guide them whenever they have any problems or questions pic] 5. 14 The Main Restaurant â€Å"La Belle Vue† is the main restaurant of the hotel. The name of the restaurant has been chosen in relation to its location which faces the sea. Guests have the opportunity to admire the blue lagoon every time they are having their meal. The atrium area is treated casually, with brick paving and tables with cloth runners in a low-ceilinged interior space. The intermediate zone is more formal, and the â€Å"interior section includes leather banquettes, table linen, lower lighting levels and such additional accessories such as artwork. It is also an exhibition cooking area where the chef is visible. Guests like to see who is preparing their meals. This design also brings chefs out of the kitchen. The restaurant will offer different moods for breakfast or dinner, for family groups or couples and for informal meals or special-occasion dinners. [pic] 5. 15 The Main Bar The â€Å"Skipper’s Deck† is the main bar of the hotel. It is close to the main restaurant as it provides easy accessibility to guests. The bar is very spacious with seating all around it and can accommodate around 75 guests. The bar also faces the sea and guests are able to admire the seaside as well as the sunset in the evening. A variety of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks are made available to guests. There are the classic cocktails as well as the exotic ones prepared by the barman. The bar is in an open space which makes it really accessible to guests who can spend their day relaxing there. There is also a corner where artists make their representations at night to improve the overall atmosphere. [pic] 5. 16 Tourist shops Tourist shops provide a space where guests can do their shopping with souvenirs, clothes, artifacts†¦ at hand. In the tourist shops, one can have Mauritian handicrafts and souvenirs and also the guests have access to useful stationary that can be use to send post cards to relatives and friends during their holidays. [pic] 5. 17 The Patio Patios are typically made of concrete or stone slabs laid over a firm base. This base is often formed of a layer of compacted hardcore, a layer of sharp sand, and a layer of cement mortar. The firmness and stability of the base is essential to the robustness of the top layer of slabs an infirm base will typically result in cracked slabs. Patios that hold a lot of weight, such as driveways, require stronger foundations than those that are designed for light use. A patio is an outdoor space generally used for dining or recreation that often adjoins a residence. The patio of our hotel is found near the main bar and is on a terrace from which the guests can have a sea-side view. For the decoration we have covered the concrete floor with teak wood. The guests can relax and have their food in the open area. [pic] 5. 18 The Coffee shop Coffee shops focus on providing coffee and tea as well as light snacks. The coffee shop is mainly used by tourists who are both waiting to check in or check out and is available on a 24hr basis. The coffee shop provides a rapid service and it can be used as a place for relaxation. [pic] 6. 0 Materials and decorations The materials which have been used in the designing of the lobby have been meticulously chosen. The materials are durable and particularly esthetic for the lobby. They have also been chosen in accordance with the theme of the hotel which is a tropical style. Durable materials are indeed very costly but however, they can resist and maintain them with the high traffic, impact and scrapping. Tropical style Tropical chic is one of the most popular looks today. It includes comfort, warmth, and a touch of the exotic, using jungle themes, restful colors, and natural textural elements. Its a style that has fresh appeal with touches of traditional. This is not the multi-colored jungle look you might choose for a childs room. It mixes lots of texture and intricate pattern with simple details and a few large accessories. Common motifs include stylized palm trees, large leafed banana plants, monkeys, animal prints, rattan, leather, and grass cloth. Here are some of the underlying elements and themes of a tropical look of our lobby. Colors This tropical palette is influenced by palm trees and sunny skies. Other palettes may include brighter hues reflecting the culture and history of the region. A Balinese interior will have deeper, richer colors. Furniture and Finishes Exotic hardwoods like teak, rosewood and â€Å"koa† are used for furniture. Natural materials like cane, sea grass, water hyacinth, banana leaf and rattan are woven to form chairs, sofas and tables and a myriad of accents. Fabrics Look for prints that feature palm trees and their far-reaching fronds and tropical plants with vivid, beautiful blooms like hibiscus, anthurium, orchid and Bird of Paradise. For a more refined look incorporate Thai silks and floral-printed linen. Art and Accessories Look to the beach for inspiration and find ways to incorporate them into the room. Tropical plants set in wicker planters, shells displayed in jars or shadow boxes and baskets, mats and rugs made of natural materials like rattan and sea grass will all infuse the room with a warm-weather attitude.