In our previous blogs we have mostly focused on landscaping for homes, and to a lesser extent urbanisations, offices and restaurants, but hotels form another important specialisation within the field of landscape garden design that brings with it a whole new set of unique conditions and requirements.

In fact, hotel landscaping is fascinating in its own right, for while it tends to involve working on a significantly larger scale than on a private garden, there is far more to it than that. It involves far more, as the look, functionality and nature of a hotel is completely different. When designing the garden of a private home, you take your brief from the owner and have only that client to please. A hotel’s landscaped areas, on the other hand, will be seen by far more people and it forms an integral part of the venue’s look and appeal. It’s important to bear in mind that, unlike a private home, a hotel is a commercial venture, so its design, look and amenities are all designed to attract people.

Landscaping forms an important part of this and therefore has a vital role to play, not just in the first impression created of a resort or hotel, but also in shaping the guest experience by helping to highlight its architecture and amenities. For this reason, we listen very carefully to our hotel clients, study the setting and terrain, and also consider such factors as the size, design style and type of hotel. For instance, is it large or boutique? Is it located by the beach, in the countryside or in a downtown city centre?

 

 

Hotel styles

Classic hotel gardens feature extensive lawns with elegant planting of trees, flower beds and hedges, but many also incorporate rockeries and Zen areas, especially if they’re located in dry areas or have spas. In the case of the latter, a tropical area may also enhance the ambience further and suit the climatic conditions created, so we study the architecture and interior design, as well as the layout, size and location before starting on designs. In addition, it’s important to know who will be staying at the hotel – is it targeted at younger or older guests, families, and what price range is it in?

Once we have all this information in place and a clear picture is created of the project, its market positioning and what it aims to achieve on a commercial level, do we begin to put together the elements that form the basis for a creative design proposal. In this, we always aim to complement the architecture and amenities, as the landscaping of a hotel is an important value-added element, both visually and from a practical point of view.

 

 

Contact the La Menara team for more information about landscape designs created for your hotel.