Chic cafés make their way into your hotel lobby

Chic cafés make their way into your hotel lobby

The hotel lobby has a new bar—appetizers and a lounge chair too. When did this happen? Major hotels are competing to create hip and trendy scenes in their lobbies to build a lounge like, Euro feel. It’s sure to bump business, and every hotelier is taking notes.

Hotel owners are seeking to create a cocktail party feel, one that will keep guests mingling, eating, and most importantly talking to their friends about the entire experience. Hotels are editing and upgrading their menus to offer better and more food options for their patrons. A few months back, Marriot tested a new menu for those that hung around the lobby. Wyndham, in early 2007, started installing cafes in its lobbies. The Drake Hotel in San Francisco and Omni Mandalay Hotel in Irving, Texas are also adopting the trends.

The tapas style eating that hotel lobbies are starting to embrace these days benefits both sides of the table, really. Such foods are often served on smaller plates, which can easily be shared with others, and don’t make such a huge mess. For guests, it means faster service and more variety. It’s also a great option for people who would prefer not to order room service or eat alone.

The lobby will no longer be a place to just check-in. It’ll be versatile, welcoming, and a place to kick off your shoes and relax with a nice cold one.