Short answer

In designing or evaluating lifestyle hotels, prioritize elements that contribute to both functional efficiency and a profound sense of place or emotional well-being.

Field
Classic Design
Source
Heliyon (2024)
Method
Qualitative analysis using topic modelling and manual coding
Sample
11,239 online reviews
Evidence
Strong effect

Guests' aesthetic appreciation of lifestyle hotels is significantly influenced by both the tangible functional aspects and the intangible spiritual or emotional resonance they provide. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2024 study published in Heliyon. Using Qualitative analysis using topic modelling and manual coding with 11,239 online reviews, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: In designing or evaluating lifestyle hotels, prioritize elements that contribute to both functional efficiency and a profound sense of place or emotional well-being.

Study
Classic DesignRecentStrong effect

Aesthetic Experience in Lifestyle Hotels is Driven by Functional and Spiritual Needs

Guests' aesthetic appreciation of lifestyle hotels is significantly influenced by both the tangible functional aspects and the intangible spiritual or emotional resonance they provide.

Heliyon · 2024

01

Key Findings

  • 01Lifestyle hotels cater to 'bleisure' travel by integrating high-end lodging, flexible tourism elements, and event services.
  • 02Guests prioritize multiple functions of a hotel, with a strong emphasis on spiritual or emotional fulfillment.
  • 03Aesthetic experience is a key driver for guest satisfaction in lifestyle hotels.
02

Application

Design takeaway

In designing or evaluating lifestyle hotels, prioritize elements that contribute to both functional efficiency and a profound sense of place or emotional well-being.

How to apply

When designing hotel interiors or branding, consider how the physical space, services, and overall atmosphere contribute to a guest's sense of well-being and emotional satisfaction.

Project actions

  • 01When researching user experiences, look beyond just what users say a product does, and consider how it makes them feel.
  • 02Use text analysis tools to find patterns in user feedback that might not be obvious at first glance.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo systematically explore and understand the aesthetic experiences of lifestyle hotel guests.
MethodQualitative analysis using topic modelling and manual coding
ProcedureOnline reviews from lifestyle hotel guests were analyzed using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modelling and manual coding to identify recurring themes related to aesthetic experiences. A framework was then developed to organize these themes.
Sample11,239 online reviews
ContextLifestyle hotels in China

Variables

IV["Hotel features and services","Integration of business and leisure elements"]
DV["Guest aesthetic experience","Guest satisfaction"]
CV["Type of hotel (lifestyle)","Location (China)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Large dataset of online reviews provides a broad perspective.
  • +Use of topic modelling offers a systematic approach to qualitative data analysis.

Limitations

Online reviews can be subjective and may not represent all user demographics. The specific cultural context of China might influence the findings.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of LDA topic modelling depends on the quality of the input data and the chosen parameters. Validity is supported by the manual coding and framework development, which provide a structured interpretation of the identified themes.

Think critically

How might the 'spiritual' aspect of aesthetic experience differ across various cultures or user demographics, and how could designers account for this diversity?

05

Design Principles

"Aesthetic design in hospitality must balance functional utility with the creation of meaningful emotional and spiritual experiences for users."

Understanding the dual nature of aesthetic experience allows designers and hospitality providers to create environments that not only serve practical purposes but also foster deeper emotional connections and memorable stays. This holistic approach can lead to increased guest satisfaction and loyalty.

06

What This Means for Your Design

People like hotels not just because they are useful, but also because they make them feel good emotionally and spiritually.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing how user emotions and spiritual fulfillment are important aspects of design, particularly in user-centered design projects.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that user aesthetic experiences are multifaceted, encompassing both functional utility and profound emotional or spiritual resonance. For instance, a study on lifestyle hotels found that guests valued environments that blended practical amenities with elements that fostered a sense of well-being and emotional fulfillment, suggesting that effective design must address these dual needs.

09

Source

Heliyon

Guests’ Aesthetic experience with lifestyle hotels: An application of LDA topic modelling analysis

journal · 2024

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about aesthetic experience in lifestyle hotels is driven by functional and spiritual needs?
In designing or evaluating lifestyle hotels, prioritize elements that contribute to both functional efficiency and a profound sense of place or emotional well-being. Evidence: Heliyon (2024).
Why does "Aesthetic Experience in Lifestyle Hotels is Driven by Functional and Spiritual Needs" matter for design?
Understanding the dual nature of aesthetic experience allows designers and hospitality providers to create environments that not only serve practical purposes but also foster deeper emotional connections and memorable stays. This holistic approach can lead to increased guest satisfaction and loyalty.
How can designers apply this research?
In designing or evaluating lifestyle hotels, prioritize elements that contribute to both functional efficiency and a profound sense of place or emotional well-being.
What were the main findings?
Lifestyle hotels cater to 'bleisure' travel by integrating high-end lodging, flexible tourism elements, and event services.. Guests prioritize multiple functions of a hotel, with a strong emphasis on spiritual or emotional fulfillment.. Aesthetic experience is a key driver for guest satisfaction in lifestyle hotels.
What research method was used?
Qualitative analysis using topic modelling and manual coding with 11,239 online reviews.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2024 journal from Heliyon.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing hotel interiors or branding, consider how the physical space, services, and overall atmosphere contribute to a guest's sense of well-being and emotional satisfaction.
What are the limitations?
The study is based on online reviews, which may not capture all aspects of guest experience. The findings are specific to lifestyle hotels in China and may not be universally applicable.