00:00:00:00 – 00:00:12:06
Unknown
Listeners hospitality is not just about restaurants and hotels. It’s about true transformation. And today we’re going to do a deep dive on that topic, and we’re excited to share it with you.
00:00:17:21 – 00:00:26:00
Unknown
Gallery. Welcome back to the space to be. Well, I’m glad we’re back for another another chat.
00:00:26:00 – 00:00:46:02
Unknown
And, listeners, we have really been on an incredible journey talking about wellness design as a philosophy. And it is how we achieve wellbeing through the built environment, whether it’s your home or your business. This is something that, I think can be life changing.
00:00:46:03 – 00:01:21:10
Unknown
And if you haven’t, please listen to the first half of our first season where we talked about the resonant framework and how we really dissect, the dimensions of achieving wellbeing in the built environment. And this second half of season one, we are talking about wellness design principles. And last week we talked about luxury, the big owl and now and this week we’re talking about the big H.
00:01:21:12 – 00:01:56:23
Unknown
My favorite. Can you guess the, hospitality. Yes. Listeners, hospitality is a philosophy for wellness design. It is something that we use every day in the environments that we create, and something you really want to be utilizing, paying attention to and incorporating into your your home, into your place of business. Hospitality can directly impact how we feel.
00:01:57:01 – 00:02:29:18
Unknown
It helps us to feel cared for. It helps us to feel welcomed. It helps us to feel connected, whether it’s with others or even with ourselves. So it’s really important that we think about hospitality as a philosophy, no matter what type of environment, that you’re designing. And Valerie, I feel like a lot of people think about hospitality in terms of service or even more along the lines of hospitality in hotels and restaurants.
00:02:29:23 – 00:03:25:23
Unknown
But true hospitality is about transformation, not necessarily service and decoration. It’s about transformation. And it can really make a difference in your life. When you incorporate this principle into all of your designs. Something that we do. Valerie. Right. Well, absolutely. I think hospitality is one of those things, but it’s kind of unspoken. It just kind of, hides along the background, but yet it actually speaks to loudest, when you’re in your environment, to know that you walk in and someone’s, you know, sort of the exact beverage that you want or that the lighting is deemed to be, so relaxed right at that moment.
00:03:26:01 – 00:04:02:01
Unknown
That intuition and that attentiveness that we can create through the built environment. And, and I think it’s just, I mean, there’s so many things. I love this topic. Yeah. Me too. It is. It’s the invisible host. Yeah. It’s the invisible host. This is the the host that welcomes you, cares for you. And this is all intuitive in design because in reality, through hospitality design, your walls speak, your furniture speaks to, cradles you a cares for you.
00:04:02:01 – 00:04:50:07
Unknown
It welcomes you and inspires you. This is something that, when you think about hospitality design, is being that silent host. It’s what’s happening in the environments you’re participating in. You could be a great host, right? You’re a great host, Valerie. The hostess with the mostess. And. But it’s the environment around you as well. And this is why these experiences, listeners, you’ve probably all had them all when you go to this great hotel and you have this most incredible experience, it’s because of the whole philosophy of hospitality, not just the service, the service absolutely matters.
00:04:50:09 – 00:05:23:15
Unknown
But what complements the service and your willingness to care for and serve others, because it really is about the human heart behind it all, isn’t it? If you care about people, if you care about the, participants that are in your space and you even want to care for yourself, you know, putting effort into not just being a caring and hospitable person, you know, it’s about creating an environment that’s also caring and hospitable.
00:05:23:17 – 00:05:58:17
Unknown
Absolutely. It’s it’s almost that act, you know, the actions, you know, it’s what we put in place that will yield that feeling, you know, self-care and caring for others. Connection and transformation. You really want to achieve. Exactly. It’s what transforms us physically, spiritually and emotionally in these spaces, and I do. I love this topic too, Valerie.
00:05:58:17 – 00:06:30:14
Unknown
It’s something that, you know, we talked last week about, luxury. And by the way, listeners, these principles all overlap. And so hospitality is, you know, closely aligned with luxury, and will be closely aligned with the, the other principles that we’re going to talk about. And so, you know, when you’re thinking about your, you know, your space that you’re going to be designing, no matter what type of environment, hospitality, I think will play a big role.
00:06:30:14 – 00:06:37:00
Unknown
And there’s so much to to tap into here. Valerie. Excellent. Let’s do it. Okay.
00:06:37:00 – 00:06:53:09
Unknown
I think when you’re planning for your design of your space, your home, your business, you really need to go back to thinking about your some of your top experiences at, destination resorts and hotels.
00:06:53:11 – 00:07:17:21
Unknown
Because there is so much to take away from those experiences, from the big concepts to the the smallest of details. And that’s where sometimes hospitality can be found, is in the smallest of details. You know, I’m thinking about this luxury brand hotel in New York City. It was Midtown Manhattan, and it was my first time at this particular hotel.
00:07:17:23 – 00:07:56:20
Unknown
And I’ve, you know, frequented other hotels. But I thought, I’m going to try this. And they had gone through a recent remodel. And, you know, I’m a business traveler, so I always have my laptop with me. And I’m always, you know, getting work in, on my trips. And, you know, one of the things that just like I can’t stand in hotels, if I might say, is the built in desk that faces the wall, you know, it’s like, okay, let’s, let’s drop all our bags, let’s unpack the laptop and let’s plop it on the built in desk that faces the wall so I can, you know, just look at the wall.
00:07:56:22 – 00:08:22:09
Unknown
And, so when I walked into this room, I was looking around like, where is the desk? Where am I going to work? And off in the corner, you know, and this had, it was a corner room up in the corner. Was this lovely oversize arm chair. And in front of it was this beautiful c shaped table, which, not unlike we have in front of us, might have even inspired what we’re doing here today.
00:08:22:11 – 00:08:23:07
Unknown
This lovely
00:08:23:07 – 00:08:44:17
Unknown
shaped table that was a little bit oversize. And I will tell you, I thought to myself, I’ll be darn that for the first time I, you know, I put my it fit my laptop perfectly. I had my cup of coffee, my morning green juice, fit on the table. And guess what? I’m overlooking Central Park.
00:08:44:17 – 00:09:10:18
Unknown
So, I mean, you. They got it right, they got it right. And it’s about that detail. It’s thinking about how we go through space and what we do. And, you know, why do it the same as is everybody else. And really thinking out of the box about, you know, and that’s the level of detail and care that needs to go in hospitality.
00:09:10:18 – 00:09:18:21
Unknown
And right there that was design that was thought, that was care, and that was execution and intentional.
00:09:18:21 – 00:09:38:17
Unknown
Tell me about an experience, Valerie, that you’ve had in your travels that really struck you as unique? And, yeah, I think for me, one of, the times that comes to mind is actually more about being in in a restaurant, actually.
00:09:38:19 – 00:10:14:12
Unknown
But it was, the way that they answered the phone, the way that when we arrived, you know, we were ushered to our dedicated table that had, a simple detail with our name welcoming us, I happened to be for an anniversary. We went to this, restaurant and just every single detail from the way that the care to the way the food was plated all the way through the the entire room.
00:10:14:14 – 00:10:45:02
Unknown
But at every, like, kind of juncture, there was, extra little surprise that you weren’t expecting, a little detail that things that, that really just made made made us feel like, wow, this they really care about us as the customer and they care about what they’re producing. About what? How someone experiences, their vision of their food and their, their restaurant.
00:10:45:02 – 00:11:27:16
Unknown
So I think, I still remember just vividly, you know, because I just suck in all those details like that. Just like magic to me. Yeah. So absolutely. Guess why? Because good hospitality has an afterglow. It lasts. This is why we remember these distinct and unique experiences in terms of hospitality. Because when you’re cared for and everything is anticipated, because it’s all about anticipation, when you go to a place that anticipates all of your needs, you remember this and it stays with you.
00:11:27:16 – 00:12:04:02
Unknown
It has an afterglow. And think about how you can bring that afterglow into your home. You know there are ways to create a hospitality environment. You know, we talk about self-care a lot. But what are some of the small things that we can do, you know, and listeners, I challenge you to be thinking about ten small things that you can do that, mimic or mirror hospitality, you know, and look to some of your, your greatest experiences.
00:12:04:04 – 00:12:32:13
Unknown
And I’ll listeners, I’ll give you a number one. Right. The number one is the pillow insert from the Wynn Hotel right there. It’s a little thing. Right. But, that was a takeaway for me from one hotel experience was the, it was the Wynn Hotel. You know, had the perfect proportion of down and feather, with just the perfect amount of loft.
00:12:32:15 – 00:13:01:11
Unknown
And, you know, that’s something that that’s one example. There it is. Listeners, go go do that, go do that. But there’s a lot of other ways. Oh my gosh, there’s so many, so many things that you can do that just say to yourself like, hey, I’m worth it. You know, the maybe it’s a bathrobe that’s just like, so soft and cozy every time you put it on, it feels like you just got a hug.
00:13:01:13 – 00:13:32:12
Unknown
Or what about, you know, for your morning coffee? The night before you set it up, and you have this beautiful tray. And just the act of having all of that prepared for yourself to start your day off in the best way possible. But it’s not just just, you know, a mug on the table. It’s, you know, and you’ve got, just a beautiful presentation that you feel like you actually that five minutes of taking the time to do that, it’s just so worth it.
00:13:32:13 – 00:13:56:15
Unknown
Exactly. Yeah. Oh, that’s that’s a perfect example. Love the bathrobe idea. Even the bath towel. Right to, you know, what is your bath towel? Is it is it pampering you. Is it, soft to the touch? Does it remind you of a fine hotel experience when you’re showering, which is every single day? How are you laying out your your bathroom?
00:13:56:16 – 00:14:18:06
Unknown
You know, even going as far as that simple bud vase with the fresh flower. You know, we a lot of us, we, you know, we like fresh flowers in our home. And we have them on our dining room table or in our kitchen island. But what about that beautiful bud vase in your bedroom? Or in your bathroom?
00:14:18:08 – 00:14:43:13
Unknown
You know, which is just a gentle reminder that you matter. You know that there is something that just brings a smile to your face. It’s that unexpected surprise. And I think that’s a big part of hospitality. You know, we talk about the walls, talking the floors, the furniture, the details. So these unexpected surprises in hospitality are can be big surprises.
00:14:43:13 – 00:15:08:08
Unknown
Or, you know, that beautiful wall that has the water cascading and the light indirect lighting shining in and around it and the the greenery associated with it. You know, there’s always that huge, floral arrangement when you walk in the door that’s so artfully done. Right. Those are the ideas guys, that you need to be thinking about for your home.
00:15:08:14 – 00:15:34:22
Unknown
From the I love the coffee idea, the perfect mug, the tray, even the tray in the bathroom where all of your, little amenities are sort of arranged in such a way that, you know, reminds you of the Ritz-Carlton or the Four Seasons. I think, the other one is the the beautiful throw the the cashmere throw, something I absolutely can’t live without.
00:15:35:00 – 00:16:10:19
Unknown
I mean, there’s so many ideas, really, as we do this, Valerie, in our spaces that we’re creating. You know, I want to come back to this idea of surprises, the element of surprise. This is how we delight. We delight ourselves. This is how, we delight others. And we do that through the environments that we create. The surprise and delight from the little chocolate, you know, at check out to the, amazing feature wall when you walk in, or that gargantuan chandelier that is just completely unexpected, right?
00:16:10:21 – 00:16:12:09
Unknown
Yeah, absolutely.
00:16:13:08 – 00:16:45:04
Unknown
While we’re on the topic of hospitality, when you think about spa’s, you know, we we always associate those with wellness, but, they are absolutely an integral part of hospitality. And that’s why you see these destination resorts that have these spa environments or spa like experiences, these sanctuaries, these places of refuge that are almost always affiliated and associated with hospitality.
00:16:45:06 – 00:17:20:22
Unknown
And so I think that’s something that we first of all, that’s one of our principles of wellness design is spas. So we’re going to talk about that in more detail. But I don’t think we can not talk about spas that relates to hospitality. Oh yeah I, I agree 100%. You know, you think back to ancient times, and the idea of spas and wellness and the community part of how spa was experienced and, and places.
00:17:20:22 – 00:17:57:15
Unknown
And then you look at that and how that evolves over the years. And how hospitality really, you know, captured, you know, that kind of, synergy between the wellness and spas as part of that extension of their hospitality. So I think today’s version of the day, spa and wellness has really just allowed us to even further bring spa home and the hospitality.
00:17:57:17 – 00:18:27:04
Unknown
Yes, yes. Let’s bring it home. Let’s bring it home. And so we talked about these ideas of hospitality. You know and incorporating those into your everyday world. But we can go much deeper than that. You know today we’re seeing residents incorporate infrared sauna and even cold plunges into their home. We talked about potentially even the the foot soak in our home environments.
00:18:27:06 – 00:18:53:09
Unknown
These are a little bit bigger investments, but it’s the idea of spas because listeners, it’s all about when we’re thinking about hospitality and we’re thinking about, you know, sort of know transforming the mind, body and soul. It’s all about creating a space that’s a little bit even of a refuge or a sanctuary. And so that really still lends itself to hospitality.
00:18:53:14 – 00:19:16:21
Unknown
It’s about caring for yourself. It’s even about caring for others and sharing that, that wellness experience in the environments that we’re creating. So I think the idea is to be thinking about your homes as sanctuaries and incorporating these ideas into the home to help transform your life.
00:19:16:21 – 00:19:54:10
Unknown
Along the lines of hospitality, you know, if you haven’t listened to the resonant framework yet, one of the key dimensions of the resonant framework is, is relations in relational and connection. Our connection with others and our connection with ourselves, you know, for self-reflection. And that’s something that is very important in terms of setting up your space, whether to your home or your place of business, to create connection and hospitality does such a great job of that with their, you know, seating groupings.
00:19:54:10 – 00:20:33:13
Unknown
It really brings people together because it’s all about shared experiences and it’s also a way to, you know, through the spa like environment and, you know, more quiet spaces, to allow you to have this, element of self-reflection and, you know, sort of privacy and, you know, especially in the hotel rooms and things like that. And so I, you know, there’s some good examples, I think, in hospitality that you can actually do in your home that really sort of bring that element of connection together.
00:20:33:18 – 00:21:12:10
Unknown
Yeah, absolutely. I, you know, I think one of, the few things for me that I look to hospitality for is that it’s really good about creating intimate spaces, you know, with all the different modes of lighting. And there’s usually a lot of softness and textures and the, you know, the way that the furniture rooms are in their common areas and they’re literally meant to foster, you know, connection.
00:21:12:12 – 00:21:44:05
Unknown
Sit down together. So, you know, oftentimes you see those beautiful fireplace, but that feature, or it sounds lovely. Yeah. Right. Let’s go. Yeah. Even the coffee shops, I’m seeing more and more hospitality spaces, bringing these cafes into the open, more public spaces. That is part of reception, in these open seating areas.
00:21:44:05 – 00:22:25:01
Unknown
And so you have the these the senses are really stimulated there with the smells from the coffee and the fresh baked goods and the fireplace. That really allow for people to, to gather together and have these shared experiences. And I think what’s also really interesting about that too, is the fact that they’re now, creating multiple different areas within these shared spaces that allow for all different types of kind of conversations and, you know, collaboration.
00:22:25:02 – 00:22:55:00
Unknown
So, you know, you could choose to sit by the fireplace, or you could choose to be, you know, overlooking, beautiful water view or, you know, at the, at the coffee bar and, I think that’s also what’s great about hospitality. It’s about finding the moments that really resonate with you and how you can just truly, you know, just find yourself.
00:22:55:02 – 00:23:15:07
Unknown
And then I think, you know, it’s about taking hospitality to the next level, and this is how you should be thinking about your home, too. You know, for example, at the Rosewood Hotel in DC, they have this sort of library, off to the side, and it has a fireplace in it. And cozy plush seating within the library.
00:23:15:07 – 00:23:29:01
Unknown
And there’s something about creating that feeling of, you know, bringing that luxury with that sort of private quiet area in your surrounded by literature,
00:23:29:01 – 00:23:36:14
Unknown
Or the portrait Hotel in Milano that had the most extensive artwork that I’ve ever seen in my life.
00:23:36:14 – 00:24:08:19
Unknown
Everywhere you turn and look. And there were books set up on all the tables, for just reflection and reading. And it really created curiosity. It was definitely the element of surprise. And it’s incorporated with, you know, their culture and their history, the design. And so these are just, other examples. I’ve always loved this idea of incorporating a small library into your home, even if it’s just a cozy corner.
00:24:08:21 – 00:24:20:23
Unknown
I think books and art and literature, can play such an incredible role in design and creating that feeling of hospitality in any environment.
00:24:21:01 – 00:24:48:17
Unknown
We talk about planning and design. But when it comes to hospitality Valerie don’t you agree there’s a lot more planning that goes into it because it’s more than just planning. It’s about being thoughtful. It’s about being caring. It’s about being intentional. Very much so. It definitely can’t be one of those things. That’s an actor that we have to put the energy and the effort.
00:24:48:19 – 00:25:34:07
Unknown
Making these moments to making, these memories and to create these experiences. Without, without proper planning, you’re just left with, you know. Yeah. Something basic and we’re trying to say like let’s elevate to, to get that often. Well in what we’re saying listeners, it’s because you’re worth it. It’s because you’re worth it. You know, a little bit of extra time, a little bit of extra thought, a little bit of extra care, little bit of extra planning will really yield that result of self-care for you, for your family, for your extended family and friends.
00:25:34:09 – 00:25:56:19
Unknown
And it will go a long way to nurturing, you know, our human spirits. And that’s what this is all about. Listeners, you know, hospitality as a principle of wellness design is key. I hope you see that here. And I really want you to think about that moving forward. Let us know what your thoughts are on hospitality. And, you know, drop us a line.
00:25:56:19 – 00:26:11:08
Unknown
What were some of your amazing, hotel and destination experiences that gave you an afterglow and really pushed you to incorporate these ideas into your home, in your business? To create transformation?
