Innovative approach brings fresh perspective to standard hotel room décor

IHG’s upscale extended-stay hotel brand, Staybridge Suites, is unveiling two new interior design schemes at IHG’s 2009 Americas Investors & Leadership Conference. The new looks are the results of an innovative approach undertaken by Staybridge Suites, which partnered with the Savannah College of Art and Design’s (SCAD) interior design program, one of the top five interior design programs in the nation, to completely refresh the brand’s standardized room décor packages.

This is the first time SCAD’s interior design students provided full design services to a corporate entity as part of their coursework. The graduate students stayed at various Staybridge Suites properties and spoke to guests and employees, in order to gain a deep understanding of the Staybridge Suites brand identity and the features and amenities that are most important to extended-stay guests.

“In order to stand out from the pack, we knew we had to take a different path,” said Robert Radomski, vice president, Global Brand Management, Extended-Stay Brands, IHG. The “Spice” scheme takes inspiration from classic textile designs and clean geometry, bringing warm color, bold patterns and rich texture to guest suites. The “Vista” scheme focuses on fresh color, organic patterns and subtle textures, with abstract references to landscape, blending blue, green and terra-cotta shades.

• Low-VOC paint throughout the suites helps eliminate toxic airborne chemicals.
• Tile selections incorporate pre- and/or post-consumer recycled material.

The new designs also take into account the unique needs of the extended-stay traveler, including flexibility and storage. “We’ve successfully created a warm and comfortable environment with a contemporary edge that still maintains the upscale residential feel that’s integral to Staybridge Suites.”