The famed hotelier César Ritz was said to have once wondered: “I know what guests want today, but what will they want tomorrow?”. It is a question I seek to answer frequently as I work with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company design team to try and anticipate the changing preferences of today’s global traveller.
During the fin de siècle-era of César Ritz, a hotel was a hotel. In today’s world of hospitality, a hotel can also mean a privately owned residence, serviced apartment, or some other lifestyle choice where hotels offer people with the resources, but not the time, the ultimate in hassle-free living. High-end real estate developers and luxury hotel companies are joining forces to provide experiences that reflect the exceptional service and special amenities that sophisticated consumers expect.
