Some hotels stay with us because of their location. Others because of their design, service or surroundings. But there is one element that accompanies every moment, from the first impression of the space to stepping into the room: lighting.
In hospitality, lighting is no longer just about ensuring visibility. It is also about creating atmosphere, guiding movement, enhancing the architecture and ensuring that each space conveys the right feeling.
Light is no longer an added element
One of the most interesting changes is the way light has become integrated into the architecture itself. It is no longer simply a question of deciding where to place a luminaire, but of considering how light can become part of the space from the very beginning of the project.
Indirect lighting, integrated linear lighting, niche lighting and other low-visual-impact solutions allow light to blend into the architecture, rather than stand out as an isolated element. The result? Cleaner, more coherent and visually balanced spaces.
Instead of competing with the hotel’s design, light becomes part of it.
– An integrated linear light can follow the geometry of a lobby and reinforce its lines without introducing another visual element.
– On a façade, light can reveal volumes, textures and materials after dark.
– In a guest room, an indirect lighting solution integrated into the headboard can create comfortable ambient light while keeping the space uncluttered and visually organised.
Rather than making lighting invisible, the aim is to integrate it seamlessly into the architecture.
From the lobby to the guest room: light guides the way
We know that the guest experience begins long before reaching the room. It starts at the entrance and continues through the lobby, corridors, lifts and communal areas and, in many projects, extends outdoors as well. Throughout this journey, lighting plays an essential role in making circulation more intuitive, comfortable and natural.
Contrasts in light, accent points and different lighting levels can create visual hierarchies and guide guests without the need for constant signage.
The reception area can be given greater prominence on arrival, a lounge area can feel more inviting, and transitions between spaces can be subtly defined through light itself.
Outdoors, this function becomes even more important. In hotels made up of separate buildings, bungalows or independent areas, pathways, stairs and access points must provide comfortable and safe circulation after dark. But this does not mean lighting everything in the same way. Well-designed lighting provides visibility where it is needed, while preserving the landscape and avoiding excessive illumination.
One room, different moments
This is where lighting faces one of its greatest challenges, as it needs to accommodate very different moments: resting, reading, getting ready, working or simply getting up during the night. Each activity calls for a different lighting response.
Trying to meet all these needs with a single light source is rarely effective. In a hotel room, lighting should be designed in layers:
– General lighting provides the necessary visibility;
– Bedside lighting creates the right conditions for reading and resting;
– Accent lighting highlights materials and decorative elements;
– Indirect lighting helps create depth while reducing the presence of light sources directly within the field of vision.
There is another space where the quality of lighting becomes particularly noticeable: the bathroom. Around the mirror, the light should provide a clear perception of the face and colours while avoiding excessive shadows and glare. Here, the position and direction of the light are just as important as its intensity.
More technology, less visibility
There are several ways to make lighting more flexible and efficient: sensors, control systems, automation and smart lighting. But rather than simply adding technology to a space, these solutions make it possible to adapt the lighting to how each area is used and to different times of day.
– In corridors and circulation areas, sensors can help prevent unnecessary energy consumption.
– In communal areas, control systems allow lighting to be adjusted throughout the day.
– In guest rooms, accessible controls and preset scenes allow guests to adjust the lighting easily.
– For hotel operations, these systems make it possible to manage different areas centrally and adjust their operation according to actual usage.
Comfort also depends on the quality of light
A hotel is, by definition, a place for rest, so lighting should always take the comfort of its users into account.
Throughout the day, each area of a hotel takes on different functions and rhythms, and the lighting should be flexible enough to respond to them. Dimming and adjustable colour temperature make it possible to adapt the light to different needs and create different atmospheres within the same space.
But adapting the lighting to different moments is only part of the equation. Glare control, light distribution and colour rendering also influence how a space is perceived. Poorly positioned light can cause visual discomfort, while a good colour rendering index helps reproduce the tones of materials, fabrics and even food more faithfully.
Efficiency starts before you switch on the light
In a hotel, where different areas operate throughout much of the day and night, efficiency needs to be considered from the very beginning of the project.
LED technology, combined with dimming systems, sensors and smart controls, can reduce energy consumption and extend the service life of installed lighting solutions. Choosing durable, easy-to-maintain solutions also helps reduce the need for frequent interventions.
But efficiency is not determined by technology alone. It starts much earlier:
– Positioning light points correctly;
– Selecting luminaires suited to each function;
– Making the most of natural light.
Each of these decisions influences not only energy consumption, but also the quality and comfort of the lighting.
More than following trends, it is about finding the right solution
This is where a well-planned lighting study makes a difference. It allows us to analyse the characteristics of each space, define the required lighting levels and types, and combine different layers of light to identify the most appropriate solutions for each area.
At Katoa, this is how we approach lighting: as an integral part of the project, balancing technical and functional requirements with the architecture, concept and identity of each space.
