What You Need to Design A Successful Resort Property

Banko Design’s Approach to the Leisure Hospitality Market

We’re leaving summer days and heading into fall getaways – and when vacationers book their next retreat, they’ll be thinking about what went right – and what went wrong – at their previous destination’s property. Travelers in this niche of the leisure hospitality market are seeking an extended stay, spending a week or weeks at a time at their vacation rental or timeshare. They’re looking for a “home away from home”, a place where they can relax and reset that also functionally fits their needs as a traveling family, a group of adventurers, or a pair of retirees. And, more recently, vacationers are actively choosing boutique-style experiences, preferring unique, authentic to the area, and culturally-enriching properties to the average hotel.

So, how do we design spaces that meet the needs of today’s travelers – functioning well, creating memorable experiences, and – as a result – booking out your vacation ownership properties?  

Creating Experience Driven Design

When designing the interiors of vacation ownership and destination properties, Banko Design uses the “experience-driven” design approach. We thoughtfully craft the interior design of each project to enhance the memories guests make offsite. The location and the demographic visiting are the major keys to this approach.

The location drives the design style and material selections during our creative process. The surrounding landscape or culture of the city influences the color palettes, textures, decorative materials, and furniture that make up the space (including flooring, fabrics, lighting, tile, art, etc.). The guests feel like the interiors are an extension of what they’re experiencing outside of the property, fully immersing in them in an authentic, cultural experience. Plus, we ensure the durability of the materials and furniture match the climate of the area, selecting sturdy tile for sandy feet or warm fabrics for snowy nights.

Experience-driven design also considers the type of vacationer visiting your destination. Are you designing for families with young children? A group of thrill-seeking young adults? Retirees with accessibility concerns? Our design team customizes each space to the story of the people visiting each location.

Recently, we designed a hospitality project in Utah geared towards adventurers, pulling inspiration from the outdoorsy activities the mountainous area is known for. In Florida we designed a vacation ownership property for young families visiting the beach, ensuring all the materials could withstand the saltwater, sand, and rough play of excited children. And, we’re currently designing a property for the senior vacationer in Washington, focusing on the historic charm of the town as inspiration and creating a slower, more leisurely experience for them to enjoy.

A Space to Create Lifelong Memories  

One of the reasons our team loves designing for the leisure hospitality market is because we’re forging spaces where lifelong memories are created. Our founder, Melissa Banko, remarked:

“My fondest memories as a kid were vacations with my family. We’d pack up the minivan and head to Florida for some quality, family time away from our day-to-day lives – it was magic! Memories are made with those you love – you just need a space that serves you well to house those memories. And that’s what we strive to create with hospitality design here at Banko Design.”

We use our personal experiences to design through the lens of a child experiencing a new adventure and as parents seeking fun, relaxation, and function. We carefully consider the needs and desires of all who invest in vacation rentals, vacation ownership properties, and the leisure hospitality industry.

Interior Design for the Leisure Hospitality Market  

Banko Design works with some of the biggest hospitality brands in the world, strategically designing and customizing each project to fit our clients’ needs and the desires of the guests who will stay there. Our “resi-mmercial” design style creates a “home away from home” experience, creating spaces that feel residential while being built for the longevity and durability of commercial use.

Our interior designers consider the level of detail, comfortable proportions, and timeless aesthetic inspired by residential design to create relaxing, inviting destination spaces. We also design for the functionality and versatility of the space, getting creative with our FF&E specifications and selecting dual-use items (such as wall panels that look like art but function as storage). These creative solutions surprise and delight our guests, and we hope inspire them for their own homes!

We collaborate with our clients every step of the way, ensuring we meet your brand and company’s goals (and have fun while doing it!!). We’re proud that we get to design spaces that create magical “time away” for individuals and families all over the world while partnering with you in development and asset improvement.

Are you ready to hire an interior design firm for your next hospitality project? Banko Design’s team are experts at designing new-build vacation ownership properties and hospitality renovations. Reach out to us at business_development@bankodesign.com to get started!

Keywords: hospitality interior design, vacation ownership design firm, interior design services, timeshare design, leisure and hospitality market, vacation rental property

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Banko Design is a turnkey interior design firm for the active adult, boutique hospitality, multifamily, and senior living markets with in-house FF&E procurement. Our talented team of designers and purchasing agents work with developers and operators to program, design, document, procure and install stunning spaces at any price point.