Facilities and Planning Concepts

1. Planning around a Natural Attraction or Recreational Core A natural attraction such as mineral spring, beach, marina or a ski mountain is chosen to

maximize the resort drawing the power of it. An extensive recreational core such as health spa, or a network of ski runs and tows is plan on around this natural attraction.

2. Planning around a Hotel In the absence of a distinctive natural element, a luxury full-service hotel may serve as

the central point in the lay-out.

3. Planning within an Established Resort EnclaveFocuses on a hotel facility to be built in an established resort enclave which provides the necessary infrastructure and superstructure of recreational facilities, entertainment, shopping, restaurants, transportation services, utilities and other amenities.

Consideration of Behavioral Rituals

The primary purpose of a resort is to cater to the vacation market. Leisure planning is planning to meet the non-business needs of each resort guest in such

a way as to maximize guest satisfaction and enjoyment. Behavioral psychologist have categorized all human activities in various prototypes:

eating, sleeping, providing shelter and creature comforts, sex, and nurturing the young – are expressed in daily life.

Basic Elements of a Resort Complex

1. Lodging FacilitiesFactors to consider :

Vacationer’s needs from business traveler’s needs Amount of space dedicated to the recreation function

2. The Guestroom as an Entertainment The guestroom is one of the more important elements of the resort property. A typical guestroom is not just a place for sleeping, bathing and changing; it is also an

entertainment center where guests can relax, perhaps have a sauna, or watch an in- room movie, mix a drink, order dinner, and socialize with other guests.

3. In- room entertainment Requires a little space and relatively little or no capital investment, depending upon the

management that is “free to guest” or “guest pays”.

4. Room Service Essential factor in promoting the concept of leisure and personalized service at resorts.

many resort provide in-room vending machines, refrigerated units which dispense beverages and snack in addition to room service or an as an alternative. The use of machines provides the resort with high profit.

5. Equipment Storage Equipment storages such as game tables, cards, chess sets, backgammon, tennis

rackets, snow skis, scuba gear requires storage space and may present special storage problems.

6. The Bath Area Bathing is a restorative art that is currently being revived in resorts and some

transient hotels and motels. The bathroom has increasing inside, accounting for as much as 50% of total room construction costs.

7. Types of Furnishing and Décor They should contribute to the guest’s physical and psychological comfort. They create a

“home away from home” ambience, yet be consistent in the resort’s architectural approach and the environment of the public areas.

*The selection of the furnishings, fixtures, and accessories must give consideration to many factors including:

Aesthetics Comfort Durability Availability Cost Maintenance

Furnishings and Decors Essentially Belong to the Three Basic Schools:

a. TRADITIONAL Interiors decorated in period styles such as Renaissance, Elizabethan, baroque, rococo,

or Empire. Resort furniture of the 20th century includes a revival of most of these European styles in a modified form.

b. CONTEMPORARY Interiors decorated in the modern styles in which emphasize function, simple form,

and open space-where” less is more”. This type of décor blends well with modern architecture but they seem somewhat cold and sterile.

c. ECLECTIC Interiors decorated in a combination of traditional and contemporary styles.

8. Landscaping Is of no small concern in resort design.

Dining and Drinking Facilities

1. Types of Restaurants Depends on the following factors :

a. Sophistication of the guestsb. Availability of food and other suppliesc. Specialized labord. Weather patternse. Proximity of other dining establishments

Basic Types of Restaurantsa. Luxury Dining – depend upon extent of patronage by residents of the host

community

b. Open-air – built around food as outdoor farec. Coffee shop – basically offering full breakfast menu and simplified lunchd. Juice Bar or Health Snack Bar – usually located in or adjacent to a health clube. Fast food – featuring a limited menu of well selected or popular specialties

2. Types of Bars Bar Facilities in resort fall into three basic types:a. Age mix of guestsb. Climate and locationc. Size of the resort

Types of Barsa. Service Bars – located near swimming pools, tennis court, golf course and other

areas where there are guest activities.b. Pubs and taverns – also called rathskellers, usually emphasize a cozy, intimate

atmospherec. Cocktail lounges – more elegant and sophisticated in decor

Transportation All resorts must provide transportation vehicles such as vans and buses, parking areas and other

transportation facilities for the convenience of the guests.

Recreational Activities and Facilities Required The facilities required to offer a recreational activityinclude:

1. A playing or recreation area2. Necessary support structures3. Administrative center4. Waiting area for participants5. Parking facilities6. Storage Area7. Beverage/ Snack Facilities8. Shop Facilities9. Grandstand Facility

Shops and Services Maybe owned by the hotel or leased out, depending on management’s assessment. Most needed shops :

1. Drugstore – stock consist of convenience items, personal care, grooming aids, over the counter drugs, camera paraphernalia, candy, cigarettes etc.

2. Bookstore – stock consist of best sellers and other popular fiction and magazines3. Gift Shop – includes souvenirs and in house merchandise as guest towels, ashtrays, ice

buckets, stuffed toys, visors, and similar items embossed with the resort name and logo.

4. Clothing Store – stocks primarily are sportswear.5. Sporting Goods Store- stock includes sports equipment and paraphernalia for

recreational activities.6. Others – barber shops, beauty salons, and florists

Entertainment Can offer such benefits as turning under utilized space into a profit center, establishing a

resort’s image

Types of entertainments :1. Nightclubs – combined with the dining or cocktail lounge facilities2. Live Music – remains in vogue with many resorts3. Discotheques- from the French word “discotheque” simply means disc library.

Facilities for the Handicapped During recent years, the number of handicapped travellers has increased, opening up a new

market for both transient and resort hotels. Barrier – free Facilities:

1. The tub shower must have grab bars.2. The commode must be suitable for a handicapped guest3. Access to bathroom must be easy for a wheelchair user.4. Commode accessories must be conveniently positioned for wheelchair guests.5. Mirrors, switchplates, thermostats etc. must be conveniently positioned for wheelchair

guests6. Shower must have a seat and a hand held shower must be available.7. Faucets should be lever control style.8. Audio/ Visual firearms must be installed.9. Minimum door width for entrance must be 36”10. No raises thresholds should exist.11. All doors should have lever handles.12. The aesthetic quality of room should be consistent with all other guest rooms.