When residential design becomes hospitality
Image: Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair
It wasn’t that long ago that the line between home and hotel was fairly clear. One was private and personal, the other public and service-driven. But in recent years, we’ve found that line has started to blur. Across London, residential developments are borrowing more and more from the hospitality playbook, from the amenities on offer to the way spaces feel, function and flow.
This is something we’ve been seeing first hand at SP3 London and we believe it’s changing the way we think about home design altogether.
Hotel living, at home
Today’s residents aren’t just asking for high-spec finishes. They’re asking for experience. Comfort. A sense of ease and indulgence that was once reserved for five-star and six-star stays. As designers, we’re being tasked with creating homes that are more than beautiful, they’re transformative, innovative and unique. That means:
Entrances that resemble reception lobbies
Lounges that invite lingering and socialising
Shared spaces designed for wellness, work and entertainment
It’s no longer about where you live, but how you live. And many of our clients, particularly those in prime London postcodes, expect their homes to deliver on every front.
Find out more about what hotels have inspired residential interiors.
The rise of amenities
Amenities used to be extras. We now look at amenities as essentials.
In high-end developments like Chelsea Barracks, The Whiteley and Battersea Power Station, residents enjoy everything from on-site gyms and treatment rooms to private cinemas, co-working lounges and 24/7 concierge services. The idea at these developments and future developments are simple, create a full lifestyle offering, without needing to leave the building.
We’re now seeing:
Wellness spaces with spa-level finishes
Fitness suites with natural light, mirrors and acoustics considered from the start
Libraries and lounges that feel more Soho House than a shared lobby
Business areas with flexible, quiet zones and tech-ready design
This is hospitality thinking in action, designing for how people feel, move, connect and unwind.
Design language that reflects hospitality
It’s not just about adding amenities. The design language itself is shifting. We’re seeing a move towards layered lighting, soft acoustics, tactile materials and calming palettes, these are all hallmarks of the boutique hotel experience.
Think:
Fluted timbers and curved walls for softness
Textural contrasts: boucle, brushed brass, polished stone
Ambient lighting schemes with mood control
Seamless transitions between public and private areas
These design choices aren’t about show. They’re about feelings. And increasingly, they’re what residents associate with modern luxury.
Image: The OWO
Real-world crossover - Hospitality brands entering residential
Perhaps the clearest sign of this blending of worlds is the rise of branded residences. At The OWO Residences by Raffles, homeowners have access to all the benefits of hotel living but with the privacy of a permanent address. Similarly, Six Senses at The Whiteley brings its wellness-first approach to residential interiors, offering in-home services, spa access and design rooted in biophilia.
These aren’t gimmicks. They’re part of a growing expectation among luxury buyers, that their home should feel just as curated, supported and elevated as the places they choose to stay when they travel.
What does this mean for designers like SP3 London?
At SP3 London, we’ve always designed with lifestyle in mind. But the hospitality influence is making that more central than ever. It means thinking about the entire resident journey, not just how a space looks, but how it performs emotionally, practically and socially.
We’re now:
Designing and delivering FF&E services that balance beauty with hotel-level durability
Creating arrival moments that feel welcoming, elegant and intuitive
Incorporating back-of-house thinking
Specifying finishes that invite touch, create warmth and elevate the everyday
We also understand that privacy still matters. That home should feel like a sanctuary. So the art lies in balance, combining the ease of hospitality with the intimacy of home.
The personalisation of service
While shared amenities are on the rise, so too is a desire for personalised service, often integrated quietly. From smart home tech to wellness sensors, residents are looking for systems that adapt to them. Lighting that shifts with the day. Heating that learns routines. Fridges that order groceries.
But it doesn’t stop at tech. Many high-end clients are asking for hospitality-trained staff within the home, house managers, private chefs or rotating art consultants. Design needs to allow for this, with layouts that support service flow as much as resident comfort.
Looking ahead
This shift in residential design isn’t about style over substance. It’s about creating homes that serve the whole person, body, mind and lifestyle. As the lines continue to blur between where we live, work, rest and recharge, we believe this approach is here to stay.
At SP3 London, we’re excited by the opportunity this creates. To think beyond the standard brief. To bring together the best of hospitality and home. And to design spaces that don’t just meet expectations, but redefine them entirely.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can bring this blend of design and experience into your project, we’d love to hear from you.
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