Opening a hotel, refurbishing a floor or taking over a property: each time, the same question comes up. What does a room need to contain so that guests feel at home, housekeeping can work quickly and the budget stays under control? Here is the checklist our design office uses on every project, item by item, with the points that make the difference.
The bed and bedding
The bed is the reason the room exists: it’s the number one driver of satisfaction in guest reviews. It is made up of four elements, to be chosen together.
- The mattress: firm or medium, pocket springs or high-resilience foam, with a summer side and a winter side on some models. Our guide to choosing a hotel mattress goes through the criteria.
- The bed base: slatted upholstered base, decorative base or storage base, matched to the height of the mattress. See our guide to bed bases.
- Pillows and duvet: two pillows per person, ideally of different firmness, and a duvet suited to the season.
- Mattress topper and protectors: they extend the life of the mattress and make hygiene easier.
Furniture
Furniture has to withstand thousands of stays. It includes:
- the headboard and bedside tables, with reading lights and sockets within easy reach;
- the desk or console, with a chair or armchair;
- the wardrobe or open storage, with enough wooden hangers;
- an armchair or seating area wherever space allows (choosing a guest-room armchair);
- the luggage rack, essential for protecting furniture and bedspreads from suitcases (why luggage racks matter).
For a coherent scheme, the furniture can be made to measure to your dimensions: the minibar niche, the safe position and cable routes are then planned at the drawing stage.
Comfort equipment
This is often what separates an “adequate” room from a great one.
| Equipment | What it’s for | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Minibar | Cold drinks, complimentary water, extra sales | Total silence at night, ventilated niche |
| Safe | Passport, laptop, valuables | Big enough for a laptop, master code |
| Welcome tray | Tea, coffee and hot water at any time | Kettle with automatic shut-off |
| Telephone | Calling reception, emergency calls | Shortcut keys for reception and services |
| Ironing kit | Business travellers and long stays | In the room or on request (in the room or on request?) |
| Waste bin | Keeping the room tidy | Easy to empty and wash |
To go further on each item: choosing a minibar, choosing a safe and putting together a hospitality tray.
The bathroom
The bathroom is the other room guests scrutinise. The basics:
- a reliable hair dryer (wall-mounted or handheld, see our comparison);
- the accessories: robe hooks, towel rails, toilet roll holder, shelf, soap dish;
- a magnifying mirror from the mid-range upwards;
- soap dispensers if you are replacing miniatures;
- a pedal bin and toilet brush.
Accessible rooms also need grab bars and a shower seat: we cover the rules in our guide to accessible hotel rooms. The full list is in our guide to hotel bathroom accessories.
Adapting the list to your category
A budget hotel room, a three-star city hotel and a five-star suite don’t have the same needs. Three simple rules:
- Never cut corners on the bed: a good mattress costs less than a bad review score.
- Choose easy-care materials: stainless steel, laminate, washable contract fabrics. Cleaning time counts as much as the purchase price.
- Harmonise the finishes: one metal for the accessories and one wood tone for the furniture and trays give an immediate impression of quality.
In short
- The bed first: mattress, base, pillows and duvet chosen together.
- Sturdy furniture: headboard, bedside tables, desk, wardrobe with hangers, luggage rack.
- Comfort equipment: a silent minibar, a laptop-size safe, a welcome tray and a telephone.
- A complete bathroom: hair dryer, accessories from a single range, mirror, dispensers, and grab bars in accessible rooms.
Preparing your list before asking for a quote
To get a precise quote quickly, have the following ready:
- the number of rooms by type (double, twin, family, accessible);
- the dimensions of the rooms and bathrooms, or the floor plans;
- your target category and style;
- your timeline: opening or reopening date.
You can build your list directly on our website with My selection: add products, enter quantities and send a single request. We’ll reply within one working day with a detailed quote.
