In the pursuit to provide the ultimate unique experience to travelers, hotel design has become a powerful instrument of differentiation.

Because for guests, choosing the ideal hotel now involves identifying the ideal hotel room. And a hotel room that stands out for its unique aesthetic appeal will have a far better chance of resonating with the guest, both when they view photos of the room online and when they see it in person. As a result, cookie-cutter hotel rooms are swiftly falling out of style and out of demand.

In updating the nondescript, generic designs that had made their rooms virtually indistinguishable from their competitors’, hoteliers are now turning to today’s biggest trends in hotel design for inspiration. Check them out below.

Hotel room design idea #1: Local influences

Give rooms a sense of place.

Millennial travelers want to steep themselves in local cultures. The hotel rooms they stay in play an important role in this.

With traditional artisanal crafts and art by local artists featured in your hotel rooms, your guests will feel a powerful sense of place the moment they step through the door.

This hotel design trend is so well received by travelers, even branded hotels are loosening their grip on homogenizing design standards in favor of a more flexible and localized design approach.

Hotel room design idea #2: Biophilic elements

Provide guests with the pleasing experience of being in the presence of nature.

Plant life has become one of the biggest interior design trends in modern times, and we’re seeing it sprouting up in the hospitality scene as well.

From the ultra-trendy (albeit ultra-high-maintenance) living green walls to the equally trendy (but far more manageable) succulents, there are countless creative ways to introduce greenery into your hotel rooms and communal spaces.

In the same vein, natural lighting (whether from windows or halogen bulbs) can work wonders in making a room feel more natural and soothing.

Hotel room design idea #3: Stripped-down spaces

Simplify amenities and limit cumbersome furniture.

Another big trend in hotel design is minimalism. This means smaller guest rooms equipped with basic yet superb-quality amenities.

By blending comfort and convenience with simplicity and contemporary aesthetics, you create a modern hotel room with a minimalistic design and maximal guest appeal.

Hotel room design idea #4: Eco-friendliness

Reduce the carbon footprint.

Even minor changes can impact both the unique aesthetics of your rooms and their carbon footprint.

This could be finding nice glassware cups and stoneware mugs to place in rooms in lieu of paper items. Elegant water carafes and glass bottles are incredibly trendy now — and are perfect alternatives to plastic bottles. And energy-saving lightbulbs are the obvious choice when it’s time to replace dead bulbs.

Your guests will appreciate your eco-friendly design updates. So will your energy bill.

Hotel room design idea #5: No two rooms exactly alike

Embrace diversity.

A 100% one-of-a-kind room helps guests feel they’re experiencing an especially unique hotel stay. It’s the very feeling many of today’s travelers are chasing — especially when they can select that specific room themselves.

To create such an experience, give each room its own distinct design personality through diverse color palettes and/or decor — wallpaper, art, lamps, etc.  Arrange the furniture according to the shape of the room. You can even go so far as to assign every room a theme, as long as all themes complement one another and are consistent with your locale and branding. And be sure to give each room or room type an apropos name, too.

This hotel design trend is one that the smaller, independent hotels and B&Bs with few rooms are in the best position to jump on board with. It could be part of the reason why such properties are so popular with today’s travelers.

Promote individual hotel room types online

Show travelers what it would be like to stay in one of your uniquely designed hotel rooms.

Every design update that modernizes and improves the look of your guestrooms warrants an update to your hotel’s online presence.

Once you’ve implemented any of the above hotel design ideas (or any of your own), be sure to take new high-quality photos of your rooms and upload them to your trivago profile and hotel website.

And be sure to create distinct room types in your trivago profile and assign images to each. That way, travelers will be able to choose the exact room or room type they want for a personalized stay at your hotel.

Are you planning a relishing trip with your family or friends and are searching for the best hotel? But don’t know how to get the best hotel at the minimum possible price? That’s okay, don’t worry, we are here to help.

When you are picking an accommodation for your next trip, there are a plethora of vital aspects to take into consideration. A hotel, where you stay on your trip, can make or break your vacation pleasure, so it is important that you get the right hotel according to your needs. At the time of hotel booking, you should choose not only the best deal available, but also a hotel with all the amenities required for a comfortable and secure stay.

To help you find the right hotel for your next trip, we have penned down some simple tips. These tips will definitely help in fetching the best hotel for your needs.

1. Choose a hotel according to the type of destination

Are you touring internationally or domestically? To a familiar place or one you have never been to before? What is the geographical location like – coastal, urban, mountainous?

The destination of your trip plays a crucial role in finding an ideal hotel. If you are planning a trip to a small beachside village or the open countryside, there might be less options for good hotels, but there may be broader options for home rentals. If you are tripping to a large city, your options for accommodation will be copious.

Also, you should not forget to take into consideration the security factor of the destination. If your destination is notorious for high crime rates, a well-established hotel will be a better option than a home rental or a shared hostel dorm. If the destination is widely regarded as hospitable and safe, then room renting with a local host can be a more authentic experience.

2. Spend on hotels according to your your budget

Your budget plays an important role in influencing where you want to stay during the trip. You should consider the total money you are willing to spend during the trip. How big of an amount do you want to spend on lodging? How big of an amount will it require for you to feel comfortable, safe, and content? If your budget is low, you can opt for a rented room in apartments or hostels. If your budget is high, you can think about luxurious hotels or an entire home rental.

3. A money saving tip

You can also book a hotel through online booking services. Now these days, there are many online portals and service providers that are providing online hotel booking services at discounted prices. These portals provide various coupons or first time booking benefits. You can avail these benefits and I’m sure you will be able to book tickets at 50%-60% cheaper rates. Additionally, you can read hotel reviews and see pictures of the hotels on these portals and you can make your decision according to it.

4. Make your decision according to your travel partner

Your companions n the trip can have a big effect on where you’ll desire to stay. If are traveling solo, you may find it more pocket friendly to stay in a shared dorm at a hostel rather than reserving a hotel.

A room rental in apartment is a good alternative, if you crave company but still want privacy. If you are with your friends and each want separate beds, hostel facility is an ideal choice. In case, you are tripping with an organized group or your family and want to share the same space, a room rental is probably the good option. If you want a romantic, secluded space, private apartment or an upscale hotel would work best.

5. Book a hotel according to your eating habits

If you prefer occasional meals during your trip, you can choose hostels, which usually have community kitchens where you can cook a few basic dishes. If you like to share homemade meals, you can book a room at a bed and breakfast.

If you have some restrictions in your diet and need to make lots of food of your own, you can go for a rental room with a well-equipped kitchen. In case, you would like to dine-out without going very far, you can opt for a hotel that has its own restaurant or café.

Wrapping Up

A comfortable accommodation during your trip is one of the most crucial aspects of a happy and memorable vacation. The above mentioned tips will definitely help you to find the right hotel that can satiate your needs during the journey. If you want to share some other tips and want to help travel junkies, don’t forget to write them down in the comment box.

Curious about cosplay? Here’s how to get started.

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For cosplaying die-hards, the act of dressing up as a character is much more than just getting an outfit and wearing it. It’s a way of life, an art form. 

Most prepare a character months in advance with detailed outfits and props and impeccable make-up and hair. When convention day comes, the transformation happens.  

If you’ve never tried it but want to see what it’s all about, Comic Con Palm Springs this Friday through Sunday is the perfect place to get started. Geeks, nerds and D & D fans will be out in full force, in full regalia.  

Don’t feel intimidated, though, if you’re just a beginner. Everyone knows you’ve got to start somewhere.

In that spirit, here are some tips on how to cosplay.

Come up with a character

It’s best to choose a character you’re familiar with. It doesn’t have to be a deep-cut character from a video game or anime that only hard-core fans would know. It can be a well-known person from a television show or movie. And don’t limit your character to your body type or sex or ethnicity. Lots of female cosplayers take on male characters and vice-versa, it’s called gender-bending. And it’s OK to reinterpret your character and experiment a little bit. They don’t have to be 100 percent exact.

Buy a costume

If you don’t have a lot of time, buying a costume or part of a costume can be the way to go especially if you don’t mind spending some money. Whether you want to be Gal Gadot’s version of “Wonder Woman” or Lynda Carter’s version of “Wonder Woman,” you can get a costume shipped to you in two days via Amazon Prime. If you plan on entering a costume contest though, check the rules, because some cosplay contests are all about making costumes by scratch.

Look in your closet

A cheap way to create an outfit, is to shop in your closet or a friend’s closet. Do you have an old Halloween costumes sitting around? Think about characters with simple outfits that a wig or accessories could easily flush out. Look at what’s sitting in your garage or junk room A paintball mask could easily become a Samurai mask. Those old in-line skating knee pads could become a super hero accessory. 

Make it yourself

If all else fails and you are skillful on a sewing machine, buy some fabric and make something simple by hand that can be embellished with a glue gun – a Cosplayers best friend. Fabric stores have a variety of patterns that can be used.

Props and accessories

Where would Thor be without his hammer? Where would a Jedi be without their lightsaber? Where would Samurai Jack be without his sword? You get it. A great prop or accessory can catapult a simple costume to greatness. So don’t forget to think about the accessory the character is known for. If you need a wig to look more like the character, buy a wig. If a simple temporary dye job will work, don’t be afraid to do it. Buy special costume make-up and find a tutorial online to learn how to apply it if your character is known for their facial make-up. Others will notice these details and appreciate it.

Don’t forget the rules

Each convention provides rules on what is prohibited. Real weapons are prohibited. Just because it may look cooler to have an actual chainsaw since you’re dressed up as the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” killer, don’t bring one, they won’t let you in with it. Comic Con Palm Springs policy states that even costume swords must be made from material that cannot be used as a weapon and must be tied to the costume in a way that it cannot be drawn. All props will be inspected and tagged before cosplayers can enter.  

Be comfortable

Think comfy shoes and lightweight props. There’s nothing worse than having to wait in a long line for an autograph or panel while wearing three-inch heels and carrying a heavy shield. Foam and lightweight plastics can also become a cosplayer’s best friend and are great for making fake props.  And just because Wonder Woman wore high heel boots, doesn’t mean you have to. Maybe in your reinterpretation of the character, she wore patriotic flats instead.

Have fun

Maybe your outfit isn’t as detailed or stellar as someone who’s been cosplaying for years. That’s OK. Don’t be intimidated. You’ll see all levels of outfits, so you won’t be alone. It’s all about having fun and maybe you’ll get some ideas for next year.

Comic Con Palm Springs

What: Comic Con Palm Springs, featuring activities such as Twisted Toonz, a live reading of “Back to the Future” featuring SpongeBob as Marty McFly and Samurai Jack as Dr. Emmett Brown; 25th-anniversary panels on the death of Superman and the Batman animated series; a zombie/saber walk; a GeekFest Film Fest; Super Sonic Speed Dating; concerts and guest appearances by artists Stan Lee and Rob Liefeld, actors Khary Payton (Ezekiel from “The Walking Dead”) and Lindsay Wagner (“Bionic Woman”); voice actors Tom Kenny (SpongeBob) and Dana Gauer (Edith from “Despicable Me”) and more.