Taking Elevator Lobbies to the Next Level

The interior design of a hotel affects every point of the guest experience from check-in to check-out. Some areas are more obvious–a spacious lobby, a comfortable bed–but others are more subtle, but no less impactful. Enter: elevator lobbies. Every guest will pass through these waiting areas, and while they’re something of a transitional space, every guest will inevitably linger for a few moments while waiting for their elevator. Hotel designers often choose to dress up this space with wallcovering to make it a more pleasant waiting experience. Check out five of our favorite elevator lobbies that use wallcovering to take the mundane experience of waiting for an elevator to the next level!

New York, New York Hotel & Casino

With 2,024 rooms housed in 12 towers ranging from 26-45 stories, the New York, New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas requires robust wayfinding and signage to hep orient guests. Working closely with HVS design, Astek created graphics for the corridors and elevator lobbies to inject the energy of Vegas into the hotel and help guests find their way to their rooms. Each elevator lobby has an oversized floor number, accompanied by the name of the tower. Alongside this are a variety of custom murals designed by the Astek design team that combine the grittiness of New York with the lavish attitude of Vegas– recognizing the mural alongside the floor number gives guests that “Oh, this is my floor!” feeling.

Interiors + photos by HVS Design.

Austin Proper Hotel

The Austin Proper Hotel, meticulously designed by Kelly Wearstler, combines vintage elements with contemporary design. These interiors are a masterclass in combining colors, textures, and materials–maximalist without feeling overwhelming, luxurious without feeling fussy, and undeniably Austin-inspired. In this elevator lobby, a custom abstract botanical pattern (designed by the KW team and printed by Astek) wraps the space from floor to ceiling for maximum drama. Wood baseboards and crown molding are connected by the same wood framing the back wall, breaking up the enveloping pattern. With unique lighting, vintage-inspired rugs, and an artfully-styled credenza, this elevator lobby is a warm, inviting space to wait for your ride.

Interior + photos by Kelly Wearstler.

Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel

Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel (formerly the Paradise Pier Hotel) is one of three hotels at Disneyland and California Adventure in Anaheim, offering families a more affordable stay near the parks. Design touches throughout the hotel draw inspiration from fan-favorite Pixar movies and characters. Each floor is themed after a different Pixar film, helping to anchor guests and orient them to their floor. The wallcovering and carpet choices in the corridors reflect the theme, and full size murals (designed by the Disney team and printed by Astek) greet guests right as they exit the elevator. These details that Disney is known for help to spark joy and delight, especially for families with kids– or just those who love great animated storytelling.

Interiors by Disney. Photo via MouseHacking.com.

Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg

Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg, like all of Marriott’s Moxy collection, is fun, stylish, and unconventional–not to mention dog friendly. Rooms are small in square footage but big on design innovations, and the hotel boasts four dining and drinking options to keep the party going all night long. We worked with Basile Studio and Lightstone Group to develop custom wallcoverings for the corridors and elevator lobbies that echo the irreverent air of the rest of the hotel’s interior design. Here, custom funky geometric murals, reminiscent of collaged paper, keep the energy going as guests await their elevator to start their day (or night).

Interiors by Basile Studio + Lightstone Group. Photo via Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is the perfect home base for “what happens here, stays here” adventures–plenty of which can happen at the hotel itself, thanks to plenty of amenities, entertainment venues, and 12 restaurants and bars. The interiors are modern and fresh, with sculptural furniture and and a desert-inspired color palette. The elevator lobbies are warm and inviting, with an oversized geometric carpet pattern, similarly mod furniture, and–of course– custom murals designed by the Studio Collective team and printed by Astek. The vintage postcard-style murals are lit around the perimeter for extra drama.

Interiors by Rockwell Group + Studio Collective. Photo courtesy of Virgin Hotels.