A good night's sleep . . .
Noise control is an essential aspect of the hotels guest experience. One of the most common
complaints reported by hotel guests is poor acoustic performance.
They have increasingly expressed the importance of noise control at each grade of hotel
design from budget to luxury hotels. Additionally, to help gain the attention of customers,
hotels are often located adjacent to airports, highways and rapid transit systems. Whether
the source is from traffic, aircraft, building systems of other activities within the hotel
itself, noise is a major disturbance. Hotels are complex buildings incorporating many types
of functions that generate noise in close proximity to sensitive receivers such as guest
rooms.
Each year, J.D. Power conducts its North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, seeking the opinions of approximately 50-60,000 travelers. Noise has regularly ranked first in the list of complaints, industry wide. It irritates guests during the day and continues to affect their ability to sleep long after they have adjusted to their new surroundings.
The financial impact of this problem can be substantial. Dissatisfied guests are less likely to return to a property and more inclined to voice their frustration to others and post negative reviews online. As a result, the hotels reputation can suffer. In many cases, there are also direct costs associated with appeasing unhappy guests, such as offering room rebates and discounted services.
At JCK Acoustics Group we have extensive experience with the needs of noise control and acoustic performance in the design of hotel projects in the U.S. and Asia. We have recently completed an extensive noise survey of 100 hotels in Shanghai regarding the guest experience. We work with operators, designers and developers around the globe to help address architectural acoustic isolation and building systems noise and vibration. We provide supporting recommendations for other amenity spaces such as fitness room, meeting rooms, ballrooms and provide key details to ensure performance. We understand the needs and requirements for sound quality, background noise levels and sound isolation expected from guests.
Read MoreREVIEW: Design and Construction Standards
When it comes to noise control and acoustic performance in hotels, it is important to discuss the significance of design criteria in creating a conducive acoustic environment for hotels. By establishing well-defined design criteria, hotel operators and designers can proactively address noise-related issues and implement effective solutions to enhance the acoustic quality within their hotel.
Many reputable and well-known hotel operators adhere to established design and construction guidelines and standards that serve as the foundation for their brand requirements. These guidelines outline criteria and specifications to ensure consistency and quality across their properties.
In many cases, these design and construction guidelines include provisions for acoustics, setting limits and standards for noise control and acoustic quality. Some hotel operators have a dedicated acoustic section within the document, while others incorporate acoustic requirements interspersed throughout various sections. However, it is worth noting that not all guidelines have a designated acoustic section, and in some instances, acoustics may not be addressed at all. The level of detail regarding acoustic considerations can vary, ranging from comprehensive guidelines to a complete absence.
Enhance Your Acoustic Standards
We offer a review of your facilities design and construction document providing refinements, amendments or creation to help ensure comprehensive, clear and concise acoustic and noise control standards.