Hotels need plants: why nature-driven design wins in hospitality

Beyond a place to sleep for the night, the hospitality industry promises a sense of escape and relaxation. From a welcoming staff to a calming, comfortable atmosphere, most guests expect their hotel stay to help them slow down and feel at ease. When it comes to consistently exceeding those expectations, few strategies are as effective as biophilic design.

Forward-thinking hotels and resorts are leaning into biophilic design – a philosophy rooted in our connection with nature – to elevate their interiors and guest experiences. When leasing plants through long-term plant rental services, the process is seamless, sustainable, and scalable.

Do first impressions matter? For hotel guests, the answer is absolutely.

In hospitality, first impressions are everything. Within seconds of entering a hotel lobby, guests are forming emotional judgments that shape their entire stay. Research from California State University found that over 70% of hotel guests say they can instantly tell whether their stay will be pleasurable.

Subtle but powerful sensory cues influence those first few seconds:

• Natural light
• Air quality
• Greenery and natural textures
• Scent and sound
• Overall atmosphere

Remember, travel itself is stressful, and guests arrive carrying that tension. One survey of over 4,500 business travelers found that 93% of them experience travel stress, while Harvard Business Review found that travel stress can lower happiness long after the trip is over. Hotels need to soothe stress instantly, not as a luxury, but as a competitive edge.

This is where nature-filled hotel lobbies shine. Living plants purify the air, soften acoustics, add natural beauty, and reduce cortisol levels. Long-term plant leasing programs allow hotels to harness those benefits effortlessly. Plant leasing staff ensure greenery stays beautiful, healthy, and consistent across the seasons.

The science is in: Leasing plants makes for calmer hotel guests and a happier staff

In psychology, the Stress Recovery Theory (SRT) shows that nature triggers emotional, cognitive, and physical responses that reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension to support a more grounded state. That’s powerful in a hotel setting, where both guests and staff benefit from calmer surroundings.

The paper Biophilic Urban Hotel Design and Restorative Experiencescapes, published in The Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, reinforces this connection. Their analysis highlights that views of nature and indoor plants provide restorative benefits to employees, reducing stress and burnout while increasing long-term quality of life.

In the International Journal of Hospitality Management, research shows that hotel guests report higher pleasure levels in hotel lobbies with biophilic design than in those without nature. This measurable increase in the customer’s peace of mind also significantly increased their willingness to pay higher prices.

With plant leasing and long-term plant rental, hotels can ensure this calming effect remains consistent year-round, strengthening customer trust, employee satisfaction, and their reputation as a truly restorative environment.

How does biophilic design improve business performance?

Hotels and resorts that embrace biophilic design see measurable gains in ROI and a reputation for corporate responsibility.

• Increased Occupancy: Research in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism shows biophilic design increases occupancy by shaping positive guest perception. Another study from the Manifold publishing platform even reports that hotel guests spend 36% more in hotel lobbies with displays of nature and live plants than in conventional lobbies without greenery.
• Increased restaurant traffic: Investing in restaurant patioscapes is another sure way for hotels to boost revenue. Adding green, outdoor dining areas has been shown to increase sales up to 30%!

With the simplicity of long-term plant rental, implementing biophilic design becomes an easy, high-return strategy that supports guest wellness and business growth simultaneously.

How can hotels bring biophilic design into their spaces?

When partnering with Plant Solutions, hotel representatives collaborate with one of our professional designers. Together, they make plant selections tailored to the hotel’s needs. These could include large plant wall installations, multiple Moss Wall art pieces, or container plants throughout hallways and lobby spaces. Plant Solutions covers installation and, more often than not, ongoing care. Long-term rental ensures greenery always looks healthy and full, becoming a signature part of the property’s identity.

A recent 2022 study investigates the role of biophilic design in hotel architecture. This study explains two primary components of biophilic design: direct and indirect experiences with nature. Professional biophilic designers will be well-versed in both.

Examples of direct experiences with nature include:

• Lush indoor greenery
• Incorporate living plants
• Prioritize or simulate natural light
• Clean, natural airflow
• Water features

Examples of indirect experiences with nature include:

• Botanical and landscape art
• Wood, stone, and natural materials
• Earth-tone palettes
• Natural lighting
• Organic shapes and geometric patterns found in nature

Bring hospitality services to life through plant leasing

Biophilic design helps guests feel grounded, welcomed, and restored. Plant leasing allows hotels to feature nature-inspired environments that feel thoughtful, rejuvenating, and beautiful without taking on the burden of routine plant maintenance. To start your project and explore plant leasing options, reach out!