Less than two years ago I visited a much trumpeted prototype European Courtyard in La Defence in Paris. Paris Colombes was a neat piece of design and had a boutique feel about it. It was also a good example of how well thought-out design can reduce operating costs. I was told that not only the design but the operation was the pattern for future development of the Courtyard brand.

Most aeroplane companies make prototypes, enabling them to meet performance guarantees. You would think that property owners would look for similar guarantees before signing up to Marriott, Accor, IHG, Hilton or any one of the other hundred global brands. There is a large range of competing and prototyping which makes sense in this scenario.

Prototyping gives the brand a chance to come up with a layout that will perform to the maximum. It should enable hoteliers to work with the owner during the build and give confidence along with performance guarantees similar to those offered by Boeing. It doesn't mean that the design is fixed any more than the design of a Boeing-747 is fixed.

Sub types of aeroplanes are altered according to customer requirements. One Boeing plane can carry 580 passengers whereas another carries 280. The smaller plane is designed to carry less people further and more economically.


Hotel owners should take a similar route and create an effective functional design prototype. However, it is sometimes difficult to move from a predictable traditional format that demands higher levels of staffing.

However, comparing Leigh Park Inn to Park Inn Liége, it is evident the Marriott chain has achieved consistant branding across these two hotels. Even if both inns have adopted different variations.

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