For hotel owners, architects and property managers, the challenge is making sure those signs are not only attractive and consistent with the hotel's décor, but also meet applicable ADA and other code requirements.
Here's a practical look at some of the signage commonly found throughout a hotel.
Guest Room Number Signs
Guest room identification signs or "unit ID" signs are among the most important signs in any hotel.
Because hotel guest rooms are permanent spaces, room identification signage generally requires tactile raised characters and Braille. A hotel with 150 guest rooms could therefore need 150 ADA compliant room number signs before any of the property's other signage is considered.
Room-number signs can also become an important part of the hotel's interior design. Rather than treating them as an afterthought, hotels can select a coordinated sign style and color combination that complements hallway finishes, carpeting, wall colors and room décor.
Restroom Signs
Public restrooms located in hotel lobbies, restaurants, conference areas, pools and other common areas require ADA-compliant identification signage.
Depending upon the sign and application, ADA restroom signage would incorporate raised tactile lettering, Braille and familiar pictograms identifying men's, women's, gender neutral or accessible facilities.
Meeting and Conference Rooms
Hotels frequently contain ballrooms, meeting rooms, boardrooms and conference rooms. When a sign identifies a permanent room or space, ADA tactile signage requirements may apply. For hotels with extensive conference facilities, a coordinated sign system can make these areas much easier for guests to navigate.
Stairway and Stairwell Signs
Stairways are another important part of a hotel's signage plan. Hotels may need stair identification and other stair-related signs depending upon the building and applicable building and life-safety codes. These signs can communicate information such as floor level, roof access, stair designation and other important wayfinding or emergency information.
Because requirements can vary by jurisdiction and building configuration, hotel owners should verify applicable ADA, building and fire-code requirements for their property.
Fitness Centers, Pools and Other Amenities
Hotels increasingly offer numerous guest amenities, including:
Fitness Centers, Spas & Swimming Pools
Business Centers & Lounges
Guest Laundry Rooms & Game Rooms
Restaurants & Breakfast Rooms
Permanent rooms and spaces should be considered when developing the hotel's ADA signage plan. These are also areas where consistent signage can greatly improve the appearance of the property. Guests should feel as though every sign belongs in the same hotel rather than seeing a mixture of unrelated signs purchased at different times.
Employee and Service Areas
Don't forget the areas guests may rarely see.
Hotels can contain dozens of permanent back-of-house spaces, including:
Housekeeping, Storage, Laundry & Maintenance Rooms
Mechanical, Elevator, Sprinkler & Electrical rooms
Offices & Employee Break Rooms
Permanent room identification requirements can apply beyond the public-facing areas of the hotel, so these spaces should be reviewed as part of the overall signage plan.
Directional and Informational Signs
Not every hotel sign requires Braille. Directional signs and informational signs are treated differently from signs that identify permanent rooms and spaces. For example, a sign directing guests toward the lobby, elevators, guest rooms or meeting facilities may need to meet visual-character requirements without necessarily requiring tactile lettering and Braille.
Understanding this distinction can help prevent both under-signing and purchasing more expensive tactile signage where it isn't required.
Elevator Signage
Elevators are another important part of a hotel's ADA signage plan. Accessible and emergency signage may be required at elevator entrances and controls, including tactile characters and Braille used to identify floor levels and other information. Hotels should also consider clear directional signage that helps guests quickly locate elevators from lobbies, guest-room corridors and common areas.
Coordinating elevator signage with guest room, stairway and other hotel signs helps maintain a consistent, professional appearance throughout the property.
One Hotel, One Consistent Sign Design
ADA compliance doesn't mean a hotel has to look institutional. At JustBrailleSigns.com, we offer eight distinctive ADA sign design series, with each series available across seven different sign types. This makes it possible to carry the same design theme throughout an entire hotel.
Guest room numbers, restrooms, conference rooms, stairways, directional signs, informational signs and other signage can all share a coordinated appearance.
Multiple color combinations provide even more flexibility. A hotel can select colors that complement its interior design and create the appearance of a custom-designed sign package without having to design every sign from scratch.
For a hotel containing hundreds of signs, that consistency can make a noticeable difference.
Plan the Entire Hotel Before Ordering
One of the best approaches to hotel signage is to think of it as a complete system rather than ordering individual signs as they're needed.
Walk through the property floor by floor and identify:
Guest rooms
Restrooms
Meeting and conference rooms
Stairways
Amenities
Employee and service rooms
Directional signage
Informational signage
Elevator Signage
From there, signs can be organized by type, wording and location before selecting a coordinated design series and color combination. The result is more than a collection of ADA signs. It's a complete signage system that helps guests navigate the property while maintaining a consistent, professional appearance throughout the hotel.
JustBrailleSigns.com offers ADA-compliant Braille signage in eight coordinated design series and seven sign types, making it easy to create a consistent signage package for hotels of virtually any size. Or let us design a completely different custom sign package for you!
