Hotel lighting is the single biggest influence on how guests perceive a space. The lobby sets expectations. The corridor builds anticipation. The room delivers the experience. Every zone has different functional requirements, emotional targets, and technical constraints. This guide covers the specification essentials for each area.
Lobby and Reception
The lobby is your first impression. Lighting here needs to be welcoming without being overwhelming. Target 200-300 lux at the reception desk for task visibility, with lower ambient levels (100-150 lux) in seating areas. Colour temperature should be warm, 2700K-3000K, to create an immediate sense of comfort.
Feature lighting matters here more than anywhere else. A statement pendant or sculptural luminaire above the reception gives guests something to photograph. Combine it with subtle wall washing to add depth and dimension. Use CRI 90+ throughout the lobby so materials, artwork, and furnishings render accurately.
Dimming is essential. Daytime lighting should feel bright and energetic. Evening lighting should shift to a softer, more intimate atmosphere. DALI2 control gives you granular scene management without rewiring.
Corridors and Circulation
Hotel corridors need to feel safe without feeling clinical. Target 100 lux at floor level with good vertical illuminance on walls and door numbers. Wall lights or recessed wall washers create a more residential feel than ceiling-mounted downlights alone.
Use warm white (2700K-3000K) and keep UGR below 22. Corridors are long viewing distances with direct line of sight to luminaires, so glare control matters. Recessed downlights with deep reflectors or asymmetric wall wash distributions work well.
Emergency lighting integration is mandatory. Choose fittings with self-test emergency options to reduce maintenance overhead. EMPRICS products with the "T" emergency suffix include 3-hour self-test batteries that report status automatically.
Guest Rooms
Guest room lighting must serve multiple functions: general illumination, task lighting for the desk and bedside, ambient mood lighting, and bathroom lighting. Layer these on separate circuits or DALI groups so guests control the atmosphere.
General lighting: 150-200 lux from recessed downlights or a central pendant. Warm white, 2700K. Dimmable. Bedside reading lights: 300-500 lux localised, with adjustable direction. Desk light: 500 lux task level. Bathroom: 200 lux general, 400 lux at the mirror.
Dim-to-warm LED fittings are particularly effective in guest rooms. They shift from 3000K at full brightness to 2200K when dimmed, mimicking the warm glow of incandescent lamps. Guests instinctively feel more relaxed as the colour temperature drops.
IP ratings matter in the bathroom zone. Fittings above baths and showers need IP65 minimum (Zone 1). General bathroom fittings need IP44 (Zone 2). Vanity mirrors benefit from high-CRI (90+) neutral white (3500K-4000K) for accurate colour rendering.
Restaurant and Bar
Restaurant lighting should make food look appealing and guests look good. CRI 90+ is non-negotiable. Colour temperature depends on the concept: fine dining works best at 2200K-2700K, casual dining at 2700K-3000K, breakfast rooms at 3000K-3500K.
Pendant lights over tables create pools of light that define dining zones and add intimacy. Height matters: pendants should sit 700-800mm above the table surface. Supplement with subtle wall washing and accent lighting on artwork or architectural features.
Bars benefit from dramatic lighting. Lower ambient levels (50-100 lux) with focused accent lighting on the bar top, bottles, and feature walls. LED strip lighting in shelving or under counters adds depth. Tuneable white fixtures let you shift the atmosphere from after-work drinks to late-night venue without changing a single fitting.
Conference and Meeting Rooms
Meeting rooms need functional, flexible lighting. Target 500 lux on the table surface for note-taking and document review. UGR must be below 19 to prevent screen glare on laptops and presentation screens.
Colour temperature of 4000K keeps occupants alert during long meetings. Dimmable circuits are essential for presentations (dim the front, keep the rear lit for note-taking). Linear recessed fittings or slim panels give clean, uniform distribution.
AV compatibility matters. Lighting scenes for "presentation", "discussion", and "video call" should be pre-programmed. Ensure fittings dim smoothly to 1% without flicker, especially important when video cameras are involved.
Exterior and Facade
Exterior lighting serves security, wayfinding, and brand identity. The entrance canopy should be well-lit (200+ lux) with warm white to create a welcoming threshold. Pathway lighting at 50 lux minimum for safety. Facade lighting to highlight architectural features and signage.
IP65 or IP67 rated fittings are required for all exterior positions. Consider IK-rated products (impact resistance) for ground-level installations. Bollards, in-ground uplights, and linear wall washers all play a role in the exterior lighting scheme.
Getting the Specification Right
Hotel lighting projects typically involve 15-30 different luminaire types across all zones. Starting with a coherent specification saves time and budget downstream. Define your lux levels, colour temperatures, CRI requirements, and control strategy for each zone before selecting individual products.
EMPRICS supplies specification-grade luminaires across every hotel zone. Browse by hospitality application or submit your project for a specification quote.