Design & Interiors
Author
FELTBAY
Author
date
Design & Interiors
Topic
Hotels, restaurants, and leisure venues have unique acoustic requirements. Here's how designers and fit-out contractors can approach acoustic specification for hospitality spaces.
Hospitality spaces present a distinct acoustic challenge: guests expect atmosphere, not silence. The goal is not to eliminate sound but to shape it — creating spaces that feel lively and social without becoming uncomfortably loud.
Unlike offices or classrooms, where speech clarity and low reverberation are primary goals, hospitality spaces benefit from a degree of ambient energy. A restaurant that is too quiet can feel awkward; one that is too loud becomes exhausting. The target reverberation time for most restaurant and bar environments sits between 0.8 and 1.2 seconds, varying by size and ceiling height.
Rather than treating entire surfaces, hospitality designers often use acoustic panels selectively — targeting the zones of highest reflection. Common applications include ceiling baffles above dining areas, wall panels in private dining rooms and function spaces, acoustic screens between booth seating, and decorative feature panels in reception and lobby areas.
In hospitality, acoustic treatment must be beautiful as well as functional. Feltbay panels are available in 90 colours and can be CNC-cut into custom shapes, gradients, and patterns. They can be designed to complement FF&E palettes, reflect brand identity, or become statement features in their own right. This is acoustic design, not acoustic afterthought.
Commercial hospitality spaces in the UAE and internationally require materials to meet stringent fire safety codes. Feltbay panels are certified to EN 13501-1 Class B-s2,d0 and ASTM E84 Class A — meeting the requirements for walls and ceilings in hotels, restaurants, and public assembly spaces.
The best hotel lobbies, restaurants, and lounges don't just look extraordinary — they sound extraordinary too.
Contact Feltbay to discuss your hospitality project or request a sample and technical specification pack.
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