How to Create a Memorable Guest Experience Through Lighting

Welcome to the first December edition of Commercial Lighting Industries’ newsletter! This month, we explore how strategic lighting design enhances guest experiences in the hospitality, dining, and luxury industries. In addition to helpful tips, we’ll spotlight three recent projects that exemplify these principles in action.

The Role of Lighting in Guest Experience

In the hospitality sector, lighting is more than mere illumination; it's a vital component that shapes ambiance, influences mood, and reinforces brand identity. Thoughtful lighting design can transform a hotel stay from ordinary to unforgettable.

1. Setting the Ambiance

Lighting is a cornerstone of creating a memorable first impression in restaurants, luxury spaces, and hotels. Warm, inviting tones in lobbies, dining rooms, and entryways can make guests feel instantly at ease, setting the stage for a comfortable and welcoming experience.?

In bars, lounges, and upscale dining areas, dynamic lighting schemes—such as adjustable dimmers or color-changing LEDs—can create an energizing or intimate mood tailored to the time of day or specific events. By using lighting to evoke emotion, you craft an atmosphere that enhances every moment for your guests.

2. Enhancing Aesthetics

From five-star hotel suites to Michelin-starred restaurants, lighting plays a crucial role in showcasing architectural and design elements. Thoughtfully placed accent lighting can draw the eye to artwork, unique furniture pieces, or intricate architectural features.?

Well-placed fixtures enhance textures like polished stone, rich wood, or luxurious fabrics, adding depth and sophistication to a space. Whether it’s a softly illuminated wine display or a statement chandelier in a fine dining room, lighting transforms design concepts into an immersive, visual experience.

3. Improving Functionality

Functionality is essential in high-traffic luxury spaces, where guest comfort and safety are paramount. Proper lighting ensures hallways, staircases, and outdoor paths are safe and accessible.?

For example, in restaurants, task lighting helps staff perform efficiently in back-of-house areas while allowing guests to enjoy well-lit dining experiences that balance visibility with ambiance. For open-air dining or rooftop lounges, strategically placed outdoor fixtures not only ensure safety but also enhance the space’s charm, extending its usability into the evening.

4. Reinforcing Brand Identity

In the hospitality and luxury industries, lighting is a powerful tool for storytelling. Thoughtful, consistent lighting design reinforces a brand’s identity and ethos. Hotels can use signature lighting styles, like custom fixtures or a unique color palette, to create a cohesive experience across lobbies, rooms, and amenities.?

Businesses of all types looking to create a luxurious experience can leverage lighting to evoke a distinct vibe—whether it’s chic and modern or classic and cozy—that reflects their identity. By aligning lighting with brand aesthetics, businesses leave a lasting impression on guests while subtly communicating their values and vision.

Project Spotlight: AC Hotels by Marriott Sacramento

A great example of these principles in action is the recently completed AC Hotels by Marriott in Sacramento, where CLI Design and Commercial Lighting Industries collaborated with AXIS Architecture + Design and Tricorp Group, Inc. to bring this stunning space to life.

Our team provided tailored lighting solutions that perfectly complement the hotel’s sleek, modern aesthetic. The design enhances the ambiance of every corner, from the welcoming lobby to the inviting guest areas, creating an atmosphere of elegance and comfort.

This project highlights CLI’s commitment to excellence in hospitality lighting design, blending functionality with striking visual appeal.

Project Spotlight: Ocean 48

We are also proud to highlight our recent collaboration with Ocean 48 in Newport Beach, CA. Our team at CLI Design had the pleasure of working on this lighting design, as well as our team at Commercial Lighting Industries. We worked closely with the client to develop a lighting scheme that enhances the luxurious and serene atmosphere of this coastal property. By integrating subtle, ambient lighting with strategic accent fixtures, we created spaces that are both inviting and visually stunning.

Project Spotlight: Mercedes-Benz Escondido?

In our recent project for Mercedes-Benz Escondido, in collaboration with United Contractors, Inc. and DF Architects, we transformed the showroom into a space that reflects the brand's elegance and innovation.?

Our lighting design highlights the sleek lines of the vehicles and creates an immersive experience for customers. The use of modern fixtures and dynamic lighting controls allows for a versatile environment that can adapt to different events and displays

Stay Connected with CLI

Thank you for joining us in this edition of the Lighting the Way Newsletter. We hope these insights inspire you to consider how lighting can elevate guest experiences in your hospitality projects.?

Stay tuned for updates, expert advice, and project showcases that keep you at the forefront of hospitality lighting. For inquiries or more information, please reach out to us. Let’s illuminate the future together!