How Hospitality & Resort trends Are Transforming Multi-Family Clubhouses
Jan 1 2026 ~ Over coffee on this first (and surprisingly cold, even for Florida) day, trapped indoors scrolling Pinterest and developing a concept for a project, I’m seeing how the worlds of hospitality, resorts, and multi-family clubhouses are influencing each other more than ever. As I canvas concept images, I can no longer distinguish between a hotel lobby and a clubhouse lobby. Boutique hotels and resorts are pulling in that residential warmth, community-driven gathering, and flexible everyday living that multi-family spaces have perfected, as Clubhouses continue to elevate with deeper resort-inspired escape and indulgence
It’s reminding me of a conversation B and I had recently about who is setting the trends of tomorrow, and it’s obviously the one’s who are creating today for tomorrow…US! (designers) But obviously it’s not all us. It’s the influences of music, fashion, social needs and wants, but then more significantly, I feel, it’s a departure from trends of yesterday...probably fueled by not wanting to do ‘that’ again. Not another slat wall or decorative hex tile please.
For me, this pull toward resort-inspired spaces isn’t new. It’s personal. In all our work since the beginning, we’ve always drawn from resort-hotel inspiration, before we even put it into words or identified it in our dialogue. In our very first clubhouse project we renamed the ‘leasing desk’ to ‘concierge desk’. It felt better.
Our goal was to create clubhouses the residents actually use…and often. It’s been our mantra in the background since the first of what would be many clubhouse and hospitality designs. Why? Because in a world that’s increasingly isolated and rushed, these spaces give residents a daily dose of vacation-mode wellness and community. It’s why the challenges are worth it...they remind us we’re building places that nurture real life, real joy, real recovery from the grind.
Today, as I am exploring both project types, I am finding a commonality between Hospitality and Clubhouses designs than I never saw at this level before. Deeper biophilic elements combining water, biomorphic forms, natural light, indoor to outdoor flows that heal, spaces that are telling stories. Social hubs like game lawns, indoor-outdoor fitness, makerspaces, flexible lounges that spark spontaneous connections, wellness-focused escapes with spas, yoga decks, and recovery zones that go beyond the basic gym. Even subtle luxuries in concierge touches or mini-markets that make home feel effortlessly indulgent.
It’s not just multi-family borrowing from resorts anymore...it’s a full conversation. Boutique hotels are pulling in residential warmth and community vibes, while our clubhouses elevate to true destination status, inviting collaborations where multi-family amenities rival full resorts...and vice versa.
biophilic design at Legacy Gateway Apartments Ft. Myers, FL
~ design by Liz, Boyan, and installation artist Ben Porter, while all working at JKL Design Group ~ good times
A few standouts we’re weaving into our projects today
Deeper biophilic integration - 20’ tall bamboo, back lit faux clerestory with windows of blue skies, lighting, both real and simulated cast through perforated brick or breezeblock, and slat walls. (yes the trend I am maybe tired of but will never retire) Integrating sounds and smells through technology, a plunge pool in a tropical oasis.
Smarter tech space that disappears into beautiful design along with flexible places to work (or play) while ‘on vacay’
Local storytelling through authentic details as fine art or installation art.
Multi-sensory journeys - Textures & warmer palettes moving away from cool gray minimalism to soft neutrals and materials that tell a story of the area’s history and culture. The biophilia, collections of tactile objects, or collections of global objects for that well-traveled feel…all happing in unison and harmony…creating that awesome resort magic that you never want to leave.
you can find some of these ideas in action in our portfolio, and all of these in play on projects in construction or schematic design phase like Solare Caye and Blu Aventura.
