Enhancing 3-Star Hotels to Wellness Hotels through User-Centered and UX/UI Design: A Case Study in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan
Keywords:
3-star hotels, Wellness Hotel, User-centered Design, UX/UI DesignAbstract
This research investigates the transformation of 3-star hotels into wellness hotels through user-centered and UX/UI design approaches in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with three key informants and a quantitative survey of 50 tourists. The qualitative component provided in-depth insights into wellness tourism trends and challenges, while the quantitative survey assessed tourists’ preferences and expectations regarding wellness amenities and services. Key qualitative findings revealed that successful wellness hotel transformations require a comprehensive approach integrating physical design, service offerings, and digital experiences. Quantitative results showed that tourists prioritize hydrotherapy (16.7%), health exercise (16.0%), and massage (12.8%) as top wellness activities. For dining, 30.9% emphasized healthy food menus, and 20.0% prioritized healthy beverages. Based on these insights, prototypes for websites, menus, and signage were developed and evaluated by 50 hotel entrepreneurs and related agencies. The overall satisfaction with the prototypes was high (mean = 4.24, SD = 0.267). This research contributes to understanding that user-centered and UX/UI design can effectively transform 3-star hotels into wellness-oriented establishments. The high satisfaction ratings suggest that the developed prototypes have significant potential for enhancing user experiences and hotel competitiveness in the wellness tourism market. These findings provide design strategies, services, and product information for 3-star hotels seeking to enhance their offerings and competitiveness in the evolving wellness tourism market, potentially contributing to the broader development of wellness tourism in Thailand.
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