Most people walk past signs without thinking about them. In a hotel, that is the goal. Great signs guide guests so smoothly that no one notices the work behind them. Poor signs do the opposite. They confuse. They interrupt. They make people stop and wonder where on earth they are meant to go next.
At Majestic Metals, we design and make hotel signs every day. We see the same problems across properties of all sizes, from boutique independents to large chains. Much of the time, the issues seem small. A font that is a little too light. A colour that is attractive but hard to read. A door number that sits a centimetre too high or too low. But those small details shape the entire guest experience.
Here are the mistakes we see most often and how hotels can avoid them.
1. Signs that look good in a meeting room but not in real life
A sign can look lovely on a presentation slide. Then it arrives on site and disappears into the décor behind it. This happens when decisions are made without thinking about actual lighting, viewing distance or how busy the background is.
For example, a brushed brass plaque might look striking in a mock-up but if it sits on a similar warm toned wall, it melts into it. Guests walk straight past. By testing ideas in the real environment, you avoid this problem completely.
At Majestic Metals we often do simple on site checks. A sample on a wall for twenty seconds tells you more than a long meeting ever could.
2. Fancy fonts that no one can read
Stylish fonts can tempt designers, especially in hotels that want to feel unique or high end. But if a guest cannot read the sign at a glance, it fails. Thin letterforms, delicate scripts and overly decorative styles look elegant but slow people down.
A guest heading to an event or trying to find the lift does not want to stop and study swirls. They want clear, quick direction. The most effective signs for hotels use fonts with good weight, clean shapes and spacing that keeps every letter visible from several steps away.
3. Forgetting that signs must work for everyone
Hotels welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. That includes guests with reduced vision or mobility. But many properties still rely on signs that do not meet basic accessibility needs.
Good contrast, tactile elements where appropriate and sensible placement all matter. When lift signs sit too high or toilet signs hide behind plants, guests struggle. This harms not only the guest experience but also the hotel’s reputation.
Our team often adjusts placements by small margins that make a big difference. If a sign sits at natural eye level and is impossible to miss, guests feel cared for without ever realising why.
4. Inconsistent design that makes the hotel feel disjointed
Hotels often update parts of their signage over time. A refurbishment happens on one floor. A new restaurant opens. A spa expands. The result is a patchwork of old and new styles. One corridor has serif lettering. Another switches to a modern sans serif. Some signs use deep colour panels while others use metallic plates. Guests feel the inconsistency even when they cannot describe it.
Cohesive signage brings a hotel together visually. It supports the brand and makes the space feel deliberate. When we create signs for hotels, we look at the entire property. We create a consistent family of signs, from door numbers to restaurant signs to lavatory signs.
5. Undervaluing material quality
Many hotels choose signs based on price alone. The problem is that cheaper materials age faster. They pick up fingerprints. They fade or warp. They chip easily when trolleys or luggage knock into them.
High quality metals age far better. Bronze, brass, copper and aluminium stay beautiful for years with minimal maintenance. They also give a sense of weight and permanence that suits luxury and mid scale hotels alike.
At Majestic Metals we produce hotel signs in these materials every day. There are many beautiful hotel signs available and we shape each one to fit the exact atmosphere of the property. A warm brass plaque works perfectly in a classic lobby. Aluminium suits a clean modern space. Copper adds character to boutique properties. When the material matches the mood, the sign does more than guide. It adds to the overall feel of the hotel.
6. Not tailoring signs to actual guest behaviour
A hotel might have a gorgeous set of signs but if they do not match how guests move around the building, they fall short. People rarely follow straight lines. They turn their heads early. They look for the lift from a distance. They glance left far more often than expected.
Good signage predicts these habits. For instance, placing elevator signs slightly before a junction stops people from overshooting the turn. Clear door numbers placed at natural sight height help someone find their room quickly without pacing back and forth in a corridor.
This is why all our signs for hotels are custom made to your requirements. One size rarely fits all. Every hotel has quirks in layout, traffic flow or lighting. Tailored signs respect those quirks and help guests move confidently from the moment they enter.
7. Forgetting the small but essential signs
Hotels tend to focus on lobby signs or the main directory boards. But small items matter just as much. Door numbers need to be easy to spot. Lift instructions must be clear. Lavatory signs should be visible from a distance. Restaurant signs should guide guests without forcing them to stop and scan every wall.
These details are quiet but powerful. When they are done well, guests feel grounded and oriented. When they are done poorly, people feel lost even in a lovely space.
The result of getting signage right
When a hotel invests in thoughtful, well-crafted signage, the building simply works better. Guests move with ease. Staff spend less time giving directions. The space feels intentional and calm.
At Majestic Metals we create signs for hotels that respect the guest journey and lift the character of the property. Every sign is made to order and shaped with care. If you want signage that looks good, lasts and genuinely supports your guests, we are here to help.
Ready to improve your hotel signage
Get in touch and we will create something that serves your guests and strengthens your space.