First impressions count. And this is even more true in a hotel, where the lobby (or, for many of us, the lounge) is a focal point of the journey. Entering a design space enlivened by artwork, green installations or spectacular views is often a sign of a more intense living experience.

And speaking of first impact, what about the new W in Osaka opened in 2021, which from the outside is reminiscent of the monolith in '2001: A Space Odyssey', under the banner of futuristic minimalism? Inside, however, it conceals a playful world of colourful design. The communal spaces are full of neon lights and bold hues and the entrance is reached through nothing less than a technicolour 'tunnel'. Futuristic and geometric shapes characterise the hall, which however turn out to be unexpectedly soft and comfortable to the touch.

From the future to the past, but reinterpreted in a contemporary key. Choosing just one lobby and lounge among New York hotels is no easy task, but if the theme is retro, the choice can only be the lounge at The Beekman. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, it is a place unlike any other in the city, with its nine-level atrium and a lobby populated by pink velvet sofas and antique green walls, dominated by a large portrait of Edgar Allan Poe. It is one of the most fascinating spaces in Lower Manhattan.

From America to Asia. A continent is increasingly at the forefront not only economically, but also as a trend-setter. In Jakarta, the Langham, an imposing 65-storey building rising above Indonesia's capital, officially opened in 2021. The entire hotel is strikingly contemporary, but perhaps the most impressive space is the lobby on the ground floor: the minimalist lines of the interior design are counterbalanced by the magnificent chandelier depicting 3,000 swirling crystal butterflies, an elegant tribute to the biodiversity of Indonesia's rainforests and an invitation to respect them in a sustainable way.

And the old continent does not stand idly by. Even with the high standards of Amsterdam, the Sir Adam Hotel is very, very cool. The industrial look of the concrete entrance is punctuated by sofas in orange velvet, bright murals, Andy Warhol coffee table books and vintage video games salvaged from abandoned arcades. The local chain The Butcher has even opened a lively burger restaurant in the lobby, which doubles as a lounge bar.

What is the lesson of this overview of such different styles? That today there are no longer 'trends', but many uniquenesses that aim at making the corresponding uniqueness of countless different guests feel at home. For many more variations of the theme, the place of discovery is Host 2023, at fieramilano in Rho from 13 to 17 October.