The Clarendon Hotel, a historic Phoenix landmark, has always dared to be different.
The hotel opened in 1975 as a fiercely independent boutique hotel—no franchise, no brand, just pure individuality and style. Today, it remains one of only two boutique hotels in Phoenix.
But even an icon of individuality needs to evolve and modernize once in a while.
“As The Clarendon Hotel matured, we strived to keep the property relevant and up-to-date,” said owner Ben Bethel.
Ben’s commitment to providing a contemporary experience led to a significant investment in the property: a $2 million renovation to completely reimagine the guest experience
This successful transformation offers valuable insights for businesses across all industries on how to effectively use large-scale wall graphics to transform their interior space.
Evolving to Meet Modern Expectations
The Clarendon Hotel undertook a bold renovation to break away from outdated industry norms, focusing instead on meeting modern travelers' desires for a warm, vibrant, and distinctive atmosphere. This ambitious project aimed to infuse the hotel with a fresh personality that resonates with contemporary guests.
“We felt that the entire industry went towards an industrial look right before the Great Recession—bare concrete floors, exposed pipes and ductwork, industrial lighting, muted earth tones, etc.—and people are just so tired of the look,” said Ben. “Guests want color again.”
Central to this transformation were large-scale, high-quality printed visuals designed to refresh the aesthetic of every guest room.
The hotel’s public spaces already showcased vibrant local art, including Blue Chip works by Bill Dambrova in the lobby, but guest rooms lagged behind. They lacked the energy and warmth that today’s travelers expect.
The plan was to make large-scale visuals a focal point in every room, injecting bold colors and a modern aesthetic.
The Search for the Right Printing Partner
To achieve this vision, The Clarendon Hotel needed a printing partner capable of delivering both precision and practicality. Based on a positive experience with a previous project, they chose to work with Artisan Colour.
“We worked with Artisan Colour on a previous project for the hotel where we incorporated our signature ‘Clarendon Stripes’ into guest room artwork about two years ago,” said Ben. “They did a fantastic job. They’re patient with me, for sure! No high-pressure sales, and they just waited for me to select images. To say that I went through thousands of possible images before narrowing the project down to these final images is an understatement.”
This past experience gave The Clarendon confidence that Artisan Colour could handle the unique requirements of the renovation.
Material Selection: Balancing Visual Impact and Durability
When collaborating with the hotel’s renovation team, Artisan Colour recommended direct-to-acrylic printing for its balance of longevity, visual impact, and durability.
- Acrylic resists fading and discoloration, making it perfect for high-traffic areas and daily cleaning routines.
- Acrylic also stands up to UV exposure, making it suitable for spaces with plenty of natural light.
- Acrylic printing enhances color depth and sharpness, making it an ideal choice for bold, large-scale visuals like those used in The Clarendon Hotel’s revitalized guest rooms.
- A simple wipe with a soft cloth keeps acrylic prints looking fresh and polished even after years of use.
These qualities made acrylic the ideal material for the 172 oversized panels, each measuring 5’ x 5’, that brought The Clarendon Hotel’s vision to life.
Ben provided Artisan Colour’s large-format printing team with five vector files, meaning the designs could be scaled to 5’ x 5’ prints without losing any quality.
5′ x 5′ panels printed direct-to-acrylic then mounted with stainless steel standoffs.
Installation Without Impacting Operations
A bustling hotel environment presented a unique challenge for this project: installing large-format graphics in every room without disturbing guests or interrupting hotel operations.
To solve for this, Artisan Colour developed a phased installation plan, installing 30 panels per week over a six-week period. Further, installations were scheduled exclusively in unoccupied rooms, ensuring guests weren’t inconvenienced and that hotel operations could continue as usual.
A Vibrant Transformation
Today, guests of The Clarendon Hotel are welcomed into vibrant, visually striking spaces that reflect the hotel’s boutique identity.
“Artisan Colour's commitment to quality was evident in every aspect of the project,” stated Ben. “From the initial consultation to the final installation, their team was professional, responsive, and dedicated to exceeding our expectations. The results speak for themselves – the prints are stunning and have significantly enhanced our guests’ experience.”
Key Takeaways for Large-Format Printing in Hotels and Businesses
- Image Quality is Crucial. For large-scale graphics (60" x 60" or more), prioritize vector files or ultra-high-resolution images to ensure sharp, impactful visuals.
- Durable Materials Matter. High-traffic areas demand durable materials. Acrylic prints resist fading, warping, and damage, making them ideal for busy environments like hotels. Their easy-to-clean surfaces simplify maintenance.
- Strategic Installation is Key. Phased installation plans minimize disruptions, allowing businesses like hotels to continue operations smoothly during renovations.
About Artisan Colour
For over 25 years, Artisan Colour has been a leader in large-format printing, delivering the artisanal quality and precision that modern businesses demand. We combine the craftsmanship of master printers with cutting-edge printing technology to help businesses like The Clarendon Hotel transform their spaces and elevate the customer experience.
Beyond our expertise in large-format printing, signage, and graphics, we offer a comprehensive suite of solutions, including:
- Digital Printing Services: Marketing collateral, catalogs, branded packaging, vehicle wraps, personalized printing, and specialty printing.
- Signage and Branding: Business signage, wall and window graphics, indoor and outdoor banners, trade shows and events, retail displays, and wall wraps.
- Direct Mail Marketing: Direct mail campaigns, personalized direct mail, mailing lists, Informed Delivery, and integrated digital solutions.
- Marketing Fulfillment: Web-to-print, warehousing and storage, inventory management, kitting and assembly, and promotional products.
- Digital Services: Prepress, premedia, online image libraries, photography, graphic design, image retouching, and color management.
- Digital Marketing: Digital marketing strategy, graphic design, website design, content marketing, SEO, social media, software integrations, and Hubspot ecosystem management.
Contact our team of artisans today to learn more about the Artisan Colour difference.
