032: Can Lighting Make Guests Stay Longer and Spend More w/ Martin Epstein of Tazz Lighting
Tue Feb 03 2026
Lighting is doing far more than helping guests see — it’s shaping how long they stay, how comfortable they feel, and how much they spend. In this episode of Hospitality Design Talks, host Rachel Larraine Crawford sits down with Martin Epstein, founder of Tazz Lighting, to unpack how intentional, layered lighting quietly drives guest behavior, brand perception, and business performance.
With decades of hands-on experience — from electrical contracting to large-scale hospitality projects — Martin shares why lighting should be treated as a strategic system, not an afterthought. Together, they explore how hospitality lighting has evolved from purely aesthetic to deeply experiential, operational, and human-centered.
Whether you’re opening a new restaurant, renovating a hotel, or refining an existing guest experience, this episode offers practical insights into how lighting can become your most powerful (and invisible) team member.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why lighting acts as a “silent host” that influences guest mood, dwell time, and spendingThe biggest lighting mistakes Martin sees in hospitality spaces — and how to avoid themWhat “layered lighting” really means, and why even light levels kill atmosphereHow warm color temperatures (like 2700K) support comfort, intimacy, and lingeringWhy lighting controls and scene programming are non-negotiable for hospitality spacesHow lighting transitions throughout the day without guests consciously noticingWhat tunable white and circadian lighting are — and where they truly make senseWhy you should never leave lighting decisions solely to an electricianHow early collaboration between designers, lighting experts, and contractors saves money and stressTrends shaping hospitality lighting today — from tunable systems to intelligent controlsMartin’s advice for owner-operators planning lighting in 2026 and beyond
Key Takeaway:Thoughtful lighting isn’t about adding more fixtures — it’s about designing comfort, flow, and emotion. When lighting is planned early, layered intentionally, and controlled intelligently, it enhances guest experience, reinforces brand identity, and quietly supports revenue without ever demanding attention.
About the Guest:Martin Epstein ,President & Co-Founder, Tazz Lighting, Inc.
Martin Epstein is the President and co-founder of Tazz Lighting, Inc., a premier San Diego-based lighting
design, distribution, and consultation firm known for delivering innovative and high-quality lighting solutions
for residential, commercial, and architectural projects. With over three decades of experience in the lighting
industry, Martin has built a reputation for excellence rooted in deep technical expertise, thoughtful design
sensibility, and a client-centered approach.
Tazz Lighting has guided projects from concept through completion, partnering with architects, designers,
builders, and homeowners to elevate spaces through carefully curated lighting, advanced control systems, and
energy...
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Lighting is doing far more than helping guests see — it’s shaping how long they stay, how comfortable they feel, and how much they spend. In this episode of Hospitality Design Talks, host Rachel Larraine Crawford sits down with Martin Epstein, founder of Tazz Lighting, to unpack how intentional, layered lighting quietly drives guest behavior, brand perception, and business performance. With decades of hands-on experience — from electrical contracting to large-scale hospitality projects — Martin shares why lighting should be treated as a strategic system, not an afterthought. Together, they explore how hospitality lighting has evolved from purely aesthetic to deeply experiential, operational, and human-centered. Whether you’re opening a new restaurant, renovating a hotel, or refining an existing guest experience, this episode offers practical insights into how lighting can become your most powerful (and invisible) team member. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why lighting acts as a “silent host” that influences guest mood, dwell time, and spendingThe biggest lighting mistakes Martin sees in hospitality spaces — and how to avoid themWhat “layered lighting” really means, and why even light levels kill atmosphereHow warm color temperatures (like 2700K) support comfort, intimacy, and lingeringWhy lighting controls and scene programming are non-negotiable for hospitality spacesHow lighting transitions throughout the day without guests consciously noticingWhat tunable white and circadian lighting are — and where they truly make senseWhy you should never leave lighting decisions solely to an electricianHow early collaboration between designers, lighting experts, and contractors saves money and stressTrends shaping hospitality lighting today — from tunable systems to intelligent controlsMartin’s advice for owner-operators planning lighting in 2026 and beyond Key Takeaway:Thoughtful lighting isn’t about adding more fixtures — it’s about designing comfort, flow, and emotion. When lighting is planned early, layered intentionally, and controlled intelligently, it enhances guest experience, reinforces brand identity, and quietly supports revenue without ever demanding attention. About the Guest:Martin Epstein ,President & Co-Founder, Tazz Lighting, Inc. Martin Epstein is the President and co-founder of Tazz Lighting, Inc., a premier San Diego-based lighting design, distribution, and consultation firm known for delivering innovative and high-quality lighting solutions for residential, commercial, and architectural projects. With over three decades of experience in the lighting industry, Martin has built a reputation for excellence rooted in deep technical expertise, thoughtful design sensibility, and a client-centered approach. Tazz Lighting has guided projects from concept through completion, partnering with architects, designers, builders, and homeowners to elevate spaces through carefully curated lighting, advanced control systems, and energy...