Le Jardin
UX Project
Year
2025
For
UX Design Institute
Project Overview
The aim of this project was to design a responsive website for Le Jardin, a fictional boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Shoreditch, London. The hotel offers a peaceful, nature-inspired retreat from the city buzz, blending Moroccan riad aesthetics with modern simplicity. The goal was to create a seamless and intuitive booking experience that reflects the calm, relaxing atmosphere of the hotel.
This project was part of a course for the UX Design Institute (UXDI) and involved applying the full UX design process—from user research and analysis to prototyping and testing. The final deliverables included a clickable prototype, annotated wireframes, and a clear booking flow ready for handoff to UI designers and developers.
My Contributions
Everything presented in this case study was completed independently as part of my UXDI coursework. I was responsible for conducting all user research, competitive benchmarking, journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing. This is a research-led project with a focus on usability and problem-solving. In a real-world setting, the output would be handed over to UI designers for visual refinement and developers for implementation.
Research
Competitive Benchmarking
Online Survey
Usability Testing
At the early stage of this project, before the concept for Le Jardin was defined, I conducted a competitive benchmarking exercise to explore how hotel websites across different categories structure their user experience. I reviewed and compared four distinct platforms: Airbnb, One Hundred Shoreditch, Nobu Hotels, and Premier Inn. The aim was to better understand how these websites solve common user problems, what usability standards they follow, and how they balance brand personality with functionality. This research provided valuable insight into design conventions and best practices that would later inform the direction of my own hotel booking experience.
Research
Competitive Benchmarking
Online Survey
Usability Testing
To gain insights into real user behaviors, preferences, and frustrations when booking hotel stays, I conducted an online survey targeting frequent travelers and hotel guests. The survey aimed to uncover key motivations behind booking decisions, understand pain points in the booking journey, and gather expectations around features, design, and functionality. The data collected provided valuable input for shaping user personas and identifying design opportunities that would make the experience at Le Jardin seamless, intuitive, and tailored to user needs.
Research
Competitive Benchmarking
Online Survey
Usability Testing
To evaluate how real users interact with hotel booking platforms, I conducted a usability test of my own and also reviewed notes from several previous usability tests. The goal was to uncover pain points, observe user behaviour in context, and validate assumptions about what makes a booking experience smooth and intuitive. Participants were asked to complete common booking tasks, such as selecting dates, choosing rooms, and adding extras. The tests stop righ before the payment process but I decided to take my own prototype further, until completion of the full booking process.
Here are some of the key findings that emerged from the usability tests:
Clear, linear booking flows with visible progress indicators reduced friction and improved task completion.
Persistent, editable booking inputs (dates, guests) increased confidence and reduced error risk.
Progressive disclosure prevented overwhelming users by revealing details only when needed.
Strong visual hierarchy balanced rich imagery with high-contrast CTAs to keep users focused.
Transparent pricing early in the booking journey built trust and reduced hesitation.
Analysis
Affinity diagram
Customer journey map