A boring large foyer just seems like a waste of space. I would like the pool view. I think it would be instantly calming. Large foyers with pictures just seems stuffy and boring. It is more surprising to come in and see the pool and all that natural light. Add a few plants and it will feel like your own little oasis.
I remember a small out of the way hotel in Guam that I went too. Long dirt road drive way and then a parking lot and a dull looking building on the outside with some palm trees.
Inside was a huge surprise. The motel was only 2 stories and it was completely rectangular shape with open walkways in front of the hotel rooms. In the large court yard there was a huge pool, and large hottub .
The ground around it had rich beautiful tropical plants and flowers and beautiful palm trees. We could not believe our eyes. In the night it was romantically all lit up. From the pool area you could not hear anything outside. You felt like it was your own little private get-a-way. We hated leaving it during the day but at night we had a blast swimming in the pool and melting our aches away in the hot tub. Best part of it was that it was only a mile from the airport but none of the planes flew over it and we had the use of the pool and everything all to ourselves.
Turns out most of the motel’s clients where pilots and stewardesses who only rolled in at night and went to bed. The hotels by the beaches had most of the tourists.
Go for the pleasant surprise.