5 Stories of the Week: Underwater firsts, re-defining luxury and The Brit List early bird tickets

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As July falls over the horizon, August is looking bright-full of juicy stories. Editor of Hotel Designs Hamish Kilburn breaks down the top five stories of the week…

As we run into August, I’m heard a number of designers and architects asking where 2018 has gone. Already, this year has thrown some serious shapes in the never-stopping world of hotel design. Imminently upon us, the world’s first underwater hotel suite is about to be opened. This is why this month is dedicated to Hotel Concepts and Flooring & Carpets, two ever-changing elements in our industry.

As we conclude another week, here are the top five stories from the last five dates.

1) Designing Instagrammable: understanding the psychology of Instagram

Animation of Instagram

All this month, we are working with Australian-based architecture firm Valé Architects to investigate how to design the Instagrammable hotel. In PART ONE of FIVE, Scott Valentine, the firm’s Managing Director, explains the psychology of Instagram… The next article will be live on Monday.

2) 9 eye-catching hotel concepts from around the world

As we being to shine the spotlight on ‘hotel concepts’ this month, the editorial team have pulled together a handful of the most striking hotels from around the world…

3) The Brit List 2018 launches early bird tickets

Following the opening of nominations for this year’s Brit List, Hotel Designs has launched early bird tickets for both delegates and suppliers.

4) Designing the world’s first luxury underwater hotel

Coridor leading to underwater guestroom

The race to designing the first underwater hotel has been more like a marathon than it has a sprint. There have been false starts, claims of cheating along the way and training plans that in reality have been non-starters. But now, for the first time ever – and proudly entering the history books – Conrad Maldives – led by a talented handful of architects, engineers and interior designers – is about to open the world’s first underwater accommodation in a hotel.

5) Hot hotels around the globe to cool down in

Last month was the second hottest July ever on record in the UK, reported The Telegraph. In light of the sweltering heat that the UK is facing this year, and that this month the spotlight is on Hotel Concepts, Hotel Designs has listed the hottest hotels around the globe to cool down in.

Hamish Kilburn / 03.08.2018

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

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Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher atSPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.
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