NCstudio

stone pool surround with orange cushion and view across the hills

The art of transformative hospitality

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Lucy Goddard of NCstudio discusses the power of Transformative Hospitality and it’s central role in informing a design process to positively impact guest experience… 

Guide to Hotel Design

The days of cookie-cutter hospitality are over. Welcome to a realm where every encounter presents an opportunity for profound transformation. Enter the world of transformative hospitality, where the boundaries between service and soulful connection blur, and guests are not merely passive visitors but voyagers on a journey of self-discovery. NCstudio are dedicated to creating resonant hospitality experiences, which connect, inspire and restore. 
Earlier this month, Studio Founder Lucy Goddard visited Hotel Corazón in Mallorca and dissected the power of transformative hospitality at this inspiring holistic resort.

Lucy Goddard Founder NCstudio interior design and branding studio

Image credit: NCstudio

At its core, transformative hospitality is a symphony of empathy, understanding, and bespoke experiences tailored to the unique desire of each guest. It’s about delving deep into the psyche of travellers, unravelling their dreams, and weaving them into the very fabric of their stay. Here, emotional resonance reigns supreme. From the moment guests cross the threshold they’re enveloped in an embrace of genuine human connection. The team behind the scenes are not simply staff; they are storytellers, orchestrating narratives that linger on, long after check-out.

But transformative hospitality is more than just a fleeting moment of luxury; it is a catalyst for personal evolution. Through curated experiences that transcend the mundane, guests are invited to embark on a journey of self-discovery, where each encounter becomes a stepping stone towards growth and enlightenment. This doesn’t stop at the hotel’s doorstep. Transformative hospitality extends its embrace to the surrounding community, championing local artisans, nurturing sustainable practices, and sowing seeds of positive change wherever it goes.

natural colours and textures in guestroom at Hotel Corazon

Image credit: Hotel Corazon

At its essence, transformative hospitality is a holistic embrace of the human spirit. It’s about nurturing not just the body, but the mind, the soul, and the senses; creating an environment where guests are free to explore, to evolve, and to connect with the world around them in ways that they never thought possible. Earlier this month, we visited Hotel Corazón in Mallorca and dissected the power of transformative hospitality at this incredible holistic resort.

Nestled amidst the sun-kissed shores and azure waters of Mallorca lies a secret oasis waiting to be explored by discerning travellers seeking an escape from the ordinary; a concept that defies convention and ignites the imagination. Welcome to Hotel Corazón – a multifaceted hotel concept that seamlessly blends the realms of hospitality, artistry, and nature into an unparalleled experience, beckoning creatives and wanderers alike to embark on a journey of discovery. The 15-room finca, farm, and restaurant wasn’t just a place to stay, it was a destination in its own right. Crafted with love and passion by visionary creators, photographer Kate Bellm and artist Edgar Lopez, alongside Deià based design studio Moredesign, this sanctuary pulsates with a raw, untamed energy that sparks inspiration at every turn. Pure magic.

Step into a world where barefoot luxury dances hand in hand with unbridled authenticity. Hotel Corazón isn’t just a place to rest your head, it’s a sanctuary for the soul, and from the moment you enter into the lobby, you are enveloped in an atmosphere of understated glamour and refined aesthetics. Curated interiors with an eclectic blend of vintage charm and island craft set the stage for a truly unforgettable experience. Prepare to be transported to a realm where a wild spirit intertwines with luxury. But what truly sets Hotel Corazón apart was its unwavering commitment to storytelling and curation. From the meticulously crafted narrative that guided every aspect of the guest experience to the carefully curated content that sparks curiosity and wonder, every moment spent here was imbued with a sense of purpose and meaning. Here, there were no rules. The art of hospitality was elevated to new heights.

morning light on orange sofa with book and coffee at The Rigg End

Image credit: NCstudio

Looking closer to home NCstudio presents a recent small scale hospitality scheme in the Yorkshire Dales; The Old Dairy. Surrounded by open fields, woodlands and unrivalled views, the scheme provided an extraordinary blend of nature’s serenity and captivating historic allure. A large stone barn conversation was transformed into five bedroom concept with entertainment at the heart, creating a space to reconnect with friends and a base from which to retreat around a roaring fire under big skies. The movement around slow and regenerative hospitality, a follow on from the slow food movement presents us with new opportunities to design spaces focussed on wellbeing, craftmanship and to embrace the locale.

bedside light, linen and art in The Rigg End

Image credit: NCstudio

Our palette was inspired by the landscape with muted greens, earthy umbers and inky blues to reflect the views outside ensuring that guests felt a sense of connection and place. Activations focussed around local food, foraging and outdoor pursuits were encouraged, as well as exploration of the local rural setting and it’s characterful goats and livestock. Every stay intended to be a pilgrimage to the heart of creativity and nature.

Main image credit: Hotel Corazon

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.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

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 at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.