In a hospitality landscape increasingly shaped by individuality, authenticity and a deeper connection to place, these latest hotel openings and transformations walk us through a complete portfolio – from historic restorations, through to a fresh new takes on destination-led design…
On the Hotel Designs radar, opening this month:
Taj Palace Lucknow
Image credit: Ashish Chawla
BLINK Design Group has completed Taj Palace Lucknow, unveiling a three-year design project to capture the new hotel through a singular narrative, rooted in the city’s mythology. Spanning the arrival experience, public spaces, restaurants and bars, wellness facilities, guestrooms and suites, the project is conceived as an immersive journey through a legendary forest once said to have flourished along the banks of the Gomti River.
The Modern Sanctuary of Lucknow, set in Gomti Nagar, Taj Palace, Lucknow brings together the timeless character of the city with a contemporary sense of place. Inspired by the idea of a Lost Forest, the hotel draws nature into its architecture and spaces through light, organic textures and verdant accents. Calm yet connected to the city, it offers a considered setting for stays, celebrations and business.
Ruby Lilou
Image credit: Ruby Lilou
Inspired by Marseille’s distinctive blend of Mediterranean ease and rebellious creativity, Ruby Lilou reflects the brand’s signature approach to creating hotels deeply connected to their destination. The reimagination of the former BNP Paribas headquarters in Marseille into Ruby Lilou, spearheaded by Gensler, transforms a former office building into a reimagined 237-room hotel, bringing together hospitality, new workspace, retail and public-facing amenities.
Ruby Lilou features 237 rooms across the Nest, Cosy, Lovely and Wow categories, combining intelligent use of space with premium comfort. Inspired by luxury yacht design, every room offers oversized beds, walk-in rainfall showers, blackout curtains and carefully curated interiors that reflect Marseille’s maritime heritage and creative spirit.
Image credit: Eskew Dumez Ripple
A first hospitality project from Verdad, a New Orleans-based real estate development firm, The Warbler is the vision of a team of native New Orleanians who saw an opportunity to create the kind of hotel they wanted to have in their own city: deeply connected to its neighborhood, welcoming to travellers and locals alike, and distinctly New Orleans in character.
Intentionally designed as a local gathering place on one of the city’s most iconic avenues – the six-story hotel transforms the former Trolley Stop Cafe site, a beloved St. Charles Avenue diner that served locals and visitors for 26 years, into 58 guestrooms, destination dining, and a rooftop social space built with the intention of immersing travelers and locals in the spirit of New Orleans.
Villa Argentina
Image credit: Villa Argentina
Villa Argentina has reopened following an extensive renovation of one of the city’s most iconic hotel complexes, bringing together contemporary Croatian architecture and design with its carefully preserved cultural and artistic heritage, Mediterranean gardens and spectacular views of the city walls and the Adriatic Sea. The interiors reinterpret Dubrovnik’s architectural tradition through natural materials, including stone and wood, complemented by colour accents. Particular care was taken to preserve the historic gardens and existing vegetation, with approximately 14,000 plants integrated into the landscape, while local stone uncovered during the renovation was reused throughout the complex.
The reconstruction project was led by renowned Croatian architecture studio 3LHD, responsible for the architectural and interior design of the property. 3LHD and the Adriatic Luxury Hotels team collaborated with internationally acclaimed Dimore Studio on the soft décor and decorative elements, contributing to the final layering and character of the interiors.
Wilde Amsterdam
Image credit: Isabel Bronts / Wilde Amsterdam
Spanning eight floors within the new Yvie residential development, Wilde Amsterdam pairs design-led studios, one-and-two-bedroom apartments with a collection of social spaces designed around the rhythms of a longer stay, whether it be for business trips, relocations or those simply wanting to spend more time in the city. The result is a place to unpack properly, settle into a routine and make the city feel like home.
Each apartment is designed to function as a home, rather than a hotel room, with fully equipped kitchens, dedicated living spaces and comfortable bedrooms with plenty of room to unpack, luxury Hypnos mattresses and blackout blinds. Guests also have access to 24-hour reception, fitness facilities, co-working and lounge spaces, a self-service deli and private bike parking, with pet-friendly apartments also available.
Experimental Roma
Image credit: Experimental Roma
Housed in a former bank Experimental Roma is now home to 82 rooms divided into two principal categories. The first evokes the theatrical Roman bedroom, bathed in light filtered through interior shutters. Large blocks of colour, dramatic headboards inspired by antique drapery and a sense of romantic intimacy reminiscent of Villa Medici define these spaces. Colourful basins, vibrant details and a richer, more expressive design language create a dialogue between ancient Roman baroque influences and the hedonism of the 1970s.
The second category embraces a more refined, almost futuristic aesthetic. Mineral patinas, two-tone lacquered ceilings and ribbed stainless-steel headboards resembling contemporary sculptures create a contemplative atmosphere. Artworks throughout the rooms evoke the worlds of Cy Twombly, Christo, Ugo Ferranti and the Yvon Lambert Gallery. Here, time feels slower, more reflective – almost museum-like. The bathrooms are conceived as contrasting boxes, balancing warm wood with cool stone, raw materials with bespoke graphic details.
Mereshi Plains, Serengeti, Autograph Collection
Image credit: Mereshi Plains, Autograph Collection
Designed by Dunia Design, the team also behind Mapito Safari Camp, Mereshi Safari Camp has been planned around the existing natural features of the site, with an emphasis on limiting unnecessary ground disturbance and removal of vegetation. Inspired by the form of the acacia tree, its architecture combines timber, canvas, woven elements and locally sourced materials, with existing natural features informing the layout of the camp.
The camp will comprise 18 elevated tented suites set across 55 acres of open savannah, with all suites sharing the same generous design. Each 95 square metre retreat combines 50 square metres of interior space with 45 square metres of external living space and is oriented eastwards to welcome the first light of the day.
360 Hotel
Image credit: 360 Hotel Iceland
360 Hotel is a new 31-room, family-owned hotel, inviting guests to slow down and experience Iceland through an atmosphere inspired by the warmth and traditions of a family home, with the landscape, light and rhythms of local life at its heart. The hotel combines individually designed rooms and suites with geothermal wellness, seasonal cuisine and wide views across the surrounding countryside. Here, the changing weather, vast skies and open landscape are part of the experience.
DoubleTree by Hilton Singapore Robertson Quay
Image credit: Hilton
On the Singapore River, in the lively Robertson Quay precinct, DoubleTree by Hilton has opened, marking the brand’s debut in Singapore and introducing its warmth, comfortable hospitality and thoughtful touches to one of the city’s most established riverside neighbourhoods. Warm earthy tones, terracotta accents, greenery and tactile natural materials within the property create a clean, contemporary setting with a relaxed, residential feel.
The property features 344 guest rooms and suites ranging from 24 to 50 square meters, with more than 200 rooms overlooking the Singapore River. A range of accommodation is offered, to suit different stay occasions, from King, Queen and Twin Guest Rooms for solo travellers, couples, and friends, to selected rooms and suites featuring pull-out sofa beds for added flexibility. The hotel also offers four Deluxe Suites and 11 connecting queen and twin rooms for families and groups travelling together.
Main image credit: Wilde Amsterdam
