Look back on Hotel Designs’ most-read stories of 2025 and discover the headlines that shaped the hospitality and design scene…
As we accelerate into a new year, it’s worth pressing pause to reflect on the design stories that defined the last. From landmark hotel openings and industry-shaping appointments to award celebrations and conversations that pushed inclusive, thoughtful design forward, 2025 was a year that captured the breadth and depth of hospitality design.
Our most-read articles reveal what resonated most with the Hotel Designs community – the projects, people and ideas that sparked discussion and inspiration. Revisit our top-performing stories of 2025 below.
(1) The Brit List Awards 2025 shortlist announced
Image credit: Kevin Lines Photography / Hotel Designs
Published just a few short months before the British hospitality interior design and architecture event of the year took place, Hotel Designs proudly announced the shortlist for The Brit List Awards 2025 to a rush of excitement. Featuring more than 200 visionary teams, individuals, and projects that defined the year, this piece outlines the extraordinary industry members that you should have your eye on (our esteemed judging panel certainly had theirs!).
(2) Marriott International: hotel openings slated for 2025
Image credit: Luxury Collection
Marriott’s 2025 pipeline promised a series of highly anticipated hotel openings, defined by elegant interiors and destination-driven design. As ever, the brand appeared to cover all bases. Interested in seeing what Marriott has planned for 2026? We’ve just published a sneak peek of their forward-facing EMEA pipeline.
(3) In pictures: The Brit List Awards 2025
Image credits: Kevin Lines Photography / Hotel Designs
An evening that exceeded all expectations, The Brit List Awards 2025 embraced its ‘wild’ theme with arms wide open. Supported by brands whose dedication and energy matched the creativity and spirit of the design-industry-leading guests in the room, a single glance at the 2025 image gallery offers a taste of the action. For a deeper dive into the night’s unforgettable moments, explore our in pictures feature.
(4) First look: HAUS Da Lat – a luxurious landmark project in Vietnam
Image credit: 1508 London
With an interior design vision led by great friends of HD, 1508 London, the unveiling of Vietnam’s HAUS De Lat estate took the 2025 hospitality and residential sectors by storm. Occupying five hectares overlooking the Xuan Huong Lake, the project is comprised of a large number of Sky Villas and Sky Mansions, plus a commercial centre, all-suite 5-star hotel, wellness centre and a private members club… What more could you want for in 2026?
(5) Winners of the Brit List Awards 2025 announced
Image credit: Kevin Lines Photography / Hotel Designs
On 5th November at London’s Ministry of Sound, The Brit List Awards 2025 campaign came to a colourful climax with 13 winners announced and The Brit List 2025 guide to the top 25 interior designers, top 25 architects and top 25 hoteliers in Britain, published.
(6) Mandarin Oriental announces unprecedented renovations of its founding properties
Image credit: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
For more than 150 years, the Mandarin Oriental Group has been defined by its founding hotels – from the pioneering spirit of The Mandarin in Hong Kong to the graceful style and service long associated with its Bangkok property. So, when the group announced it would be investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the renovation of these two flagship sites, the hospitality and design industry – and beyond – sat up.
(7) Hotel Designs launches Accessible Design Talks
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Following a number of conversations in recent years with individuals affected by physical disability, the Hotel Designs’ team felt it was time to address the common issues and misconceptions surrounding inclusive design. Thus, 2025 marked the beginning of our Accessible Design Talks series of discussions, opening up a platform for shared insight, research, and experience. Our next talk will be taking place on 23rd April 2026 as part of Hotel Designs’ MEET UP London networking event. Check out previous sessions here.
(8) Philippe Leboeuf leaves Raffles to become Dorchester Collection CEO
Image credit: Philippe Leboeuf
Last June marked the movement of a titan, as The Brit List Awards 2024 Hotelier of the Year Philippe Leboeuf – former Managing Director of Raffles London; Regional Vice President of Operations at Mandarin Oriental; Vice President of Operations for Rosewood; and General Manager of Claridge’s – took up residency as Dorchester Collection’s CEO.
(9) A manifesto: Jnane Rumi, Marrakech
Image credit: Jnane Rumi
Dubbed ‘a creative landmark in the making’, Jnane Rumi‘s April opening stirred much excitement. Set among 150 century-old palm, olive, and pistachio trees, the property has been reimagined by Dutch duo Gert-Jan and Corinne van den Bergh as a hub for thoughtful travel, culture, and art. Look out for HD’s Pauline Brettell’s full review in 2026.
(10) Miniview: Casa Brera, a Luxury Collection hotel curated by Patricia Urquiola
Image credit: Casa Brera / Luxury Collection
With interiors by architect and designer Patricia Urquiola, at the start of 2025, Marriott International announced that Milan’s Casa Brera property had joined the prestigious Luxury Collection. Following careful restoration of the historic Rationalists building, forged by architect Pietro Lingeri, under Patricia’s expert eye, Casa Brera now harmoniously blends Milanese heritage and cosmopolitan flair.
Each month since February 2020, Hotel Designs has published a VIP hotel arrivals article. Apparently, this year, September was THE month, with openings including The Chancery Rosewood, 25hours’ Australian debut, a Portuguese Earth Resort and a mindful Cotswoldian hideaway.
Image credit: Kerzner International
A relatively new kid on the hospitality block, Kerzner International announced in October 2025 that a fourth project would be joining its growing global pipeline. Discover the first American SIRO hotel: SIRO Brickell, Miami.
