Hotel Designs
Hotel Designs
OUT NOW: Global Design Review 2025/2026 This year’s edition of the covetable design tome, Global Design Review, is out now and available to read… Dubbed the ‘design bible’ for the hospitality design industry, Global Design Review, brought to you by the editors of SPACE, is a dedicated work documenting the best hotel projects and design from the previous 12 months…
read moreThe 2026 Accor pipeline – the journey continues From transatlantic journeys to mountain lodges and urban hotspots, Accor has outlined and ambitious pipeline as it continues to make its mark in leading hospitality locations around the world… With a strategic growth plan and bold vision to bring its world-leading hospitality brands to both new and established markets, Accor has unveiled…
read moreMiniview: The Shelborne Hotel – Miami the Proper way Once a playground for The Beatles and Marilyn Monroe, Miami Beach’s Shelborne Hotel entered 2025 newly revived by Proper Hospitality. Deputy Editor Meg Taylor explores this reimagining of Miami’s storied star… Located on Miami Beach’s 18th Street, The Shelborne Hotel has long stood as a beacon of glamour on the Florida…
read moreExclusive: SASI Studio on designing the Independent Hotel Show 2025 Lobby In this Hotel Designs exclusive, we grab a first look at the design of the Independent Hotel Show 2025’s Lobby and talk to the designer behind the creation – Mattia Santi, Founder and CEO of SASI Studio… The Independent Hotel Show London 2025 returns to Olympia next week (6–7 October), bringing…
read moreLooking for contemporary art in Paris? Dorchester Collection is delivering Forget the Louvre – this autumn, you won’t want to miss these immersive art installations from the Dorchester Collection’s Hôtel Plaza Athénée and Le Meurice Paris properties… This autumn, now under the direction of Philippe Leboeuf, the Dorchester Collection is redefining Parisian hospitality as a stage for creative collaboration. Two…
read moreRoundtable: Middle East Meets West: The logistics of global design Hotel Designs gathered leading designers and suppliers at Dedar’s London showroom for a candid conversation on navigating the booming Middle Eastern hospitality market… Prior to the roundtable discussion, the group was welcomed to the Dedar showroom at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, over the noise and commotion of the construction…
read moreLight Play: OCCA’s Kate Mooney on creative illumination Kate Mooney, Founder & Principal of OCCA Design, reveals how light and shadow moves beyond function; becoming mood-setter, storyteller and memory-maker… In the language of lighting, we speak fluently: task, ambient, accent, CRI, kelvins. But what we really chase – what transforms a space from beautiful to unforgettable – is far harder…
read moreIndependent Hotel Show London opens registration for 2025 – what to see Registration is now open for the London edition of the Independent Hotel Show 2025, taking place on 6 and 7th October. The only UK trade show dedicated entirely to the boutique, independent and luxury hotel sector, here’s what you will find there… Each year, Independent Hotel Show welcomes…
read moreFor over 50 years, Majestic London has been a leading player in the commercial showering market, supplying its premium glass shower screens and enclosures to high-end hotels, residential developments, and commercial spaces. Majestic London is dedicated to providing its customers with elegant, timeless, and understated designs that transcend superficial fads and trends, rewriting the bathroom rule book. Image credit: Majestic…
read moreAccessible Design Talk: Why can’t luxury be inclusive? In June, Hotel Designs launched its Accessible Design Talks series – an ongoing conversation exploring inclusivity within the hospitality-design sphere. For the inaugural (sold out!) panel, four experts with lived experience offered honest insights into the current barriers, breakthroughs, and possibilities of designing for genuine inclusivity… Hospitality and design have long touted…
read moreVIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in June 2025 From the beaches of Ibiza to the plains of the Masai Mara, this months line up of hotel openings covering inspiring designs and destinations couldn’t be hotter… They say it is the little things in life…in my case, writing up the list of the June 2025 hotel openings, it is the joy…
read moreThe Hoxton makes a date with Nashville Ennismore has announced the signing of The Hoxton, Nashville. Set to open its doors in the Music City in 2027, the hotel will create an inviting space for all in the up-and-coming Pie Town neighbourhood… The Hoxton Nashville will join the brand’s growing network in the USA including New York, Portland, LA and…
read moreAt ISH, Roca exhibits dedication to design, sustainability and the Mediterranean Rooted in Mediterranean architectural heritage, yet looking to the future – Roca made a striking impression at ISH 2025, with a sculptural stand by architecture firm Mesura and designer collaborations aplenty… Embodying simplicity, warmth, and the latest technologies, Roca’s 1,000-square metre architectural pavilion at ISH 2025 seamlessly blended material…
read moreBiophilia beyond the buzzword – OCCA on the subtle art of sensory design Rounding out March 2025’s editorial focus on ‘nature in design‘, Hotel Designs caught up with OCCA Founder and Principal Kate Mooney to discuss the contemporary nature of biophilic design… In Kate Mooney’s words, biophilic design is at risk of losing its edge. Much like ‘sustainability’ and ‘wellness’ before it,…
read moreHIX 2024 in review Rounding off the UK’s event calendar for the design world, HIX has quickly become one of the industry’s best loved shows for it’s focus on the guest experience and happy party vibe – 2024’s installation was no exception… Surprisingly, 2024 only marked the fourth edition of HIX – a show that has become a firm favourite…
read moreThe Brit List top 25 Interior Designers of 2024 The last in our three-part series of profiling 2024’s top 25 Architects, Hoteliers, and Interior Designers, we leave 2024 with the round up of our Brit List top 25 Interior Designers… Rounding off the year, we’re ending our ‘Top 25’ series with The Brit List top Interior Designers of 2024 –…
read moreRefurbed and rebranded – Meliá La Palma opens its doors Situated in La isla Bonita, Meliá La Palma has opened its doors following a major refurbishment and rebrand, joining the Meliá Hotels & Resorts portfolio… The tranquil waters of the Atlantic and the volcanic paradise of La Isla Bonita provide the backdrop for the new Meliá La Palma. After the…
read moreNew Motto by Hilton opens its doors for adventure Located in the mountain biking capital of the world, the new Motto by Hilton in Downtown Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas, is now open to guests… Owned and developed by the Windsor Aughtry Company, and managed by Hospitality America, the 175-key Motto by Hilton Bentonville Downtown promises the adventure-seeking guest a hospitality experience…
read moreHotel review: checking in to Le Grand Hôtel Cayré Le Grand Hôtel Cayré is the third and last stop in designer Wren Loucks’ Parisian series of reviews covered during Paris Design Week. It is a relatively recent addition to the Miiro portfolio, and leads the way in taking inspiration from its local surroundings… Le Grand Hôtel Cayré is one of…
read moreThe return of the Kasbah Following a year-long restoration after an earthquake hit Morocco’s High Atlas Mountain region in 2023, Virgin Limited Edition’s Kasbah Tamadot has officially reopened and with an inspiring narrative and new additions in tow… With far ranging views across the High Atlas Mountains, Sir Richard Branson’s Moroccan mountain Kasbah Tamadot had become a part of the…
read moreVIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in November 2024 The cooler winter temperatures cannot quash the excitement around this month’s hotel openings. From Singapore to Bermuda, November 2024 is looking hot, hot, hot on the hospitality front… As we edge closer to 2025 (!), this year continues to boast expansion for the hospitality industry and, much like last month, things show…
read moreFirst look – inside 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird Interior Design firm 1508’s Singapore studio has revealed its much-anticipated interior design work for the upcoming 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird – the 25hours brand’s first venture in Asia… International interior design firm 1508 has shared its collaboration with Ennismore and Agung Sedayu Group to create key design elements for the…
read moreHotel review: checking in to Maison Proust Starting the day on a literary note, and with Paris Design Week still fresh in our minds, we set Wren Loucks Founder & Creative Director of Be-kin, the enviable task of discovering a few Parisian boutique boltholes for Hotel Designs . In this first of a series of three, she guides us through…
read moreThe transformation of the historic Londra Palace Venezia Originally opened in 1853, Londra Palace Venezia recently reopened, following an extensive renovation led by Studio Ruberti Cutillo. We stepped inside for a closer look… Londra Palace Venezia is a historic 52-room palazzo that, for more than a century, has been celebrated for its iconic 100-window façade that overlooks the San Marco…
read moreA reimagined Rosewood Hotel Georgia Renowned as Vancouver’s most fashionable retreat, Rosewood Hotel Georgia has reopened following an extensive five-month renovation to unveil reimagined culinary concepts and luxury rooms and suites… Meticulously curated to serve as the ultimate gathering place for culturally minded travellers and local aesthetes, Rosewood Hotel Georgia celebrates the history and heritage of Vancouver within a modern…
read moreDelano Dubai sets a date for the next chapter in the Delano story October will see the return of an icon of modern luxury as Delano Dubai prepares to capture the vibrant energy and cultural zeitgeist of the famed Miami original, transporting guests into a world of contemporary design, legendary spirit, and chic sensibility… Framed against the pristine shores of…
read moreRecommended Reads: Part 3 Didn’t catch everything last week? We’ve got you covered… It’s a busy world, and with so much content out there, it’s easy to miss some of our most interesting and informative articles. That’s where our weekly ‘Recommended Reads’ comes in. Each week we’ll be curating a list of our top five articles you might have missed.…
read moreRecommended Reads: Part 1 Didn’t catch everything last week? We’ve got you covered… It’s a busy world, and with so much content out there, it’s easy to miss some of our most interesting and informative articles. That’s where our weekly ‘Recommended Reads’ comes in. Each week we’ll be curating a list of our top 5 articles you might have missed.…
read moreIndependent Hotel Show Amsterdam – Welcome to Dreamland This year visitors to The Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam are encouraged to take a respite from the ordinary and experience a dreamland of trend exploration, product innovation and networking… The Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam – the business event for boutique, luxury and independent hotel sector – returns for March 12th and 13th,…
read moreConrad Singapore Orchard opens the doors onto its urban oasis A harmony of nature’s serenity and urban vibrancy, Conrad Hotels & Resorts’ second location in Singapore is a sophisticated oasis in the iconic entertainment and retail district of Orchard Road… Following extensive reinvention and refurbishment, nestled within an exclusive enclave of Orchard Road and surrounded by lush greenery, Conrad Singapore…
read moreThe St. Regis Red Sea Resort opens St. Regis Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of The St. Regis Red Sea Resort in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located on Ummahat Island, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort is the first private island to unveil the untapped wonders of the Red Sea. The captivating new address is the first private island…
read moreYear in review: 8 top-pick lighting products that launched in 2023 Lighting is without question one of the gamechangers when it comes to interiors in general and hotel interiors in particular. As the year comes to an end Hotel Designs writer Pauline Brettell looks back on some of the lighting designs that have caught our attention… Lighting, the technology behind…
read moreIntroducing the top 25 Brit List Hoteliers of 2023 Rounding off this year’s three-part editorial series to celebrate The Brit List 2023, here are the names of the top 25 hoteliers in Britain who were profiled and recognised in this year’s campaign… As tradition, and true to form, in the extensive campaign to find the true influencers, the team at…
read moreSustainable Design Summit announces speaker line-up The second edition of Sustainable Design Summit is just around the corner and, as a proud media partner of the event, Hotel Designs is able to unveil this year’s complete agenda… There is nothing more the design community wants more than an event that not only unites the hospitality sectors, but also cuts through…
read moreCanopy by Hilton makes its Cannes debut With stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean from its rooftop bar, the 129-key Canopy by Hilton Cannes is the latest edition of the brand’s growing portfolio across Europe… Canopy by Hilton Cannes has opened its doors to guests from around the world. With panoramic views over the Mediterranean from one of the city’s…
read moreThe Brit List Awards 2023: meet the sponsors As the industry prepares for The Brit List Awards 2023, Hotel Designs’ the premier event of the year, Editor Hamish Kilburn highlights this year’s partners and sponsors… Glitz, glamour and good vibes. Yes, The Brit List Awards 2023 is just around the corner, this year taking place on November 1 at Circa…
read morePanel discussion: adding context in luxury hotel design The hotel design community were invited to a live panel discussion at the Gabriel Scott showroom in Mayfair to watch what one audience member described as ‘the most honest conversation the industry has heard this year’. Editor Hamish Kilburn, who chaired the exclusive chat between Alessandro Munge (Studio Munge), Elizabeth Walton (ReardonSmith…
read moreMeet the judges for The Brit List Awards 2023 The judges for The Brit List Awards 2023 have been announced weeks before the application / nomination process closes for the 12 individual award categories, which remain free to enter… For six years, The Brit List Awards, powered by Hotel Designs, has celebrated the leading interiors designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers operating…
read moreIn pictures: official images released from MEET UP North 2023 The hotel design and hospitality community gathered at YOTEL Manchester on July 6, 2023, for MEET UP North 2023 – and it was unlike any other event hosted by the team at Hotel Designs. Here’s why… Taking over YOTEL Manchester – and sheltering an immersive panel discussion on ‘blurring the…
read moreMEET UP North opens early bird promotion Hotel Designs’ premium northern networking event, MEET UP North, which this year will take place inside YOTEL Manchester on July 6, has launched its early bird promotion. But hurry, the offer ends on May 19… Surfing in the wake of MEET UP London, which took place last night in Brixton, the early bird…
read moreMEET UP London 2023 is now sold out! MEET UP London, Hotel Designs‘ spring networking event, which takes place on April 24, will welcome leading interior designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers at The Upstairs at The Department Store, Brixton… It has been the fastest-selling event in the brand’s history, and now MEET UP London, Hotel Designs’ first networking event of…
read moreInside the Sir Paul Smith Suite at Brown’s Hotel in London The famed fashion designer Sir Paul Smith has collaborated with Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, to create the ‘Sir Paul Smith Suite’ at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, London – and the result is marvellous… Custom, vintage furniture, hand-picked artworks, brand collaborations and soft furnishings from…
read moreInside the hotel that is said to redefine luxury in Doha After the long-anticipated launch Raffles & Fairmont Doha are open and moving the dial for luxury in the region. We stepped inside to take a look… The two hotels are housed within Lusail’s iconic Katara Towers. Setting itself apart from its global peers, Fairmont Doha will surprise guests with its…
read more7 interior design trends set to shape our spaces in 2023 When it comes to interior design trends for 2023, the year is, according to Interior Designer Benji Lewis, “all about bold colours, 70’s glamour and an opportunity to introduce personal style and vigour to a space.” We thought we would take a look at how these trends will translate…
read moreBanyan Tree takes Garrya to Koh Samui Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui has opened its doors, following a rebranding of the well-established resort on Thailand’s island of Koh Samui. It is the latest addition to the new Garrya brand of contemporary wellbeing-centred hotels by the Banyan Tree Group… After multiple phases of innovative remodelling and refurbishment, while staying true to the…
read moreIntroducing the top 25 Brit List Hoteliers of 2022 This month has been punctuated by the editorial series celebrating the publication of The Brit List 2022. Following on the designers and architects that we have already profiled, here is the third and final instalment in this series. Introducing top 25 hoteliers in Britain — individuals who have not only made…
read moreHIX 2022 review: from a mycelium bar to the metaverse HIX 2022 was underlined by the event theme; ‘Great things will grow’ – and indeed, from the discussions on stage to the conversations on the stands the event was fuelled by a sense of positivity and purpose as the industry as a whole faces up to the challenges of net…
read moreIntroducing the top 25 Brit List Interior Designers of 2022 Earlier this month, The Brit List 2022 was published, which profiles the leading interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain, following the projects that have completed throughout this year. Kickstarting a three-part editorial series, here are The Brit List Interior Designers of 2022… The Brit List Awards has become known…
read moreNot art for art’s sake: adding apt sense of place in hotel design The definition of art has come a long way in hotels – from the decorative layer added at the end of a project to where we are now where the barriers between the interior design scheme and the art itself is blurred. To understand the role of…
read moreWinners of The Brit List Awards 2022 announced The Brit List Awards 2022 came to a dramatic climax on November 2, inside PROUD Embankment, when the winners of the nine individual categories, including Interior Designer of the Year, Architect of the Year and Hotelier of the Year, were announced. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes… It was a year unlike any other.…
read moreVIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in October 2022 With Autumn well and truly fallen, Editor Hamish Kilburn shares his pick of the hottest hotel openings expected to make the most meaningful noise in October… A wise man, James E. Faust, once said that ‘a rebirth out of spiritual adversity causes us to become new creatures’, and I think the same…
read moreThompson opens its doors in Madrid The opening of the first Thompson Hotels branded property in Spain marks a significant milestone for Hyatt as it continues to grow its luxury and lifestyle portfolio. We stepped inside Thompson Madrid to have a closer look… The highly anticipated Thompson Madrid, the first Thompson Hotels branded property in Spain, has opened its doors,…
read moreAfternoon tea with Yinka Ilori and Bulgari Celebrating its 1oth year in London, contemporary Italian hotel Bulgari London, has commissioned the London-based British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori to reimagine the afternoon tea stand as a sculptural work of art… Following the unveiling of The Bulgari Lounge’s recently refreshed interiors for the anniversary year, Bulgari Hotel London in Knightsbridge has…
read moreRegistration is open for Independent Hotel Show 2022 It’s time to save the date as visitor registration has opened for the Independent Hotel Show. IHS is the only industry event dedicated entirely to the needs of luxury and boutique hoteliers, and returns to Olympia London, running from 4-5 October this year… The Independent Hotel Show is a comprehensive business event…
read moreIn conversation with: AXOR on wellness in the bathroom To really understand whether bathroom design will flow with or push against some of the mega trends around wellness, Hotel Designs caught up with Jay Phillips, Managing Director at Hansgrohe UK, Managing Director UK & Ireland… Conversations at Hotel Interiors Experience (HIX) last year saw views on bathroom design move to…
read moreBREAKING: Six Senses to operate Svart hotel in Norway The highly anticipated hospitality project at the foot of a glacier in Norway that will become the world’s first energy-positive hotel, known as Svart, will be operated by Six Senses. Having followed the project closely since early concept stages, here’s what Editor Hamish Kilburn knows… Standing ‘weightlessly’ at the foot of…
read moreDesignLSM unveils renovation details from Heythrop Park With Heythrop Park Hotel set to open in the summer, award-winning design agency DesignLSM is well underway with its latest project: renovating the front of house and F&B areas at the prestigious Grade II listed property… Set within 440 acres of parkland, Heythrop Park, recently acquired by Warner Leisure Hotels, is set to open…
read moreGoing public: 5 trends shaping the design of hotel public areas With debate around public spaces in hotels ongoing, both on a design as well as a functional level, we take a look at some of the key areas and how they are changing the shape of the hotel experience from the minute we make a grand, or should that…
read more5 minutes with: artist Frances Bildner on inspiration & expression We caught up with artist Frances Bildner, whose vital and colourful abstract works can be found in collections throughout Europe and America, and asked her what inspires her and her thoughts on the role art can play in hotel design… Frances Bildner, the founder of Frances Bildner Expressive Arts, creates…
read moreMarriott makes its mark in the Dominican Republic Marriott’s Luxury Collection welcomes The Ocean Club Costa Norte on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast to its unique ensemble of experiential hotels… The Luxury Collection falls under the umbrella of Marriott International’s portfolio of 30 curated hotel and hospitality brands, and the addition of The Ocean Club to the collection marks its…
read moreMarriott provides insight on 2022 hotel development Marriott International, which added 86,000 gross rooms last year and 517 properties, provides Hotel Designs with the latest on its hotel development progress, while also indicating a few emerging travel trends that are currently shaping hospitality development. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes… Following the lows of the pandemic, 2021 was a surprisingly good year…
read moreBvlgari Hotel London reveals refreshed look of The Bvlgari Lounge Adding another jewel to its London crown, Bvlgari Hotel London unveils the colourful new look of The Bvlgari Lounge along with a little sweet indulgence… Following the recent unveiling of Bvglari Hotel Paris, the brand’s London property has had a revamp of its own, with its refreshed interiors and the…
read moreRegistration opens for Hotel, Restaurant & Catering 2022 Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC), the UK’s largest and most prestigious business event for the hospitality and foodservice sector, has opened visitor registration for its 2022 edition, taking place on 21-23 March at ExCeL London. Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) is the UK’s largest and most prestigious event for the hospitality and foodservice industry, and Hotel Designs is proud to be one of the…
read moreShow review: Independent Hotel Show 2021 Following 18 months of uncertainty, the Independent Hotel Show 2021 did what it does best; it brought people back together to re-connect, re-think and re-consider what the future for the indy hotel looks like. Editor Hamish Kilburn, speaker at the show, was there to soak it all in… Leading figures on the UK independent…
read more(In video) Hotel Designs LIVE: Social spaces in 2021 & beyond The fifth edition of Hotel Designs LIVE was sponsored and broadcasted from the Minotti London showroom. The virtual event for the design, architecture and hospitality industry was rounded off with an engaging panel discussion with leading designers and developers that explored the future of social spaces – from arrival…
read more(In video) Hotel Designs LIVE: Designing the perfect night’s sleep The fifth edition of Hotel Designs LIVE, sponsored by and filmed from Minotti London, invited world renowned designers, architects and hospitality experts to, once again, define the point of hotel design on an global scale while keeping the conversation flowing throughout. The second session of the day, sponsored by Silentnight…
read more(In video) Hotel Designs LIVE: A design assault on the senses Watch, on-demand, our exclusive panel discussion that was broadcasted recently on the Hotel Designs LIVE platform. To launch the virtual event, which took place on August 10 at the Minotti London showroom, editor Hamish Kilburn welcomed world-renowned designers and hospitality experts to explore sensory design in hospitality (scroll down…
read moreHotel concepts: Wild & wonderful hotel developments To celebrate this month’s feature of ‘hotel concepts’, editor Hamish Kilburn puts some interesting hotel developments under the spotlight – some more realistic than others – that are currently on his radar… As with any brief to source new and truly innovative ideas, to find hotel concepts that were really going against the…
read moreFirst impressions: The importance of biophilia in social space Following presenting an engaging pitch at Hotel Designs LIVE last week, Leaflike’s Brandon Abernethie discusses the importance of biophilia in social spaces to create a lasting and vibrant first impression… Creating the perfect arrival experience is something Leaflike has been doing in hospitality for more than 20 years. As specialists, we…
read moreSpeakers announced for Independent Hotel Show London Independent Hotel Show London, presented by James Hallam, is returning with a bang as it announces an impressive speaker line-up for its ninth edition, taking place at Olympia London on October 4 – 5 2021. Hotel Designs, a proud media partner for the show, will also be taking part… The packed two–day seminar…
read moreA message from Leaflike: “The best is yet to come” Ahead of pitching at Hotel Designs LIVE on August 10, 2021, Leaflike, which has already been specified in a plethora of iconic hotels, has a message for designers, architects and hoteliers: stay tuned, as the best is yet to come… Here at leaflike, we have been providing hospitality biophilia for…
read moreRegistration is now open for Independent Hotel Show 2021 Following an unstable period where all live events were down due to the outbreak of Covid-19, The Independent Hotel Show 2021, which Hotel Designs is a proud media partner of, has just announced that registration has opened for the headline event that will take place at Olympia London on October 4…
read moreMarriott International opens 70th hotel in Japan With the opening of Aloft Osaka Dojima, Marriott International now has 70 properties in Japan, which means that, with 18 brands in 21 prefectures, the hotel group leads with brand offerings in the country – and there are still more hotels in the pipeline… A few months ago, Marriott International opened its 800th…
read moreWeekly briefing: Sleep masterclass, award winners & art outside the frame Allow me, Hamish Kilburn, to walk you through this week’s top design and hospitality stories. The weekly briefing was designed with busy on-the-go designers, architects, hoteliers and developers in mind – so kick back, relax and scroll down to read a snapshot of this week’s happenings… It’s been a…
read moreWeekly briefing: Maldives opening, bathroom trends & IDAS line-up Editor Hamish Kilburn here – right on cue – to round off your week with a low-down of the most-read hotel design stories from the past few days. This week’s edition of the Weekly Briefing includes our sneak peek inside the Maldives’ latest design-led hotel about to open, a video panel…
read moreWeekly briefing: Portugal’s finest, London unveils & going Gaga for DESIGN POD Editor Hamish Kilburn here, rounding off your week with a throwback to the hottest stories published over the last few days. In this edition of the Weekly Briefing, we amplify Portugal’s best design-led hotels, go Gaga for episode 4 of DESIGN POD, tease you with the latest London…
read more(In video) Hotel Designs LIVE: A new era of lifestyle To kickstart Hotel Designs LIVE on May 11, editor Hamish Kilburn invited James Dilley, Director, Jestico + Whiles; Naomi Heaton, CEO, The Other House and David Mason, Head of Hospitality at Scott Brownrigg for a panel discussion entitled: A new era of lifestyle (scroll down for full video of the discussion)……
read moreEditor checks in: Tomorrow’s themes in hotel design and hospitality In his latest editor’s letter, Hamish Kilburn addresses the four S words that will help us when exploring and understand tomorrow’s hotel design and hospitality landscape – and in the process, he unexpectedly comes up with the themes that will be put under the spotlight in four engaging panel discussions…
read moreWeekly briefing: A lesson in lifestyle, wellness trends and a new disruptive brand Editor Hamish Kilburn here with your fast-tracked round-up of this week’s hotel design headlines. In this edition of the weekly briefing, we’re sharing our latest roundtable, exploring a new brand that is said to ‘revolutionise hospitality’ and we have just opened nominations for The Brit List Awards…
read moreWeekly briefing: Hotel openings, Australian arrival & tile trends Editor Hamish Kilburn here dropping in to serve you your weekly briefing, which today includes news from Kimpton Hotels, YOTEL and Four Seasons as well as a detailed look at the hottest hotel openings anticipated for May and more… While this week’s news has been hot on our agenda, I have…
read moreHotel review: Checking in to Riggs Washington D.C. Sheltered in a former bank in the capital city, Riggs Washington D.C. is emerging from the pandemic as a statement hotel that offers a new kind of luxury on the east coast. Writer and cinematic storyteller Ollie Wiggins checks in to the Caroline Harrison suite and interviews interior design legend Jacu Strauss…
read more(In video) Hotel Designs LIVE: The new era of wellness The final session at Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place on February 23, focused the lens on wellness. Armed with the knowledge shared in the previous sessions, editor Hamish Kilburn invited world-renowned designers and architects to discuss how wellbeing should be sheltered in hotel design… The third Hotel Designs LIVE…
read moreWallpaper goals: Adding personality in public spaces With all this talk around hygiene and reassuring the post-corona consumer, to avoid spaces looking too clinical we need to start talking about how we inject personality back into the public areas. Cue the arrival of Arte’s latest wallcoverings collections that give off some serious haute couture vibes and a splash of wallpaper…
read moreBespoke design in a post-pandemic era of hospitality The very essence of bespoke design conjures up feelings of luxury, exclusivity and comfort, all of which are vital feels to capture in hospitality in a pandemic world. To understand the role of bespoke in tomorrow hotel, we catch up with Will Chelsom, Managing Director at Chelsom… Designing something to perfectly suit…
read more(In video) Hotel Designs LIVE: The hotel experience 10 years from now To kickstart Hotel Designs LIVE on February 23, editor Hamish Kilburn hosted a panel discussion with leading designers and architects entitled: Floor 20, room 31, which virtually checked in to the hotel experience 10 years from now… On February 23, 2021, Hotel Designs‘ editor Hamish Kilburn returned to host…
read moreVirtually escape into the world of art in hotel design Are you swooning over staycations or dreaming of distant lands? We are all feeling the desire to escape from it all. Editor Hamish Kilburn catches up with Elegant Clutter’s creative director Harry Pass to find out how art in hotel design can be a wonderful way of elevating a sense…
read moreProduct watch: Leaflike has a green wall message of positivity With the demand for sustainable surfaces being at an all-time high, it’s an exciting time for Leaflike, which has been successful in providing planting solutions to hospitality venues for more than 20 years… Working with the likes of Savoy, Hilton Park Lane, London EDITION, Shangri-La Hotel and The View from…
read moreThe Modernist Athens – designed for the urban explorer With a statement as grand as that headline, it was only ever a matter of time before Hotel Designs took a sneaky peek inside the latest boutique beauty to arrive in Athens: The Modernist. Sheltering a design that is said to inspire curiosity, we find out how this new 38-key hotel…
read moreHotel Designs LIVE: Reassuring the post-corona consumer In the third session of Hotel Designs LIVE, editor Hamish Kilburn was joined by hoteliers from around the world in St Lucia, France, Zimbabwe and the UK to ask how we will reassure tomorrow’s travellers in a post-pandemic world… In the second edition of Hotel Designs LIVE, sponsored by Technological Innovations Group in association with Crestron,…
read moreIndustry insight: briefing your art consultant Great art captures the mind and stays with you. But how do you brief an art consultant to achieve great art? Harry Pass from Elegant Clutter explains… We understand that talking about art may, at first, be quite daunting. You might think that you need to have a deep knowledge of art to incorporate…
read moreWeekly briefing: lighting confessions, new arrivals & a contactless check in Only got a minute? It’s been a busy week on the editorial desk but we have have compiled our top stories, including a confession of a lighting designer, multiple hotel debuts and a panel discussion on the future of public areas… As we gear up to unveil the winners…
read moreVirtual roundtable: lighting solutions for tomorrow’s hotel Following a number of recent roundtables where lighting was unintentionally put under the spotlight, Hotel Designs collaborates with innovative lighting expert Moritz Waldemeyer and a number of designers to understand lighting’s role in tomorrow’s hotel… There is arguably no one in the industry who is more dedicated, more aware and more creative in…
read moreHotel Designs LIVE: Discussing sustainability with Bill Bensley To kickstart Hotel Designs LIVE on October 13, editor Hamish Kilburn discussed sustainability and purposeful eco solutions for the post-pandemic world with designer Bill Bensley… Hotel Designs LIVE, sponsored by Technological Innovations Group, took place on October 13. The one-day conference welcomed world-renowned interior designers, architects and hoteliers to discuss the future…
read moreLess than 1 week until Hotel Designs LIVE Calling all designers, architects, hoteliers and developers: Hotel Designs LIVE is a free one-day conference that takes place on October 13… On October 13, designers, architects, hoteliers and developers will virtually gather to attend Hotel Designs LIVE, sponsored by Technological Innovations Group in association with Crestron. Whether you are in need of…
read moreWeekly briefing: remembering Sir Terence, lighting launches & a Bath debut Only got a minute? Our editorial team have compiled the top design stories that they have published this week, including an editor’s letter that remembers a legend, Chelsom unveiling Edition 27 and Hotel Indigo entering new territory… And just like that we are in October. With the industry busy…
read moreThe Brit List Awards 2020: Shortlist announced The shortlist for The Brit List Awards 2020 has been announced, with more than 120 individuals and projects selected across eight categories… Known as the industry’s most widespread search to identify the leading designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers, The Brit List Awards 2020 has unveiled this year’s shortlist. The finalists, listed below, have…
read moreHotel Designs LIVE: ‘eco warrior’ Bill Bensley confirmed as headline speaker Back by popular demand, following last months debut event, Hotel Designs LIVE, which will take place on October 13, has announced the renowned ‘eco warrior’ Bill Bensley as its headline speaker… Last month, the industry gathered for Hotel Designs’ debut virtual conference, which broadcasted a series of debates and…
read moreThe Brit List Awards 2020: meet the judges Now that nominations have officially opened for The Brit List Awards 2020, we would like you to meet this year’s judging panel, which has been carefully selected to include international experts in design, architecture and hotel development… Here at Hotel Designs, it has become tradition, after nominations and applications have opened for…
read moreMarriott International opens 800th property in Asia Pacific A milestone opening underscores the continued development of the Marriott International portfolio in Asia Pacific with brand debuts expected across the region throughout 2020… Months after claiming to open more than 30 luxury properties in 2020, Marriott International has announced the opening of its 800th property in Asia Pacific, the JW Marriott…
read moreFun 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.
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.