andel’s Hotel Prague: A design pioneer looks back on 10 successful years

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The andel’s Hotel Prague and Vienna International Hotels & Resorts (VI) are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the 4-star hotel as well as the birth of the andel’s design hotel brand. Even today, the hotel continues to represent a new dimension in terms of design that has been popular from the beginning with locals, business guests, design enthusiasts and individual tourists from all over the world. Since the opening of the first andel’s hotel in 2002, VI has opened three further hotels of this brand.Ten years ago, in 2002, the first andel’s Hotel opened in the modern and lively commercial district of Anděl in the centre of Prague. The neighbourhood gave its name to a brand that would soon be exported to Poland (Cracow and Łódź) and Germany (Berlin). The successful design concept, bearing the mark of British architects and interior designers Jestico+Whiles and managed by Vienna International Hotels & Resorts, looks back: nearly 1,300 andel’s rooms and 2,600 andel’s beds are transporting the Prague-based success story out into the world.

James Dilley, Associate Director of Jestico + Whiles, is proud to have been part of the design team that helped to create the andel’s hotel brand 10 years ago: “Sense of place is important, and our contemporary design makes use of subtle references to the tradition of Bohemian glass manufacture, with a modern emphasis on style and comfort, so we used it in glowing, jewel-like boxes carved into roughly split locally quarried limestone. We designed the reception desk as a floating block of honed stone, the staircase as a flying ramp and the rooms as extremely comfortable, warm and reviving. Now, 10 years later, we are delighted that the concept for a new way of living is still fresh, optimistic and refreshing.”

It did not take long for the successful concept to receive several awards: the andel’s Hotel Prague won the FX International Design Award 2002 shortly after its grand opening, it was chosen into the TOP 100 Luxury Hotels in the World for the Travellers’ Choice Award in 2006 and 2007, and it received the TripAdvisor® Travellers’ Choice™ Award 2008. Many more awards followed for the other three andel’s as well, such as the European Hotel Award and the Design Hotel Award for the andel’s in Łódź and the honour of being selected Poland’s Trendiest Hotel for the andel’s Cracow.

Continued on page two…

Daniel Fountain / 29.10.2012

Editor, Hotel Designs

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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.
 
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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.

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