Top Hotel Interior Design by AD’s Hotel Award Winners
From Japan to France, from Bali to Bolivia, in this article, you will find design connoisseur AD’s selection of the best hotel interior design in the world from hotels that opened in the past year. While travel may currently be in a state of disruption, who says you can’t dream about your next trip and maybe even get it on the calendar?!
AD’s 24 Hotel Interior Design Award Winners
Ace Hotel Kyoto, Japan
Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and Los Angeles-based design studio Commune, the urban brand’s first Asian property opened amid the coronavirus pandemic. The firms worked together on this project to transform the former Kyoto Central Telephone Company into a temple dedicated to local craft.
Aman Kyoto, Japan
Surrounded by nature, Aman Kyoto is situated in a once-forgotten secret garden in Japan that provides a secluded retreat, moments from the center of beguiling Kyoto.
Designed to evoke the classic Japanese Ryokan Inn with its clean lines and spacious interiors, the pavilions harness the light and serenity of the gardens beyond to create unparalleled tranquillity.
August, Belgium
A modern-day sanctuary, August is set within a former Augustinian monastery in the heart of Antwerp, Belgium. The hotel’s architectural design was created under the guidance of legendary Belgian architect and designer Vincent Van Duysen.
Austin Proper, USA
It’s easy to love anything Kelly Wearstler designs. Now, the queen of maximalism is back at it with the Austin Proper Hotel, a 244-room stunner with rich autumnal tones and penthouse residences overlooking downtown!
Cheval Blanc, St-Barth Isle de France
The only property in the Caribbean with Palace distinction, Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France echoes French refinement in a glamorous ambiance!
Jacques Grange designed a wonderfully patterned bar, devised impeccably textured, tonal rooms, while the tropical ground was sculpted by the landscape designer Madison Cox.
Hotel de la Ville, Rome
Set on top of the gleaming Spanish Steps, Hotel de la Ville is right at the center of Rome’s captivating historic district.
Stay in a suite and enjoy the hotel room design, lavishly decorated by the architect and designer Tommaso Ziffer.
Hôtel Le Coucou, France
Positioned right on Méribel’s slopes, ski-in ski-out Le Coucou is a colorful, contemporary take on a classic Alpine chalet, where plaid and reindeer prints have been swapped out for terracotta walls, teddy-shaped chairs and lots of strokable sheepskin courtesy of interiors mastermind Pierre Yovanovitch.
Hôtel Lou Pinet, France
Designed by the architect, interior decorator, and designer, Charles Zana, the Hotel Lou Pinet was created with spaces and passages around light to bring sophistication and intimacy to the forefront.
This Hotel project collects punchy colors, sensuous curves, liberal doses of raffia, and rattan—the bohemian vibes of the French Riviera in the 1960s— creating unique rooms like the Hotel’s Restaurant.
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Kachi Lodge, Bolivia
Situated at the largest salt flat in the world, this remote getaway is a meditation on land and sky. Kachi Lodge is the first luxury lodge of its kind on the Bolivian Altiplano.
Designed by Swiss duo Marina Cardis and Marine Luginbuehl, the lodge boasts 6 luxury bedroom domes and an oversized lounge dome set up on a wooden deck above the dazzling surface of the Salar.
La Réserve Eden au Lac, Zurich
One thing is true, no one creates luxury hotels quite like the Swiss, who get the delicate balance of service, style, and atmosphere just right!
So, Philippe Starck has left his signature stamp on this lakeside paradise. The hotel design is reminiscent of a yacht club with shipshape guest rooms and nautical public spaces, including a tree-lined rooftop terrace and wood-paneled restaurant.
Maison de la Luz, USA
Studio Shamshiri in partnership with Atelier Ace opened the Maison de la Luz in New Orleans this spring. Decorated with a contemporary style meets traditional comfort, at arrival guests receive a heavy, tasseled key for the ultimate in luxury meets B&B charm!
Mandarin Oriental, Italy
There are certain places one must book when traveling, and Mandarin Oriental in Italy is one of them! Why?, you ask. Wandering around the resort you will enter beautiful rooms where old meets new and romantic Italian style meets timeless Oriental style, designed by Eric Egan.
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resort Collection, Hawaii
Besides its amazing location, on the ” Big Island”, the Auberge Resorts,
known for luxury resorts with a boutique feel and a strong sense of place, renovated this historical hotel interior design.
The celebrated design firm Meyer Davis is responsible for the stunning hotel design.
Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa, Italy
The Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal spa offers a perfect dose of la dolce vita. Set on the volcanic island of Ischia, the resort is decorated with a Contemporary 16th-century design, created by the magnificent Marie-Louise Sciò.
Ngala Treehouse, South Africa
Isolated in the heart of South Africa, rising thirty-nine feet in the air is the Ngala Treehouse, the latest project of andBeyond.
This completely private, four-level villa was designed by Fox Browne Creative in partnership with architect Jack Alexander. Surrounded by uninterrupted views of the bush below, this enchanting villa offers a rooftop deck with an outdoor bed and lounge for ‘al fresco sundowners’ and dinner for two, and an indoor suite with an outdoor shower.
Park Hyatt Kyoto, Japan
Park Hyatt Kyoto is a luxury hotel located in the historic Higashiyama hills steeped in ancient Japanese traditions. Created by Takenaka Corporation in partnership with Tony Chi and Associates, this hotel is a modern interpretation of Japanese hospitality steeped in culture and place, immersing guests in nature.
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Potato Head Studios, Bali
Bali’s beachfront hotel project from the Dutch firm OMA, founded by Rem Koolhaas, rethinks the definition of a resort through a greater community approach. On their ground-level and rooftop terrace, the hotel offers spaces open to the public with a stage for music festivals, art exhibitions, and more.
The Prospect Hollywood, USA
Everything old is new again inside the 1939 Hollywood Regency-style building which houses The Prospect Hollywood hotel. Martyn Lawrence-Bullard designed each room with patterns and pizzazz, thus turning the hotel interior design into an exceptionally unique one.
Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands
Set in the magical British Virgin Islands, Rosewood Little Dix Bay was destroyed by Hurricane Irma. In order to bring the resort back to life, design firm Meyer Davis recreated hotel-founder Laurence Rockefeller’s vision, staying true to his hexagonal cottage and treehouse designs while ensuring the structures can better withstand future storms.
Trunk(House), Japan
A private one-suite residence in a traditional wooden building, Trunk(House) is a portal to a central, storied neighborhood in Tokyo’s Kagurazaka.
Transformed by Tripster design studio into a micro-hotel, the Trunk(House) plays host to a miniature karaoke-disco-bar, an open kitchen, and dining room.
TWA Hotel, USA
Following a meticulous restoration by Beyer Blinder Belle architects, Eero Saarinen’s landmark JFK terminal for Trans World Airlines reopened as the centerpiece to a retro hotel design, with interiors by Stonehill Taylor.
Vipp Chimney House, Copenhagen
David Thulstrup transformed the Chimney House into a stunning architectural and interior hotel project for which everything was virtually specially designed.
Created for VIPP, Chimney House incorporates bold architectural interventions that honor the original structure of the heritage-listed former water pumping station, but add a cutting edge contemporary overlay.
The West Hollywood Edition, USA
Meet the newest hot spot on LA’s iconic Sunset Strip, The West Hollywood EDITION!
Envisioned by Ian Schrager, the 13-story, 190-room hotel boasts playful interiors and a minimalistic build by famed U.K. architect John Pawson.
Zannier Hotels Sonop, Namibia
Zannier Hotels Sonop is an exclusive luxury encampment in the Republic of Namibia, in southwestern Africa and is the latest edge-of-the-map hotel interior design project from the boutique group based in Ghent, Belgium.
Sonop, which means sunrise in Afrikaans, comprises 10 meticulously outfitted residential tents and ancillary canvas structures.
Hope you enjoyed our architectural and interior design trip around the world with AD’s Inaugural Hotel Award winners. Don’t forget to book your favorite for 2021!
Words by Inês Bacellar
Feature Image: The Prospect Hollywood
