What’s tougher to design than a house? Effectively, a house away from residence. Not solely do motels should be extra comfy and trendy than our personal abodes, however they need to additionally function a portal to a vacation spot. Designing a welcoming area that additionally expands one’s horizons is an artwork few have perfected. Right here, extremely sought-after inside architect André Fu, design grasp Invoice Bensley, worldwide design darling Tara Bernerd and main hospitality designer Victoria Edwards reveal which properties rank 5 stars of their books.
André Fu
Founder, André Fu Studio
How does a metropolis lodge with no grand foyer, in-house spa or rooftop pool persistently rank as the most effective in Asia? The enduring attraction of The Higher Home in Hong Kong largely comes right down to the impeccable design of André Fu. Inbuilt 2009, the primary mission of the Hong Kong-based inside architect is a superb instance of his “relaxed luxurious” aesthetic. That includes a mixture of muted colors, luxurious shapes and a deep understanding of cross-cultural design, Fu’s strategy has a sure alchemy. It’s not shocking why world residents are drawn – and fiercely loyal – to this elegant property.
Since then, Fu has been behind different prestigious areas together with London’s first all-suite lodge The Emory, which opened earlier this yr (he additionally designed the spa of its sister lodge Claridge’s), the sprawling art-centric Villa La Coste in Provence, and the serene Resort The Mitsui Kyoto. On designing motels, he explains that “it’s nearly like constructing a psychological collage that items completely different inspirations and visible references collectively, conjuring up a world that actually displays the unique mission imaginative and prescient that I’m entrusted with.”
So what does this celebrated tastemaker search for in a lodge? “I are likely to go for motels that inform a narrative—generally it’s the context of the mission or the design strategy. I’ve travelled extensively and have stayed in a numerous variety of specialty suites, so what I’m actually searching for is a definite perspective.”
“I are likely to go for motels that inform a narrative, which have a definite perspective”
Based mostly on a latest keep, Fu says he was enamoured by the modern city property Bvlgari Resort Tokyo. “I used to be impressed by its rooftop bar and its adjoining outside terrace,” Fu says. One other spotlight is Passalacqua in Lake Como, an hour’s drive from Milan, which sits on prime of the 2023 World’s 50 Greatest Accommodations record. He describes it as “a real dreamscape that captures the dolce vita way of life.” Lastly, Amanpuri in Phuket is a real winner in his books. “It is a legendary property that has actually stood the take a look at of time. I’m notably keen on the steps resulting in the seashore.”
Invoice Bensley
Founder, Bensley
Totally eclectic, stuffed with character and ultra-Instagrammable – these are few methods to explain the ingenious work of Invoice Bensley. Since planting his roots in Asia over 35 years in the past, the American has worn varied hats as a panorama architect, inside designer, hotelier and eco-crusader; he usually combines all of those roles in a single mission.
Recognized for being a prolific designer, Bensley has delivered over 200 hospitality initiatives in 50 international locations together with the antique-filled, luxurious tented retreat Capella Ubud in Bali, Indonesia, the upcycled prepare carriages-turned-suites at Intercontinental Khao Yai Resort in Thailand and the nineteenth century hill station that he remodeled into Rosewood Luang Prabang in Laos.
Bensley doesn’t search for the following mission, he hand-picks it. “When supplied city initiatives, I normally decide town I’m most interested by. Then I go to a number of occasions beginning with the locations of worship. I discover that temples and church buildings inform essentially the most a couple of society’s constructed language,” he says. Tasks in distant locations, alternatively, leads Bensley to stroll the location again and again to grasp the environmental idiosyncrasies. “Oftentimes I’ll arrange a tent and camp and sketch on the location,” he provides. Over the past decade, he has opened his personal lodge assortment underneath the Shinta Mani model; its most up-to-date opening is Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Assortment in Nepal.
The place does this ardent explorer select to remain? The charismatic Hoshinoya Kyoto in Arashiyama is a prime decide. “I like Hoshinoya Kyoto. One arrives by boat and although it’s solely minutes away from the village, the ryokan sits in a fantastic, pure and quiet atmosphere. Each room is completely different, and whereas modern, it exudes native tradition,” he says.
One other favorite is Huka Lodge in New Zealand’s Lake Taupo space, which speaks to Bensley’s adventurous facet. “Any lodge suite that comes with a pair of rigged up fly rods and is simply steps away from a gin-clear river stuffed with big brown trout is nice sufficient for me!” Huka Lodge is a brief 45-minute home flight from Auckland Airport.
Tara Bernerd
Founder, Tara Bernerd & Companions
In relation to luxurious interiors, there’s an inclination for designers to veer in direction of a secure territory. That’s not in Tara Bernerd’s playbook, who’s sought-after for her daring and daring strategy that embodies sophistication. The award-winning British designer has been crafting elegant, personality-filled interiors for yachts, properties and motels since 2002, when she based her eponymous observe.
“For me it’s all the time a couple of reference to the place, the property and the folks concerned,” says Bernerd. “We attempt to make sure that every mission we undertake is indigenous to the encompassing atmosphere which is essential for a sustainable factor and the native vernacular, and we subsequently discover every one has its personal distinctive identification.”
Her two newest initiatives, the regal Rosewood Munich and stylish Maroma, A Belmond Resort, completely seize Bernerd’s great skill to weave the outdated with the brand new. In Munich, the problem was combining two heritage buildings and giving it a contemporary spin, whereas on the Riviera Maya, it was all about reinventing an iconic lodge and crafting a timeless inside.
When travelling for leisure, Bernerd says there are motels she returns to yr after yr, however she’s nonetheless immensely interested by new locations. “I favor an alluring, intelligently designed, spacious room that’s gentle and has a view if potential.”
As somebody with a deep love of Italy, Caruso by Belmond on the Amalfi Coast sits excessive on her record. “Caruso is magnificent, its dramatic views are actually breathtaking. Consuming open air after an aperitivo of their bar speaks of a dolce vita glamour that brings the class of the previous into the world of right now.” Take a 3.5 hour-long drive southwards from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport to get to Caruso.
One other favorite in Italy is 4 Seasons Resort Milano, which she calls an establishment. “As soon as an outdated convent, the interiors have a good time the historical past and but embrace a contemporary design. The backyard is joyful as are all the group, run by the superb basic supervisor Andrea Obertello.”
Lastly, the well-loved Claridge’s in London has additionally captured Bernerd’s coronary heart. “The second I step into Claridge’s, a wave of nostalgia sweeps by means of me. You’re transported right into a bygone time but paradoxically the lodge is alive with the bustle of town. It captures every part that’s magical about London! The not too long ago redecorated rooms and suites are beautiful, the brand new restaurant is marvellous, cocktails on the Fumoir bar are seductive and the gorgeous new spa provides to the lodge’s stellar providing.”
Victoria Edwards
Principal, Hirsch Bedner Associates DNA
There’s in all probability no main lodge model that hasn’t labored with Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), a famend hospitality design agency established in 1965 that has grown to grow to be a world pressure. With 1,380 designers in 24 places of work, it’s a fast-paced atmosphere to work in, one the place Victoria Edwards thrives.
“I like a property that feels storied, enchanting and leaves you feeling impressed”
The agency has accomplished 15,000 initiatives throughout 80 international locations, together with the Singapore Airways airport lounges that function an understated class befitting of the model. When beginning a mission, Edwards says it’s essential to take a 360-degree view. “Firstly, the place is it positioned and what magical tales are you able to uncover concerning the location to encourage the design? Then who’s the clientele and what are you able to create that may delight them now, and into the long run? And naturally, how are you going to greatest weave the essence of the model into the mission in ways in which actually sing,” says Edwards.
This meticulous strategy pays off when one sees the tip consequence reminiscent of Mondrian Hong Kong, designed by colleague Karin Krautgartner, the model’s first property in Larger China. The 324-key lodge in Tsim Sha Tsui is common as a vigorous, vibrant area that captures the power of town. It not too long ago gained three main accolades on the LIV Hospitality Design Awards 2024.
When on private holidays, Edwards seeks somewhat little bit of luxurious but in addition seems for attraction. “I like a property that feels storied and enchanting – that tells a story about the place it’s positioned and leaves you feeling impressed.”
An excellent instance is Amanbagh in Rajasthan, India, which as Edwards places it, is dripping with magic. “The dusty pink palace feels directly immensely luxurious and completely consistent with the environment. I like the blurred design strains between the earthy rose haveli-inspired exteriors that soften into the superbly appointed, splendidly balanced interiors.” Amanbagh is a 3.5 hour-long drive from New Delhi Worldwide Airport.
By way of lodge manufacturers, Edwards actually resonates with the ethos of the COMO group, greatest served up at COMO Maalifushi in Maldives. “The holistic strategy to wellness is impeccably executed and pervades each factor of your keep,” she says. “The relaxed, nourishing model positioning mixed with the lodge’s location on the stunningly distant Thaa Atoll leads to a really particular expertise, certainly.”
Lastly, Mas Sant Marc in La Cerdanya, a little-known haven hidden away within the Pyrenees, is one other one which Edward adores. “This small lodge is attraction embodied. It’s a traditional Catalan stone nation residence that has been reimagined right into a jewel of a lodge. It’s designed to really feel prefer it’s stuffed stuffed with well-loved heirlooms, but is extremely comfy and pleasant. It’s set in picturesque gardens that tumble out into the grassy mountain plains past.” Mas Sant Marc is a two-hour drive from Barcelona’s Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
For extra data on Singapore Airways flights to the above locations, go to the official web site.
