Matters of Design

Located among the bustling streets of Midtown Manhattan, The Whitby Hotel showcases the carefree spirit of its award-winning Original Kit Kemp throughout its 86 individually designed rooms and suites. Each room features its own distinct color scheme, though Kemp’s signature touches—including oversized headboards, some even embellished and embroidered by the artist Kumi—appear throughout. Kemp’s own fabric designs are present alongside elegant rugs, ceramics, artworks, and cushions, as well as upholstered walls. All of this and more combines to create an enchanting mix of textures and hues, backdropped by floor-to-ceiling factory casement windows.

At Hotel Hotel in Lisbon, the locally based studio Pedrita oversaw the interior design and created an unmistakable sense of place through collaborations with Portuguese designers and artists. The lobby, for example, plays host to a whimsical collection of stools made and designed in Portugal by artists including Gonçalo Prudêncio for Ghome, Tiago Almeida for Fica, and Luís Porém for Boa Safra. Meanwhile, a warm color palette of burgundy, taupe, and navy is enlivened through a living wall in the hotel’s courtyard and a verdant array of fresh botanicals throughout all spaces. In the guestrooms, specially designed carpet by EGE gives way to golden-hued white oak flooring and bespoke furniture, including wood bedframes, desks, and light fixtures. Beyond custom pieces, other brands featured in rooms include Muuto, Inclass Design, Fermob, Petite Friture, and Serax.

In its namesake Swiss lakeside town, Hotel Spedition Thun blends 20th-century design pieces with 120-year-old exposed wood beams and the building’s 19th-century past. The interiors were helmed by Design Stylt Trampoli AB and each of the 15 individually designed rooms boasts a five-color concept. Though specific pieces may differ, the spaces are defined by jewel and earth tones, wood flooring and massive oak beams, plush upholstery, and warm cottons and linens, creating a cozy yet urban retreat.

Vertigo Hotel in Dijon, France, features a clear black-and-white color scheme developed by designer Ludivine De Brito. The onsite Embassy bar features an ornate ceiling with original stucco from the late 1800s, gilded frames with vintage photographs, and a glass chandelier, while guestrooms are brimming with contemporary twists, like suspended beds, swirling patterns on carpets, mirror media entertainment systems, and wardrobe-doors-turned-bathroom-mirrors. Throughout the hotel are statement-making lamps by Hervé Langlais, coffee tables by Maria Jeglinska, and select Linge Roset pieces.

Located on the outskirts of Calzolaro, in Umbria, Italy, Vocabolo Moscatelli was designed by Jacopo Venerosi Pesciolini of studio Archiloop, who ensured every space—from the onsite restaurant and bar to the pool to the 12 guestrooms and suites—has its own identity. Some rooms have four-poster beds forged by the century-old Umbrian blacksmith brand Lispi & Co., while others have bedframes handmade by the Tuscan design experts at Tosconova. Two suites feature terraces with oversized soaking tubs and furniture by Italian designer Paola Lenti; others have private gardens with lounge furniture by Milanese company Varaschin. Every space might feature varied color palettes, materials, and furnishings, but uniting elements, like wood floors, exposed terracotta brick, natural stone walls, and iron and brass detailing, bring everything together.

At Noūs Santorini, a casual elegance is expressed through a natural color palette, materials like burnt timber, and an overarching minimalistic design, which was overseen Divercity Architects in collaboration with MPlusMArchitects. The color scheme of the guestrooms takes inspiration from the natural earthy, reddish, and grayish shades of the island’s most famous beaches—Vlychada, Ammoudi, and Kamari—which also extends into the Signature Restaurant & Bar. Santorini’s volcanic landscape, meanwhile, is reflected in shutters made from willow, specially designed flooring, and porous ceramic pieces. The interior design is complemented by a sublime lighting concept by Elefetheria Deco, creating an ambiance where guests can sense a move away from mass and speed, and toward space and slowness.

On another Mediterranean isle, El Vinceç de la Marin Cala Sant Vicenç, Mallorca, presents clean-lined architecture with warm earth tones in a design conceived by Magnus Ehrland. The soothing color palette, inspired by Mallorca’s verdant landscape, is enlivened by pops of vibrant hues that mirror the crystal-clear waters at the property’s doorsteps. Meanwhile, a connection to nature is further established through light and airy spaces, plus an abundance of natural materials like local stone, marble, teak, hemlock, and linen. Such materials are augmented by contemporary design pieces, including Kettal aluminum dining tables, Gloster sofas with woven rope backrests, and plush outdoor rugs by Besana Moquette. Combined, the hotel assumes a stately ambiance while simultaneously blending perfectly into its stunning surroundings.

Also reflecting the shimmering sea of its environs is Finohlu Baa Atoll Maldives. Here, the London-based studio Muza Lab took inspiration from the natural beauty of the Baa Atoll’s islands and waters to create a kaleidoscopic journey across the property. At Kanusan, the onsite fine-dining restaurant, origami sea creatures hang from the ceiling amongst an installation of seashells, and bright coral tones are applied throughout the space. At the wellness center, Fehi Spa, a soothing tropical green palette is applied to the fabrics and upholstery. And in the 125 villas, vibrant blues and greens standout among natural décor, including light fixtures made from South African clay and glass, terrace lamps crafted from Indonesian rope, and handwoven rattan baskets. 

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of nearly 8,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.