Design showcase: Top 5 thematic hotels

by Nicholls Clare | 13 Jul 2022 | Design

This week’s collaboration with TOPHOTELDESIGN seeks out five major hotels which utilise creative and fun themes for their designs.

Storytelling is a commonly used tool for the building of hotel’s identities. It invites guests. It’s a journey of discovery through the different areas of the narrative, far away from their ordinary lifestyles and routines.

New world

We selected five projects that chose a specific theme for their interiors, allowing guests to step into a whole new world.

The TWA Hotel at JFK airport transports guests into the world of aeroplanes and luxury airlines. An Oscar-winning actor has been seen at that same place in a famous movie involving pilots and fake checks.

Elsewhere, Stora Hotellet Umea draws inspiration from Sweden’s maritime history, combining almost fantasy-like sailing imagery with high society luxury and sophistication.

While HUP Mierlo in the Netherlands is a celebration of sports condensed in a brilliantly smart design idea; using carpets as the main design element to emulate pitch markings of competitive sports.

Sea and beach vibes

The Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland, as indicated by its name, places guests in wondrous underwater surreal spaces filled with blue light and natural patterns and textures.

Our final choice, Boathouse Phuket, is located right in front of the beach, and gives visitors a glimpse into the sailor’s world with subtle details reminiscent of boat interiors.

Click on the images below to explore the projects in TOPHOTELDESIGN.

TWA Hotel at JFK Airport

New York, United States of America
by Stonehill Taylor

Stora Hotellet Umea

Umeå, Sweden
by Stylt Trampoli AB

HUP Mierlo

Mierlo, Netherlands
by Creneau International

Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland

Shanghai, China
By Cheng Chung Design – Hong Kong
Supplied by KOHLER, Hansgrohe & WMF Professional | Hotel Equipment

Imagery © Kimi Cai

BoatHouse Phuket

Phuket, Thailand
by LAANK

Imagery © Marc Tan

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