The best luxury hotels are known for their ability to combine luxurious living with a design aesthetic that is innovative, high on comfort and beautiful. But except in the most publicized cases, non-hospitality people are rarely aware of the names behind the best-looking hotels of the world. Which designers conceptualized the luxurious designs on the most luxurious hotels? Here is a roundup of the top 10.
1. Hirsch Bedner Associates, Atlanta
Work: Nobody does indulgence as well as the Atlanta-based Hirsch Bedner Associates. Their designs in the hospitality sector are innovative, without compromising on either luxury or comfort.
Projects: The Mauritian spa at Hotel Le Touessrok for Maison Givenchy; Waldorf Astoria Shanghai; The Peninsula New York; The Beverly Hills Hotel.
2. Kelly Wearstler, Los Angeles
Work: At Kelly Wearstler, clients can avail of interior design, as well as product, textile and furniture design. The agency also offers services relating to public relations and marketing for the luxury lifestyle sector. The agency has worked on luxury hotels, restaurants, retail stores and even offices and residences.
Projects: The Tides South Beach; Viceroy Hotels in Palm Springs, Anguilla and Santa Monica.
3. Yabu Pushelberg, Toronto, New York
Work: Yabu Pushelberg has a Platinum Circle Award to its name because of its work in the luxury sector. Its founder members, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg have earned their places in Interior Design magazine’s Hall of Fame. The firm works out of Toronto and New York via six teams who oversee interior design and project management.
Projects: W Hotel Times Square; Smyth Tribeca; St Regis Hotel San Francisco.
4. Pierre Yves Rochon, Paris
Work: In 1979, Pierre Yves Rochon began what would become an award-winning interior design firm specializing in luxury hospitality. Few luxury hotel designers are as experienced as PYR. The firm’s interior architecture and design services include conceptual development, design development, FF&E specification and construction administration among other things.
Projects: Four Seasons Hotels in Paris, Washington DC, Florence, Lisbon and Prague; Hotel Sofitel New York; The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain,
5. Denniston International Architects & Planners, Malaysia
Work: From site planning to architecture and interior design, these luxury hotel designers do it all. To a great extent, Denniston‘s rise is due to the talent and achievement of principal designer, the Belgian Jean-Michel Gathy, who entered the prestigious “Platinum Circle of Hospitality Design” in 2006.
Projects: The Chedi Muscat; The Viceroy Snowmass; Laem Son Villa 3 Phuket
6. Alberto Pinto, Paris
Work: With a 60-strong team, the Paris-based Alberto Pinto has worked on the interiors of luxurious hotels, residences, office spaces, and even yachts and private jets.
Projects: La Residencia Canary Islands; The Grand Hotel Park Gstaad; Hostellerie de Plaisance Saint-Emilion
7. United Designers, London
Work: United Designers has been prolific of the London scene. The award-winning firm is behind the luxury interior design of some of London’s best-looking hotels and restaurants.
Projects: Hotels include W Hotel Doha, the Dolder Grand Zurich, the Metropolitan London, the Marriott Grosvenor Square and The Clarence Hotel Dublin. Restaurants include Maze Grill by Gordon Ramsay and Nobu London.
8. Tihany Design, New York, Rome
Work: Any project by Tihany Design reflects these luxury hotel designers’ attention to the region and the local culture. The firm is responsible for many a chic and luxurious hotel design.
Projects: One&Only Cape Town; Mandarin Oriental Geneva; The Joule Dallas
9. Chhada Siembieda and Associates, Hong Kong, Shanghai
Work: In 1980, Chandu Chhada and Don Siembieda established Chhada Siembieda and Associates. Ever since, the firm has notched up ninety international projects. These luxury interior designers count Four Seasons and the Hilton among their clients.
Projects: Ananda Spa Himalayas; Ambassador Hotel Taipei; Wilson Hotel Geneva
10. Jaya International, Jakarta
Work: The Indonesian Jaya International started its account with a property in Bali. By now, it has luxury hotel projects stretching from Malaysia and India to San Francisco and the Caribbean to its name.
Projects: The Dharmawangsa Jakarta; Four Seasons Villa Jimbaran Bali
The USP of most luxurious hotels comes from the talent and skills of its designers. Combining modern luxury living with a design aesthetic is not always easy. But it is never too difficult for the top luxury hotel designers of the world.
