A warm welcome: lobby designs around the world
As one of the first architectural features that guests encounter upon arrival, the hotel lobby acts as a key selling point, conveying central design elements and setting the atmosphere for those inside. Whether it is eclectic, minimalist or extravagantly decedent, the design can change how the hotel comes across to visitors and can enhance or detract from their overall enjoyment. We take a look at some of the most notable, and experimental designs from around the world.
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"The Maybourne Papers" by Chloe Galea is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
UK – Claridge’s
The lobby of Claridge’s London hotel, with its characteristic black and white checkerboard flooring has become an art deco icon. Much of the iconic art-deco design, including work by Basil Ionides and a beautiful Lalique door panel was created by Oswald Milne, who transformed the lobby in 1929. New York-based designer Thierry Despont revamped the foyer in 1996, introducing modern art deco elements and a Dale Chihuly light sculpture which forms the centrepiece of the redesign.
Credit: Mandarin Oriental
Barcelona - the Mandarin Oriental
Located in a renovated mid-20th century building, the Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona is an elegant, contemporary hotel in the heart of the avant-garde city's celebrated Passeig de Gracia. Upon entering the lobby from the raised walkway guests are immediately introduced to the chic interior design of the 120-room hotel created by world renowned Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola.
Credit: The Grand Hotel Kronenhof
Swiss Alps - The Grand Hotel Kronenhof
The Grand Hotel Kronenhof seamlessly blends old-world design elements with modern amenities. In 2007 the interior design was renovated by Jo Brinkmann, who maintained the timeless Swiss luxury. Gold detailing and intricately painted ceilings create a tasteful and classic environment for guests.
Credit: Henning Larsen Architects
Faroese Islands - Hotel Tórshavn
Henning Larsen’s winning design for a new four-star hotel in the Faroese capital of Tórshavn harkens back to an old concept of using a grand foyer to create a street-level identity. “In our search for a symbol of an open, active venue for the foyer, we took inspiration from the sea caves along the Faroese coast, which are a striking feature of our geography. In a way, you could say our design represents the bedrock of the Faroe Islands, with the city life carving its way into the lower levels of the hotel,” explained Ósbjørn Jacobsen, partner and design director at Henning Larsen’s Faroese studio.
Credit: The Palazzo Versace Dubai
Dubai - Palazzo Versace Dubai
The neoclassical design of the Palazzo Versace Dubai is decked wall-to-ceiling in Versace designs. On arrival guests are welcomed by the iconic ‘Pietre di Fiume’ Medusa design used throughout the Versace range, as well as a myriad of Greek inspired décor and subtle traces of Arabian architecture
Credit: Design Hotels™
Singapore - Warehouse Hotel
Designed to create a unique local guest experience, Singapore’s Warehouse Hotel features a large-open plan lobby, bar and lounge designed by local firms Asylum and Zarch Collaboratives. To enhance the light and airiness of the space, clusters of pendant lights hang from black wheels among the ceiling trusses.
Credit: Design Hotels™
Thailand – The Slate
The unusual style of The Slate is a design-conscious mixture of tradition, trade and modernity. Reflected in the concrete flooring and black steel furnishing that appear in the lobby, is a tribute to Phuket’s tin mining history, a stark contrast to the unspoiled beach of the island. This industrial interior is mixed with traditional Thai decor, providing a design experience that is deeply rooted in the areas rich history.
Credit: Design Hotels™
Hong Kong - The Mira
Inside The Mira Hong Kong’s dark monolithic structure is a creative and usual design crafted by lifestyle guru Colin Cowie and Miami-based interior architect Charles Allem. The lobby features marble floors with rolling purple and lilac lines that lead the way to a collection of striking curved sculptures. Cutting-edge technologies have also been fused with natural textures and lustrous finishes to create a novel and memorable lobby design.
Credit: The Four Seasons
Canada - Four Seasons Toronto
Four Seasons hotels are famed for their decadent designs, and the main lobby of the flagship Toronto hotel is no exception. The main lobby features an impressively high central space, creating an open and welcoming atmosphere for guests. It also feeds into other areas, such as the reception, waiting areas and seating areas near the bar, which gives guests a variety of options in a single, open space.
Credit Hyatt Regency Cleveland
Cleveland - Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade
In downtown Cleveland, the Hyatt Regency at The Arcade showcases how light and glass can impact and change the tone of a lobby space. The design provides visitors with a spectacular view of the landmarked arcade building, while the glass ceiling floods the space with natural light.
Credit: Design Hotels™
New York - The Whitby
The signature style of Firmdale co-founder and design director Kit Kemp appears throughout the lobby of The Whitby in New York. Vibrant colours appear throughout the lobby, which are complimented by the use of contemporary art, including alabaster plinths created by sculptor Stephen Cox and a brightly coloured woven piece by Hermione Skye, which is suspended over the reception desk.
UK – Claridge’s The lobby of Claridge’s
London hotel, with its characteristic black and white checkerboard flooring has become an art deco icon. Much of the iconic art-deco design, including work by Basil Ionides and a beautiful Lalique door panel was created by Oswald Milne, who transformed the lobby in 1929. New York-based designer Thierry Despont revamped the foyer in 1996, introducing modern art deco elements and a Dale Chihuly light sculpture which forms the centrepiece of the redesign.
Barcelona - the Mandarin Oriental
Located in a renovated mid-20th century building, the Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona is an elegant, contemporary hotel in the heart of the avant-garde city's celebrated Passeig de Gracia. Upon entering the lobby from the raised walkway guests are immediately introduced to the chic interior design of the 120-room hotel created by world renowned Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola.
Swiss Alps - The Grand Hotel Kronenhof
The Grand Hotel Kronenhof seamlessly blends old-world design elements with modern amenities. In 2007 the interior design was renovated by Jo Brinkmann, who maintained the timeless Swiss luxury. Gold detailing and intricately painted ceilings create a tasteful and classic environment for guests.
Faroese Islands - Hotel Tórshavn
Henning Larsen’s winning design for a new four-star hotel in the Faroese capital of Tórshavn harkens back to an old concept of using a grand foyer to create a street-level identity. “In our search for a symbol of an open, active venue for the foyer, we took inspiration from the sea caves along the Faroese coast, which are a striking feature of our geography. In a way, you could say our design represents the bedrock of the Faroe Islands, with the city life carving its way into the lower levels of the hotel,” explained Ósbjørn Jacobsen, partner and design director at Henning Larsen’s Faroese studio.
Dubai - Palazzo Versace Dubai
The neoclassical design of the Palazzo Versace Dubai is decked wall-to-ceiling in Versace designs. On arrival guests are welcomed by the iconic ‘Pietre di Fiume’ Medusa design used throughout the Versace range, as well as a myriad of Greek inspired décor and subtle traces of Arabian architecture
Singapore - Warehouse Hotel
Designed to create a unique local guest experience, Singapore’s Warehouse Hotel features a large-open plan lobby, bar and lounge designed by local firms Asylum and Zarch Collaboratives. To enhance the light and airiness of the space, clusters of pendant lights hang from black wheels among the ceiling trusses.
Thailand – The Slate
The unusual style of The Slate is a design-conscious mixture of tradition, trade and modernity. Reflected in the concrete flooring and black steel furnishing that appear in the lobby, is a tribute to Phuket’s tin mining history, a stark contrast to the unspoiled beach of the island. This industrial interior is mixed with traditional Thai decor, providing a design experience that is deeply rooted in the areas rich history.
Hong Kong - The Mira
Inside The Mira Hong Kong’s dark monolithic structure is a creative and usual design crafted by lifestyle guru Colin Cowie and Miami-based interior architect Charles Allem. The lobby features marble floors with rolling purple and lilac lines that lead the way to a collection of striking curved sculptures. Cutting-edge technologies have also been fused with natural textures and lustrous finishes to create a novel and memorable lobby design.
Canada - Four Seasons Toronto
Four Seasons hotels are famed for their decadent designs, and the main lobby of the flagship Toronto hotel is no exception. The main lobby features an impressively high central space, creating an open and welcoming atmosphere for guests. It also feeds into other areas, such as the reception, waiting areas and seating areas near the bar, which gives guests a variety of options in a single, open space.
Cleveland - Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade
In downtown Cleveland, the Hyatt Regency at The Arcade showcases how light and glass can impact and change the tone of a lobby space. The design provides visitors with a spectacular view of the landmarked arcade building, while the glass ceiling floods the space with natural light.
New York - The Whitby
The signature style of Firmdale co-founder and design director Kit Kemp appears throughout the lobby of The Whitby in New York. Vibrant colours appear throughout the lobby, which are complimented by the use of contemporary art, including alabaster plinths created by sculptor Stephen Cox and a brightly coloured woven piece by Hermione Skye, which is suspended over the reception desk.
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All images courtesy of Palms Casino Resort
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