The world’s best hotel designers create stunning (and functional) spaces that we love
From the windows to the walls, these creatives know good hotels.
From Miami to Bangkok and Amsterdam to Auckland we’re constantly looking for gorgeous accommodations that will heighten your travel experience. But who are the masterminds behind these spaces that put you in relax mode as soon as you walk through doors and create lavish backdrops for your holiday antics? Meet the world’s best hotel designers who make your vacay dreams a reality.
The world’s best hotel designers get us
1. Bill Bensley | Bensley
American-born, Thailand-based designer Bill Bensley started life as a landscape architect and got his start with a job in Singapore after graduation. Fast forward to nowadays, and he’s running one of the most sought after hotel design practices in the world, Bensley and has even launched his own hotel brand: Shinta Mani.
Bensley Studio creates deeply creative designs for its clients with sustainability at the core of everything they unveil. From repurposing train carriages for InterContinental Khao Yai to envisioning one of the most beloved tented camps at Capella Ubud in Bali, Bensley Studio always promises a joyful and eco-friendly guest experience.
Read our interview with Bill Bensley and our review of Shinta Mani Angkor.
Discover more about Bensley
2. André Fu | André Fu Studio
Hong Kong local André Fu is known in the design community for creating exceptionally elegant hotels with a sense of place. His first ever hotel project was the iconic The Upper House, the inaugural property of the House Collective, which was one of the first design-led accommodations to hit Hong Kong.
Since then, he’s gone on to create a number of stellar stays in the SAR, including The St. Regis Hong Kong, K11 Artus, and The Kerry Hotel. He’s also taken his skills internationally to work on numerous projects, such as Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto and most recently, the spa at Claridge’s in London.
Read our interview with André Fu.
Learn more about André Fu Studio
3. Tara Bernerd | Tara Bernerd & Partners
Tara Bernerd knows good hotel design. Her firm Tara Bernerd & Partners is the brains behind international stays such as The Hari Hong Kong, Thompson Hollywood, and countless outposts of the famed Four Seasons brand. But what makes her designs special?
We think it’s the careful attention to detail and the fact that the company always pushes to create arrival experiences and moments across properties that delight guests. It’s all about lush layers and holistic layouts here.
Read our interview with Tara Bernerd.
Find out more about Tara Bernerd & Partners
4. Dorothée Meilichzon | Chzon
Award-winning French designer Dorothée Meilichzon is the name behind some of our absolute favourite hotels. Her love for story-telling and curves shine through in her iconic properties which include The Henrietta in London, Hotel Bachaumont in Paris, and the stunning Hotel Menorca Experimental.
Expect bold colours and patterns when staying in a hotel by Chzon alongside countless joyful moments.
Read our interview with Dorothée Meilichzon.
Learn more about Chzon
5. Jean-Michel Gathy | Denniston
One of the stalwarts of the hotel design scene, Jean-Michel Gathy’s portfolio reads as a list of must-stay properties across the globe. A firm favourite for brands such as One & Only, he is the brains behind the likes of The Chedi Muscat, Oman and Aman New York.
The Belgian-born founder of Denniston doesn’t merely design hotels but conceives lifestyle experiences that need to be seen to be believed. His passion for creating once-in-a-lifetime moments is a gift to those of us who love to experience exceptional hotels.
Read our interview with Jean-Michel Gathy.
Discover more about Denniston
6. Lyndon Neri and Rosanna Hu | Neri&Hu
World renowned design and research office Neri&Hu is an interdisciplinary studio with creativity at its heart. Based in Shanghai, the practice has designed some of our favourite hotels across the globe, including Zedwell Piccadilly in London, Kimpton Da An in Taipei, and the Shanghai EDITION Hotel.
Every space from Neri + Hu is holistically considered and marries form with function in unique and aesthetically pleasing ways. We also appreciate the brand’s global vision and commitment to create spaces that sit peacefully within their unique locations.
Read more about Neri&Hu
7. Jo Littlefair and Martin Goddard | Goddard Littlefair
Founded in 2012 by a pair of avid travellers, Goddard Littlefair has created some of the most iconic hotels of recent years. The brains behind spaces at the likes of Raffles London at the Owo, Four Seasons Sultanahmet, and Villa Copenhagen, they’ve proven time and time again that they’re as comfortable designing unique independent properties as they are working with international brands.
With offices in both London, UK and Porto, Portugal, this international team has its finger on the pulse of good hospitality design. They infuse exceptional story-telling into all of their spaces and also ensure sustainable factors are considered.
Read our interview with the Founders of Goddard Littlefair.
Find out more about Goddard Littlefair
8. Kelly Wearstler | Kelly Wearstler
Famed for her expressive and rich interiors, Kelly Wearstler is an American designer creating memorable hotel spaces. With countless awards under her belt, her eponymous studio is behind the likes of Four Seasons Anguilla, Avalon Hotel, and all of the interiors for the Proper Hotels portfolio.
The first interior designer to offer a MasterClass series, Wearstler believes that “honouring history, location, and architecture is imperative to pushing the boundaries and challenging the rules.”
Read more about Kelly Wearstler
But wait, there’s more…
- Stay in one of the world’s best boat hotels
- Experience the best boutique hotels in Buenos Aires
- And we reviewed the astounding Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in Bali
