Born in Oahu, Hawaii, to a Japanese-American Family, Clint Nagata’s passion for travel, hospitality, and culture was intrinsic to his early understanding of design. Early in his career, he realised that the most impactful spaces displayed similar characteristics: a strong narrative, a sense of place, and emotional reverence. After 13 years at WATG in Honolulu, where he became the firm’s youngest partner, Nagata founded BLINK Design Group in 2006 in Bangkok, Thailand, with a vision to create authentic spaces shaped by individual thought and Asian design vernacular.
Over the last two decades, BLINK has expanded globally with offices in Singapore and Dubai, and worked on landmark luxury hotel projects, including Six Senses Kyoto, Regent Phu Quoc and Fullerton Ocean Park. As the company celebrates its 20th anniversary, it has opened a new studio in London. This strategic move is designed to expand BLINK’s presence across Europe with a dedicated team of visionaries.
“London has long been a crucible of ideas, a place where global design narratives converge,” says Nagata. “It feels like home to us, and we want to bring something soulful and authentic to this city’s extraordinary energy.”
As he zips between Bangkok, Singapore, and London to manage his expanding design empire, we speak to Nagata about his thoughts on hotel design in 2026 and get him to share some of his favourite spots around the globe, including where he likes to take his two Merle maltipoo pups, Vino and Honu.
An interview with Clint Nagata of BLINK Design Group
What are the top five hotel design trends you’re seeing in 2026?
We’re seeing a general shift towards what I’d call “emotional luxury”, spaces that are quieter, more considered, and less about spectacle. Five key directions stand out:
1. Softer minimalism that prioritises comfort and atmosphere.
2. Deeper integration of nature, not just greenery, but light, air, and materiality.
3. Wellness is becoming embedded across the entire guest journey.
4. Stronger emphasis on placemaking and cultural authenticity
5. A move towards more residential, intuitive environments where guests feel at ease rather than impressed.
Six Senses Kyoto
Are Instagrammable aesthetics still driving design choices?
They still play a role, but they’re no longer the main driver, at least not for hotels thinking long term. A visually striking moment can attract attention, but if it’s not grounded in a meaningful narrative, it tends to feel superficial and quickly dated. The more enduring approach is to design spaces that resonate emotionally and culturally. When that’s done well, the photography follows naturally.
How are hotels approaching sustainable design in 2026?
Sustainability is now less about statements and more about decisions. One of the most important shifts is towards reworking what already exists, refining structures, reusing materials, and making targeted interventions rather than starting from scratch. There’s also a stronger focus on sourcing locally and working with regional artisans. It’s a more pragmatic, thoughtful approach that balances environmental responsibility with commercial reality.
What about technology? How is it currently influencing design choices?
The most successful technology is the kind you don’t notice. Guests expect convenience, but they don’t necessarily want to see or interact with technology at every touchpoint. The focus is on integration, using tech to enhance comfort, personalisation, and wellbeing, while keeping the experience intuitive and human. It should remove friction, not define the space.
Are we still seeing neutral colours dominate, or are other palettes carving a space?
Neutrals are still very much present, but they’ve evolved. We’re seeing more layered, nature-inspired palettes, warmer tones, mineral hues, soft greens. Colour is returning, but in a more deliberate way. Rather than being applied as a trend, it’s often drawn from the local landscape or cultural references, which gives it more meaning and longevity.
Are local design features becoming more important for setting hotels apart?
Absolutely. In a very competitive market, what differentiates a hotel is how authentically it reflects its location. At Six Senses Kyoto, for example, we looked at the concept of miyabi, a sense of refinement rooted in Kyoto’s cultural history.
At Regent Phu Quoc, we drew on Vietnamese vernacular architecture and local materials to create a layered, place-specific narrative. These aren’t decorative gestures; they’re fundamental to how a guest experiences the hotel.
Regent Phu Quoc
Guests are prioritising wellness more than ever. How is hotel design responding?
Wellness has moved beyond the spa; it’s now a holistic design approach. It’s about how a guest feels from arrival to departure. That includes natural light, spatial flow, acoustics, materials, and a connection to nature. Increasingly, guests are looking for environments that help them slow down and reset, so design has to support that on a subconscious level
Glass-walled bathrooms seem to be everywhere at the moment—what’s your take on this trend?
Like any design feature, it depends on context. In some settings, it can enhance light and openness, particularly in resort environments. But it shouldn’t come at the expense of comfort or privacy. Guests today are looking for spaces that feel intuitive and residential, so the design has to respond to who the guest is. It’s not something that should be applied as a default.
Now for some rapid-fire questions! What are your…
- Favourite wine shops? Reserva y Cata in Madrid and Hedonism Wines in London
- Favourite hotel in London? NoMad London
- Favourite jazz bars in Tokyo? Sometime and Cotton Club
- Favourite restaurants in Madrid? Los 33 and Smoked Room
- Favourite dog parks? Hund Haus and Benchakitti Park in Bangkok
Discover more about BLINK Design Group
But wait, there’s more…
- Here’s what it’s like to stay at Hotel Empress Zoe in Istanbul
- We round up all the best boutique hotels in Tokyo
- Don’t miss our English wine series, starting with a chat with Chapel Down
- And discover the Earth Series from Marina Bay Sands in Singapore
