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Inspiring architecture and the pursuit of authentic experiences.

 Discerning travellers and globe-trotters are always searching for the next best thing; those authentic, elevated escapes that will never be forgotten. They’re honing in on must-visit destinations and accommodations that accentuate the cultural narrative of a place. They want thoughtful, exquisite experiences that lead to genuine connections with local communities, as well as with their travelling companions. Simply put, people are seeking more carefully curated vacation offerings and, as a result, the hotel design is becoming more personal, intuitive, and intentional.

DESIGNS INSPIRED BY PLACE

Travellers looking for unique hotel designs and authentic experiences that immerse them in their chosen destination need to look no further. W Melbourne takes its design cues from the streets of Australia’s stunning cultural capital; W Osaka blends Japan’s unique spirit with bold designs, and Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa exhibits the essence of the island’s rich heritage.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA OSAKA, JAPAN THILAMAAFUSHI ISLAND, MALDIVES
Homages to the city’s vibrant street art can be spotted throughout W Melbourne, including the hotel’s guest rooms and suites. The colourful interior of the Living Room and other public spaces at W Osaka echo the vibrancy of the city outside. The  distinct timeless chic design at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa draws influence from its storied history and natural surroundings
W Melbourne

Carefully constructed homages to the vibrant and diverse streetscapes of Melbourne are abundant throughout W Melbourne, where the hotel’s modern design is inspired by the city’s iconic cobblestone laneways and graffiti art. Guests can discover the city’s eclectic character as they journey through the hotel, from the lenticular art installation of local biodiversity by the Welcome Desk to the luxurious guest rooms themselves. Each room reflects an aspect of Melbourne’s history and culture, drawing inspiration from 1960s newspaper kiosks; native Australian wildlife such as the fairy wren; and colourful tributes to the city’s textile trade roots and street art scene.

 W Osaka

W Osaka’s black monolith façade, designed by Osaka-born architect Tadao Ando, cleverly belies the colourful extravagance of the hotel’s interiors. The overall design narrative of W Osaka is based on the theme ‘Osaka Merchants at Play’, perfectly embodied by the bold colour palettes, sharp lines, and brightly-lit spaces within the hotel, all inspired by the city’s neon-lit nightlife scenes. The hotel’s minimalistic exterior serves as an architectural expression of a modest, reserved public identity and a playfully sophisticated private lifestyle where guests can experience the city’s fun and unique cultural heritage, music, and fashion at their own leisure.

 Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa
The ultimate creative arts space, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa invites guests to explore the island’s storied history through various forms of art and design, including a dynamic mix of art programmes. The resort itself gives a nod to both the glamour of the French Riviera in the 1960s and its natural environment, where the design is inspired by the formation of the Maldives Archipelago and its stunning marine life. Guests will be enchanted by the resort’s overwater villas tucked within the tropical landscape, where muted colour palettes, clean lines, and use of renewable materials perfectly complement the dazzling topography and oceans surrounding them.

DESIGNS INSPIRED BY HUMAN CONNECTION

Dynamic environments foster a greater sense of belonging among guests and the area they’re visiting. Intentional architecture inspired by the destination, alongside spaces designed for socializing at hotels such as W Bali – Seminyak, AC Hotel Melbourne Southbank, and Aloft Tokyo Ginza elevate not only the authenticity of guest experiences but also the collective memories made within these socially-forward spaces for making new connections.

BALI, INDONESIA MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA TOKYO, JAPAN
Social spaces such as the playful Woobar Bali at W Bali – Seminyak are designed for guests to mix and mingle. The sleek, signature AC Lounge at AC Hotel Melbourne Southbank creates countless opportunities for guests to meet at any time of day. Aloft Tokyo Ginza showcases Japanese history, minimalism, and ultra-modernity for guests to stay and play within.
W Bali – Seminyak

Set in the heart of Bali’s social scene, W Bali – Seminyak gives guests the chance to relax, mingle, and explore all within one vibrant destination. Inspired by Bali’s curious ‘conceal and reveal’ nature, the hotel mixes innovative design with traditional Balinese influences, providing spaces for guests to socialize and be ‘revealed’, or escape into their own private retreats and stay ‘concealed’. The playful design of the iconic Woobar Bali at the hotel reflects the island’s incomparable natural beauty with a twist, where vivid tropical colours and patterns allow guests to eat, drink, and play within the most dynamic of destinations, creating a magnetic social space that inspires limitless possibilities for guests to interact or relax as they please.

 AC Hotel Melbourne Southbank

Standing boldly against the majestic Fishermans Bend skyline is the AC Hotel Melbourne Southbank, a new haven where its design approach promises optimal comfort and utility behind its elegant glass exterior. Open layouts within the hotel offer functionality without compromising on beauty, where sleek areas such as the brand’s signature AC Lounge, a modern co-working space by day and buzzing social hub by night, offer guests the best of both worlds. Stunning city views are available from the long, freestanding Triana Bar allowing guests to socialize with ease against a glamorous backdrop, before effortlessly moving into the next space to continue mingling. The outdoor, infinity-edge swimming pool spanning the width of the building is definitely not-to-miss.

 Aloft Tokyo Ginza

Inspired by the neon colours, graffiti, and urban art splashed across Tokyo’s iconic streets, Aloft Tokyo Ginza presents a futuristic hotel for Next Gen travellers. With an original design concept alluding to Ginza’s “Miyuki-zoku” youth subculture movement of the 1960s, the hotel welcomes guests to an ‘always-on’ Tokyo experience where lofty, open spaces, gigantic sculptural pieces, Japan-inspired conceptual art, and kaleidoscopic colours are set to pique curiosities and inspire conversations. The lively in-hotel social scene is ‘different by design’, incorporating innovative music programming such as frequent DJ parties and live music performances within its eclectic mix of dining and social spaces, the perfect atmosphere for guests to socialize from day to night.


DESIGNS INSPIRED BY NATURE

True appreciation of nature takes a new shape within these nature-inspired interiors. Influenced by the surroundings of Lake Chuzenji in Nikko, the charming beauty of Nara, or the serenity of Mai Khao beach in Phuket, these hotels are a haven where well-being is enhanced by the natural scenes in which they are set.

NARA, JAPAN NIKKO, JAPAN PHUKET, THAILAND
Elements of traditional Nara and the city’s iconic symbols can be found throughout JW Marriott Nara. Inspired by its healing natural surroundings, the traditional experiences available at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko will soothe body and soul. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa takes advantage of its lush tropical surroundings and encourages guests to become one with nature.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara

Putting a modern spin on the traditional character of Nara, the sleek interiors and architectural elements of JW Marriott Hotel Nara draw strong influence from the city’s natural beauty and heritage. Timber beams within the lobby reflect the distinctive elements found in Nara’s temples and homes, whilst a modern fireplace thoughtfully calls back to the city’s annual Yamayaki Fire Festival. Guest rooms and suites feature materials such as timber, bronze, and leather which can all be found inside traditional Japanese houses, and patterned fabrics throughout the hotel are reminiscent of the surrounding hillsides. Tributes to the iconic and sacred deer of Nara Park are a recurring motif throughout the hotel, most notably at the Flying Stag lobby lounge and within each guest room, where above every headboard is an elegant, artistic adornment of deer antlers.

 

 The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko

A reflection of its picturesque surroundings, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko brings the natural beauty of the surrounding Lake Chuzenji and Mount Nantai indoors in a culmination of graceful Japanese design through a contemporary lens. Guests can seamlessly move into an engawa (Japanese veranda) area from their private in-room balcony to experience the stunning scenery from all-encompassing views, truly immersing themselves in their surroundings. The hotel implements earthy materials such as wood and stones, and crafted pottery and traditional wood carving motifs epitomize the Japanese appreciation for beauty and design. In addition to the cultural design elements, traditional experiences such as the Onsen (open-air hot spring bath) introduce guests to Japanese culture in the lap of luxury.

 JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa

Just steps away from Mai Khao Beach, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa blends the seaside locale’s vivid blues and greens with minimalistic wooden features and accents, creating a colourful display reminiscent of its tropical surroundings. A mix of serene spaces throughout the hotel offers guests a tranquil respite to take a breather and revitalize their spirit, such as the JW Garden offering a unique chance to connect with the land and understand the importance of holistic well-being. Abundant outdoor areas overlooking Phuket’s tropical gardens and the Indian Ocean also allow guests to experience all the beauty of island life right from the resort, and the steeply-sloping, multi-tiered tile roofs framing each room, suite, and villa are a nod to classic Thai architecture and traditional Thai temples.