What’s harder to design than a home? Well, a home away from home. Not only do hotels have to be more comfortable and stylish than our own abodes, but they should also serve as a portal to a destination. Designing a welcoming space that also expands one’s horizons is an art few have perfected. Here, highly sought-after interior architect André Fu, design master Bill Bensley, international design darling Tara Bernerd and leading hospitality designer Victoria Edwards reveal which properties rank five stars in their books.
André Fu
Founder, André Fu Studio
How does a city hotel with no grand lobby, in-house spa or rooftop pool consistently rank as one of the best in Asia? The enduring appeal of The Upper House in Hong Kong largely comes down to the impeccable design of André Fu. Built in 2009, the first project of the Hong Kong-based interior architect is a great example of his “relaxed luxury” aesthetic. Featuring a mix of muted colours, sumptuous shapes and a deep understanding of cross-cultural design, Fu’s approach has a certain alchemy. It’s not surprising why global citizens are drawn – and fiercely loyal – to this sublime property.
Since then, Fu has been behind other prestigious spaces including London’s first all-suite hotel The Emory, which opened earlier this year (he also designed the spa of its sister hotel Claridge’s), the sprawling art-centric Villa La Coste in Provence, and the serene Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto. On designing hotels, he explains that “it’s almost like building a mental collage that pieces different inspirations and visual references together, conjuring up a world that truly reflects the original project vision that I am entrusted with.”
So what does this celebrated tastemaker look for in a hotel? “I tend to opt for hotels that tell a story—sometimes it’s the context of the project or the design approach. I’ve travelled extensively and have stayed in a countless number of specialty suites, so what I’m really looking for is a distinct point of view.”
“I tend to opt for hotels that tell a story, that have a distinct point of view”
Based on a recent stay, Fu says he was enamoured by the sleek urban property Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo. “I was impressed by its rooftop bar and its adjoining outdoor terrace,” Fu says. Another highlight is Passalacqua in Lake Como, an hour’s drive from Milan, which sits on top of the 2023 World’s 50 Best Hotels list. He describes it as “a true dreamscape that captures the dolce vita lifestyle.” Lastly, Amanpuri in Phuket is a true winner in his books. “This is a legendary property that has really stood the test of time. I’m particularly fond of the steps leading to the beach.”
Bill Bensley
Founder, Bensley
Utterly eclectic, full of character and ultra-Instagrammable – these are few ways to describe the ingenious work of Bill Bensley. Since planting his roots in Asia over 35 years ago, the American has worn various hats as a landscape architect, interior designer, hotelier and eco-crusader; he often combines all of these roles in a single project.
Known for being a prolific designer, Bensley has delivered over 200 hospitality projects in 50 countries including the antique-filled, luxury tented retreat Capella Ubud in Bali, Indonesia, the upcycled train carriages-turned-suites at Intercontinental Khao Yai Resort in Thailand and the 19th century hill station that he transformed into Rosewood Luang Prabang in Laos.
Bensley doesn’t look for the next project, he hand-picks it. “When offered urban projects, I usually pick the city I’m most curious about. Then I visit several times starting with the places of worship. I find that temples and churches tell the most about a society’s built language,” he says. Projects in remote destinations, on the other hand, leads Bensley to walk the site over and over to understand the environmental idiosyncrasies. “Oftentimes I will set up a tent and camp and sketch on the site,” he adds. Over the last decade, he has opened his own hotel collection under the Shinta Mani brand; its most recent opening is Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection in Nepal.
Where does this ardent explorer choose to stay? The charismatic Hoshinoya Kyoto in Arashiyama is a top pick. “I love Hoshinoya Kyoto. One arrives by boat and though it’s only minutes away from the village, the ryokan sits in a beautiful, natural and quiet environment. Every room is different, and while contemporary, it exudes local culture,” he says.
Another favourite is Huka Lodge in New Zealand’s Lake Taupo area, which speaks to Bensley’s adventurous side. “Any lodge suite that comes with a pair of rigged up fly rods and is just steps away from a gin-clear river full of giant brown trout is good enough for me!” Huka Lodge is a short 45-minute domestic flight from Auckland Airport.
Tara Bernerd
Founder, Tara Bernerd & Partners
When it comes to luxury interiors, there’s a tendency for designers to veer towards a safe territory. That’s not in Tara Bernerd’s playbook, who is sought-after for her bold and daring approach that embodies sophistication. The award-winning British designer has been crafting elegant, personality-filled interiors for yachts, homes and hotels since 2002, when she founded her eponymous practice.
“For me it’s always about a connection with the place, the property and the people involved,” says Bernerd. “We try to ensure that each project we undertake is indigenous to the surrounding environment which is key for a sustainable element and the local vernacular, and we therefore find each one has its own unique identity.”
Her two latest projects, the regal Rosewood Munich and chic Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, perfectly capture Bernerd’s wonderful ability to weave the old with the new. In Munich, the challenge was combining two heritage buildings and giving it a modern spin, while at the Riviera Maya, it was all about reinventing an iconic hotel and crafting a timeless interior.
When travelling for leisure, Bernerd says there are hotels she returns to year after year, but she’s still immensely curious about new places. “I prefer an alluring, intelligently designed, spacious room that’s light and has a view if possible.”
As someone with a deep love of Italy, Caruso by Belmond on the Amalfi Coast sits high on her list. “Caruso is magnificent, its dramatic views are literally breathtaking. Eating outdoors after an aperitivo in their bar speaks of a dolce vita glamour that brings the elegance of the past into the world of today.” Take a 3.5 hour-long drive southwards from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport to get to Caruso.
Another favourite in Italy is Four Seasons Hotel Milano, which she calls an institution. “Once an old convent, the interiors celebrate the history and yet embrace a modern design. The garden is joyful as are all of the team, run by the amazing general manager Andrea Obertello.”
Lastly, the well-loved Claridge’s in London has also captured Bernerd’s heart. “The moment I step into Claridge’s, a wave of nostalgia sweeps through me. You’re transported into a bygone time yet paradoxically the hotel is alive with the bustle of the city. It captures everything that is magical about London! The recently redecorated rooms and suites are exquisite, the new restaurant is marvellous, cocktails at the Fumoir bar are seductive and the stunning new spa adds to the hotel’s stellar offering.”
Victoria Edwards
Principal, Hirsch Bedner Associates DNA
There’s probably no major hotel brand that hasn’t worked with Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), a renowned hospitality design firm established in 1965 that has grown to become a global force. With 1,380 designers in 24 offices, it’s a fast-paced environment to work in, one where Victoria Edwards thrives.
“I love a property that feels storied, enchanting and leaves you feeling inspired”
The firm has completed 15,000 projects across 80 countries, including the Singapore Airlines airport lounges that feature an understated elegance befitting of the brand. When starting a project, Edwards says it’s important to take a 360-degree view. “Firstly, where is it located and what magical stories can you uncover about the location to inspire the design? Then who is the clientele and what can you create that will delight them now, and into the future? And of course, how can you best weave the essence of the brand into the project in ways that really sing,” says Edwards.
This meticulous approach pays off when one sees the end result such as Mondrian Hong Kong, the brand’s first property in Greater China. The 324-key hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui is fashioned as a lively, colourful space that captures the energy of the city. It recently won three major accolades at the LIV Hospitality Design Awards 2024.
When on personal holidays, Edwards seeks a little bit of luxury but also looks for charm. “I love a property that feels storied and enchanting – that tells a tale about where it is located and leaves you feeling inspired.”
A great example is Amanbagh in Rajasthan, India, which as Edwards puts it, is dripping with magic. “The dusty pink palace feels at once immensely luxurious and perfectly in keeping with the surroundings. I love the blurred design lines between the earthy rose haveli-inspired exteriors that melt into the perfectly appointed, wonderfully balanced interiors.” Amanbagh is a 3.5 hour-long drive from New Delhi International Airport.
In terms of hotel brands, Edwards really resonates with the ethos of the COMO group, best served up at COMO Maalifushi in Maldives. “The holistic approach to wellness is impeccably executed and pervades every element of your stay,” she says. “The relaxed, nourishing brand positioning combined with the hotel’s location on the stunningly remote Thaa Atoll results in a very special experience, indeed.”
Lastly, Mas Sant Marc in La Cerdanya, a little-known haven hidden away in the Pyrenees, is another one that Edward adores. “This small hotel is charm embodied. It’s a classic Catalan stone country home that has been reimagined into a jewel of a hotel. It’s designed to feel like it’s stuffed full of well-loved heirlooms, yet is intensely comfortable and friendly. It’s set in picturesque gardens that tumble out into the grassy mountain plains beyond.” Mas Sant Marc is a two-hour drive from Barcelona’s Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
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