The Best of Hospitality Architecture and Design

perfect . thanks

Brilliant collection of up to date properties.

"I just love atmosphere," my grandmother once said delightedly surveying a restaurant in a hotel in which we were staying. Atmosphere--that immeasurable, hard to describe, but you-know-it-when-you-see-it quality of design which you get an infusion of when you walk into a space. Isn't that what hospitality design essentially offers? Pure atmosphere emanates undiluted from the pages of this book. As you visually tour the premises of these 71 design projects--hotels, retreats, resorts, restaurants, nightclubs and spas--you leave the ordinary and quotidian for exotic escapes. Sumptuous, shimmering and oversize photographs detail the interiors and some exteriors of the 71 hospitality design projects in this book. Designed by 41 of the world's most innovative design firms, these include some of the magazine INTERIOR DESIGN'S Hospitality 'Giants' firms such as Hirsch Bedner Associates, David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group, and Lauren Rottet of Rottet Studio. "...also represented are other big talents of all sizes, some of whom you will meet for the first time," promises Cindy Allen, editor of INTERIOR DESIGN magazine which produced this book. With content that is both inspirational and practical, the projects featured in this book have about four pages devoted to them with large and small photos of public spaces, guest rooms and baths. Floor plans, cost of construction, # of guest rooms and suites, and occupancy information is also included. The quality of the book equals the quality of the esteemed INTERIOR DESIGN magazine. (My only recommendation for the book is to darken the print for the primary text as it was a little difficult to read--it's an entertaining and lively read.) An unique aspect of hospitality design is that it is a laboratory for architects and designers to try out fresh design ideas. Similar to a principle used in decorating guest rooms, no one is staying there long enough (we hope) to tire of the design, so why not try something original--that outre color you've been hankering to use--and go all out to create something memorable? It's just plain fun to see how architects and designers, using much of the same materials for the same purpose, have utilized their imagination and genius to create such distinctive hospitality designs to amaze, and even amuse, which also exude comfort and welcome. You'll have fun fantasizing about where you want to make reservations next after visually strolling through these pages. The Monkey Bar is first on my list, followed by a stay at The Surrey and The Moderne Hotel in NYC, then Four Season Seychelles, Mahe.... you will enjoy planning your own itinerary. As home decor and design styles have been influenced by travel and hospitality design, the series should appeal not only to those in the hospitality field and travel aficionados, but interior designers and home/apartment owners who enjoy seeing innovative global design as well. Projects are in far-flung locales such as Instanbul, Frankfurt, Vancouver B.C., London, Shanghai, Sydney, Seychelles, Las Vegas, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Beijing, Steamboat Springs, Park City, Oahu, Bali, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver and New York, of course. "Hospitality provides designers an unprecedented opportunity to test their mettle, to put their unique imprimatur on a vast space and craft a holistic experience for the people who visit," writes Cindy Allen in the foreword. This inaugural volume is the first in an annual series of books which will showcase design firms, both "established and upstarts" who continue to translate, reinvent and redefine the concept of hospitality in modern times. If you want to see some of the "unique imprimatur" in the hospitality design world today, you should enjoy this lush, sparkling and content-full volume. It's a delight.

Just enough verbiage, great pics, and fabulous projects...seriously, do you really need any more than that? I don't think so.

Interior Design pays special homage to the hotels and guest houses of the world in this richly colorful, well designed photographic tour of the The Best of Hospitality Architecture and Design. In the Foreword by Cindy Allen, editor in chief of Interior Design, she states `Ask interior designers or architects what their dream commission would be, and invariably the answer is "Hospitality, of course!" The allure of designing quintessentially intimate spaces joined to high-traffic gateways is simply irresistible to any creative firm. Ditto for the challenge of scaling it all up, often city blocks long, or down, to a tiny guest room.' This book brings to our attention (and for our dreams and sense of luxury) superior design in resort hotel, hotel, bar/lounge, café, restaurant, and spa. The book is divided into sections: Domestic Hotel (including Four Seasons of Los Angeles, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Andaz West Hollywood, The Surrey, etc); International Hotel (including Istanbul, London, Shanghai, Beijing, The Savoy, etc); Resort hotels; Spa and Beauty; Fine Dining (in Australia, New York, Taiwan, etc);Casual Dining; and Night Life. There are abundant photographs and just enough information to whet the palette. This is one sophisticated book that offers more visual information about fine interior design and architecture than any book on the market. It is hefty in size and weight, making it a perfect coffee table gift for perusing and dreaming and a must for students of design. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, June 12