Designed for students and their parents, Graduate Hotels is opening a new hotel near Princeton university in spring 2024. Jenny Southan reports

Ideal for visiting family members and freshers getting settled before they move into their new homes, the Graduate Princeton will be the 34th hotel in the company’s portfolio of properties in university towns across the US and UK.

Located on Nassau Street, the Graduate Princeton sits opposite the historic university campus in NJ and will double the amount of accommodation available in the town with its 180 guest rooms. The Graduate Princeton is a “hybrid adaptive reuse” and new-build project, that sees the restoration and expansion of a Gothic 1918 building formerly used as a dormitory for university students.

Maximalist interior design focuses on “intentional storytelling, inviting immersion and exploration at every touch point”. Examples include a two-storey library lounge, lined with a collection of embroidered senior jackets (a

token received by students upon graduating), featuring a thirty-foot custom carved wooden communal table.
The hotel’s community-focused food and drink offering, the Varsity Club, will serve comfort food such as chowder, burgers, steaks and toasties. “We’ve had our eyes on Princeton since the very beginning. This historic, idyllic town is the perfect backdrop for a Graduate,” says Ben Weprin, founder and CEO of Graduate Hotels.

“Our approach with this adaptive reuse project was to emulate as many of the original details as possible, and pay homage to the incredible heritage of the place with interesting and subtle design details – like our custom lamps inspired by revolutionary-war era canons that were found buried behind the University’s Nassau Hall. The walls of this building are bursting with history, and soon our guests will be able to experience that for themselves,” says Weprin.

“The hotel’s location in the heart of Princeton’s historic district is unbeatable,” says Kevin Osterhaus, president of Graduate Hotels. “The building’s architecture and history make it a landmark in the community and we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to restore and adapt it in order to welcome travellers and locals.”

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Tapping into the human life extension trend, the Six Senses Ibiza is hosting a retreat led by longevity expert Dr Mark Hyman in 2024. Jenny Southan reports

Taking place in May 2024 (9th-15th), the “Young Forever” retreat will be hosted at Six Senses Ibiza, which is already leading the way with its RoseBar longevity spa that uses extensive diagnostic testing and personalised programmes to “restore, regenerate and transform your health span”.

Led by Dr Mark Hyman, a leading voice in the science of longevity, the week-long retreat will incorporate seminars, group hikes, yoga, IV infusions, sound healing, sunset ceremonies and “fresh local phytonutrient-rich food”. Rates are yet to be announced but 2023’s rates were €14,790 for single occupancy.

The programme is based on Dr Hyman’s bestselling book on extending both healthspan and lifespan. Utilising food as medicine, exercise, lifestyle practices and RoseBar’s biohacking and regenerative therapies, Dr Hyman will guide participants in “activating their body’s longevity switches” leaving guests renewed and perhaps just a few years biologically younger. The daily programming is designed to activate innate longevity switches and healing systems with food, exercise, yoga, bodywork, cryotherapy, saunas, nutritional IV’s, hyperbaric oxygen, hypoxia treatments and ozone therapy all employed to help guests reverse their biological age.

Dr Hyman will present daily seminars on unpacking the latest science of health and wellness, biohacking, and longevity. Guests will (hopefully) emerge from the retreat feeling physically, emotionally and spiritually transformed with the knowledge and tools to lead a long healthy life. Participants will be accommodated in private en suite rooms in the resort’s multi-bedroom residences, sharing large communal spaces, including a garden and private pool.

Year round, guests are invited to discover RoseBar, the one-of-a-kind longevity club which blends the power of science with spiritual wellbeing to enhance human health and lengthen lifespan, which officially launched at Six Senses Ibiza in mid 2023.

RoseBar programmes offer insights, tools and a plan to reverse ageing processes and achieve long-term wellbeing by enhancing the body’s natural repair systems and activating biological pathways.

The RoseBar advisory team spans a broad spectrum of experience, combining expertise in longevity and functional medicine with long-held spiritual wisdom. Together, they represent a “progressive force at the vanguard of this new science” with chief medical officer Dr Mark Hyman at the helm.

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Hilton has joined forces with Klimato to measure the carbon impact of food served at its UK hotels, and is devising more eco-friendly meals. Nick Hendry reports

UK consumers have become accustomed to seeing calorie counts on restaurant menus but now guests at Hilton hotels can expect to see emissions information as well.

Since May 2023, more than 30 properties across the country have included these scores for each dish, with more than 1.6kg of CO2 across the lifetime of an item being considered a high-carbon choice.

Guests are informed that these dishes “contribute to increased climate impact”. Hilton claims this rollout to be the biggest carbon-labelling exercise by any UK hotel firm.

Response to the scheme in its first few months has been, says Hilton, largely positive. It reports an increase in popularity of menu items considered low-carbon and positive guest feedback to the labelling system.

This has led to the newly-released autumn menu being designed to feature 85 per cent low and medium-carbon options, with some dishes being altered and others replaced entirely.As a result of the initial positive response, the newly launched autumn menu features an increased proportion of low and medium labelled dishes, making up over 85 per cent of the menu.

Guests looking to tuck into a low-impact meal can order gochujang cauliflower wings to start, followed by a butternut squash risotto or a posh fish finger sandwich. For dessert, they can have salted caramel affogato. The three-course meal will result in a total of 1.2 kg CO2e, which is lower than the average UK meal.

As Hilton continues to respond to guest preferences and look for ways to help guests make more informed choices, some dishes containing items with a higher carbon footprint have been replaced with multiple lower carbon alternatives.

This includes the newly launched chicken, mushroom and tarragon, and celeriac and wild mushroom pies, both of which have a medium carbon footprint instead of high.

The menu’s signature cheeseburger has also been updated with a more climate-friendly version featuring a single patty instead of a double, complemented by smoked cheddar, BBQ relish, ranch dressing and vegetables, leading to a 2.3kg CO2e reduction in the dish’s carbon footprint.

For guests looking to go a step further, data from Klimato has shown that choosing the Plant Burger would result in a reduction of CO2 emissions equal to driving 63km in a car.Emma Banks, vice-president of F&B strategy and development for Hilton EMEA, says: “We know our guests are as passionate about reducing their environmental footprint as we are, and we’re always looking for ways to help them on that journey.

“Carbon labelling is an easy way to empower guests to make more informed choices, and we’re delighted to see they’re already embracing these insights – whether that’s by opting for an ultra-low emission dish, or simply reducing the frequency with which they order dishes with a higher carbon footprint.

“As we all continuously look to reduce our impact, every small decision can make a difference, and we’re proud to be leading the way as the first hotel company to introduce and manage carbon labelling on such a scale.”

Hilton has chosen to partner for this initiative with Klimato, a firm specialising in helping businesses understand the climate impact of their menus and communicate this to customers.

The company provides software which calculates the impact of each recipe, with this information then being presented on menus using their standardised graphic – a small circle, filled green to represent the amount of carbon emitted by a dish. The lower the green line in the circle, the lower the impact, giving diners an at-a-glance report on their choices.

The system was used at the COP26 conference in Glasgow in late 2021, as Klimato worked with conference catering partners Levy UK and Ireland to grade each item on the menu in just a few weeks.

Klimato can also work with partners to track their emissions over time, spotting trends in customer behaviour and adjusting menus accordingly, as well as partner with gold-standard offsetting firms to balance any unavoidable emissions.

The carbon labelling of menus forms part of Hilton’s wider “Travel with Purpose” programme. The firm states that this strategy will help them to “drive responsible travel and tourism globally” and “create positive environmental and social impact across our operations, supply chain, and communities” as the world continues to address climate change.

This month, it was revealed that Hilton’s “Green Breakfast” initiative – an industry leading pilot across 13 UAE hotels in partnership with Winnow and ne’ma, the UAE national food loss and waste initiative – resulted in a 62 per cent reduction in food waste, serving as a blueprint for food waste management in the hospitality industry.

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The seaside Regina Experimental hotel in Biarritz is built around an atrium bar with a grand piano and 1920’s vibe. Nick Hendry reports

The latest hotel from the Experimental Group has opened its doors to guests in Biarritz. The Regina Experimental is the latest incarnation of the Regina Hotel and Spa, a Belle Epoque building situated on a clifftop facing the Biarritz lighthouse, following a full renovation and restoration of the building by Experimental Group’s own design team.

The property comprises 72 keys and offers guests a spa with outdoor pool, vast orangery and Frenchie Biarritz restaurant and bar. The building features a 15-metre-high atrium, Eiffel glass roof and bay windows overlooking the ocean.The Experimental Group began with a cocktail bar and has included one at the heart of this hotel which is “plucked from the Roaring Twenties”. The menu comprises a mixture of classic cocktails and Experimental Group signatures, served at a long bar. The centrepiece of the room is a piano providing nightly live music. The atrium is surrounded on all sides by corridors containing those 72 guest rooms, which offer views of either the Bay of Biarritz or the Biarritz Golf Club.

Décor is themed to represent the nautical history of the region, with straw and rope combined with marine stripes and aquatic motifs. Signature Ocean Suite features a private in-room sauna, ocean and lighthouse views from the balcony, and sweeping aspects of the Bay. Following on from their collaboration at the Grand Pigalle in Paris, Experimental Group have turned to chef Gregory Marchand to helm on-site restaurant Frenchie Biarritz. A strong focus is put on local Basque products – culinary creations will feature black pork from Gascony, hake from Saint-Jean de Luz, and Basque ewe’s milk cheese from the Aldudes farm, among others – and group co-founder Olivier Bon had this to say of the partnership:

“We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with Gregory Marchand after opening Frenchie Pigalle in 2020 at the Grand Pigalle Hotel in Paris and Frenchie Verbier at the Experimental Chalet. The Frenchie spirit is strong: at once bold and generous yet open to the Basque country and its influences. The menu is designed to welcome new people and mix cultures, perfectly suited to Biarritz.” The original intent of this building in 1907 was as a spa, and Regina Experimental continues that tradition with the Susanne Kaufmann & Alaena Spa. The Spa’s treatment protocols are developed in Bezau, in the heart of the Austrian Alps, and comprise a blend of natural essences and pioneering active ingredients with traditional massage techniques.

Targeted movements and antioxidant treatments for the face, exfoliation and body wraps, and lymphatic drainage inspired by Japanese Kobido massage are among the available treatments.

Regina Experimental looks to expand on the Group’s identity and strengthen their “Made in France” approach to atmosphere and design. Rooms start from £268 per night.

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Not just for criminals, work is underway to convert a former Japanese jail into the Hoshinoya Nara Prison hotel.

Scheduled to open in spring 2026, the Hoshinoya Nara Prison marks an extraordinary transformation of one of Japan’s “Important Cultural Properties”.

The Former Nara Prison, a landmark completed in 1908 during the Meiji era, is being reinvented into a luxury hotel through a collaboration between Hoshino Resorts and the Former Nara Prison Preservation and Utilization Co.

This ambitious renovation project is centered around the red brick structure of the former prison, which has been a symbol of Japan’s adoption of international standards in its penal system. Known for its unique Haviland System, the prison features a central guard tower overseeing radial wings of cells, a design that made it a model of modernity in its time.

The new Hoshinoya Nara Prison will retain the historic character of the building while offering modern luxury amenities. The property will feature 48 rooms, a restaurant, a lounge, and an adjoining museum that will also be open to day visitors. The museum aims to educate guests and visitors about the history and significance of the former prison.

Architectural and landscape redesigns are being spearheaded by Azuma Architect and Associates and Studio on Site, respectively, ensuring that the essence of the Meiji era is preserved while introducing contemporary elegance.

Hoshino Resorts, a significant name in the hospitality industry, is renowned for its unique approach to hotel management. Established in 1914, the company has a history of integrating local culture and history into its properties, offering guests a unique experience that combines the charms of each destination with high levels of Japanese-style hospitality.

With over 60 accommodations both in and outside Japan, Hoshino Resorts continues to expand its portfolio, offering diverse experiences ranging from luxury hotels to hot spring ryokans.

Hoshinoya Nara Prison will not just be a hotel; it will be a journey through history, blending the past and the present in a unique cultural setting. It stands as a testament to adaptive reuse and the preservation of heritage, offering a glimpse into Japan’s past while providing the comforts and luxuries of modern hospitality.

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This winter, the Hox chalet returns to Morzine, where skiers can sup Grey Goose vodka, have meals cooked by a private chef and receive transfers straight to the slopes. Gemma Wise reports

Innovative city centre hotel brand, the Hoxton, has announced the return of its luxury ski chalet experience – Hox Chalet – in Morzine for a month (January 10 to February 10, 2024).

Created in partnership with spirit company Grey Goose and chalet company Treeline Chalets, it is offering guests a unique “Hoxton from home” takeover in the French Alps.

Located just a short distance from Retour des Nants piste, the chalet is positioned within the Portes du Soleil ski region of Morzine, catering to skiers of all abilities.The three-storey, six en-suite bedroom, luxury chalet can accommodate up to 12 guests and features a split-level open-plan dining area, a Hoxton chef working in the communal kitchen, and a generous supply of Grey Goose vodka for apres ski cocktails.

Throughout their stay, guests will find Hoxton brand-standard amenities such as Blank toiletries in the bathrooms, vegan beauty products by Seasonly, Hox Chalet robes, a Hox Survival Guide to Morzine and a special edition Hox Gallery.The experience is completed with a private driver available for slope-side transfers, and guests are kitted out in backpacks and t-shirts from the Scandi outdoor brand, Db, for their ski days accompanied by a complimentary Hox hip flask filled with “Pineapple Penicillin”.

To refuel after a day on the slopes, the chalet menu offers classics like Seabird’s famous lobster rice and the Hox Grill’s bone-in ribeye. Of an evening, guests can unwind in the hot tub and enjoy movie nights in the cinema room. Upon departure guests will be gifted a Hox breakfast bag, with locally sourced gifts. The two-night experience starts from £470 per person, based on double occupancy. For seven nights and a full 12-person chalet, rates start from £1,650 per person.

The stay includes daily breakfasts, afternoon sweet treats, dinners, drinks and snacks. The first Hoxton hotel opened in 2006 in Shoreditch, followed by Holborn, Amsterdam and Paris. Global expansion saw more openings in Europe and the arrival of hotels within the US – each location inspired by the neighbourhood it resides in.

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Constructed using custom travel trunks, Claridge’s hotel in London has unveiled its latest designer Christmas tree, this time created by Louis Vuitton. Jenny Southan reports

The Claridge’s “Christmas Tree 2023 by Louis Vuitton” brings together two illustrious names who have long celebrated the art of travel and crossed paths throughout their respective histories after both being founded in 1854.

An innovative twist on a conventional pine tree, the Claridge’s Christmas installation is composed of 15 vertically placed chrome trunks of varying heights that together create the silhouette of a traditional Christmas tree.

The Louis Vuitton installation has been described by the hotel as a “magnificent sculptural creation” positioned inside two large open Malles Vestiaire (“Wardrobe Trunks”) placed on top of each other. Together they stand at 5.2 metres tall. Each trunk is decorated with vintage Claridge’s travel stickers and an oversized Louis Vuitton luggage tag. As an avid collector and traveller, Louis Vuitton’s grandson, Gaston-Louis Vuitton, amassed hotel stickers throughout his life and would often place them onto his luggage as mementos.

At the top of the tree is Asnières, the historic Louis Vuitton family home and atelier. Admirers will also spot 21 Louis Vuitton Vivienne mascots, including Father Christmas himself.Back in the 1850s, Monsieur Louis Vuitton was appointed as the personal “layetier” (or “packer”) to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The Empress – at the same time – made Claridge’s her winter residence, famously receiving visits from Queen Victoria which led to the hotel being known as the annex to Buckingham Palace.

It was Louis Vuitton who would have packed the Empress’s trunks himself for her stays at Claridge’s. The Maison’s first London store opened in 1885 around the corner from Claridge’s. Ever since, its legendary trunk – the quintessence of Louis Vuitton’s unique savoir-faire – has crossed the Mayfair hotel’s threshold in its thousands.

Claridge’s general manager Paul Jackson says: “Christmas is the most magical time for us here at the hotel and we look forward to welcoming guests and seeing visitors immerse themselves in Louis Vuitton’s world”. The Claridge’s Christmas tree has long been a seasonal London landmark and symbolises the start of the festive season in the capital. This is the 13th year Claridge’s has invited a famous brand to reinterpret the tree (other tie-ups include Burberry, Dolce and Gabbana, Christian Louboutin and Dior).

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For the first time, billionaire Richard Branson is opening up his home on Necker Island to individual stays during the 2023 festive season. Jenny Southan reports

Located in the British Virgin Islands, Necker Island is the home of Virgin Atlantic-founder Richard Branson, and one of the most exclusive resorts in the world.

Usually the island is only available to book through Virgin Limited Edition as an exclusive buy-out, which costs from US$118,500 per night in 2024 (for 40 guests), meaning it’s only available to the super-rich (or big groups of friends or family who can club together to pay for it). However, a limited number of “Individual Stays” are also open to the public throughout the year, enabling travellers to book one of 24 rooms in Branson’s house, rather than renting the whole property and island.

Up until now, this privilege has never been made available for the festive season but this year Necker Island has added a cluster of room nights in December for couples or smaller groups of friends and families between December 11 and December 26 (presumably because Branson is spending Christmas elsewhere).

Rates are from US$5,400 (December 11-20) and US$5,850 (December 20-26) per room, per night based on two adults sharing one room. (No departures are permitted on December 24 or 25.) Minimum lengths of stay may apply.

The rate includes accommodation, all meals and drinks, return boat transfers from Virgin Gorda or Beef Island airports, water sports and children’s activities.

In 2024, dates for Individual Stays are:

March 31 – April 8 (Easter)
May 18 – 25 (adults only)
August 24 – 31
September 14 – 28 (adults only)
October 19 – 26
November 23 – 30 (Thanksgiving)

All guests have access to “legendary barefoot luxury experiences” such as guided nature hikes and lemur feeding; al fresco yoga, Pilates, and meditation; water sports; boat rides; tennis; and outdoor cocktails and meals at the island’s “most picturesque spots”.

There is even the option to  take a sustainability tour of the island, showcasing all of Necker’s current environmental initiatives striving towards 100 per cent renewable energy. (Branson has installed wind turbines to generate clean electricity.)

Over Christmas (December 20-26), additional activities will include gingerbread house building at the Great House, dining from the famous floating “sushi kayak”, “Carol-oke,” rum tasting, Santa meet-and-greet, beach olympics and maybe even a rare sighting of a Necker reindeer.Children has access to the Necker Squids club, as well as wildlife interactions, pool time, tennis games, and beach activities to Master Chef cookie, sushi and Pirate hat making. Each day wraps at 5pm for “Home Time,” so that the rest of the day is for the whole family to come together and connect.

Virgin Limited Edition is a collection of unique retreats, chosen for their beautiful locations and magnificent surroundings. Other properties in the collection include the Branson Estate on Moskito Island (which Globetrender has visited and reviewed here), Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa, Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, the Lodge in Verbier, Mahali Mzuri, a tented safari camp in Kenya, Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyard in South Africa, and Son Bunyola hotel and Villas in Mallorca.

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From Co-working Communities to Experiential Retail, independent hotels are continuing to redefine hospitality with experimental concepts that may soon enter the mainstream.

Unveiled at the recent Independent Hotel Show in London, Globetrender’s new Independent Hotel Trends 2024-2026 forecast identifies ten key trends shaping the future of hospitality.

Presented at the event by Globetrender editor, founder and CEO Jenny Southan, she said: “These trends are valuable because they present revenue-generating opportunities for independent hotels entering the next phase of their journey.

“Whether a hotel has been handed down from generation-to-generation or is a disruptive new upstart, it is essential to understand the shifting expectations of today’s global travellers and translate these into actionable strategies.

“With major brands expanding rapidly through new openings, acquisitions and mergers, it becomes harder and harder for independent hotels to gain cut-through in a crowded marketplace. However, word-of-mouth recommendations and the power of social media can go a long way in boosting hotel bookings, even without the might of a branded collection or chain behind them.”The trends Globetrender features in the new report are:

1. Co-working Communities
2. Cultural Encounters
3. Joyful Design
4. Wellness Boosting
5. Locavore Sourcing
6. Personalised Curation
7. Low-Impact Operations
8. Experiential Retail
9. Micro Chains
10. Big Brand Takeovers

Southan says: “In an ever-evolving landscape of travel and hospitality, independent hotels have emerged as a dynamic force that is redefining the very essence of the guest experience. These boutique establishments, often family-owned or managed by passionate entrepreneurs, are breaking away from the cookie-cutter mould of chain hotels, offering travellers distinct, memorable stays with a strong sense of place.”

Designed as a compass for individual hoteliers, developers and other industry stakeholders, this report provides practical insights into the trend leaders you need know about and what you can learn from them.

Southan says: “With corporate Goliaths unable to act fast or nimbly, independent hotels have the advantage when it comes to experimenting with ambitious sustainability initiatives, bringing new concepts into the world or building genuine relationships with guests in an age of mass tourism.”

Here are excerpts from three of the trends featured in the Independent Hotel Trends 2024-2026 report:

1. CO-WORKING COMMUNITIES

Although many major companies are demanding a full return to the office from 2024, we are now living in the age of the entrepreneur. Nowadays it’s not uncommon to meet people working on side hustles or at the very least dreaming of starting their own business.

In the UK, there are now 4.3 million self-employed people – that’s 64,000 more than in summer 2022. For many people, remote working – at least part time – is now the optimum way of operating. A recent study by self-employment specialists MBO Partners revealed that 72 million US citizens are planning to become digital nomads over the next two to three years.

This means there is a huge opportunity for independent hotels to create Co-working Communities for both locals and travellers, where they combine productivity with downtime.

As life and work becomes increasingly blended, creating inviting spaces within hotels for people to get their laptop out is a great way of enticing a younger demographic of travelling professionals.

One of the easiest coworking implementations is day-use communal spaces. The Hoxton group, Locke Hotels, CitizenM and Mama Shelter have all made revenue-generators out of their lobbies thanks, namely, to coffee sales. Some brands, Hoxton included, have gone a step further, with membership passes to dedicated hotdesk zones.

Trendy lifestyle chain Selina says it’s “custom-built for today’s nomadic traveller”, providing guests with a “global infrastructure to travel and work abroad seamlessly”. Stamba (pictured), a Design Hotel in Tbilisi, has “D Block” – two floors of curated workspace that’s going as far as calling itself an incubator for start-ups.

Globetrender believes that the future of this trend may manifest in independent hotels offering longer stays.
The success of long-stay aparthotels can be seen in ever-expanding brands such as Roost, an “extended-stay concept hotel” group with five properties in the US; and Zoku, which designed its European lofts as home-office hybrids – the kitchen table providing the focal point rather than the bed, which is sealed off on a mezzanine level behind a sliding door.

2. EXPERIENTIAL RETAIL

Over the coming years, Globetrender believes the rise of “shoppable” interiors offers an exciting opportunity for independent hotels to create new revenue streams through branded merchandise, furniture, art and homeware that is all available for sale.

Danish design company Vipp has launched a series of “one-room wonders” – essentially, micro-showrooms in various locations across the country that you can stay the night in. Next year will see more Vipps open in upstate New York, Iceland and Tasmania. After checking in, you will be able to cook in a Vipp kitchen, put food in Vipp bins, sit on Vipp chairs and shower in Vipp bathrooms.

The Paul Smith suite (pictured) at Brown’s hotel in London is another example. Hotels that embrace experiential retail can not only create new revenue streams, but boost brand devotion, as products purchased during a stay can end up sitting in homes years after check-out.

Globetrender recently spoke to the founder of Mama Shelter, a formerly independent brand that now sits under Ennismore and Accor. And he told us that about 7% of their annual turnover comes from retail.

That’s not to say any old general store will do. Aligning your retail proposition with your hotel identity is paramount. Look at Palm Heights, in Grand Cayman, which has an appointment-only bookshop called Library Fetish. The hotel has also just launched an on-site concept store called Dolores, that celebrates designers of the Caribbean diaspora.

Original pioneers of the concept, Ace Hotels’ lobby stores are still going strong around the world; its latest Toronto outpost sells “Lake Ontario is Great” socks and lighters branded by local cannabis dispensary, Superette, alongside the usual prints, robes and totes.

Soho House, another earlier adopter, now has physical retail outlets for its homeware brand, Soho Home, and an online skincare brand, Soho Skin, beloved by members who receive a discount on purchases.

There’s plenty of inspiration to be taken from the increasing number of retailers carving a place in the hotel industry, too: Japanese retailer Muji currently shows off its minimalist homeware in three Asian Muji Hotels – the Ginza outpost even sits atop the city’s flagship store.

TREND 5: JOYFUL DESIGN

We all need a bit of joy in our lives right now do we? In the past, travellers were drawn to the predictability of uniform chain hotels but as people have become more worldly, it’s big colour moves from independent hotels that make the magazine covers. Essentially: maximalism is in, beige is out.

At the new nine-bedroom Villa Palladio in Jaipur (pictured), the interiors feature walls in lacquered reds and pomegranate-pinks, loud prints and chequerboard floors. Co-founder Barbara Miolini, told Architectural Digest: “When travellers leave us here in the Pink City, I would like them also to remember the red.”

Paris is a particularly strong city to look at for inspiration: new opening Le Grand Mazarin is a Martin Brudnizki-designed cacophony of pastels, prints and trippy quirks, with loud headboards, murals and a striped indoor pool. Sinner, another Paris hotspot, has a devilishly ecclesiastical theme, where cardinal-red elevators are dressed as confessional booths and stained glass windows line the dimly-lit corridors.

Newcomer Hotel de la Boetie has thrown out white bed sheets in favour of pink. Consider also Kit Kemp’s new Warren Street hotel opening in 2024 in New York, which is rich in contrasting colours and textiles.

Further design-trends-with-benefits include hyper-local decoration, using neighbourhood artists and craftspeople to reflect the character of the local area through the hotel’s specific design aesthetic.

In the age of Instagram, investing in a social-savvy colour consultant could prove fruitful (colour always makes a good background for photos). The Hoxton hotel brand recently went as far as collaborating with Bauwerk paint to create a custom range of hues for guests to decorate their own homes in. This also connects with the Experiential Retail trend.

Free download: Independent Hotel Trends 2024-2026

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