Best Hotel Design of the Year

art'otel London Battersea Power Station is a one-of-a-kind hotel experience that seeks to address the challenge of fusing art, design, and hospitality.

The design of the hotel needed to step outside the typical hospitality mold, with both a design and offering that was truly distinctive of the brand, taking inspiration from the heritage of the Battersea Power Station and the new contemporary future that it represents – a growing, creative and diverse community.

As guests step through the doors of art’otel, they are immersed into a living work of art, a world of playful surrealism and thoughtful luxury. The interior design integrates endless custom designed furniture and lighting elements with a stunning array of paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, and accessories that accentuate the experience.

Artistic expression is the soul behind the interior design. The main lobby features an enchanting, wall-length cabinet of curiosities – filled with fascinating objects meticulously curated by Hayon from both his own work and others.

A sense of playful surrealism is further enhanced by a series of KlunderBie images commissioned by Hayon that make a witty nod to British cultural icons and history. Wholly aligned with the new district’s identity and community, the journey created for guests through the interior design and art project brings a completely new hotel experience to London, one that blends great comfort with a new vision of contemporary creativity.

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According to the late Thierry Despont, “The Beaumont is the notion of the boutique hotel being like a club. It may not have the sprawling suites, but the staff are fantastic: they know you, you don’t have to check in, they take you straight to your room”. 

Despont’s sophisticated design approach honoured the glamour of the art deco era within a discreetly luxurious narrative, seamlessly integrating two different buildings and sensitively evolving the original 2014 design of The Beaumont, which was inspired by the art deco origins of the 1926 building (Grade II Listed). The coherence of the design language across the hotel, in the new building and old, in the public rooms and private suites, is masterful.  

Despont enhanced the welcoming intimacy of the hotel environment, softening and adding depth to the ambience and bringing it into the present with sophisticated colour and lighting schemes, bespoke art deco-style furnishings, a playful use of sumptuous jazz-age fabrics and works of art to inspire both nostalgia and excitement for the new.  

Custom-made furniture mixed with restored antiques and reupholstered originals feature stepped edges, brass or antique bronze trim, in high-gloss mahogany, walnut and ebony. A rich colour palette of ochre and blue in the bedrooms; cream and honey in the suites; deep burgundy, honey and black in the public rooms, was enhanced by atmospheric lighting, and fabric and wood-lined walls to create a mood of extreme comfort and style.  

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The Leinster’s design is a celebration of Dublin's historic heritage, seamlessly blending old and new to create a timeless aesthetic. The collaborative design process resulted in a sophisticated space that incorporates bold modern patterns, tactile materials, and striking marble veining. This fusion of classical and contemporary styles is evident throughout the hotel, from the 55 individually designed bedrooms and suites, which feature textured velvet, French blue doors, and Wedgwood blue accents, to the corridors adorned with mirrored ceilings and a black-and-white theme.

The highly anticipated rooftop restaurant, Jean-Georges at The Leinster, features a classical French brasserie interior with bespoke light fittings, tactile mohair, and leather-upholstered furniture. This space provides a sophisticated dining experience with a panoramic view of the city. Meanwhile, The Collins Club bar exudes a cosmopolitan feel with bold graphic shapes, modern motifs, and sophisticated oak panelling. The bar's stunningly detailed, bespoke, sculptural back bar design incorporates the original part of the façade, blending historical elements with modern design.

The Leinster will also be home to the POWER gym, set to open in early summer. This dedicated wellness space within the hotel features a balanced interior with elegant light oak panelling and mirrored walls, illuminated by a large skylight. The pool area transitions from vibrant energy to a calm and evocative atmosphere as guests enter the spa area, offering a holistic wellness experience.

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The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa appointed Woodhouse & Law to transform its bedrooms, suites, drawing room, lobby and library.

The studio looked to the hotel’s beautiful gardens for inspiration in its welcoming Lobby, introducing a fresco design by IKSEL, reminiscent of the rural scenes so enjoyed by Georgian homeowners. The mural is contrasted with a vibrant orange ottoman and contemporary mid-century style desk.

Woodhouse and Law wanted to bring the ornate detailing of the adjoining drawing room to the fore. Antique portraits contrast with invigorating contemporary pieces, bringing fresh energy to the room. New upholstery in blues, warm neutrals and oranges, layered with colour and pattern, add further interest and depth to the scheme.

The library has been reimagined to create a vibrant, multi-functional lounge for guests and locals. Inspired by the gardens over which the space overlooks, soft lilacs and earthy tones combine subtly with vibrant patterns.

The hotel’s bedrooms have been refreshed and modernised to offer luxurious, comfortable spaces to escape to. Rooms looking out to the gardens enjoy palettes in vibrant greens and blues, inspired by the views beyond. In smaller spaces with less natural light, a bolder use of colour offers greater depth and interest.

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Isabella Worsley took inspiration for the design of Wildhive Callow Hall from its location and the surrounding scenery, with a focus celebrating British artisans and craftsmanship. The outdoors and the areas of Derbyshire and the Peak District were integral to every part of the concept. 

The design is relaxed and homely, reflecting its original use as a residential abode. The main house acts as a parent structure, built in the Victorian style, it contains welcoming sitting rooms, snugs, libraries and characterful individually designed bedrooms. Up in the ancient forest, the whimsical ‘hives’ are inspired by Swedish folklore and old-fashioned gypsy caravans, exploring the concept of childlike imagination and how magical venturing into a woodland feels when you are young. Finished with faded, hand-stencilled motifs from artist Tess Newall, the timber-clad cabins give a sense of storybook wonder. 

Art plays a key part in bringing the countryside in: British artist Melissa White painted a vast, bespoke mural, which offers an imaginary view of Callow Hall, depicting the tree houses and even Chatsworth House. In the entrance hall, pressed botanicals are displayed, some gathered by designer Matilda Goad and others from local florists who collected from the surrounding grounds and countryside. 

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