IDA 2024 WINNERS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED! SEE ALL 2024 WINNERS HERE.
Hotel design plays a crucial role in shaping the guest experience, blending form and function to create environments that are as visually striking as they are comfortable. The International Design Awards (IDA) celebrates the world’s best in design across all disciplines, with a special spotlight on hospitality projects that push the boundaries of creativity.
In this article, we highlight three standout winners of IDA, showcasing exceptional hotel design from Portugal, Ukraine, and China.
The Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel, located in the heart of Porto, Portugal, is a prime example of modern hotel design harmonizing with the local culture. Designed by Visioarq Arquitectos, led by Pedro Afonso, Nuno Poiarez, and Vicente Gouveia, the hotel opened its doors in 2023 to much acclaim. The project seamlessly blends sophisticated cosmopolitan aesthetics with the charm of Porto’s historical cityscape.
The hotel features 163 rooms and suites, a spacious conference room, a rooftop infinity pool, and a terrace that offers panoramic views of the city. Its design prioritizes simplicity, elegance, and functionality, with an emphasis on inspiring forms that contribute to the city’s architectural growth. By combining sleek, contemporary lines with local materials, the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel serves as both a luxurious escape and a cultural landmark.
Nestled in the picturesque Carpathian Mountains in Polyanytsya village, Ukraine, the HAY Boutique Hotel and SPA by YOD Group offers a design experience that is deeply connected to its natural surroundings. The hotel, designed by Volodymyr Nepyivoda and Dmytro Bonesko, features 40 rooms, two restaurants, and a luxurious spa, all offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the Carpathian landscape. This sustainable and eco-conscious design integrates seamlessly into the hill’s natural terrain.
The hotel’s architecture resembles a large rock formation, with cascading terraces covered in local plants such as strawberries, blackberries, and native grasses. This unique integration with nature allows guests to feel at one with the landscape, creating an immersive, tranquil experience. Each room offers a distinct view of the ever-changing mountain slopes, reinforcing the hotel’s connection to the region’s rich biodiversity.
A completely different approach to hotel design is seen in the Anchen Hotel in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China. Designed by Hangzhou Donghao Lighting Engineering Co., Ltd., under the lead direction of Fang Fang, this hotel focuses on innovative lighting design to create a mood of modern sophistication. The Silver Award in Internal Lighting Architecture is a testament to the careful attention to detail in the hotel’s interior lighting.
The design team used metallic materials for the ceiling to create a luxurious, subdued atmosphere, while soft lighting adds a cinematic quality to the restaurant and lobby. The ground floor, in particular, shines with its orange-red ceiling, LED-lit reception desk, and youthful vibe that speaks to the hotel’s trendy, contemporary brand culture.
The hotel’s exterior is equally striking, with a semi-transparent metal mesh façade that creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, making the building feel alive and responsive to its environment. This thoughtful use of lighting not only elevates the aesthetic but enhances the guest experience, making every moment at the Anchen Hotel feel like a curated escape into modern design.
The winners of the International Design Awards 2023 showcase the diverse ways in which hotel design can elevate the travel experience. From the sleek, cosmopolitan charm of the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel to the organic integration of HAY Boutique Hotel into the Carpathian landscape, and the cutting-edge lighting design of the Anchen Hotel, these projects redefine the standards of what a hotel can be.
These designs represent the future of hospitality, where function and creativity intersect, and where design competitions like the IDA continue to inspire architects and designers to push boundaries and rethink how we experience space.
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