Wellness + Sustainability News | Hospitality Design

Holloway Li to Design Tripolers Oasis Hotel in Dunhuang

Stephanie Chen — Tue, 06 May 2025 13:00:15 +0000

London-based studio Holloway Li has been appointed by tourism and hospitality group Tripolers to develop the interior design strategy for its debut boutique spa-hotel amidst the Singing Sand Dunes of Dunhuang, China.

Nestled within a natural oasis along the historic Silk Road, Tripolers Oasis Hotel will draw inspiration from dramatic desert vistas and the nearby UNESCO-listed Mogao Caves.

The resort—positioned in a lush, working vineyard at the edge of the dunes—will feature 15 private villas strategically placed along the edge of the site to maximize privacy and offer views of the surrounding dunes. Two-story suite blocks, boasting roof terraces with uninterrupted vistas, will be situated deeper within the vineyard.

Holloway Li’s design concept aims to create a transformative guest experience that reflects a physical and spiritual journey.

The arrival experience

Upon arrival, guests will enter a serene drop-off area comprising four intimate single-story pavilions housing the reception area, lounge, boutique shop, bar, and refreshment deck. These pavilions will be thoughtfully arranged to symbolize a gesture of embrace to further extend a warm welcome onsite.

A courtyard will feature naturally sculpted stone and a weathered Huyang tree—both shaped by the desert climate—that emphasize the hotel’s philosophy of celebrating nature in its purest form.

An array of amenities

Public spaces—including a restaurant, bar and lounge, chef’s table, and luxurious spa rooms—will be connected by golden sandy courtyards that lead to a tranquil outdoor pool with panoramic views of the Singing Sand Dunes.

A fire-pit area, meanwhile, extends into the desert, to provide a unique setting for private dining or stargazing.

Design details of Tripolers Oasis Hotel

Inspired by wabi-sabi philosophy, the design emphasizes simplicity, imperfection, and the passage of time. Reclaimed materials, for example, will be employed to create spaces that feel both rustic and refined.

Earthy tones and natural materials—like clay, teak, and stone—will add warmth to the interiors, while carefully curated furniture and artwork will celebrate the beauty of local craftsmanship and the rich cultural history of the area.

The design of the guestrooms will be rooted in the local heritage of Dunhuang, influenced by the traditional murals found in the Mogao Caves, where monks, merchants, and travelers have sought rest for centuries. The color schemes are guided by the three primary pigments—Tubai (clary white), Shashi (sandy yellow), and Zhusha (earthy red)—reinforcing a deep connection between the guest experience and the region’s legacy.

“We were stunned by the incredible site for Tripolers Oasis Hotel and the opportunity to create a truly world-class offering,” says Na Li, managing director of Holloway Li. “We are excited to work alongside our long-term local collaborators GAD and Z’scape to bring this breathtaking scheme to life.”

Tripolers Oasis Hotel is slated for completion in 2026.

The post Holloway Li to Design Tripolers Oasis Hotel in Dunhuang appeared first on Hospitality Design.

Banyan Tree Opens Mandai Rainforest Resort in Singapore

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 05 May 2025 13:30:52 +0000

Banyan Tree has officially opened its first resort in Singapore.

Set amidst the lush greenery of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Mandai Rainforest Resort features 338 guestrooms and suites (including 24 treehouses), two signature dining experiences, a rooftop pool with unobstructed views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir, and a Banyan Tree Spa.

A biophilic design

Spanning 11 acres, the resort was designed by WOW Architects with an emphasis on biophilia that blends architecture with its natural surroundings. Mature trees have been preserved onsite, and the resort’s elevated wings allow native wildlife to move freely beneath them.

Upon arrival, guests encounter two towering trees that anchor the property’s commitment to harmonizing with nature. A 40-foot-tall Rain Tree (Samanea saman) takes centerstage with its expansive umbrella-shaped canopy, evoking the serene atmosphere of a rainforest.

Meanwhile, an Indian Beech tree (Millettia pinnata), known for its soil-enriching properties and ability to nurture local biodiversity, stands on the other side of the entrance, symbolizing balance and sustainability.

Mandai Rainforest Resort’s lobby enhances this connection with the environment via bespoke furniture crafted from upcycled wood and organic-inspired lighting features that create a warm and welcoming ambiance.

Accommodations at Mandai Rainforest Resort

The resort comprises 24 elevated treehouses and a five-story main building with 314 rooms and suites.

The treehouses, resembling seed pods, offer a private retreat that hovers above the ground and boasts its own patio. The main building, which rises vertically through the forest layers, provides panoramic vistas of the surrounding rainforest, gardens, and nearby reservoir.

Meanwhile, the interior design concept pays homage to the rainforest’s complexity. Artwork illustrates the forest’s distinct layers—from the forest floor to the emergent canopy. Antique lithographs of native wildlife—including the lesser mousedeer, white-collared kingfisher, and grey-headed fish eagle— celebrate Singapore’s unique biodiversity.

A commitment to sustainability

Sustainability is a guiding principle throughout the resort. Rooms feature windows that fully open for natural ventilation as well as temperature regulation that mimics the rainforest’s cool atmosphere.

An interactive display is installed in each room to track energy usage, while rainwater harvesting systems provide water for flushing.

These efforts have earned the property Singapore’s first Green Mark Platinum recognition as a Super Low Energy (SLE) resort.

Additional amenities

The resort’s 300-seat Meranti Ballroom draws inspiration from the mysteries of the forest floor, with a design centered on the Bridal Veil Stinkhorn, a tropical mushroom with a striking hexagonal motif.

Furthermore, the Banyan Tree Spa features three treatment pods inspired by the Sunda pangolin, with exteriors that mimic the pangolin’s protective scales.

The post Banyan Tree Opens Mandai Rainforest Resort in Singapore appeared first on Hospitality Design.

Paras Yash Kothari Hospital Reimagines Healthcare

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 05 May 2025 13:00:04 +0000

On the banks of the Ganges river in New Kanpur, Paras Yash Kothari Hospital has transformed a neglected building into a vibrant, patient-centric oasis.

Designed by CDA and operated by Paras Health, this 430-bed tertiary care facility addresses a critical need for specialized healthcare in one of India’s most populous regions.

A functional design

The hospital’s design centers on functional efficiency through an adaptive reinterpretation of the Breitfuss Model, grouping programmatically similar departments to minimize walking distances and ease staff movement.

The nine-story facility establishes intuitive zoning with emergency, ambulatory, and surgical care departments on the lower floors, inpatient spaces on the upper floors, and a service deck in between.

Healing spaces

At its core, a vast central courtyard brings natural light into the atrium, offering visitors and patients a tranquil, welcoming environment.

Patient rooms feature spacious windows to promote healing by welcoming natural light and views inside. In an effort to move away from traditional multi-bed wards, modular single rooms provide privacy and enhanced infection control.

Public areas are adorned with natural materials like locally sourced granite and tile, while healing gardens and accessible outdoor spaces encourage movement, cultural connection, and mental relaxation.

Designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, the hospital uses insulated glass units on its façades to reduce heat gain, with over 20 percent of energy needs met through solar power.

The post Paras Yash Kothari Hospital Reimagines Healthcare appeared first on Hospitality Design.

3D-Printed Homes Distinguish New Texas Resort Community

Stephanie Chen — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:00:26 +0000

Situated on 60 rolling acres along Lake Travis in Central Texas, the forthcoming the Canyon Club will offer 25 residences—spanning 20 traditionally built homes and five 3D-printed houses by ICON with interiors from Kempt Studio—that embrace the wild beauty of the Hill Country.

ICON’s 3D-printed homes

Drawing inspiration from its lakeside setting, the community will feature a design that emphasizes natural materials, low-slung profiles, and expansive views of the canyon and water, made possible by the property’s gentle slopes.

ICON’s 3,400-square-foot, four-bedroom homes are crafted for energy efficiency and long-term durability, and will be available via a fractional ownership model that grants six weeks of annual use.

The 3D-printed Aura house

Amenities at the Canyon Club

Construction on the property’s amenities will begin in fall 2025. This will span an art-focused clubhouse, a spa with an adults-only pool, curated dining and wine experiences, an event barn, a private shoreline, and courts for pickleball, tennis, and basketball. A natural amphitheater and dedicated children’s programming will round out the offerings.

The Canyon Club clubhouse

Terra house interiors

Sierra house exterior

The post 3D-Printed Homes Distinguish New Texas Resort Community appeared first on Hospitality Design.

1 Hotel Melbourne Readies for Its Debut

Stephanie Chen — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:18:15 +0000

This June, 1 Hotels is set to unveil its latest sustainable luxury property along Melbourne’s waterfront. It will include 277 guestrooms, 36 suites, and 114 private residences under the 1 Homes brand.

Designed by FK Architecture and One Design Office in collaboration with Starwood Capital Group’s in-house team, the project integrates history, nature, and wellness into the new Seafarers mixed-use development.

Anchoring the property is the heritage-listed Goods Shed No. 5, a late-19th-century building that crucial role in Melbourne’s early maritime trade.

The asymmetrical façade nods to the site’s past with lower glazing that echoes the shed’s original panels and upper windows that reflect the rippling surface of the Yarra River. More than 2,000 living plants cascade throughout the hotel, blurring the lines between indoors and out.

In the 1 Hotel Melbourne lobby, natural and reclaimed materials set the tone: a reception desk crafted from fallen trees, furnishings made from salvaged timber, and restored elements from the Goods Shed No. 5 conjure a sense of place and history.

Guestrooms at 1 Hotel Melbourne

The hotel’s accommodations feature floor-to-ceiling windows with river or city views. Nods to the site’s maritime legacy are found throughout: headboards made from reclaimed timber railway bridges, preserved moss-paneled doors, and room numbers etched into salvaged wharf wood.

Dining and amenities

Dining options include a soon-to-be-revealed signature restaurant, Neighbours grab-and-go café, and a lobby bar—all echoing 1 Hotels’ commitment to hyperlocal and nature-inspired experiences.

The 1,000-square-meter Seafarers Event Space can host up to 900 guests, complemented by flexible meeting rooms, a boardroom, and a river-facing lounge.

Wellness is also central to the guest experience, with amenities such as the Field House Gym, indoor pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi-style spa, and a Bamford Wellness Spa.

1 Hotel Melbourne’s commitment to sustainability

Targeting a LEED Silver certification, sustainability is woven throughout the property—from lush, biophilic elements and reclaimed materials to advanced air quality systems and a zero-waste partnership with Foodprint Group. Single-use plastics are eliminated in favor of reusable and compostable alternatives.

In addition, nearly 2,000 reclaimed bluestone pavers form pathways throughout the hotel, while restored trusses and timber from local rail bridges and wharfs maintain the site’s industrial character.

“At 1 Hotels, we believe that luxury and sustainability can—and should—go hand in hand,” says Barry Sternlicht, founder of 1 Hotels and chairman of Starwood Hotels. “With 1 Hotel Melbourne, we’ve created a waterfront destination that immerses guests in nature while celebrating the city’s rich legacy and forward-thinking spirit.”

“This hotel isn’t just about where you stay—this is about how you feel, how you connect, and how travel can inspire a deeper commitment to the world around us,” he adds. “The water inspires calm and serenity, which is what our brand is meant to convey: an oasis for travelers to escape the rigors of travel.”

The post 1 Hotel Melbourne Readies for Its Debut appeared first on Hospitality Design.

Remedy Place Brings Its Social Wellness Concept to Boston

Stephanie Chen — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:01:08 +0000

Remedy Place, a social wellness club, is expanding its footprint with the opening of its largest location yet in Boston’s Seaport District.

Following the successful debut of its SoHo outpost in late 2024, this marks Remedy Place’s fourth location and its first foray outside of New York and Los Angeles.

Spanning 10,000 square feet, the Remedy Place Boston introduces a range of offerings, including a communal contrast suite, a foam bathing experience, and guided movement classes in an expansive atrium. Signature services—such as AI-powered deep tissue massage, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and personalized functional medicine assessments—complement the club’s innovative wellness philosophy.

Inside Remedy Place Boston

Designed in-house by Dr. Jonathan Leary—founder and CEO of Remedy Place—the interiors feature Venetian plaster walls, custom travertine stone elements, 20-foot ceilings, and sweeping views of the skyline, ensuring the space fosters both restoration and social connection.

“The opening of Boston marks an important milestone for Remedy Place. This club isn’t just about expanding to a new city, it’s about redefining how people connect and live their best lives,” says Leary. “We’re redefining the social experience, providing our guests with world-class technology and modalities to enhance self-care routines and provide tools to continuously improve overall health and performance.ˮ

“Boston is known for innovating at the highest levels of education, healthcare, and technology, making it the perfect city for us to introduce social self-care and continue on our mission to redefine the way the world approaches health and wellness,” he continues. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring Remedy Place to the Boston community, creating a space where people can feel their best and discover new ways to have fun and make meaningful connections.ˮ

Foam bathing suite

Chiropractic acupuncture suite

Hyberbaric chambers

Lounge seating

The post Remedy Place Brings Its Social Wellness Concept to Boston appeared first on Hospitality Design.

AutoCamp Expands Its California Footprint with Sequoia Outpost

Stephanie Chen — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:26:27 +0000

Outdoor hospitality brand AutoCamp has debuted its latest outpost in Three Rivers, California near Sequoia National Park.

AutoCamp Sequoia features 85 accommodations, including the brand’s signature Airstream Suites, Cabins, BaseCamp Suites (which include a combination of an Airstream and luxury tent), and Bunk Rooms.

Inside AutoCamp Sequoia

Designed by Waechter Architecture with interiors by HVS Design, AutoCamp Sequoia features a 3,350-square-foot Clubhouse that serves as the heart of the property. The midcentury modern space features lounge areas, games, indoor and outdoor fire pits, and a bar.

Additional amenities include a heated outdoor pool, complimentary bikes, and access to nearby outdoor adventures. Guests can also enjoy all-day dining at the Kitchen and browse curated goods at the General Store.

AutoCamp Sequoia provides flexible event spaces, including the Clubhouse, the Ponderosa Lawn overlooking the river, the Cedar Room within the Clubhouse, and the Pine Room for private meetings.

“Our mission at AutoCamp has always been to make the great outdoors more accessible without compromising on high design and comfort,” says Neil Dipaola, founder and CEO of AutoCamp.

“With four locations across California, we’re proud to offer a range of elevated outdoor experiences in some of the state’s most breathtaking destinations,” he adds. “AutoCamp Sequoia continues that vision, providing a new unique retreat just minutes from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.”

The post AutoCamp Expands Its California Footprint with Sequoia Outpost appeared first on Hospitality Design.

Studio Author Crafts a Bold Injectables Clinic in Toronto

Stephanie Chen — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 13:30:26 +0000

A new injectables clinic in Toronto, designed by locally based Studio Author, redefines the cosmetic treatment experience with bold color blocking, open-plan layouts, and unexpected transparency.

Inside POUTx

Spanning under 800 square feet, the POUTx clinic makes an immediate impression with its immersive palette of vibrant pink and lipstick red, accented by surgical stainless-steel finishes.

Microcement floors and walls, paired with a matching pink ceiling, create a seamless material composition, while neon tube lighting and oversized domed mirrors manipulate light and space.

Unconventional transparency

A striking 19-foot-long stainless-steel welcome desk serves as both a social hub and a visual anchor.

From this central point, guests are offered an unconventional view into two open treatment pods, which were created to challenge traditional privacy norms in the cosmetic industry and reject the stigma around aesthetic procedures. Floating transparent red acrylic walls further reinforce this ethos.

Form meets function

Each treatment pod features custom operatory-style stainless-steel nurse’s stations, large circular mirrors for consultation, and adjustable overhead surgical lighting for precision.

A concealed workstation discreetly houses a freezer for injectables, medical sharps disposal, and storage for ancillary items, ensuring that function is integrated into the design.

The post Studio Author Crafts a Bold Injectables Clinic in Toronto appeared first on Hospitality Design.

New Belmond Train Will Include First-of-Its-Kind Wellness Suite

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:30:11 +0000

Belmond has partnered with British wellbeing brand Wildsmith to introduce the Wellness Suite aboard the Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train. The train’s July 2025 debut will mark the first luxury rail wellness experience in England and Wales.

The Britannic Explorer is the first luxury sleeper train to operate in the region, offering a slow-travel journey through Cornwall, the Lake District, and Wales.

Designed by Albion Nord, the train’s 18 elegantly crafted cabins, including three grand suites and 15 suites, combine serene sophistication with heritage charm.

The wellness suite

The Wellness Suite is housed in one of the train’s 10 carriages and features five signature wellbeing experiences, including the exclusive Circadian Rhythm Reset treatment, developed specifically for the Britannic Explorer.

Dining on the Britannic Explorer

Onboard, passengers can indulge in Michelin-starred cuisine from Simon Rogan, a pioneer of sustainable British gastronomy, across two dining cars, Malva and Samphire.

Meanwhile, the botanically inspired bar in the Observation Car serves as the social heart of the train, offering craft cocktails in an elegant setting.

The post New Belmond Train Will Include First-of-Its-Kind Wellness Suite appeared first on Hospitality Design.

A New Fitness Club in Kyiv Channels Nightclub Aesthetics

Stephanie Chen — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:30:24 +0000

Smartass Obolon, the newest outpost of the Smartass fitness club chain, has opened a 5,250-square-foot space within Kyiv’s Smart Plaza Obolon shopping mall.

The entrance makes an immediate impact with a dramatic black portal framed in metal and reinforced glass, accented by ceiling light panels and an illuminated club logo.

Inside, a nightclub-inspired aesthetic takes centerstage. Neon installations lead visitors through an immersive tunnel, while blue neon signage, amber-lit stairs, and mirrored motivational phrases heighten the experience.

The reception area, which doubles as a customer service desk and bar, features a curved structure crafted from brick and bent sheet metal.

Transit areas integrate metal elements and mirrors with a layered depth effect, amplified by dynamic lighting designed to enhance training effectiveness, influencing the central nervous system and setting the right mood.

In the locker rooms, galvanized metal cabinetry with decorative copper accents reinforces the club’s industrial-chic aesthetic.

Smartass Obolon was designed by the company’s in-house team.

The post A New Fitness Club in Kyiv Channels Nightclub Aesthetics appeared first on Hospitality Design.