Design Anthology - Asia Pacific Edition
New Hotels
NoMad — Las Vegas
NoMad Las Vegas has the unmistakeable touch of French designer Jacques Garcia, whose elegant contemporary style evokes the glamour and energy of The Strip. Rooms feature custom furnishings, luxe amenities and art curated by Paris-based studio be-poles, while the restaurant and jazz bar are led by an award-winning team and are inspired by Rio’s Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading and the theatres of France. True to its iconic location, the hotel features the first-ever NoMad Casino, though guests looking to escape the buzz can retreat to the laid-back, Moroccan-inspired pool and bar area.
The Pavilions Himalayas Lake View — Pokhara
Accessed via boat across the Phewa Lake — or an offroad adventure from sister hotel The Pavilions Himalayas — these eight tented eco-villas nestle among rice fields and the majestic Annapurna Massif in central Nepal. All are made from natural and locally sourced materials — and feature full-length, wraparound retractable glass doors — while handcrafted furniture, al fresco rain showers and farm-to-table dining bring guests closer to nature, and to the local community, which is involved in building and operations. While languor comes easy here, the area’s natural beauty is best experienced by the hiking, kayaking and guided walks on offer.
The Sophy — Chicago
New York-based Stonehill Taylor is behind Hyde Park’s first luxury boutique hotel. Named after the Greek word for wisdom, sophia, in reference to the area’s academic community, the hotel itself is a cerebral experience. Designed as a stately residence, the amenity areas are conceptualised around academia and inspired by the imagined residences of luminaries from music, literature, science and art. A standout feature is the robust art collection, curated alongside rich materials and customdesigned furnishings in a setting that is both intimate and sophisticated.
Joyze by Curio — Xiamen
The latest offering under the Hilton brand, the independent Curio hotels are characterised by their unique locations and designs, each conveying a strong sense of local flavour and heritage. Joyze is designed by multiple award-winning Cheng Chung Design, which looked to Minnan culture and Xiamen’s history as a small fishing village to design the hotel as a ‘floating city on the sea’. With its prime location between Dongping Mountain and the coastline, it’s perfectly positioned for guests to discover the local cultural sights and natural surroundings, with most only a short walk or ride away.
Capella — Sanya
The much-anticipated collaboration between hospitality design doyens Bill Bensley and Jean-Michel Gathy features 190 of Sanya’s most luxurious rooms, suites and villas. Inspired by the history of China’s ancient Maritime Silk Road through South East Asia, India, the Middle East and Africa, the duo references these various cultures throughout, from the architecture to design, while the restaurants, bars and lounges immerse guests in the regions’ diverse flavours and spices. Adding to the luxury is the award-winning Auriga spa, where guests can soak up tradition and culture in Hainan’s first authentic hammam and snow cabin.
Alila Villas — Koh Russey
On a lush private island in Cambodia’s Koh Rong archipelago sits 50-pavilion, 13-villa boutique resort Alila Villas. Singaporean firm Studiogoto looked to Khmer design traditions to blend the architecture, landscaping and interior design with the location, all the while paying tribute to local artisans. Sustainability efforts include EarthCheck-endorsed buildings and the preservation of indigenous vegetation and wildlife. Wellness and rejuvenation are found at the beachfront Spa Alila with holistic treatments, yoga and t’ai chi, while the Beach Shack — one of two specialty restaurants — offers its own rejuvenation in the form of seaside cocktails and traditional fare.
The Apurva Kempinski — Bali
Taking advantage of panoramic ocean views from a clifftop in Nusa Dua, Denton Corker Marshall drew inspiration from Bali’s rice terraces to design the new Kempinski as an ‘open-air theatre’. The modern Balinese style pays homage to the island’s landscapes and temples, with natural stone, terraces, waterways and pools. Interior design studio Trivium Design Group worked with Indonesian craftspeople to incorporate exotic woods, local fabrics and Indonesian motifs throughout; other vernacular touches include the expansive pendopostyle lobby and hand-carved gebyok partitions. Dining spots range from rooftop to poolside and oceanfront, offering plenty of ways to take in the vista.
Alila — Wuzhen
Inspired by the canals and alleyways of this 1,300-yearold water town near Hangzhou, China-based architecture firm goa has reinterpreted the urban topography in its design of the country’s third Alila. Wrapped around private courtyards and intertwining waterways, the 125 suites and villas combine with other structures and waterways to form a maze of twists and turns that evokes the village life of yesteryear. Highlights include the four restaurants and bars, an indoor pool inspired by the Alhambra, and a variety of experiences that allow guests to discover the heritage and charm of the ‘Venice of the East’.