Accommodation Spotlight – Hotels
The Hotel Britomart by Cheshire Architects
Britomart, New Zealand
Imbued with a rustic yet lavish material palette, The Hotel Britomart is a thoughtful accommodation experience. Every aspect of space is utilised to its fullest potential, with the design intimately speaking to craft. Comprising of 99 rooms and five rooftop suites, the hotel is a combination of contemporary design values along with a profound understanding of place. Led by texture and natural materials, the interior and exterior are both considered in intention. The streetscape is met by two thin towers made from striking brick – small, rough and irregular in size – with a facade punctuated by a constellation of windows. Internally, touchpoints in the guest rooms conjure a textural paradise. Engaged with its surrounds, The Hotel Britomart is already significantly threaded into the fabric of its community.
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street by Bates Smart
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Situated within the 1931 Equity Chambers Building, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street captures an elevated and grand ambience through restored character and purposeful opulence. Comprised of 244 hotel rooms, including 10 suites, the hotel features an additional six levels over the original structure and a 16-level tower to the rear of the site. Still in keeping with the heritage appeal, the latest development includes two new food and beverage spaces, along with a guest gym, pre-function space and more. Ornate plasterwork, carved timber details and coffered ceilings pair perfectly with lush upholstery, chic lighting and a modern quality. The hotel’s muted mature colour palette – encompassing whites, tans and pops of blues and olives – is reinforced with the natural light drawn in through impressive windows, which act as a subtle connection to the CBD beyond.
Located within the heart of the city, Hotel Indigo draws on a playful and gracious interior palette, revelling in a contemporary composition of colour and material.
Hotel Indigo by studio-gram
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Located within the heart of the city, Hotel Indigo draws on a playful and gracious interior palette, revelling in a contemporary composition of colour and material. With a strong connection to the local Market Precinct – identifiable through custom artwork, furniture selections and more – the bespoke design investigates how local heritage can inspire in a discourse that is both nuanced and stirring. From the instantly recognisable red brick archways emulating the Adelaide Central Market’s 1900s facade to the colour-swapping geometric flooring, which reflects the diverse neighbourhood, to the colour pink and its historical association with social equality used throughout the hotel – what remains at the dynamic heart and soul of Hotel Indigo is community and inclusion. Here, each design element works together, knowing its purpose.
Ovolo South Yarra Hotel by Luchetti Krelle
South Yarra, Victoria, Australia
Inspired by the glamourous extravagance of 70s disco and the edginess of rock ‘n’ roll, Ovolo South Yarra combines memorable design with eclectic retro furnishings and fittings. Bold and quirky, the lobby walls are adorned with animated pop art situated alongside brown-toned leather seating and a contrasting concrete concierge desk. In a celebration of both movement and curves, graphic wallpaper, plush furniture and rounded elements are featured throughout the interior spaces in an avant-garde fashion. Geometric patterns and chrome finishes punctuate the hotel guestrooms fused with colourful vibrancy and international flair, resulting in an unmissable design experience.
Warders Hotel by Matthew Crawford Architects
Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
Originally constructed for the Fremantle Prison warders and their families, Warders Hotel leans into its heritage character. The iconic limestone front façade was left relatively untouched, while the interiors were brought back to life with restorations to original timbers and stonework. Crafted by a refined elegance and coupled with a contemporary twist, the boutique hotel evokes an ambience of considered curiosity and familiar warmth. The minimalist material palette and sophisticated finishes feel respectful to the original design, while guest rooms incorporate artwork by Tessa MacKay depicting historical scenes and portraits – a nod to the hotel’s heritage overlay and handcrafted elements. A collage of moments, Warders Hotel and its accompanying restaurant and garden space offer reprieve from the everyday – a space to feel immersed within history.
Imbued with a rustic yet lavish material palette, The Hotel Britomart is a thoughtful accommodation experience.
This Spotlight feature originally appeared in the inaugural issue of The Commercial Project. Spotlight features aim to shine a light on a curated selection of people and places under a certain banner – be it projects within the hospitality sector or architects pioneering sustainable practices. These features are short, sharp and easily digestible.
