The hotel industry’s leading creative minds were celebrated at the 2022 Australasia-Pacific Hotel Design Awards in SkyCity Adelaide on Tuesday evening.
The awards recognise exceptional projects in hotel interior design located in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific (including Hawaii) that demonstrate design innovation, a commitment to sustainability design practices and deliver an exceptional guest experience.
Suede Interior Design was awarded the prestigious Paul Davis Award for the Australasia Pacific Hotel of the Year for interior design of Crystalbrook Kingsley.
Crystalbrook Collection CEO Geoff York was present to accept the award on the night.
“We’re really proud to be recognised for this particular hotel of ours,” York said before thanking the designers and architects that were consulted on the project as well as the hotel team.
“We were able to put a wonderful level on top of the building with an incredible restaurant and culinary experience with views across the Newcastle harbour. It’s a tremendous hotel,” he added.
Highly Commended in that category were P49 Deesign for interior design at Sofitel Adelaide and DKO for Pullman Melbourne on the Park.
DKO was also awarded Hotel of the Year – Refurbishment for its work on Pullman Melbourne on the Park.
Hotel of the Year – Conversion went to Suede Interior Design for Crystalbrook Kingsley, with Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort receiving Highly Commended in this category.
The judges said the commitment to storytelling in the Outrigger project was impressive. The use of Hawaiian natives was celebrated and the judges observed that the design direction was rooted in the local history and culture of Waikiki. Outrigger Hotels and Resorts CEO Jeff Wagoner proudly accepted this accolade on the night.
P49 Deesign’s work on Sofitel Adelaide saw the design studio awarded Hotel of the Year – New Build.
The judges felt this project embraced the Sofitel brand of “French elegance” and “celebrated the link between Adelaide and Bordeaux as wine capitals”. The result is a “tactical design, particularly in the public areas which exude a big personality,” the judges said.
Woods Baggot was Highly Commended in the New Build category for its work on Next Hotel Melbourne
The judges said: “The committed ESG approach to this project was impressive. And it has already achieved a five-star green star rating for construction design and operation. Emphasis on using locally made carpets, rugs, furniture, and artwork was central to the procurement. Food waste minimisation, bulk sourcing and green choices all added to this excellent outcome.”