A Hospitable Bunch

There's nothing more welcoming than the international hotels, restaurants, and spas designed by these 20 finalists

Sheila Kim-Jamet -- Interior Design, 10/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

From San Francisco to Rome to Hong Kong. That just begins to tell the story of the 26th annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design, presented by the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show. After considering a total of 150 entries from 76 firms, a jury composed of Gensler principal John Bricker, Bentel & Bentel partner Carol Rusche Bentel, Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel executive director of operations and general manager Sam Kapadia, Tony May Group president Tony May, and Peninsula New York manager Ellis O'Connor named three finalists in each of the competition's eight categories. Winners are announced November 13 at a breakfast hosted by Interior Design and Hotels at New York's Mandarin Oriental—where there's bound to be extra applause for the Designer of the Year, David Rockwell.

Finalists: Hotel

Banyan Tree Ringha, Jian Tang, China

DESIGN Architrave.

STANDOUT The ingenious reuse of Tibetan farmhouses allows the property to blend into its rustic setting.

Park Hyatt Dubai, United Arab Emirates

DESIGN Wilson & Associates.

STANDOUT In both public and private spaces, a melding of cultures produces a relaxed feeling.

St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

DESIGN Yabu Pushelberg.

STANDOUT The modern balances with the old-world, thanks to zebrawood and travertine, textiles and art.

Finalists: Lobby/Reception

Carlton Hotel on Madison Avenue, New York

DESIGN Rockwell Group.

STANDOUT In the annex, columns covered in suede flank a waterfall that incorporates an enlarged archival photograph protected by textured glass.

St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

DESIGN Yabu Pushelberg.

STANDOUT Proximity to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art inspired an exceptionally curated art collection.

Hotel Urban, Madrid

DESIGN Triade Studio, Carles Bassó, and Mariano Martitegui.

STANDOUT Right off the lobby, the Glass Bar features a smart transparent theme.

Finalists: Bar/Lounge

Park Hyatt Dubai, United Arab Emirates

DESIGN Wilson & Associates.

STANDOUT Intricate screens and graceful archways meld Arabic, Mediterranean, and Moorish styling.

Onice Bar, Rome

DESIGN Hotel Design Consultants.

STANDOUT Macassar ebony, onyx, crystal, and art ornament a tasteful mingling of century-old, modern, and contemporary styles at the Westin Excelsior.

Social Hollywood, Los Angeles

DESIGN Zeff Design.

STANDOUT Authentic Moroccan pottery fills the vitrines in a sexy setting that's vaguely Spanish overall.

Finalists: Fine Dining

Nobu Berkeley St, London

DESIGN David Collins Studio.

STANDOUT A branchlike chandelier and an abstract tapestry are among the elements of surprise.

Fin, Las Vegas

DESIGN Yabu Pushelberg.

STANDOUT Artist Helen Poon's screens of resin spheres divide the main dining room.

Country, New York

DESIGN Rockwell Group.

STANDOUT The beaux arts Carlton Hotel on Madison Avenue's formal restaurant overlooks the café and the lobby annex.

Finalists: Suite

Busan Paradise Hotel, South Korea

DESIGN Studio Gaia.

STANDOUT Glass mosaic tiles clad the waiting area of the Emerald suite.

Banyan Tree Ringha, Jian Tang, China

DESIGN Architrave.

STANDOUT The living room's fire pit emulates the hearth of a traditional Tibetan farmhouse.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico

DESIGN Anderson Miller.

STANDOUT Pottery and pebble flooring tie in to the aesthetic of this coastal region.

Finalists: Guest Room

Busan Paradise Hotel, South Korea

DESIGN Studio Gaia.

STANDOUT Tranquillity and warmth are delivered by a smart juxtaposition of light and dark.

Meliá Roma Aurelia Antica, Rome

DESIGN Emanuele Valentini.

STANDOUT Creature comforts such as the fireplace and treatments such as hydro-massage and chromo-therapy are inspired by nature and the five senses.

Prince de Galles, Paris

DESIGN Clausen-Chewning Interior Design.

STANDOUT The redesign borrows from this landmark building's 1920's details, including diamond-quilted walls and deco-inspired moldings.

Finalists: Casual Dining

MX, Hong Kong

DESIGN Alan Chan Design Company and Steve Leung Designers.

STANDOUT Diners are surrounded by a playful heart motif, thanks to work by 16 international artists.

Corporate Cafeteria, New York

DESIGN Studio Gaia.

STANDOUT Four oval dining zones offer a degree of privacy while breaking up the monotony of a typical cafeteria.

Stack Restaurant & Bar, Las Vegas

DESIGN Graft.

STANDOUT Mahogany-veneered ribbons undulate throughout the space.

Finalists: Spa

Spa at Salishan, Gleneden Beach, Oregon

DESIGN Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects.

STANDOUT At the Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, a pool that's covered, yet open to the landscape, blurs the line between indoors and out.

Ritz-Carlton Spa, Laguna Niguel, California

DESIGN Anderson Miller.

STANDOUT A fountain and a wall of cascading glass beads are among the clever water uses and references.

Oriental Spa, Hong Kong

DESIGN: Remedios Siembieda.

STANDOUT: At the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, "vitality pools" soothe and massage with water jets.