Hotels designed by André Fu: The Upper House Hong Kong, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto

I have always considered the key to any hospitality experience is to provoke emotions—it is an intangible aspect of design that ultimately connects [with] the customer. It is the feeling of warmth and intimacy that will bring people back to a hotel.

I believe that lighting is key—a room that is bathed in a halo of sensuous glow is always mesmerising. Another aspect is the way a room is articulated—I am always keen to create different pockets of spaces for one to snuggle and lounge in. One example is the Japanese cushions we have placed extensively on the windows in all guest rooms within The Upper House in Hong Kong. 

[Meanwhile] The Residence—a recently launched two-bedroom rooftop duplex suite at Claridge’s [in London]—offers an infinity hydro pool on a private terrace atop London’s skyline, with multiple intimate spaces for an engaging conversation or cosying up by the fire.

Finally, avoid the clichés and spaces designed purely for the sake of photo-taking.

See also: André Fu reflects on a glittering career as a top architect

Hotels designed by Jean-Michel Gathy: Aman Venice, Aman New York, One&Only Reethi Rah Maldives

Romance operates on a different plane altogether. It revolves around a sense of intimacy with one’s partner and the shared experience of diverse moments—the unfolding vistas, secluded courtyards, interior spaces and the vibrant energy surrounding a bar.

I firmly believe in the power of emotion and the significance of romance. But romance defies easy definition. It is an emotion, not a technicality. While technical elements can be crafted, such as walls with specific acoustic properties or precise shades and ratios, creating emotion is done by layering the space, and supporting it with a mixture of physical balance, proportion and colours.

When it comes to evoking romance, a mere neon lamp devoid of layering will not suffice. Instead, what is required are cosy nooks, intimate lighting and elements that remain concealed from the prying eyes of others.

Hotels designed by Clodagh: East Hotel Miami, Six Senses Duoro Valley, Six Senses Kaplankaya 

People make love in hotels more than anywhere else. There’s a feeling of letting go—you can throw your clothes on the floor, rumple the sheets and order the champagne. If you get tired of making love on the bed, you make space on the floor or on the chaise lounge by the window. I do a lot of window seats, so a couple can sit and connect while enjoying the view, and so nomadic sex can take place. Having a space for breakfast is also something I consider—there’s something very private and intimate about sharing breakfast with someone, so you want a dedicated place where the couple can eat together; spilling scrambled eggs on the sheets is not very sexy.

Taking into account how people will feel is important. Lighting is a key factor, because if people know they’re badly lit, their whole body goes into shock. You want a little buzz of romantic light. Sound attenuation [matters]—the door should shut properly and you shouldn’t hear people going up and down the hallway. Also, the smell of a room should have a universality about it that’s not necessarily masculine or feminine.

We put so much emphasis on how things look, and indeed that’s important, but it’s also important to consider how a brand feels.

I believe everything shouldn’t look too new. There are subtle ways of ageing that create comfort—I’ve been in hotels where the art is really horrible in the bedrooms, where they think they are being clever. But you don’t want to be clever in the bedroom—you want to have something that’s just beautiful and lovely to look at; that soothes the soul.

Hotels designed by WATG: Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, Rissai Valley: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Mandarin Oriental Bodrum

You cannot have romance on your mind without feeling relaxed. Designs incorporating water features with [water’s] tranquil nature and soothing sounds, or a rewarding view of the ocean and beyond to leverage on the gifts of nature, create an environment poised for relaxation.

We also think about the guest journey, to introduce moments of delight as they traverse the spaces— for example, an indoor-outdoor blurring of spaces where we allow landscape and nature to be part of the narrative; or passing through a corridor with art and artefacts to highlight local crafts; or to just be immersed in an orchestration of light and shadows.

Privacy is a key element to consider—for example, having cabanas at the public pool area and ensuring lush foliage in between villas to serve as privacy screens. When it comes to guest rooms, perhaps [we enable] access to a private pool or ample balcony space with scene-stealing views to savour some champagne. [We always do] his and hers separate sinks in the bathroom so as to [avoid the] need to jostle for space—and, of course, a non-negotiable bathtub.

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