Close

The id Design Awards 2018 shortlist: Hospitality Interior – Hotel

Our congratulations to the architects and designers who've reimagined the art of hospitality.

The id shortlist for hospitality interiors includes stunning contemporary hotels by the region’s foremost architects and interior designers.  Our judges looked for a combination of style, substance, and the architect’s ability to blend local culture with a cosmopolitan vision.

Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotels and Residences Emirates Pearl

MKV Design

To create the magnificent interiors of this hotel, MKV Design worked with the developer to imagine a concept that was contemporary, timeless and which distinctly belongs in Abu Dhabi, but also speaks to the needs of the cosmopolitan traveller.

Despite its grand size and the soaring volumes of its public areas, there is a human, intimate scale to the hotel achieved with its use of colour, light and texture. Its understated elegance strikes a sophisticated tone designed to appeal to both international guests and the local community.


Four Seasons Kuwait

Gensler was appointed to lead the design of a mixed-use development in Kuwait City for Alshaya Incorporated, which includes the new five-star Four Season hotel. It includes 250 rooms, two large ballrooms, an expansive pool-level terrace, three restaurants, and world-class spa and fitness facilities.

The design concept was developed around the regional architectural language of mashrabiya to provide solar control for the building. The building strives to create an aesthetic and functional continuity, identifying and distinguishing itself from the surroundings, responding to the climate, while also enhancing the experience of guests.


Form Hotel Dubai

Architecture Studio

The only member of Design Hotels (TM) in the Middle East, Architecture Studio’s design brief focused on four key areas: timeless and relevant aesthetics (material and color), guest practicality, operational productivity and cost efficiency.

To address timeless and relevant aesthetics they focused on key design features from the proven Art-Deco era, converging to neutral colors, geometric motifs, rounded forms, and sharply defined outlines.  The key features of the rooms are the custom-designed furniture, a focus on suspended furniture allowing for effective use of space, increased transparency and airy spaces.


Mysk Al Mouj

Godwin Austen Johnson

Mysk Al Mouj is the flagship hotel for the Mysk by Shaza hotel group. The brief for GAJ was clear: design a contemporary hotel that would equally appeal to both sophisticated business travellers and leisure guests.

The final client-approved design is in line with the client’s vision to create an internationally branded mid-market hotel, catering primarily to the corporate market, and also the weekend leisure market visiting the city of Muscat.


Rennaisance Hotel

WA International

Designed by Claire Craig, the brief was to create a design for Marriott’s newly-branded Renaissance Hotel, a first in the region. Aimed at the ‘discovery’ business traveler, as well as the ‘curious’ leisure traveler, it was created to appeal to those seeking authentic and unexpected experiences.

WA International’s concept  was to blend an urban hotel –  an extension of the city-  with a strong sense of location. These directives, achieved through the hotels impeccable art works and design details, were combined with  and to provide unique design solutions and concepts for the contemporary traveler who want the amenities and comforts of a 5-star luxury hotel, but are also seeking new, meaningful local experiences.

View the complete list of this year’s shortlisted projects here.

The Latest

On Building to Last

We interview selected architects and interior designers to talk about balancing permanence and progress across their projects

The Culture of Quality

A conversation with Maryam Raeisi, Managing Director of HMA Living by Al Shamsi

What to expect at Feria Habitat Valencia

This year’s fair is set to take place between 29 September and 2 October

ARTDOM Expands to the Middle East

Daria Zolotova, founder of ARTDOM, discusses the brand’s upcoming first major art forum congress, being held at Riyadh on 11-12 November 2025

A Perfect Balance

A bespoke villa in Dubai Hills Grove designed by XBD Collective blends contemporary elegance with high-end craftsmanship

Soulful Sanctuary

Arch Home Interiors has crafted a boutique Pilates studio in Dubai Design District, creating an environment where movement meets self-care

Global Outlook, Local Presence

Henrique Dias, Principal and Middle East Hospitality Design Director for DLR Group, shares the firm’s growth journey in the region

Read ‘Greener Perspectives’ – Note from the editor – September 2025

Read identity magazine's September 2025 edition on ISSUU or grab your copy at the newsstands

identity Design Awards 2025 jury

Meet the judges for the identity Design Awards 2025

Five prominent designers have been selected to judge this year's milestone 11th annual identity Design Awards

Here are 14 Emirati women we admire in the design and creative industry

In honour of Emirati Women’s Day, we celebrate the visionary Emirati women in the industry that are pushing boundaries

Casa Cazaux

A Spanish Revival Reimagined in the Hollywood Hills

Casa Cazaux designed by Jordana Maisie Design Studio was inspired by Slim Aarons photography of post WWII Italian high society and Mediterranean-inspired coastal architecture

Kaskade by Karim Rashid for TREDEX Sara Group

TREDEX x Karim Rashid Introduce KASKADE

A Collection Where Flow Meets Form