The days when we can get on a plane to go somewhere new and check into a hotel seem like another lifetime now but there’s no reason why we can’t recreate the beautiful settings we would encounter at home. Here's some design inspo from the chicest design-led hotels around Malaysia.
Eclectic Fantastic
From its artfully rendered concrete envelope to the abundant natural light found throughout, KLoé Hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur is a designophile’s dream. The easy elegance of the spaces belie the amount of detail that went into them, this is particularly evident in the artist lofts which were inspired by studios and are outfitted with the appropriate paraphernalia for guests to get lost in creative pursuits—namely art, music, books, food, and gardens. While the themes of the rooms ensure they feel cohesive, the designers have eschewed being too matchy-matchy which is crucial if you want an effortlessly eclectic vibe.
See also: Suite Dreams Are Made Of These Five Lofts At KLoé Hotel
Room to Grow features rattan furniture and lighting in natural hues but the wooden shelving and console are stained in a dark walnut shade. To bring it all together, a soothing green accent has been used in the soft furnishings. Similarly, Room to Draw features honey-coloured wood in larger pieces with infusions of walnut in the armchair wooden details and beech coloured frames. A rich saffron hue complements the different shades of wood while ensuring a harmonious whole.
Pattern Recognition
Inspired by Penang’s colonial past, The Prestige hotel in the island’s UNESCO core zone is a fantastic example of heritage references made relevant for today’s social media post-happy tourist. Singapore-headquartered Ministry of Design transformed the dilapidated ex-warehouse into a whimsical interpretation of classic Victorian forms and motifs. One of the main takeaways from The Prestige (apart from the fabulous selfies) is how the designers managed to mix patterns with aplomb.
See also: 7 Heritage Hotels In Penang To Dive Into The Local History
Take for instance the Glasshouse restaurant in the lobby which combines geometric floor tiles, diamond-shaped wall trellis and patterned fabrics yet the tableau is invigorating rather than irksome. The trick is the having enough expanse of a solid colour (white in this case) which will allow the patterns to “breathe". Balance is also important and the angularity of the floor tiles echo the patterned trellis. Similarly in the loft suite, where the lush tropical vibe of the banana tree wallpaper somehow does not jar with the intricate bronze detailing and panel wainscoting. How this was pulled off is mainly due to the swathes of clean white walls and flooring which mitigate the potentially overwhelming outcome.