• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Interior Designer: HBA/Hirsch Bedner and Associates

Hotel Group: IHG

Photography: John Wang

HBA has redefined timeless luxury and cultural storytelling with its design for the Hangzhou Wulin GDA Hotel, Vignette Collection, which reopened in 2025 following a grand transformation. The project marks a new chapter in Hangzhou’s high end hospitality scene, blending historical reverence with contemporary elegance to create a destination that is as culturally resonant as it is visually stunning.

Situated beside Wulin Square and the Zhejiang Exhibition Hall, the hotel carries deep historical roots that trace back to the 1929 West Lake Expo, founded by Zhang Jing Jiang. Through HBA’s vision, this legacy has been elegantly revived, ensuring that the hotel stands not only as a luxurious retreat but also as a living tribute to Hangzhou’s artistic and cultural evolution.

HBA conceived the design around the idea of “A Collector’s Manor Residence,” where Eastern refinement meets Western artistry in perfect balance. Guests entering the lobby are greeted by an atmosphere reminiscent of a secret courtyard, a tranquil escape within the bustling city. Pathways unfold like those of a private gallery, guiding visitors through curated displays of antique crafts, embroidered lanterns, and vintage typewriters that evoke a dialogue between eras and cultures.

Behind the reception, metallic motifs and sculptural chandeliers depict the poetic imagery of “sunset over the lake, lotus in bloom,” a nod to the natural beauty and cultural symbolism of Hangzhou. The lobby lounge carries this narrative forward, evoking the spirit of the 1929 Expo through its vibrant energy and elegant composition.

Every detail crafted by HBA within the Hangzhou Wulin GDA Hotel tells a story, of legacy, artistry, and refined living. The result is not merely a hotel, but an immersive cultural experience where heritage and modern luxury coexist in perfect harmony.