Kristina Zanic Consultants are the winners of the Hotel Design – Middle East & Africas Award in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2022

Kristina Zanic Consultants were tasked with creating a design that was suitable for the reinvention of the oldest 5-star hotel in the Middle East, and maintaining its landmark status developed over decades. Their direction was to ‘look back in order to look ahead’. Working within the clients’ guidelines, the design reflects luxury and extravagance in Kuwait today.

As the hotel of choice for royalty, presidents, prime ministers, and celebrities, the Sheraton needed to deliver a suitable ambience its high-end clientele. The hotel was also going to be rebranded as a St Regis operated property, and so had to align with the new brand direction. The concept centres on creating a home away from home. Guests feel both wowed and welcomed. The quiet elegance of the interiors combined with a dramatic urban vista creates a sophisticated luxury ambience. The interiors are bright and light, with a mostly restrained neutral palette and occasional injections of colour, using opulent finishes and materials and not compromising on details. Every element of the design has been carefully considered to create an elegant and richly layered subtle blend of contemporary luxury and sophistication.

 A striking palette of royal blue and cream creates a timeless look, with opulent finishes. Blue accents add energy to the otherwise muted colours. Bespoke crystal chandeliers and hand-blown glass light pendants enhance the luxury while fluted glass screens offer privacy between living and bedroom areas within suites. The suite walls are decorated with leather and lacquered panelling, and sunburst timber patterns. Flooring features basket-weave timber parquet, bespoke carpeting, and inlaid marble tile. The soft, rounded forms of the furniture and the rich fabrics marry luxury and attention to detail with comfort and practicality. Dramatic headboards create a perfect backdrop, and the suite bathrooms include vanities in a striking blue marble and a double jacuzzi.

The design uses high-quality materials and a timeless design approach, avoiding any short-term trends. Kristina Zanic Consultants also considered the environmental impact, using marble flooring with a very subtle vein to eliminate waste. The use of eco-friendly certified wallpaper in the rooms considers durability and reduces maintenance. The designers opted for inlaid carpeting within the floors to save on flooring material needed, using sustainably certified and sourced carpets.

Kristina Zanic Consultants

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