Top image: The PuYu Wuhan, China

The inaugural Asia Hotel Design Awards, organised by Sleeper magazine, was held earlier this month, with the winners announced in a packed ceremony in the landmark Parkroyal on Pickering Singapore.

As a reflection of the diversity of segments to be found within the hospitality industry, the awards featured a broad range of categories, with winners coming from a range of countries around the region.

1888 Hotel, Sydney, Australia

The Winners:

Architecture – Historical Building
1888 Hotel, Sydney, Australia by Shed Architects

Architecture – Newbuild (resort)
Aqua Mekong Luxury River Cruise Boat, Mekong River by Noor

Aqua Mekong Luxury River Cruise Boat, Mekong River

Architecture – Newbuild (urban)
The PuYu, Wuhan, China by Layan Design Group

Interior Design – Bar
Manhattan Bar, Regent Hotel Singapore by Distillery

Interior Design – Bedrooms & Bathrooms
The Ritz-Carlton – Kyoto by Remedios Studio

Manhattan Bar, Regent Hotel Singapore

Interior Design – Café Bar or All Day Dining
The Woods at Four Seasons Sydney by Dreamtime Australia Design

Interior Design – Lobby, Lounge & Public Areas
The PuYu Wuhan by Layan Design Group

Interior Design – Restaurant
Shinsen at Shangri-La Shenyang by Stickman Tribe

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Interior Design – Event Space (Conference, Banqueting & Meetings)
The PuYu Wuhan by Layan Design Group

Interior Design – Spa & Wellness
Chi Spa & Pool Shangri-La Lhasa Tibet by LTW Designworks

Interior Design – Suite
Naumi Hotel Singapore by White Jacket

* The Asia Hotel Design of the Year
The PuYu Wuhan by Layan Design Group

Naumi Hotel Singapore

Of note, the PuYu Wuhan project in China by Layan Design Group bagged a total of three awards to take home the overall title of “The Asia Hotel Design of the Year”.

“The PuYu Wuhan was considered by the judges to be the perfect example of a contemporary urban resort,” says Mike Turner, Editor-in-Chief of Sleeper magazine, “Layan’s interior design and architecture are perfectly integrated, elegantly combining authentic references to the hotel’s locality with 21st century elements. References to ancient Chu culture are interpreted in a modern way, through the use of local materials such as bronze, granite, timber and jade.

The PuYu Wuhan, China

Members of this year’s judging panel included Angela Chang from Starwood; Ian Carr, HBA; Rajiv Puri, Minor Hotel Group; Paul Matthew Wiste, Jumeirah; Julia Monk, HOK; Brian Lum, Hyatt; Jennyfer Lacroix, Raffles; Loh Lik Peng, Unlisted Collection; and Chair of Judges Khirstie Myles, IHG.

The entries were judged based not only on creative excellence, but also commercial viability. Says Turner, “As well as projects that were aesthetically impressive, the judges looked for evidence that the design would also meet the needs of clients and customers alike.”

Asia Hotel Design Awards
asiahoteldesignawards.com