Hollaway Studio is an architectural and interior design practice, specialising in hotel design, that embraces the past, the present, and the future and places people and feeling at the core of its architecture philosophy.
The hotel sector is very familiar to Hollaway. We have designed and built many projects over the years including bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels in Kent and the Southeast of the UK. We create ambitious designs that reflect the surroundings focused on how people use spaces and flow through a building. Working closely with our clients, our team of architects and interior designers realise your brief and aspirations to create a successful and memorable guest experience.
Design begins with feeling – for place, for the past, for the needs and wants of the now, and for a future that matters. It listens. It empathises. It’s pragmatic. It’s an understanding that informs everything we do. It makes buildings that work – truly, beautifully. This is how we approach all hotel design projects.
A hotel design practice is nothing without its people, and the very best practices are those in which everyone has a voice – however different it may be. We are extremely fortunate Hollaway is exactly this: an extraordinary bunch of thinkers, talkers, and doers. These are the people that get buildings made.
As example of how a single and relatively small building can have an enormous and enduring effect on its host community, Rocksalt takes some beating. We wanted to make sure that Rocksalt would be success – as a business, as a landmark building, and most importantly as a source of local pride.
Hollaway’s approach to hotel design always starts with people and place. How does a building contribute to the community it will inhabit? How will people interact and engage with the architecture created in this space? Under his leadership and hands on approach Guy Hollaway has created a design-led Practice committed to innovative building solutions, with work ranging from prestigious one off commissions to large scale regeneration projects.
The RIBA award-winning hotel design practice has built its reputation working on a wide array of projects, including a cutting-edge skate park, the world’s first heritage theme park, a bespoke artist’s studio in an open field, and a high-end seafood restaurant. The breadth of these projects may be wide, but each one brings the perfect balance of playfulness and sincerity, with a firm focus on placemaking, sustainability and the experience of the individuals who will use the space.
London
10A Acton Street WC1X 9NG
+44 (0)20 7096 5425
Kent
The Tramway Stables, Rampart Road
Hythe CT21 5BG
+44 (0)1303 260 515
Crafting Unforgettable Experiences: Unconventional Approaches to Hotel Design
We see hotels not merely as places to stay, but as stages where memorable experiences are crafted and delivered. With every design, we aim to create destinations that delight, inspire, and offer guests something they won’t find anywhere else. As we walk you through our unique approach to hotel design, let us open your imagination to the boundless possibilities that lie beyond the conventional.
Redefining the Ordinary
We begin each project by challenging the traditional concept of a hotel. Does a hotel room have to be a box with a bed, or could it be a treehouse overlooking a forest, a bubble dome under the stars, or even a floating villa on a lake? By breaking down preconceived notions, we make room for fresh ideas and innovative designs. The result is hotels that defy expectations, offering guests a unique escape from the ordinary and a stay they’ll remember long after they’ve checked out.
Creating a Sense of Place
In our designs, we strive to create a strong sense of place. This means not only integrating the hotel with its surroundings but also allowing the local culture, history, and natural beauty to permeate through the design. We’ve designed cliffside hotels that embrace stunning ocean views, urban hotels that reflect the city’s architectural heritage, and jungle retreats that blur the boundaries between inside and outside. The goal is to create hotels that feel rooted in their location, offering guests an authentic and immersive experience of the place.
Designing for Experiences
For us, the guest experience is paramount. We consider every touchpoint of a guest’s journey, from the moment they arrive to the minute they leave. This includes designing captivating arrival experiences, crafting comfortable and engaging guest rooms, planning intuitive navigation paths, and creating inspiring social spaces. We believe that great hotel design goes beyond the physical spaces. It’s also about how these spaces make guests feel, how they facilitate interactions, and how they contribute to the overall guest experience.
Balancing Aesthetics and Function
While we push the envelope of creativity, we ensure that function is at the core of our designs. This means considering the practical needs of the hotel operations, such as staff movement, maintenance requirements, and service efficiency. Whether it’s a cleverly concealed service door, a well-planned layout that reduces walking distances, or a multifunctional piece of furniture, we strike a balance between aesthetics and function that ensures the hotel operates seamlessly while delivering on the design promise.
Sustainability at the Heart
Sustainability is a crucial part of our design ethos at Hollaway Studio. We strive to create designs that are not just environmentally friendly but also contribute positively to their surroundings. This could mean using locally sourced materials, integrating green spaces, or employing energy-efficient technologies. It’s about designing hotels that respect and complement their environment while setting a benchmark for sustainable hospitality design.