Ritz-Carlton Is Taking Design To the Next Level

For the last decade, the team behind the Ritz-Carlton have worked hard to make each new hotel unique to their location while keeping them consistent with the their design philosophy. This year they will be adding six more hotels to their collection in China, Israel, Kazakhstan, India and Aruba. As the company continues to embark on new projects, the next three years will focus on developing an additional 30 hotels around the world.

 Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

While most builds focus on a contemporary design with elegant features, two recent openings have proven to be in contrast to their typical properties. Situated adjacent to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal’s façade and interiors offer a more classical approach while giving respect to its surroundings. The hotel draws inspiration from the 15th to early 17th century Renaissance architecture and consists of ten buildings arranged in a hemispherical formation. In Puerto Rico, the Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve invites guests into a barefoot-elegance retreat. Constructed as an open-air enclave, Dorado Beach references its natural landscape and features modern yet minimal décor.

 Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi

The Ritz-Carlton Company prides themselves on their design strategies that enhance guest experience through casual elegance, diverse physical products and contrasting styles for hotels located within the same cities. Drawing on these themes, their hotels around the world continue to be standouts among their competitors with unique elements befitting of their location. Below are examples from Bill Barrie’s work.

 Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

 The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

 The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

 Sharq Village & Spa, Doha

Over the years it has been interesting and fun to watch as the Ritz-Carlton brand has grown and changed from the older version of elegant (read: what is now considered stuffy and dated) to this new approach of folding the surroundings of each property right into the décor of the properties. The designs add a fun element to a stay, reminding guests always of where they are...not in just any cookie-cutter hotel where the scenery outside could be anywhere, but instead a luxurious reflection of the city or region. Even if you never leave the hotel, you are going to get a taste of the culture and feel for the place you are visiting. At The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain one of the first things guests might notice is how the expansive view from the lobby seamlessly melts into the décor of the hotel. Over at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong the colors, patterns and lighting fixtures all complement the sparkling city below.