Cruise lines contend with new fees on carbon emissions, Coachella transforms the desert with immersive art installations, and all-inclusive resorts embrace off-property adventures. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
Is it the meal or the mood?
Photo courtesy of Pexels
At PapaSan in Manhattan, the vibe hits before the food does—think neon-orange signage, branded merch, and a pink spiral staircase. Across the U.S., restaurants are embracing hyper-stylized branding and immersive interiors: flying saucers and alien mascots at Chicago’s Sharpies or a $200,000 investment in music, lighting, and menu design at Midtown’s Golden Hof and NY Kimchi, reports The New York Times. Aesthetics have become central to the dining experience, sometimes more important than the food itself. Thanks to tools like Canva and a design-savvy audience, even small restaurants are prioritizing aesthetics, treating visual identity as essential to both brand and bottom line.
Cruise lines face carbon fees under new regulations
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Cruise lines will pay for carbon emissions under a new global framework from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), reports Skift. Taking effect by 2028, the rules apply to ships more than 5,000 tonnes, including cruise vessels, and could cost operators up to $380 per ton of CO₂ unless they reduce emissions. By 2035, ships must slash emissions by 43 percent or face penalties. The $10 billion in projected annual revenue will support the development of cleaner fuels. While the U.S. withdrew from negotiations, countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia backed a compromise. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), representing major cruise brands, said it’s reviewing the rules, stressing the importance of avoiding double taxation and calling for greater support in scaling zero-emissions fuels.
Coachella’s art scene is surreal and kinetic
Uchronia’s Le Grand Bouquet installation at Coachella 2025, consisting large inflatable flowers; photo by Lance Gerber, courtesy Coachella
As Coachella’s second weekend kicks off, large-scale art installations once again share the spotlight with the music, transforming the Southern California desert landscape into a gallery of immersive experiences. Curated by Public Art Company (PAC) in collaboration with Goldenvoice’s Paul Clemente, the works embrace movement, illusion, and the ephemeral, writes Designboom. Highlights include Taffy by Stephanie Lin, series of towering mesh-wrapped cylinders that double as shaded seating; Take Flight, an installation of wind-powered turbines inspired by 19th-century flying machines by London’s Isabel + Helen Studio; and Uchronia’s Le Grand Bouquet, a larger-than-life burst of candy-colored inflatable blooms.
All-inclusives are going beyond the buffet
Paddleboarding in a mangrove; photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Today’s all-inclusive resorts are catering to travelers who want more than just unlimited meals and cocktails. As the BBC reports, properties like Nay Palad Hideaway in the Philippines builds activities like surfing and mangrove paddleboarding into its nightly rates. Sandals Royal Curaçao’s Island Inclusive program lets select guests dine at local restaurants with a $250 dining credit and included transfers—soon to expand brand-wide. Ikos Resorts has initiatives that allows guests to rent a car to explore destinations like the Costa del Sol and includes free entry to sites like the Akrani winery on Kos, while Paradisus by Meliá packages premium stays with guided hikes and museum trips.
Addressing tariffs and more at HD Expo + Conference
The Social Hub at HD Expo + Conference, designed by Flick Mars; rendering by Vision Republic
With shifting tariff policies impacting everything from materials to sourcing, industry leaders are gearing up to address these challenges at HD Expo + Conference 2025, taking place May 6-8th at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Among more than 30 conference sessions, panels like Industry Outlook: What Factors Will Impact Hospitality, What Owners Want: Real Talk with Clients, and Meet the Purchasers: Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Execution will dive into how global policies affect design decisions. The show will also feature 600-plus exhibitors (including 130 first-timers), four designed spaces, and networking events that inform and inspire. See the full conference schedule and register today!
