Barry Sternlicht has a warning for big hotel chains, Egypt readies to move ahead on Red Sea bridge, and ‘shoebox’ guestrooms entice solo travelers without cutting corners on style. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
Hidden design gems elevate Manhattan’s showroom scene
The bar at Quarters; photo by William Jess Laird
New York’s high-end furniture scene is embracing a quieter, more curated approach, trading street-level storefronts for discreet lofts, warehouses, and repurposed apartments, writes The New York Times. From Alan Eckstein’s speakeasy-style Somerset House in Long Island City to the cocktail-ready Quarters in Lower Manhattan, these hidden showrooms offer design lovers a personalized, immersive experience. West Coast transplants like Lawson-Fenning and Nickey Kehoe bring their signature style to subtly marked Manhattan spaces, while Temple Studio and West Out East add texture and functionality in reimagined lofts. This new wave of retail is less about foot traffic and more about discovery, intimacy, and narrative-rich environments. “We’re not hitting you over the head with design,” said Glenn Lawson, founder of Lawson-Fenning.
Barry Sternlicht sounds off on hospitality’s future
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, part of Barry Sternlicht’s Starwood Hotels; photo by AVABLU
At this week’s NYU Hospitality Investment Conference, Barry Sternlicht—founder of Starwood Hotels—warned that big hotel chains are losing ground to agile indie brands, Skift reports. Drawing parallels to fashion and cosmetics, Sternlicht pointed out that personalization and authenticity are beating out sameness and scale. He criticized the industry’s habit of “flag trading” and urged brands to differentiate through design, service, and storytelling. While praising players like Accor for snapping up indie labels, he emphasized that real loyalty comes from great people and strong products. As for his next moves? Starwood Hotels is officially back—but he’s playing his cards close.
Linking continents: Red Sea bridge project to move ahead
A proposed bridge would link Egypt and Saudi Arabia over the Red Sea; photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Plans for a long-anticipated bridge connecting Egypt and Saudi Arabia across the Red Sea are gaining momentum, Dezeen writes. Egypt’s transport minister Kamel al-Wazir confirmed the project, which will link Sharm El-Sheikh to Ras Alsheikh Hamid via Tiran Island, is ready for execution. Envisioned as a high-speed rail corridor, the $4 billion venture aims to boost trade and tourism between Africa and Asia, while complementing Saudi Arabia’s expansive Neom development. First proposed in 2016, the bridge aligns with regional mega-projects like Egypt’s New Administrative Capital and the Line in Neom—raising the stakes for cross-continental infrastructure and futuristic urban design.
Compact hotel rooms hit high-end hotels
The Hoxton, Vienna offers single-occupancy ‘Snug’ rooms ranging from 137 to 141 square feet
Solo travelers are on the rise, and so are hotel rooms designed just for them, according to The Wall Street Journal. From Kimpton Fitzroy’s compact-yet-chic City Single accommodations in London to AlmaLusa Alfama’s smartly designed 161-square-foot hideaways in Lisbon, these pint-sized spaces offer style, savings, and just the right amount of solitude. Firmdale’s Kit Kemp-designed singles brim with charm across less than 90 square feet, while Hoxton’s “Shoebox” rooms pack a playful punch across the U.S. and Europe. Even boutique properties like Hotel 850 SVB in West Hollywood are getting in on the action, proving that cozy can still be cool—and never means compromising on design. “A single-occupancy bedroom can have just as much style as a bigger one. It’s all about how you use the space,” says Charlie North, global vice president of design of Ennismore, Hoxton’s parent company.
ICYMI: The 2025 HD Awards celebration continues
The 2025 HD Awards trophies, designed by Yellow Goat Design; photo by PWP Studio
Last month, Hospitality Design revealed this year’s HD Awards project and product winners during a ceremony in Las Vegas. And the excitement doesn’t end there—our 2025 HD Awards magazine issue drops in less than two weeks, celebrating the finalists, winners, special award honorees (including Design Firm and Hotelier of the Year, HDAC Awards of Excellence, and the HD/West Elm Student Product Design Competition), and judges who made the 21st annual program possible. Dive into the stories behind the 34 project winners, and relive the prestigious event via our photo gallery.
