Marriott International’s Autograph Collection has arrived in Louisville, Kentucky. Located at the convivial locale of the city’s historic Whiskey Row, the resign of the newly opened Hotel Distil pays homage to the city’s deep-seated bourbon heritage.
Dallas, Texas-based HKS Architects, handled the restoration of the property, including its façade, which was first built in the 1860s. Drawing inspiration from the bourbon-making process, the renovated exteriors now features copper-toned metal panels that are tapered to recall cast-iron façades.
Spearheaded the hotel’s interiors is another Dallas-based company, FlickMars Hospitality, which accentuated historical references through shadowboxes of antique accessories along with galleries of vintage posters, newspapers, and postcards. A large skylight floods the interior with natural light, while pre-prohibition-style globe light fixtures illuminate the wood tones, staves, black metal accents, and copper fixtures of the interiors. Ranging from 338 to 700 square feet, the hotel’s 205 accommodations include 161 king rooms, 33 queen rooms, in addition to 11 connoisseur suites.
The hotel’s onsite oak-fired steakhouse Repeal accommodates 72 diners beneath a large skylight, anchored by a 15-person private barrel room and bar, while Bitters End, the refined, fancy bar located on its rooftop is sheltered by a retractable glass roof.