From bold brand reinventions to deeply rooted, place-driven retreats, 2025 showcased hospitality design at its most thoughtful and expressive. This year’s top hotel stories highlight how global brands and boutique properties alike embraced context, craftsmanship, and elevated guest experience to redefine modern luxury.
W Hotels 2.0 Elevates the Brand Into Its Luxury Era
The Living Room bar at W Hollywood in Los Angeles; photo by Michael Kleinberg
In 2025, W Hotels moved decisively into a refined luxury era with a strategic brand evolution that balances its signature bold style with elevated design and context-driven sophistication. Originating in 1998 as a disruptor in lifestyle hospitality, the brand—now more than 70 properties strong—partnered with Rockwell Group and others to establish new standards that blend cultural and historical insight with timeless materials and dynamic programming. The W of tomorrow emphasizes deeper guest experience, nuanced service, and destination-responsive spaces, showcased in recent openings and renovations from Prague to Punta Cana. This evolution signals W’s shift into modern luxury while keeping its vibrant spirit alive. Read the full story.
Aman Nai Lert Bangkok Is Rooted in Thai Tradition
Photo courtesy of Aman
Aman Nai Lert Bangkok debuted as a serene urban sanctuary rooted in Thai heritage amid the verdant Nai Lert Park. The 36-story property designed by Jean-Michel Gathy and Denniston features 52 spacious suites and 34 branded residences that blend cultural craftsmanship with contemporary luxury. Rich natural materials, bespoke Thai-made art, and a dramatic tree-inspired atrium define the interior narrative, while multiple dining venues and a 16,000-square-foot wellness center enhance guest experience. Reflecting Aman’s signature ethos of tranquility and place-based design, the project reinforces the brand’s evolution in city-center hospitality. Read the full story.
Pastoral Elegance Awaits at New Jersey’s Pendry Natirar
Photo by Christian Horan
Pendry Natirar reimagined a historic early-20th-century estate in Somerset County, New Jersey, as a refined country lifestyle destination just an hour from New York City. Set across 500 acres of rolling woodlands, the project preserves the original Tudor mansion while introducing 66 luxury guestrooms and suites, expansive event spaces, two restaurants, a members club, and Spa Pendry. DesignAgency and CosciaMoos meld classic architectural elements with contemporary interiors to honor the site’s heritage. The resort also features a working 10-acre farm and branded residences, offering guests pastoral charm paired with modern hospitality experiences. Read the full story.
