Boutique + Lifestyle News | Hospitality Design

Baglietto and Meyer Davis Reveal Vesta56 Superyacht Concept

Stephanie Chen — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 13:30:00 +0000

Italian shipyard Baglietto has partnered with New York-based design studio Meyer Davis on Vesta56, a 184-foot concept yacht. The project also features striking exterior design by Enrico Gobbi of Venice-based Team for Design.

Vesta56’s exterior concept

Vesta56’s silhouette is informed by sweeping lines and slim aft deck overhangs reminiscent of jet wings, complemented by continuous bands of glazing that heighten the yacht’s sleek, kinetic profile.

A hallmark of the design is its focus on “lines in movement,” a sense of continuous flow and energy, even when the yacht is at anchor.

The concept brings the amenities of a larger yacht to a more intimate scale, including a foredeck dedicated solely to the owner and an infinity pool integrated into the aft platform, blurring the edge between vessel and sea. Expansive glazing in key spaces—like the main salon and Owner’s Suite—enhances views and strengthens the dialogue between interior and exterior.

An organic, home-like design

For the interiors, Meyer Davis drew inspiration from the yacht’s namesake, Vesta, the Roman goddess of hearth and home.

“We were inspired by the name Vesta56 for its rich symbolism—the quiet strength of home, the comfort of sanctuary, and the enduring presence of spaces designed not just for living, but for feeling truly at home,” says Gray Davis, cofounder of Meyer Davis. “Each material, curve, and proportion is imbued with intention to reflect that spirit.”

The material palette evokes this spirit through tactile richness and timeless restraint: travertine, raffia, cognac leather, and anthracite finishes bring depth and warmth. Sculpted curves and soft geometry define social spaces like the main salon, dining room, and upper lounge, while retractable glass walls invite in ocean air and shifting light.

Extending this ethos, the Owner’s Suite is anchored by a soulful design and handcrafted details.

The Vesta56 interiors resist the futurism common in many yacht designs. “Embracing organic form, personal layers, and lived-in elegance, we designed the yacht to age gracefully, accumulating stories as it travels,ˮ adds Will Meyer, cofounder of Meyer Davis.

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Palisociety to Open Le Petit Pali St. Helena in Napa Valley

Stephanie Chen — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 20:20:57 +0000

Avi Brosh’s Palisociety is expanding its Le Petit Pali brand with the upcoming Le Petit Pali St. Helena, slated to debut in Napa Valley this fall.

Marking the fifth Le Petit Pali location, the new California property sits on nearly three acres surrounded by vineyards and brings a new, resort-style vision to the brand’s elevated bed and breakfast model.

The property will include 29 guestrooms—five of which are standalone cottages—a main house, garden bar, and a pool and spa area.

A classic take for Le Petit Pali St. Helena

Brosh and his design team have reimagined the property to reflect Le Petit Pali’s signature blend of California-meets-European charm, layering residential-style details, classic patterns, and a warm, lived-in color palette.

Inside, guestrooms feature burnt orange moldings, plaid headboards and curtains, cream wainscoting, and a thoughtful mix of checkered floors and wood planks. The interiors maximize the cozy, collected sensibility with ambient lighting and soft finishes.

Anchoring the experience is the brand’s hallmark: an elaborate champagne breakfast served daily in the main house, followed by an all-day menu of light bites and a curated wine and cocktail program that spotlights local vintners.

“For years, we’ve been inspired by the art of the bed and breakfast hospitality concepts we’ve seen and experienced in Europe and beyond, and believed that the American landscape needed a similarly inspired renaissance of this beloved style of stays,” says Brosh. “Le Petit Pali is our most personal vision to date, incorporating all the things we know and love, with incredible locales and a signature, carefree take on luxury service and the St. Helena hotel will be a real beacon for the brand with its idyllic location in Napa and innate sense of place.”

Le Petit Pali St. Helena joins existing locations in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Laguna Beach, and Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood.

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Lark Hotels Welcomes the Painted Lady to Its Growing Portfolio

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:42:38 +0000

Lark Hotels has added the Painted Lady—a recently opened boutique hotel in Birmingham, Alabama—to its growing portfolio of independent properties under management.

Launch in March, the Painted Lady occupies the former Eyer-Raden Building, a restored 19th-century boarding house in the city’s Automotive Historic District that is rumored to have been operated by Louise C. Wooster, a legendary madam who earned local acclaim for her nursing work during the 1870s cholera epidemic.

“It’s an honor to have Lark selected as a partner in managing the Painted Lady,” says Lark CEO Peter Twachtman. “The property has so much soul, and a fascinating past; it’s the exact kind of singular boutique hotel experience that we are passionate about, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to manage it.”

Owned by Addicus Advisors, the 22-key hotel has been transformed into a vibrant destination that pays tribute to Birmingham’s layered history. Original architectural elements are paired with colorful interiors, modern amenities, and character-rich finishes.

“The Painted Lady is a unique concept with rich history, and we needed a partner who knew exactly how to bring that kind of property to life,” says Drew Adams, chief enterprise architect at Addicus. “Lark understands the character, creativity, and operational excellence it takes to create great visitor experiences—they were the clear choice.”

Founded in 2012 by Rob Blood, Lark manages boutique hotels across North America, including its own branded concepts such as Bluebird by Lark, Blind Tiger, AWOL, and Life House.

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Sir Hotels Enters UK Market with Sir Devonshire Square

Stephanie Chen — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:02:39 +0000

Amsterdam-based boutique hotel brand Sir Hotels has opened its first UK location with the launch of Sir Devonshire Square in London’s Shoreditch neighborhood.

Located on the charming brick courtyard of Devonshire Square, the property originally operated as a warehouse for the East India Tea Company.

The hotel houses 81 rooms (including 11 suites), a gym, and yoga studio. It also features a sprawling public space, which includes a shop selling local products reflective of London’s diverse culture.

The lobby bar serves as the hotel’s vibrant social anchor, transitioning from breakfast fare in the morning to light plates in the afternoon, and, finally, transforming into a bar at night with curated cocktails and cultural programming. The design is intended to foster connection between both guests and locals alike.

The main restaurant and the Cover, Sircle Collection’s private members club, are set to debut later this year.

Sir Hotels—part of Liran Wizman’s Sircle Collection—now operates five properties across five European cities: London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Ibiza, and Berlin.

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Submit to the 2025 Gold Key Awards

HD Staff — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:00:12 +0000

Boutique Design magazine presents the 45th annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design.

One of the most prestigious accolades in the hospitality design field, this award recognizes outstanding design from across the globe in 24 categories—from standout hotel spaces spanning all sectors to restaurants, wellness-focused venues, and other hospitality settings. Additional categories include Design at Sea (cruise ships and yachts) and Next-Gen Housing (for senior living, multifamily, co-living, etc.)

The competition’s deadline is August 1, 2025. The cost for each entry is $235. Check out the award categories and enter today!

The Gold Key Awards gala will take place Monday, November 10 at New York’s Cipriani 42nd Street in conjunction with Boutique Design New York (BDNY). Tickets will be available for purchase this summer.

The winners and finalists in each category, in addition to Judges’ So Cool and the Designer of the Year, will be recognized at this special awards ceremony. The event will also celebrate the soon-to-be-revealed 2025 Boutique 18 class, along with Boutique Design’s Up-and-Coming Hotelier of the Year.

This year’s Gold Key Awards judges:

Vedi Aslanyan, vice president of design + technical services – Americas, Ennismore
Nadia Biski, senior vice president architecture and design, Equinox
Kristen Freeland Hines, director of design, interiors, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Michael Dallas Havener, senior vice present development, design + construction, Ryman Hospitality Properties
Sara Kim, partner + senior vice president, brand development, LDV Hospitality
Rob Blood, chairman + founder, Lark Hotels | principal, Elder & Ash
Amy Michaelson Kelly, principal, Hatteras Sky
Staci Patton, senior director of brand design, full service + lifestyle, Hilton
Sarah Walsh, director, global design, luxury, Marriott International

View the 2024 finalists and winners.

For questions, contact Keisha Byrd at keisha.byrd@emeraldx.com.

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Midnight Auteur Officially Opens Its First Boutique Hotel

Stephanie Chen — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:39:11 +0000

Midnight Auteur—a hospitality company formed by the founders of cocktail bar Death & Co and the Ramble Hotel in Denver—has unveiled Municipal Grand, a luxury boutique hotel in Savannah, Georgia.

Located on a vibrant corner in a 1960s structure that most recently served as the Broughton Municipal Building, Municipal Grand features 44 guestrooms, a lobby bar and restaurant (Municipal Bar), rooftop pool and lounge (Sun Club), and subterranean bar (the Hot Eye).

A celebration of midcentury design

Envisioned by AAmp Studio—in collaboration with Lynch Associates Architects and local preservation experts Ward Architecture + Preservation—Municipal Grand takes inspiration from the city’s lush gardens and the building’s midcentury design.

Paying homage to Savannah’s often-overlooked post-WWII modernist movement, the design retains original materials like gray granite walls, white concrete frames, blue mosaic tile, and structural columns, while infusing softened curves, layered textures, and lush, tropical modernist elements inspired by Brazilian and Finnish design traditions.

“Rather than replicate the past, we sought to honor it—celebrating the building’s original design while introducing new interventions that bring warmth, movement, and depth,” says Andrew Ashey, cofounder of AAmp Studio.

Guestrooms at Municipal Grand

This design narrative carries through into the guestrooms, which reflect the inviting nature of Savannah. Midcentury lines and rich materials are imbued with the comfort and warmth of a well-lived home.

Each room begins with a rich green vestibule and millwork threshold that leads to the main living area, where cozy banquettes and custom wood-and-velvet headboards add tactile layers. An arched millwork minibar, topped with marble and stocked with a curated selection of drinks, nods to the hotel’s cocktail-forward ethos. Bathrooms, meanwhile, are characterized by curved shower entries, handmade Moroccan tiles, and red marble vanities.

Select rooms also feature private terraces overlooking Broughton Street.

“Municipal Grand was created with a lively Southern parlor room in mind,” says Ryan Diggins, CEO and partner at Midnight Auteur. “We’ve always been captivated by the vibrancy of a great lobby bar—how it naturally fosters conversation and celebration. With Municipal Grand, we’ve built a hotel that is as much for the city as it is for travelers.”

Midnight Auteur—led by Alex Day, Ryan Diggins, and David Kaplan—manages the ownership, development, and operation of cocktail-anchored boutique hotels.

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Belmond Launches the Britannic Explorer in England and Wales

Stephanie Chen — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 17:01:12 +0000

The introduction of the Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train marks the inaugural luxury sleeper train to operate across England and Wales.

The train will embark on its first journey to Wales later this month, followed by Cornwall shortly after.

Designing the Britannic Explorer

London-based design studio Albion Nord led the interior design, collaborating with a select group of British artists and artisans including Luke Edward Hall, Mel Campion, and Olly Fathers.

Across eight meticulously restored carriages, the team created a layered environment that bridges British heritage with contemporary design through the use of natural materials (such as stone, wood, and wool) paired with earthy hues and rich textures.

The train houses 18 cabins—three Grand Suites and 15 Suites—each designed to reflect the natural and cultural beauty of the British landscape. Thoughtfully integrated antiques, bold patterns, and tactile finishes establish a refined yet playful atmosphere, whether in the privacy of a guest’s suite or in the social spaces, which include an onboard spa, bar, and restaurant cars.

“Designing the Britannic Explorer has been an extraordinary opportunity to tell a new story of British luxury—one rooted in craft, landscape, and character,” says Camilla Clarke, creative director at Albion Nord. “We wanted the interiors to feel refined yet bold, timeless yet unexpected, much like Britain itself.”

Art in motion

The Double Suites feature custom wallpaper and textiles developed by Luke Edward Hall in collaboration with Rubelli.

His illustrative motifs, inspired by botanicals and regional landmarks, also appear on bespoke furnishings in the Grand Suites. In these spaces, sculptural wood panels by Olly Fathers add a graphic counterpoint, while artwork by Marcus James captures the drama of Britain’s countryside through expressive pen drawings.

Mirrors handcrafted by shell artist Mel Campion accent the powder rooms, while painter Sarah Woods contributes serene landscapes to the Wellness Suite. Lighting by Rose Uniacke offers a minimalist contrast to the more decorative elements, emphasizing craftsmanship and organic form.

In the dining carriages, kinetic paintings by Ed Burkes depict abstract dancers in motion, complemented by hand-dyed textile wall panels by Adam Halls, whose layered compositions are inspired by the textures of lichen and algae.

“Every element, from the palette and materials to the artwork and antiques, was chosen to evoke a sense of place and personality,” Clarke adds. “It has been a privilege to collaborate with Belmond and an inspiring community of British makers to bring this vision to life.”

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Call for 2025 Boutique 18 Nominations

BD Staff — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:31:35 +0000

Each year, Boutique Design recognizes 18 emerging hospitality designers for their notable contributions and achievements.

These rising stars will be highlighted in the Fall 2025 edition of Boutique Design magazine, and honored in November at the Gold Key Awards ceremony and during Boutique Design New York (BDNY). The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 1st.

Submit your nominations to celebrate the industry’s future leaders!

Eligible Boutique 18 nominees should have approximately five to 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry and be actively engaged in the design and/or architecture process.

Nominees can be part of the nominator’s firm, another design firm or brand, or have recently started their own studio. The selected class will be announced in September.

The 2024 Boutique 18 class at the Gold Key Awards ceremony in New York

Read about last year’s Boutique 18 class in BD’s Fall 2024 issue.

For more information or questions, contact Keisha Byrd, vice president and brand director, Hospitality Design Group, at keisha.byrd@emeraldx.com.

More from BD: Submit to the 2025 Gold Key Awards!

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Aman Unveils Name of First Luxury Yacht: Amangati

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:52:10 +0000

Aman has revealed the name of its first luxury motor yacht: Amangati, which meanings “peaceful motion” in Sanskrit—a fitting moniker for the brand’s debut at sea.

Currently under construction at the T. Mariotti shipyard in Genoa, the 600-foot vessel is slated to set sail in 2027.

Part of the Aman at Sea initiative first announced in 2021, Amangati is being crafted in collaboration with Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. The name reflects the vessel’s core mission of creating a seamless sense of forward movement and refined tranquility, which echoes the elegant lines and meditative design that will shape the onboard experience.

On board the Amangati

Optimizing privacy and spaciousness, Amangati will feature 47 expansive suites—each with its own private balcony—making them among the largest accommodations found on a yacht of its class.

On board, guests will find a series of elevated amenities, including four international dining concepts, a jazz club, and a serene Aman Spa complete with a Japanese garden. A expansive beach club at the stern will offer direct access to the sea, cementing a connection to the natural surroundings.

Amangati will be powered, in part, by battery technology, as part of Aman’s commitment to minimizing its environmental impact.

Launching in the Mediterranean in summer 2027, the vessel will also be available for private charter.

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The Vanguard Hotel Nods to Local Legacy in Ann Arbor

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 13:00:51 +0000

The Vanguard Hotel, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection, has opened its doors in Ann Arbor.

Developed by Robert Finvarb Companies and Milford Singer & Company, the property is tailored to today’s individualist traveler through an elevated design by DLR Group that celebrates the Michigan city’s storied university culture.

Guestrooms at the Vanguard Hotel

Located adjacent to the University of Michigan campus, the 188-room property—which spans 24 one-bedroom suites (10 of which feature dual king beds)—is rooted in academic heritage and modern sophistication. Select suites offer private patios with city views and lounge seating as well.

A nature-inspired dining destination

Anchoring the hotel’s F&B offerings is La Serre, a French-inspired brasserie that channels the spirit of naturalist John James Audubon.

With its airy, botanical-forward interiors and two private dining spaces, the restaurant serves as a central gathering point for both locals and visitors.

Meetings with a view

The Vanguard also introduces more than 11,000 square feet of event space across five meeting rooms, all designed to maximize natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Ann Arbor’s evolving skyline.

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