Hospitality
Our hospitality design team brings global expertise in planning, architecture, interior design, and branding to projects across every scale to deliver award-winning designs that drive extraordinary guest experiences, brand loyalty, and lasting value.
Hard Rock Hellinikon Integrated Resort Greece, Hellinikon, Greece
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Sustainability and storytelling should be woven into the brand narrative as a given, shaping spaces that are not just beautiful but also meaningful and responsible.
—Diane Thorsen, Hospitality leader
27 Items
Nekajui Ritz Carlton Reserve
Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
The Nekajui Ritz Carlton Reserve resort design seamlessly integrates the cultural, historical, and natural aspects of Guanacaste and sets new ESG standards
Parx Hotel and Casino
Bensalem, Pennsylvania
Gensler is working with Parx Casino, the top casino in Pennsylvania and one of the largest privately owned commercial casinos in the U.S., to design a luxury hotel to complement the market‐leading casino and entertainment operation.
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Orlando, Florida
Nestled within the grounds of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, the Swan Reserve is a 349-key boutique hotel that offers the refined luxury expected of the Marriott Autograph Collection.
Custom House Quay
Cork, Republic of Ireland
The design concept for Custom House Quay positions the five star hotel development at the historic port location at the confluence of the River Lee in Ireland.
Hilton La Sabana
San José, Costa Rica
The new Hilton La Sabana provides guests with a striking, one-of-a-kind view of the Central Valley and delivers a wellness-focused hospitality experience.
American Airlines & British Airways Premium Experience at JFK International Airport
Queens, New York
As part of British Airways co-locating with American Airlines in the newly expanded Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Gensler was enlisted to design the new check-in and lounge experiences.
citizenM NoMa
Washington, D.C.
citizenM’s newest location brings a 10-story hotel to the emerging NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. and meets the needs of modern travelers by delivering a luxury hybrid hotel experience.
Atari Hotels
Las Vegas, Nevada
Atari Hotels partnered with Gensler to bring its iconic gaming brand to life with an experience-driven hospitality, esports, and entertainment destination.
Reverb by Hard Rock Hotel Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
The new Reverb by Hard Rock Hotel in Atlanta serves as a key differentiator in a mixed-use development by ushering a community driven by rich culture, a spirit for adventure, and a passion for music in a destination by Gensler's hospitality designers.
Baha Mar Jazz Bar
Baha Mar, a premier Bahamas resort and casino, partnered with Gensler to transform a jazz bar into a luxury jazz venue and hospitality destination.
The Waylen Hotel
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Situated at the core of Philadelphia’s Navy Yard campus, The Waylen will convert a historic naval receiving station into a 223-key, full-service hotel.
Oscar Mike Sports & Training Center
Timberlane, Illinois
Oscar Mike Sports & Training Center will be the first-of-its-kind facility to bring together veterans to train, build community, and improve their wellbeing.
Westin Cocoa Beach Resort & Spa
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Driftwood Capital is seizing an opportunity to build a new four-star resort in Cocoa Beach with a design that draws cues from the NASA program and surf culture.
Signia by Hilton Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia World Congress Center Signia by Hilton celebrates Atlanta’s past, present, and constantly shifting landscape to cultivate a legacy and welcome visitors.
Steamboat Base Village Redevelopment
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Aligning with the expectations of today's travelers, the reimagined Steamboat Resort base area offers a world-class on mountain experience to resort visitors.
New York Mets Citi Field
Queens, New York
To enhance visitors’ game day experience, Gensler worked to upgrade several key club and suite spaces at the New York Mets’ Citi Field.
Dual-Brand voco Holiday Inn
Chicago, Illinois
Gensler was hired for a Property Improvement Plan (PIP) to transform the existing Holiday Inn Hotel into a new, dual-brand voco and Holiday Inn.
High Street Place
Boston, Massachusetts
High Street Place is a food hall featuring 20 unique vendors in the heart of Boston’s Financial District.
ITC Colombo One Hotel & Residences
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Located on the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka, ITC Colombo One Hotel and Residences is a luxury development, designed by Gensler, in the heart of the capital city.
Watermark Hotel
Tysons, Virginia
The Watermark Hotel at Capital One Block C, designed by Gensler, is a major evolution for the skyline and market of Tysons, Virginia and greater Washington, D.C.
The Current at CIBC SQUARE
Toronto, Ontario
With a focus on engaging employees through health and wellness amenities, Ivanhoé Cambridge and Hines called on Gensler to create a fitness centre at CIBC SQUARE that offers an elevated workplace experience.
Penn National Gaming York Casino
York, Pennsylvania
The Hollywood Casino York is a new 80,000-square foot mini-casino with 750 slots and 30 table games located inside a transformed department store at the York Galleria Mall.
Holland Casino Venlo
Venlo, Netherlands
The Holland Casino Venlo takes inspiration from the natural patterns and dramatic textures of the Dutch landscape, creating a memorable guest journey through the physical and digital transformation of color, texture, light, and ambiance.
JW Marriott Hotel, Shanghai Fengxian
Shanghai, China
JW Marriott Hotel, Shanghai Fengxian matches the surrounding water and greenery-filled views with a unique building design that emphasizes fluidity, harmony with nature, and design performance that drives user experience.
Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk
San Antonio, Texas
Known as the “Rivera Building,” the existing site for the Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk sits right off the San Antonio River Walk and next door to the Esquire Tavern on approximately 6,100 square feet of land.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
Denver, Colorado
Blending Denver’s history and old world charm with modern design aesthetics, the Sheraton Denver Hotel sets a new standard for livable luxury. Gensler Denver’s design team embraced the hotel property’s architectural significance and paid homage to its previous demeanor.
Denver Beer Company, South Downing
Denver, Colorado
The Denver Beer Co. concept in Denver’s Rosedale neighborhood creates an inclusive gathering space for residents and visitors that revitalizes the main street.
Client Services
Our multidisciplinary hospitality team creates memorable guest experiences and branded workplace environments that empower staff.
Architecture
Our hospitality architects combine their deep industry expertise with emerging trends across other sectors, to craft memorable hospitality experiences. As a full-service firm, we bring global resources and exceptional talent to each hospitality project.
Interior Design
Gensler partners with leading global hotel brands and developers to redefine design experiences for guests as well as staff members. Our team of hospitality interior designers bring expertise in F&B, spa, wellness spaces, meeting rooms, event spaces, fitness clubs, and branded residences.
Master Planning
Based on methodical research and analysis, we plan for the complex balance of elements needed for projects to be successful, sustainable, and attractive while maximizing the effective use of the total asset. Drawing inspiration from a wide spectrum of disciplines, our team delivers memorable experiences across all scales.
Brand
Our brand design teams are storytellers who create engaging experiences utilizing a holistic approach. By integrating interior design, communications, messaging, graphic design, signage, and wayfinding, we design hospitality environments that immerse people in a brand’s philosophy.
INSIGHTS
Blog
How Immersive Food and Beverage Experiences Are Redefining Hospitality
Food and beverage spaces have unique potential as experiential destinations that authentically convene community in a way that is familiar, universal, and transformative.
Blog
Using Narrative Design and Local Context to Create Authentic and Memorable Hospitality Experiences
Gensler's global leaders for Hospitality and Experience Design discuss the intersection of these two industries and their process for creating memorable destinations.
Blog
What Spa and Wellness Spaces Can Teach Us About Transforming Behavior
Luxury hospitality and spa experiences are leading the charge in changing how we experience and interact with technology.
Blog
A Story of Transformation: Hyatt’s Unique Blend of Community and Hospitality
Strategies for repositioning an aging hotel ground floor into a community destination.
Blog
Expanding New Frontiers: Redefining Hospitality in Latin America
From personalizing experiences to deepening cultural immersion, here’s how hospitality is evolving in LATAM.
Blog
Luxury + Convenience: Why Branded Residences Are in Demand Across the Globe
In the residential sector, we’re seeing an increased demand for high-end, branded residences that offer hotel-style services and amenities.
Blog
Why Hospitality Must Adopt the “Leave No Trace” Mindset
By embracing “Leave No Trace” ideas, we can raise the bar on placemaking that brings people together, elevates natural and urban spaces, and preserves the Earth.
Blog
Trends to Watch Shaping the Future of Hospitality in Las Vegas and Beyond
Gensler Hospitality leaders discuss how hospitality design is transcending beyond traditional hotels and casinos.
Blog
New Atlanta Hotel Blends Southern Hospitality and Design Excellence
Signia by Hilton Atlanta pays homage to Atlanta’s rich history while embracing its dynamic present and ever-evolving landscape.
Blog
The Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality
What are the biggest trends impacting hospitality operators? Gensler’s global hospitality leaders discuss what’s next for hospitality design.
Blog
What Makes a Great Retail Experience? Community, Connection, and Exhibition
Astute retail and hospitality brands recognize that in-person connection is a vital part of their offerings. But what does that visceral experience actually look like?
Blog
How Changing Traveler Demands Are Reshaping Hospitality
Consumers are demanding more from their travel experiences. Here’s how hospitality can respond.
Blog
AI Is Already Changing Hospitality. Here’s How.
From optimizing energy efficiency to hotel operations, AI is revolutionizing the hospitality industry in ways that are delightful and profound.
Blog
Implementing Science Research Lab Design Strategies in Wineries
Similar to a research lab, wineries and winemakers require a space for analysis and discovery that balances equipment requirements with human-centric design.
Research
Hospitality Experience Survey 2023
As travel ramps up, our survey explores the growing blend of business and leisure travel, new definitions of luxury hospitality experiences, and heightened guest expectations.
Trends in Hospitality
Cultural storytelling and emotional hospitality spaces create meaningful destinations.
Travelers will continue to seek profound and meaningful connections with their destinations, leading hotels to collaborate with local communities to create hyper-localized, immersive experiences.
Hotels won’t just accommodate; they’ll predict, surprise, and delight.
To captivate visitors and elevate revenue, hotels will have the ability to transform each stay into a bespoke journey. Guests will have access to tailormade on-site activities, hyper-personalized services, and customizable suites in which guests can choose amenities, scents, and decor styles.
Hotels revitalize the ecosystems and communities they call home.
True luxury is no longer confined to opulence; it now includes meaning and impact. This will push hotels to revitalize their surrounding landscapes with regenerative design. Rewilding will revive local wildlife, bring back indigenous plant species, and inspire architecture that naturally responds to the climate.
HOSPITALITY LEADERSHIP
Tom Ito
Hospitality Leader, Principal
Tom Ito is a Hospitality Leader at Gensler who launched the firm’s Hospitality practice in the late 1990s.
Lori Mukoyama
Hospitality Leader, Design Director, Principal
Lori Mukoyama is a global leader of Gensler’s Hospitality practice and Design Director based in the firm’s Chicago office.
Diane Thorsen
Hospitality Leader, Design Director, Principal
Diane Thorsen is a global leader of Gensler’s Hospitality practice and Design Director based in the firm’s Dubai office.
Siobhan Barry
Design Director, Principal
Siobhan Barry is a Design Director in Gensler New York with over 20 years of experience designing high-profile retail, restaurant, and hospitality environments.
Pete Chalfant
Hospitality Leader, Studio Director
Pete Chalfant is a regional Hospitality Leader at Gensler, delivering impactful hospitality projects, ranging from 65-key properties to 2,000-key hotels.
Julia Chang
Hospitality Leader, Project Director
As the Hospitality Leader at Gensler for the Greater China region, Julia Chang brings over two decades of experience in Asia in key leadership roles.
Hogan Chun
Hospitality Leader, Design Director
Hogan Chun is a Hospitality Leader for Gensler’s Southwest region and serves as a Design Director in the firm’s Los Angeles office.
David Darlington
Studio Director, Hospitality Leader, Principal
David Darlington is a Studio Director in Gensler’s Costa Rica office, leading a multidisciplinary team specializing in the hospitality practice area.
Kirk Ellis
Director of Hospitality
Kirk Ellis is the Director of Hospitality for Gensler’s Asia Pacific region, based in the firm’s Singapore office.
Rick Fawell
Hospitality Leader, Senior Project Director, Principal
Rick Fawell is a Senior Project Director and Hospitality Leader for the North Central region, based in Gensler’s Chicago office.
Robert Fischel
Hospitality Leader, Principal
Robert Fischel is the Hospitality Leader for Gensler’s Southeast region based in the Atlanta office.
Jack Paruta
Hospitality Leader, Design Manager
Jack Paruta is the Hospitality Leader for Gensler’s Northeast region, based in the firm’s office in Morristown, New Jersey.
Trevor To
Hospitality Leader, Design Manager
Trevor To is a Hospitality leader for Gensler’s Europe region and a dedicated architect working on all stages of architectural projects.
Rashana Zaklit
Hospitality Leader, Design Director
Rashana Zaklit is a Hospitality Interiors Design Director as well as the Hospitality Leader for Gensler's Northwest region.
NEWS
In The Media
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Hospitality Design
Hospitality Design Featured Gensler Hospitality Leader Tom Ito on Its “What I’ve Learned” Podcast
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ito launched the firm’s hospitality practice in the late 1990s and has expanded the practice to an international scale.
November 06, 2024
In The Media
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Hospitality Design
Hospitality Design Celebrates Hospitality Leader Tom Ito as a 2024 Platinum Circle Inductee
Tom Ito’s work to deliver outstanding guest experiences spans across projects in Asia, the Middle East, and Americas, with a focus on sustainable design, innovation, and client service.
October 15, 2024
In The Media
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Condé Nast Traveler
Inside the St. Regis Chicago, Featuring Luxe Interiors by Gensler and KTGY Simeone Deary Design
Condé Nast Traveler spotlighted the new hotel which boasts understated yet luxuriously appointed rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, “deliciously inviting” soaking tubs, and an inspired palate of cooper, white marbles, and splashes of blue.
October 04, 2024
In The Media
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Boutique Design
Boutique Design Recognized Hyatt Regency Irvine as a 44th Annual Gold Key Awards Finalist
Hyatt Regency Irvine is a finalist in the Lobby Upscale category of the 2024 Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design. Gensler is the firm behind the hotel’s new lobby design.
September 17, 2024
In The Media
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Boutique Design
Gensler Dallas Interior Designer Alexis Gillum-Cousby Named to Boutique Design’s Boutique 18
Boutique Design unveiled the 2024 class of the Boutique 18, spotlighting the next generation of designers reshaping the hospitality landscape.
September 13, 2024
In The Media
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Cool Hunting
The Delta One Lounge at JFK International Airport Is “A Merger of Luxury and Functionality”
Delta’s Sam Roberts noted that “from day one” Gensler’s hospitality team “understood what we were trying to achieve from an experience perspective.”
August 14, 2024
In The Media
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Travel Research Online
Gensler Principal Siobhan Barry Spoke on a Panel at Travel + Leisure’s The World’s Best Summit 2024
Barry reflected on her experience designing the Delta One lounge at JFK Airport for various “customer archetypes,” in order to “engage travelers on their own terms” through “moments of delight and discovery.”
July 26, 2024
In The Media
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Interior Design
Interior Design Listed Gensler As the #2 Firm on Its List of 2024 Hospitality Giants
The annual Interior Design Giants business survey ranks the largest firms based on interior design fees from the previous year.
May 20, 2024
In The Media
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Bisnow Dallas-Fort Worth
Bisnow Interviewed Gensler’s Alejandro Guerrero About the One-of-a-Kind Miyako Hotel in Plano
Designed to accommodate Japanese workers visiting Toyota’s North American HQ and welcome American guests, the hotel sets the standard for luxury with blended aesthetics of Japanese design and Texas architecture.
May 06, 2024
In The Media
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HD Expo + Conference
HD Expo + Conference Hosts a Panel on Luxury Hospitality and How Brands and Hotels Can Provide Meaningful Experiences
Gensler Hospitality Director Nicole Dalton joins a panel of industry leaders in Las Vegas at 2024’s HD Expo + Conference to discuss how brands and hotels can stay ahead.
May 01, 2024
In The Media
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Premier Construction News
Gensler and Hotel 1000 Seattle’s Amenities Space Redesign Includes a Lobby, Bar, and Virtual Golf Suite
The Hilton LXR Resort & Hotel waterfront destination features a Topgolf Swing Suite and craft cocktail bar, designed by Gensler, with maritime accents inspired by nearby islands.
April 09, 2024
In The Media
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Design Middle East
Design Middle East Recognized Hospitality Leader Diane Thorsen on Its Powerlist Influential 30 Architects 2024
Design Middle East noted how Thorsen’s projects “exhibit attention to detail, a love of local art, and quality of craftsmanship.”
March 06, 2024
In The Media
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Hotel Management
The Gensler-Designed Signia by Hilton Debuts in Atlanta
Signia by Hilton Atlanta is the city’s largest ground-up hotel development project in 40 years.
January 17, 2024
In The Media
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Hotel Business
Signia by Hilton Debuts Its Flagship Hotel in Atlanta
Designed by Gensler, the 42-story hotel is the tallest building on the west side of Atlanta and features panoramic views of downtown.
January 12, 2024
In The Media
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Atlanta Business Chronicle
The $450 Million Signia by Hilton Hotel Opens in Downtown Atlanta
Signia by Hilton Atlanta marks the city’s largest ground-up hotel development project in 40 years.
January 11, 2024
In The Media
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Hotel Business Review
How Art-Forward Hospitality Experiences Attract Workers and Influence the Guest Experience
Hotel Business Review referenced Gensler’s Hospitality Experience Survey in an article about how art-forward hospitality experiences attract workers as art transforms lobbies into ‘unconventional yet stimulating workspaces.’
November 01, 2023
In The Media
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The Hospitality Industry Network
The Hospitality Industry Network Recognized Gensler Dallas As the NEWH TopID 2024 Award Winner
Gensler Dallas is a TopID winner for the third year in a row. The award celebrates design excellence and promotes firms engaged in supporting NEWH’s mission.
October 25, 2023
In The Media
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Interior Design
Interior Design Highlighted 6 Innovative City Hotels, Including the Moxy & AC Hotel in DTLA
The Moxy Downtown Los Angeles & AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles is a 37-story Gensler-designed tower that houses a “sophisticated, dual-brand hospitality complex.”
October 24, 2023
In The Media
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Forbes
The St. Regis Chicago Takes Health and Well-Being to a New Level
The 101-story hotel, with guest rooms designed by KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group and Gensler, features a designated wellness floor.
October 19, 2023
In The Media
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Building Design+Construction
Gensler Ranked #1 on BD+C’s Top 130 Hospitality Facility Architecture Firms List
Building Design+Construction ranked Gensler as the #1 hospitality facilities sector architecture firm in 2023.
September 20, 2023
In The Media
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Hotel Management
Chicago’s Dual-Brand voco Holiday Inn Welcomes Visitors
Gensler’s Hospitality design team, led by Rick Fawell and Lori Mukoyama, activated the dual-brand hotel, which features a reception with emerald green for Holiday Inn and a bright blue for voco.
August 16, 2023
In The Media
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Hospitality Net
Hyatt Regency Irvine Reveals the First Phase of a $50 Million Transformation
The reimagining of the Hyatt Regency Irvine, led by the client, Gensler, and DLR, includes new interiors, public spaces, dining, meeting and event areas, and over 500 rooms.
August 15, 2023
In The Media
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Turning Stone
Oneida Indian Nation Announced Plans for a $370 Million Expansion of Turning Stone Resort Casino
The expansion includes a new conference center, hotel, outdoor event spaces, and more. Gensler is working on the architecture, interior design, graphics, and signage programming.
July 21, 2023
In The Media
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Vogue Singapore
Vogue Singapore Spotlighted The St. Regis Langkawi’s Sunset Over-Water Villas
The St. Regis Langkawi, designed by GA Designs with architecture by Gensler, features “huge private villas, stellar service and culinary offerings” and an expansive lobby.
July 21, 2023
In The Media
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Design Milk
The Dual-Branded Moxy and AC Hotels Launch in Downtown Los Angeles
Designed by Gensler and design studio Yabu Pushelberg, the hotels each feature a distinctly characterized design while maintaining a unified aesthetic.
July 06, 2023