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.
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The key is creating a place where hospitality workers feel empowered to do their best work, making the back-of-house design and building performance as important as guest-facing spaces.
—Tom Ito, Hospitality leader
27 Items
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 the debut of 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.
Steamboat Base Village Redevelopment
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
A $135 million investment will align the Steamboat Resort base area with the world-class, on-mountain experience offered to skiers and resort visitors.
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.
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
High Street Place
Boston, Massachusetts
High Street Place is a food hall featuring 20 unique vendors in the heart of Boston’s Financial District.
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.
Cocoa Beach Westin
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.
Georgia World Congress Center Signia by Hilton
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.
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.
MDRD
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Located in the heart of Grand Rapids, MDRD is a three-story restaurant Gensler that offers guests Spanish-influenced cuisine and sweeping views.
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
San Francisco, California
The renovation of the historic Clift Hotel fuses the craftsmanship of its 1915 construction with modern-day San Francisco sophistication.
Thorntree Houston Showroom
Houston, Texas
This Texas-based purveyor of natural stone, glass and tile reinvented its showroom through strategic, simplified product integrations to evoke a new, creative design approach. Immediately, clients are drawn to the immaculate reception desk sculpted from a salvaged block of Portuguese marble.
Hyatt House Kanazawa
Ishikawa, Japan
Inspired by the design concept of Kaga-ism, the Hyatt House Kanazawa hotel reflects the local Hokuriku area lifestyle, craftsmanship, and aesthetic senses, along with a way of living in harmony with nature.
Nikko Style Nagoya
Aichi, Japan
Gensler oversaw the interior and brand design of Nikko Style Nagoya, the first lifestyle hotel brand by Okura Nikko Hotels. As the demands and preferences of the guests become diverse, the design concept, intends to spark curiosity for guests to discover a lifestyle that suits them during their stay
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
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.
Blog
Checking In on the Guest Experience
As leisure travel ramps up, hotels must do more to exceed guest expectations. Gensler’s Hospitality Experience Survey 2023 sheds light on traveler preferences and behaviors.
Blog
What’s Next for Hospitality and New Luxury in Latin America
As a region steeped in culture, history, and beauty, Latin America is a natural fit for the more meaningful experiences that today’s travelers are searching for.
Blog
The Future of Hospitality Is Local
Here’s why embracing local cultures and communities is key to creating an authentic hospitality experience.
Blog
How the Renovation of a Landmark Hotel Sets a New Benchmark for Sustainable Design
The renovation of Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Tower demonstrates how holistic improvements can improve a building’s performance and impact carbon emissions.
Blog
Old to Bold: How Hotel Adaptive Reuse Transforms Communities
Adaptive reuse has become a key strategy for revitalizing economically obsolete structures and breathing new life into urban centers.
Blog
Creating Spaces That Evoke Joy Through Immersive Design
How can physical spaces evoke joy? Design needs to incorporate multiple characteristics and fully engage our senses to be considered an immersive experience.
Blog
Marriott International Provides a Model for the Workplace of the Future With Their Hospitality-Infused Global Headquarters
Marriott’s reimagined global headquarters fuses hospitality and workplace design to draw people back to the office with a work experience that captures the energy and ambiance of a vibrant hotel.
Blog
Activating a Former Gas Station as a Community-Forward Urban Retreat
When the Denver Beer Company approached us to design a new restaurant, ice creamery, and beer tasting room, the concept was to create an inclusive gathering space for all.
Blog
High Street Place: From Unused Office Lobby to Vibrant Culinary Destination
In the heart of Boston’s Financial District, we partnered with the Rockpoint Group to transform an underutilized atrium between two Class A office towers into an 18,000-square-foot, Art Deco-inspired food hall.
Blog
What Makes a Great Retail Experience? Community, Connection, and Entertainment Are Key.
Astute retail and hospitality providers recognize that in-person connection remains a vital component of their offerings. But what does that visceral experience actually look like?
Blog
Dual-Brand Hotel PIPs Create Design, Financial Opportunities
Hotel developers are interested in dual-brand Property Improvement Plans, which can bring market-driven properties back to financial viability faster than ground-up hotels.
Blog
Adaptive Reuse Brings New Vibrancy to Silicon Valley’s State Street Market
Adaptive reuse was a critical sustainable design strategy in designing the new State Street Market in Los Altos, California, transforming a dormant building into a vibrant community hub.
HOSPITALITY DESIGN TRENDS TO WATCH
As the industry continues to compete for talent, hotels will rethink back-of-house spaces.
The most successful hospitality brands recognize that their staff is just as important as their guests. Reimagined staff environments will have access to sunlight and nature, comfortable rooms for breaks, and efficient spaces for guest preparations. These refreshed “heart of house” workplaces will enrich staff, who will then elevate the guest experience.
Natural disasters are making coastal hotels high-risk properties, putting resilient design strategies front and center.
Intense storms and rising water levels will significantly impact real estate in coastal areas, creating a need for new design strategies that can make buildings more resilient. Long-term investments in elements like “sponge” roofs and water storage can help mitigate stormwater, while ground floors and surrounding infrastructure can be designed with water as a feature.
Technologies that allow for mobile check-ins, AI concierges, and contactless payments will contribute to the guest experience.
While hotel robots may not be in everyone’s plans, efficiencies afforded by new digital technologies can allow hotels to reallocate staff resources and give guests increased opportunities for personalization. The next generation of technological innovation will also enrich the guest experience through deep sensory connections and interactions with physical spaces, transcending mere convenience.
82
%
Business travel behavior is shifting. In the past year, 47% of business travelers have extended a trip for leisure purposes — and 82% are interested in doing so in the future.
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American Hotel & Lodging Association 2022 Midyear State of the Hotel Industry Report
HOSPITALITY LEADERSHIP
Ana Ardon
Hospitality Leader
Ana is an architect and global leader of Gensler’s Hospitality practice, who is based in the firm’s San José, Costa Rica office. She brings diverse experience, ranging from the...
Tom Ito
Hospitality Leader, Principal
Tom launched Gensler’s Hospitality practice in the late 1990s with the celebrated renovation of the Beverly Hills Hotel. He has since expanded the practice to an international...
Trevor To
Design Resilience Leader, Design Manager
Trevor is a dedicated architect who is focused on all stages of architectural projects, from concept design to project coordination and construction management. As the Global...
Robert Fischel
Hospitality Leader, Principal
Robert is the Hospitality Leader for Gensler’s Southeast region. With experience spanning more than 25 years, he has collaborated on more than 10 million square feet of new and...
Siobhan Barry
Design Director, Principal
With 20 years of experience designing high-profile retail, restaurant, and hospitality environments, Siobhan has built a reputation for dynamic, modern interiors that delight the...
NEWS
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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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
In The Media
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Eater
The New DraftKings Sportsbook Opens at Wrigley Field
Shawn Fawell discussed how Gensler designed the two-story restaurant and bar at the 109-year-old baseball stadium with the goal of evoking nostalgia without appearing historical.
June 23, 2023
In The Media
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Hotels Magazine
How Hotel Design Is Experiencing a Renaissance With AI
Hotels Magazine published an article by Gensler’s Gabi Diaz about how AI enables architects and designers to create spaces that feel curated for each visitor.
June 09, 2023
In The Media
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Today’s Hotelier
How Poor Hotel Design Can Impact the Guest Experience and the Bottom Line
Gensler Hospitality leaders Tom Ito and Ana Ardon highlighted how to create a successful design scheme that ensures hotel guests and staff are engaged and satisfied.
June 01, 2023
In The Media
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Tripadvisor
The Shore Hotel Voted Among the Top 25 Hotels in Tripadvisor’s 2023 Travelers’ Choice Awards
The Gensler-designed Shore Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif. was ranked #19 of the top 25 hotels in the U.S. in Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotels list.
May 26, 2023
In The Media
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Hospitality Net
The St. Regis Hotel Debuts in Chicago with Guestrooms Designed by Gensler
The St. Regis Chicago features 159 luxurious guestrooms and 33 suites “meticulously conceived” by Gensler to juxtapose a minimalistic beauty with a one-of-kind urban backdrop of skyline views.
May 19, 2023
In The Media
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Hospitality Design
Hospitality Design Spotlighted the Opening of Marriott’s 8,000th Hotel
The 12-story Marriott Bethesda Downtown hotel, designed by Gensler, is located at Marriott’s new HQ, a sprawling campus, where Gensler served as the architect of record.
May 16, 2023
In The Media
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Hospitality Design Magazine
Las Vegas Enters a New Era of Immersive Design
Hospitality Design Magazine mentioned Gensler’s work on The English Hotel and Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and quoted Gensler Las Vegas Studio Director Brett Robillard.
April 12, 2023
In The Media
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VenuesNow
The New York Mets Are Reshaping Citi Field and Enhancing the Fan Experience With a Design by Gensler
The upgrade will provide a greater variety of seating options and include memorable, hospitality-driven spaces infused with the spirit of New York City.
April 02, 2023
In The Media
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Asia Hospitality & Tourism Forum
Gensler Shanghai’s Li Zhao Joined the Asia Hospitality & Tourism Forum to Discuss Hospitality Trends in China
Project Director Li Zhao shared insights from Gensler’s Designer Forecast 2023 with a focus on hospitality design trends in China.
March 30, 2023
In The Media
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The Atlanta-Journal Constitution
The Gensler-Designed Signia by Hilton Rises 42 Stories in Downtown Atlanta
Once completed, the hotel will include 100,000 square feet of meeting space and five restaurants on the Georgia World Congress Center campus.
March 28, 2023
In The Media
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Hotel & Shop Plus Conference
Gensler’s Li Zhao Shared Hospitality Design Trends in China at the 2023 Hotel & Shop Plus Conference
Project Director Li Zhao joined Hotel & Shop Plus in Shanghai as a speaker and discussed hospitality trends from Gensler’s Design Forecast 2023.
March 28, 2023
In The Media
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Hospitality News
Gensler Hospitality Leader Tom Ito Joins the 2023 Mews Unfold Conference as Keynote Speaker
Tom Ito will share design strategies for the human experience and projects that push boundaries at Mews Unfold.
March 06, 2023