In today’s hyper-connected, experience-driven world, a hotel is no longer just a place to stay—it’s a destination, a story, a goal, an instagrammable moment. Behind these spaces that engage every sense, lie two visionary roles that are quietly shaping the guest experience: the hospitality architect and the interior designer.
At Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects, we believe that exceptional hotel design happens when architecture and interior design work hand in hand. It’s this blend of structure and style, function and feeling, that creates these immersive spaces that guests truly connect with. At NMDA, we are crafting the way everyone experiences travel—from the way we rest to how we interact with our day-to-day surroundings. Our studio’s approach to design invites a unique experience with every visit. Instead of simply providing a place to stay, we are curating environments that captivate, inspire, and leave lasting impressions.
In today’s hospitality world, understanding how these disciplines complement one another is essential. The points of intersection, distinct roles, and collaborative synergy are all central to shaping the next generation of elevated hotel experiences.
From Function to Feeling: The Evolution of Hospitality Architecture
Hospitality architects once focused primarily on space planning, code compliance, and operational efficiency. While these are still core components of the profession, the role has expanded dramatically. Today’s hospitality architects are also experience designers. They’re crafting buildings that serve not just guests, but emotions—designing distinct journeys from the moment someone pulls into the arrival sequence, steps into the lobby, or ascends to a rooftop bar.
Architecture has become a medium for storytelling. A boutique hotel in Marrakech might draw inspiration from the region’s vibrant souks and traditional courtyards, incorporating rich textures in the building’s materiality and local craftsmanship alongside modern, sustainable technologies. Meanwhile, a luxury hotel in Kyoto could feature minimalist design elements, using natural materials like wood and stone to evoke the tranquility of Japanese tea gardens. These design choices are not just about aesthetics—they create lasting emotional connections with guests. An experience.
Interior Designers: Curators of Atmosphere, Emotion, and Experience
While architects create the foundational structure, interior designers breathe life into a space. In the context of modern hotels, interior design is far more than selecting stylish furniture or following trends—it’s about crafting a multi-sensory experience that immerses guests in an environment that speaks to all their senses and evokes emotion.
Interior designers today are deeply attuned to the psychology of the guest experience. They design spaces with intention, considering not only the visual appeal but also the scent in the lobby, the music playing in a lounge, the texture of a headboard, and the soft glow or harsh lighting effects from a bathroom mirror. Each element plays a crucial role in shaping the guest’s overall mood and emotional connection to the space while also threading back to the hotel’s narrative.
Interior designers also act as orchestrators of placemaking. They connect the hotel to its surroundings by collaborating with local artisans, incorporating region-specific motifs, and weaving in storytelling elements that reflect the community’s heritage in even often-overlooked details, like hardware selection. This deep sense of placemaking ensures that the hotel doesn’t have design elements that could work just anywhere—it is a perfectly crafted ensemble dictated by the location, brand, and client, offering travelers an authentic and unique connection that they won’t be able to get anywhere else.
The Power of Collaborative Design Thinking
In the past, architecture and interior design often existed in parallel—connected but not always deeply integrated. Today, that’s no longer enough. As hospitality becomes more focused on emotional resonance and brand-driven storytelling, collaborative design has become more important than ever. It’s not just about coordination—it’s about co-creation from the very first sketch to the final reveal.
At NMDA, we’ve seen firsthand how powerful the results can be when architects and interior designers are not simply aligned but interwoven throughout the design process. From site planning to furniture selection, our studio works together to ensure that no detail feels like an afterthought. Instead, each element—spatial flow, lighting, materiality, even the soundscape—is part of a unified story.
Conclusion: Designing with Intention, Delivering with Impact
As the expectations of today’s travelers continue to evolve, so too must the spaces that welcome them. Hotels are no longer simply structures—they are experiential, memories, and opportunities for connection. Behind these meaningful experiences lies the seamless collaboration between hospitality architects and interior designers, each bringing their own expertise to craft spaces that are not only functional and beautiful, but deeply personal.
In the end, great design doesn’t just house a guest—it moves them. And that’s the experience we strive to deliver at NMDA, every time.
- Written by Camila Montoya, Associate at NMDA