Tourism & Hospitality | Thursday 24 March, 2016 4:35 pm |

Internationally renowned designer Adam D. Tihany’s chic interiors were unveiled this week with the opening of the second Four Seasons hotel in Dubai at the Dubai International Financial Centre, or DIFC.

 

Conveniently located in the heart of the city, the ultra luxurious 106-room hotel offers an intimately sized yet contemporary urban oasis for business travellers that blends a modern boutique aesthetic with the refined Four Seasons essence.

 

Tihany’s new designs display impeccable craftsmanship, bespoke finishes, and attention to detail, providing an incredible retreat, unprecedented in the city.

 

About Adam D. Tihany

Widely regarded as one of the world’s preeminent hospitality designers, Adam D. Tihany has created hotel and dining interiors at some of the most iconic properties around the globe, including Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, One & Only Cape Town, The Beverly Hills Hotel and locally at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and Atmosphere at The Burj Khalifa.

As an early pioneer of the restaurant design profession, Tihany was one of the first designers to collaborate with celebrity chefs, creating signature restaurants for internationally celebrated culinary stars such as Thomas Keller, Heston Blumenthal and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. 

Hotel Essence

The first true luxury boutique hotel offering in Dubai, Four Seasons Hotel DIFC’s design is both streamlined and sophisticated, providing an intimately scaled destination in the heart of the DIFC. Tihany’s design focuses on efficiency and functionality, as each space fluidly flows into the next, making personalized service seem almost effortless.

 

The hotel’s identity demonstrates an elegant and refined environment, perfect for its distinguished guests. Tihany says of the unique style of the hotel, “Four Seasons Hotel DIFC is nothing short of a custom tailored suit, elegant and designed to completely adhere to the needs of its clientele. There is a hand crafted quality to the hotel,” he continues, “It is very personal. We wanted the feeling of an inclusive exclusivity, without the ‘members only’ attitude.” 

 

Design Concept

 

While designing the entrance area, Tihany kept in mind accessibility and comfort for business travellers. The ground level reception is framed by gold metal mesh and accented by cream and black marble and bronze mirrors. A second lobby at the podium level allows for pedestrian access from the retail concourse. A key focal point in the lobby is a bespoke architectural mural, commissioned by New York artist Bram Tihany. 

 

The adjacent Penrose Lounge features a custom geometric chandelier and gold mirror faceted bookshelves and a stylish bar front. 

 

The hotel’s Firebird Diner by Michael Mina reimagines the glamour of the 1950s in a contemporary diner. Three sides of the venue are composed of floor-to-ceiling windows, opening up to expansive views of the city, while three stylized art pieces, also designed by Bram Tihany, display retro Cadillac inspired sculptures along the back wall. 

 

The Spa features five treatment rooms as well as unique changing areas that cater to early arrival and departure and were designed as a haven of relaxation. On the rooftop pool terrace, an equally relaxing cabana-lined deck is home to a unique above ground glass pool reminiscent of a tranquil aquarium that transforms at night to resemble a glowing blue jewel.

 

Luna Sky Bar on the eighth floor evokes the symbolism of the falcon, a national emblem of luxury and bravery. Strong black and gold colours dominate the space, while the ceiling light fixtures and bar back mimic birdlike features. From Luna, guests can retreat to the secluded Churchill Club by ascending the decadent showpiece staircase, where curved wall fins and rich wood millwork create a masculine yet classic space. 

 

The hotel’s rooms and suites are designed to cater to the needs of today’s traveller without compromising style, as furnishings and fittings employ curved edges to create a smooth and welcoming environment. Premier, deluxe and superior rooms feature stunning wood clad walls; hand-tufted custom carpeting and faceted metal pendants. In the suites, a custom metal mashrabia frames the windows, which overlook stunning views of the Burj Khalifa. 

 

Art Elements and Philosophy

Bram Tihany is an award-winning artist, as well as the designer’s son, who was commissioned by Four Seasons Hotel DIFC to create 19 pieces of original art, which can be found throughout the new property.

 

His series of work, entitled MORPHĒ, pays homage to the iconic Dubai skyline and has been created by masterly dissecting and recomposing a collection of architectural photographs that he shot in Dubai.

 

The series of bespoke photographic murals serve as a window into the overall philosophy behind the hotel’s design. Distinguished by its intimate scale and effortless sense of inclusivity, the hotel’s interiors speak volumes to city’s recent self-reflection.

 

The hotel is far from the glittering palatial meeting places of the past, as its design whispers to the discerning ear of those who listen. The mood is sophisticated and adult, drawing clientele from a new, self-assured generation of Dubai.

 

Tihany’s work truly serves as a reflection of the changes taking place in Dubai. As the city continues to transform its interior language, the world can expect to see much more in the way of craftsmanship and bespoke design in Dubai.