High-end hotels in the Middle East are becoming increasingly refined and understated, say AHEAD MEA jury members in this movie Dezeen produced for the awards programme.
The AHEAD MEA 2018 awards, which took place last month at The Meydan Hotel in Dubai, celebrated the best in hotel and resort design across the Middle East and Africa.
It is the hospitality awards programme's second year in the region, which saw an increased number of "understated luxury" hotels win prizes, according to the judges.
FORM Hotel was named Concept of the Year at the AHEAD MEA 2018 awards"I sense a bit of a backlash against the fast-fashion school of thought when it comes to hospitality design," said Pallavi Dean, jury member and founder of Dubai interior design studio Roar. "I think the gimmicky selfie, Instagram culture has taken a back seat now and we're creating spaces that are timeless, that are crafted beautifully."
The Bulgari Resort in Dubai won four prizes, including the AHEAD MEA Hotel of the Year awardThe Bulgari Resort in Dubai, designed by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel, was one of the big winners of the night. It scooped four prizes, including the AHEAD MEA Hotel of the Year award.
"The Bulgari Resort in Dubai is a great example of luxury that whispers rather than shouts," said Pinar Calimano, jury member and director of design for InterContinental Hotels Group.
"We are moving towards contemporary and understated luxury.&qu...