Building a project from the ground up is always easy. There are no borders, no restrictions, no inbox requirements. Everything depends on the creativity of the architecture and design team, their ideas, and their approach to thinking (honestly speaking, on budget as well).
But suppose the task is more complex and rooted in business challenges. For instance, an old-fashioned hotel in the city center has outdated facilities, cannot be fully renovated, and aims to improve business metrics such as bookings, revenue, and profit margin per room.
The solution is elegant: creating several authentic rooms with unique designs for special occasions. That’s what can be found at the Hotel Marco Polo by Moss Hospitality in Moscow.
Brief History
The hotel is situated in a unique area of Moscow, inside a historic building on Spiridonyevsky Lane near Patriarch’s Ponds. This location is rich in history and culture, as it is part of the setting described in Mihail Bulgakov’s famous romance, *Master and Margarita*. Meanwhile, it also borders a lively, modern district full of bars and vibrant nightlife.
Built in 1904 by architect William Walcot, the hotel is housed in a rare Art Nouveau building that reflects the layered history of central Moscow. The property was originally commissioned by Jane McGill, a merchant of Scottish descent, as the “House of St. Andrew” a residence for British and American governesses who were in high demand in the city at the turn of the 20th century.
Following the Russian Revolution, the building served as a dormitory for university lecturers before becoming a hotel for the political elite, welcoming notable guests, including Fidel Castro in 1963.
In spring 2022, Moscow authorities auctioned the hotel, and a few months later, new owners took over and began renovations, creating the author’s rooms.
Design Concept
Among the nineteen authors’ rooms, at least six have a strong association with the romantic and sensual theme. The price for these rooms is three times the average price of a standard room at the hotel. However, they are generally fully booked for the weekend a couple of weeks in advance.
Here is what these rooms have in common.
Naming
Hotel Lover, Last Romance, Error 404, Wedding Suite, Saint Room, the user experience begins long before booking, when guests read the suite titles and descriptions on the website.
A relaxing, semi-dark boudoir with designer accents imbues the interior with a sensual atmosphere. A monochromatic color scheme, a canopy bed, evocative black-and-white photographs, and subdued lighting make the room particularly inviting for a romantic date, a conceptual photo shoot, a party with friends, or a themed event.
Colors
Black&rosé, luminous orange, black&white, white – colors may seem a little bit obvious, but like any classic, it still works for imagination.
Theme Décor
Curtains above the bed, a half-naked woman as a bra statue, letterings on the walls and ceilings, mirrors – eyes are caught by these signals that it’s not just a simple room, but a space for a special occasion.
Materials
The renovation centered on upcycling, with the architecture and design team incorporating many vintage furniture and fabrics from earlier eras in the hotel. Antique sofas, armchairs, and lamps are distributed throughout the space. Items that couldn’t be restored were reupholstered in white fabric, made from leftover materials like white curtains and tablecloths. The most valuable items, such as the 1970s Karelian birch furniture, including the bed, wardrobes, and nightstands with built-in radios were kept in their original spots.
However, upcycling, while a good philosophical and conceptual idea, is associated with quite old-fashioned views in some of the hotel rooms.
Digestive Thoughts
Innovative design in hospitality faces one main challenge: fleeting impact. Unlike residential architecture and design, which prioritize predictability, tranquility, and relaxation, experiments in the hotel industry are highly expected for couples seeking novelty and a break from daily routine. Seeing something new when they arrive at the same hotel is crucial. For hotels seeking a longer client lifecycle and a high return rate, it is essential not only to create trendy, themed rooms but also to offer activities that align with guests’ goals for their stay.
This is likely the next evolution in the hospitality industry, in general, and in its design and architecture, in particular.
