Travel by Design - podcast cover

Travel by Design

Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Hamish Kilburntraveler.marriott.com
Behind the facade of every world-class hotel, there’s a story waiting to be heard. From a secluded overwater villa in the Maldives, to a rejuvenated royal palace in Budapest, to a trendy hotspot in downtown Los Angeles — join host Hamish Kilburn as he meets the architects, designers, and visionaries who dive deep into the craft of design and connect us to the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences. Travel by Design reimagines the hotel design podcast previously known as Behind the Design. On each episode Hamish chats with the creative mind behind a one-of-a-kind hotel — to hear what inspired their concept, how they brought it to life, and what it’s like to enjoy the space as a traveler. Curious about the craft of hotel design? Check out more stories from across the globe at marriottbonvoy.com/TravelbyDesign. You can also find photos and additional details about each hotel design on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler (traveler.marriott.com).
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Episodes

Designing a New Generation of Hotel Rooms at Marriott’s Innovation Lab

What can travelers expect from the next generation of hotel rooms? To find out, Hamish heads to the top secret innovation lab at Marriott Headquarters — where more adaptable, interactive, and locally connected hotel rooms are being crafted as the ideal home base for millions of travel journeys to come. He learns why the near future of hotel rooms isn’t a dogpile of technology for technology’s sake. Instead, it’s a future where we can adjust our room to be what we need right in the moment, by pre...

Nov 21, 202312 minSeason 4Ep. 6

Tromsø, Norway: Catch the Northern Lights over mountains and fjords at Moxy Tromsø

Eleven stories above the arctic circle, a panoramic view — of Norwegian mountains, fjords, and the Northern Lights — sweeps travelers into the natural world. That’s the first thing you’ll see when you check in at Moxy Tromsø, because the hotel lobby is intentionally perched on the top floor. A welcome drink and an uninterrupted view make this a one-of-kind introduction to one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. Sculpted by Copenhagen-based designer and longtime mountain backpacker Mett...

Nov 02, 202313 minSeason 4Ep. 5

New York City: Discover the choreography of travel with David Rockwell, designer of W New York - Union Square

What do an airport terminal, the set of a Broadway show, and one of the most revered parks in New York City have in common? They’ve all been shaped by renowned designer David Rockwell — and they all reveal the hidden choices that go into designing a public space. David’s work shows a deep understanding of gathering places, in-between spaces, and transitions. He can shape a lobby, an atrium, or even a staircase to connect people with their surroundings in unseen ways. And there’s no better place ...

Oct 19, 202313 minSeason 4Ep. 4

Bucharest: Meet for drinks in a 100-year-old bank vault at The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection

Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, is a rising destination for travelers who want to visit a vibrant European city with a fantastic local food scene, access to breathtaking countryside excursions, and centuries of historic architecture. Tapping into that history is The Marmorosch Bucharest, an Autograph Collection Hotel. This hotel was crafted inside the Marmorosch-Blank Bank Palace, a stately building in the heart of old town Bucharest that was originally constructed in 1912. Previously cr...

Oct 05, 202316 minSeason 4Ep. 3

Bali: Embrace culture through design at Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort in Indonesia

On the southern tip of the Indonesian island of Bali, the Nusa Dua peninsula offers travelers some of the most stunning beaches in Southeast Asia. But the area surrounding Nusa Dua is also home to majestic cliffs, lush hills, and stone temples. These settings offer a chance to connect with Bali’s local landscape, architecture, and culture — an experience that goes beyond a beach-side getaway. The Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort, secluded from the hustle and bustle of beach-side hotels, makes go...

Sep 21, 202315 minSeason 4Ep. 2

Yucatan, Mexico: Connect stars, sea, and cenotes at the St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya, a coastal paradise on the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, is home to peaceful mangroves, stunning beaches, and breathtaking freshwater pools known as cenotes. And nestled amongst the mangrove trees is the St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya — a 620-acre reserve that immerses travelers in a heavenly natural setting and pays homage to over 4,000 years of Maya heritage within greater Mexico. In this episode of Travel by Design, host Hamish Kilburn chats with designer Tatiana Shevele...

Sep 07, 202319 minSeason 4Ep. 1

Los Angeles: Explore Two Hotels Under One Roof at the Moxy and AC Downtown L.A.

George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg have been partners in design (and in life) for decades, creating award-winning hospitality spaces that span the globe and never deliver the same experience twice. When they were asked to design the interiors for two distinct hotels built inside the same 37-story building in Downtown Los Angeles, George and Glenn decided to craft the spaces for two contemporary “protagonists” — rooted in the lifestyles of Southern California artists. For The Moxy Downtown LA, they...

Dec 16, 202222 minSeason 3Ep. 6

The Maldives: Overwater Villas with Unexpected Design at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

The Maldives, an archipelago of more than a thousand islands off the southern tip of India, is renowned for pristine beaches and unparalleled ocean views. The natural setting of these islands, which sit atop shimmering waters and reflect colors of emerald and royal blue, is the perfect place for an island resort getaway. But while any number of resorts in the Maldives offer snorkeling among the coral reefs and overwater villas that let travelers dive into the lagoon from their hotel rooms, Le Mé...

Dec 02, 202217 minSeason 3Ep. 5

Costa Rica: Discover Biophilic Design in a Mangrove Jungle at El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

Discover how design, blended with nature, puts you right inside a mangrove, so you can immerse yourself in the jungles of Costa Rica at the El Mangroove Hotel and Residences. Host and hotel design reviewer Hamish Kilburn speaks with owner Andres Pacheco and architect Ronald Zürcher to find out how they worked with the mangrove to build their hotel. Read more about El Mangroove's design on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler . Featured Hotels: El Mangroove, Autograph Collection Featured Designer: Ronald Zür...

Nov 23, 202213 minSeason 3Ep. 4

Airport Hotels: Designs That Defy Stereotype, from Amsterdam to Toronto

For the longest time, Airport hotels have been treated as nonchalant, transitional places — simply somewhere to rest your head during a layover, en route to your true destination. With their focus on business clientele, airline staff, and people seeking refuge from a canceled flight or missed connection, airport hotels haven’t always provided an experience that guests could relish as destination-worthy. However, major design overhauls at the Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel and Conference Center...

Nov 16, 202223 minSeason 3Ep. 3

Budapest: Become Royalty at Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Picture the grand entrance to an Austro-Hungarian palace from the late 19th century, complete with iron-wrought gates and a vaulted ceiling. A beautiful blend of art styles that includes Art Nouveau, Baroque, and Romanesque. Ornate finishings on everything, from handle rails to columns and ceilings. A color palette that reflects the city’s rooftops in teal, green, gold and copper. These sights are just a hint of the bridge to Budapest’s history that is Matild Palace — a Luxury Collection Hotel ,...

Oct 19, 202219 minSeason 3Ep. 2

Nova Scotia: Experience Maritime Design at Muir Halifax, Autograph Collection

As the capital of Nova Scotia, Halifax is known for its charm, its culinary scene, and its coastal climate. Built on one of the largest natural harbors in the world, this Canadian city is often filled with a gentle fog and sea mist — creating a sense of place that’s simultaneously rooted in the ocean and the earth. Muir Halifax, Autograph Collection has been painstakingly designed to honor and integrate the local maritime history of Halifax. The hotel is nestled seamlessly into the Queen’s Marqu...

Oct 14, 202225 minSeason 3Ep. 1

Welcome to Travel by Design

Host Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs, leads us on a globetrotting journey through immersive, insightful conversations with the designers behind the world’s most extraordinary hotels. Travel by Design reimagines the hotel design podcast previously known as Behind the Design. From a secluded overwater villa in the Maldives, to a rejuvenated royal palace in Budapest, to a trendy hotspot in downtown Los Angeles, join us for new episodes — and find your next great travel destination. To learn...

Sep 15, 20222 min

JW Marriott Venice: Designed for Self-Care in "Real Italian Style"

Travel by boat across the Venetian lagoon and escape onto a private island, where every step — and every plate of locally sourced food — has been thoughtfully integrated to bring you back into touch with the healing power of earth, sea, and sun. In this episode, we travel to the J.W. Marriott Venice resort and Spa, which gives guests access to the secluded retreat of Isola delle Rose. To understand the impact of designer Matteo Thun on the resort, Host Robin Bennefield chats with General Manager...

Jul 12, 202121 minSeason 2Ep. 4

Taking the Plunge into Aquatic Design at Gaylord Opryland's SoundWaves

What is it about sitting by the waves that makes so many people happy? And what does it take to recreate that feeling at a hotel that's nowhere near the ocean? We've spent hours talking about the design of hotels and the world of hospitality. But in this episode, we go on a deep dive into the design of SoundWaves, a one-of-a-kind water attraction that's built into the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee. To see SoundWaves for yourself and book a resort package at the Gaylord Opryland...

Dec 09, 201917 minSeason 2Ep. 3

Launching W Records

W Hotels recently launched its very own record label, W Records. At the W Music International Summit in Austin, Texas, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler sat down with some of the top innovators in the music industry who led the launch of W Records. Learn how they ensured brand consistency, navigated the changing music industry landscape, and got some of the top emerging artists to come on board. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....

Mar 04, 201927 minSeason 1Ep. 15

Sci-Fi Meets Reality in Destiny 2

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we explore the world of Destiny 2, a video game in which players assume the role of a Guardian and are tasked with reviving a character called (appropriately) The Traveler while journeying to different planets along the way. Learn how the designers grounded the sci-fi settings in reality and how travel inspired the final look of the game. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dec 19, 201828 minSeason 1Ep. 14

Visiting Ancient Greece in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey

Video game designers are creating landscapes so realistic, it's almost like traveling there yourself. Marriott TRAVELER sat down with the designers of Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, which is set in ancient Greece, to find out what it took to create these landscapes and why recreating Greece was so important to them for this amazing game. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dec 19, 201824 minSeason 1Ep. 13

To Infinity and Beyond: Bringing Toy Story to Life

Marriott TRAVELER visited the opening of Toy Story Land in Orlando and spoke with creative designers from PIXAR and Walt Disney. They discuss the process behind translating the beloved Toy Story films into a real-life interactive outdoor park, giving guests the opportunity to step into the stories and immerse themselves in a world of fun. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dec 11, 201830 minSeason 1Ep. 12

Designing Wakanda: An Exclusive Look Behind the Design of "Black Panther"

This episode of Behind the Design features a very special conversation with Hannah Beachler, who designed the fictional nation of Wakanda for Marvel Studios' blockbuster "Black Panther". Learn how Hannah's travels to South Africa influenced the way she envisioned Wakanda and how she brought those designs to life on the big screen. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dec 07, 201824 minSeason 1Ep. 11

Carpet Design Matters

A cozy, plush carpet can truly evoke the feeling of a home away from home. Marriott TRAVELER meets with carpet design aficionados to learn how they glean inspiration from the humblest of sources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jul 18, 201819 minSeason 1Ep. 10

Exploring Danish Design

Danish style is influencing design around the world, from restaurants and cuisine to furniture and interiors. Marriott TRAVELER explores the process of bringing comfort and ease into commercial design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jul 12, 201823 minSeason 1Ep. 9

Designing Autograph Collection's Lido House - Part 5

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we continue the conversation with the designers of Lido House from Autograph Collection at Marriott. In this episode, we talk about the art that occupies Lido House. Lido House's Design Team shares some tips and tricks of interior art and design for those of us looking for big ideas on a budget. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jun 12, 201823 minSeason 1Ep. 8

Designing Autograph Collection's Lido House - Part 4

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we continue the conversation with the designers of Lido House from Autograph Collection at Marriott. In this episode, we talk about the art that occupies Lido House. Lido House's Design Team shares some tips and tricks of interior art and design for those of us looking for big ideas on a budget. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

May 25, 201823 minSeason 1Ep. 7

Designing Autograph Collection's Lido House - Part 3

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we continue the conversation with the designers of Lido House from Autograph Collection at Marriott. In this episode we talk about furniture and the great lengths the Lido House Design Team has gone to combine function and style to create a tailored environment for each guest. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

May 24, 201823 minSeason 1Ep. 6

Designing Autograph Collection's Lido House - Part 2

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we continue the conversation with the designers of Lido House from Autograph Collection at Marriott. In this episode we learn their stories and how their professional histories influenced each phase of the Lido House Design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

May 17, 201822 minSeason 1Ep. 5

Designing Autograph Collection's Lido House - Part 1

Lido House is Newport Beach’s favorite guesthouse for locals and visitors. The hotel’s architecture celebrates Newport Beach’s Cape Cod aesthetic with elegant twists on a variety of nautical themes. Sitting on the site of former City Hall, Lido House is the old-new centerpiece of Newport Beach. Join Marriott TRAVELER as we follow the ins and outs of this iconic hotel from the team behind the design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....

May 17, 201820 minSeason 1Ep. 4

Designing a Better Hotel Bathroom

A bathroom may be the smallest room in a hotel suite, but their design poses a tall challenge to ensure comfort and function. Follow Marriott TRAVELER as we discuss the process of re-designing hotel bathrooms from showerheads to sliding doors to create a luxurious experience in a small space. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jun 02, 201753 minSeason 1Ep. 3

The Art of Hospitality

Hotel art used to be a second thought, a budget item to be slashed. Today, art is being integrated into the space itself - into architectural details, into hotel welcome experiences. Join Marriott TRAVELER as we explore the history of art in hotels and how current designers are using art to enhance the design narrative of their cities and spaces. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Apr 11, 201721 minSeason 1Ep. 2

The Evolution of Hotel Lobby Design

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we follow the evolution of the hotel lobby from the opulence of the grand hotels of the past, to the industrialization era when hotels and travel became more accessible, to today, the boutique hotel era, where guest experience is key. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Feb 24, 201727 minSeason 1Ep. 1
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