Inside the brand new Prague Marriott • Hotel Designs

Managed in phases starting in 2018, the project which began with an upgrade of existing conference spaces to bring them up to Marriott brand standards, has grown significantly with the addition of a substantial building adjacent to the property. This proved to be the catalyst for a much broader ambition and the issue of connectivity between the two buildings became the stimulus to redesign the ground floor lobby and public areas, paving the way for a Marriott experience Great Complete Room.

The twenty-two degree proposal to remove the staircase that previously dominated the ground floor was key to unlocking the area, opening up views of the entire space from the street and, inside, decluttering both the floor space and the volume that rises to a vaulted glazed ceiling. In one fell swoop, a Great Room became possible – a large, flowing space where working, meeting, eating and drinking are possible in almost any space the guest chooses. By day, this large room is now filled with natural light; during the evening, the experience changes as daylight recedes and artificial lighting creates a darker ambiance.

“While enhancing Prague Marriott’s alignment with Marriott brand standards, we designed a hotel with a distinctive Prague-owned aesthetic and delivered a hotel that stands out with its high-quality materials and finishes,” said Nick Stoupas, Founder and Director. Director of twenty2degrees. “Our instinct is always to design quirky interiors infused with a sense of place while creating spaces that will stand the test of time.”

The Arrival Hall establishes the design language: a distinctive aesthetic that speaks of Prague and its early 20th century Cubist movement, in particular Frantisek Kupka, a pioneer of Orphic Cubism. It is his use of geometric shapes and bright blocks of color as well as his brushwork style that are abstracted or directly referenced in rug designs, tiles, table tops and artwork. The interiors are further distinguished by the introduction of beautiful, high-quality materials.

At the front desk, sculptural Iceberg marble reception desks are set against a backdrop of full-height murals comprised of grooved tiles – a custom take on Marriott’s “Art Integrated” concept. Natural stone slabs on the floors contrast with refined woodwork that exudes warmth and elegance. Furnishings in the living room conform to Marriott’s requirements for residential style, while bold-toned throw pillows, rugs, and artwork form a lively counterpoint to this large space. Another Great Room standard, the “Disruptive Table”, is transposed into a striking piece clad in wood and Carrara marble. Consisting of sliding doors, a back bar, an integrated sink and heating and cooling facilities, the table is a social hub that transforms from ‘to-go’ coffee into a food counter and cocktail bar .

Throughout the great room, zones are delineated by open angled screens that provide connection between zones while creating a degree of separation. The Artisan Bar and Kitchen is located at the far end of the Great Hall and is accessible at any time of the day, allowing this space to be used for co-working, drinking or dining both by hotel guests and neighborhood visitors attracted by the glow. of the bar that can now be seen from the street.

Rooms are clean and contemporary, and their color palette is largely neutral. Dark wood floors and window recesses clad in deep wood add a residential vibe to the space. The bathrooms are clad in marble and the vanities are finished in marble and wood.

Conference and meeting space is accessed by the new staircase – an architectural statement, again juxtaposing marble and wood with muted black metal in a sophisticated combination – as well as by elevators from a dedicated reception. Conference spaces begin with the first floor balcony and pre-function area which, thanks to the removal of the old staircase, offers a panoramic view of the great hall below.

Flexibility is a key theme throughout. The large pre-function area features a specially designed marble table with built-in extensions to expand it into a buffet counter. High tables offer connectivity and credenzas that act as reception counters can easily become sideboards for different occasions. There are plenty of nooks furnished and equipped with TVs to provide separate activity hives, as well as library nooks for quiet work. There’s also a wide range of meeting rooms, from formal meeting rooms to informal lounges furnished with write-on walls and stools that can easily be grouped around coffee tables. The translucent glass doors of several of the meeting rooms can be fully opened to the pre-function area.

Main image credit: Marriott International