The INSIDE World Festival of Interiors has announced a shortlist of 78 projects that are in the running to be named World Interior of the Year 2017. Projects from across the world have been submitted across nine categories, including civic spaces, bars and restaurants, shops, hotels and health and education. The winners in each category – chosen by international judging panels – and an ultimate overall winner, will be revealed

The historic Tower Wing of Singapore's Shangri-La Hotel has re-opened following a significant renovation, revealing a refreshed lobby, brand new rooms and suites, three restaurant concepts and a revitalised club lounge. In total, 503 guestrooms and suites have been completely refreshed by Japanese interior design firm Bond, who were tasked with retaining the “heartware” of the Shangri-La brand while bringing in modern conveniences, natural materials and a soothing colour palette

Dutch architects Mecanoo have completed an elegant pavilion for a hotel, restaurant and spa complex near Maastricht, the Netherlands. Château St. Gerlach is a historic estate situated close to the hills of the scenic Limburg countryside. It is formed of a number of old buildings and monuments, including the Château (1661), the St. Gerlachus Church (1727), the Farmstead (1759) and the Manor Farm (1668). Mecanoo were tasked with creating a

Emerging architecture practice Studio Saxe have completed a boutique hotel and yoga studio set into the tropical forest of Nosara, Costa Rica. Nomel and Mariya Libid, the owners of the Hotel Nalu-Nosara, wanted to create a resort for the visitors who travel to Nosara because of its reputation for health and wellness tourism and surfing. Studio Saxe were commissioned to design the hotel, which includes a yoga studio and multipurpose

Four Seasons Resorts and Hotels will undertake a US$35m (€31m, £27m) “re-imagination” of its Costa Rican resort and spa this year. The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo will be redesigned in order to cater for a new target audience – identified by the resort operator as millennial-type “active families and couples, nature enthusiasts and bold adventure seekers”. Four Seasons operates the property on behalf of Miami-based Gencom,

Four Seasons Resorts and Hotels will undertake a US$35m (€31m, £27m) “re-imagination” of its Costa Rican resort and spa this year. The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo will be redesigned in order to cater for a new target audience – identified by the resort operator as millennial-type “active families and couples, nature enthusiasts and bold adventure seekers”. Four Seasons operates the property on behalf of Miami-based Gencom,

The Cornell Institute for Health Futures (CIHF) – an academic centre within New York’s Cornell University – has received a grant to support the creation of an undergraduate minor in Health, Hospitality and Design. The programme is reported to be the first university programme in the US to combine those three disciplines. The minor is part of a larger suite of multidisciplinary educational programmes CIHF develops and supports for healthcare,

Architecture practice Snøhetta have partnered with acclaimed chef Thorsten Schmidt to create a new restaurant in the former home of the world-renowned Danish restaurant noma. Located in the protected North Atlantic House on Copenhagen’s waterfront, Barr opened its doors last week. Snøhetta have designed the interiors and new graphic identity for the restaurant, which is owned by the noma restaurant group, around the food and drink traditions found in the

Hotel giant Marriott International has opened its latest spa hotel in China’s financial and commercial capital, Shanghai. W Shanghai, The Bund is located in the heart of the city, overlooking the Huangpu River, and features 374 bedrooms and an Away-branded luxury spa. Owned by Sinar Mas Group, the property will be operated under Marriott’s W Hotels Worldwide arm. Designed by UK-based G.A Design, the hotel has been created as a

The iconic Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, France has re-opened after undergoing a four-year, €176m (US$200m, £150m) restoration. Dating back to the 18th century, the historic property will be operated by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and now houses 78 rooms, 36 suites and 10 signature suites. Led by architect Richard Martinet, the redevelopment involved every aspect of the building – including the restoration of the landmark façade and grand reception

Twelve Architects’ proposals to redevelop Bodmin Jail into a new hotel, visitor attraction and teaching facility have been granted planning consent following a unanimous decision by Cornwall Council. The Grade II listed jail currently operates as an attraction and venue on Britain’s Cornish coast, but many of the buildings are in a ruinous state. Twelve Architects scheme will see the complete refurbishment of the two wings of derelict cell blocks

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has announced plans to open its first resort in Switzerland. Upon completion, the 47–bedroom Six Senses Crans-Montana will operate under a long-term management agreement with 1875 Finance. The resort located in the prominent ski areas of Valais, two hours from Geneva. Wellness offerings at the resort include a 22,000 square foot (2,000 square meter) spa specialising in alpine treatments, gym and fitness studio, pool and

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has signed a management contract for a new signature hotel and branded residences being built in the mixed-use Melbourne tower designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Mandarin Oriental, Melbourne will feature 196 guestrooms and suites “designed to reflect local culture, together with features inspired by the company’s heritage.” The group will also manage 148 residences, located on the tower’s upper floors. Leisure amenities will include an

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has began work on a new spa resort at Sunset Bay on the southwest coast of Saint Lucia in the Lesser Antilles. The 120-bedroom Fairmont Saint Lucia – expected to open in late 2019 – will be spread across 25 acres and feature a 1,870ft private beach. As well as the 120 hotel rooms, there will be 40 private residential villas, all designed by architects WATG

The Westin Los Cabos Resort & Spa on the Baja California Sur peninsula in Mexico has reopened following a radical redevelopment which has seen all 243 guest rooms being converted into 147 beach-facing “villas.” Designed by architect Javier Sordo Madaleno, the resort will now offer accommodation across a selection of studio and two-bedroom spaces – described as villas. As a result, the resort has been repositioned to accommodate extended stays,

The landmark London building where British prime minister Winston Churchill worked during the Second World War is to be transformed into a luxury hotel and residence operated by Raffles; the group’s first property in the UK. The Grade II* listed Old War Office building in Whitehall is located close to 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It was designed by Scottish architect William Young before his

The hotly-anticipated new hotel by Ian Schrager has opened in New York’s Bowery neighbourhood, in a building designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron. According to the pioneering hotelier, the 367-room Public will be “the people’s hotel,” providing unique memories for guests looking for more than just a place to sleep. “I truly believe that everyone deserves a one-of-a-kind experience that lifts their spirits and makes their heart beat

Marriott International has revealed ambitious plans to grow the number of independently owned hotels in its portfolio by nearly 50 per cent by 2019. Making the announcement at the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference in New York, Marriott said it would actively look to add new hotels to its three collection brands – The Luxury Collection, Autograph Collection Hotels and Tribute Portfolio. As part of the expansion plans, the

The architecture practice of Jean Nouvel have revealed new renderings of the plant-covered hotel they have designed for Rosewood in São Paulo. Developer Allard Group is transforming a complex of early 20th century landmark buildings in the Brazilian city into a development featuring a hotel and spa, private residences, art galleries, high-end retail and entertainment venues. Nouvel has been commissioned to create the centrepiece hotel, located in and around the

International hospitality firm Entourage Group hopes to speed up Hamburg’s emergence as a serious leisure and hospitality destination with the opening of a new luxury boutique hotel inside a 19th century warehouse on the city’s waterfront. Opening later this year, the 94-room Sir Nikolai has been designed by Dutch practice FG Stijl as a “showcase for artisanal quality and tradition” – with curated art, vintage rugs, unrefined wood and polished

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will open its fifth property in Europe in 2021, the Rosewood Vienna. Housed in an historic 18th century building that was the former headquarters for Erste Group Bank AG, Rosewood Vienna will be situated in Petersplatz in Vienna’s Old Town. The project’s design will be overseen by BEHF Corporate Architects in Austria and the London-based Alexander Waterworth Interiors firm. Their concept for the hotel's 99 contemporary

Hospitality group Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has opened a “soon-to-be-iconic” hotel at the gateway to Beverly Hills, with interiors designed by the studio of architect and designer Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). The 12-storey Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills features 170 guestrooms and suites, designed by PYR to interpret Hollywood glamour and the Streamline Moderne style of the 1930s and 40s. Design features range from a triple-height lobby with a contemporary Art

Global spa management company Resense will manage a 1,540sq m (16,576sq ft) Kempinski Wave Spa, which is designed to envelop guests in natural elements through fresh colours and organic textures. Set to open in October 2017, the 310-bedroom Kempinski Muscat will be nestled within the community of Al Mouj, and encompass six kilometers of coastline. McNally Design International is using earthy woods, weather-worn stone and glass, smooth copper, trickling waters

Developer Allied London and architecture studio Levitt Bernstein have submitted design proposals to reinvigorate Manchester’s abandoned London Road Fire Station as a new leisure destination for the city. The Grade II* listed Edwardian Baroque style building had fallen into disrepair when it was bought by Allied London in 2015. Now the company wishes to refurbish and expanded the site to house a boutique hotel, bars, restaurants, workspace and apartments. The

Hotel giant Marriott International has partnered with one of the largest shopping mall operators in the United Arab Emirates to develop a cinema-themed leisure development within the forthcoming Aloft Dubai City Centre Deira complex. Superheroes, spies, Hollywood and Bollywood will all be celebrated in the Deira’s hotel, which will feature a floor of 25 standard rooms and four suites all dedicated to the world of film. There will be film

Alila is set to open a new five-star eco-resort on the Cambodian island of Koh Russey later this year. The first Alila ‘Villas’ resort outside of Bali, Alila Villas Koh Russey will be a 15-minute boat ride from the Cambodian coast, and is surrounded by white-sand beaches and tropical forests. One- and two-bedroom villas each will have their own terrace, private pool and garden. Designed by Singaporean architect Chioh-Hui Coh

Private equity management group Z Capital Partners has unveiled plans to renovate private and event spaces at the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, with an aim to make it “the preeminent wellness hotel in the country.” Hong Kong-based hotel designer Peter Silling has been retained to develop the design concept, and will work to create “warm and welcoming” design features, highlighting a balanced, natural environment. Silling recently completed the CHF40m (US$40m,