| Highlights |
| Wallpaper* Design Awards 2025 showcases innovative creations. |
| Winners redefine the concept of travel. |
| Focus on sustainability and ethics in hospitality. |
| Trends include wellness and slow travel. |
| Contemporary design serving new travel experiences. |
| Hotels focus on enhancing connection with guests. |
| Projects that promote meaningful and responsible adventures. |
| Creative approach in building accommodation spaces. |
Evolution of Travel: The Essence of Wellness
The current generation is characterized by its appetite for travel. According to recent estimates, the travel industry is expected to reach 11.1 trillion dollars soon. In 2024, nearly 790 million travelers were anticipating their departure in a few months. This frenzy of movement fuels a quest for meaning, a desire to align travel and wellness, all while reducing the ecological footprint.
Expectations have changed; travelers are modernizing their view of tourism by seeking enriching adventures. Destinations such as spas and yoga retreats are increasingly imposing themselves globally. The Global Wellness Institute predicts that spending on wellness travel could reach 8.5 trillion dollars by 2027.
Some hotels, like the Siro One Za’abeel in Dubai, embody this trend by integrating sleep therapies and organic vegan meals. Travel agencies are also reinventing themselves to meet this growing need for relaxation and regeneration.
Slow Travel: A Return to Authenticity
The concept of “slow travel” is a response to the fast pace of modern life. Traveling slowly allows one to savor every moment and better appreciate the destinations. Operators are beginning to meet this demand with immersive experiences in the cruise, train, or yacht sectors.
Hotels, like Locke de Santa Joana in Lisbon, showcase soothing facilities, redefining the accommodation experience for their guests seeking tranquility. This notion of prolonged stays in chosen places embodies a desire for deeper connection.
Nautical Innovations: An Elevated Journey
New advancements in the nautical field fascinate travel enthusiasts. The Orient Express recently launched its first yacht, the Corinthian, foreshadowing the return of 17 historic train cars. Belmond, with its Britannic Explorer, offers a refined immersion into the world of luxury rail travel.
Airlines, for their part, are modernizing their offerings with luxury lounges and high-end cabins. The refreshment of products aims to meet the demands of clientele seeking unique and memorable experiences.
Under the Sign of Sustainability: A New Luxury
Sustainability is becoming a foundation of travel choices. Wallpaper* evaluates its destinations based on their ability to avoid over-tourism. Places like Santa Monica Beach, where a new pastel-designed hotel is located, prioritize a conscious and environmentally respectful approach.
All-inclusive hotels are redefining their image, offering high-end services. Kudadoo in the Maldives embodies this renewal with its “everything and anything” concept that attracts travelers desiring limitless escape moments while preserving ethics.
The Winners of the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2025
Locke de Santa Joana, Lisbon
This new hotel attracts attention with a well-thought-out design aesthetic, integrating harmony and functionality. In Lisbon, Locke de Santa Joana offers a refined space welcoming travelers seeking a memorable stay.
The Emory, London
A true masterpiece of design, The Emory in London stands out with its sought-after aesthetic. Each suite represents the pinnacle of contemporary design, combining luxury and functionality with unparalleled craftsmanship.
The Observatory Suite by JR, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
An artistic interpretation of travel, The Observatory Suite inspires dreams and adventure. Its accommodations transform every journey into a cultural epic, paying homage to a glorious past while offering modernity and comfort.
The Wilde, Milan
This modern club reflects Milan’s cosmopolitan spirit with elegance and creativity. The Wilde becomes a meeting place for avant-garde minds, incorporating bold design elements that captivate visitors.
Vipp Todos Santos
New guesthouse inspired by Danish design, Vipp Todos Santos enhances Scandinavian aesthetics in a unique desert setting. This project fuses contemporary comfort with nature, offering visitors a calming retreat.
