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StayWell Holdings is thrilled to announce that The Prince Akatoki London hotel has been awarded an OPAL (Outstanding Property Award London) for Interior Design.

Recognising the best architecture, interior design, and property development projects from around the world, the OPAL Award recognises the core elements of The Prince Akatoki’s design, which brings the nuances of Japanese luxury and hospitality to London. Inspired by the region’s aesthetics, every element within the hotel reflects the tranquillity and calm beauty of minimalism, while celebrating the building itself.

Designed by London based interior and branding design company B3 Designers, the property’s rooms are designed to be airy, exuding a refreshing softness that relaxes the senses. Scandinavian furniture used around the hotel’s spaces complements Japanese design principles. The food and beverage spaces influenced by linearity are multi-functional spaces, with the Malt Bar and Lounge smoothly transitioning from a daytime tearoom to evening whisky bar.

A sanctuary in the heart of London, The Prince Akatoki is situated in an idyllic locale, surrounded by specialty boutiques and Georgian homes and just a short distance from Oxford Street, Hyde Park, and Mayfair.

The design principles of the hotel include use of natural and sensory elements, and collaboration with craftspeople to provide beautiful, inspiring objects and interiors that encourage guests to be more contemplative, to connect with the environment around them, and to live in the moment. The result is a refined, east meets west aesthetic that celebrates clean architectural lines, minimalism, and low-lying expansive elements.

Specialists in hospitality, including hotels, restaurants, and bars, B3 Designers were briefed by StayWell Holdings to refurbish the previously existing hotel with a focus on bringing Japanese design and hospitality ideals to the West End. The company designed the interiors and branding for the hotel’s rooms, public areas (reception, sanctuary, communal workspace, corridors, lift lobby), and its F&B offers – TOKii, and The Malt Lounge & Bar.

Founder and Director of B3 Designers, Mark Bithrey, said of the project, “We followed principles of strong design, attention to detail, craftsmanship, natural and sensory elements, and wellbeing, to bring the spaces to life. Throughout the design thinking process, our teams worked to find solutions to strike a balance between traditional Japanese design elements, and the modern traveller’s aesthetic expectations. We found ways to incorporate nuances of Japanese concepts, whilst celebrating the old Georgian building and transforming it into an experience in line with the brand.”

“The design works well to deliver the spaces’ multiple functions, in its choice of material, palette, textures, and motifs. It offers a sense of theatre and escapism that wasn’t there before.”

Mr. Simon Wan, President and Director of StayWell Holdings said that the award is great recognition of the hotel’s commitment to understated luxury and its carefully considered design.

“We are thrilled to see The Prince Akatoki London’s design recognised for just how special it is,” he said. “The hotel is a high-end sanctuary that invites guests to slow down, breathe, and re-enter the world feeling new again. The careful and thoughtful interior design has been created to enlighten guests with a luxury Japanese experience that promotes mindfulness and tranquillity at every touchpoint.”

The Prince Akatoki London opened in September 2019, since which time it has received multiple awards and coveted accolades including a Forbes Travel Guide four star rating and luxury verification in their Annual Travel Guide; Winner, Luxury Lifestyle Awards; and the Best Newcomer Award at the Conde Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence.