Tasked to create a relaxed vibe that would cater to a younger crowd while still appealing to a multi-generation of travelers, Los Angeles-based Atwater Inc. Studio and hotel owner Pinnacle Hospitality Partners recently unveiled the 230-room Holiday Inn and Suites Nashville Downtown Convention Center.
Paying homage to area’s rich history, the lobby blends southern farmland decor with American heartland music nostalgia, while adhering to the brand’s guidelines. Reclaimed wood floors, whitewashed brick and repurposed barnwood-style walls, and a midcentury modern color palette merge the old with the new.
The standout design element is definitely the lobby, according to Atwater Inc. Studio Founder and Creative Director Stina Funch. “As the hub of the hotel, the lobby is a welcoming, energetic place. Its familiar atmosphere blends southern farmland decor with American heartland music nostalgia for an authentic experience… Coffee tables that resemble a music cassette and artwork made by assembling multiple cassettes into a painted canvas, capture the city’s unconventional spirit and down-to-earth style. And different seating vignettes create memorable moments throughout.”
The hotel broke ground in 2017 and opened in early 2019 after an extensive US$70 million investment. The differentiator is the location, said Pinnacle Hospitality President and Chief Operating Officer Rakesh Govindji. “We try to provide a unique customer experience with our high level of service and our food and beverage offering to our guests. The challenges in the market are that a large amount of room supply is coming into the market.”
While Pinnacle Hospitality would not project ADR or occupancy, it is expecting strong performance in what it terms a very busy and very rapidly growing market. “The competition is a lot of mid-scale hotels in the city – from Hilton to Marriott brands,” Govindji said.
Raffles expands in Maldives: Following an exhaustive search for a suitable site, Raffles’ first resort in the Maldives, which soft-opened in May, introduced 16 new overwater villas, set on the southern tip of the Maldives in the remote Gaafu Alifu Atoll.
A palm tree-peppered private island comprising of only 21 villas and residences, a spa, beachside restaurants and dive center with an on-site marine biologist comprises Raffles Maldives Meradhoo with a rack rate of US$1,800 per night.
Officially opened on September 22, Raffles Maldives Meradhoo’s Overwater Island Experience completes the resort. It includes vast overwater villas and residences, Nikkei restaurant Yuzu and sunset-facing Yapa pool bar. The villas feature large marble bathtubs, private pools and outdoor showers.