30 episodes

Behind the facade of every world-class hotel, there’s a story waiting to be heard. From a secluded overwater villa in the Maldives, to a rejuvenated royal palace in Budapest, to a trendy hotspot in downtown Los Angeles — join host Hamish Kilburn as he meets the architects, designers, and visionaries who dive deep into the craft of design and connect us to the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences. Travel by Design reimagines the hotel design podcast previously known as Behind the Design. On each episode Hamish chats with the creative mind behind a one-of-a-kind hotel — to hear what inspired their concept, how they brought it to life, and what it’s like to enjoy the space as a traveler. Curious about the craft of hotel design? Check out more stories from across the globe at marriottbonvoy.com/TravelbyDesign. You can also find photos and additional details about each hotel design on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler (traveler.marriott.com).

Travel by Design Marriott Bonvoy Traveler

  • 4.8 • 11 Ratings
  • NOV 21, 2023

Designing a New Generation of Hotel Rooms at Marriott’s Innovation Lab

What can travelers expect from the next generation of hotel rooms? To find out, Hamish heads to the top secret innovation lab at Marriott Headquarters — where more adaptable, interactive, and locally connected hotel rooms are being crafted as the ideal home base for millions of travel journeys to come.

  • NOV 1, 2023

Tromsø, Norway: Catch the Northern Lights over mountains and fjords at Moxy Tromsø

Eleven stories above the arctic circle, a panoramic view — of Norwegian mountains, fjords, and the Northern Lights — sweeps travelers into the natural world. Sculpted by Copenhagen-based designer and longtime mountain backpacker Mette Fredskild, Moxy Tromsø helps travelers let go of modern life, put on their hiking boots, and cross into one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth.

  • OCT 18, 2023

New York City: Discover the choreography of travel with David Rockwell, designer of W New York - Union Square

What do an airport terminal, the set of a Broadway show, one of the most revered parks in New York City have in common? They’ve all been shaped by master designer David Rockwell, and they all reveal the hidden choices that go into designing a public space. In this episode, David shares how his love of theater and his decades-long understanding of Union Square Park helped him to reinvent W New York - Union Square, a hotel that he originally designed in the late 1990s.

  • OCT 4, 2023

Bucharest: Meet for drinks in a 100-year-old bank vault at The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection

Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, is a rising destination for travelers who want to visit a vibrant European city with centuries of architecture. Taking on a labyrinth of design puzzles to protect generations of heritage, architect Indre Sangus transformed a historic bank building into The Marmorosch Bucharest, an Autograph Collection hotel.

  • SEP 20, 2023

Bali: Embrace culture through design at Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort in Indonesia

On the southern tip of Bali, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of beachside hotels, the Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort is meticulously crafted to help travelers connect with Balinese culture. Veteran designer Carl Almeida explains how he’s paid homage to Balinese architecture and performances — through the resort’s villa-like layout, locally influenced building materials, and interiors inspired by specific Balinese dances.

  • SEP 7, 2023

Yucatan, Mexico: Connect stars, sea, and cenotes at the St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya, on the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, is home to peaceful mangroves, stunning beaches, and over 4,000 years of Maya heritage. Fascinated by the Mayas’ historic mastery of astronomy and inspired by her first trip into the crystal clear waters of the Yucatan’s cenotes, Tatiana Sheveleva designed the St. Regis Kanai Resort as an indoor-and-outdoor experience that literally reflects the stars and immerses travelers in the heavenly natural settings of the Riviera Maya.

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Designing a New Generation of Hotel Rooms at Marriott’s Innovation Lab

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Tromsø, Norway: Catch the Northern Lights over mountains and fjords at Moxy Tromsø

Tromsø, Norway: Catch the Northern Lights over mountains and fjords at Moxy Tromsø

New York City: Discover the choreography of travel with David Rockwell, designer of W New York - Union Square

New York City: Discover the choreography of travel with David Rockwell, designer of W New York - Union Square

Bucharest: Meet for drinks in a 100-year-old bank vault at The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection

Bucharest: Meet for drinks in a 100-year-old bank vault at The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection

Bali: Embrace culture through design at Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort in Indonesia

Bali: Embrace culture through design at Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort in Indonesia

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula: Descend into underground cenotes and look up to the starry night sky at the St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula: Descend into underground cenotes and look up to the starry night sky at the St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya

Los Angeles: Explore Two Hotels Under One Roof at the Moxy and AC Downtown L.A.

Los Angeles: Explore Two Hotels Under One Roof at the Moxy and AC Downtown L.A.

The Maldives: Overwater Villas with Unexpected Design at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

The Maldives: Overwater Villas with Unexpected Design at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

Costa Rica: Discover Biophilic Design in a Mangrove Jungle at El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

Costa Rica: Discover Biophilic Design in a Mangrove Jungle at El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

Airport Hotels: Designs That Defy Stereotype, from Amsterdam to Toronto

Airport Hotels: Designs That Defy Stereotype, from Amsterdam to Toronto

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Marriott Bonvoy Launches “Travel by Design,” a Design-focused Platform Introducing Untold Stories to At-Home Streaming

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Leader of extraordinary experiences shares inspiration behind some of the world’s best designed hotels

Marriott Bonvoy ®  – Marriott International’s extraordinary portfolio of 30 hotel brands, award-winning loyalty program, and endless experiences – today announced the launch of  Travel by Design , an integrated content platform showcasing never-before-told design stories that inspired some of the world’s most extraordinary hotels. Marriott Bonvoy is collaborating with Samsung to create the first-ever exclusive branded destination within Samsung’s free, ad-supported streaming service, Samsung TV Plus. Starting November 1, 2022, Samsung TV Plus viewers can simply select a tile on the service home screen to explore the on-demand library to immerse themselves in a curated collection of travel video content.

“We are excited to launch our Travel by Design platform to introduce travelers to the design visionaries behind some of the world’s most remarkable hotels, fusing them closer to destinations and cultures for a more immersive travel experience,” said Annie Granatstein, Vice President, Content Marketing, Marriott International. “We know travelers are rethinking how they want to see the world and we are proud to be able to offer them this one-of-a-kind, at-home experience to fill their bucket lists.”

From a secluded overwater villa in the Maldives, to a reimagined royal palace in Budapest, or a trendy hotspot in downtown Los Angeles, Travel by Design brings tales of design and architecture to life from world-renowned creatives, such as Frank Gehry and Yabu Pushelberg, with articles, films, podcasts, and photography across multiple channels, including digital, editorial, and social platforms.

Travel by Design features a collection of short films showcasing four fascinating stories, where iconic destinations meet design from beloved brands like W Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection, Autograph Collection Hotels, and more. The transportive visual series will be available on streaming platforms, such as Samsung and Roku as well as YouTube, and featured in hotel rooms globally on Marriott Bonvoy TV.

The Travel by Design podcast hosted by Hamish Kilburn, Editor at Hotel Designs, meets the architects, designers, and visionaries who dive deep into the craft and hear what sparked their concept, how their creative process changes throughout, and what it is like to enjoy the space as a traveler. Six audio episodes will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Marriott Bonvoy members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques.

For more information on these new openings and Marriott Bonvoy, enroll in the program for free, or to book directly, visit  www.MarriottBonvoy.com.

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Marriott Bonvoy Launches “Travel by Design,” a Design-focused Platform Introducing Untold Stories to At-Home Streaming

travel by design marriott

Marriott Bonvoy recently announced the launch of Travel by Design, an integrated content platform showcasing never-before-told design stories that inspired some of the world’s most extraordinary hotels. Marriott Bonvoy is collaborating with Samsung to create the first-ever exclusive branded destination within Samsung’s free, ad-supported streaming service, Samsung TV Plus. Starting November 1, 2022, Samsung TV Plus viewers can simply select a tile on the service home screen to explore the on-demand library to immerse themselves in a curated collection of travel video content.

“We are excited to launch our Travel by Design platform to introduce travelers to the design visionaries behind some of the world’s most remarkable hotels, fusing them closer to destinations and cultures for a more immersive travel experience,” said Annie Granatstein, Vice President, Content Marketing, Marriott International. “We know travelers are rethinking how they want to see the world and we are proud to be able to offer them this one-of-a-kind, at-home experience to fill their bucket lists.”

From a secluded overwater villa in the Maldives, to a reimagined royal palace in Budapest, or a trendy hotspot in downtown Los Angeles, Travel by Design brings tales of design and architecture to life from world-renowned creatives, such as Frank Gehry and Yabu Pushelberg, with articles, films, podcasts, and photography across multiple channels, including digital, editorial, and social platforms.

Travel by Design features a collection of short films showcasing four fascinating stories, where iconic destinations meet design from beloved brands like W Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection, Autograph Collection Hotels, and more. The transportive visual series will be available on streaming platforms, such as Samsung and Roku as well as YouTube, and featured in hotel rooms globally on Marriott Bonvoy TV.

The Travel by Design podcast hosted by Hamish Kilburn, Editor at Hotel Designs, meets the architects, designers, and visionaries who dive deep into the craft and hear what sparked their concept, how their creative process changes throughout, and what it is like to enjoy the space as a traveler. Six audio episodes will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Marriott Bonvoy members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques.

travel by design marriott

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

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Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

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Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

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Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

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Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

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Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

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Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

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Marriott International Accelerates Growth Across Europe With Nearly 100 Hotel Conversions and Adaptive Reuse Projects Expected by the End of 2026

Growth plans across the continent reflect the confidence owners continue have in the company.

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From the International Hospitality Investment Forum in Berlin, Marriott International, Inc. today announced plans to add nearly 100 properties and over 12,000 rooms to its portfolio in Europe portfolio through hotel conversions and adaptive reuse projects, the conversion of existing buildings into a hotel, by the end of 2026. The anticipated hotels represent more than 40 percent of the company’s European development pipeline expected to open during that period.

The robust growth plans are expected to strengthen the company’s footprint across Europe, where it currently has a portfolio of over 800 properties with nearly 150,000 rooms across 25 brands in 47 countries and territories.

“We continue to see meaningful growth across Europe through conversion and adaptive reuse opportunities, reinforcing the confidence our owners and franchisees have in Marriott International as they look to reposition assets and maximise returns," says Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “ Conversions with Marriott offer owners and franchisees the opportunity to leverage our well-established brands, competitive affiliation costs, the company’s powerful revenue generation engines and Marriott Bonvoy – our award-winning travel programme with more than 200 million members.”

Marriott is seeing momentum for hotel conversions and adaptive reuse projects in countries such as Italy, United Kingdom, Spain and Türkiye, and across all brand segments.

Marriott’s new midscale brand, Four Points Express by Sheraton, has spurred conversion opportunities in the region since its launch in 2023. The company announced the launch of the brand in response to growing consumer demand for reliable yet affordable accommodation in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Following the recent opening of Four Points Express by Sheraton Bursa (Türkiye), the brand is slated to add five properties across the United Kingdom and Türkiye by the end of 2025.

In the select segment, Moxy Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton and Residence Inn by Marriott represent more than 25 percent of the company’s anticipated additions through conversions and adaptive reuse projects in Europe by the end of 2026. Across the premium segment, Tribute Portfolio and Autograph Collection make up over 20 per cent percent of the expected additions in Europe through the same period.

The company is also seeing an increase in conversion and adaptive reuse opportunities in the luxury segment in Europe, with The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts representing more than 10 percent of the anticipated additions in the region by the end of 2026.

“We are seeing significant interest from independent hoteliers, developers and investors looking to leverage the efficiencies and advantages of renovating and rebranding existing hotels and properties," Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International, says “Adding an existing property to our portfolio provides access to Marriott Bonvoy, our well-established loyalty programme, our sales and marketing platforms and our global customer base. This in turn gives Marriott the opportunity to further expand the breadth of our brand portfolio for our guests and members. We are particularly seeing momentum across The Luxury Collection, Autograph Collection and Tribute Portfolio brands which allow hotels an opportunity to keep their identity and personality while pulling into the power of Marriott’s global systems.”

Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of United States federal securities laws, including statements related to expected development opportunities and project signings; the size and scope of the company’s portfolio; expected future project additions, openings and portfolio growth; our development pipeline; the pace and momentum of development activity; future growth expectations and opportunities; and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Marriott International Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,800 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy ® , its highly awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com , and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com . In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on X and Instagram .

Media Contact Chandan Belani Senior Director, Development PR – Europe, Middle East & Africa Marriott International [email protected]

Anthony Capuano during his visit to JW Marriott Istanbul Bosphorus

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How do i get to the hotel from vnukovo airport.

By taxi Official taxis from Vnukovo will cost approximately $60, and the drive to the Marriott Courtyard Moscow City Center Hotel will take around 45 minutes in clear traffic. It is also possible to book a transfer in advance here .

By train Aeroexpress trains run from Vnukovo to Kiev Railway Station, which is just over 1km from the hotel. Trains run every hour on the hour from 6am to 12am daily, and adult single tickets cost roughly $11. To complete your journey, take the metro from Kievskaya Metro Station, and travel three stops east on the blue line to Ploshchad Revolyutsii. Exit the metro via Okhotny Ryad Metro Station, and the Marriott Courtyard is a little over ten minutes' walk away.

By bus Buses run from the edge of the car park in front of Vnukovo Terminal D (domestic flights) to Yugo-Zapadnaya Metro Station in the south-west of Moscow. Regular buses (611 and 611c) run from 5.30am to 12.50am daily every 10-15 minutes and take under 25 minutes to reach the metro. Tickets cost $3-4. There are also faster and slightly more expensive minibus shuttles (611b and 45) running from 7am to 11pm. From Yugo Zapadnaya, travel north on the red line nine stops to Okhotny Ryad and the Marriott Courtyard is a little over ten minutes' walk away.

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The St. Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya

The St. Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya is striking at sunset. (Photo: Marriott International)

Mexico’s Riviera Maya: Find Cenotes and Starry Skies at The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya, a coastal paradise on the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, is home to peaceful mangroves, stunning beaches, and breathtaking freshwater pools known as cenotes. And nestled amongst the mangrove trees is The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya — a 620-acre reserve that immerses travelers in a heavenly natural setting and pays homage to over 4,000 years of Maya heritage within greater Mexico.

travel by design marriott

In this episode of Travel by Design, host Hamish Kilburn chats with designer Tatiana Sheveleva, who spent seven years painstakingly sculpting a seamless indoor-outdoor experience at The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya .

Fascinated by Maya culture and especially the Mayas’ mastery of astronomy and architecture, Tatiana worked with architect Michael Edmonds to build out a cluster of white circular buildings.

The St. Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya hotel room

These elegant structures not only offer magnificent views of the beach, they also reflect the stars of the “Seven Sisters,” honor the Mayan lunar calendar, and recognize that in the Yucatan this place is called Kanai — which translates to “Where the sky is born.”

In their conversation, Tatiana shares how she and Edmonds incorporated starlight (including sunlight) into the hotel interior design and architecture. Then she recounts what it was like to descend into the crystal-clear waters of an underground cenote for the first time, and explains how this spiritual experience inspired her guest room designs.

Finally, Tatiana and Hamish connect over the importance of designing to create once-in-a-lifetime memories for travelers, and Tatiana shares an unforgettable moment from her first trip to the newly opened hotel.

  • 00:50 – What is the Riviera Maya, and what do travelers love about it?
  • 02:17 – When building a coastal resort in a mangrove reserve, why center the design of this resort on a starry night sky?
  • 08:24 – What is it like to descend into the serene waters of an underground cenote?
  • 14:19 – How does the importance of comfort shine through in this design process?

Featured Hotel: The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya

Featured Designer: Tatiana Sheveleva, Chapi Chapo Design

Explore more stories about hotel design at Travel by Design

Follow host Hamish Kilburn’s hotel design reviews @HotelDesigns and global travels @hotel_travel_editor

The St. Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya swing chairs

Tatiana Sheveleva: We wanted to create this hotel so you would never disconnect from environment.

And you enjoy the sound of water, you enjoy the sound of birds and sound of ocean.

Because I never design something beautiful. I always design… memories.

I really believe that through my design, people will build the memories there.

‘Cause nobody in the end possibly will remember the chair, how the chair will look like, but they will always will remember when they were sitting on this chair with their daughter, with their husband, and looking in a sunset.

That’s what they remember. That’s why I’m doing this job.

HAMISH VO: This is Travel by Design — where we chat with the visionaries behind the world’s most extraordinary hotels.

I’m your host, Hamish Kilburn, professional hotel reviewer and the editor of Hotel Designs .

Today, our destination is the Riviera Maya. It’s a picturesque stretch of mangrove forests and beaches along the Yucatan peninsula, in southeastern Mexico.

But beyond the surface of this already stunning environment, there are two travel experiences which you can’t find anywhere else.

One of these experiences is swimming in cenotes, freshwater pools — often found in underground caverns.

The second experience linked to this part of the Yucatan is a stunning view of the starry night sky.

The Maya people — who have a rich culture and long history within greater Mexico — mastered astronomy in the first thousand years of the Common Era. They built sundials, and other architectural features, to track the movement of the stars.

And this inspired my guest for today: Tatiana Sheveleva.

Tatiana Sheveleva: I’m from Kazakhstan and a partner and owner of Chapi Chapo Design.

curving shapes at The St. Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya

HAMISH VO: Tatiana designed the St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, to be a seamless indoor-and-outdoor experience, which immerses travelers in the lush natural settings of mangroves, beaches, and cenotes.

But most of all, Tatiana looked to the sky. I started our conversation by asking how starlight showed up in the resort experience.

Hamish Kilburn: You’ve designed a resort in one of the most incredible places in the world.

Tatiana Sheveleva: Yes.

Hamish Kilburn: The St. Regis Kanai is basically settled in, in just breathtaking landscape.

Its, its immediate sort of surroundings are mangrove trees, and it’s just simply breathtaking on its own.

But you looked at the sky and especially you looked at the stars.

So I’m just kind of wanting to know first and foremost, when did that realization hit you, that that should be the design narrative?

The St. Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya at dusk with firepits

Tatiana Sheveleva: So on the project, if you know, there is a fabulous architect; his name is Michael Edmonds, and he’s a very spiritual person.

The way he started this project and I’m kind of quoting his words, he came to the land and in the quiet evening, he sat down beside the sea, and he started to kind of meditate, I would say.

And it was a beautiful evening — for some reason, I don’t know why, the sunset in St. Regis Kanai, it’s absolutely spectacular. Like beautiful, burgundy, pink color.

So he was watching a sunset, this what he was telling me, and uh, the stars start to appears in the sky, and it’s a perfect, beautiful black sky, with very bright stars.

And in this particular location, “Kanai” — the translation of that, it’s, “Where the sky is born.”

Hamish Kilburn: Wow.

Tatiana Sheveleva: Kanai means “Where the sky is born.” And this is a gate to the Heaven.

So what he decided, “Oh my God, this is obvious. I’m looking at the stars. How about if I create these circles that imitate these bright stars?”

the concentric circles design at The St. Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya

Hamish Kilburn: I really love that. I really love that, that description.

And I want to talk about the architecture now, because I was looking at an aerial photograph of the resort. One of the major things you notice really is the circular shapes of the buildings. They’re… they’re like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

Um… Each one is like a, a bright, white ring embedded with the mangrove forest; some of them connect to each other to create this sort of striking of curves, even.

Tatiana Sheveleva: And it’s a true constellation from the sky to the ground.

Hamish Kilburn: Wow…

Tatiana Sheveleva: Because it is, like, the stars floating above the land.

So if you look at the architecture, It’s a seven circles, and I think this is so beautiful. This is absolutely beautiful. Yeah.

Hamish Kilburn: And correct me if I’m wrong, Tatiana, but you were actually chosen by the architect based on your mutual enthusiasm for Mayan astronomy.

Tatiana Sheveleva: Absolutely. I think we meant to meet with each other, to be honest. I don’t know, it was written in the stars somewhere.

I arrived to New York City, and prior to this meeting, they didn’t show me architecture. They just showed me the land, and they asked me to come up with a narrative.

And obviously I did the research, and I come up with a story about this Mayan culture, who created this lunar calendar, and they’re masters in, even in architecture.

So I built my narrative based on that.

So when I arrived and I started to present, I could see the architect eyes was started to, to, (laughs) to get sparkle, I guess. (laughs)

I didn’t know why he was looking at me, but after that, he take my hands and he told, “Tatiana, you exactly told me what I had in mind.”

And I guess that, that sealed the deal. That totally sealed the deal. Yeah. (Laughs)

Hamish Kilburn: It’s like the aha moment on any project, isn’t it?

Tatiana Sheveleva: Yes, yes.

shadow patterns The St. Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya

Hamish Kilburn: And, and for me, I kind of want to focus now on the interiors of the hotel, because…

I want to ask you about natural light, which is a problem that most designers have when they’re creating a hotel.

And I guess the most obvious natural light that I can think of is, is our own star, the Sun. You used that light to create really captivating shadows.

So for instance, in the guest corridors at the right time of day, the floor lights up with a pattern that almost looks like stretched herringbone, which is made up of different layers of sunlight and, and shadows.

For me that’s, that’s so simple, yet so effective, ’cause it almost feels like the lighting and the interior, it becomes art in itself.

Tatiana Sheveleva: My God, Hamish, I’m so glad you mentioned that. And, uh, that’s exactly what we were trying to do in the hotel.

For example, when you go to the spa, we have this wood screen that we created and the pattern of the screen, we got inspired from Mayans’ textiles.

And this has this almost diamond shape —

Hamish Kilburn: Oooh, I see…

Tatiana Sheveleva: — that we tried to implement.

So architect, instead of just simple walls, in the corridors, he created this metal structure. And the metal structure has this herringbone shape, which is also reflect of the Mayan textiles.

And he stretched this, which was absolutely brilliant, he stretched this fabric on this metal structure.

So when it’s during the day, when the sun is hit exactly 2:30 afternoon, it creates a beautiful shadow on the corridor, on the floor.

It is exactly the same pattern that I have inside of the room of my headboard behind the bed.

Which is absolutely… I don’t know, how does it happen?

Hamish Kilburn: I think that’s so beautiful, because most people would walk past it and think, “Wow that’s really beautiful,” but actually for it to have such a layer to it…

Tatiana Sheveleva: Yes. It create this additional decorative element, sculptural element in the hotel.

It start from 2:30 afternoon.

It’s happened in a corridor.

At 5:00, it’s happened in the lobby.

And later on at 5:30, it’s happened in a corridor which is lead you to the spa.

Hamish Kilburn: And completely by nature.

Tatiana Sheveleva: By nature,

Hamish Kilburn: Completely unique to that location.

Tatiana Sheveleva: Yeah. So it’s, it’s absolutely magical. Magical, magical. Yeah.

Hamish Kilburn: So, so the hotel is full of amazing moments, but outside of the hotel, in the Yucatan… there’s this just unparalleled experience that every traveler needs to, to put themselves in, and immerse themselves in. And that’s the cenotes.

Tatiana Sheveleva: Oh my God. The cenote for me, I felt like I died and went to heaven.

Hamish Kilburn: So for travelers you can think of these as kind of, like, underground caves almost, made of limestone, which often have beautiful crystal clear pools of water.

Tatiana Sheveleva: It’s like a ground got shifted. The land got shifted, and it created this beautiful underground lake, which is a pure clear water.

So there is a lot of turtles, uh, birds living there, a lot of different fishes.

So when you want to visit there, they encourage you to take a shower. So you have to come, like, very clean there, so you will not disturb the animals who live there.

When you’re there, you feel…

I don’t know, you feel so small and you finally understand what is important, what is not important, it’s truly a spiritual experience.

Hamish Kilburn: So talk us through the, the whole process as you’re walking down and what your senses are capturing.

AMBI — Birds in a cenote

Tatiana Sheveleva: There is no sound hearing, except the bird sounds, nature sounds…

Uh, You see this… this pure round shape, and it’s crystal clear water.

You think that it’s very shallow, but it’s actually very deep.

Because it’s crystal clear, you see the bottom of that, but it’s very, very deep.

AMBI — Soft splash of a swimmer submerging into water

And from humidity to this, it’s like a cold, cold water… uh, Hamish, it’s, it’s hard for me to explain, but…

It’s a shock for your body, because it’s so cold, but it’s also… a shock for your mind, because you forget about everything.

SFX — Soft swell of ambient tone that echoes into silence

You forget forget about your busy life, and you truly understand you’re a human being.

That was for me, one of the aha moments, like, Oh my God I don’t know what I’ve done in life, Hamish, but I think I’d done something right…

I truly feel like it’s, it’s a heaven on earth. I’m telling you.

Hamish Kilburn: It sounds like a really personal moment, and what I’m interested is, is how you then translated the shapes and the essence of, of that feeling and how you captured that into the design of St. Regis Kanai.

Tatiana Sheveleva: Yes. So when you come to the room, uh, you see this beautiful bathroom, which is completely open, so you feel like your bathroom became part of your bedroom.

And the cenote was one of the inspirational moments for me.

So I decided to create a sculptural sink, architectural sculptural sink, that is standing in the middle of the room.

It’s a pure shape of this lake, cenote. And the stone has to capture all of these colors, which is a little bit of brown or sea colors, a little bit of green, a little bit of blue, green as a vegetation, a little bit of blue as a actual water.

And it’s create this beautiful pattern.

Hamish Kilburn: Sounds timeless.

Tatiana Sheveleva: Yes, and it is. And after that I created these mirrors, which is hanging above of that.

And the mirrors has one side is a clear mirror, and another side is a bronze mirror.

So when you look at the mirror, it’s a pure reflection of the sink, which is represent cenote, lake of cenote.

So when I’m standing and brushing my teeth, I’m not looking only at the mirror, seeing myself, seeing my partner, my friend.

You also see the pure reflection of the sink, which is so beautiful.

And the way it’s hanging from the ceiling, it’s also represent this vegetation, which is hanging from the land, and it’s hanging above the lake of cenote.

Hamish Kilburn: I love how many layers there are in this story. And actually, all the layers kind of… excuse the pun, but they reflect each other, because they really do.

the pool at The St. Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya

Hamish Kilburn: And you know, whether you’re talking about… The way in which the hotel is immersed in the mangroves, or whether we’re talking about the natural light and the patterns that have been created, how you’ve even created the, the connection with the cenotes, it strikes me that this is a place where the indoors and the outdoors… they’re just seamlessly met and blended.

Tatiana Sheveleva: Yes, it was very important for everybody to create the spaces when you really feel indoor-outdoors; indoors, outdoors, it’s blending together.

We wanted to create this hotel so you would never disconnect from environment.

So that’s why our lobby area is completely open. We do have a roof, but it’s open.

And even indoors, reception, for example, it’s looks like it’s a floating platform surrounded by water.

That water feature is almost creating a cascade, which is guiding you the path to the reception desk.

You’re kind of following the sound of the water to come to the check in desk.

Hamish Kilburn: Ooh.

So right away your mind gets set to the zero, if I’m explaining it correctly. Set to the zero, meaning you’re in a resort to relax, celebrate your moments, create the memory stories…

So we thought it would be great to have these opportunities to create indoor-outdoor consciously.

Hamish Kilburn: Hmm.

Tatiana Sheveleva: People will use it.

Hamish Kilburn: And I, I think that’s the key, what you’ve just said: People.

You know, we’re, we’re designing these hotels for, for people.

And would really love to know how your life experience coming from Kazakhstan to Canada, and, and then designing for travelers all over the world…

Tatiana Sheveleva: (Laughs) Yes…

Hamish Kilburn: All of these parts of your story inform the work that you do, surely.

Tatiana Sheveleva: Oh my goodness. Uh, Hamish, I’m from Kazakhstan, uh, from the city Karaganda. Very family oriented culture. And I feel like the Mexico, it’s also very family oriented culture. We like to celebrate as families.

I was always thinking about: When I will have a vacation in this beautiful hotel, how would I like to experience that? What kind of memories I want to build?

Because I never design something beautiful. I always design memories.

Hamish Kilburn: So true.

Tatiana Sheveleva: That’s what they remember. That’s why I’m doing this job.

You know, sometimes designers get focused on the creativity too much, which is absolutely, it’s the most important element.

Hamish Kilburn: Sure. Of course.

But you have to think about the comfort!

The feeling of that.

Hamish Kilburn: Once you finished and you were in the hotel as a guest, with your own family, what was the biggest visible sign that it actually took seven years to complete?

Tatiana Sheveleva: When I started the project, my son was seven years old. And when we finished the project, my son became 14 years old. So when I come back with my family, he was one of the first guests who arrived.

And my daughter, who wasn’t even born…(laughs)

I was pregnant. I got pregnant during this process, get a birth. (laughs)

So my daughter right now is six years old, and —

Hamish Kilburn: It’s really a milestone.

Tatiana Sheveleva: Yeah, I know! And they came to the room…

And they say, “Wow. Mom! Did you do this?”

I was like, “Yes, I did this. I did this.”

Hamish Kilburn: Awwww.

Tatiana Sheveleva: And he did remember, “Oh yeah, Mom, I remember how beautiful it was. We are going to see cenote again?”

So when, the last day we went to cenote, it was like a perfect conclusion of the project, for sure, and I looked at my son, and he’s standing right now, very tall, proud.

And we took a picture. And we had a picture before and after.

So we had exactly the same picture, where my son was standing, six years old, on that land, and we have, right now, a picture when he was 14 with my daughter, right now. (chuckles)

Hamish Kilburn: That’s so nice. And for me, it’s like, this is what this hotel has been built on. Emotion.

And, and thank you so much for, for coming on the podcast and really sharing that personal account with our listeners; it’s just been such a treat talking to you and hearing the design narrative from your perspective.

I mean, it’s a beautiful hotel, but it’s just so much more spectacular, now that I know so much more about the details that went into it.

MUX Begins — “Overlander” by Steven Gutheinz

Thank you so much, Tatiana. Thank you.

Tatiana Sheveleva: Thank you, Hamish. I really true believe that the people, when they will stay in this hotel, they will feel a love because this hotel was done with a huge love from everybody.

Thank you so much. Thank you.

HAMISH VO: Travel by Design is a podcast by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, the online travel magazine where you’ll find more inspiring hotel design stories.

If you’re curious about the craft of hotel design, then check out marriottbonvoy.com/travelbydesign .

And if you want to go behind the scenes of my travel experiences across the world, follow me on Instagram — at hotel travel editor.

This episode was produced by Narratively Creative.

Our Senior Producer is James Boo. Our Associate Producers are Nidhi Shastri and Greta Stromquist.

Interview recording by Allie Graham.

Story edits by Priscilla Alabi, sound design by James Boo — and audio engineering by Dorian Love.

Our Marriott Bonvoy Traveler producers are Valerie Conners and Robin Bennefield.

Special thanks to Tatiana Sheveleva for speaking with me about her work.

I’m your host, Hamish Kilburn,

Don’t forget to subscribe to Travel by Design in your podcast app. And tune in next time to hear more design stories behind the world’s most extraordinary hotels.

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Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

IMG_5767

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

IMG_5859

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Screen Shot 2015-04-01 at 5.17.53 PM

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

travel by design marriott

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

IMG_5826

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

Mayakovskaya station

Mayakovskaya metro station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

IMG_5893

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

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January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

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December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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    Travel by Design on Apple Podcasts. 30 episodes. Behind the facade of every world-class hotel, there's a story waiting to be heard. From a secluded overwater villa in the Maldives, to a rejuvenated royal palace in Budapest, to a trendy hotspot in downtown Los Angeles — join host Hamish Kilburn as he meets the architects, designers, and ...

  8. Marriott Bonvoy Launches "Travel by Design,"

    27 October 2022. Marriott International's extraordinary portfolio of 30 hotel brands, award-winning loyalty program, and endless experiences - today announced the launch of Travel by Design ...

  9. Podcasts

    About the Journey is a travel show about venturing off the beaten path to better understand the places we visit. In Season 3, travel journalist and Marriott Bonvoy member Oneika Raymond visits under-the-radar neighborhoods in six iconic cities across the world. With the help of locals who know their neighborhoods best, Oneika learns what makes ...

  10. Unique, Innovative & Authentic Hotels

    Earn limited Marriott Bonvoy™ benefits at select Design Hotels™ - a curated portfolio of independent, one-of-a-kind hotels around the globe. Thought-provoking architecture combined with creative flair - Design Hotels offer a boutique and original hotel experience. Book a truly authentic hotel stay in one of our unique properties.

  11. Travel by Design (podcast)

    ABOUT THIS PODCAST 🔗. Behind the facade of every world-class hotel, there's a story waiting to be heard. From a secluded overwater villa in the Maldives, to a rejuvenated royal palace in Budapest, to a trendy hotspot in downtown Los Angeles — join host Hamish Kilburn as he meets the architects, designers, and visionaries who dive deep ...

  12. Marriott Bonvoy Launches "Travel by Design," a Design-focused Platform

    Leader of extraordinary experiences shares inspiration behind some of the world's best designed hotels. Marriott Bonvoy ® - Marriott International's extraordinary portfolio of 30 hotel brands, award-winning loyalty program, and endless experiences - today announced the launch of Travel by Design, an integrated content platform showcasing never-before-told design stories that inspired ...

  13. Marriott Bonvoy Launches "Travel by Design," a Design-focused Platform

    "We are excited to launch our Travel by Design platform to introduce travelers to the design visionaries behind some of the world's most remarkable hotels, fusing them closer to destinations and cultures for a more immersive travel experience," said Annie Granatstein, Vice President, Content Marketing, Marriott International.

  14. Watch Travel by Design

    S1 E1 - Travel by Design: Series Trailer. October 1, 2023. 2min. 16+. Be inspired to Travel by Design as we step inside the minds of the creative visionaries behind the world's most innovative hotels. This series explores strikingly beautiful hotels from around the world through the eyes of the designers who brought each vision to life.

  15. Original Experiences at unique Luxury Hotels

    Select Design Hotels properties available with Marriott Bonvoy™. Design Hotels is member of Marriott Bonvoy™. You can now earn points and receive on-property benefits with stays at select Design Hotels properties, booked via www.marriott.com. Discover unique Luxury and Boutique hotels that are crafted to create Original Experiences for its ...

  16. Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME) to Elektrostal

    Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME) to Elektrostal right here. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport ...

  17. Travel by Design: Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua

    15:28. The Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort, secluded from the hustle and bustle of beach-side hotels, makes good on that offer by paying homage to Balinese architecture. The resort is nestled into the hills like a villa, with traditional pitched roofs perched around a courtyard of peaceful walking paths and walled gardens.

  18. The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

    Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii. Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station. Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide, book a flight to Moscow and read 10 ...

  19. Marriott International Accelerates Growth Across ...

    About Marriott International Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,800 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world.

  20. How to get to the Marriott Courtyard Hotel from Moscow Vnukovo Airport

    Tickets cost $3-4. There are also faster and slightly more expensive minibus shuttles (611b and 45) running from 7am to 11pm. From Yugo Zapadnaya, travel north on the red line nine stops to Okhotny Ryad and the Marriott Courtyard is a little over ten minutes' walk away.

  21. Travel by Design: St. Regis Kanai Resort

    In this episode of Travel by Design, host Hamish Kilburn chats with designer Tatiana Sheveleva, who spent seven years painstakingly sculpting a seamless indoor-outdoor experience at The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya.. Fascinated by Maya culture and especially the Mayas' mastery of astronomy and architecture, Tatiana worked with architect Michael Edmonds to build out a cluster of white ...

  22. Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

    6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders. Novoslobodskaya metro station. 7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power.