Studio Hospitality

The sense of comfort and familiarity has always reinforced the success of the guest experience. Quality environments, attentiveness to detail, anticipated needs, friendly discourse… all are requirements enhanced by the interaction of people in a comfortable, seemingly familiar setting.

Creating environments which encourage guests to feel not just accommodated but to surpass their expectations and allow them to accomplish their mission, can be provided through the design of the accommodations.

We understand the needs of guests to sense a level of value and richness; to accommodate their desire to focus on tasks… or their decision not to. A complex mix of needs, routines and emotions, which links one’s home and family to these unfamiliar settings, must be acknowledged and anticipate.

The environments we design integrate the qualities expected by the traveler, allowing them to settle in and feel comfortable. We know much activity is not seen by your guests while you provide seemingly effortless service and unmatched accommodation.

We understand how to design such a place; allowing one’s pulse to slow, spirit to recharge, sparking the desire to return.

Salamander Resort & Spa
Middleburg, Virginia

The Salamander Resort & Spa is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the historic town of Middleburg.  This 5 star/5 diamond resort, planned to be one of the most unique and sought after luxury retreats, will be situated on 340 acres of rolling hills within Loudoun County. Guests have a choice of staying in one of 168 luxurious rooms or suites, and relax in the stately Main House or enjoy themselves at the Spa. The Salamander Resort offers a 23,000 square foot Spa inclusive of 14 Treatment Rooms with fireplaces, an outdoor Spa Courtyard and Relaxation Pool. Also featured is a 20 stall barn and scenic riding trails for the resorts equestrian program. A 5,000 square foot ballroom which comfortably seats 320 guests can be utilized for a variety of memorable events. Multiple executive conference rooms will serve the business community exceptionally. The resort will include a full service, 5 star restaurant, bar, wine cellar and teaching kitchen with one of the nations top chefs.

Architect of Record: Architecture, Incorporated
Consulting Design Architect: WATG
Interior Designer: Forrest Perkins
Interior Designer: Thomas Pheasant

The Donovan House Hotel
Washington, DC

At Thomas Circle in Northwest Washington, DC, across from the historic National City Church in conjunction with New York City’s Studio Gaia Interior Design, Architecture, Inc. worked with hotel operator Thompson Hotels and Lasalle to create a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel experience.  The $35,000,000 comprehensive renovation includes complete gutting and reconstruction of the Lobby, Meeting Rooms, Pool deck, guest rooms and the addition of multiple suites.  The Lobby and adjoining restaurant are being stripped bare, and a new, grand Lobby will return, complete with revolving door and alabaster clad, backlit Reception Desk; Rosewood & leather banquet seating areas complete the scene. New imported translucent spiral showers, custom vessel tubs, leather clad bed canopies, and custom Italian furniture & fixtures were added to each guestroom, in addition to new full height storefront windows, expanding upon the view of the Circle.  Entirely new mechanical, life safety, and fire alarm systems were installed, as well as upgrading the plumbing and electrical systems for the building.  The 14th floor outdoor pool has been reconfigured, providing more space for patrons at the newly constructed rooftop terrace bar.  As one of Washington’s few outdoor entertaining venues, the bar, deck, and leather banquets are clad entirely in Brazilian Ipe wood, making for a truly unique and exotic outdoor experience. The hotel is scheduled to open at the end of March 2008.

Architect of Record: Architecture, Incorporated
Interior Designer: Studio GAIA

Donovan House Restaurant
Washington, DC

Located in the recently completed Donovan House Hotel by Thompson Hotels, renowned chef Todd English’s newest creation will serve to set the bar in northwest Washington DC.  Designed in conjunction with Studio Gaia of New York, this 5,000 square foot Asian Fusion restaurant will include a sushi bar, communal table, banquette seating, liquor bar, private dining areas and lounge seating.  In addition, the restaurant will serve the hotel room service, operate the rooftop pool bar & pantry, and Lobby Lounge.  The space, primarily defined by the lengthy wooden communal dining table and backlit bar, is wrapped in plush drapery, rich dark wood flooring, and leather upholstery.  The space, superbly lit with theatrical lighting will highlight the culinary creations, and afford views of the newly renovated Thomas Circle through the Donovan garden.  The rooftop pool and bar area, clad entirely in leather and rich Brazilian Ipe wood will complement the restaurant and serve as a gathering place with unparalleled views of the city. The opening is scheduled for January of 2009.

Architect: Architecture, Incorporated
Interior Design: Studio GAIA

Innisbrook Golf Resort
Palm Harbor, FL

This luxury golf resort project will consist of a restoration and construction of new guest facilities. This resort features a new 13-room spa, a new guest arrival center with fine dining and lounge. The renovation of the over a 20,000 square-foot conference facility, the Presidential Suite , tennis center, three golf clubhouses, and three high-end restaurants.

The Spa at Innisbrook
Palm Harbor, FL

This 13 -room luxury Spa will be located in the Salamander golf resort of Innisbrook near Tampa Florida. The facility will have an outdoor serenity pool and fire place feature, men's and women's lounges, steam rooms and individual spa.

Two couple's treatment rooms will be featured with showers and fireplaces. Each treatment room will open to a private terrace surrounded by floral gardens. It is the design team's intent to submit the project for LEED™ certification.

Jury's Washington Hotel
Washington, DC

Few hotels come with as much distinction for Irish comfort and hospitality as the Jury's Washington Hotel. Recently renovated, the hotel is exquisitely designed and is ideally located for business and leisure travelers. A new penthouse floor was added including new suites and a Presidential Suite. The grade level facade was updated to improve the lobbies and street level restaurants.

Located on Dupont Circle in the heart of the Embassy District all major attractions are within easy reach. The Washington Monument, White House, and Capital Building, are all just minutes away.

The hotel can accommodate up to 260 guests in the newly appointed meeting and function rooms which are equipped for catered affairs and group functions.

Consulting Architect: Architecture, Incorporated
Interior designer & Architect of Record: A & D Architects

Dominion Valley
Haymarket, Virginia

Project consists of a 2–story multi–purpose building design in the style of Colonial Virginia. Interior spaces include large meeting / event room, formal dining room, 1 informal club dining room, bar / lounge, exercise / fitness center including aerobics room and exercise room, crafts room, multi–purpose room, library, Pro Shop and indoor and outdoor pools.

The Hotel Helix
Washington, DC

A new conference center was added to improve business market share. Colorful décor and Hollywood style set the stage for a luxurious stay that's anything but ordinary. The lobby features ultra-modern check-in pods and the elevators whisk you to your chic guest room. Business travelers find WiFi connections available in all areas of this up scale Washington DC hotel. Uniquely-styled carpeting and black-and-white glamour shots add a shimmer and shine to the playful, mid century atmosphere.

Snowshoe Ski Resort
Slaty Fork, WV

Snowshoe Mountain Resort is located on Cheat Mountain, in Pocahontas County West Virginia. During the early 1900s, the mountain was timbered by different companies, including the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company. As a result this pristine environment had never been developed. In order to preserve the 150 plus foot tall spruce trees, the resort was carefully  laced into the hillsides insuring wind damage & erosion to the forest would be avoided. Water for snow making was taken from a man made pond at the headwaters of Shaver’s fork.

This reduced water consumption by 75% for the process. Early building wood siding was milled from the spruce trees taken down at the building sites.

Snowshoe’s owner was Thomas Brigham who had previously developed resorts at Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain in North Carolina,

The design of the resort included a 190–room resort hotel, a 60,000 square foot resort center with retail and food service facilities.   

Four Corners Hotel
Naples, FL

This 48-room hotel will be located in the luxury retreat of Naples Florida. It will provide guests with a 282-car garage, an 11,000 square foot Lobby, with pools, sun decks, restaurants and tennis courts. The total project cost for this 154,000 square foot facility will be approximately $20 million Dollars.

Henley Park Hotel
Washington DC

The Henley Park Hotel is one of Washington D.C.’s most charming and intimate hotels. It is a meticulously restored vintage property -- a grand deluxe hotel is in the tradition of Europe’s finest small hotels. The Henley Park Hotel located in Washington DC is a 4 star Chic/Boutique hotel with 96 guest rooms. It was originally constructed in the 1920’s in a classic Tudor style. The greatest challenge in the historic preservation of this property was preserving the character and charm of the original building while incorporating extensive interior renovations and new mechanical systems. The interior mechanical courtyard was converted into a glass enclosed atrium for the fine dining restaurant. Service spaces, meeting rooms and support space were provided in the renovated and expanded lower levels.

The Henley Park Hotel received the AIA Historic Preservation Award for excellence in design from the Washington Chapter AIA:

Architect - Robert McMahon
Interior Designer – By Owner

Wyndham Bristol Hotel
Washington D.C

Originally constructed in the 1950’s as an FHA Apartment House, this building was completely renovated. The exist­ing 234 apartments were converted into suite-style hotel rooms including several luxury suites on the upper levels. The facility also included new meeting rooms, a full-menu kitchen and restaurant, delicatessen and administration of­fices.

Architect – Robert McMahon AIA
Interior Designer – By Owner