HOW TO MAKE GUESTS HAPPY? WITH THEIR FIRST HOSPITALITY PROJECT, NILS AM SEE, VERENA WOHLKÖNIG AND JÜRGEN HAMBERGER FROM MEZZA-MAISO HAVE PROVEN THAT THEY KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE HOLIDAYMAKERS SMILE. IN AN INTERVIEW ABOUT HOTEL DESIGN, THE FOUNDERS OF THE VIENNESE INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM REVEAL HOW ROOM CATEGORIES AND COOKING INGREDIENTS ARE CONNECTED, WHAT THE SALT IN THE SOUP HAS TO DO WITH ART AND WHY IT’S ALL ABOUT THE RIGHT FEELING.
How does a building become a hotel?
VW: If you want to turn a house into a hotel, it’s a bit like cutting a rough diamond. The architecture gives us the basic framework. But the magic happens in the details. We love to breathe soul into every room so that guests feel like they are in a second home. This starts with the choice of colours and extends to the fabrics. It’s like a symphony where everything has to fit together perfectly. And the aim? That guests immediately have a smile on their face when they enter and want to stay.
Art is shown to its best advantage in reduced rooms, but a hotel is not supposed to be a museum a museum, or is it?
JH: Exactly, art must be able to breathe! A hotel should still be warm and inviting, not a cold museum. We see art as a kind of roommate in a hotel. It is there to enrich the atmosphere. We are always looking for pieces that stimulate conversation or offer a moment of peace. Art in a hotel is like the salt in the soup – it needs just the right amount to be perfect.
How do you realise hospitality architecturally?
VW: For us, hospitality starts with a feeling. When we start a project, we imagine how the guests will move around and how they will experience the space. Every angle, every niche should invite you to linger and enjoy. It’s about creating spaces that tell stories and where people come together. We think about the small details that make the difference. For us, architecture and design are tools to open hearts.
How do you differentiate between different room categories in terms of design?
JH: It’s like cooking with different ingredients for different dishes. Each room category has its own personality. We ask ourselves: Who will be staying in this room? What does this person need to feel comfortable? For a luxury room, we might choose a special one-off piece and higher-quality materials. For a standard room, we make sure that it is smart and cosy. It’s about offering guests exactly what they need and at the same time giving them the feeling that they are experiencing something special.
How important is the location of a hotel for planning?
VW: The location is everything. It sets the tone. We always try to design the hotel so that it feels like part of the surroundings. If the hotel is by the sea, we want guests to be able to feel the breeze. In the city, it should be a quiet retreat. We draw inspiration from the surroundings – that could be local art, history or simply nature. It’s about creating a connection between the place and the guests.
What goes through your mind when it’s half-time on a project?
JH: The halfway point of a project is a moment of reflection and anticipation. It’s a time when we evaluate progress while focusing on realising our vision. It is a critical point where passion, precision and creativity come together to ensure that the final product exceeds our expectations and those of our customers.
Wood stands for durability – what is your relationship with the material?
VW: We love wood. It’s such a warm, inviting material. Using wood feels like bringing a piece of nature directly into the room. It has character, it tells stories and it ages so beautifully. Every piece of wood is unique, and it is precisely this uniqueness that makes the rooms we design so special.
With the Collectibles, you curate special home objects. When is it worth collecting furniture?
JH: Collecting pieces of furniture is a bit like finding a treasure. It’s not just about the furniture itself, but about the story behind it. Sometimes we come across a piece and we immediately feel that it has soul. These pieces bring so much personality to a room. It is always worthwhile if the individual piece triggers an emotional reaction, be it joy, curiosity or simply a feeling of home.
What story does the “Nils am See” boutique hotel you are planning in Weiden tell?
VW: “Nils am See” is a dream come true. It tells the story of relaxation, of nature and of a place where you can forget about time. We wanted the hotel to blend seamlessly into the landscape and at the same time convey a cosy, familiar feeling. Every detail, from the architecture to the interior, has been carefully selected to offer guests an unforgettable experience. It is a place where you can switch off and savour the beauty of the moment.
What other architectural hospitality stories would you like to tell?
JH: We dream of creating places that touch people, inspire them and at the same time offer them peace and relaxation. Every project is a new story waiting to be told. We design spaces that are not only beautiful, but also sustainable and inclusive. Places where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their background or culture. This is the kind of story we tell through our work – stories that touch the heart.