Designing with Purpose: Malaysian Hotels Embrace Culture, Climate, and Wellness
At the Hotel Design Summit during the 5th Hospitality Asia Malaysia Conference 2025 #HMC2025, conversations moved beyond aesthetics to examine how Malaysian hotels can reflect a deeper sense of place—where heritage, nature and climate, as well as wellness-driven design converge.
Hosted by Hospitality Asia, the summit brought together architects, interior designers, and hotel developers to share perspectives, strategies, and real-world applications shaping the next era of hotel design in Malaysia.
Cultural Continuity
In an era of globalization, Malaysia is redefining hotel design by finding new ways to embed cultural identity into contemporary spaces. Beyond visual references, the discussion emphasized the need for deeper cultural understanding throughout the design process.
“We are in an age of globalization now where we have designers globally working on projects without necessarily being really in touch with local culture. I think the most critical aspect of this is in research and understanding and really immersing yourself in local culture,” Martin Haeger, Director of HL Design Group, said.
Intangible elements rooted in culture are essential for creating unique, memorable experiences for guests seeking a meaningful retreat. “The thing about heritage is that it’s not a yes or no question,” said Chris Loeffen, Development Director for Global Business at Corlette.
Speakers also highlighted the importance of contextual sensitivity—raising concerns around appropriate scale, site placement, and the impact of modern developments in culturally significant or rural locations where the surrounding environment plays a critical role in preserving a sense of place.
Wellness Focus
The rising demand for wellness-centric experiences has prompted hotels to rethink how spaces can deliver more than just comfort. This shift is influencing spatial layout, material choices, and guest interaction—placing greater emphasis on nature, calm, and overall well-being. Biophilic elements such as indoor greenery, natural ventilation, and organic textures are increasingly seen as essential to creating spaces that restore and reconnect.
“Prioritizing design with minimal ecological footprint through innovation [means] seamlessly applying biophilic principles and using smart, sustainable materials. Sourcing locally will always be our key focus,” Jasmine Chau, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at ITALIAN ATELIER said.
More than just functional or aesthetic, responsible design now shapes how a space is felt and experienced. By engaging the senses through light, texture, sound, and natural materials, hotels can create environments that feel both personal and memorable. This mindset aligns with the slow travel movement, where guests seek meaningful, unhurried stays grounded in authenticity and place.
Technology is being embraced as a quiet enabler of comfort, sustainability, and operational efficiency. Hotels are integrating smart systems rooted in environmental responsiveness—such as automated irrigation, energy-efficient lighting, and landscape monitoring tools—to support both guest well-being and climate goals. From soundproofing to service robots, technology is now part of a more responsible, future-focused approach to hospitality design.
In addition, climate responsiveness is a critical consideration, particularly in tropical destinations like Malaysia, which experience extended periods of heat and frequent rainfall. Rather than viewing this as a limitation, the summit highlighted how climate can inform smarter, place-sensitive design—through passive cooling, locally suited materials, and thoughtful site planning that responds to the natural environment.
The Hotel Design Summit Malaysia underscored that the future of hospitality in Malaysia lies in design grounded in culture, wellness, climate awareness, and thoughtful innovation. Hotels are moving beyond aesthetics to create spaces that are meaningful, responsible, and aligned with how guests travel today.
Looking Ahead
Building on the momentum of this year’s powerful conversations, the Hotel Design Summit Malaysia #HDSM will return at the 6th Hospitality Malaysia Conference #HMC2026, scheduled on July 1, 2026, at the Connexion Conference & Event Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
As a key component of the Hospitality Malaysia Conference, next year’s summit will continue to spotlight design thinking that reflects Malaysia’s unique cultural, environmental, and experiential landscape.
Stay tuned.
For more information, visit: www.hospitality-malaysia.com/
For inquiries, please contact: delegate@hospitality-asia.com
Hosted by Hospitality Asia, the summit brought together architects, interior designers, and hotel developers to share perspectives, strategies, and real-world applications shaping the next era of hotel design in Malaysia.
Cultural Continuity
In an era of globalization, Malaysia is redefining hotel design by finding new ways to embed cultural identity into contemporary spaces. Beyond visual references, the discussion emphasized the need for deeper cultural understanding throughout the design process.
“We are in an age of globalization now where we have designers globally working on projects without necessarily being really in touch with local culture. I think the most critical aspect of this is in research and understanding and really immersing yourself in local culture,” Martin Haeger, Director of HL Design Group, said.
Intangible elements rooted in culture are essential for creating unique, memorable experiences for guests seeking a meaningful retreat. “The thing about heritage is that it’s not a yes or no question,” said Chris Loeffen, Development Director for Global Business at Corlette.
Speakers also highlighted the importance of contextual sensitivity—raising concerns around appropriate scale, site placement, and the impact of modern developments in culturally significant or rural locations where the surrounding environment plays a critical role in preserving a sense of place.
Wellness Focus
The rising demand for wellness-centric experiences has prompted hotels to rethink how spaces can deliver more than just comfort. This shift is influencing spatial layout, material choices, and guest interaction—placing greater emphasis on nature, calm, and overall well-being. Biophilic elements such as indoor greenery, natural ventilation, and organic textures are increasingly seen as essential to creating spaces that restore and reconnect.
“Prioritizing design with minimal ecological footprint through innovation [means] seamlessly applying biophilic principles and using smart, sustainable materials. Sourcing locally will always be our key focus,” Jasmine Chau, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at ITALIAN ATELIER said.
More than just functional or aesthetic, responsible design now shapes how a space is felt and experienced. By engaging the senses through light, texture, sound, and natural materials, hotels can create environments that feel both personal and memorable. This mindset aligns with the slow travel movement, where guests seek meaningful, unhurried stays grounded in authenticity and place.
Technology is being embraced as a quiet enabler of comfort, sustainability, and operational efficiency. Hotels are integrating smart systems rooted in environmental responsiveness—such as automated irrigation, energy-efficient lighting, and landscape monitoring tools—to support both guest well-being and climate goals. From soundproofing to service robots, technology is now part of a more responsible, future-focused approach to hospitality design.
In addition, climate responsiveness is a critical consideration, particularly in tropical destinations like Malaysia, which experience extended periods of heat and frequent rainfall. Rather than viewing this as a limitation, the summit highlighted how climate can inform smarter, place-sensitive design—through passive cooling, locally suited materials, and thoughtful site planning that responds to the natural environment.
The Hotel Design Summit Malaysia underscored that the future of hospitality in Malaysia lies in design grounded in culture, wellness, climate awareness, and thoughtful innovation. Hotels are moving beyond aesthetics to create spaces that are meaningful, responsible, and aligned with how guests travel today.
Looking Ahead
Building on the momentum of this year’s powerful conversations, the Hotel Design Summit Malaysia #HDSM will return at the 6th Hospitality Malaysia Conference #HMC2026, scheduled on July 1, 2026, at the Connexion Conference & Event Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
As a key component of the Hospitality Malaysia Conference, next year’s summit will continue to spotlight design thinking that reflects Malaysia’s unique cultural, environmental, and experiential landscape.
Stay tuned.
For more information, visit: www.hospitality-malaysia.com/
For inquiries, please contact: delegate@hospitality-asia.com
