Ahead of the curve: Style glow-ups from InterContinental

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is known for pioneering every aspect of luxury hospitality over the past 75 years, and nowhere is this more clearly visible than in the brand's thoughtfully elegant and worldly design philosophy. Our hotels and resorts are constantly updating their look, feel and facilities to ensure they continue to exceed the expectations of the modern luxury traveller. Journey across the world and explore some of our favourite renovations and refurbishments from the past five years, to see how renewed style, technology and sustainability have combined to welcome InterContinental guests.

Presidential Suite - InterContinental Toronto Centre, Canada
InterContinental Toronto Centre unveiled its freshly renovated 2,200 square foot Presidential Suite, upgrading it with sleek decor and modern technology. Located on the 18th floor, the spacious suite includes a living and dining area with a built-in kitchenette, a master bedroom with a lavish bathroom and a second bedroom with an ensuite. It also delivers an astonishing south-east/west view of the downtown cityscape and waterfront thanks to its wrap-around terrace. Recognising the needs of the modern, tech-savvy, luxury traveller, the suite includes a media room with full surround sound and a smart device in the bedroom to help guests stay connected. Local firm Moncur Design Associates handled the interior refresh, which includes splashes of teal and gold. Many of the furnishings are sourced from Canadian manufacturers, whilst all of the art in the suite was sourced from PI Fine Art, in North York.

The Mayfair Collection - InterContinental London Park Lane, UK
135 rooms and suites were refurbished and launched as the Mayfair Collection in early 2020. The team at leading international interior design practice RPW spearheaded the multi-million-pound refurbishment project with aspects of the neighbouring Royal Parks reflected within the final design. Natural fabrics, bronze leaf handles on bedside tables, and elements of tree trunks on the bathroom mirror all help to bring the outside in, with materials like pure wool, leather and dark woods bringing a sense of grounding and elegance . These rooms and suites were designed to make city life harmonious, with refinement, comfort and timeless elegance - all intrinsic to InterContinental's delivery of discreet luxury.

Club Deluxe room - Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, South Korea
The hotel re-opened in 2020, celebrating its 30th anniversary with a new look, following an 11-month renovation. 1508 London, a British interior design group, designed new interiors and created a design narrative encompassing the themes of 'Return to Nature', 'Balance' and 'Crafted Detailing'. The design also incorporated Korea's unique lines and warm colours, creating harmony between materials for an exquisite finish, for a distinctively luxurious atmosphere. The 40 square metre Club InterContinental Deluxe Room encapsulates traditional Korean style with a refined contemporary twist. Accented in blue, the room features stylish wooden and bronze furnishings, panel detailing and modern conveniences which all evoke inviting residential charm.

Club Lounge - InterContinental Singapore, Singapore
A multi-million refurbishment of the public areas including its lobby and all-day dining restaurant, Ash & Elm, and guestrooms in the main tower. Characteristic of InterContinental's focus on showcasing the beauty of the region with modern comforts, the hotel's Club InterContinental conveys rich Peranakan culture through its spacious interiors featuring exquisite fabrics, elegant furniture and a fascinating collection of arts and artefacts.

Club room - ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort
The much-anticipated expansion of ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort opened in mid-2020 with the addition of two wings to the resort, including a spectacular refurbishment to guest room and facilities. Set in its own private enclave, the unrivalled Club InterContinental experience, designed by the G.A Group, is complete with an exclusive Club InterContinental pool, private gardens and Club InterContinental Lounge. The Club rooms palette is a sophisticated and rich scheme, referencing textures of coral with modern accents of leather and metal.

The lobby - InterContinental New York Barclay
One of the brand's best know hotels, the 95 year-old Barclay has seen many changes over the years. It remains quintessentially New York whilst showcasing the brand perfectly, never more so than since its latest glow-up. IHG Design Studio, architects Stonehill + Taylor and interior design firm HOK worked together to restore and enhance this iconic, quintessentially New York property; launching the new look in 2016. The $180 million, 20-month top-to-bottom renovation featured more than 420,000 square feet of redesigned interiors. A lighter, more open and inviting lobby welcomes guests to their slice of the InterContinental Life and leads to a new spectacular Carrara marble staircase, bringing added grandeur to the space. Structural reinforcement needed to support a new ballroom that was installed on the building's second floor during renovation meant the domed light in the centre of the lobby had to be removed. It's replacement - a flat laylight seamlessly slots into the space whilst giving a slightly more contemporary edge. Eight brass Warbler silhouettes were added to the hotel's central revolving door, a homage to a birdcage that once sat in the lobby, hosting guests' own pet birds and later songbirds.