Hoteliers know all too well how the interior design of a space can influence guest satisfaction, drive repeat bookings and, ultimately, improve their bottom line. Thanks to social media and its web-grown influencers, hotels both in the UK and overseas now have more competition than ever. And, for these discerning Millennial-cum-Gen Z influencers, interior design plays a crucial role in social media collaboration. What’s more, today’s inquisitive social media stars are often drawn to out-of-the-ordinary establishments; hotels with a mysterious past and a story to tell.

Hotel Liberty in Offenburg, Germany, is just one hotel worthy of prime influencers’ Instagram grids. Declaring an extraordinary history as a 19th-century prison, the establishment has swapped gloomy cells and cotton jumpsuits for Michelin-starred cuisine and designer clothing-clad guests. Amongst the standout features within Hotel Liberty are the AXORfurnished bathrooms. Turn to page 40 to read more about the prison-turned-hotel bathroom scheme.

In keeping with this month’s hotel theme, on page 52, Inex explores another scheme with a very different clientele. Verified as a surfer’s paradise, Guatemala-based Swell exhibits an effortless, laid-back atmosphere with locally sourced materials, thatched-roof bungalows and polished surfaces.

Meanwhile, on page 07, Carolyn Mitchell from Style Library Contract offers her advice on specifying textiles for hotel designs and highlights the seven key points you should consider before presenting moodboard schemes to hoteliers. With an extensive career within the industry, Carolyn is well-informed to provide guidance on fabric selection for a range of professional interiors.

I hope you enjoy this edition. Don’t forget, you can also access all of Inex’s features and product inspiration at your fingertips via the magazine’s state-of-the-art app. To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘Inex-online’ on the App Store or Google Play.