JOI-Design recently completed the new guestrooms in the extension of the Hilton Munich Airport. The rooms has been realized through their 'Mountain Hub' concept inspired by the nearby Bavarian Alps. With a contemporary-yet-cosy take on the 'log cabin,' the studio's interior design balances the tranquillity of nature with comfortable luxury and refined details, providing a sanctuary from the hectic pace of this international transport centre linking the airport with the train station.
Located between Terminals 1 and 2, the business hotel is ideally positioned to host conferences. The 162 guestrooms in this new building wing have been created to support the needs of busy professionals whilst offering a stylish taste of Munich's 'Gemütlichkeit,' or laid-back friendliness, through a carefully curated selection of natural, locally-sourced materials. Pale honey-toned oak, grey stone and wool felt subtly convey the concept's mountainside qualities, as well as the sage-green carpet whose abstract pattern is based on a bird's-eye view of the Alps. The visual excitement created by the contrast of these matte, organic finishes with the glossy, fibreglass shell of the black desk chair injects the atmosphere with smart sophistication.
Each 30 sqm guestroom incorporates a range of advanced technologies for internet access so the space becomes a virtual meeting 'hub' where business travellers can connect with people across the globe. Yet on the whole, the rooms' tech remains discreet so that the comfort of relaxing in a stylish home-away-from-home remains paramount.
A felt-upholstered bench cleverly integrated with charging points eliminates the need for guests to access outlets at floor level when working or dining at the round multipurpose table. Above the bench hangs art crafted from laser-engraved limed oak in a pattern inspired by maps of airline routes and our networked world. This motif appears again on glazed tiles inset into partitions between the bedrooms and bathrooms, and accent tiles alongside the bathtub. Refined details can also be found in the leather-clad closet doors and backlit headboard, all meticulously stitched to depict an Alpine mountain range.
The guestrooms offer an authentic and modern interpretation of Bavaria's unique culture through high-quality furnishings. Bedside tables, which in some rooms double as sideboards, are handcrafted using traditional techniques but with contemporary details. Sleek chaise longues and black leather chairs in the style of Hans Wegner offer a comfortable perch for gazing through the full-height, sound-proof windows, reading a book or dreaming about the next adventure.
Photography: Simone Ahlers