LW Design Crafts a Hotel Design that Celebrates Contrast, Individuality, and Energy

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a deeply atmospheric hotel design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalists, LW Design.

LW Design was commissioned to transform a former residential tower into Conrad Bahrain, a 24-storey luxury hotel defined by spatial elegance and refined restraint. Situated along the Manama seafront, the property features dramatic public areas—including a rooftop pool and the signature SUSHISAMBA restaurant. The design embraces the brand’s bold, contemporary identity while remaining rooted in Bahrain’s cultural and coastal context. Through rich material palettes, sculptural forms, and seamless spatial transitions, the hotel offers a hospitality experience that is both elevated and deeply atmospheric.

What was the client’s brief?

The client asked us to create an environment that feels like an effortless journey—an elevated, intuitive experience where every transition between spaces is seamless and purposeful. The brief emphasized clarity, comfort, and sophistication, with materiality playing a central role. Surfaces had to be tactile, honest, and rooted in the spirit of Bahrain, allowing the hotel to feel modern yet contextual.

What inspired the design of the project?

The mantra “Live in the moment. Be Bold. Be Inspired. Be Energized. Be Loud.” became our guiding inspiration. The design responds to a new generation of global citizens who are unapologetically authentic and drawn to places that reflect their pace and passions. We sought to create interiors that pulse with cultural richness, layering artworks, artisanal objects, and commissioned pieces to reflect Bahrain’s creative spirit. The goal was not to conform to traditional luxury but to celebrate contrast, individuality, and energy.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The biggest challenge was transforming a high-end residential tower into a luxury hotel after the structure had already been built and fit-out had begun. This required recalibrating the spatial logic, circulation, and programmatic functions within a rigid framework—without losing coherence. We also introduced a new staircase and lift post-construction to connect the Trade Room bar with the mezzanine, which demanded technical precision and agility from the team.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

One of the highlights was turning constraints into opportunities. The original residential dimensions became a defining strength, giving Conrad Bahrain its expansive suites that feel more like private residences than hotel rooms. Another standout was bringing Sushi Samba to the top floor—a dining destination that transforms dramatically from day to night, creating an unforgettable lifestyle experience at the hotel’s crown.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We believe Conrad Bahrain represents a bold and distinctive approach to contemporary luxury in the Middle East. Entering the SBID Awards was an opportunity to celebrate the ingenuity, resilience, and creativity behind this project, while also sharing our team’s design philosophy on a global stage. It allows us to benchmark ourselves against the world’s best practices and reaffirm our role as design leaders.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Becoming a finalist has been a proud moment for our studio. It has validated the countless hours of collaboration and problem-solving that went into this project and has given our team well-deserved recognition. For our business, it has strengthened client trust, reinforced our reputation for design excellence, and motivated us to continue pushing boundaries in every project we take on.

Questions answered by Rachel Kidd, Partner & Senior Design Director at LW Design.