Marriott Bonvoy Traveler: Behind The Design

Travel by boat across the Venetian lagoon and escape onto a private island, where every step — and every plate of locally sourced food — has been thoughtfully integrated to bring you back into touch with the healing power of earth, sea, and sun.In this episode, we travel to the J.W. Marriott Venice resort and Spa, which gives guests access to the secluded retreat of Isola delle Rose. To understand the impact of designer Matteo Thun on the resort, Host Robin Bennefield chats with General Manager Cristiano Cabutti, who was one of the property's very first team members. While reflecting on what it was like to restore the historic buildings of the island and realize Thun's vision, Robin and Cristiano connect over the universal need for self-care and healing.Then, recalling fond memories of the local meals and cooking classes she took the last time she was a guest at the J.W. Venice, Robin pays a visit to Executive Chef Giorgio Shifferegger. In conversation with Giorgio about the irreplaceable value of a freshly grown tomato, the unique terroir of olives grown on an island, and the joy of sitting with friends and enjoying authentic Venetian cicchetti, she's reminded of how the concept of luxury can often be reduced to the simple act of honoring our surroundings.Whether tending to themselves at the largest spa in Venice, touring the vegetable gardens, tasting freshly pressed olive oil, or retreating into one of the resort's villas, guests come to the J.W. Venice from around the world to immerse themselves in a unique setting for wellbeing. After these conversations with the people who've worked tirelessly to shape that experience, we can honestly say that we can't wait to go back to the island.To see Isola delle Rose, the spa, and all of the green space the island has to offer, book a trip for yourself via marriott.com or read more about the resort's restaurants and bars.You can also read about wellness at the J.W. Marriott Venice, and learn about the hidden world of hotel design, at traveler.marriott.com/venice/jw-venice-design.And to explore the world's greatest destinations and get inspired for your next trip, visit us at traveler.marriott.com.

What is it about sitting by the waves that makes so many people happy? And what does it take to recreate that feeling at a hotel that's nowhere near the ocean? We've spent hours talking about the design of hotels and the world of hospitality. But in this episode, we go on a deep dive into the design of SoundWaves, a one-of-a-kind water attraction that's built into the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee.To see SoundWaves for yourself and book a resort package at the Gaylord Opryland, check out soundwavesgo.com.Read more about SoundWaves and the hidden world of hotel design at traveler.marriot.com/behind-the-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Where does good taste come from? In this intimate conversation with Seija Ojanpera — the owner and designer of Chattanooga's Dwell Hotel — we learn just how much personal passion and the things that made us happy as children can create an instinct for design that stands up to any kind of credentials or pedigree.To see all 16 of Seija's room designs and book a room at the Dwell Hotel, check out the The Dwell Hotel web site. Read more about the Dwell Hotel and the hidden world of hotel design at traveler.marriot.com/behind-the-design.And to explore the world's greatest destinations and get inspired for your next trip, visit us at traveler.marriott.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At first glance, New York's Gramercy Park Hotel seems like a typical luxury hotel. But a closer look reveals a rock-and-roll past — and a newfound devotion to make art a tangible part of every stay at this historic haunt for creative minds.To see the Gramercy Park hotel's art collection and book a room, check out gramercyparkhotel.com.Read more about Gramercy Park Hotel and explore the hidden world of hotel design at traveler.marriott.com/behind-the-design.And to explore the world's greatest destinations and get inspired for your next trip, visit us at traveler.marriott.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

W Hotels recently launched its very own record label, W Records. At the W Music International Summit in Austin, Texas, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler sat down with some of the top innovators in the music industry who led the launch of W Records. Learn how they ensured brand consistency, navigated the changing music industry landscape, and got some of the top emerging artists to come on board. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we explore the world of Destiny 2, a video game in which players assume the role of a Guardian and are tasked with reviving a character called (appropriately) The Traveler while journeying to different planets along the way. Learn how the designers grounded the sci-fi settings in reality and how travel inspired the final look of the game. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Video game designers are creating landscapes so realistic, it's almost like traveling there yourself. Marriott TRAVELER sat down with the designers of Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, which is set in ancient Greece, to find out what it took to create these landscapes and why recreating Greece was so important to them for this amazing game. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Marriott TRAVELER visited the opening of Toy Story Land in Orlando and spoke with creative designers from PIXAR and Walt Disney. They discuss the process behind translating the beloved Toy Story films into a real-life interactive outdoor park, giving guests the opportunity to step into the stories and immerse themselves in a world of fun. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode of Behind the Design features a very special conversation with Hannah Beachler, who designed the fictional nation of Wakanda for Marvel Studios' blockbuster "Black Panther". Learn how Hannah's travels to South Africa influenced the way she envisioned Wakanda and how she brought those designs to life on the big screen. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A cozy, plush carpet can truly evoke the feeling of a home away from home. Marriott TRAVELER meets with carpet design aficionados to learn how they glean inspiration from the humblest of sources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Danish style is influencing design around the world, from restaurants and cuisine to furniture and interiors. Marriott TRAVELER explores the process of bringing comfort and ease into commercial design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we continue the conversation with the designers of Lido House from Autograph Collection at Marriott. In this episode, we talk about the art that occupies Lido House. Lido House's Design Team shares some tips and tricks of interior art and design for those of us looking for big ideas on a budget. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we continue the conversation with the designers of Lido House from Autograph Collection at Marriott. In this episode, we talk about the art that occupies Lido House. Lido House's Design Team shares some tips and tricks of interior art and design for those of us looking for big ideas on a budget. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we continue the conversation with the designers of Lido House from Autograph Collection at Marriott. In this episode we talk about furniture and the great lengths the Lido House Design Team has gone to combine function and style to create a tailored environment for each guest. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we continue the conversation with the designers of Lido House from Autograph Collection at Marriott. In this episode we learn their stories and how their professional histories influenced each phase of the Lido House Design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lido House is Newport Beach’s favorite guesthouse for locals and visitors. The hotel’s architecture celebrates Newport Beach’s Cape Cod aesthetic with elegant twists on a variety of nautical themes. Sitting on the site of former City Hall, Lido House is the old-new centerpiece of Newport Beach. Join Marriott TRAVELER as we follow the ins and outs of this iconic hotel from the team behind the design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A bathroom may be the smallest room in a hotel suite, but their design poses a tall challenge to ensure comfort and function. Follow Marriott TRAVELER as we discuss the process of re-designing hotel bathrooms from showerheads to sliding doors to create a luxurious experience in a small space. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hotel art used to be a second thought, a budget item to be slashed. Today, art is being integrated into the space itself - into architectural details, into hotel welcome experiences. Join Marriott TRAVELER as we explore the history of art in hotels and how current designers are using art to enhance the design narrative of their cities and spaces. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join Marriott TRAVELER as we follow the evolution of the hotel lobby from the opulence of the grand hotels of the past, to the industrialization era when hotels and travel became more accessible, to today, the boutique hotel era, where guest experience is key. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.