The task was to recreate one of Europe’s most glamorous resorts, building on the legacy of visionary thinking, environmental responsibility and connection with nature.The designers were asked to provide a guest experience specific to each part they were creating or renovating, buildings which would nevertheless form a homogenous destination.The new, boldly modernist Burgenstock Hotel was designed to give a sense of uninterrupted transition from outside to indoors with materials including mountain stone, forest timber, bronze and a deeply veined green marble.Nearby, the Palace Hotel, which first opened in 1903, was reinvented as a synthesis of grand fin-de-siècle and contemporary spaces while the Grand Hotel was given new life as long-stay residences.Taking Burgenstock’s heritage of spa to a new level, the existing spa was extended by excavating a tunnel through the mountain. This emerges into a cantilevered glass box perched on the mountainside with wellness areas wrapped around the fully glazed walls to provide the ultimate in relaxing views. Previously, Burgenstock was closed in winter. Now it is a luxury resort for all seasons benefitting from an enhanced connection with nature.
Bio MKV creates environments that deliver on every level–aesthetic, practical, commercial and experiential. We achieve this by applying intelligence to design, setting uncompromising standards for ourselves and working alongside our clients to bring the vision to life. This approach has led to our reputation as world-class designers of luxury hotels, resorts, spas and residences. The practice was founded in 2000 by Maria Vafiadis who continues to lead it today. She believes that luxury in hospitality design translates into time well spent and that design is the alchemy which helps this happen.
Other prizes Gold Key 2021 – Best Luxury Hotel & Best Luxury Guestroom (Matild Palace Budapest, a Luxury Collection Hotel) World Spa Awards 2020 – World Best Spa Design (Alpine Spa, Burgenstock) Golf Inc 2020 – 1st place, Public Clubhouse (Costa Navarino Clubhouse) Hospitality Design 2018 – Guestrooms Luxury (The Burgenstock Hotel, Burgenstock) Architectural Digest 2017 – 12 Best-Designed Hotels (The Palace Hotel, Burgenstock) European Property Awards 2017 – Best Hotel Interior (Hotel Royal Savoy, Lausanne) NAS Design Awards 2017 – Heritage Award (Sheraton Grand London, Park Lane) Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2014 – UK Interior Design (MKV) International Hotel Award 2013 – Best Hotel Interior Europe (Hotel Schweizerhof, Bern) Conde Nast Traveller Travel Awards 2012 – Favourite Leisure Hotel (The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Navarino) European Hotel Design Awards 2010 – Best Suite (The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Navarino)
