HIX 2024 has just concluded, leaving behind a memorable experience centered around the theme of “A Sense of Place.” This year’s event delved into the vital distinction between spaces and places, highlighting how hotels can transform their environments into meaningful destinations that stay with guests long after checking out. HIX 2024 underscored the growing importance of authentic, sustainable hospitality design with its thought-provoking talks, immersive installations, and vibrant activities.
Exploring the Power of Place
The heart of HIX 2024 was a deeper exploration of what makes a space more than just a hotel room or lobby. As the hospitality industry faces a rising demand for authenticity, sustainability, and community engagement, this year’s show invited attendees to consider how hotels can tap into their buildings’ and surroundings’ unique history and character to create lasting impressions.
The event featured 160+ brands, from familiar names like Ligne Roset and Gessi to newcomers like Secto Design and Frandsen, showcasing the next wave of hotel interior products and innovations.
Key Highlights from the Talks and Panels
One of the most anticipated segments of HIX was the HIX Talks program, which brought together some of the brightest minds in hospitality design. Topics ranged from responsible tourism to sustainable construction, asking important questions about the future of the hospitality industry. Keynotes and panel discussions explored themes such as:
- A Seat at the Table: Creating a Sense of Place with Hotel F&B: A deep dive into how food and beverage offerings can reflect local culture and create a more authentic guest experience.
- Leave No Trace: Hotel Design and the Rise of Responsible Tourism: Discussing how hotels in sensitive or culturally rich environments can give back to the community while preserving the integrity of their location.
- The Journey is the Reward: Hospitality Design in the New Golden Age of Travel: Exploring how travel is evolving and what it means to design the next generation of rail, cruise, and aviation experiences.
- Studio Confidential: Goddard Littlefair: An intimate behind-the-scenes look at the design process of one of the UK’s leading design studios, led by the founders Martin Goddard and Jo Littlefair.
- Best in Class: What Goes into an Award-Winning Hotel Design?: An exploration of the ideas, aesthetics, and innovations that have defined some of the best hotels in Europe, featuring top industry judges.
One of the most exciting parts of HIX 2024 was the ambitious installation project based on the Business Design Centre itself. Four leading design studios were tasked with reimagining this iconic venue as a hotel experience, guided by a historical report of the building and its surrounding area. The result was a stunning showcase of how space and place can be intertwined, with each design offering a unique interpretation of the venue’s storied past and potential future as a hotel.
A Global Perspective: HIX KSA Preview
While HIX 2024 was a massive success, the excitement doesn’t end here. HIX will soon make its international debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February 2025, under the name HIX KSA. This event will focus on the Middle East and Africa market, bringing the theme of “A Sense of Place” to a new audience while addressing regional challenges and opportunities in hospitality design.
Looking Ahead
HIX 2024 celebrated the transformative power of design and the evolving expectations of today’s travelers. With a focus on authenticity, sustainability, and the unique potential of the spaces we inhabit, the event gave us a glimpse into the future of hospitality. Whether through thought-provoking discussions or stunning visual installations, HIX 2024 made it clear that the future of hospitality lies in creating places that resonate with guests and locals alike.
As we look ahead to HIX KSA in 2025, the conversation about creating spaces that become places will continue to shape the future of hospitality design. HIX has once again proven that the experience of being in a place is not just about the physical space but the emotions, memories, and connections it creates.
Photos Courtesy of HIX LDN.
