Meyer Davis is renowned worldwide for its sophisticated, highly detailed approach to luxury hospitality, residential, and commercial design, blending contemporary aesthetics with local context. Nancy Santorelli, a senior designer with extensive experience in hospitality projects, shared insights on design trends and the creative process.

Kooness: Your projects often carry an emotional undercurrent — calm, light, or movement. What’s the first thing you try to capture when imagining a space?

Nancy Santorelli: When approaching our hospitality projects, we focus on creating a sense of movement and discovery. There should be a cohesive flow from the public spaces to the guest rooms that tells a story of the property’s location, history, or site. With such a breathtaking location as Sardinia’s Poltu Quatu Marina, we were inspired to redefine the idea of an island escape. The property features a series of unfolding experiences and intimate corridors that reference ancient grottoes and spaces that echo the vitality of the marina. Throughout the hotel the design intention was to feel grounded in place while offering moments of surprise and engagement with the design.

K: How do you find the balance between creativity and functionality in hospitality spaces?

NS: The guest using the space should always be at the forefront of design decisions to find the balance of creativity and functionality. At W Sardinia, this balance came through layers of comfort, craft, and narrative detail. Each material and color were informed by the island’s culture, resulting in spaces that feel both authentic and culturally enriched. In the property’s W Lounge, the design captures a sense of discovery through subtle detail, where rope lighting, hand-painted murals, and ceramic tabletops reference Sardinian artistry and the character of the port. Locally made accents and a commissioned mural by Kooness depicting the Phoenician goddess Tanit further root the experience to its surroundings.

K: What do you think makes a hospitality space truly memorable for guests today?

NS: Memorable hospitality spaces combine sensory experiences with a true connection to place through locally-informed design. Throughout W Sardinia, the design invites guests to engage with the island’s culture and history through a series of unfolding stories. The sculptural lobby draws design inspiration from local legends of the Janas, while the guest rooms include wallcoverings inspired by the Nuraghe civilization. Each space builds on the next, creating a layered narrative that resonates and reveals itself over time.

K: Collaboration is a big part of large-scale design. What do you value most in the creative exchange within your team or with clients?

NS: We value curiosity and openness in every collaboration. At W Sardinia, working with local artisans was an essential part of shaping the project’s identity. Their craft and perspective brought depth to the cultural references woven throughout the design, from custom ceramics to hand-finished details. This exchange allowed the work to reflect the authenticity of the island itself, ensuring that each space felt intentional and grounded in place. For us, collaboration with local artisans not only enriches the narrative of a project but also creates a dialogue between tradition and modern design that gives the pace its lasting character.

K: Hospitality design keeps evolving. What do you see as the most exciting trend in hospitality design today?       NS: The dialogue between storytelling and local culture continues to define the most compelling work in hospitality today. Guests are seeking experiences that move beyond aesthetics to create a meaningful connection to place. At W Sardinia, this comes through in the use of local myths, natural materials, and the spatial rhythm of the island itself. Each element contributes to a narrative that feels both immersive and culturally resonant. This approach reflects our broader philosophy of designing spaces that feel deeply connected to their environment while inviting a sense of discovery and engagement throughout the experience.

K: Looking ahead, what new challenges and frontiers do you anticipate in creating more sustainable and energy-efficient spaces?

NS: Sustainability demands a careful balance between environmental responsibility and the quality of the guest experience. The challenge lies in selecting materials, lighting, and systems that minimize impact while preserving the immersive and layered qualities of the space. Meyer Davis anticipates that future hospitality projects will increasingly incorporate these strategies while maintaining the narrative and cultural resonance that make a space feel deeply rooted in its environment.