SINGAPORE – Wimberly Interiors unveils the design of their latest built project – the Shanghai Snow World Hotel, Vignette Collection, the most luxurious* accommodation within The L+Snow Indoor Skiing Theme Complex. A unique one-off luxury ski resort themed hotel, the design aims to complement the grandeur and ambition of the groundbreaking indoor, all-season ski resort that holds the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Largest Indoor Ski Facility”.
A skiing destination spanning over 98,800 square meters, accessible year-round and designed for enthusiasts of all skill levels, The L+Snow Indoor Skiing Theme Resort Complex in Shanghai, China is the new iconic destination attracting skiers from around the globe. Offering an array of entertainment options in a truly innovative setting, it aims to inspire a new wave of domestic enthusiasts eager to embrace the Alpine lifestyle.
Wimberly Interiors’ design for the Shanghai Snow World Hotel redefines luxury, elevating it to match the resort’s global prominence while offering a fresh take on traditional ski retreats. By deep diving into the essence of the ski experience, consulting seasoned skiers and drawing inspiration from iconic ski destinations, the design evokes that the magic of Alpine adventure through a contemporary lens.
Inspired by traditional Swiss ski resorts, the design incorporates dark, textured wood to evoke rustic charm, paired with a neutral palette for an effortless and relaxing atmosphere. Luxurious accents of marble, leather, and sumptuous hide add refinement while maintaining a feeling of warmth and intimacy. Moving beyond the rusticity of traditional ski chalets, the design embraces a modern urban-alpine fusion, blending cosmopolitan energy with the warmth and comfort of a classic ski resort.
For over a century the Alps have been a winter playground for sports enthusiasts in Europe to navigate the challenge of the mountain slopes. From Courcheval to St. Moritz, the sheer drama of the undulating terrains, covered in snow, have been a place to connect with nature and an energizing retreat from urban life.
At Shanghai Snow World Hotel, the tradition continues. Influenced by the grand hotels of the old, regarded for their indulgent comfort and hospitable warmth, we aim to recreate this ambiance, but reinterpreted for the modern world – at once familiar, but equally unique. Our design language is inspired by the natural beauty and geometry of the Alpine landscape, in particular the pattern of tracks that skiers carve out on the slopes, creating a delicate tracery. Deepu Mahboobani, Principal & Studio Director of Wimberly Interiors Singapore
The main lobby, with its striking four-story volume, captivates guests with a bespoke hanging centerpiece—a series of patterned panels inspired by ski trails—creating a grand yet human scale experience. The reception desk is thoughtfully positioned in a lower-ceilinged nook to balance the space’s grandeur with intimacy.
To enhance guest journeys, dynamic wall art depicting the fluid movements of skiers transforms typically monotonous corridors, ensuring visual engagement as guests traverse through the space.
The Après Ski Bar provides a quintessential post-slope retreat, blending relaxation with a vibrant connection to the action outside. The all-day dining venue is designed for versatility, seamlessly transforming into a co-working space during non-meal times, catering to modern travelers.
The double-story Presidential Suite, the grandest room offering within the resort, takes flexibility further with a design that allows the two floors to be closed off for exclusive corporate events during low-occupancy seasons, maximizing the property’s functionality and revenue potential. It is also designed with an extraordinary array of amenities from its own massage room, chef’s kitchen to an entertainment room, raising the bar for personalized luxury and elevated guest experiences. Suites are also designed with direct access to ski slopes, for ski-in ski-out convenience. This design approach balances luxury, functionality, and comfort, offering guests an unforgettable Alpine-inspired experience that feels both timeless and innovative.
Ski Suites with ski-in ski-out access
Wimberly Interiors blended a fresh urban-Alpine aesthetic with time-honored design principles, creating a property that not only captivates guests but also ensures enduring value. Leveraging extensive expertise in hotel design and operations, the team seamlessly integrated functionality with strategic revenue-generating opportunities to secure the property’s long-term viability and success. As skiing continues to gain popularity among a younger, more diverse demographic—including emerging markets eager to immerse themselves in the Alpine lifestyle—the design responds to this shift by offering experiences that appeal to both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers seeking something novel.
The design of Shanghai Snow World Hotel stands as a testament to Wimberly Interiors’ ability to craft innovative and trend-responsive hospitality experiences across a wide range of typologies.
*‘Most luxurious’ based on per night rate within the theme complex.
About Wimberly Interiors
Since its founding in 2011, Wimberly Interiors – a design studio of WATG – has established itself at the forefront of hospitality, entertainment and residential design. In its tenth anniversary year, the studio was longlisted in Dezeen’s Emerging Interior Design Studio of the Year category. In 2023, Wimberly ranked 4th in the Top 100 Hospitality Giants and 50th in Interior Design Giants.
From high-voltage nightclubs and chic restaurants to grand lobbies of stately hotels and intimate salons of private homes, Wimberly Interiors creates interior experiences that go beyond aesthetics. With a passion for exceptional design, its small but mighty team across New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore and Shanghai is equal parts collaborator and disruptor – a flair that has led to over 60 awards and accolades, and an impressive portfolio of built work that includes the Belmond Venice Simplon
Orient-Express Grand Suites, the Bentley Suite at the St. Regis New York, EDITION Abu Dhabi, Dream Hotel Downtown New York, Marquee New York, Chroma Seoul, Hotel del Coronado, Park Hyatt Aviara, Bellagio Shanghai, Rosewood Baha Mar, Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Kempinski Hotel Jinan, Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, Four Seasons Los Angeles, Hotel 50 Bowery NYC, Viceroy Kopaonik Serbia, Viceroy Ombria Resort in Portugal and more.
About WATG
Founded in Honolulu in 1945 by George “Pete’ Wimberly, WATG is the preeminent leader in integrated luxury hospitality design. Grounded in rigorous strategy and incomparable domain expertise, WATG creates bespoke, exhilarating and culturally significant destinations.
WATG remains independent to this day with a profound respect for its heritage. Its five studios – Advisory, Master Planning, Architecture, Landscape and Wimberly Interiors – stay true to their values, designing spaces that respect, protect and enhance the natural magic of their surroundings while delivering long-term value for clients and communities.
As of 2022, its global yet local team – representing more than 45 nationalities across offices in Honolulu, Irvine (California), Los Angeles, New York, London, Cairo, New Delhi, Singapore and Shanghai – has designed and delivered over 500 built projects in 170 countries and territories, pushing the boundaries of possibility while delivering enduring client success across the globe.
For more information please visit watg.com.
Eileen Tan
Regional Marketing & Communications Manager, APAC WATG
WATG
