Take a dive into the design approach metamorphosing the hotels of the Group, in line with our pioneering spirit, with two of today’s most talented designers and one hotel owner. They explore how changes in society, like AI, are impacting design with breathtaking results and beyond.

Changing lifestyles and expectations are taking design in new directions. Constantly anticipating and adapting to societal changes and market demands, Accor innovates with design to enhance the guest experience – transforming hotels into multifaceted hubs that bring travelers and local guests together to sleep, eat, connect and work. Integrating multifunctional design elements means the spaces seamlessly adapt to different needs, revolutionizing the guest experience. Moreover, the unique culture and history inherent to each hotel's location are thoughtfully woven into the design, resonating with today’s travelers’ quest for authenticity and local immersion. This approach not only enriches the guest's journey but also harmoniously integrates the hotels into the fabric of the local community.

Furthermore, expectations also grow around sustainability, design is contributing in very concrete ways, from selecting materials with lower carbon footprint and improving energy performance to increasing awareness and educating the teams worldwide. Sustainability lies at the heart of Accor’s design strategy, reflecting the Group’s ambition to shape a more sustainable kind of hospitality.

Meet two renowned designers who collaborated with our Design & Technical Services team, as well as one hotel owner

Find more about design at Accor as the trio discuss societal evolutions, the use and impact of technology and AI, as well as sustainability.

Yang Bangsheng: Leveraging AI to drive creativity

Yang Bangsheng is an award-winning designer and Founder & President of leading Chinese hotel design agency Bangsheng & Associates Group. For him, design is a way to explore cultures and understand cities. As technology and AI drive change, Yang Bangsheng believes they can be used as a tool to enhance design by creating synergies with the designer’s innate creativity. This visionary outlook is exemplified at the Pullman Vung Tau and Pullman Shenzhen North, which he designed, where AI-driven innovation and artistic expression blend harmoniously.

Marcos Cain: Evolving in a world impacted by AI and robotics

Designer & Founder of Stickman Tribe, Marcos Cain has over 35 years of experience in hospitality and design – including masterminding the Pullman Dubai Creek City Center, UAE. For him, AI and robotics can serve design by taking away menial tasks, so designers focus on more complex, subtle challenges. He likes playing with the different elements that encapsulate a space and tell its unique story, from colors to texture – to enhance connections with the local neighborhood and community.

Matthew Leavy: Creating innovative spaces to reconnect

Matthew Leavey is Head of Property at Panthers Group, which owns Pullman Sydney Penrith. He evokes the team’s belief that technology and social media are transforming society. And the way in which design can help foster genuine connections. This conviction is reflected in the new Pullman Sydney Penrith, which creates spaces for authentic conversations, away from screens, so people come people together the “old-fashioned” way.

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries, over 5,700 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.