Federico is a qualified architect with over twenty-five years of crafting exceptional guest experiences worldwide. As Global Vice-President of Design and Design Strategy for Accor’s Premium brands, he sets product strategies, establishes concept guidelines and leads initiatives that elevate performance and guest satisfaction.

His portfolio spans brand creation and reboots and lobby and room transformations, uniting behavioural scientists, biophilia specialists, experience designers, F&B experts and branding strategists to create clear, actionable frameworks that ensure consistent narratives and forge memorable journeys.

In depth research drives every concept: sustainability, wellness and technology are embedded from the outset to deliver immersive, personalized guest stays.

He balances creativity with operational realities, guiding projects from briefing through completion. He cultivates collaboration, accountability and creative excellence.

As Chair of AHEAD Europe’s judging panel, he champions designs that blend narrative depth with operational rigour—projects that innovate, resonate emotionally and shape hospitality’s future.

Alba joined Design Hotels to manage the curation and qualitative growth of the member portfolio in EMEA.

Alba believes in visionaries with an imaginative spirit who dare to seek the unexpected and create original experiences for the traveler of tomorrow. Her multidisciplinary background and intuitive sense for aesthetics, culture and branding in the digital and physical space, let her shape the collection of Design Hotels members – and contribute to the strategic development and further evolution of the brand.

Previously, Alba spent six years successfully contributing to developing a digital lifestyle agency in London and Germany, where she worked with prestigious clients like Net-a-Porter, Alexander McQueen and Made.com.

As an Alumni of Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Alba has a solid understanding of the hospitality industry. Her curiosity for the lifestyle sector and appreciation for sophisticated design led to a Masters in Fashion & Luxury Brand Management at Istituto Marangoni in London as well as Interior Design courses at Central Saint Martin.

Aline is Regional Vice President, Design Services, Hyatt EMEA, based in Zurich, where she oversees Hyatt's hotel development projects across Europe and French-speaking Africa.

Aline began her career after studying Hotel Management in Switzerland and has dedicated her professional journey to the hospitality industry. Over the past 18 years, she has specialized in hotel design and construction, leading projects for global hospitality operators including Hyatt, Melco Resorts & Entertainment in Macau, and ONYX Hospitality Group in Bangkok. Having also been based in Dubai with Hyatt, she brings extensive international experience and a deep understanding of hotel development across diverse markets.

Ana is Senior Director of Design & Project Management at Marriott International, where she leads the design and transformation of hotels across Europe and North Africa. With over 15 years of experience in hospitality design, she is currently focused on strengthening Marriott's Premium portfolio, helping shape the future of Marriott’s classic and distinctive brands in this segment while also contributing to luxury developments under JW Marriott and The Luxury Collection.

As part of Marriott's Global Design team, Ana has led new-build developments, conversions, and large-scale renovations, working closely with owners and multidisciplinary teams to deliver transformative hotel experiences that balance brand vision, operational excellence, and local authenticity. Passionate about creating meaningful connections between people and place, she brings a strategic perspective on the future of hospitality design across diverse markets and cultural contexts.

Cody currently serves as Group CEO – Hotels at L+R, a privately held global investment firm with a £10bn+ wholly owned real estate portfolio, including 129 hotels across 9 countries and a more than 30-year track record of value creation.

The firm operates across Hotels, Commercial Real Estate, Private Credit, and Ventures, including its market-leading hotel operating platforms (Atlas Hotels and Iconic Hotels & Resorts), offering capital partners a vertically integrated platform with unmatched alignment of interest through significant co-investment and flexible capital.

Most recently, Cody played an integral role at Starwood Capital Group over 13 years, where he served on the firm’s Investment Committee and was instrumental in leading the global hotel team and business as the firm grew from $20b AUM to $120b AUM and was awarded Global Hotels & Leisure Investor of the Year and Global PE Firm of the Year on numerous occasions by Private Equity Real Estate (PERE) Magazine.

A graduate of Cornell University, Cody co-created the Certified Hotel Asset Manager (CHAM) professional designation program, which launched in 2012, is the Co-Founder and past-President of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) of Europe, and previously served on the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).

Corinna is a Director at GA, a London-based, award-winning design studio specialising in creating luxury hospitality environments. GA's design approach is rooted in culture, context, and collaboration, delivering spaces that are both meaningful and memorable.

As Director, Corinna develops the overall design concept and leads projects from inception through to completion. She oversees and coordinates the interior design, project management, and FF&E teams, ensuring a cohesive design vision is maintained throughout every stage of delivery while driving creativity and design excellence.

Before joining GA in 2007, Corinna began her career at a London-based architectural practice, where she developed strong expertise in concept design, project coordination, and project management across high-end commercial developments throughout the UK.

Since joining GA, Corinna has led the design of numerous landmark hospitality projects, including W Taipei, W Shanghai, and the recently opened Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, which welcomed guests in 2025 and has been shortlisted for the AHEAD Asia Awards.  The design of the Park Hyatt was inspired by the Malay Kampung house, a traditional elevated home.  The design balances quiet sophistication with cultural tactility, using natural materials, filtered light and considered craft resulting in a contemporary expression of Malaysian culture that feels calm, layered and enduring.

Corinna also directed the award-winning redesign of several key spaces within Harrods, including the Beauty Hall, White Hall, and Beauty Event Services, completed in 2020, followed by the Sunglasses Department. These projects successfully combined a cohesive architectural narrative with distinctive identities for each individual space.

She is currently leading the design of a Capella hotel in Japan, alongside a luxury lifestyle hotel and serviced apartments development in Indonesia.

Dan is the Managing Principal of Planning and Landscape for WATG in the EMEA region, with over 20 years of experience in master planning and landscape architecture. His portfolio spans hospitality projects across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Australasia, including leisure, wellness, golf, and mountain resorts, ranging from boutique hotels to large-scale mixed-use developments.

His recent projects include the Four Seasons Residences in Doha, the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, and the resort master plan for Six Senses Pinheirinho in Portugal.

Dan is passionate about creating places that are rooted in their landscape, culture, and context. He believes that successful hospitality destinations emerge from a deep understanding of a site's unique qualities, using site-specific placemaking to create authentic guest experiences while enhancing environmental value and delivering long-term commercial success.

Juan is Director of Design at Hilton Worldwide, where he leads the design strategy for hotel projects across Europe and North Africa. Since joining Hilton in 2022, he has played a key role in the rollout of the company’s lifestyle brands in the EMEA region, including the launch of Tempo by Hilton and the evolution of the Canopy and Motto brands. He has overseen the design of landmark new properties such as Conrad Hamburg, LXR Sax in Paris, and Waldorf Astoria Rabat, and contributed to the transformation of iconic hotels including Hilton Munich Park and Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona.

With more than 15 years of experience in hospitality design, Juan combines strategic vision with a deep understanding of architecture and interiors. Before joining Hilton, he led award-winning projects with renowned studios in Barcelona, including the hospitality portfolio of Jaime Beriestain Studio and earlier collaborations with architect Manel Brullet. His previous work includes hotels for Hyatt, Radisson, and Hilton, as well as high-end residential projects across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

Juan brings a design-driven approach to hospitality, with a focus on innovation, brand identity, and guest experience — always grounded in sustainability and ESG principles.

Katja Margaritoglou is the Executive Creative Director and Co-Founder of the acclaimed architectural practice Block722, based in Athens. Together with architect Sotiris Tsergas, she established the studio in 2009, shaping a distinctive design language rooted in simplicity, authenticity, and the seamless blending of diverse cultural references.

With a deep passion for the Mediterranean spirit and a lifelong curiosity about global cultures, Katja brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to her work. Her approach is informed by her Greek-Swedish background, which translates into a creative fusion of sensibility and precision. Drawing inspiration from both the emotional richness of Greek nature and heritage, and the balance and refinement of Scandinavian design, she consistently crafts serene and timeless environments that speak to the senses.

Over more than a decade, she has infused Block722’s architecture and interiors with a sense of understated luxury and holistic design thinking. Her intuitive and human-centered vision shapes the studio’s ethos and design philosophy, which has earned international recognition for projects across Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

Katja’s nomadic nature and collaborative mindset have allowed her to cultivate long-term relationships with developers, designers, and artisans worldwide, contributing to the studio’s global presence and creative evolution.

Margarita is a Director in the Design Services team of Four Seasons, which oversees all new developments across the region of Europe. The team provides guidance and support throughout all design stages, working closely with the Architects, Interior Designers, and the broader design team on each project.

Originally from Greece, she has a broad academic background spanning Architecture, Sustainable Design, and International Relations and Diplomacy. Prior to joining Four Seasons, she worked in Belgium, Denmark, and now the UK, including roles at GA Design and, most recently, as an Associate at Squire & Partners in London, where she focused on luxury hospitality projects across Europe and internationally.

Marie is Founder and Creative Director of Bergman Design House and Njord by Bergman and is an award-winning designer with 20 years of design experience in the hospitality, commercial and residential sectors.

An avid visual artist as well as a designer, Marie’s keen eye for the timeless and the well-crafted has guided her on journeys around the world to spearhead such globally recognised projects as The Other house Hotel, South Kensington, The Other house Covent Garden, BXR London, Fairmont UK, Waldorf Astoria, NOR hotel Norway, and Eagle Lodge in Botswana, among others.

Dubbed a “chameleon of design” by British GQ magazine, Marie’s vision stems from her belief in the vital spark of adventurous souls who are willing to take risks and try and test new ideas in the service of creating fabulous and engaging experiences. Her goal is always to bring fresh ideas to the fore, while revelling in — not fearing — the chaos of creation.

Her latest projects include Scott’s, Sexy Fish, Wagumafia, The Other House Hotel South Kensington, and Laowai, a “hidden restaurant” concept in Vancouver, Canada’s Chinatown neighbourhood.

Maurice leads design and construction across Cedar Capital Partners' portfolio of luxury and lifestyle hotels in Europe and the US, directing capital programmes from concept through delivery. Over a career spanning Cedar Capital, Principal Real Estate and Hilton, he has overseen more than $400 million of hotel investment, including the transformation of The Shelborne by Proper in Miami Beach and the major expansion of The Belfry Golf Resort in the UK, alongside luxury repositionings in Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, the Netherlands and Scotland. A graduate of École Hôtelière de Lausanne with an MSc in Construction Economics from UCL, he brings a rare perspective that connects design intent, operational performance, and investment outcomes. He is fluent in English, German, French and Italian.

Appointed Senior Vice President, Design & Construction in January 2025, Ons plays an instrumental role in Belmond’s journey to elevate its offering to new heights of luxury and guest experience.

With a diverse portfolio of 43 properties Ons’ leadership is essential in delivering Belmond’s ambitious renovation plan, which spans hotels, trains, safari lodges, and boats. He is responsible for refining Belmond’s design and construction processes to ensure efficiency and excellence in project execution.

Ons plays a key part in building the heritage of the future with a continued focus on exceptional craftsmanship, leading renovations which respect and celebrate buildings’ history and local environment.

He is also responsible for identifying and collaborating with some of the world’s most talented designers and architects who further enrich Belmond's creative vision and commitment to crafting experiences. Guests are invited to discover a new pace of travel and to foster deeper connections with nature, local culture, and people.

Projects at Belmond include working with Peter Marino, the famed architect and interior designer, on a multi-phase renovation project of the Venetian icon, Hotel Cipriani, collaborating with Martin Brudnizki Design Studio on the rejuvenation of Portofino’s most storied hideaway, Splendido, and the reimagined Villa Beatrice, and, most recently, the renovation of Villa San Michele, an emblem of Renaissance architecture.

Ons has a wealth of global experience in luxury design and architecture, having held leadership positions at prestigious brands including Chanel, Montblanc, and, most recently, Saint Laurent, where he was Global Director of Architecture and Real Estate.

Peter is Co-founder of Studio Space Copenhagen alongside partner, Signe Bindslev Henriksen.

Space Copenhagen is a multidisciplinary design studio established in 2005. The studio operates across architecture, interior design, furniture, lighting, and creative direction, with projects completed in a broad range of international contexts primarily within the discipline of hospitality.
The design approach is defined as Poetic Modernism—an interplay of contrasts such as classic and contemporary, sculptural and minimal, industrial and organic. Projects are developed through a context-driven and intuitive process with a focus on functionality, material integrity, and long-term value.

Celebrated projects include 11 Howard in New York, The Stratford in London, Hotel Toranomon Hills in Tokyo, and The Largo Hotel in Porto. The studio has also designed destination restaurants such as Schloss Schauenstein in Switzerland, Cozinha das Flores in Porto, Apothéose and Le Pristine in Tokyo, Blueness in Antwerp, and Geranium and the original Noma in Copenhagen. Space Copenhagen collaborates with international design manufacturers including GUBI, Stellar Works, Fredericia, &Tradition, and Mater.

After graduating from the Politecnico di Milano in 1999, Tania became a university lecturer at the same institution, teaching Architectural Design until 2007. Alongside her academic career, she collaborated with internationally renowned architecture and design practices before joining Lissoni & Partners in 2008.

At Lissoni & Partners, she is a Partner and coordinates the Interior Design Department, overseeing hospitality, residential and luxury retail projects from concept development through design coordination.

Her experience includes hospitality projects such as the Shangri-La Hotel Beijing and the Dorothea Hotel Budapest, as well as developments across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the United States.

She also collaborates with leading real estate developers on luxury residential projects, coordinating the development of interior design concepts aligned with each project's vision and market positioning.

In the luxury retail sector, she has coordinated projects for prestigious watch brands including Audemars Piguet and multi-brand concepts for Bucherer, contributing to the development of retail environments where architecture, interiors and brand identity are brought together in a coherent design approach.

Her experience also includes the renovation and interior design of historic buildings, integrating contemporary design with respect for the architectural character and identity of existing buildings.

With a multidisciplinary background and extensive international experience, she coordinates complex design processes through a collaborative, pragmatic and detail-oriented approach.

Tolù is the visionary behind Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co. He adopts a holistic approach to design, collaborating with the finest artisans, craftsmen, and makers to create a unified aesthetic that is timeless yet globally contemporary. He’s an expert storyteller who considers and chooses every facet of every project in order to convey its unique narrative.

Born in Nigeria, Tolù moved to London in 1995. In his teens, he was mentored by Design Museum founder Sir Terence Conran on furniture design. He honed his artistic flair at Camberwell College of Arts (now University of the Arts London), and later attained his Interior Design BA degree at Bournemouth University. During his studies he developed a distinctive aesthetic characterised by classic luxury and attention to detail, craft, and functionality.

Tolù has held several senior positions at renowned interior design firms, including David Collins Studio. He has worked on multiple residential, hospitality and maritime projects all around the world. Selected projects include Gordon Ramsey’s Maze Grill Restaurant; The Ritz, Edition, W, Hilton, and Marriott hotels; and MSC, Norwegian, and Viking cruise lines. Tolù is a proud member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) and The Society of British and International Interior Designers (SBID).