There’s just something about a Martin Brudnizki-designed hotel that stays with you long after check out. It could be the pops of color on the walls, the fun fringed furniture, or the jaw-droppingly gorgeous patterned wallpaper. Maybe it’s the needs-to-be-Instagrammed maximalist appeal of every nook and cranny. Whatever it is, even if you don’t know who designed it, you know you’re somewhere undeniably cool.
Over the past 25 years, Brudnizki (founder of Martin Brudnizki Design Studio) has made a name for himself creating color-filled and whimsical spaces all over the world, including iconic hotels like The Broadwick Soho and must-dine eateries like the recently opened Carbone Riviera in Las Vegas. While he has his own signature style, he also has an amazing ability to make every project feel special and somehow totally unique. “The common thread that runs throughout all our projects is the ability to create a space that has feeling,” he says. “One that allows the visitor to experience something that alters a mood and expresses joy.”
That sense of joy is what truly definehttps://travelcurator.com/hotels-resorts/the-surrey-new-york-review/s Brudnizki’s work and makes his spaces so much fun. I can still remember the first time I set foot in one of his hotels, The Beekman in New York City. What was supposed to be a casual drink with a friend felt more like a theatrical performance, grounded by the soaring atrium ceilings and the bar room floor, covered in the world’s most beautiful Persian rug. Since then, I’ve made it my mission to stop in and explore one of his hotels any time I’m traveling. Each one leaves a lasting impression.
Below, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite projects so you can experience the magic for yourself.
Broadwick Soho, London
Brudnizki once described his design of Broadwick Soho as “Studio 54 meets your grandmother’s townhouse,” and honestly, who wouldn’t want to hang out there? The 1970’s feel is obvious the moment you step in and check out the gold-tile covered lobby ceiling. The rest of the space is dotted with ogee-printed sofas and burlwood walls. Even the palette of green, red, and gold feels very disco. Just like his many other projects, no detail of this 57-room hotel was overlooked, and even the “quiet” moments feel special. Take, for instance, the mini bars, which happen to be tucked in custom-made gold elephant statues.
Over-the-top? Yes. But it’s not purely Brudnizki’s maximalist aesthetic that contributes to it. He took inspiration from the neighborhood itself. Soho was a hub for artists, writers, and musicians throughout the 20th century. Today, the Broadwick is a continuation of that legacy, channeling that same bold spirit in a five-star kind of way.
The Beekman, New York
As noted previously, The Beekman is absolutely iconic. Originally built in 1881 as law offices called Temple Court, the building is an amazing example of Queen Anne architecture, with a soaring nine-story atrium and pyramid-shaped skylight serving as the centerpiece. Brudnizki’s goal was to celebrate the building’s Victorian grandeur while giving it a fresh feel. As he describes it, the design is “Victorian decadence meets industrial chic,” and nowhere is that vision more apparent than in the lobby. Given the size and height, the room could feel towering and impersonal, but Brudnizki made it intimate using different shades of green on the walls to make it feel like a jewel box. He filled the space with a mix of vintage furniture, cushions, and rugs from the ‘40s to ‘70s. Some of those rugs can be found draped over the check-in desk. An unexpected but highly photographable touch.
The guest rooms have a softer look while keeping the same design language, complete with jewel-toned furnishings to create that same sense of warmth, and accented with polished metal accents and statement chandeliers; a nod to the industrial and Victorian vibes Brudnizki was seeking.
The Surrey, New York
If the Upper East Side had a secret headquarters, it would probably be The Surrey. Originally built in the 1920s and reopened under the Corinthia brand in 2024, the hotel presented Brudnizki with a challenge: marrying the luxury aesthetic of Corinthia with the history of the Upper East Side while staying true to his own maximalist style. In a surprise to no one, he nailed it, though this may be one of Brudnizki’s most restrained projects.
You’ll still find plenty of pattern mixing here, with fun prints on the walls, ceilings, and upholstery, but the tones are more muted, leaning heavily on greens, creams, and tans. As always, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for the little design details that ground each of Brudnizki’s projects in their location. The hotel’s four suites, for example, are inspired by a different bridge in nearby Central Park, complete with custom crown moldings that echo the architecture of those structures.
La Fantaisie, Paris
Think of La Fantaisie as an enchanted garden with incredible food in the heart of Paris’ 9th arrondissement. Brudnizki was inspired by the hotel’s location on Rue Cadet, named after Jean and Jacques Cadet who were 16th-century master gardeners during the reign of Charles IX. He brought that French garden motif into many of the shared spaces, like the iconic hotel restaurant, Bar Sur le Toit, where a wallpaper made of pink and green stripes with a floral lattice overlay coats the walls and ceilings. Bar stools follow suit, with backs that look like petals. It’s ethereal and fun, and if you’ve ever seen a pic of this hotel, it was likely snapped here.
That’s not to say that the rest of the hotel’s 64 rooms and 10 suites aren’t just as incredible. The floral theme softens in the rooms, with smaller nods like floral wall art or decorative accents. He brings in his signature red, green, and yellow tones in funky patterns paired with soothing neutrals like grasscloth wallpaper and white bedding. Proof that Brudnizki knows when to make a statement and when to let a space breathe.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York
The 1907 Italian Renaissance building gave Martin a lot to work with, and he played into that stately design sense at The Fifth Avenue Hotel with antiqued mirrors along the walls, rich marble floors, and layers of light throughout the lobby and dining spaces like Cafe Carmellini and the ultra-trendy Portrait Bar (which has more than 50 original portraits on the walls). He proves that elegance and whimsy can coexist, and no place does it better than in the dining room at Cafe Carmellini, where a grove of 11-foot-tall faux trees anchor the space.
Upstairs, the rooms themselves are filled with bright greens, yellows, and reds, which could feel jarring against the grand architecture, but somehow feels just right. These hues add some modern flair and playfulness to the space, a fun visual relationship between old and new. That same dichotomy happens with the objects he uses to decorate his spaces. Yes, there are stunning Murano glass chandeliers throughout the hotel, but there are also bright yellow horse-head table lamps. The result is unexpected but surprisingly cohesive, a hallmark of many of his spaces.
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel, Athens
Martin Brudnizki-style, but make it Grecian. Sitting on the Athenian Riviera, the Four Seasons Astir Palace has been a major destination since it was built in the 1960s. As part of a major overhaul in 2024, Brudnizki helped redesign many of the restaurants, bars, and social spaces (note: not the bedrooms).
The location came with its own color palette, thanks to views of the bright blue sea from nearly every space, but instead of leaning into typical nautical motifs, Brudnizki took a more subtle approach. The waterfront lounge features bar stools with sculptural backs that look like seashells, while the tiered Venetian glass chandeliers look a bit like sea glass catching the light. Another fun element? The patio at Pelagos features a timber-paneled ceiling that mimics the shape of a boat’s hull. Brudnizki somehow infuses magic even in the littlest details if you know where to look.
Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
The 500-acre 18th-century estate is impressive on its own, but when you step inside Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire you immediately see the cool factor: a mixture of Georgian manor style and a hint of modern maximalism. Brudnizki redesigned the reception, lounge, downstairs drawing room, Royal Suite, and several restaurants, taking cues from the building’s historic architecture and the surrounding landscape. Throughout the common areas, paint and wallpaper accentuate those architectural details like ornate ceiling moulding and chair rails.
Neutral rugs ground the interiors while carefully placed pops of color, like a red leather dining chair or a green velvet loveseat trimmed with multicolor fringe, bring Brudnizki’s signature sense of play. The Royal Suite follows that same restrained approach with layers of pattern and texture and, of course, fun accents. The result feels stately and historic, but not stuffy.
Feature image courtesy of The Fifth Avenue Hotel.
