TIME LINE

Sunday, November 9, 2025

The Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita

The Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita is located on the east coast of Mauritius, within the Anahita World Class Sanctuary. The property is situated on the edge of a turquoise lagoon and set against the backdrop of the Bambou mountains. The resort encompasses 64 acres, including an 11-acre private island called Ile aux Chats.

The design theory behind the 
Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita centers on blending contemporary luxury with authentic Mauritian culture and the island's natural splendor. The architecture is characterized by an open-air, pavilion style that emphasizes a seamless flow between generous indoor and outdoor living spaces, a design choice intended to immerse guests in the tropical environment. A recent extensive renovation, led by design firm 1508 London, focused on creating a "barefoot elegance" aesthetic, utilizing a lighter, more open design with natural materials and finishes that echo the surrounding beaches and landscapes. Handcrafted elements, layered textures, and regionally inspired patterns and artworks are used throughout the resort to celebrate local artistry and heritage, grounding the guest experience in a profound sense of place. Each of the all-pool villas features design elements such as an al fresco shower, private garden, and plunge pool, further reinforcing the connection to nature. The overall design aims to create a tranquil, immersive sanctuary where guests can connect with the island's serene environment in understated yet refined luxury. 

The  originally designed by the London-based architectural firm Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG), with the project completed in 2008. The design philosophy embraced a contemporary Mauritian style of open-air architecture that seamlessly blends the generous indoor and outdoor living spaces, using natural materials and textures to create harmony with the surrounding tropical landscape. In 2025, the resort underwent a significant renovation led by the interior design firm 1508 London, which aimed to introduce a lighter, more open design with a soft color palette to further enhance the "understated beach elegance" and sensory connection to the island's natural environment and cultural heritage. 

The overarching project and ownership of the resort falls under the purview of Riveo Hospitality Ltd., which is the current owner of the asset. Riveo itself is part of a larger property cluster led by the Alteo Group, which manages the development of the Anahita integrated resort area and is known for its high-standard projects. 
The initial development and launch of the $200 million mixed-use project, which opened in 2008, involved a joint venture with Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI), a leading international hotel acquisition and development company. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts manages the property through a long-term contract, while Four Seasons founder Isadore Sharp and Bill Gates' Cascade Investment have ownership stakes in the Four Seasons management company itself. This structure highlights a distinction between the property owners/developers (Riveo, Alteo Group, KHI) and the management brand (Four Seasons). 

Resort offers a range of luxurious villas and residences, each featuring a private plunge pool, outdoor shower, and covered patio. Accommodations include Island Garden Pool VillasIsland Ocean Pool Villas, and larger multi-bedroom residences such as the Two to Five-Bedroom Garden Pool Villas and Five-Bedroom Premium Oceanfront Private Retreats, some with full kitchens, expansive living areas, and private gardens or rooftop terraces. 





































Friday, November 7, 2025

The Conrad Shenzhen

The Conrad Shenzhen is located in the Qianhai central business and financial district, within the Nanshan neighborhood of Shenzhen. Situated at 5001 Tinghai Road, the hotel offers views of Qianhai Bay and is situated within the Qianhai Horoy Center. Its location places it within a mile of major retail malls and a metro station, offering convenient access to shopping and dining. For transportation, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is approximately a 30-minute drive away. Nearby attractions include the Bay Glory Ferris Wheel (3 km away), He Xiangning Art Museum, and OCT-LOFT Creative Culture Park. 

The design theories of the Conrad Shenzhen revolve around a contemporary reinterpretation of local culture and the city's transformative spirit, blending modernity and tradition to create a sophisticated urban oasis. The architecture, designed by Goettsch Partners, and interiors, by Yabu Pushelberg, are inspired by the narrative of Shenzhen's rapid evolution from a quiet fishing village into a vibrant megacity. 

Celebrating Local Culture: The design proudly integrates the unique character of the region, using details that echo fishing villages and maritime features. The guest room facades, for instance, feature an undulating pattern that recalls traditional woven fishing baskets.
Balance of Dualities: The hotel is situated between the urban core and the serene Qianhai Bay waterfront, and its design balances the energy of the city with the refuge of the natural landscape. This is achieved through elements like decorative bodies of water, natural flora bringing the outside in, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering dual views.
Art and Storytelling: The hotel features a curated selection of contemporary art by local and international artists, with a prominent narrative theme of "A Story of a Dreamer". The art installations and architectural detailing work together to engage the senses and tell a cohesive story of the region's ethos and transformation.
Contemporary Minimalism and Feng Shui: The interior spaces utilize warm neutral colors and burnished gold, maintaining an airy, uncluttered feeling of tasteful minimalism, while also subtly incorporating principles of feng shui.

The architectural design of the Conrad Shenzhen hotel was crafted by the innovative global architecture firm Goettsch Partners (GP). The firm's design for the hotel's striking architectural structure blends a bold, contemporary aesthetic with local cultural context. The facade incorporates a unique woven pattern, recalling the traditional fishing baskets significant to Shenzhen's history as a former fishing village, and its subtle undulation reflects light like ripples across the nearby Qianhai Bay. The building's podium is organized with cascading outdoor spaces and a landscaped roof garden, mirroring the forms of nearby terraced hillsides and creating a serene oasis in the urban environment. The design also features a rich palette of warm stone, bronze metal, and large floor-to-ceiling glass windows, emphasizing a sense of understated sophistication and connecting guests to views of the bay and city. This architectural vision works in concert with the interior design, which was handled by the renowned firm Yabu Pushelberg.

Located in the city's Qianhai business district, the hotel is part of a larger mixed-use development project. The Horoy Group, a leading real estate development company, partnered with Hilton to bring the luxury Conrad brand to this area. The architecture of the Conrad Shenzhen was designed by the global architecture firm Goettsch Partners (GP), while the interiors were crafted by the renowned design firm Yabu Pushelberg. The project is a key component in the development of the Qianhai financial center, aiming to provide the necessary high-quality lodging and amenities to support the new business district.

The Conrad Shenzhen features 300 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, all over 56 square meters and offering panoramic views of the city or Qianhai Bay. The hotel provides a wide range of amenities and facilities, including four distinct dining venues, an executive lounge, and extensive wellness options.