Travel + Leisure magazine, a leading voice in the global hospitality industry, recently named two properties designed by three: living architecture as number one in their categories for 2013. The Peninsula Beverly Hills was listed as the number one Large City Hotel in the U.S., and Rosewood Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen was selected as number one in the category: Best Resorts in Mexico. Winning both top awards—among a field of hundreds of world-class properties—validated both new and timeless design work performed by three. These awards underscored the creativity for which the Dallas-based architecture firm is celebrated worldwide. The two properties represent some of three’s early work as well as some of its more recent.
These latest awards were published in the August issue of Travel + Leisure which featured the World’s Best Awards for 2013. However, a number of three properties earn perennial top rankings from this industry-leading publication within an array of categories, such as: The Word’s Best Resorts, World’s Best Business Hotels, as well as America’s Best Family Hotels and more. Travel + Leisure (T+L) bases its rankings on actual polls of its well-traveled readers. Some three properties—such as Rosewood’s Mansion on Turtle Creek and Hotel Contessa—have been selected among the World’s Best Hotels every year since the polling survey was expanded in 2009.
“It's exciting to see our projects continuing to excel and get better with time,” said Gary Koerner, founder, President and hospitality design leader for three. “We take great joy and care in designing hotels that are lasting and present to the guest a very tailored, special and memorable experience. These hotels’ designs are further complimented by quality, exceptional service attributed to the operators who enhance the overall guest experience. Together with a great development and design team, we work diligently to bring to fruition a property that exceeds the guest’s expectations.”
The Peninsula Beverly Hills was opened in 1991 and almost a quarter of a century later is still one of LA’s most exclusive and sophisticated hotels – often considered a true urban resort. Most guests expect a glitzy hotel lobby, but instead are greeted by a sophisticated yet comfortable residential atmosphere – much like one would find in an elegant Beverly Hills home. The Peninsula also made the Top 20 list for T+L’s World’s Best Business Hotel in 2009.
When developing the original design, three decided to break the typical notion of locating the pool on the grounds near the lobby. Instead, three featured luscious landscaping and private villas throughout the property, locating the pool, dining, and cabanas on the roof, affording spectacular views and a wonderful rooftop venue. Its unique design has allowed The Peninsula to withstand the test of time. Today it remains the “gold standard” for luxury hotels, with only slight updates to the interiors required since its inception.
Completed in 2006, Rosewood Mayakoba is a more recent design and is emblematic of three’s ability to integrate very creative design that blends seamlessly into the surrounding environment, taking key cultural cues while offering 5-star luxury for the sophisticated international traveler. Located in Playa del Carmen, Rosewood Mayakoba has a true sense of place, which was designed to be evocative of the ecosystem of which it is a part. three created an island that features a luxurious spa built around a cenote, a type of natural limestone pool common to the area. Shortly after opening, Rosewood Mayakoba was named as Best Hotel in Mexico and ranked at #18 among the World’s Top Hotels by T+L magazine in 2009.
“The challenge for this project was maintaining a sense of place while creating a fresh, modern resort,” said Carl Ede, principal and designer for three. “We are very grateful that Travel and Leisure recognized our hard work and that guests truly enjoy these properties as much as we do.”
Nestled along the Riviera Maya, Mexico, each of Rosewood Mayakoba’s 120 rooms is surrounded by Yucatan jungle, lagoons, temperate mangroves, and white sand beaches; all of which create a sense of immersion in the surrounding flora and fauna. Depending on their guestroom location, guests can take a boat or golf cart to get to their rooms in three different areas: a lagoon unit nestled in the jungle that floats over the water on stilts, a beachfront unit which sits among the dunes, and a mangrove unit elevated with views over the beautiful mangroves. Rosewood Mayakoba is truly a one-of-a-kind resort worthy of such an award.
These latest awards were published in the August issue of Travel + Leisure which featured the World’s Best Awards for 2013. However, a number of three properties earn perennial top rankings from this industry-leading publication within an array of categories, such as: The Word’s Best Resorts, World’s Best Business Hotels, as well as America’s Best Family Hotels and more. Travel + Leisure (T+L) bases its rankings on actual polls of its well-traveled readers. Some three properties—such as Rosewood’s Mansion on Turtle Creek and Hotel Contessa—have been selected among the World’s Best Hotels every year since the polling survey was expanded in 2009.
“It's exciting to see our projects continuing to excel and get better with time,” said Gary Koerner, founder, President and hospitality design leader for three. “We take great joy and care in designing hotels that are lasting and present to the guest a very tailored, special and memorable experience. These hotels’ designs are further complimented by quality, exceptional service attributed to the operators who enhance the overall guest experience. Together with a great development and design team, we work diligently to bring to fruition a property that exceeds the guest’s expectations.”
The Peninsula Beverly Hills was opened in 1991 and almost a quarter of a century later is still one of LA’s most exclusive and sophisticated hotels – often considered a true urban resort. Most guests expect a glitzy hotel lobby, but instead are greeted by a sophisticated yet comfortable residential atmosphere – much like one would find in an elegant Beverly Hills home. The Peninsula also made the Top 20 list for T+L’s World’s Best Business Hotel in 2009.
When developing the original design, three decided to break the typical notion of locating the pool on the grounds near the lobby. Instead, three featured luscious landscaping and private villas throughout the property, locating the pool, dining, and cabanas on the roof, affording spectacular views and a wonderful rooftop venue. Its unique design has allowed The Peninsula to withstand the test of time. Today it remains the “gold standard” for luxury hotels, with only slight updates to the interiors required since its inception.
Completed in 2006, Rosewood Mayakoba is a more recent design and is emblematic of three’s ability to integrate very creative design that blends seamlessly into the surrounding environment, taking key cultural cues while offering 5-star luxury for the sophisticated international traveler. Located in Playa del Carmen, Rosewood Mayakoba has a true sense of place, which was designed to be evocative of the ecosystem of which it is a part. three created an island that features a luxurious spa built around a cenote, a type of natural limestone pool common to the area. Shortly after opening, Rosewood Mayakoba was named as Best Hotel in Mexico and ranked at #18 among the World’s Top Hotels by T+L magazine in 2009.
“The challenge for this project was maintaining a sense of place while creating a fresh, modern resort,” said Carl Ede, principal and designer for three. “We are very grateful that Travel and Leisure recognized our hard work and that guests truly enjoy these properties as much as we do.”
Nestled along the Riviera Maya, Mexico, each of Rosewood Mayakoba’s 120 rooms is surrounded by Yucatan jungle, lagoons, temperate mangroves, and white sand beaches; all of which create a sense of immersion in the surrounding flora and fauna. Depending on their guestroom location, guests can take a boat or golf cart to get to their rooms in three different areas: a lagoon unit nestled in the jungle that floats over the water on stilts, a beachfront unit which sits among the dunes, and a mangrove unit elevated with views over the beautiful mangroves. Rosewood Mayakoba is truly a one-of-a-kind resort worthy of such an award.