Spinola Hotel
When we were commissioned to design Spinola Hotel, the vision was clear from the very beginning, to create a cohesive hospitality experience through architecture, interiors, and lighting. Commercial Lighting Design played a fundamental role in shaping the identity of the hotel, guiding guests through each space while enhancing both function and atmosphere.
From the façade to the rooftop pool, every area was carefully considered to ensure a seamless narrative throughout the entire property.
Designing the Façade – First Impressions Matter
The façade sets the tone for the entire guest experience. In hospitality design, lighting is not only about visibility, it is about presence and identity.
For Spinola Hotel, the façade lighting was designed to create impact while remaining elegant and refined. Architectural lines were accentuated through controlled illumination, highlighting depth and structure without overwhelming the building’s character. The lighting strategy ensured the hotel stands out at night while maintaining a sophisticated aesthetic that complements its surroundings.
A well-designed façade becomes a landmark, recognisable, inviting, and memorable.
Reception Area – Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere
The reception is the heart of any hotel. It is the first interior space guests encounter, and it sets the emotional tone for their stay.
In the reception area, we focused on layered lighting:
- Ambient lighting for warmth and comfort
- Accent lighting to highlight textures and design details
- Feature lighting to create a statement focal point
The goal was to balance elegance with approachability. Soft, carefully calibrated lighting temperatures were selected to enhance materials and finishes while ensuring guests feel relaxed and welcomed from the moment they step inside.
Restaurant Area – Atmosphere Through Light
Lighting in hospitality dining spaces must be adaptable and atmospheric. In the restaurant area, the lighting design enhances the dining experience by creating intimacy while maintaining clarity.
Strategically placed lighting highlights table settings, textures, and architectural features, while indirect lighting adds depth to the space. The result is a balanced environment that transitions beautifully from daytime brightness to evening ambience.
Good Commercial Lighting Design in restaurants is subtle, guests may not notice it directly, but they certainly feel its impact.
Rooftop Pool Area – Elevated Experience
The pool area at the top of the hotel required a completely different lighting approach. Outdoor hospitality lighting must be both functional and experiential.
Soft perimeter lighting, discreet architectural illumination, and carefully positioned fixtures were used to create a luxurious evening atmosphere. Reflections on water surfaces were considered in the design to enhance movement and visual interest. The lighting ensures safety while transforming the rooftop into an elegant night-time destination.
This area was designed to feel exclusive, calm, and refined.
Corridors – Guiding the Journey
Corridors in hotels are transitional spaces, yet they are crucial to the overall experience. Poor lighting can make them feel narrow or impersonal.
At Spinola Hotel, corridor lighting was designed to guide movement while maintaining comfort. Recessed fixtures and soft wall illumination create rhythm and continuity. The lighting subtly directs guests toward their rooms, maintaining visual interest without overwhelming the space.
Every journey through the hotel feels intentional and cohesive.
Typical Room – Comfort and Functionality
In the typical guest room, lighting must support multiple functions: relaxation, reading, working, and preparing.
We implemented a layered lighting approach:
- Soft ambient lighting for overall comfort
- Bedside task lighting for functionality
- Accent lighting to enhance architectural or decorative elements
- Indirect lighting to create warmth and depth
The aim was to create a calm, welcoming retreat. Guests should feel at ease the moment they enter the room, comfortable lighting is essential to achieving this.
Commercial Lighting Design – A Cohesive Vision
Spinola Hotel demonstrates how Commercial Lighting Design goes beyond technical planning. It is about storytelling, atmosphere, and cohesion.
Each area, façade, reception, restaurant, rooftop pool, corridors, and guest rooms, was designed to feel connected. Materials, lighting temperatures, fixture styles, and spatial rhythm all follow a unified concept. The lighting enhances architectural features, defines zones, and shapes the guest experience from arrival to departure.
This project reflects our commitment to designing hospitality spaces where light is not an afterthought, but a defining element of the overall design language.
To explore more about this project, visit:
https://oliviaanncalleja.com/spinolahotel/
