Kayak

Furniture in the guestrooms and suites is low-slung and relaxed, with reverent nods to Quaker John Collins and the mercantile baskets he once floated on the city’s canal

On arrival at the lobby living room, guests check in at a streamlined self-service kiosk backed by a tile mural that references Kayak’s branding, led by Aleks Safarova. “The abstract graphic patterns we developed for the brand and collateral are inspired by the Art Deco building and the architecture of Kayak Miami Beach,” Bukovec adds of the motifs that appear everywhere, from this mural to hotel stationery and pool towels. “That language works really well with the geometric logo and also takes visual cues from the aerial crop views you see from a plane, reflecting Kayak’s origins in flights.” Another key design element is Kayak’s signature orange, used in a way that Safarova and Bukovec describe as more “mature.”

In the 52 guestrooms and suites, furniture is low-slung and relaxed, with reverent nods to Quaker Collins and the mercantile baskets he floated on the canal. Retro Marshall speakers hook up to guests’ personal devices, while plantation shutters and Art Deco light fixtures are a sure reminder that this is Miami Beach. Suites located on the rooftop – ranging from one to two bedrooms plus lounges – enjoy terraces and access to a private pool bar. But the most innovative part of the design is, of course, Kayak’s in-room app. Accessed through the TV rather than a nondescript courtesy tablet, the app offers the aforementioned guest conveniences while truly engaging them with their neighbourhood – a key objective for both Life House and Kayak.

The hotel’s dining venue, Leyla, channels Life House CEO Rami Zeidan’s Middle Eastern background and takes inspiration from the Persian love story of Leyla and Majnoon, two star-crossed lovers who would meet in secret against the will of their families. “Layla is the manifestation of a story that our guests can feel connected to when they’re with us. It’s not just about the menu or the DJ, it’s about cultivating a sense of place and belonging,” says Zeidan. Life House Food & Beverage Director, Daniel Levine, also of Middle Eastern origin, explains: “The inspiration around this restaurant wasn’t

necessarily the cuisine of the Levant, but rather their dining culture. Through my many trips to Israel, I was most impressed with the way people dine and how their cuisine encourages human connection. Ultimately our goal at Layla is to facilitate that connection. We put together a beautiful cocktail programme, a shareable menu and obsessively curated the ambiance to help people connect with one another.”

Set among soaring ceilings and with a sprawling outdoor terrace overlooking the Collins Canal, Leyla features Bedouin-style carpets and lush greenery, recalling an idyllic meeting spot for the two lovers. As a tribute to their clandestine encounters, an invitation-only rooftop garden-bar is accessible via a moody secret staircase, adding to the allure of the venue and echoing Kayak’s sense of adventure.

Rather than rest on the laurels of their interactive guest experience, Kayak sees this hotel as more of a testing ground for new technology. “This is a tech-centric design lab where technology and great design are not mutually exclusive, but rather complement each other,” Hafner explains. “Our guests have the unique opportunity to influence how we move forward. We want everyone who stays with us to give feedback about what they liked – or what we could be better – in the form of lab results. Since it’s our property, we can control the speed of innovation,” he adds. As such, the brand will not only continue to develop the Accommodation Operating System for its own hotels – of which Hafner promises there will be many more – but is also looking to make this software accessible to smaller properties. “The big hotel chains have been working on this tech for years and we look forward to levelling the playing field for independent hotels,” Hafner concludes. There’s no escaping the fact that technology will be an integral part of the future. But it’s heartening to know that innovation can still coexist with, and indeed perpetuate a sense of adventure and authenticity. EXPRESS CHECK-OUT Operator: Kayak, Life House Interior Design: Life House www.kayakmb.com