RESORT RHETORIC

Architects are designing resorts that are upping the ante with their décor-led aesthetic and unique vibes.

- By Bindu Gopal Rao

Resorts are designed for people to relax and enjoy, so they feel very different from homes or offices.

Architects weigh in.

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

Resort architecture is inherently different from other spatial typologies because it is less about transient functionality and more about immersive storytelling. Every resort carries a backstory, an essence of place, culture, or landscape, that must be woven seamlessly into the guest journey. From the moment a guest arrives to the time they depart, the design must communicate a narrative that resonates, transforms perspectives, and leaves a lasting imprint. Amey Dahanukar, Principal Architect, ARA Designs, explains, “Unlike hotels, where efficiency, scale, and standardised luxury often take precedence, resorts demand a heightened focus on individuality, intimacy, and seclusion. They must respond to the unique context of their location, whether through materiality, spatial planning, or cultural symbolism, while creating an experience rooted in outdoor living and connection with nature. In this sense, resort design is about looking inward as much as outward: understanding the unique story the land must tell and translating that into a distinctive identity and USP that elevates the project beyond just hospitality into a place of memory and meaning.

DESIGN NARRATIVE