Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Millennium
The Millenium Hotel is located in the second holiest city in Islam, which makes it a truly unique destination hotel. The property overlooksvery holy sites within the city, which instills a very clear sense of place and purpose. The design direction creates a contemporary hotel with subliminal Arabic references. Surface materials typically seen in contemporary interiors, such as stone, metal, tile, and glass provided high style as well as durability. Pathways and door openings were sized more generously than usual, and loose furnishings were kept to a minimum to allow maximum flow through the public areas at prayer periods. The Lobby and Pastry Café were rendered in high gloss white mosaic floors, floor-to-ceiling antiqued mirror panels with heavy beveling, dark exotic wood veneers, and heavy open latticework ceilings painted bright white. The seating is highly contemporized and upholstered in lush leathers and mohairs. The space is hig lighted by open ceiling areas punctuated with clusters of traditional Arabic pendants of black and gold metal, with accents of indirect lighting throughout the space. The overall effect is quite striking in its simplicity.