Constantly evolving, the interior design sector for hotels and restaurants brings together hoteliers, restaurateurs, investors, interior designers, and architects who daily shape hospitality design. Contract trade fairs serve as crucial meeting points for professionals and companies, addressing the need for specific design solutions. Among these, Interihotel has established itself as a benchmark European event in the sector, with its latest edition in Barcelona reaffirming its significance.
The fifteenth edition of interihotel, once again supported by Roca Group as Global Sponsor, was hosted by Fira Barcelona – Gran Via. The event recorded impressive figures, both in terms of exhibitors and professional visitors, with over 11,675 participants from 53 countries and a significant volume of identified business opportunities. Satisfaction among the 291 exhibiting brands was palpable, testifying to the platform’s effectiveness in connecting supply and demand for innovative solutions for hotels and restaurants. Among the prominent names present, we noted the elegance of Italian companies Pedrali and Talenti, the versatile solutions from IKEA, the contemporary design of Kave Home, and the refined proposals from the Spanish brand Palmira, alongside numerous other key players in the sector.
However, beyond the numbers and commercial opportunities, the most captivating aspect of Interihotel 2025 was the meticulous curation and profound insights offered by its cultural spaces and content program. The Forum provided a calendar of high-level conferences, debates, and workshops, with 185 speakers who enlivened the discussions.
Among the most authoritative voices were luminaries such as Tom Dixon, Peter Bundgaard (Space Copenhagen), Luca Pronzato (We Are Ona), Andrés Reisinger (Reisinger Studio), Álvaro Catalán de Ocón (Spanish National Design Award 2023), Inés Miró-Sans (Casa Bonay), Cristina Carulla, and Natali Canas (El Equipo Creativo). These experts explored future trends, innovation, and challenges in hospitality design, offering valuable insights and cutting-edge visions. But it was primarily through the Craft Lab and the Concept Rooms that Interihotel managed to elevate the trade fair experience into an engaging occasion.
Craft Lab: the artisanal soul of contemporary design
The Craft Lab proved to be a hotbed of innovation, fostering a profound dialogue between contemporary craftsmanship, material innovation, and hospitality design. Curated by Tachy Mora, a journalist and curator specializing in design and architecture, this space highlighted the extraordinary ability of artisans and creators to transform traditional techniques into bold and functional proposals, perfectly adapted to the needs of hotels and restaurants.
The exhibition, titled “Towards a New Space Articulation,” explored how contemporary craftsmanship can redefine spaces, establishing authentic connections with local culture. It showcased how many artists and designers are drawing from the world of artisanal techniques and materials, both by developing their own skills and by collaborating with master artisans. The result was interventions that went beyond utilitarian or decorative dimensions, embracing more experimental and complex expressions, with a clear intention of spatial connection through installations, large-format pieces, or unique compositions.
Among the exhibited works, we saw “Azulejazo” by DelAmorYlaBelleza (Carlos Jiménez Cenamor), experimental ceramics playing with randomness; “Mare & Tuna Ex Machina” by Sagarminaga Atelier, kinetic and mobile sculptures made from natural fibers; the large “Frafra” tapestry by Álvaro Catalán de Ocón, inspired by traditional Ghanaian architecture; the “Piel de Mouro” collection by Raúl Mouro, stoneware ceramics with local stones and clays; the “Armonía” luminous sculptures by Natalia Gaminde, blending artisanal tradition and contemporary language; “Un Lugar Donde Parar” by Regina Dejiménez, a textile sensory architecture; and “Panta Rei – Todo Fluye” by ELIURPI (Elisabet Urpí Ràfols and Nacho Umpiérrez Fripp), luminous raffia sculptures inspired by the flow of the Mediterranean. Each piece told a story of mastery, research, and a deep connection to the territory and materials.
The Concept Rooms: the future of hospitality experience
The Concept Rooms, developed by studios ILV (led by Isabel López Vilalta) and PhiBa Architecture, offered a glimpse into the future of hospitality, drawing inspiration respectively from Mercer Hoteles and MedPlaya Hotels. These experiential spaces were the result of a design thinking process aimed at generating new knowledge on how interior design can meet the needs of new guest profiles. The objective was to analyze usability, user interaction with objects, and emotional response to interior design through neuromarketing techniques.
The ILV Concept Room, inspired by Mercer Hoteles’ Cal Duc estate, presented a sophisticated yet understated space. The design, which evoked the wine-making tradition and the Mediterranean landscape, utilized natural materials (wood, stone, lime paints) and an earthy color palette. The aim was to offer discreet and welcoming luxury, blending simplicity and elegance for an immersive and authentic experience.
