Independent Hotel Show names design partners for 2026 Olympia London edition

# What happened Show has announced the four design studios selected to build its feature spaces for the 2026 event at Olympia London (5–6 October). The theme is "Shaping Tomorrow." Each studio will create a distinct environment aimed at demonstrating practical design ideas hoteliers can adapt in their properties.

# Who's designing which space

• Obradov Studio: Will deliver the Innovation Stage with sponsorship by Agilysys, Airwave and Aphy. The design originally premiered at the Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam and will be adapted for London. Decospan is providing the back wall, Van Besouw has designed a bespoke carpet, and Artimo is supplying the curtain. Jelena Obradov described the concept as feeling "almost like opening a jewellery box" with deep green tones and layered materials to create a theatrical moment.

• Design Command: Charged with the Social Business Space (in partnership with Zennio). The layout is explicitly flexible, offering standing tables for quick exchanges, dining tables for working or eating, and softer seating—sofas, armchairs and poufs—for longer meetings. Suppliers include Newmor, Leta, Balsan, Contessa Curtains, Franklite, Meganite and Ivy Cru. Clare McDonald said the space uses a calming palette and textured mural to create warmth, character and individuality.

• TUNTU: Leading concept and sensory design for the members suite. The approach combines natural materials, concealed technology, sound, lighting, scent and large-scale visual content. Kirsi Ihalainen framed the direction as creating "more feeling with less noise," describing a luxury that relies on intelligent sensory curation rather than added visual complexity.

# Additional installation Furnishing Futures, a charity partner of the show, will create a high-end bedroom installation that demonstrates how interiors can support its work furnishing homes for women and children escaping domestic abuse.

# Why this matters for hoteliers The show's curated environments aim to do more than display products. The designs model concrete approaches hotels can apply: using recycled materials in feature lighting, creating adaptable social spaces that serve multiple functions, transporting adaptable stage concepts between markets, and applying sensory design that integrates technology discreetly. The installations also link design choices to social impact through Furnishing Futures' bedroom.

# Event context and organisers Brokers for the 2026 edition. David Todd, event director for the Independent Hotel Show, said this year's partners responded to the theme with "four highly distinctive concepts" that explore sustainability, adaptability, technology and sensory experience and that the show should inspire the hotel community through the environments visitors spend time in.

# Practical takeaway If you attend the show, expect to see applied design examples you can adapt: layered architectural stages, jewel-toned theatrical staging, flexible social-meeting furniture schemes and sensory-led suites that hide technology while shaping guest experience. The Furnishing Futures bedroom offers a model for how design can address social needs within hospitality programming.