The ‘living legend’ Jean-Michel Gathy is the genius behind the most iconic luxury hotel and resort designs in the world. An award-winning architect and interior designer with more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Jean-Michel Gathy is one of the big three core architects – alongside the late Ed Tuttle and the late Kerry Hill – who established the DNA blueprint of Aman Resorts from its formative days to present glory. The go-to name for innovative and forward-thinking designs in luxury hospitality, Jean-Michel Gathy has amassed a celebrated portfolio of iconic projects, including the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool in Singapore; the crowning glory of Aman New York, carved out of the fourth to 26th stories of the Crown Building on the coveted Fifth Avenue; and the recent launch of Jumeirah Bali in July 2023, an opulent sanctuary of tropical modernism perched atop the cliffs of Uluwatu.
His upcoming projects for 2024 include the launch of One&Only One Za’abeel Dubai, the first-ever vertical urban resort from ultra-luxury hospitality brand One&Only; Cheval Blanc Seychelles in the heart of the Indian Ocean as the sixth Cheval Blanc Maison; Aman Nai Lert, entwined with the exceptional legacy of Thailand’s revered Nai Lert family and located within the historical Nai Lert Park; and Aman’s sister brand, Janu Tokyo, with the promise of delivering harmony through balance to the city’s new dynamic heart in Azabudai Hills.
Across Gathy’s prominent projects, one enduring element of luxury that remains across is what he defines as comfort, and this is intimately linked to his approach to designing for hospitality. His foundational desire for comfort has shaped his design process, and through his experiences, sought to create a level of comfort reminiscent of a home away from home. From Tokyo to Seychelles, we unveil four iconic hotel openings, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, for 2024:
Janu Tokyo – Translated as ‘soul’ in Sanskrit, Janu Tokyo opening in March 2024 will deliver a spirited social scene in contrast to sister brand Aman’s whisper-quiet seclusion, designed to offer balance between personal fulfilment and relaxation, imbuing an energy that appeals to those desiring greater purpose and inner contentment. Designed under the leadership of Gathy, Janu Tokyo will reflect and celebrate the city’s rich, cultural fabric, exuding the brand’s signature energy inspired by connection, balance and exploration.
Aman Nai Lert Bangkok – Featuring the 52-suite Aman Nai Lert Bangkok hotel, Aman Residences and a newly confirmed Aman Club, the property anticipated to open in 2024 will be nestled in the tropical gardens of the historic Nai Lert Park in the heart of Bangkok. Drawing upon the rich tapestry of influences at Nai Lert Park Heritage Home and capturing the essence of Aman’s long-standing commitment to celebrating the local culture and heritage, Gathy imbues Aman Nai Lert Bangkok’s design with Aman’s signature aesthetic of refined elegance, simplicity and purposeful restraint, utilising natural textures and materials throughout to create a contemporary urban sanctuary.
Cheval Blanc Seychelles – Conceived as a “Home”, the newest Cheval Blanc opening in Q3 2024 is designed as an ode to creole traditions, paying homage to its natural surroundings. The Maison will offer 52 villas, each with a private swimming pool, and beautiful beachfront, hillside, or tropical jungle views. Set along the southwestern coast of Mahé Island, Anse Intendance beach offers a sweeping, pristine setting for the Cheval Blanc art de vivre, giving pride of place to artists from the majestic sculpture Centauresse by Prune Nourry, to the five-part creative composition of culinary arts by the Cheval Blanc team and a collection of Guerlain well-being rituals at the Spa Cheval Blanc.
One&Only One Za’abeel Dubai (pictured) – Located in the beating heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities and the first-ever vertical urban resort from ultra-luxury hospitality brand One&Only, the just opened One&Only One Za’abeel Dubai is an architectural icon that connects the untold charms of Dubai with the palpable energy of the most futuristic city on Earth. Gathy’s vision for the resort takes inspiration from the Za’abeel location, meaning ‘white sand’ in the local Emirati dialect, with Za’abeel’s soulful narrative intuitively woven into the fabric of the resort, its soothing neutral color palette and subtle sand motifs detailed in the textiles, artwork and sculptural lighting.
