The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2025 - Issue 38

Samantha Morgan learns of three exceptional new hotel openings created by renowned architect Jean-Michel Gathy. bitetravel Jean-Michel Gathy’s BEST OPENINGS OF 2025 F ollowing the highly anticipated opening of Cheval Blanc Seychelles last December, and the two excep- tional Aman Nai Lert Bangkok in April and Aman Rosa Alpina in the Dolomites in July, Jean-Michel Gathy’s visionary designs have transformed some of the world’s most coveted destinations over the last 12 months. The award‑winning designer and architectural legend, principal designer at Denniston, is responsible for creat- ing some of the world’s most luxurious hotels for Aman, One&Only, Cheval Blanc, Mandarin Oriental and more. Through these latest design masterpieces, Gathy has con- tinued his commitment to elevating hotel architecture and design to game‑changing new levels. Born in Belgium in 1955, Gathy discovered his passion for geography and architecture at a young age, inspired by numerous family trips. By the age of nine, he had already been entrusted with organising family holidays, planning journeys across Europe, and identifying the structures, villages and landscapes emblematic of each country they visited. After graduating in 1978, he left Belgium for Asia in 1981, where he has now lived for more than four decades. In 1983, he founded Denniston, an architecture office spe- cialising in innovative design for top‑tier hotels, residences and hospitality projects. Through its forward‑thinking approach to architecture, design and evolving technology, Denniston has maintained its position as a market leader, consistently recognised for the success and influence of the establishments it creates. Over the years, Denniston and Gathy have become reference points within the global hotel sector, with their projects widely published worldwide as testament to the reliability, creativity and quality of their work. Jean‑Michel is frequently invited to speak at professional conferenc- es and serves as a jury member for international design awards, further cementing his role as a leading voice in the industry. In 2006, he was inducted into the ‘Platinum Circle of Hospitality Design’, an honour reserved for industry figures whose careers and achievements have made a significant impact on the world of hotel design. In May 2019, His Majesty Philippe, King of Belgium, conferred upon him the title of Officer of the Order of the Crown in recogni- tion of his professional accomplishments and service to Belgium. Most recently, in September 2022, he received the Outstanding Contribution Award of the hotel industry, acknowledging his enduring influence and exceptional body of work.