MILAN — What makes eating at a hotel all the more exciting? It’s a question pondered by Fettle founders Andy Goodwin and Tom Parker on the occasion of their firm’s 10th anniversary. Their London and L.A.-based interior, architecture and design studio has been creating high-end interiors for hot-spot hotels, restaurants, bars and members clubs around the world for the past decade.

Their flair for reviving the spirit of bygone landmarks with a contemporary edge has led them to a roster of projects that span the globe. Among them: Cicchetti by San Carlo in Knightsbridge, London; Mortimer House Rooftop Bar and Chucs Restaurant both in London; The Jib Door at the The Hotel Indigo in Bath, England, as well as Olivetta, The Georgian Hotel and the Draycott, all in Los Angeles.  Fettle also designed the public areas of the Hoxton in Rome, including the coffee and aperitivo bar and restaurant with a midcentury modern vibe.

Most recently, they unveiled Bar Issi at the new Thompson Hotel in Palm Springs, Calif., a restaurant and bar inspired by the iconic 1970s imagery of Mediterranean glamour. They have some exciting projects on the way, notably the winter launch of their revamp of the Sundance Mountain Resort, which Robert Redford bought and founded in 1969.

WWD chats with the L.A. to London duo:

WWD: How is designing hotel restaurants evolving, and what does creating an “experience” mean in today’s world?

Andy Goodwin: Hotel restaurants are now often stand-alone iconic spaces, attracting local communities rather than just hotel guests. The goal is to design restaurants that look outward and can thrive independently. Successful hotel food and beverage spaces feel connected to the local area while offering high quality.

Tom Parker: I think there was a long period where hotel food and beverage offerings were often looked down upon or considered secondary to stand-alone restaurants. However, over the past few years — particularly now — the quality of F&B operators within hotels has improved significantly, making them much more desirable. In fact, many of the most iconic restaurants in major cities today are located within hotels. This shift is quite recent and wasn’t as common five to 10 years ago. 

WWD: Do you work closely with chefs when designing spaces?

A.G.: Sometimes, but not always. The F&B team usually sets the brief, rather than chefs directly. However, chef-led projects are still important and require designs that meet their operational and creative needs while remaining flexible for future changes.

WWD: Tell us about the renovation of Sunset Mountain Resort in Utah. Established in 1969, Robert Redford transformed the small town by bringing the Hollywood A-list to the mountains. How will you balance that old mountain style with new conveniences?

T.P.: This project is particularly exciting for us because it’s so different from anything else in our U.S. portfolio. The design draws inspiration from iconic styles like Ralph Lauren Ranch and the rugged charm of “Yellowstone,” creating a cozy and immersive experience. During the winter, Sundance operates as a ski resort, while in the summer, it transforms into an outdoor retreat for hiking and other activities. The versatility and natural beauty of the location make it a truly special project, and we’re thrilled to contribute to the legacy of such an iconic property.

WWD: What are some other projects around the world you are working on?

A.G.: In Europe, we recently opened our first hotel project in Paris with Locke, one-of-a-kind aparthotels in London, Edinburgh and Manchester and Dublin, and we also have exciting projects like the July [aparthotels] in London and the Cicchetti in London.

WWD: Why did you decide to go into hospitality design?

A.G.: Hospitality allows us to create unique, immersive experiences within spaces. It also provides more creative freedom compared to residential projects. Plus, it’s fun to take friends to spaces we’ve designed.

T.P.: Hospitality has a dynamic pace that’s exciting — designing something from sketch to completion in under a year is exhilarating. Residential projects tend to rely heavily on personal client relationships, which can be hit or miss.

WWD: For the Hoxton Hotel for example, you imbued classic and midcentury Italian design punctuated with contemporary works of art. At the L.A. landmark, the Georgian Hotel built in 1933 hosted Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe… You infused elements from the late period West Coast Art Deco architecture as well as the rich history of the iconic building itself. How do you balance history and modernity with projects like heritage properties such as the Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica?

T.P.: It’s about striking a balance. We focus on the history of the building while working with world-class F&B operators and structuring spaces to operate in modern ways. We also account for the local food and beverage landscape to ensure the design connects with the area while giving a nod to the past.

WWD: L.A. — with landmarks such as the Bullocks building on Wilshire, the Figueroa Hotel in Downtown — the city is such a tribute to American Art Deco. Do you notice a newfound appreciation for historic spaces in L.A.?

A.G.: Definitely. L.A. has some incredible historic properties, even if they’re fewer than in cities like London. Art Deco buildings, like the Georgian and many downtown L.A. structures, showcase the variety and influence of styles, including Cuban and South American touches unique to the West Coast.

WWD: Do you think Art Deco was better translated in the United States compared to other styles?

A.G.: Yes, the U.S. took Art Deco to larger and more grandiose scales, like the iconic buildings in New York. What’s fascinating is the stylistic variety of Art Deco across the U.S. For example, L.A.’s Art Deco has more South American influences compared to the Art Deco in New York or Southern states like Texas. In many ways, some of the colors and tones in Los Angeles are similar to those found in the Art Deco palette of Miami, but the West Coast Art Deco buildings often contain more motif work and pattern. A good example of this would be something like the stunning Cal Edison building in Downtown Los Angeles.