Luxembourg Marriott Hotel Alfa is set to unveil its Art Deco design this Spring as it showcases the architectural, historical and cultural inspiration behind the revival of the building.
Designed by Iria Degen Interiors, the hotel is the first Marriott Hotels property in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, offering a timeless elegance as it reflects the landmark’s rich history and modern vitality.
Having officially opened as the Hotel Alfa in 1932, designed by architect Léon Bouvart, the building has been classified as a national monument since 1991, with its unique architecture and rich cultural past making it a significant part of the city’s heritage.
“We feel extremely privileged about the commission to rejuvenate such a magic place. These walls and our project tell an authentic true story with a fresh approach,” says Iria Degen, interior architect. “Art Deco being my personal favourite style period, so avant-garde and timeless, our interior intervention is entirely based on what was already there.
“It was a matter of acknowledging and respecting the existing quality we found. Through our designed spaces we are grateful to contribute to the well-being of hotel guests, but we are equally excited to give back an iconic destination to the locals.”
The interiors are a harmonious blend of historical reverence and contemporary elegance. The entire design language and colour scheme were derived naturally from the existing elements, such as the imposing façade with its decorative ornaments, the striking ceiling lights of the brasserie, the listed local paintings, and the coloured glass panes in the staircase. These elements served as sources of inspiration, providing a playful link to the hotel’s past.
The Zig Zag elements of the façade were an omnipresent theme, seamlessly integrated into the interior in various places, such as the new natural stone floor of the brasserie tiles, wallpaper and in various fabrics.
Arcs and circles are a permanent feature in patterns, graphics, furniture elements, partitions and mirrors. Original lights were reintegrated into the hotel décor, and furniture pieces like sideboards made of Palisander wood and the bar counter with natural marble stone were preserved.
A typical Art Deco font was used in the signage, and metallic accents familiar from the period can be found everywhere, including decorative metal handles, room dividers, and objects on shelves. All paintings from the period have been repositioned prominently and supplemented with local contemporary art.
The Luxembourg Marriott Hotel Alfa is also features four restored paintings by Julien Lefèvre, one of Luxembourg’s most celebrated medalists, painters and sculptors, and the son of Alfred Lefevre. These masterpieces, now gracing a meeting room, the Brasserie Alfa, the MClub and the bar artistically depict the four regions of Luxembourg: The Ardennes (Éislek), the Mining Basin (Minett), the Moselle (Musel), and the Central Region (Guttland).
Inspired by the colourfulness of Lefèvre’s works, the design incorporates numerous shades of blue, powdery pinks, soft greens, and beiges. These strong color accents are balanced by soft neutral tones, creating a full spectrum of colours in the public areas. The rooms feature petrol/blue (standard rooms) and olive/pink (suites) as the main colour accents. Dominant materials include wood, stone, metal, textiles, leather, ceramics and glass, subtly combining to represent the Art Deco era.
Furthermore, the hotel proudly showcases the works of local artists Martine Feipel and Jean Bechameil, who have crafted bespoke designs that seamlessly integrate with the Art Deco aesthetic, yet their striking white creations uniquely elevate the ambiance of the interiors.
