WATG & Wimberly Interiors secure top honors at the 2024 LIV Hospitality Design Awards

WATG & Wimberly Interiors is proud to have been recognised at the fifth edition of the prestigious LIV Hospitality Design Awards. Securing top honours across multiple categories—including the coveted titles of “Jury’s Top Pick in Villa”, “Destination Winner for Asia”, and “Destination Winner for the Middle East”, the announcement marks a momentous achievement as WATG commemorates its milestone 80th anniversary this year.

Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and Nawayef Villas stood out as exemplars of architectural and interior design excellence, securing multiple honours across the “Architecture – Living Space” and “Interior Design – Living Space” categories:

Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts (Bali, Indonesia)
• Architecture – Living Space, Destination Winner for Asia
• Interior Design – Living Space – Jury’s Top Pick in Asia
• Interior Design – Living Space – Renovation
• Architecture – Living Space, Landscape Design

Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (JiuZhaiGou, Sichuan, China)
• Architecture – Living Space, Destination Winner for Asia
• Architecture – Living Space, Resort – Luxury
• Architecture – Living Space, Mountain Destination

Nawayef Villas (Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
• Architecture – Living Space, Jury’s Top Pick in Villa
• Interior Design – Living Space, Destination Winner for The Middle East
• Architecture – Living Space, Villa

Deepu Mahboobani, Principal & Studio Director of Wimberly Interiors, shared her insights on the award winning Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts, “The narrative we’ve crafted for Umana Bali is one of harmony, reflecting the island’s traditions while offering a contemporary sanctuary for guests. By highlighting local craftsmanship and culture within a luxury framework, we have created an enriching dialogue between the resort and the community. The consistent recognition for our work in Bali is a testament to the success of our design solutions which prioritises all stakeholders to thrive.”

“Receiving these prestigious LIV Awards is a proud moment for Umana Bali, reaffirming our dedication to thoughtful design, cultural authenticity, and immersive experiences. These accolades celebrate our vision of creating a sanctuary where architecture, nature, and heritage come together seamlessly. This recognition inspires us to continue crafting meaningful spaces that honour Bali’s rich traditions while redefining luxury hospitality,” commented Serpil Guney, General Manager of Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts.

Chiara Calufetti-Lim, Principal & Studio Director of Architecture, commented on the victory of Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, “A poetically-expressed sense of place, escapism into the quietude, and reconnection with oneself—these form the essence of a Ritz-Carlton Reserve resort, which we believe is perfectly encapsulated in the design of Rissai Valley. We are thrilled to once again receive recognition for this award-winning architectural project.”

“I’m truly honored to receive this prestigious architecture award on behalf of our hotel. This recognition not only highlights the beauty and innovation of our hotel design but also acknowledges the effort and passion that went into creating a unique and memorable experience for our guests. Taking this great opportunity to extend the congratulations also to our architectural company WATG – your creativity and expertise have transformed a concept into a breathtaking luxurious reality. Your attention to detail, innovative ideas, and commitment to excellence have set the standard for what our hotel represents today. Last but not least, on this occasion, I wish WATG a happy 80th anniversary and continues to create incredible masterpieces,” added Gin Hu, General Manager of Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

Ian Simpson, Principal & Studio Director of Architecture, commented on Nawayef Villas’ win, “Our design approach for the Nawayef Villas has been driven by a strong narrative of time and place. We have stayed true to our legacy as hospitality designers with eight decades of experience crafting spaces rooted in memories, journeys, and a sense of discovery, all while catering to today’s increasingly global and discerning Emirati clientele. This project also exemplifies the power of integrated design, where our architecture and interior studios seamlessly collaborate to achieve both harmony and efficiency, culminating in an award-winning design solution for our visionary client, Modon.”

Matt Sullivan, Executive Director, Design of Modon said, “WATG’s design responds beautifully to the unique topography of Modon’s Nawayef Hills project, affording the villa owner a unique living experience with stunning views across Abu Dhabi. The building form and material selection perfectly balance privacy with panoramic views, whilst internal spaces offer a wide range of beautifully proportioned formal entertaining and informal living spaces. The WATG team thoroughly deserve recognition for this stunning example of residential architecture.”

Paul O’Brian, Chief Development Officer at Modon said, “We at Modon are committed to creating iconic designs and experiences for living, leisure and business that continually surpass expectations. Modon are extremely proud of the stunning Nawayef villa designs at Hudayriyat and the successful partnership with WATG whose exceptional talent and dedication have been rightfully recognised with these three prestigious awards, including the exclusive Jury’s Pick accolade from the LIV Hospitality Design Awards. These top-tier honours underscore the outstanding contributions made in the design of our villas at Nawayef on Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi, meticulously designed to elevate the living experience. We look forward to continuing this fruitful collaboration to achieve even greater heights together.”

Since its founding in 1945, WATG has remained committed to delivering distinctive, timeless, and operationally sound designs — creating destinations that offer enduring value for not only clients but also for generations to come. These prestigious wins underscore the firm’s expertise in crafting unforgettable hospitality spaces worldwide. Through collaboration with visionary clients who share a passion for originality and authentic hospitality, WATG continually redefines luxury and sets new industry benchmarks in elevating guest experience.