Dining as Storytelling | Hotel ICON

Entrant

Design Team of Campus Development Office, PolyU

Category

Interior Design - Restaurant Design

Country / Region

Hong Kong SAR

Year

2026

Collection:
  • Silver Winner
  • Interior Design
  • Restaurant Design

ABOUT

Dining as storytelling transforms a dining experience into an unforgettable journey by connecting food with heritage, memory, and emotion.
As a distinguished property owned by PolyU and recently honored with the prestigious One MICHELIN Key, Hotel ICON embodies a distinctive identity where pedagogical excellence, cutting-edge design, and institutional legacy converge to create a hospitality destination of profound character.
Blending traditional elements with a contemporary aesthetic, Hotel Icon Chinese cuisine Above and Beyond presents a newly renovated Chinese private dining room that reimagines the guest journey through the rich heritage of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).
Celebrating the Heritage of PolyU and HOTEL ICON
The journey begins in a galleria space, thoughtfully designed as a visual introduction to PolyU heritage where curated imagery is framed by custom-built picture frames with refined craftsmanship. Continuing the narrative, the experience culminates in the arrival of the private dining rooms through a series of welcoming, iconic archways—a transition that signals both warmth and occasion.
Each private dining room is themed around one of four defining milestone dates in PolyU’s history: (1) 1937 — Origin of PolyU heritage; (2) 1972— Establishment of The Hong Kong Polytechnic; (3) 1994— The Hong Kong Polytechnic officially became an university; and (4) 2011 — Establishment of Hotel Icon, the world’s first fully integrated teaching and research hotel, owned by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. A fifth dining room, the U Room, expands the storytelling experience with a dedicated interpretation of PolyU’s evolving spirit.
Reimagining PolyU DNA
Designed to echo PolyU’s architectural accents, all rooms draw inspiration from distinctive forms and spatial cues, including the waffle-slab inspired ceiling design, grid patterning, archway and geometry, and other signature elements that translate institutional heritage into an intimate hospitality setting.
The design also prioritizes guest comfort and timelessness. The interiors are carefully composed to create a calm, inviting atmosphere, while aesthetically framing both city and sea views to enhance the sense of place. With a cohesive spatial narrative—from heritage galleria to iconic archway arrival—this renovation offers an immersive dining environment that celebrates PolyU’s legacy through architecture-led storytelling and contemporary refinement.
Furthermore, the spaces are designed with unparalleled versatility, elegantly adapting to host a variety of functions—from sumptuous banquets and intellectual seminars to corporate meetings and intimate wedding ceremonies—ensuring that every occasion is imbued with the same spirit of heritage and sophistication.

Address

Room 517, 5/F, Block Z, , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, nil Hong Kong, Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR

2026
Hospitality Design
ONE HEART ONE ART DESIGN/ Ouyang, MUSE Hotel Awards Winner

Entrant

中装汇文(北京)文化有限公司

Category

Interior Design - Boutique Hotel Interior

Country / Region

China

MUSE Hotel Silver Winner - ONE HEART ONE ART DESIGN/ Ouyang
2026
Hotel
The Shilla Hotels & Resorts, MUSE Hotel Awards Winner

Entrant

The Shilla hotel and Resort

Category

Hotel - Coastal Hotel

Country / Region

South Korea

MUSE Hotel Platinum Winner - The Shilla Hotels & Resorts
2026
Hotel
Aliba Hotel, MUSE Hotel Awards Winner

Entrant

Aliba Hotel

Category

Hotel - City Hotel

Country / Region

Turkey

MUSE Hotel Gold Winner - Aliba Hotel
2026
Hotel
Grand Hotels Management and Marketing OOD - BG206072108, MUSE Hotel Awards Winner

Entrant

Grand Hotel Therme

Category

Hotel - New Category

Country / Region

Bulgaria

MUSE Hotel Gold Winner - Grand Hotels Management and Marketing OOD - BG206072108