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
Lola 41, MUSE Hotel Awards Winner

Entrant

EMBARC

Category

Interior Design - Restaurant Design

Country / Region

United States

MUSE Hotel Silver Winner - Lola 41
2026
Hospitality Design
DLR Group, MUSE Hotel Awards Winner

Entrant

DLR Group

Category

Interior Design - Restaurant Design

Country / Region

United States

MUSE Hotel Gold Winner - DLR Group
2026
Hotel
Aliba Hotel, MUSE Hotel Awards Winner

Entrant

Aliba Hotel

Category

Hotel - New Category

Country / Region

Turkey

MUSE Hotel Gold Winner - Aliba Hotel
2026
Hospitality Design
Wanqianji Environmental Art Design Company, MUSE Hotel Awards Winner

Entrant

中装汇文(北京)文化有限公司

Category

Interior Design - Resort Hotel Design

Country / Region

China

MUSE Hotel Gold Winner - Wanqianji Environmental Art Design Company