Retro Revival: BHDM Transforms Hotel with Poolside Chic Aesthetic

New York design studio BHDM has brought a vibrant new energy to the Wild Palms Hotel in Sunnyvale, California, with a renovation that celebrates the property’s 1960s roots and the region’s sunny climate.

Part of the Hyatt portfolio, the Bay Area hotel has been reimagined with a “poolside chic” palette and a more inviting layout for guests to enjoy its indoor-outdoor lifestyle.

GALLERY  

Originally a straightforward refresh, the project quickly evolved into a comprehensive reconfiguration of the hotel’s communal spaces. Key architectural changes include the removal of the breakfast room and the expansion of the double-height lobby, resulting in a clear sightline from the reception area to the outdoor pool.

Guests now arrive into a lively, sun-drenched lobby where citrus-hued furniture sits atop a circular blue rug, under a suspended mobile of colourful, intertwining rings. The white reception desk is framed by a sculptural relief mural and sky-blue storage cabinets, with circular cut-outs on the counter filled with a gradient sunset motif.

Mid-century references are paired with a contemporary palette throughout the space. Powder-coated tubular metal chairs and large white lamps with playful ball-shaped details reinforce the nostalgic yet fresh aesthetic.

The newly designed breakfast room extends the same vibrant energy with striped chairs, banquettes fitted with power outlets for remote working, rattan pendant lighting, and beachball-inspired cushions. Tropical motifs and bold colours pop against crisp white walls and off-white tiles, adding a sense of fun and functionality throughout.

Upstairs, corridors leading to guest rooms are splashed with orange and yellow paint, while others are marked with blue tones for rooms closer to the pool. Outside, the terrace is enlivened by yellow loungers and parasols, continuing the hotel’s commitment to relaxed, sun-soaked hospitality.

BHDM’s playful yet practical redesign has turned the Wild Palms Hotel into a modern homage to mid-century California, with spaces that shift seamlessly between leisure and work — all framed by a distinctly retro charm.

Images by Garrett Rowland via Dezeen

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