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TRYP by Wyndham Wellington: Interiors designed for the modern traveller

Photo of Victoria Wilkes from Outline Design

Wellington’s latest luxury hotel, TRYP by Wyndham Tory St, opened to guests early 2023. The art deco, heritage-listed hotel was an exciting development project for us – boasting 77 gorgeous hotel and studio apartments and the largest luxury penthouse in New Zealand! 

Our long term interior design partners, Outline Design, were absolutely pivotal in making sure the interiors of the hotel stayed true to their art deco roots while staying relevant to the modern traveller. With the hard design work done and TRYP by Wyndham now open, we thought it the perfect time to speak to Outline Design’s principal designer Victoria Wilkes on how she brought the art deco interiors of the hotel to life.

How did you let the respective surroundings of Tory Street Wellington inform the design of the hotel?

Inspiration was taken from the Art Deco era and the clean lines of the Chicago Style architecture of the building. The restoration of the 1930’s building was a natural fit with this style and surrounding historic buildings that enhance their individual historic character in a special way.

Image above: View of the hotel frontage on Tory St, Wellington

Images above: Hotel lobby at TRYP by Wyndham, Tory St, Wellington.

What are some of the subtle design touches in this hotel that will appeal to the modern traveller?

The design incorporates the opulence and elegance of the times with hidden gems layered into the design to entice and delight visitors. At every corner there is something to feast your eyes on including the inlaid carpet flooring, geometric wallpaper, feature lighting, detailed tiling and the golden link wrapped lift. The internal spaces that sit in the historic framework of the building give a unique spatial experience.

In your opinion, what do you think the modern traveller looks for now, design-wise, when selecting hotels?

Travellers have many options to choose from. TRYP by Wyndham Wellington aims to create an environment that has numerous special features in order to fashion memories and bring the guests back. The unique experience of the hotel entry and foyer create an easy environment to relax and enjoy with other guests. 

What specific design touches in this hotel do you consider your favourite, and why?

The layering of rich jewel colours and fabrics in the soft furnishings create a dynamic and inviting space along with the sparkle of the metallic walls, the glass chandeliers, and lift wrap. The enhancement of new and old technologies create a unique appearance.

Photo of bedroom in penthouse hotel apartment

Image above: Bedroom in the Hotel’s Penthouse Apartment

What would you say is your favourite signature TRYP design that is prevalent across all TRYP by Wyndham hotels?

Each TRYP by Wyndham hotel has a story to tell ensuring a modern urban feel heroing the building and/or the environment it sits in.  Every time you walk through a TRYP entrance it is an experience and captures the essence of its surrounding environment.

I’ve noticed that colour blocking, design motifs and bold hues are the signatures of many of the TRYP by Wyndham hotels. In this respect, how do you separate one hotel from the other? Or is the aim to make it consistent across all?

The hotels tend to be eccentric and modern. Detail, layering and bold colours enhance this feel. The unique identity does generate from the environment, through the layering process of rich materials.

Image above: Dining area in the Hotel’s Penthouse Apartment

Many people love to emulate the hotel experience at home. What design and interior advice would you give them to achieve this?

When you arrive at a hotel it evokes an excitement in you.  Key elements include the things like smell (burn a candle that creates a signature aroma in your house), lighting (soft warm lighting creates mood and a feeling of calm) , comfort (the comfort of your bed and couch need to make you not want to leave them), art (a visual tool to set the tone of your home), plants or flowers (fresh flowers or greenery finishes any space) and presentation (keep your home organised, uncluttered, this helps to lower stress levels and create decluttered hotel feel).  

All of these elements add to the experience and can easily be layered into your home.

Hotel Developers & Operators

We are very proud of our long term partnership with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. They trust us with the development and operation of their Ramada by Wyndham, TRYP by Wyndham, and La Quinta by Wyndham hotel brands, which we retain ownership of, and operate through the hotel arm of our business, Safari Hotels.