DESIGN PARTNERSHIP WINS FOR BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT INTERIOR
Design Partnership has received global recognition at the International Hotel Awards and African Hotel Awards for its captivating design of the spectacular Blue Marlin Restaurant at Beachcomber Paradis in Le Morne, Mauritius. This puts the team at the forefront of international design excellence.
The Blue Marlin restaurant at the 70 year old resort weaves the place’ s heritage into every detail. The reef off of Le Morne Peninsula has historically been a home for large game fish, most notably the Blue Marlin, with the main jetty historically used by fishermen to weigh their catch. It is a place filled with memories of a crowd welcoming the anglers while impatiently waiting for the exciting stories of the day’ s catch.
The space had lost its appeal with guests and staff, turning into a generic dining area similar to any other resort. Design Partnership saw an opportunity to revive its relevance and use it as a storytelling device to create a unique brand narrative. The iconic Blue Marlin, often known as an aggressive hunter who lives in solitude, inspired the design physically and metaphorically.
The carpentry and timber furniture feature bent and smoothed edges, evoking the sensation of water gliding over the fish’ s back. The concept of scales is reflected in various design elements, such as the curved arches at the main entrance, the wine display cabinets and the carved-out nooks. Suspended art installations resemble the Blue Marlin rippling through water, with pools of silver, white, and blue floating overhead. The fierce thrashing of predator and prey is captured in a layered installation of colliding forms and fabrics in the foyer.
By extending the roof into the courtyard, the team significantly increased the restaurant’ s indoor seating capacity while preserving the open-air ambience. The reimagined entrance was also key. Relocating the entrance to create a welcoming courtyard between the bar and restrooms and adding a new lobby space created an opportunity to showcase the restaurant’ s impressive wine collection. Every detail, from the selection of colours and materials to the architectural forms, furniture, and local art, was meticulously chosen to weave a cohesive and compelling narrative. The restaurant re-establishes its identity as a unique, culturally significant dining destination.
A huge collaborative effort with Design Partnership, Pangea Group( Architects Studio) and Beachcomber has led to this incredible space.
Interior Watch 101