Martin Brudnizki perhaps knows better than anyone that the smallest details often leave the biggest impression. He has spent decades shaping some of the world's most celebrated hospitality spaces with his theatrical, verging-on-whimsical style and affection for layers of pattern. From London's Annabel's and The Ivy to New York's Fifth Avenue Hotel and Broadwick Soho, you might not recognize the man, but you certainly know his work.
His philosophy has been shaped by a lifetime of travel. Long before it became his profession, crossing borders was simply part of Brudnizki's upbringing. He was raised by parents who hoped between European countries, and now his career takes him around the globe in search of inspiration. Yet despite the miles, he's increasingly aware of a growing uniformity in hospitality. "I want to feel that I'm in that specific place," he says. "Not somewhere interchangeable."
For our First & Lasts series, Brudnizki reflects on the hotels that changed his perspective, what it takes to impress him, and why the most memorable travel experiences are about far more than beautiful rooms.
What was the very first place you traveled to that changed your view of the world?
I saw the world when I was a very young child, because my parents would travel through Germany and Europe. My father fled communist Poland because he wanted to travel, and he was a keen traveler from a very young age, so it was very much part of how we lived. I didn’t see [travel] as something odd or extraordinary; it was just something we did.
See also: Ian Somerhalder on Travel, Bourbon, and Flying His First Airplane
What was the very first hotel you heard about that wowed you, and why?
It was probably the Ambassador in New York. It was this new type of hotel when it opened. It was simple, elegant, modern, but not cold. There was a comfortable modernism to it.
The lobby was also very interesting. You couldn’t really be there unless you were staying there. It created a whole new idea of how you approached a hotel, who could be there – and who couldn’t. They managed to create this aura around it, and everyone wanted in.
What’s the first thing you notice when you check into a new hotel?
Always the entrance, because that sets the tone for the property. It’s important that it’s well-lit and easy to find the reception.
In the room, the first thing I notice is usually how annoying the lighting system is and if it’s overly complicated. And also whether the hooks are in the right place in the bathroom to hang your towel after a shower. It’s all in the details.
What was your most recent trip, and what did you take away from it?
I was in Asia last week: Tokyo, Japan, and Taiwan. I stayed in lots of different hotels. That wasn’t the reason we were there, but it was interesting to see how similar hotels are now. There’s this international hotel style with a little bit of local art added in to create a sense of place.
Generally, they were very comfortable. Everything worked well, and the systems weren’t too complicated. But I noticed this global hotel style that now prevails - modernism with a few quirky details relating to the country.
I’ve always believed hotels need to feel very local. If I stay somewhere, I want to feel where I am. I want to feel that I’m in that specific place – not somewhere interchangeable. That sense of place is very important, and eventually I think it will filter through to hotel brands. It’ll just take time.
See also: Marie-Louise Sciò on Hotels, Travel Memories, and Her Non-Negotiable Check-Out Ritual
What was the last meal that truly blew you away?
We went to a restaurant in Kyoto called Ten-you. I recognize exceptional food when I taste it, and this was exceptional. But it was everything together – the food, the service, the view.
I probably travel too much and eat at far too many restaurants. That can take some of the joy out of it. But some of the best experiences are actually very simple. When you’re on holiday with friends, having a wonderful time, the food can be simple but still unforgettable.
At the end of May, we went to Greece with friends; we’ve been many times. We rented an Airbnb on Hydra, and there’s this beach restaurant, which used to be called the Four Seasons, now Bellevalia Hydra, and it’s the best Greek food.
That’s probably the closest to being blown away – because you’re with friends, eating wonderful food, sitting by the beach with an incredible view, blue sky, sunshine.
When was the last time you fully relaxed?
I’m looking forward to the day when I can! There’s always something [to do]. It’s not only work, but it’s also things like my garden. I’m a bit like my mother – I always need to be doing something.
If you had to plan one last journey, what would you eat, where would you stay, and what experience would you do?
That’s a tricky one. It depends on the time of year. If it were early summer, I’d probably go to Italy and stay with friends in Tuscany or at Le Sirenuse Positano. There’s a restaurant there that’s exceptional in terms of service, food, and view. Then every day I’d spend the whole day on a boat at sea, looking back at the town.
