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Hot Openings: Mozambique hotel melds cultural influences

Pulling together multiple cultures, influences or aesthetics has become par for the course in hospitality design. From East-meets-West style narratives to ones that tell a strictly local tale with a few global touches, synthesis has never been hotter.

For the launch of the 185-key Avani Pemba Beach Hotel & Spa in Mozambique, the vision board not only included African and Arabian accents, but also the creation of spaces that keep a contemporary feel without losing a traditional sensibility.

The architecture provides the framework for that. Arched windows and doorways evoke classic Moorish buildings. Rich wood doors, stair rails and partitions add a more natural element.

For the design, the key was retaining both cultures’ distinct visual identity without overwhelming the eye. Mostly bare, neutral walls help keep the statement from feeling claustrophobic. Delicate pendant lights provide elegant illumination. Decorative pieces resemble African drums. Ornate chests ground the entryway.

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