Global hospitality continues to evolve as travellers increasingly favour experiential destinations over conventional, standardised accommodation. Across major markets, design has moved from being a supporting visual layer to the central value driver that informs guest experience, brand loyalty, and long-term revenue generation. In this landscape, interiors must be purposeful and memorable, balancing visual appeal with functionality so that the environments they create resonate long after a guest has checked out.
This idea sits at the core of the work of Grace Soh, Managing Director at David Grace Designs International (DGDI) Singapore. The interior designer’s influence is visible throughout their interior spaces within the $1.2 billion Cinnamon Life City of Dreams Sri Lanka resort, developed by John Keells Properties (JKP).DGDI was primarily responsible for interior design work on all 800 guest rooms and suites, all restaurants and bars, spas, gym, pool deck areas, in addition to providing overall input on interior design features and functionality of ballrooms and conference spaces, reception areas and other public areas.
She was also fully responsible for signage design for public areas and rooms and lighting design for all rooms /suites, restaurants, spas, and gyms.
David Grace Designs International is a multi-faceted professional interior design firm based in Singapore, led by its Principal Grace Soh. The firm is dedicated to delivering design solutions that are not only aesthetically compelling but also highly functional, enhancing the quality of life, cultural identity, and overall experience of occupants, according to Grace.
Specialising in hospitality interiors, DGDI has extensive expertise in hotels, serviced apartments, residential, and commercial developments across Asia. With more than 35 years of global hospitality design experience in leading hotel chains such as Raffles Hotels, Sofitel Legend, Ascott Group, etc., the firm consistently adds value to every partnership through a hands-on and collaborative approach. Senior Designers and the Principal are actively involved at every stage of the design process, ensuring continuity, quality control, and design integrity from concept to completion.
Committed to building successful brands and unlocking the potential of emerging hospitality concepts, Grace shares that DGDI works closely with operational teams to create innovative solutions that are timeless, elegant, and cost-conscious, delivering optimal returns for owners while maintaining a distinctive brand identity. With deep regional knowledge, cultural sensitivity, and strong technical expertise in materials and construction practices, she said the firm consistently delivers market-ready environments that are both commercially viable and design-driven.
Central to the firm’s philosophy is the belief that interior environments influence how people feel, behave, and remember a place. Drawing from experience in hospitality designs, Grace integrates principles of comfort, spatial clarity, lighting, and materiality to elevate guest experiences. In ultra-luxury developments, design goes beyond visual appeal, creating in her words “a sense of ease, belonging, and refinement that fosters loyalty and long-term value, contributing positively to both the hospitality industry and the broader economy.”
A Long-Term Collaboration That Shaped a Brand
Grace’s successes with John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), the parent company behind Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, is the result of a collaboration that spans nearly two decades. The relationship began with a competitive tender for the refurbishment of the Cinnamon Grand Hotel’s new wing, formerly the Hotel Lanka Oberoi in Colombo.
Grace secured the project with a proposal centred on the Atrium, which she said stood out due to meeting the “spatial, functional, and experiential requirements of the brief”.
This success led to further involvement in the upper-level guestrooms surrounding this zone. Despite limited budgets and compressed time lines, the team produced a refreshed product identity that marked the emergence of a new brand direction for Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. This repositioning established a contemporary, guest-centric design language that lifted the property’s visibility in the market and contributed to the narrative of the Cinnamon brand as it is known today.
The collaboration continued over the years, including projects at Cinnamon Grand, Cinnamon Lakeside, and several stages of soft refurbishments and F&B enhancements. By the time Cinnamon Life, branded as part of the larger City of Dreams Sri Lanka development, entered its final stages, DGDI had become aligned with JKH’s design ambitions, operational requirements, and long-term strategies.
Design-Led Tourism and Sri Lanka’s Competitive Edge
Sri Lanka’s need to differentiate itself in the global tourism market is a recurring theme in industry discussions. The country competes with a range of tropical destinations that offer similar climates, landscapes, and broad holiday experiences, so Grace’s insights reflect a belief that design is central to differentiation. Thoughtful interiors not only elevate the perception of a destination but help define the identity of entire hospitality ecosystems.
At the foundation of her design philosophy is a principle she calls up over the course of every project: “A Sense of Place”. She explains that the design approach always begins with the location of the project. The culture, history, and character of the country are carefully studied and thoughtfully woven into the design environment, ensuring that each space reflects a strong sense of place and authenticity.
Her team consistently applies this principle by integrating local materials, craftsmanship, and cultural references into the design. This creates an emotional and contextual connection between guests and their surroundings, giving each space authenticity and grounding it firmly in the identity of its destination.
Balancing Sense of Place with Operational Excellence
This strategy extends beyond aesthetics. Design supports operations, enhances staff workflow, and strengthens the consistency of service delivery, and these elements contribute to guests’ overall perception of a property. Grace emphasised that good workflow is essential for service effectiveness, cost savings, and guest satisfaction, and the guiding intention behind such decisions is simple: guests should leave wanting to return. This idea has been present throughout DGDI’s work with JKH, informing layouts, circulation systems, and the placement of functional elements in both front-of-house and back-of-house settings.
Luxury accommodations in particular benefit from environments that balance comfort with wellbeing. For Grace, natural light, durable yet culturally relevant materials, and intuitive spatial flow contribute both to the guest experience and to the property’s long-term value. These considerations are tied to operational longevity, maintenance needs, and ROI. Guest facing “touch and feel” elements receive higher attention, she noted, while service areas prioritise durability and function.
Grace commented that certain design features sometimes require a degree of persuasion. When her team believes a specific element is necessary despite budget constraints, they push for it whilst explaining their rationale. However, healthy negotiations are possible only when a strong, trusting relationship exists between designers and their clients.
Bistro des Marées at City of Dreams Sri Lanka — a contemporary bistro elevated above Colombo, where refined design meets panoramic city views, designed by DGDI.
Rooms and Suites at City of Dreams Sri Lanka — a sophisticated expression of comfort and elegance by DGDI.
Designing for Behaviour, Engagement, and Revenue
With most of the developments that DGDI were involved in, the design of public areas, restaurants, and leisure spaces was approached with clear intent. Identifying the target market informs the development of each concept, ensuring that every outlet fills a gap in the market and aligns with the needs and preferences of the intended clientele. Storytelling, pricing, and a distinctive atmosphere come together to create experiences that encourage engagement, longer stays, and additional spending, applying to bars, spas, dining venues, and more.
Crystal Lounge at City of Dreams Sri Lanka — An exclusive VIP lounge featuring FF&E and space planning by DGDI.
Grace connects this directly to modern guest expectations.
“Instagrammable moments” have become a standard feature rather than a trend, which she considers fundamental to any interior. Each space should offer at least one feature, she said, that naturally invites sharing. This not only enhances the guest experience but also supports marketing efforts, allowing design to extend its influence into how a property is perceived online and how travellers make decisions.
Sapphire Dragon Restaurant — where modern Cantonese elegance meets the skyline of Colombo, designed by DGDI
Working Within Budgets While Protecting Design Integrity
While design can elevate a property’s market position, financial metrics remain central to decision-making. While clients are protective of data on revenue performance, occupancy, and guest satisfaction, Grace said her team takes their cue from the budgets clients set to meet those targets.
Recent work, such as the renovation of the Cheers Pub at the Cinnamon Grand completed in December 2024, is an example of this interplay between cost considerations and design ambitions. Projects like these demonstrate the ongoing effort to keep properties fresh, relevant, and competitive, even as guest expectations evolve.
Creating a Cohesive Destination at Cinnamon Life
Cinnamon Life at the City of Dreams Sri Lanka required a design approach capable of bringing together a diverse set of spaces without losing the unified identity of the overall development. Grace described the process as one of translating the design brief and target market of each area into distinct yet connected experiences. Each space needed its own character, appealing to different visitor preferences but also enabling returning guests to have varied experiences with each visit.
This ability to balance distinction and cohesion is central to the success of large-scale hospitality destinations, Grace believes. For City of Dreams Sri Lanka, it reinforces the idea of the development not merely as a place to stay but as a destination in itself. To visitors, it is a place where design invites repeat exploration.
What Guests Want Today
Across markets, travellers are increasingly conscious of authenticity, sustainability, and their connection to the places they visit. For Grace, sustainability and local craftsmanship have always been integral to her design approach, but they hold greater significance today. Guests want environments that are meaningful, she said, rooted in their context, and mindful of environmental impact. These expectations align with global tourism trends and highlight the importance of design in shaping Sri Lanka’s competitive identity.
Guests want to be indulged. This is human nature, Grace said, and thoughtful design has the power to turn a single visit into a lasting memory that keeps them coming back.
This article has been updated.