Located on Sochi’s principal resort boulevard, the former Hyatt Regency — now Grand Karat — is a five-star hotel with 200 rooms. The white stone high-rise, defined by its generous inner courtyard and direct access to the sea, entered a phased renovation programme in 2024.
Our scope focused on the renewal of the arrival sequence: the main entrance and driveway, the central lobby, and the lobby bar.
The lobby bar occupies the second floor, directly above the lobby, conceived as its natural continuation. Here, the primary task was once again careful integration within the existing finishes. Zoning was central to the spatial strategy: elegant Giorgetti bar stools were introduced alongside the substantial existing oak bar counter; deep upholstered seating lines the windows, offering comfort and privacy; generous Liagre armchairs define the main seating areas along the columns. A secluded lounge with a Finn Juhl sofa sits behind a silk screen, while a large, multi-level communal table serves as a stage for the bartender’s performance.
Marquetry inlays on the columns act as a connecting element between the Jurassic stone and the newly introduced furniture accents. Lighting plays a decisive role in shaping the atmosphere: soft daylight illumination for morning coffee, reading and business meetings, transitioning to a subdued, intimate evening scheme designed for cocktails and social interaction.