Almaza Hotel
Designing a narrative-driven identity for boutique hospitality
Challenge
This project explores the creation of a distinctive brand identity for a boutique desert retreat in Al Ula, where luxury meets the raw beauty of sandstone landscapes. The challenge was to envision a hospitality brand that could blend heritage and contemporary design, evoking the serenity of the desert while appealing to an international, design-conscious audience.
The goal was to define a cohesive experience across multiple touchpoints — from the logo and color palette to in-room communication, amenities, and spa product packaging — all while maintaining a tone of voice that feels intimate, warm, and subtly playful.
The goal was to define a cohesive experience across multiple touchpoints — from the logo and color palette to in-room communication, amenities, and spa product packaging — all while maintaining a tone of voice that feels intimate, warm, and subtly playful.
Outcome
Niccoli.Design imagined Almaza (“the diamond” in Arabic) as a hidden gem of the desert — refined yet rooted, luminous yet grounded. The asymmetrical diamond emblem was inspired by the geological formations of Al Ula, while the palette of sand, gold, terracotta and deep indigo creates natural contrasts.
A poetic but functional tone carries through everyday details like keycards, water bottles, and amenities — each turned into storytelling moments.
Through this conceptual exercise, the project demonstrates how a complete brand system can shape every layer of the guest experience.
A poetic but functional tone carries through everyday details like keycards, water bottles, and amenities — each turned into storytelling moments.
Through this conceptual exercise, the project demonstrates how a complete brand system can shape every layer of the guest experience.
Client
Fictional project
Creative Direction
Niccoli.Design
Art Direction
Ilaria Niccoli