Opening in early 2027, Hygge Hotel is set to shake up Dubai’s luxury hospitality scene with a fresh approach that swaps over-the-top spectacle for something far more intimate, warm, and rooted in a sense of place. Designed by New York-based HWKN in collaboration with AI, the hotel will be part of Kleindienst Group’s ambitious Heart of Europe development on The World Islands. In a city known for glittering skylines and brand-name uniformity, this project dares to slow things down, taking inspiration from the Nordic concept of hygge, a lifestyle built around comfort, happiness, and togetherness.
Set against the European-style backdrop of The Heart of Europe, Hygge Hotel is a human-scale counterpoint to Dubai’s high-rise dazzle. Guests will arrive at a lively plaza, framed by two neighboring City Hotels, before moving through a sequence of spaces designed to feel personal and alive. From the ground level to the rooftop pool deck, the experience unfolds like a story, one that favors connection over grand gestures, and moments of ease over constant spectacle.
While the hotel radiates warmth, its design process was distinctly high-tech. AI played a key role, helping HWKN not only refine materials and forms but also explore the emotional depth of hygge and how it could be expressed architecturally. This mix of human creativity and AI precision allowed the design team to push beyond standard hospitality formulas, crafting a space that feels authentic and alive.
