The Haworth Hotel
Patricia Urquiola’s Design-Forward Transformation in America’s Happiest Town
From Prototype to Prototype-Breaker
What was once a forgettable mid-scale chain has been reborn as a beacon of design. With Milan-based Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola at the helm and the Haworth furniture company anchoring the project, The Haworth Hotel in downtown Holland, Michigan, is now a showcase of sleek minimalism, Scandinavian sensibility, and local roots. Nestled on Hope College’s campus, the hotel embodies the Haworth family’s vision: a hub where community, academia, and global clients converge.
A Lobby That Lives and Breathes
At the heart of the hotel is a lobby designed to linger in, not pass through. Urquiola’s signature touch is clear: sculptural lines, textured materials, and an emphasis on light and flow. A grand spiral staircase rises as the focal point, equal parts functional and poetic. Around it, flexible seating, soft colors, and Haworth’s own furniture create an environment that shifts seamlessly between lounge, workspace, and social forum.
Rooms with Scandinavian Calm
Guestrooms carry forward the ethos of balance and simplicity. Clean lines, natural materials, and a restrained palette frame Holland’s charm through expansive windows. Each space feels uncluttered but warm—minimalism softened by thoughtful details and subtle craftsmanship. It’s calm without being cold, understated yet elegant.
A Campus Connector
More than a hotel, The Haworth is designed as a connective thread. Students stop by to study, locals drop in for coffee or meetings, and visiting clients encounter the best of Haworth design in situ. It’s a living showroom, yes—but also a cultural bridge, offering a space that reflects Holland’s reputation as one of the country’s happiest, most welcoming towns.
DNA Hotels Verdict
The Haworth Hotel is hospitality as design manifesto. Patricia Urquiola and Haworth have turned a tired prototype into a place that hums with life, creativity, and connection. Equal parts community hub, campus outpost, and design-forward retreat, it redefines what a small-town hotel can be—and proves that world-class style has a home in Holland, Michigan.
