The White Lotus Effect: Are Travelers Searching for Bigger Adventures?

The White Lotus has glamorized the idea of the unknown. But for us, the deeper message is about creating spaces that feel like an escape or cue a transformation.

Studio DADO

Form Follows Feeling and the Less-Beaten Track

Our design philosophy, Form Follows Feeling, is rooted in the idea that space should trigger a positive emotional response. We create architecture that doesn’t just house the experience but becomes part of it. Whether that’s a lounge that recalls the texture of volcanic rock or a spa inspired by ancestral rituals, we begin with the mood and design from there.
Flexibility continues to be a crucial design element for us. As travelers look for more curated, often unrepeatable experiences, hotels and cruise ships are evolving. A restaurant might need to serve as both a fine dining destination and a gathering point for local storytelling. Guest suites need to feel transportive in a way that’s authentic, not staged. Design can balance this duality by choosing materials, layouts, and lighting strategies that evoke a specific place, both geographically and emotionally.
The White Lotus has glamorized the idea of the unknown. But for us, the deeper message is about creating spaces that feel like an escape or cue a transformation. That feeling doesn’t always come from spectacle. Sometimes, it comes through small things: a carved wood detail, a rhythmic tile pattern, or the flicker of light through woven textures. It can also come from the sculptures and paintings we commission from local artisans, striking that perfect note between novelty and familiarity. At its best, hospitality design has the power to nudge a traveler toward introspection, curiosity, and wonder. A good trip creates a memory, but a great trip can transform a guest.

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At DADO, the deeper message is about creating spaces that feel like an escape or cue a transformation.

The Luxury Adventure

At the same time that more travelers are seeking adventure, many are also craving the ability to slow down and savor each moment. Luxury travel advisor Virtuoso has identified a growing preference for longer stays in a single location as one of the key trends for 2025. Rather than packing multiple destinations into a single itinerary, travelers are opting for depth over breadth. One of Virtuoso’s partners, and one of our clients, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is already responding to this shift, adding more overnight port stays to its 2025 itineraries.
This slower pace makes design even more critical. When guests are spending more time in one place, spaces must offer more than beauty. They must offer meaning. Impeccable design has the power to unfold gradually, revealing new stories, textures, and emotions the longer a guest stays. It transforms a room into a memory, and a destination into something that stays with them long after they return home.
As adventure travel continues to grow, especially among younger generations, brands must meet that moment. And that’s where design comes in. At DADO, we are building the backdrop for someone’s best story. And today, that story is about seeking something new and unexpected, both in the world and within themselves.