Ayala’s first major project in Eastern Europe was the Donbass Palace Hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. This ambitious project saw a historic hotel in the centre of Donetsk demolished and completely rebuilt with facades replicating the original design. The new Donbass Palace boasts all the features of a modern five-star luxury hotel, while scrupulously adhering to the original architectural style.

Ayala was responsible for the complete architectural planning of the new building and the interior design of the project as well as supplying and installing all architectural finishes and FF&E. The project took some 18 months to execute and required extensive on-site management to deal with a building of irregular proportion and the logistical difficulties of working in a new location with limited infrastructure.

The interior design, in a classic style, reflected both the owner’s wish to have a traditional comfortable hotel, and the desire to reflect the classic exterior of the building in the new interior. The public areas of the hotel feature a mix of traditionally detailed mahogany joinery, marble flooring and column cladding with plaster ceilings and chandeliers. The result is a hotel which will stand the test of time. 

The original concept did not foresee the need for a grand ballroom, but this was cleverly integrated into the design, despite the limitations of the structural grid. The room which can be subdivided by acoustic partitioning is panelled in American cherry wood with dramatic black and gold soft furnishings and carpet. This elegant room with its equally luxurious prefunction has been the backdrop for many prestigious events to date.

The hotel also features both a royal and presidential suite along with several junior suites and executive rooms. The principal suites are individually furnished, featuring a mixture of antique and custom-made furniture in exclusive fabrics. The hotel’s guestrooms are spacious and include a marble bathroom with under-floor heating and a walk-in closet. In the bedrooms, the well proportioned furniture, door pediments and draperies accentuate the high ceilings and the traditional detailing of the fibrous plaster cornices. The simple yet distinctive architrave and skirting details combine well with the rich anigre veneers to add a touch of restrained elegance to this truly five star hotel.