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According To: Jeremiah Brent’s top inspiring design moments at Conrad Hotels & Resorts

Renowned interior designer and television personality Jeremiah Brent shares his favorite hotel design elements during his stays in Los Angeles and Tulum.

December 5, 2024

When you’re a high-profile interior designer, television personality, author and founder of multiple lifestyle brands (not to mention a doting father of two), life can get busy. But for Jeremiah Brent, taking the time to slow down and appreciate the beauty in the details of his surroundings is key to maintaining a balance in work and life, staying grounded and finding meaning and intentionality through stories woven into design.

Read on to learn more about how Brent finds design inspiration while traveling and what his top design moments were during stays at Conrad Los Angeles and Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya.

Meet Jeremiah Brent

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background in design.

I currently live in New York but am often in California where I grew up and also travel to often for work. My design firm, Jeremiah Brent Design (JBD) is bicoastal, with clients all over the country. While design television is what initially grew my reputation in the world of interiors, JBD has evolved into an award-winning commercial and residential design firm. No matter how the business expands, we hold onto our ethos that spaces should reflect one’s past, present and future.

Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya

What are some of your favorite trips to take and favorite locations to travel to?

Venice, Mexico City, Rome, Portugal, Peru … I love visiting anywhere rooted in history. The designs, the culture and the cuisine should tell the local story.

What has been the most memorable trip you’ve taken recently, and why?

Every summer my family spends a month at our farm in Portugal. There, we slow down, walk along dirt roads while taking in the landscape, swim in the ocean and share every meal with one another. It’s the perfect balance to our fast-paced life in Manhattan.

Conrad Los Angeles

Design inspiration

Whenever I need inspiration, I travel. I look for unexpected pairings of materials and art that obviously hold a story. I’m also always looking to people — I’m constantly finding inspiration from the people I interact with.

Does the choice of where you stay matter when you want to feel inspired and find design inspiration on your travels? If so, why, and what specifically do you look for in a hotel to stay at?

Of course! As an interior designer, where I stay is equally as important as the activities that are planned. I look for hotels that feel restful and have a calming environment that are easily accessible to the city to explore.

What about the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand do you connect with?

There’s such a thoughtfulness and intentionality within the Conrad establishments. Every design feature and menu item is obviously rooted in the culture of its location — they also are great about celebrating local creators through the original art curations placed throughout their hotels.

What did you like most about each of your stays with Conrad?

First and foremost — the staff. Their warmth, generosity and kindness really make you feel at home.

I also couldn’t get over the spa at Conrad Los Angeles. They have the most restful and mindful waiting area and a private infrared sauna experience. With layers of linen and natural woods, I was instantly transported away from the liveliness of Downtown LA.

The beaches in Tulum were some of the best I’ve ever been to, and Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya’s water features perfectly echoed them. They designed the space with careful layouts and materials to seamlessly blend in with nature. A perfect execution of how indoors should meet the outdoors.

Conrad Los Angeles

My stay at Conrad Los Angeles inspired me to always make time for exploration and rest, even in the busiest of work weeks. My trips to LA are always full of meetings and site visits — it was so nice to recharge in such a rejuvenating setting. The prioritization of greenery and natural materials within the interiors reminded me of how the best of design often mimics nature, even in urban settings. I love that juxtaposition.

Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya

My visit to Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya left me inspired to travel even more often than I already do. From the local cuisine to the jungle pathways, there’s so much beauty to discover without even leaving the property. From a design perspective, I loved the geometric architecture throughout — everywhere you’ll find unexpected silhouettes within the structures, like the sphered ceiling in the spa that’s inspired by natural cenotes.

How did your stays at Conrad bring to life the local culture through design?

Conrad Hotels [& Resorts] always blow me away with their curations of local art. Carefully placed in lobbies, restaurants and suites, they’ve found a calming way to incorporate bold and colorful pieces. I’m specifically drawn to the sculptures that were expertly incorporated into the exterior landscape. It's such a celebration of silhouette and material.

How did each of your stays at Conrad bring to life the local culture through innovative dining?

Truthfully — I haven't been able to stop thinking about the spicy margaritas at Conrad. It really doesn’t matter what your typical palate is, with carefully curated restaurants throughout the properties, you’ll find familiar dishes with complex twists that instantly elevate your stay. At Conrad Los Angeles, San Laurel transports you to Spain with their modern cocktails and local ingredients. In Tulum, there are eleven (yes, eleven) restaurants and bars with a variety of cuisines available. I have to recommend getting the sushi at Ukai.

How did each of your stays at Conrad help you find peace and tranquility through design? And through exclusive experiences?

I always say that design should engage all five senses. From the firepits and playlists in Conrad Los Angeles to the lavish water features surrounding their Tulum property (and exclusive gourmet menus at both) … every element works together to create an environment of ease.

What is a design concept or trend you think is going to emerge in the coming years?

I think people will pay less and less attention to trends in and of themselves. To say it simply, personalization is now the ultimate form of luxury. What works in my home might feel out of place in yours — I hope more people begin to celebrate their personal design inclinations and spaces that feel authentic to them.

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