Hotel Devín

This work of Emil Belluš, the main hero of Slovak architectural history, commands well-earned respect. Belluš designed the hotel between the years 1949 and 1953 and for many decades it was one of the top facilities in Bratislava. The project was drawn up within the tender and its aim was to achieve an overall facelift of the hotel. In resonance with Belluš’s work, the main theme of the draft became Slovak modern art of the 20th century. In the interior Šmondrk worked with abstracted images of known authors such as Vincent Hložník, Vladimir Kompánek or Milos Bazovský. Each room was attuned to the spirit of the typical features of the selected artist. On the floor were designed mats with enlargements of their signatures. Bathroom wall was lined with the core theme of the room’s picture. A panel at reception displayed thumbnails by which a visitor could recognize his own room. This all involved non-intrusive education. Parking was moved underground, to make space in the front yard of the hotel for a garden with works by Slovak sculptors. There were supposed to be more than ninety rooms, suites and one glass apartment under the original technical roof, a two-level lobby with an atrium, restaurant, club, etc. Hotel Devin gained a unique hallmark.