Event
Sleeper Sessions Sicily 2026
Exploring the future of hospitality design against the backdrop of Sicily’s historic coastline.
MAWD's London Design Director Jane Maciver joined this year’s Sessions alongside an international network of hospitality leaders, architects and collaborators.
From insightful panel discussions and supplier showcases to evening gatherings beneath olive trees and excursions through Ortigia’s historic streets, the programme created a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and reconnect with the wider hospitality design community.
Hosted at Mangia’s Brucoli between 12–15 May, the event brought together leading architects, designers, hotel groups and creative thinkers to explore the evolving future of hospitality design through an intentionally local and cultural lens.
Set between Taormina and Syracuse, with sweeping views across the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, the setting reflected the wider themes of the event itself: connection, craftsmanship, storytelling and place-led design. Across a series of SYMPOSIA talks, SYNC meetings and SOCIAL gatherings, attendees explored topics ranging from Italy’s hospitality renaissance and adaptive reuse to contemporary luxury, experiential travel and the intersection of architecture, interiors and product design.
A particular highlight was the focus on how historic environments and contemporary hospitality can coexist in meaningful ways, with conversations exploring the reinvention of heritage properties, Mediterranean living and the growing demand for emotionally driven guest experiences. The event also reinforced the importance of collaboration across architecture, interiors, operations and brand storytelling as hospitality continues to evolve globally.
For MAWD, Sleeper Sessions Sicily offered not only valuable industry insight, but also an inspiring reminder of the role design plays in shaping memorable human experiences through culture, landscape and atmosphere.
