Charm, warmth and design: Inside Slohh by Roach and Hilton’s Curio Collection
In this photo essay, we showcase the Hilton Curio Collections’ first property in India, Slohh by Roach in Bengaluru.
Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 1,015 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.
Design is increasingly becoming a differentiator for startups as well as large firms operating in crowded markets, where products and features can be replicated quickly. Beyond aesthetics, thoughtful design can help establish a distinct identity, communicate a company’s value, and shape how customers experience a brand.
For large companies, this has meant moving design beyond visual branding and aesthetics into a broader strategic consideration. For example, in the hospitality sector, Hilton’s Curio Collection is built around individually designed properties that retain their own identity while operating within the larger Hilton ecosystem.
Unlike traditional chain hotels that look and feel identical, Curio Collection properties are designed to reflect their location, history, and local character. This can extend to dining, architecture, and experiences that connect guests with the surrounding community.
Hilton’s Curio Collection has expanded its lifestyle portfolio in India with Slohh by Roach in Whitefield, Bengaluru. The 220-room hotel was developed in partnership with Roach Lifescapes.
“I essentially built this like I was building a home. Most of my clients are from the tech corporate background and hop from hotel to hotel during their travels – but I wanted my property to be remembered as something which feels different,” Christina Roach, Director of Roach Lifescapes, tells YourStory.
The Curio Collection currently includes over 150 properties worldwide. Examples are Hinode Hills Niseko Village (Japan), Kahavadi Chiang Rai (Thailand), Al Rayyan Hotel (Doha), Aulus Lindos Rhodes Resort (Greece), Casa de Sada Algarve (Portugal), De Bonart Naples (Italy), Hoodoo Moab (USA), and York Medellin (Colombia).
These hotels also have full Hilton backing along with its global reservation system and standards. They are part of the Hilton Honors guest loyalty programme, which spans the chain’s 27 distinct hotel brands.
‘Slow’ and ‘subtle’ are some of the reactions evoked by the aptly-named Slohh by Roach property. “Simplicity and style come before sophistication,” Roach says.
“I want my place to be less about social media and more about the experience. We even plan to start Slow Sundays which are phone-free – not everything needs to be captured in photos all the time,” she adds.
In this photo essay, we explore the design of the Banyan ballroom, music lounge, and outdoor spaces of the hotel. The gym, lounge, and several rooms also offer views of Varthur Lake and the city skyline.
Natural materials, intricate carved details, and exceptional hospitality at Slohh by Roach help create a feeling of intimacy, nostalgia and the warmth of home. The music-inspired Arthur’s Lounge on the sixth floor is spacious, and beautifully captures the evening transition from twilight to night.
The all-day dining restaurant, Nana’s, draws on regional flavours from Karnataka’s Malnad belt in the Western Ghats region. The menu also includes Italian and Mediterranean dishes.
“We also do not want our cuisine to be intimidating as in many five-star hotels. We want to share the spirit of food and warmth from places like Mangaluru, which has so much diversity,” she adds.
“We did not put marble everywhere like other hotels. Because my family comes from Malnad, I included design elements which reflect the journey of coffee,” Roach says.
Landscaping was done by Studio NDT; the interiors have been designed by Thai firm PIA.
Attention to detail is visible right down to the staff uniforms. There is also a mailbox in the lobby, accompanied by a vintage writing desk to pen letters.
The retro-music ambience is inspired by R&B, jazz and classic ballads.
“Music is a big part of the Mangalorean Catholic community and Anglo-Indian Goans. All of us sort of grew up on country music, and we want some of that vibe here in the hotel instead of generic elevator music,” Roach explains.
“I have always been in creative fields, and was trained in dance and music. Our family got into the hospitality business later,” she recalls.
Roach Lifescapes was founded in 1994 by Christina’s father, Austin Roach. The company has developed residential and commercial projects as well as hospitality properties. They include Radisson Blu, Clover Greens Golfscapes, Roach Sarovar Portico, and RBD Stillwaters.
Radisson Blu Hotel in Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road is said to be the first hotel in India to receive the LEED v4.1 Platinum Certificate for Operations and Maintenance. “Sustainability is important for us. At Slohh, we have our own solar energy panels, and our bottling plant is getting done as well,” Roach explains.
The team at the newly-launched hotel hopes that the activity around business and community events will pick up pace. Other areas to explore would be live acoustic music, exhibitions and classes for art and crafts, and making the outdoor spaces pet-friendly.
“Our property will mirror the spirit of Bengaluru in a way that feels authentic and contemporary, offering guests a stay defined by individuality, creativity and meaningful local connection,” Roach signs off.
Now what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world?
(All photographs taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at Slohh by Roach Bengaluru, Curio Collection by Hilton.)