Barbara Best-Santos

Barbara leads the interior design team at Hart Howerton, an award-winning global design firm headquartered in New York and San Francisco. Working in over fifty countries across six continents, the firm’s interdisciplinary team of architects, planners, landscape architects, and interior designers specializes in the complete design of luxury hospitality, residential and mixed use environments. Her career spans more than twenty-five years leading the design of luxury and lifestyle hotels, spas, restaurants, resorts and residences. Prior to joining Hart Howerton, she was the Co-Managing Principal of ForrestPerkins, overseeing five offices and was the Hospitality Practice Area Leader for Gensler’s Northwest Region. Earlier in her career, Barbara directed her own firm, Best-Santos Studio, for ten years, and focused primarily on boutique hotels, spas, and restaurants. Barbara started her career in restaurant design, which remains a passion. She transitioned to hotels under the guidance of renowned international designer Bent Severin, where she designed a variety of project types domestically and abroad. Brands included in her extensive portfolio include Fairmont, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Marriott, Starwood, Kimpton, and Caesars Entertainment.

Respected as a leader in the hospitality industry, Barbara is frequently invited to be a speaker and to comment on a variety of topics in the media. As an award-winning designer, she is passionate about challenging the expected and striving for excellence in project execution while delivering on the clients’ vision.