Pooja Shah-Mulani

Award winning Design Director Pooja Shah-Mulani has been at LW since 2012.

Pooja is a true great example of being able to successfully merge ability and desire, whilst grasping every opportunity and challenge that presents itself in creating authentic and memorable destinations.

Pooja’s idea of the key to success is being able to build connections with the Client, Operator and ultimately the end user’s needs. With a unique warmth and openness, she can dissect the aspirations and needs of others that becomes her primary source of inspiration.

Her audience is taken on a journey through the space with a strong focus on guest experience in her designs. Pooja takes on the responsibility of this by immersing herself into the space to discover what triggers the senses and provokes the emotion

“Design is like theatre, all the elements and components need to perform perfectly together for a seamless experience. The experience must leave an impression by evoking an emotion, positive or negative.”

This experience grows and comes to life through her design ideologies, that were created not just through her professional experiences but through her life journey as well.

With Indian heritage, Pooja’s journey has taken her through Africa, UK, Italy and The Middle East. These cultural connections have been instrumental in weaving together a unique philosophy that is seen in her designs throughout the region as well as internationally.

Over the past decade at LW, Pooja has developed her design talent and success with her natural leadership qualities that allow her to now lead the way for LW in the future.

Pooja’s deep understanding of the Interior Design industry allows her to come up with original concepts and deliver impeccable execution at the same time. Although her personal style would be best described as contemporary and fun, ultimately, it’s a reflection of her personality that is the driving factor and overall experience it creates for others.

Pooja has deigned and led some outstanding award winning projects such as Bull & Bear Restaurant & St. Trop Bar at Waldorf Astoria DIFC, Seventy Seventy at Park Hyatt - Dubai Creek, Zeste Café* at Holiday Inn Festival City. Recently completed projects include the much anticipated Dubai Edition, the Hyatt Regency in Cape Town & the vibrant Indego by Vineet at the Grosvenor House in Dubai. Other iconic projects previously completed include Media One hotel - Refurbishment, Dubai, The Patisserie at the Raffles in Shenzhen, Indya at Le Royal Meridien Dubai; a restaurant by Michelin star Chef Vineet Bhatia. Later this year, The first Radisson Resort on the Palm will open its doors as well as the Vida Marina - Yacht Club. She is currently working on Michelin Starred F&B outlets at the upcoming One Za’abeel, One & Only Urban Resort in Dubai and a multitude of hotel & restaurants within the region and internationally.

The design for St. Trop was recognised for a number of awards including Best Bar category at the AHEAD MEA 2020, it was also shortlisted in the global category. Bull & Bear has picked up a couple of awards for best restaurant in 2020 too.

Other awards:

- Hospitality Restaurant Award from Identity Awards 2018 for Seventy-Seventy, Park Hyatt, Dubai -a stand-alone bar lounge that draws inspirations from the music, fashion & iconic style of the ’70s.

- Zeste Café, LW design was also able to win in the Hospitality Interior category for Cafés at the Identity Awards 2019. The café is a homey and welcoming space that’s perfect for professional meetings or meeting friends after a long week.

- She was also the winner of the Creative Spark Award at TopHotelWorldTour due to her incredible presentation of the Dubai Edition