STARS Bar at Hangzhou Four Seasons

Crowning the newly opened Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre, STARS is a rooftop lounge bar inspired by the cosmos, where astral phenomena are reimagined through spatial narratives and material expression. Designed by Kokaistudios, the venue brings the universe closer to guests through finely crafted details, shaping an experience that unfolds across both indoor and outdoor settings. From the glow of daylight to the mystery of nightfall, STARS offers a refined and ever-shifting atmosphere suspended above the city.

At the heart of the design lies the figure of the astronomer, gazing skyward in search of patterns and meaning among the constellations. This poetic lens guided a palette of warm gold recalling astronomical instruments, balanced with accents of deep night blues and silvery moonlight. This narrative threads gently across the project, from the prominence of an observatory bar to the quietude of an astronomer’s living room and the expansive celestial gardens, guiding guests on a journey that reveals itself space by space.

The journey begins at the threshold on the 30th floor, where a polished reception desk with mirrored curves greets visitors beneath a softly glowing backdrop, striking a balance between refinement and anticipation. Beyond it, the corridor acts as a passage into another realm: a mirrored ceiling stretches the perspective while reeded glass walls blur the outlines of the garden outside. Cutting across the surface, a luminous glass “belt” etched with solar system motifs anchors the design with a delicate nod to astronomy. These materials shift in character with time—by day, shimmering with natural reflections that suggest openness and clarity; by night, glowing softly as the circular ceiling light transforms into a floating cosmic feature that ushers guests deeper into the atmosphere of STARS.

Framed by sweeping views of the mountains and city, the lounge bar is envisioned as an observatory at the heart of the venue. At its center, the circular bar counter and vaulted ceiling installation form a contemporary echo of the observatory’s dome: by day, the surface rests quietly within the space, while by night it opens to reveal a glowing Milky Way, inviting guests to look upward as if peering into the cosmos. Extending this spirit of discovery, an illuminated display wall recalls the idea of the astronomer’s library—serving as both a symbolic gesture and a striking showcase. As the vibrant core of STARS, the lounge bar also anchors the flow between the surrounding gardens, seamlessly connecting them.

The journey then extends outward into two terraces, one alive with social energy, the other steeped in quiet contemplation. The larger Main Garden centers on a golden armillary sphere, its interlocking rings tracing cosmic orbits in a timeless expression of harmony and motion. Outward-facing seats encircle this sculptural centerpiece in a gesture of openness, extending the lounge’s embrace toward the views beyond, while a mix of seating styles invites guests to gather, mingle, and play. In contrast, the Star-gazing Garden offers a more intimate retreat: a tucked-away outdoor living room where cozy arrangements welcome couples and small groups. Here, the atmosphere turns romantic and contemplative, drawing the eye—and the spirit—upward to the night sky.

If the terraces embody a communal form of intimacy—inviting quiet conversations beneath the open sky—the Private Dining Room translates this same spirit of seclusion into an indoor setting. Conceived as an exclusive, residential-inspired setting, the Private Dining Room recalls the warmth of the astronomer’s own living room. A mix of lounge seating and dining area opens to corner views of the city, creating a setting that feels expansive and light-filled by day, yet transforms into a cocoon of intimacy as night falls. The atmosphere is enriched by subtle astronomical references, from tactile finishes to thoughtfully placed lamps. Above the dining table, custom-designed pendant lights—formed of overlapping ripple-glass discs inspired by ancient star-gazing instruments—evoke a celestial rhythm, casting a soft, radiant glow reminiscent of starlight in motion.

By capturing a duality of atmospheres—day and night, social vibrancy and private reflection, indoor comfort and outdoor expanse—STARS invites guests to chart their own passage across its constellation of experiences. Echoing the vision of the Astronomer, who once looked skyward in search of connection and wonder, today’s visitors become modern stargazers, carried away from the bustle below into a celestial sanctuary suspended above the city.

Design: Kokaistudios
Design Team: Filippo Gabbiani, Andrea Destefanis, Ian Yu, Yin-Ying Tseng, Yao Yao, Victor Hsieh, Alba Wang, Xiran Zhang, Daniel Chen, Rainie Peng, Yan Song
Photography: Seth Powers