A Spanish hotel group makes an eye-catching debut in Times Square.

In a design climate dominated by Scandinavian- and Japanese-inspired minimalism, Lorenzo Castillo’s brand of European embellishment stands out. For the 139-room Hotel Grace, the Manhattan outpost of Spanish brand Room Mate, Castillo dreamed up a riotous décor worthy of its location, a block from Times Square. The interior spaces are a grandiose mix of Baroque-inspired wallpaper in geometric and floral prints, boldly patterned rugs and textiles, and tufted armchairs. Black and gold are the colors of choice for the lobby, their impact multiplied by a mirrored ceiling. The social highlight is the subterranean pool bar, where ambient blue and pink hues irradiate a wood-ceilinged space with DJs on weekends. Upstairs, accommodations vary, including standard queens and double bunk beds, the latest iteration of the high-end hostel trend. Regardless of layout, Castillo’s whimsy is front and center: mattresses sit atop upholstered platforms, abutting velvet drapes; the designer’s custom-fabricated desks and side tables fuse art deco motifs with antique French flair; color schemes run the gamut from white with pink accents to mustard yellow and grey.