In today’s hospitality market, young, affluent Chinese travellers seek more than conventional luxury. They want authentic, regionally rooted experiences that connect them to culture as much as comfort. Recognising this shift, owners Septwolves took back hotel operations from a third-party operator to create a new brand that reflects its Fujian heritage — combining exceptional service with a true sense of place.
LOHKAH is that vision realised. Born in Fujian, it is a luxury hotel brand that blends Minnan aesthetics with deep cultural insight to create richly layered travel experiences. Setting a new benchmark for boutique hospitality, it has become a destination in its own right for professionals and cultural explorers alike. JWDK had the privilege of guiding LOHKAH’s rebrand, distilling its essence and creating a visual identity system that will support its long-term growth.
Born from the spirit of Minnan
The revitalisation of LOHKAH draws its strength from Minnan culture, rooted in coastal geography and shaped by entrepreneurial drive, warm hospitality, family traditions and a distinctive aesthetic expressed through architecture, cuisine and ritual. Every touchpoint of the brand reflects this character, allowing guests to feel both authentically connected and completely at ease.
Field research
Gulangyu
Visioning Workshop
Minnan culture
A delicate language of authenticity
Authenticity defines LOHKAH’s philosophy. Instead of grand statements, the brand celebrates subtle cultural details — from the lychee fruit to local rituals — telling their stories with sincerity and care. In doing so, it expresses a genuine love of Minnan culture, infusing every experience with meaning.
Designing with depth and spirit
The English name, LOHKAH, is inspired by Buddhist philosophy and symbolises the seven worlds of loka, where individuals reconnect with their true selves and find tranquillity. Drawing on this idea, JWDK introduced “Lychee Red” as a signature colour, embodying the sun’s energy and encouraging guests to awaken inner vitality through cultural exploration and spa experiences.
The visual identity reflects a refined, minimalist artistry. Photography and graphics capture the elegance of Xiamen’s bougainvillaea, the vitality of lychee, and the symbolic power of tea leaves, lotus flowers and conch shells. Together they form a restrained yet expressive design language that honours local culture while elevating it for an international audience.
©LOHKAH七尚酒店
A journey of growth and refinement
As the only member of Leading Hotels of the World in South China, Septwolves Hospitality Group has consistently won awards for design, guest experience and sustainability. With the launch of its sister brand KAIPUU Hotel in Quanzhou, the group is extending its boutique philosophy into a broader lifestyle offering. Within this vision, LOHKAH Hotel & Spa continues to evolve — transforming from an exceptional boutique hotel into a leader of lifestyle hospitality, with a future as distinctive as its roots.
©LOHKAH
©LOHKAH七尚酒店
©栗子旅行酒店民宿分享
©Aukse Grei
©胖子爱拍照
©许晓东XDstudio
