New Business Jet Concept Feels Like Your Favorite Five-Star Hotel

Just when you thought luxury had peaked with ultra‑lavish mega‑yachts and palatial boutique‑hotel experiences, San Antonio–based designer Natalie Rodriguez takes flight—literally. Her “Solrise” concept redefines the private‑jet genre by blending the serenity of a zen‑like retreat with the sophistication of a high‑design hospitality suite. 

As I’ve explored in my recent Resident article on mega‑yachts and luxury hotels, travelers today crave spaces that tell stories and offer emotional respite. Solrise delivers exactly that—an airborne sanctuary that eschews spectacle in favor of immersive presence.

The heart of the project is a BBJ 787‑8—Boeing’s Business Jet variant of the famed Dreamliner. With a cabin nearly 2,458 sq ft in size, headroom of seven feet, and over 18 feet of beam, it’s a floating estate in the sky. Normally, aviation constraints like weight limits and FAA safety requirements would hamstring extravagant ideas (even top‑shelf espresso machines usually get grounded).

But Rodriguez was intent on breaking free from the baggage of expectations.

She added in her interview with Robb Report that Solrise wasn’t about spectacle, but about presence.

Step aboard and you’re introduced to a welcoming lounge that rivals the lobby of your favorite five‑star boutique hotel. Four graceful divans cluster around a central conversation space, flanked by four residential‑inspired accent chairs. The palette—neutral tones balanced with deep olive and juniper—feels both calming and sophisticated. Dark Emperador marble slabs and antiqued metal accents complete the tableau. It’s less airplane cabin and more private members’ club.

Circular soffits in the ceiling echo the concept’s “sunrise” motif, with cove and wash lighting sculpting the space in cinematic layers. Under‑seat lighting and softly backlit door frames amplify the atmospheric mood. On board, every subdued LED glow and artful curve has been orchestrated to affirm that you are somewhere between a haute hotel and a serene spa.

Jet‑setting is often a test of willpower, especially for early risers in need of a serious caffeine fix. So Rodriguez did the unexpected: she installed a full‑service coffee bar aft of the lounge. Yes, built‑in and FAA‑approved. Daylight hours bring barista‑level brews; evenings transition into martini‑hour sophistication. It might just be the most impressive coffee bar ever designed in aviation history—an aerospace amenity that’s as functional as it is aspirational.

Rodriguez’s interior sensibility reflects that darling of the design world: dual functionality. Screens are hidden in cabinetry and double as digital‑art panels when inactive. This living installation approach ensures that technology enhances rather than dominates. It’s smart, intentional, and distinctly Rodriguez: technology you notice when you need it, and soft ambiance when you don’t.

Toward the rear, the primary cabin evokes understated grandeur. A king‑size bed anchors the suite, flanked by a ribbed‑panel headboard and a large streaming screen. Above, a circular ceiling medallion with mood lighting and reflective headliner material evokes early‑morning skies. Ten windows flood the space with natural light, while Alcantara valances allow for nuanced light control. Custom merino‑wool and silk carpet, live plantings, and plush upholstery complete the sensory layering. It’s an intimate retreat—solo or shared, restful yet refined.

1. Hybrid Hospitality Ambience

• As with my yacht features, Rodriguez builds atmospheric narrative. Solrise offers “zones” reminiscent of boutique‑hotel lobbies, lounges, cocktail bars, and spa bedrooms.

2. Fully Operational Barista Station

• Under FAA certification no less—bringing boutique‑hotel coffee culture 35,000 feet in the air.

3. Tech That Hides in Plain Sight

• Anti‑glare screens double as artwork, making technology part of décor—not the décor itself.

4. Architectural Lighting Nuance

• Layered cove, wash, and accent lighting sculpts the cabin’s mood as daylight or night descends.

5. Material Integrity Meets Weight Efficiency

• Every surface—from ribbed marbles to velvety upholstery—is engineered to pass FAA scrutiny.

In earlier Resident pieces—like my escapade through a remote Caribbean boutique resort or those jaw‑dropping mega‑yachts—I emphasized the emotional resonance of spaces. Solrise delivers that same feeling: luxury without ostentation, precision without coldness, and pragmatic artfulness. It speaks to the new era of travel where the destination is as much about the journey.

Flying at 560 mph, the BBJ 787‑8 burns fewer gallons per passenger than your typical private‑jet fleet. That’s courtesy of Boeing’s fuel‑efficient Dreamliner platform—a nod to sustainability even among VVIPs. Given the base price of a BBJ 787 weighs in at around $239 million, the premium finishings suggested by Rodriguez’s concept add zero weight, but immeasurable luxury. It’s jet‑setters’ indulgence with an environmental edge.

Does Solrise become a production reality? That depends. FAA‑approved coffeemakers are still rare; digital‑art screens are nascent; and integrated living‑room layouts require structural engineering finesse. But design concepts like this shape client expectations. Much like boutique‑hotel revelations inspire five‑star chains to innovate, Solrise sets a benchmark for the next generation of VIP aircraft.

As designers continue to elevate aviation interiors, luxury travelers will begin to ask: Why settle for a flight when you can have a boutique experience in the sky? Rodriguez’s concept is the first whisper in that question—and it's transformative.