Sleep, Europe’s comprehensive hotel design and development event, has announced an unrivalled ensemble of leading UK and global brands set to exhibit at London’s Business Design Centre on 22 and 23 November, featuring 35% new names and the most international line-up yet. Manufacturers choose Sleep as a launch platform because of its unique focus and visitor profile, while hotel designers, owners, operators and developers come to discover the outstanding products that will transform their projects.
The increased desire for bespoke products and services that will define distinctive hotel interiors attracts heritage brands to Sleep. Debuting this year, Lincrusta Heritage and Cole & Son from the UK and Italian Brand Milano Tessuti are companies that uphold traditional production methods to create one-of-a-kind fabrics and wallcoverings for luxury hotels and residences.
Collections of handcrafted furniture will be on show from Dare Studio, Decca London, James UK and Hamilton Conte Paris alongside luxurious fabrics from Designers Guild, Altfield, Romo, Today Interiors, Vescom and Clarke & Clarke; and handtufted rugs by ICE Rugs from the Netherlands and UK company Rug-Maker with designs featuring silk with gold and silver metal threads and flatweaves by designer Ptolemy Mann. Style Library Contract will present its new Zoffany ‘Phaedra’ collection of fabrics and wallpapers, with an underlying classical influence elevated by a mastery of colour ranging from delicate mineral hues to deep forest greens and moody blues. To add a finishing touch to hotel projects, designers and specifiers need look no further than byAbi and Muro Gallery for original artwork.
Thoughtfully finessed design is more than ever a differentiator in hotels across the world, and the Sleep exhibition will reveal how well-chosen products can heighten the guest experience and create a memorable stay. A new feature this year is ‘Spaces’, a series of stands designed as hotel environments where exhibitors will create inspiring installations of lobbies, outdoor terraces, guestroom bathrooms and spas. Innovative bathroom supplier Roca will present three hospitality environments exploring how guests’ attitudes and behaviour can influence the design process. Inspired spaces are also anticipated from Elegant Clutter, McGowan Rutherford, Geometric Furniture, Jacquar, Betonicon, Fiora and Impey amongst others.
Products to promote wellness
With a growing awareness that well-designed spaces can promote health and wellbeing, Sleep is the destination for world-leading brands in this sector. Founder Sponsor and host of the invitation-only VIP lounge GROHE will present its Sensia Arena shower toilet plus other products incorporating its innovative technologies. Newcomer Villeroy & Boch will show new ranges designed by Gesa Hansen including the Artis Colour surfacemounted basins available in 15 colours and four shapes for maximum personalisation. Functional yet beautifully designed products are also anticipated from Sleep Set sponsors Dornbracht and prominent global companies such as Hansgrohe, Laufen, Vitra and Bette alongside UK manufacturers Victoria & Albert Baths and Hurlingham Bath Company. Finest quality handcrafted beds that promise an unrivalled guest sleep experience will be represented by British companies Hypnos and Harrison Spinks, each renowned for their award-winning, sustainably made beds. A focus on design-led furniture and accessories for guests to revel in outdoor terraces and spa areas will be highlighted by Italian brands Gervasoni and Serralunga, and Jati & Kebon from Belgium, complimented by exquisite shade products that offer protection from the elements by Swiss manufacturer Glatz and Tuuci from the Netherlands.
Cutting-edge technology
Integrated guest-friendly technology is now a given in hotels, and Sleep is where visitors will find the next generation of hi-tech innovations for the industry including room control systems, door security, AV, energy and communication systems. German manufacturer Jung debuts this year to showcase its range of intelligently designed products, while Gira, also from Germany, will highlight the new Esprit switch series finished in natural materials. UK manufacturer Hamilton Litestat will also present its newest switch plates and lighting systems alongside Clear AV introducing the latest integrated high-end AV systems.
As virtual and augmented reality is radically transforming the hotel design process, an Immersive Reality Lounge hosted by tech-pioneers Soluis in collaboration with Graven will give visitors a chance to experience hotel design concepts in 3D and get their hands on some of the latest digital reality platforms. These will include the recently launched HTC Vive, the newest Oculus Rift headset and the Portal, a shared immersive solution from the innovative Sublime brand.
Leading lights
High quality lighting is essential to good hotel design, creating atmosphere and lending drama to spaces, but above all an indispensable ingredient for a comfortable guest experience. Sleep attracts the best names in the business, including UK brand leader Chelsom, which will introduce its Stockholm lamp featuring seamless joints between glass and brushed metalwork. Fine brands from across Europe will be present, such as newcomer Fabbian Iluminazione, the Italian specialists renowned for their bespoke lighting features seen in hospitality spaces worldwide; Qasar Holland and from Spain ALVE, SECOM Iluminacion and LEDS C4, each with their latest ranges of contemporary designs for guestrooms, public areas and outdoor spaces. Lights of Vienna and Preciosa will once more showcase their spectacular creations.
Says Sven Ullrich, Global Head of Marketing for Dornbracht, this year’s Sleep Set sponsor: “By coming to Sleep, we can be inspired by brands from different countries and across other industries. The show has a creative feel and there is a focus on where the product will ultimately be used, the hotel room. There is a lot of inspiration to be found at Sleep across all the individual stands.”
