Top 5 stories of the week: Anticipated openings, spa kingdoms and an exclusive Q&A

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We have started our year at Hotel Designs by ensuring that hotel openings are hot on the lips of leading hotel designers, architects and hoteliers. Hamish Kilburn breaks down this week’s top stories…

Welcome to the first week of 2019. On the menu this week we have a look at the major hotel openings of the year, jaw-dropping spas and some exclusive interviews, garnished with a sprinkle of not-to-be-missed offers from one of our Recommended Suppliers. Easing you back into the New Year, here are the top five stories of the week.

1) SPOTLIGHT ON: Major hotel openings for Q1 & Q2 2019

Looking ahead, and kickstarting our Spotlight On feature on Hotel Openings, here are the most anticipated ribbon cuts that are planning to make waves in Q1 and Q2 of this year. The Q3 & Q4 feature will be live on Monday….

2) The Maldives’ first immersive art resort opens

Conceived as an immersive island retreat, Joali Maldives has opened with an array of original, experiential works of art and dynamic design, reflecting the beauty of nature, and with sustainability at their core. Situated on the idyllic isle of Muravandhoo in the remote Raa Atoll, just 45 minutes by seaplane from Male, the unspoilt island celebrates the creativity of world-class talent…

3) In Conversation With: Yasmine Mahmoudieh, the interior designer with an architect’s brilliant mind

Yasmine Mahmoudieh, to me, is a woman of multiple worlds – and that’s not just because she can speak no less than six languages. While she defiantly marks her territory as one of the UK’s leading hotel design architects, she is also churning up a creative swirl in the interior design industry…

4) GROHE launches new cashback offer for SmartControl showers

Modern bathroom featuring GROHE shower in the centre

GROHE has launched its latest cashback incentive, its first for 2019, offering consumers up to £50 cashback on some of the brand’s most innovative showers…

5) Boutique design team completes first hotel project

Large sliding door dividing the guestroom from the bathroom

Image caption: Ensuite at Weare Cottage

PDG Studios, which is the newly launched in-house boutique interior design team at Paradigm Design Group, has recently completed the renovation of Weare Cottage, coastal boutique hotel located in Maine, New England.

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Hamish Kilburn / 04.01.2019

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.