4th mpu news

The Luxury Collection debuts in Armenia

 800 550 Hamish Kilburn
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The Alexander, a Luxury Collection Hotel becomes the first international luxury hotel in Armenia…

Following plans to open 30 new luxury hotels this year, Marriott International has annoucned the opening of The Alexander, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Owned by Tsupani CJSC., the hotel proudly brings The Luxury Collection’s rare, indigenous and captivating experiences to the capital of Armenia – one of the world’s oldest cities and a noted historical intersection between the East and West. As the country’s first internationally-branded luxury hotel, The Alexander joins a portfolio of more than 100 Luxury Collection hotels around the world. The brand’s new footprint in Yerevan also further cements the hotel group’s strategy to meet the growing demand for experiential luxury in emerging markets.

“Armenia is a destination with a deeply rooted history and rich culture, which has until now remained a mostly unchartered destination for our Global Travelers” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection. “The Alexander will allow our guests to connect with the fascinating capital city of Yerevan, marked by grand Soviet-era architecture and historic landmarks such as the Matenadaran library, and truly engage in the authentic traditions of Armenia.”

“Led by Alexander James Interior Design, the decor draws upon intricate Armenian motifs, alongside contemporary flourishes.”

Set in an enviable location in the heart of Armenia’s capital, The Alexander is mere moments away from the city’s famous Republic Square, and is a brief stroll to numerous landmarks and cultural sights. The striking hotel reflects the city’s distinctive architecture, cleverly incorporating an 18th century façade at its entrance to hint at the indigenous charms found within. Led by Alexander James Interior Design, the decor draws upon intricate Armenian motifs, alongside contemporary flourishes that bring to life the history and modernity of the destination within the property’s opulent public spaces.

Roof top restaurant

Image credit: Matthew Shaw.

“Shaped by rich traditions, coveted treasures and a storied history, the city of Yerevan truly encapsulates the spirit of The Luxury Collection,” said Jenni Benzaquen, Vice President of Luxury Brands, Europe at Marriott International. “The Alexander will provide sophisticated, independently-minded global explorers and locals alike with an unparalleled level of luxury in this fascinating destination. The unique destination experiences offered by The Luxury Collection, combined with Armenian hospitality, is also the perfect way to introduce our luxury portfolio to the region.”

The Alexander offers 114 guestrooms and suites, many of which include private balconies. The magnificent Presidential Suite is celebrated as a standout highlight of the property, occupying an entire floor and spanning over 1,700 square feet. An equally alluring feature is the Alexander Spa by Anne Semonin, providing guests with an inviting haven of wellness experiences and personalized treatments designed to relax, heal and rejuvenate. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a full-service beauty salon, and the city’s first indoor pool, which boasts breath-taking vistas of the snow-capped peak of Mount Ararat.

Main image credit: Matthew Shaw/Marriott International

Marriott International announces three-year growth plan

 960 597 Hamish Kilburn
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The hotel giant Marriott International’s growth plans include the openings more than 1,700 hotels around the world… 

Marriott International has presented the company’s three-year growth plan, which includes opening more than 1,700 hotels around the world, at its meeting with institutional investors and security analysts at the New York Marriott Marquis.

The hotel giant has outlined its plan to add between 275,000 and 295,000 rooms by 2021, supported by the strength of its record 478,000-room pipeline, including roughly 214,000 rooms already under construction. The company disclosed that its new room openings during this period could contribute $400 million in fee revenue in 2021 and $700 million annually when stabilised. The company’s three-year growth plan assumes, but does not forecast, comparable hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth of one and three per cent, compounded annually.

“Starwood has made us a more formidable competitor, providing a more valuable loyalty program, brands with strong appeal to loyalty members and owners, talented associates, terrific locations, particularly in the fast-growing Asia Pacific region, significant cost synergies and meaningful scale,” said Arne Sorenson, Marriott International president and chief executive officer. “We launched our newly branded loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, just last month. The program reached 125 million members as of year-end 2018 adding roughly 50,000 members per day.”

Given the assumptions for its three-year plan, the company could produce the following results:

  • Diluted earnings per share of $7.65 to $8.50 by 2021, a compound growth rate of 11 to 15 per cent over 2018 adjusted results;
  • Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (adjusted EBITDA) increasing by six to nine per cent compounded, with net income increasing by five to eight per cent compounded, each compared to adjusted results in 2018;
  • Cash available for shareholders could total $9.5 to $11 billion for the three years (2019 through 2021);
  • Shareholders could see $1.9 to $2 billion in dividends, assuming a continued 30 percent payout ratio, and $7.6 to $9 billion in share repurchases over the three-year period.

Marriott’s growing pipeline of new hotels is fueled by the strong profitability of its hotels, the broad selection of powerful brands available for development, its rich loyalty program, lower costs from the company’s meaningful scale, and the strong confidence of its owners and franchisees. The company disclosed that 70 per cent of its portfolio of open and signed pipeline projects is held by owners with multiple Marriott properties, and roughly one-third is held by owners with ten or more Marriott branded hotels. Marriott’s development pipeline reflects an increasing number of legacy-Starwood branded hotels. Since the merger date, the pipeline of legacy-Starwood brands has increased nearly 25 per cent to represent nearly one-third of the legacy-Starwood portfolio’s system size.

“In 2018, Marriott launched a new Sheraton brand strategy, guestroom prototype and design approach.”

The company will also discuss its success improving the Sheraton brand. With more than 155,000 rooms, Sheraton is the company’s most geographically diverse brand and the company’s third largest brand globally measured in both rooms and fees. The brand contributes significantly to Marriott’s overall scale and effectively reduces costs for all the hotels in Marriott’s worldwide system. More than one-quarter of Sheratons are already under renovation or committed to a renovation. In 2018, Marriott launched a new Sheraton brand strategy, guestroom prototype and design approach, and just a week ago, unveiled the new Sheraton logo, signaling change to owners, operators, guests and Sheraton associates. Since the acquisition, Sheraton’s RevPAR index has improved to over 100.

“Our new three-year plan, with Starwood fully integrated, demonstrates how our fee-based, asset-light business model generates even stronger and more sustainable cash flows. This allows us to invest profitably in our core business at high rates of return and also return significant amounts of capital to shareholders,” said Leeny Oberg, Marriott International’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Our proven business model combined with opportunities to leverage our significant scale from the Starwood acquisition uniquely position us for additional shareholder value creation.”

Main image credit: Marriott International

Kohler announces plans for Milan Design Week 2019

 800 518 Hamish Kilburn
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Bathroom brand Kohler has lifted the lid on its sensory plans for Milan Design Week from April 9 – 13…

Kohler will return to Milan Design Week to host an enticing sensory experience inside the historic Palazzo Del Senato (via Senato, 10, 20121 Milan, Italy). The large-scale immersive exhibit will showcase the bathroom brand’s bold approach to design and its products through an artful combination of water, technology, texture, and color. The installation will be open April 9 through April 13 from 10am – 7pm daily.

“Milan Design Week is the ultimate celebration of creativity and innovation among the global design community,” said Jim Lewis, Vice President of Kohler Kitchen and Bath Global Marketing. “The energy and spirit of the event make it the perfect place to explore new ideas and celebrate our latest design expressions with an inspirational audience of designers from around the world.”

Nature will play a pivotal role with the inclusion of a “digital garden” at the entrance of the exhibit as well as an infinity garden that whimsically juxtaposes Kohler’s Smart Home collection. Kohler’s space will also feature a bar and lounge area for guests to relax and recharge.

Additionally, Kohler will use the Palazzo as the platform for the launch of the company’s second global design theme, Experiential Luxury, an examination of the details and layers that create rich and dynamic environments.

Products featured at this year’s exhibition include the latest from Kohler Co. brands KOHLER, KALLISTA and ANN SACKS.

Image credit: Kohler

Smart home/Smart hotel

Intelligent Toilets offer the perfect combination of sophisticated design and unmatched technology to deliver the finest in personal comfort and cleansing. Extensive customisation – from ambient lighting and wireless music to temperature control, create a truly personalised experience.

Digital Showering transforms users’ daily routine by allowing customisation down to the tiniest detail. It invites users to orchestrate spray experiences, steam, music and lighting to create a personalized escape. Kohler’s portfolio of Smart Room products help create the world’s smartest bathrooms.

Color, material, finish

With a full range of colors, Kohler finishes visually set the tone for any space’s story and convey a unique personality. A two-tone finish with etched patterns – launching on the Components Collection – offers a beautiful, subtle gradient between two finishes with a precise graphic pattern. A wide range of colors and detailed graphics continue to draw the eye in for a beautiful, decorative impact.

Steeped in Japanese culture, Kensho conveys the story of decorative stitching known as sashiko by using patterns etched in stone. It also leverages the Italian etching technique known as acqueforti, marrying metals and marbles to create a distinctive level of ornamentation. The shape is gorgeous, the real stone adds texture and variation, and the decorative techniques are stunning.

With precise cuts and ultra-flat surfaces, the Parallel Collection of faucets and accessories brings sophistication to the modern bathroom through controlled expression. The dichotomy of round and square forms is unified by characteristic angles that deliver beautiful reflections and precise alignment. Smaller details deliver character originality and heighten the collection to a higher level of sophistication.

In partnership with parent company, Kohler Co., ANN SACKS debuts The Crackle Collection by Kohler WasteLAB, an innovative tile series that employs Kohler’s unfired pottery cull as its medium, transforming the waste into a responsive tile body. Handcrafted in the WasteLAB located in the Kohler, Wis. enamel factory, the bespoke collection was one of the initiatives spun from the Kohler Innovation for Good program.

Main image credit: Kohler

 

SPOTLIGHT ON: Is Chelsom’s new lighting collection on your Radar?

 600 429 Hamish Kilburn
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Radar from Chelsom is one of the signature lighting ranges from the brand-new collection Edition 26, presenting a selection of contemporary urban fittings that would be an impressive addition to a wide variety of interior genres.

Following the launch of Edition 26, hospitality experts – and Hotel Designs Recommended Supplier – Chelsom’s Radar takes industrial chic to new lighting levels.

Shallow perforated metal coolie shades in Brushed Brass are supported by detailed knurled lampholder covers, finished with contrasting Satin Black metalwork to give an industrial look. The fittings contain LED squirrel cage filament lamps for decorative impact whilst creating a warm ambient light effect.

Desk, ceiling and wall variations are available with the latter offered as an individual or duo of coolie shades. The range is priced with and comes complete with lamps as shown.

To read the exclusive Q&A with the leaders behind the brand, click here.

Chelsom are one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, click here.

 

 

 

Sleep in this sustainable shipping container on an Australian island

 560 377 Adam Bloodworth
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An island off the Australian coastline near the city of Perth houses the country’s loudest new design statement: Contained Perth.

Contained on Cockatoo Island is a hotel, urban winery, restaurant and living space, celebrating sustainability. It’s built entirely from re-purposed shipping containers, which have been made luxury with statement bespoke furnishings.

The limited space inside the containers has been interpreted as a design challenge, so although guests are in a confined space, there’s plenty of visual ques to stimulate the senses.

And all interior design fixtures and fittings are entirely sustainable. The fit is industrial, with softer wooden detailing with curvatures and polished surfaces to ensure the functional fit is ultimately still homely.

Being on an island, the shipping container itself is only one part of an unusual short break. Private terraces have relaxing lounger chairs, and simple wooden furniture reimagined from industrial equipment. Views out over the sea, or a short walk to the pool, both command attention.

An on-site restaurant called Don Tapa is inspired by South American and Australian food, and sources the freshest local ingredients, and is designed for sharing. Order individual dishes, or “let Don feed you and your group” for 60 dollars per head.

A social and communal area also houses ad-hoc events, with speakers and guest chefs.  Young Henry’s provide the drinks, alongside The Sydney Urban Winery Bar

The two bespoke suites on the island each have their own plunge pool, air conditioning, Nespresso coffee machines and Netflix.

Moxy debuts at Times Square

Moxy debuts at Times Square at former Mills Hotel

 640 390 Daniel Fountain
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The Moxy Times Square, the 15th property in the brand’s portfolio, has celebrated its grand opening in the former Mills Hotel in Manhattan.

Originally constructed in 1907, the hotel from Lightstone was transformed by a team of collaborators: locally-based architectural firm Stonehill & Taylor; design firms Yabu Pushelberg and Rockwell Group; and TAO Group, the creator and operator of the property’s F&B outlets.

Along with the the 612 cozy guestrooms, Yabu Pushelberg designed the entrance lobby as well as the second floor lobby and public spaces.

The Moxy Times Square, the 15th property in the brand's portfolio, has celebrated its grand opening in the former Mills Hotel in Manhattan.The latter serves as the social hub of the hotel with a central, copper-wrapped bar and a triple-height atrium skylight; a lounge complete with a DJ booth and wired seating; three multifunctional studios just beyond copper-framed glass doors; and grab-and-go space the Pickup. Ranging from 150 to 350 square feet, the rooms feature brand signatures such as an honest material palette and basic, exposed construction techniques.

Flexibility and functionality also characterise the guestrooms, which include foldaway furniture hung on open pegboard closets, large walk-in rain showers, and wood-frame beds with built-in storage.

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara now open

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara now open

 694 422 Daniel Fountain
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The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has announced the newest addition to its collection of luxurious global properties, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara.

Recently acquired by Carey Watermark Investors Incorporated and Carey Watermark Investors 2 Incorporated, the former Bacara Resort & Spa has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation which included all 358 guest rooms and suites as well as enhancements to the resort”s six culinary venues.

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara now openThe Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara will provide the legendary personalized service and luxury facilities guests of The Ritz-Carlton brand have come to know worldwide.

Located on 78 acres of exclusive California coastline, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara will immerse guests in the destination while inspiring them to discover the best of coastal living.

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara now openThe oceanfront resort offers direct beach access and three salt-water swimming pools, a 42,000-square foot luxury spa with 36 treatment rooms, a salon and a fitness center, as well as abundant indoor and outdoor event space. Six culinary venues, including Angel Oak, the resort”s signature restaurant, will give guests a taste of Santa Barbara. Just minutes from the center of charming and historic Santa Barbara, the resort is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountain, with close proximity to the region”s best vineyards.