9-15 December: Top 10 stories of the week…

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800 444 Daniel Fountain
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From hotel openings to product spotlights to everything in between, we collate the top 10 most read stories on Hotel Designs this week…

1. IN CONVERSATION: MARCEL WANDERS – GRAND PORTALS NOUS
Hotel Designs caught up with the charismatic and accomplished artist for a short chat…

2. DESIGNER PROFILE: FRANCESCO ROTA, LEMA
The philosophy behind Italian furniture designers LEMA is the concept of slow living, the harmonious enjoyment of life through beauty. This vision is behind all their bespoke items, and underpins the grace and elegance that flows through their interiors.

3. MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL TO OPEN 40 LUXURY HOTELS IN 2018
Marriott International has reported that it will open almost 40 luxury hotels in 2018, catering to what it calls a new ‘affluent traveller’.

4. AXOR SCOOPS THREE PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS
Hansgrohe has had a great end to 2017 after scooping a hat-trick of awards. Winning three prestigious awards within the bathroom industry…

5. IBIS HOTELS CONTRIBUTING TO CANNING TOWN REGENERATION
Offering unrivalled access to a host of London’s most bustling business and leisure hubs, the new 196-bed ibis London Canning Town hotel delivers style, comfort and affordability to all travellers, in one of the capital’s most exciting emerging locations.

6. KIT KEMP BY WILTON CARPETS RECEIVES ACCLAIM SINCE LAUNCH
The Kit Kemp by Wilton Carpets collection was launched at a glittering event at London’s The Soho Hotel, named the ‘World’s Most Glamorous Hotel’ by Tatler magazine.

7. INTRODUCING THREE NEW LUXURY HOTELS FROM IHG
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies is proud to announce the opening of three new hotels – in Los Angeles, Perth Australia and Singapore.

8. PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: WILDERNESS SAFARIS’ QOROKWE CAMP, BOTSWANA
Wilderness Safaris is delighted to announce the opening of its new Classic Camp, Qorokwe, situated in the private, wildlife-rich 26 180-hectare (64 692-acre) Qorokwe Concession, bordering Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

9. CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE ON HULL’S EAGERLY-AWAITED £25M HOTEL DEVELOPMENT
Developer Manorcrest Group has announced the completion of the new £25 million DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Ferensway, Hull.

10. SUPERCITY APARTHOTELS MAKES MANCHESTER ACQUISITION
Serviced apartment specialists, Supercity Aparthotels has purchased ‘The Light Aparthotel’ – an 81,000sqft site in Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter.

Daniel Fountain / 15.12.2017

Editor, Hotel Designs

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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.