Officially ranked as the world’s tallest hotel when it opened its doors to guests in February 2013, the JW Marriott Marquis spans 72 floors and towers 1,100 feet over Dubai. This landmark luxury hotel may have entered the Guinness Book of World Records due to its height, but designing each of its guest bathrooms and the spa area proved far from a tall order for BAGNODESIGN, the international manufacturer and supplier of design-led bathroom solutions. Part of the Dubai-based Sanipex Group established in 1994, BAGNODESIGN has developed an enviable reputation for supplying innovative and highly functional solutions to the hotel sector, with the Marriott Marquis being one of its most prestigious projects to date.
Working closely with the project’s architect Arch Group Dubai and interior designers LW Design, along with the Emirates Group’s own in-house design team, BAGNODESIGN created opulent bathroom spaces that leave guests feeling relaxed and rejuvenated throughout their stay at the Marriott Marquis.
Each of the hotel’s two towers has two presidential suites, 506 King rooms, 156 twin rooms, four rooms designed for disabled access and 118 corner suites, with the remaining space made up of 22 executive King rooms in varying configurations. Construction commenced in July 2007, with the south tower opening its doors to the public in October 2012 and the north tower due for completion by 2014.
Clean lines and a modern finish were key to appealing to the hotel’s varied clientele, which ranges from seasoned travellers, to guests visiting the region on business from all over the world. The broad product range in the BAGNODESIGN portfolio more than catered to the design brief, with the company also able to draw further inspiration from other brands under the Sanipex umbrella in order to create aspirational bathroom spaces that relax the mind, body and senses.
The lavishly designed bathrooms include the Malmo luxury freestanding bath tub, Smooth wall-hung sanitaryware and double under-counter washbasins, all from the BAGNODESIGN stable. These are perfectly complemented by Geberit concealed cisterns and flush plates, and individual walk-in showers equipped with Notions and Geo brassware from Vado. The finishing touches are all catered for too, with the full BAGNODESIGN accessory package which specifically caters for the hotel industry.
Guy Wilson, Managing Director of Projects for BAGNODESIGN, commented: “Although the overall feel of the bathrooms had to be one of luxury and sheer indulgence, the design brief also put an emphasis on value. Through close co-operation with the design team throughout the duration of the project, we ensured that the design intent was maintained whilst fulfilling the budgetary requirements of the client.
As with any project on such a large scale, the design and installation process of the bathrooms in the Marriott Marquis wasn’t without its share of challenges, all of which were met and conquered by the BAGNODESIGN. “There were ongoing changes to the design and varying onsite conditions which meant our constant and meticulous involvement,” explains Guy. “Our product specification team were involved at the design stage to ensure the right choices were made and the volume of orders could be achieved, backed up by the Sanipex supply chain and technical support team who ensured the project’s challenging deadlines whilst fulfilling the changing criteria.”
