OroNero at JW Marriott Absheron Baku, Azerbaijan

150 150 Daniel Fountain
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The latest creation by Blue Sky Hospitality at the JW Marriott Absheron Baku, Azerbaijan is OroNero; a bar & restaurant inspired by the mineral wealth of Azerbaijan.
Lounge featuring “Window Grazers”; two dozen life-size black rabbits scattered around the space, also doubling up as side lamps.

Similarly styled to a high-fashion private jet, the OroNero lounge exudes the essence of the Italian luxury industries – the couture, jewellery, artisan furniture and fine wines – all blended with a theatrical approach to interior design which has become so synonymous with Henry Chebaane, the French-born celebrated London artist, designer and founder of Blue Sky Hospitality. Gold buffalo leather panels, pink gold snake upholstery, black leather seats and intricate fretwork panels in ebonised timber are just a few highlights from the lounge area.

The restaurant features an innovative take on the show kitchen idea as the cooking area is encased in a translucent golden mosaic screen so only the shadows of the chefs working behind it can be seen by diners.

Restaurant with “EVOO (Extra Volatile Organic Object)”; an installation of mouth-blown drop-shaped glass bottles, some filled with extra virgin oil and others with crude oil: a double entendre on the volatility and interconnection of international commodity markets.

Bespoke timber flooring, created by Blue Sky Hospitality specifically for the restaurant, is an unusual amber colour with black veins which complements the similarly bespoke wool carpet. As a piece of conceptual art, the carpet references the Italian food scene with splashes of coffee, Prosecco, olive oil and fine Balsamico.

Henry Chebaane always include conceptual art installations in his projects so that the space delivers more than aesthetic satisfaction and pleasurable comfort but also ask philosophical questions and engage the imagination of the public (see photos captions for more details).

OroNero restaurant entrance with “Gold Diggers”; a dozen large ravens that are golden instead of black, checking the entrance door

Daniel Fountain / 17.08.2015

Editor, Hotel Designs

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

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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.

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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.

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