September 17-23: Top stories of the week…

More and more people are opting for a 'staycation' in the post-Brexit era
1000 713 Daniel Fountain
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Brexit – and its impact on the hospitality industry – is managing to keep itself in the headlines. Plus Brad Pitt is in the news for something other than his divorce…

1. Post-Brexit ‘staycation’ boom worth extra £1.4 billion to UK economy
The positive impact of the UK’s Brexit decision on the domestic hotel market was revealed last week as official figures show billions of pounds staying in the United Kingdom

2. Brad Pitt considering $1.5 billion project in Croatia
Brad Pitt is considering building an upscale complex for about 2,500 people in Croatia’s coastal town of Zablace.

3. Discover the roots of design: What not to miss at Decorex 2016
The best on offer at this year’s Decorex show…

4. £1 million refurbishment for Cotswold House Hotel & Spa
Cotswold House, the award winning luxury hotel and spa has undergone a significant £1 million restoration which includes a full renovation of their restaurant

5. Industry Trend – ADI Trading: Vintage-styled tableware on the rise…
According to Global Industry Analytics’ Report – ‘The Global Tableware Market, February 2016’ – the global market for tableware is set to exceed $41 billion by 2020

6. REVIEW: Chilston Park, Kent
Tucked away in 22 acres of Kent countryside is the beautiful Chilston Park – a Grade I-listed manor house from the 15th century – home to a 53-room hotel

7. Aberdeen City Council and Hilton sign for hotel at new AECC
Aberdeen City Council and Hilton Worldwide have signed a franchise licence agreement to open a 200-room Hilton Hotels & Resorts property at the new AECC

8. Sheraton Grand debuts in Austria with revamped Sheraton Salzburg
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts has announced the designation of Sheraton Salzburg Hotel as a Sheraton Grand, welcoming it to the brand’s premier tier of hotels

9. Starwood Capital announces launch of Principal brand
Starwood Capital Group, a leading global private investment firm, announced last week that it will launch PRINCIPAL, a new urban lifestyle hotel group

10. Hilton Worldwide’s first hotel in New Zealand’s Christchurch opens
Hilton has announced the opening of Chateau on The Park – Christchurch, a DoubleTree by Hilton

Daniel Fountain / 23.09.2016

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.