Top 5 stories of the week: Lighting the future, Madrid arrivals and Nobu expansion

950 633 Hamish Kilburn
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From lighting insights to hotel group milestones, here are Hotel Designs’ top stories of the week…

As we continue our Spotlight On hotel openings, this week’s headlines have suggested a theme of hotel chains arriving in new destinations. From BLESS Collection Hotels opening its first hotel to Bali welcoming the Kempinski brand, it’s been an exciting week to report the hotel design headlines. Here are our top five stories of the week.

1) Hotels at New Heights: Rooms on rails

Luxury room in train. Wooden bed frame and luxury blue seating

In the second article in the series, Hotels at New Heights, we investigate how the luxury train industry is seeing somewhat of a renaissance for plush suite travel following an uncertain journey on the rails…

> Read more about Hotels at New Heights here

2) BLESS Collection Hotel opens first hotel

View from balcony of hotel

Image credit: BLESS Collection Hotel

The luxury hotel brand, which sits under the Palladium Hotel Group umbrella has opened the 111-key BLESS Hotel Madrid designed by Lázaro Rosa-Violan

To read more about the opening, click here

3) In Conversation With: Moritz Waldemeyer

LED Lighting with Moritz Waldemeyer

Lighting designer Moritz Waldemeyer speaks to Hotel Designs about 2019 trends, the power of lighting therapy and how one moment in time can dramatically change the direction of a creative’s career…

Read the exclusive interview, click here

4) Nobu Hotel Marbella set to double in size for 2019

Licing area featuring sofa next to large balcony

Image credit: Nobu Hotels

Following its launch last year, Nobu Hotel Marbella, which is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), has announced that it will double in size with the opening of a further 40 rooms and suites for the 2019 season.

> To read more about the renovation, click here

5) Spotlight On: February features announced

Render of Eden Hotel

Image Credit: Tate Harmer Hotel, Eden Hotel (Winner of The Eco Award at The Brit List 2018)

Hotel Designs has officially dropped its February editorial features, which are Surfaces and Architecture & Construction…

To read more about the topics, click here 

Main image credit: Moritz Waldemeyer Studio

Hamish Kilburn / 18.01.2019

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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.