There is an overwhelmingly positive vibe coming out of Australia. With this in mind, we caught up with our Asia Pacific industry barometer, Xander Okhuizen, Founder of Modieus, who has his finger firmly on the Asia Pacific industry pulse and shares his thoughts on ‘Aussie positivity’…
With Modieus rolling out the carpets in key hotel and hospitality projects across Australia, the brand has a sixth sense when it comes to industry developments and shifts in the marketplace. In January, JP Morgan reported that business leaders across Australia are cautiously optimistic about the economy and according to their 2023 Business Leaders Outlook survey, almost 60 per cent have a positive outlook about the national economy. Alongside this, JLL Hotels and Hospitality Australian Operator Sentiment Survey in October 2022 reported hotel operators are optimistic for the year ahead. But with unemployment at an all-time low, there are concerns over labour shortages.
“I am seeing Aussie positivity every day,” agrees Xander Okhuizen, Founder, Modieus. “I am relieved that China has finally opened its borders. International students are returning to Australian campuses en masse, as face to face learning starts on March 1. Melbourne Airport is hiring additional 2,000 staff to deal with influx in tourists.”
Image credit: Modieus
Education is one of Australia’s largest exports, and early indicators reveal that this could be a blockbuster year, possibly even eclipsing the 2019 record of $40 billion in export revenue, resulting in education being Australia’s third largest export. “Indian, Sri Lankan and Chinese students are back,” continued Okhuizen. “They need accommodation, they will spend money on food, but they also do a lot of jobs Aussies do not like to do, such as working in petrol stations and housekeeping roles. Backpackers are also returning, which is important as they support a lot of agricultural jobs such as fruit picking. Commodities are booming and I see inflation has peaked at 7.4 per cent and is dropping.”
It is true that Australia’s labour market is arguably operating at levels beyond full capacity with an unemployment rate of 3.4 per cent. This unique situation has not been seen for decades, where there is almost a job available for every person that is looking for one. The tight labour market conditions are helping wage growth to pick up. Okhuizen reports that all hotels in Melbourne are fully booked for F1 races starting on April 2, so we asked him to share a couple of the company’s latest projects.
Image credit: voco Melbourne
Modieus supplied the newly opened voco Melbourne Central hotel. The carpets and rugs are as stunning as the spectacular views from the guestrooms. The hotel is moments away from Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central Station, and the Emporium with a fuss-free check-in in the sky lobby on level six. A perfect place to relax, socialise and enjoy yourself.
Image credit: voco Melbourne
Image credit: voco Melbourne
The carpets in the reimagined and revitalised iconic The Royce Hotel – which is set to open this spring – are another Modieus project. Inspired by the golden age of hotels, it is a luxury escape where opulence is expected, indulgence encouraged and the fabulous celebrated. Once Melbourne’s original luxury automobile showroom and now a boutique hotel, the building’s indulgent historical origins are on full display. From the grand marble-tiled staircase in the lounge, to the splashes of chrome, this is a new era of glamour for The Royce.
Image credit: voco Melbourne”The world is open again,” reflected Okhuizen. “Japan is busy, Dubai is very busy, airports are busy – I see a lot of positivity. I agree not in Europe yet, but the rest of the world is picking up, so as an international business I am grateful for that. And back home, there is genuine ‘Aussie Positivity’, we are expanding our team further in Queensland and putting in more resource in NSW.”
It is wonderful to see hospitality thriving, as Australia as appears to be it is in its own microclimate. The global economic landscape however was less positive at the end of 2022 than it was at the beginning of the year. Although the high degree of optimism that the global economy would bounce back strongly after a tough couple of years has now been displaced by high inflation, tightening monetary policy, rising energy costs and sharply declining consumer confidence, there remain pockets of positivity, of which it would appear, Australia is one.
Modieus is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Traditional British bathroom brand, Burlington, has added two new colours to its hero collection, Bespoke by Burlington…
Bespoke by Burlington is a unique edit of hand-decorated and coloured ceramics. Offering the next level of customisation in bathroom design, it draws inspiration from fashion, nature, and famous eras of design. The iconic collection provides a twist on traditional bathroom design, replacing classic white with covetable colours, floral patterns, and unique personalisation.
Taking its cue from the decorated and coloured ceramics of bygone eras, the range includes intricate hand-illustrated patterns and designs, along with a trademark colour palette that references the past, while still making a strong contemporary statement. The Art Deco, Floral, Seascape and Cityscape collections, along with the bold and captivating shades of the Confetti Pink, Alaska Blue and Moon Grey ceramics offer designers the opportunity to deliver truly unique projects, and the addition of two new colours broadens Burlington’s portfolio whilst remaining true to its Edwardian roots.
Image credit: Burlington
Image credit: Burlington
Two new ceramic colours will join the Bespoke by Burlington collection, Enchanted Blue and Cosmic Green. Enchanted Blue reimagines Clair De Lune Blue, a colour celebrated in luxe 1930s bathrooms. It is a soft powder blue ceramic that delivers style and serenity to any space. Cosmic Green draws inspiration from the fashionable mint green bathrooms of the 1950s, expressing charm and versatility, and complementing a range of bathroom styles and designs.
Both Enchanted Blue and Cosmic Green are available across a range of Burlington’s bestselling Edwardian basins, as well as a comprehensive collection of WCs. Each piece is made to order by skilled craft workers in Staffordshire, England, using the finest materials.
Burlington is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
An icon in the making: inside Soho House Manchester
Soho House has spilled the tea – its first Northern house, Soho House Manchester, will be located within the iconic old Granada Studios in the heart of the city. But that’s not all – here’s what else we know…
Opening this year, Soho House Manchester will mark the group’s first steps into the Northern hospitality landscape. The new house, expected to open this year, will include everything (and more) members have come to expect, including a rooftop pool, a luxury fitness suite, a diner-style restaurant, event space and workspaces.
Image credit: Soho House
The city’s rich music and arts scene, as well as its thriving community of creative industries, has made Manchester one of the most desired hospitality hotspots in the UK. In 2022, it was reported by Business Traveller that there are approximately 7,800 new hotel rooms in the pipeline across Greater Manchester over the next five years.
With location playing a major role in the Soho House’s success – it currently has seven properties in London alone – the group decided that Manchester’s latest private members’ club should be located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Spinningfields, which is already home to some of the city’s finest and most-popular restaurants and bars. The building itself that will shelter the new house is the former Granada TV studios, which has been converted into a mixed-use destination.
Image credit: Soho House
The signature interior design scheme – luxury, moody and residential – will compliment and make nods to the history and heritage of the architecture. From the drawings that have been released, the public areas will be adorned with natural stone and layered with sumptuous furniture items, statement lighting and indoor plants.
In true Soho House style, many of details surrounding the hub in Manchester are still under lock and key. However, it has been confirmed that the venue will takeover three floors at the top of the warehouse-style building, two of which will comprise of the members’ club, overlooking a rooftop pool and outdoor terrace. On the first floor, an extensive members’ gym will include a free weights area, boxing zone, studio space, steam, sauna and an outdoor terrace.
So far, two F&B outlets have been mentioned, including the brand’s in-house Italian, Cecconi’s, and Mollie’s Motel & Diner, which will operate next door.
Manchester will be Mollie’s most ambitious launch to date. Mollie’s Manchester will offer carefully designed accommodation boasting upwards of 130 rooms, from £110 for a double room per night, including a large apartment, a selection of large suites and studios, bunk rooms and family rooms. There will be a 150-plus cover diner-style restaurant, large cocktail bar with live music and private event spaces, lounge bar and deli, private workspace and an outdoor heated terrace, across seven floors. The top three floors of the building will boast Manchester’s very own Soho House, swimming pool and club.
Image caption: Room inside Mollie’s Motel & Diner in Oxfordshire. | Image credit: Soho House
Manchester’s arrival as well as the opening of Soho House Brighton last year are clear indications that Soho House continues to be committed into hotel development outside of London. The group, which has properties in more than 38 locations across the globe is about to expand further in territories, such as Miami, Bangkok and Mexico City.
Fairfield by Marriott unlocks rural Japan with seven new openings
The Fairfield by Marriott ‘Michi-no-Eki’ project aims to facilitate access to many of Japan’s off-the-beaten-path attractions, offering a comforting hotel experience along the country’s expressways and the latest openings unlock access to picturesque volcanic landscapes and historic gems of Japan’s southern regions…
Fairmont by Marriott has announced that it will open seven new properties by the end of the year. The anticipated openings will swell the ranks of the existing portfolio of 22 Fairfield by Marriott properties in Japan. The new hotels will be located along national roadside rest areas in the prefectures of Hyogo, Kagoshima, Okayama, Saga, Kumamoto, and Fukuoka in the southern region of Japan, where travellers can discover hidden cultural and historical gems.
“We are thrilled to expand the brand in Asia with seven new Fairfield hotels expected to open in Japan this year,” said Diane Mayer, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, Classic Select Brands, Marriott International. “Fairfield is celebrated with a unique legacy in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio and we look forward to delivering the promise of warm hospitality and inviting experiences for guests who are discovering up-and-coming destinations across Japan.”
Fairfield by Marriott was created on the principles of warmth, comfort and simplicity. The brand was inspired by the Fairfield Farm at the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in the U.S. for its breath-taking natural sights and sounds, a restorative place that represents simplicity, balance and a comfortable way of life. The calm aesthetics, warm colour palettes and straightforward design philosophy uses a combination of natural materials and tones to represent the connection between the outdoors and indoors, paying tribute to the brand’s origins in the Fairfield Farm. Guestrooms range in size from 21 to 25 square metres and feature complimentary Wi-Fi and a space-saving shower booth.
Image credit: Marriott International
“The Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki project is aimed at creating a footprint of hotels that stretch from Japan’s snowy northernmost regions to its southern prefectures, where travellers can stop and get a good night’s rest as they explore the many historical and cultural attractions, culinary experiences, and natural sites across each region,” said Masahiro Taguchi, Project Director of Fairfield by Marriott’s Michi-no-Eki portfolio. “Guests can look forward to a pleasant and effortless experience every time they check in at a Fairfield hotel.”
The first to complete in this pipeline, Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu shelters 88 guestrooms and is located next to Michi-no-Eki Yoka Tajimanokura in Yabu city, in Japan’s southwestern Hyogo Prefecture. The area is home to the picturesque rice fields of Bekku no Tanada and the beautiful Tendaki Falls, set against the backdrop of the highest mountain in Hyogo, Mount Hyonosen.
Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Awaji Higashiura, with 87 guestrooms is slated to open in the summer, is located at the charming Awaji Islandwhic is connected to the main island of Honshu by the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Visitors can also enjoy one of Japan’s best beaches, Ura Kenmin Sun Beach, as well as the picturesque Awaji Hanasajiki Park.
Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Tarumizu with 95 guestrooms, will be in Tarumizu city in Kagoshima at the southernmost part of Kyushu Island. Kagoshima city is known as ‘Naples of the East’ for its location on a bay facing the famous Sakurajima volcano. Accessible by ferry from Kagoshima is the island of Yakushima, where the ancient cedar forests and natural landscapes inspired the Studio Ghibli animated film ‘Princess Mononoke.’
A further 78 guestrooms will be developed in Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Tsuyama, with an opening expected in Q2 of this year. Located in Okayama, Tsuyama is a town full of history and culture known for the 17th century Tsuyama Castle, one of Japan’s three historic hilltop castles. Guests staying at Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Tsuyama can catch Tsuyama’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival every spring in Kakuzan Park, home to about 5,000 cherry blossom trees.
Fairfield by Marriott Saga Ureshino Onsen will welcome guests to Ureshino Onsen, adding 84 guestrooms to the portfolio in the southwestern Saga Prefecture. Its natural hot spring onsens and bathhouses invite visitors to relax and unwind in soothing alkaline waters. The hot spring waters is also used to make delicious local specialties such as hot tofu, and for preparing green teas.
Fairfield by Marriott Fukuoka Ukiha, with 51 guestrooms, will be located close to Chikugo Plain, an important farming region in Japan. The rural landscapes are home to rice fields and fruit farms, along with ancient ruins, temples, castles, sake breweries and hot spring onsens. In Ukiha, guests can pick fruits and sample sweets and desserts made with locally grown fruit. Another must-visit in the area is the Ukiha Inari Shrine at the foot of the Mino mountain range. Walk through 90 stunning vermilion torii gates that lead a path to the shrine.
Finally, scheduled to open in Q3, Fairfield by Marriott Kumamoto Aso will complete the portfolio, offering an additional 93 guestrooms, located at Kumamoto of southern Japan in the city of Aso within one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas. The area is part of a fabulous landscape of mountains and valleys, with breathtaking sights of the Aso-Nakadake crater and its dynamic volcanic plumes, as well as the Kusasenri-ga-hama plain.
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has announced a return to Turtle Creek Dallas with its fifth standalone residential development. Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek, pays tribute to the brand’s birthplace with a design that embraces the destination’s unique history and natural beauty…
Turtle Creek, Dallas is where the Rosewood story began. A peaceful, walkable neighbourhood surrounded by grand parks and close to Dallas’s most celebrated sites, it’s not only one of the most coveted residential communities in the country, but also home to the brand’s first property, the iconic Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. Now, the luxury lifestyle brand returns with a landmark new offering, Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek, a standalone residential development that will set a new standard for high-rise living in Dallas’s metropolitan landscape.
The new 17-storey tower, which combines Beaux-arts inspired elegance with a wealth of outstanding amenities, will comprise approximately 46 residences offering effortless luxury in a setting that’s perfectly appointed for experiencing everything Dallas has to offer. Developed by One Turtle Creek to reflect the best of this dynamic city, the property is scheduled for completion in early 2025.
“Given the symbolic significance Dallas holds for us at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, we are thrilled to be bringing our residential concept to this market,” said Brad Berry, Vice President of Global Residential Development at Rosewood Hotel Group. “Planting the Rosewood Residences flag in the same neighbourhood as our very first hotel is a great moment for us as we continue to grow our footprint. But, of course, Turtle Creek is a special setting in its own right, and I think these one-of-a-kind residences embrace the area’s natural beauty, rich history and incredible location, and provide residents with an unrivalled quality of life in Dallas.”
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek will reflect Rosewood’s ‘A Sense of Place’ philosophy by embracing Turtle Creek’s beautiful setting and history in its architecture and design. The building, masterminded by Chicago-based architect Lucien Legrange, offers a contemporary spin on the Beaux-arts inspired American architecture of the early 20th century, welcoming residents and their guests at its base with an elegant arched entryway before soaring upwards to embrace the sky with its asymmetric summit. Balancing the artful with the approachable, the tower will showcase Legrange’s sophisticated style and singular approach to craftsmanship, dimension and detail.
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Ranging from approximately 185 to 6oo square metres, with the option to combine units for an even more spacious abode, each light-filled residence will make the most of the surrounding area through distinctive architecture detailing. Of note will be the ceiling-height windows, stretching up to three and a half metres tall, that offer immersive city or park views. Interior schemes from renowned designer Dan Fink will continue to draw upon the colours, tones and quality of light along Turtle Creek’s nature-filled waterway to create harmonious living spaces that complement the building’s striking neoclassical sensibility. Fink’s canvas will further include the building’s many shared spaces, which will balance luxurious materials with a mix of feminine and masculine tones to create a harmony between the classical and the modern.
Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek has been conceived with the highest standards of enriched living in mind. Its wealth of exclusive amenities includes a rooftop oasis complete with an infinity pool and lounge, each boasting spectacular views of the Dallas skyline, a landscaped garden for intimate gatherings and events, and a fitness centre, library, and private dining room spaces. The building will further feature a first floor lounge, full time concierge, and valet. Pet friendly offerings, meanwhile, include a dedicated dog park, pet spa, and garden. As hospitality is a defining factor of the Rosewood experience, residents will also benefit from round the clock support from a dedicated Rosewood Residential Team. This group of experts with deep knowledge of the area, will manage all aspects of the Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek experience to provide residents with a wide range of additional services.
Kaldewei will be exhibiting at the ISH in Frankfurt next month, with a focus on revolutionary innovations and sustainable bathroom solutions…
After a four year break, Kaldewei will be making its presence felt at the trade fair with inspired collaborations with renowned designers while presenting solutions for exceptional bathrooms that are sensual as well as comfortable and user-friendly. The new Kaldewei shower solutions in particular promise to cause quite a stir among trade visitors.
Image credit: Kaldewei
As a specialist in sustainable steel enamel, new surfaces and colours for trend-setting bathrooms will be on display. All guests will be invited to participate in a survey about the most beautiful designs and to vote for their personal favourites. The ISH innovations are rounded off by ingenious installation solutions that make it even easier for tradespeople to install Kaldewei products.
At the Kaldewei stand visitors will also be able to immerse themselves in another topic that has an equally high social and economic relevance and is one of the top topics at ISH 2023 – Sustainability. The current solutions from the Limited Edition nature protect will be presented, which are made of CO2 reduced steel and are an essential element of the Luxstainability concept. In addition, Kaldewei will present information on new initiatives for an environment worth living in, which help to avoid plastic wherever possible. Here, together with WWF Germany, the company is involved in the project ‘Reusable against plastic waste’ with the aim of doing without plastics and disposable packaging by means of suitable reusable systems and thereby avoiding plastic waste.
Kaldewei is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Inspired by ancient Japanese floor mats, Tatami is the 3D cork wall tile from Granorte that brings a unique surface texture…
Available in Midnight, Natural and Light, Tatami is a three dimensional wall tile made from 90 per cent recycled natural cork. Created by family-owned Portuguese cork innovator Granorte, the wall tile is ideal for creating a cosy and comfortable feeling that has a connection to a Japanese aesthetic, while also being suitable for commercial environments such as hotels and offices.
The cork used for Tatami is sourced from the post-industrial waste of wine stopper production. Originally harvested from the bark of cork trees within protected forests, the material is natural and renewable. Ground up and turned into Tatami tiles, it’s a material with unique properties. Thermally efficient with good acoustics, as well as resilient, cork is an excellent choice for interiors looking towards sustainability as a key criterion.
“Cork is an incredibly versatile natural material with many applications,” explained Paulo Rocha, Granorte. “With Tatami, we’ve created another way to use the material in commercial projects. Its strong Japanese signature is timely and brings restful calm, while cork’s natural appeal adds a timeless look to walls.”
Each Tatami tile is finished with CORKGUARD, Granorte’s water-based finish that adds a protective layer for easy cleaning, and which features Microban to inhibit the growth of bacteria. With no formaldehyde, PVC, softeners or heavy metals, Tatami is GreenGuard GOLD and AgBB certified. It also passes Air Label Score with A+ (very low emissions).
Granorte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Four Seasons unveils new Private Retreats is Los Cabos
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas has opened the doors on its ultra-luxury Private Retreats collection located within the exclusive resort community of Costa Palmas on the East Cape of Los Cabos. We stepped inside to take a look and admire the view…
Four Seasons Private Retreats offers more than 750 of the world’s finest luxury vacation homes. The Los Cabos Private Retreats collection offers two to six-bedroom contemporary residences that seamlessly integrate indoor-outdoor living with flowing spaces, elemental design and native landscaping. The collection offers a wide array of accommodations for up to 18 guests, each with private pools and expansive entertainment space.
The project is located within Costa Palmas, a luxury beachfront resort community located on the East Cape of the Baja Peninsula. Thoughtfully and sensitively designed and situated along a two-and-a-half mile stretch of swimmable beach, Costa Palmas introduces an elemental form of luxury hospitality set among organic farms on an international marina – Baja’s first and only port of call for superyachts. Designed to take advantage of its picturesque location, Costa Palmas Residences are designed and managed by lifelong hoteliers with a focus on design forward properties with a high level of personalised service to each guest and owner living alongside an energetic destination to set sail on adventures unique to the East Cape and Sea of Cortez.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
A distinct departure from the busy marina of Cabo San Lucas, guests of Four Seasons have direct access to world-class sailing, fishing and cruising yachts up to 76 metres from the convenience of the resort’s ‘backyard’. The property offers a fleet of boats ranging from an eight metre centre console to a 20-metre luxury cruising yacht. From direct access to Cabo Pulmo, considered to be one of the best diving and snorkelling sites in the world, to nightly sunset cruises and guided sport and spearfishing adventures, Four Seasons is the only luxury resort in the market with seamless, private marina access.
“The East Cape of Baja sets the stage for luxury living at its finest – and then some,” said Borja Manchado, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas. “Our residences provide guests with the best of both worlds, the privacy of renting a home along with the services and amenities that Four Seasons is known for. Not only do the residences in our Private Retreats collection offer extraordinary architecture, design and service, they offer what is perhaps the greatest luxury of all – unprecedented exclusivity and premier access to the wonders of Mexico.”
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The Oceanfront Six-Bedroom Villa is a six-bedroom, six full bathroom unit from Guerin Glass Architects includes one powder room in addition to one staff bedroom and bathroom with a configuration of five king beds and two queen beds. The villa boasts the very best of beachfront living with a chef’s kitchen, thoughtful design elements, and a heated pool and whirlpool, in addition to full access to Four Seasons and Costa Palmas amenities. The architecture plays with rigid and organic forms to build a dramatic entry sequence with 180 degree views of the coastline, nearby estuary and mountain landscape. The gallery entryway leads to an airy and light-filled living space, the home’s central common area. An architectural focal point, a floor-to-ceiling curved glass wall, anchors the residence.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Additional properties range from five to two bedroom units and include the Oasis Five-Bedroom Villa and the Prime Ocean View Four-Bedroom Residence. The five-bedroom, six-full-bathroom units feature multi-level luxury living with a private infinity pool surrounded by Costa Palmas Golf Club and a natural estuary. This residence is located in a private neighbourhood within the Resort, still only a short golf cart ride to Four Seasons and the beach. The Prime Ocean View Four-Bedroom Residence is a four bedroom, five full bathroom unit offering floor-to-ceiling windows, open to ocean breezes and unparalleled ocean and sunrise views. Just steps from the dock, this private retreat is perfect for a private yacht experience.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The Prime Ocean View Three Bedroom Residence combines indoor and outdoor living space with three-bedroom, four bathroom unit with panoramic view of the Sea of Cortez. The residence features private marina access, a private terrace pool, and an outdoor dining area. The Three Bedroom Beachfront Presidential Villa are stand-alone units located on top of the beach with three private plunge pools for each bedroom and a large infinity family pool that melts into the Sea of Cortez. The Prime Ocean View Two-Bedroom Residence offers two bedroom, three full bathroom units located on the first and second floors. Residences feature the trademark uninterrupted Sea of Cortez views, private terraces, plunge pools and backdoor access to the Costa Palmas private marina.
All the Private Retreats include access to a personalised butler, a private chef upon request and all Four Seasons services and programmes.
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
In conversation with: Marcos Cain, Founder of Stickman Tribe
Award-winning design studio Stickman Tribe is known for approaching design challenges creatively while connecting to the unique customs and heritage of each new development site. With the studios’ work within the new W Dubai Mina Seyahi receiving a lot of attention, writer Pauline Brettell caught up with Principal and Founder Marcos Cain to find out a little more about the process behind the design…
Stickman Tribe design studio works from the starting point that culture is omnipresent in nearly everything that surrounds us, from language and music to architecture and design. When designing new spaces, weaving local culture into that design creates strong connections to people and history. It not only allows it to seamlessly blend into the surrounding ecosystem, but creates a unique visual focal point of storytelling that preserves local history for future generations to enjoy. As Founder and Principal, Marcos Cain along with his tribe, has built an impressive portfolio of projects and clients while weaving these design stories.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
Pauline Brettell: Let’s start at the very beginning – ‘Stickman Tribe’ is a great name… can you tell us the story behind it?
Marcos Cain: From the outset, the intent was to create a sense of curiosity and not sound overly corporate or typical. The name came up during the studio ideation process. I recall drawing a stickman on a piece of paper and flipping it over to my business partner at the time. The idea of a stickman conveys versatility. The stickman can be either man or woman, bare, ready to dress. So, in context, it’s like a mannequin ready to be characterised, not dissimilar to a blank canvas. Stickman then evolved to Stickman Tribe to reflect the concept of who we are and how we collaborate. I’d like to think we have evolved further, where the characters are our projects, and we illustrate them as totems to our craft.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
PB: You talk about concept-driven spaces and integrating local culture into design. Can you expand on this in relation to the design process?
MC: At Stickman Tribe, we have no preconceived ideas, and storytelling is an important aspect of the design process. However, prior to that, we build on our creative intelligence, and by defining our craft through collaborative workshops and desktop research, we often reveal hidden opportunities that capture the brief or, sometimes, define the brief.
We look for inspiration and relevance, both operationally and aesthetically. It’s not just a pretty picture. As we build on the creative layers and the operational efficiencies, the story begins to unravel like chapters within a book. Researching the location and its history is a prerequisite in the Stickman Tribe design methodology. The knowledge is intrinsically woven into the design concept to create a memorable and authentic concept that is specific to the project, location, culture, and brief.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
PB: Do you have a standout project or design element you have worked on over the years?
MC: We put our heart and soul into all our projects, so there is no favourite as such. Every project is a landmark venture and clearly expressed in our eclectic portfolio, filled with notable spaces that are unique and distinctive. We pride ourselves on authenticity, creating bespoke signatures for every project we embellish. As the creative lead on every project since conception, I’m careful to ensure that we are unpredictable, while maintaining a sense of whimsical consistency, operational practicality, and successful delivery.
PB: Do you find a tension between working for some of the larger brands and your own ethos with a focus on ‘authenticity’ and ‘no pre-packaged solutions’?
MC: On most occasions we are engaged for that sensibility. Our clients are at the heart of everything we do, and we always appreciate their trust, patience, and unified commitment to originality. With their support, we continue to push the boundaries with a shared vision. Challenges can be met with passionate logic and financial modesty. It’s not always a Cinderella story, but with optimism and a concerning hand, we do our utmost to guide and nurture the best possible outcome.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
PB: Do you find there is a move away from cookie-cutter brand solutions – even with the big hospitality brands?
MC: As hospitality specialists delivering bespoke design solutions, we find that there has always been a demand for unique spaces in the industry. Longevity design is a key element of focus for Stickman Tribe, which has earned an industry reputation for creating concept-driven spaces. The tribe aims to ensure that concepts, brought to life through bespoke, high-quality design, not only stand the test of time but evolve with the surroundings and improve the guest experience. As is testimony from our clients, Stickman Tribe has consistently delivered projects that boost tourism and attract an upscale clientele. That being said, some concepts’ success warrants a cookie cutter approach, which serves a purpose on repeat, and we have generated fit out guidelines for various roll outs, acting as the brand custodians from conception.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
PB: W Hotel Mina Seyahi is a recent project that is certainly having its moment in the sun – can you explain a little more about the story behind the design?
MC: The overarching concept and design narrative for W Hotel Mina Seyahi was developed by Stickman Tribe. The design concept reflects and captures the essence of the vibrant history of Dubai, as well as its culture and landscape. Growing from a village living from fishing, pearl diving, and boat building, Dubai emerged and started providing ac-accommodation and sustenance for traders who would pass through on their way to sell gold, spices, and textiles. Gradually, Dubai expanded into a business centre where East meets West, inviting like-minded travellers to become part of a significant, unfolded story.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
Dubai is a truly multicultural home to eccentric freethinkers, accommodating mostly expats. Spoiled with the hybridity of influences, the cosmopolitan city is characterised by a dynamic, changing face that juxtaposes many prejudices and evokes the city’s defining double act. A strong social community is shaped by interesting, courageous, and ambitious individuals who like to break down barriers, and is reflected in the metropolis’ excessive and vibrant way of life. The design of W Hotel Mina Seyahi reflects these eccentricities.
In the Metropolis, like-minded travellers create new bonds in inner exclusive circles, continuously evolving the public gathering of the age-old Al Halqa. The metropolis is a mix of flavours with a prominent juxtaposition of new and old Dubai – a magical chaos, from fortune-tellers to the Saharan viper and menageries to poets, storytellers and performers, the city evokes the pervasive mix of spiritual and sensual. Also named ‘The City of Gold’, encompassing a literal meaning for traders in the precious metal, the nickname reflects Dubai’s stunning growth from a small Gulf port to a world-famous business and leisure crossroads. Between sources in Africa and consumers in the rising economies of China and India, the geographical location of Dubai has played an important factor in becoming the regional gold capital. Next to gold, fresh stocks of spices and textiles arrive daily, transported by Dhow from countries such as Pakistan, India, and Iran. The narrow passages of the old souqs are filled with aromatic scents and passionate conversation. It is a bold environment that is perfectly in line with Dubai’s multiple, ever-changing personas.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
By walking through the W Hotel Mina Seyahi, you can see a reference to all these elements. As soon as guests enter the main doors, they are greeted with crystal pages floating in the air. A depiction of Al Hakawati or a storyteller’s book, the installation symbolises the stories being shared within the hotel. Towards the right, lies the reception desk and the waiting area. One of the main design elements in this space includes a flying carpet in the lobby’s waiting area. Located in the halqa-inspired waiting area, the flying carpet appears to burst into crystals. The lobby alludes to mythical snake charmers with a basket inspired back feature wall and snakeskin inspired reception desks. Also, a mosaic-tiled path resembling snakeskin leads guests to the check-in desks.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
The rest of the lobby space, which is towards the left of the entrance, is designed as ‘The Gold Souk’. A contemporary take of an oryx sculpture, made of black and brass steel wire, forms the central design element. Gold trinkets hang from its antlers. The space features warm hues and gold accents often associated with these traditional markets. Another design element includes a beaded feature wall. Each bead features a name of a story from the1001 Arabian Nights. In the Arabian Leopard -inspired lobby bar, guests are enveloped in a sense of fantasy while enjoying a cocktail or a meal.
PB: Do you see any new trends emerging in the arena of hotel and hospitality design as we head into 2023?
MC: We find that there is an increased focus, and demand, on sustainability. Designers are looking at using naturally produced materials in a way that can easily be repurposed for the future. There is also an influx of new materials that serve as a sustainable alternative to what has been in use previously. For instance, bioplastics, which is plastic made from plants or other biological material.
The future of hospitality is becoming integrated communities, where they break the institution and enter the fabric of society, like Airbnb which has identified another market, or the eco luxury and boutique experience. Home-stay vibes resonate with the consumer and provide a level of authenticity and localism. What’s emerging is a different form of hospitality—that which is layering into society, removing the boundaries of a vertical or horizontal stack, and entering a more local boutique experience of hidden gems, take Ryokan as an example.
PB: And finally, can you share the exciting new projects in the pipeline?
MC: Stickman Tribe has a lot of exciting developments on the horizon, and we aim to go bigger and bolder with each one. Together with the Dubai, Shanghai and newly opened Australia studios, we will continue crafting unique, experience-led hospitality designs in the new year.
We have an upcoming projects with Anse La Mouche, Hilton Canopy, Seychelles – Stickman Tribe has a unique and authentic understanding of Hilton branded properties, and we are honoured to be part of Canopy’s first Seychelles project. Situated on the long-curved bay in the South-West of the island Mahe, the quiet haven is overflowing with natural serenity. Our full scope design took inspiration from all aspects of the electric culture of Creole, paired with the island’s unique and rich flora and fauna. The full scope included F&B outlets, a kid’s club, hotel public areas, a spa & gym, guest rooms & suites as well as the residences.
The studio is working on the upcoming LXR Hotels & Resort on the private Al Nawras Island in Abu Dhabi. The project will mark the entry of the LXR Hotels & Resort brand into Abu Dhabi. The striking resort is set among lush greenery and will place a strong emphasis on wellness and recreation.
The new Mandarin Oriental Hotel in the Maldives is another pipeline project and is slated to open in 2025. Comprising 120 stand-alone villas, the resort will occupy three private islands on Bolidhuffaru Reef in South Male Atoll. In addition to the villas, the resort will be home to six dining outlets, including three specialty restaurants and a sunset bar.
Stickman Tribe was engaged to take on the F&B outlets for the SO/ Maldives by Accor, Crossroads resort. The socially vibrant destination located on an exclusive island in the exotic South Malé Atoll will bring a fresh sense of avant-garde style and sophistication while reflecting the local spirit of the Maldives.
And of course, the iconic Conrad Hilton hotel is set to open in the coming months in the heart of the Malaysian capital. Stickman Tribe was tapped to design the F&B outlets for the hotel. The property will include an Origami restaurant, the MOD all-day dining restaurant, the hotel’s contemporary three-meal epicure, and refined, whimsical Chinese restaurant Li Yuan.
Dornbracht and Alape in harmony inside C. Bechstein flagship store
Creating a spatial experience involving all the senses, Vaia fittings from Dornbracht and Aqua dish basins from Alape have been integrated into the design of the C. Bechstein flagship store in Düsseldorf…
Experiencing music, seeing notes and feeling sounds – these were the high standards demanded from the design of the new flagship store of C. Bechstein, a premium manufacturer of upright and grand pianos, in the best inner-city location in Düsseldorf. A challenge that was boldly accepted by designer Nik Schweiger in his brilliantly visualised concept of tradition and innovation. This requirement was also met by the Dornbracht Vaia fitting created by Sieger Design and the Alape Aqua dish basin with its changing colours, which are installed in the bathrooms.
Image credit: Gerd Harder / C. Bechstein
Before you even step inside, it is already evident from the façade that the design of the store was inspired by the shape of a concert grand piano. An imposing glass arch resembling the contour of the instrument guides you inside the building, where the materials and ambience are fully in keeping with the C. Bechstein promise of quality. Showroom and concert space, alcoves for consultations, areas for private experiences, and a lounge are arranged over two levels in an area covering 700 square metres. Flexible partitions divide the space into zones as required, allowing it to be used and experienced in different scenarios.
It may look random, but it is a mixture between instrument making and mathematical principles. The design is based on what is known as the Voronoi diagram, a system of complex space allocation is used in architecture to design triangulated surfaces. The model for the three-dimensional ceiling structure is inspired by the cast iron element, the supporting component in a piano, to which the strings are attached. The piano lacquer that gives the instruments their familiar finish is used as the starting point for other mirrored surfaces within the room.
Image credit: Gerd Harder / C. Bechstein
The exceptional composition of materials in the washrooms blends harmoniously into the overall concept of the store. “Just like in music, Dornbracht’s Vaia fitting epitomises the symbiosis of classical and modern, of traditional and contemporary elements of style,” said Schweiger. “It represents a balanced design language that combines the spirit of a classic fitting with a form that is delicately ornamental. Alape’s Aqua dish basin combines pure materiality and delicate lightness. With a slender form made from three mm thick glazed steel and the extra-deep colouring provided by the Deep Green nuance, the basin sits enthroned on its base board, creating a special ambiance in conjunction with the fittings, the image of a mountain landscape on the walls, and the rounded mirrors.”
Image credit: Gerd Harder / C. Bechstein
The visualisation of sounds and waves brings the space to life. Gliding panels based on so-called Chladni figures – patterns produced on a plate sprinkled with sand when it vibrates – emerge as a design element. Made from felt, they absorb the higher-frequency sounds and provide the spatial and acoustic privacy required for consultations. This also turns the flagship store into a versatile concert space.
The understanding of quality that C. Bechstein represents has been properly thought out, so the vibration pattern motif extends to all the details of the space, from the illuminated ceiling and ornamental art of the glass walls to the wooden wall and gliding panels, to the door handles. The oasis-like atmosphere produced by the luxurious climbing and hanging monstera plants under seven daylight domes is a marked contrast to this rigorous approach.
The showroom is ultimately about the visualisation of sounds and waves bringing the space to life. Gliding panels based on Chladni figures – patterns produced on a plate sprinkled with sand when it vibrates – emerge as a design element. Made from felt, they absorb the higher-frequency sounds and provide the spatial and acoustic privacy required for consultations. This also turns the flagship store into a versatile and impressive concert space.
Dornbracht is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
RAK’s new bathroom mirror collections are the fairest of them all
No bathroom design is complete without a mirror, and RAK Ceramics ensures that including this essential accessory is an effortless part of the process with several new additions to its collection…
Bathroom mirrors need to have a functionality beyond a mere reflection and have a key role to play in bathroom design as a whole. Lighting can be integrated into the mirror as both focussed and ambient. Storage can also be an element, ensuring that both aesthetic and practical considerations are enhanced. RAK Ceramics have considered all these details with the recent additions to its bathroom mirror collection.
In a choice of stylish finishes to combine seamlessly with any décor, the new RAK-Art and RAK-Picture mirrors come with Chrome, Matt Black, Brushed Nickel and Brushed Gold. This enables them to be chosen to match the bathroom’s brassware, extending the sale and ensuring retailers can value up. This also gives designers the benefit of choices to ensure that the mirror elevates the design and brings more to the table than practical considerations.
Image credit: RAK
Image credit: RAK
Also new to the RAK Ceramics mirrors collection is RAK-Ornate, available in the same choice of finishes and with the same technological features. The RAK-Ornate mirror has an integrated shelf for handy storage of bathroom essentials, making it the perfect addition to a master ensuite for a hotel-inspired look.
Mirrors are impactful to a bathroom design and have the power to inject personality into the space in a matter of minutes. The Rak Ceramics mirror collection throw choices into the mix shifting the mirror from the purely practical to a key player in defining the space.
RAK Ceramics is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Inside Hotel Ziggy in the heart of LA’s Sunset Strip
In a destination where luxury, glamour and celebrity reign, Hotel Ziggy has taken up residence in the heart of the Sunset Strip as a tribute to the rebellious spirit of the West Hollywood music scene, pushing boundaries and celebrating differences…
Hotel Ziggy embraces differences and challenges conformity as a place that encourages guests and locals to come hang out and ‘just be who you are’. The unpretentious design influenced by grit and rock ‘n’ roll features a modern counter-culture spin. Located next to Mondrian Los Angeles, Hotel Ziggy is the last standing rebel on the block.
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
Fusing cocktail lounge, pizza joint, music venue and lobby, the hotel invites guests to check in at a sociable and engaging bar lined with hundreds of vinyl albums. A record player behind the front desk fills the communal space with music spanning every progressive genre. A retractable glass garage door partitions one end of the lobby, creating a versatile music venue called ‘Backbeat’, which supports local musicians and invites them to come and share their sound in a new space to rise above the noise. Hotel Ziggy boasts the largest saltwater pool in West Hollywood, which is another platform to democratise music with live sets performed by up-and-coming DJs.
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
Layers of decoupaged walls and ceilings celebrate musicians of past and present. A collection of memorabilia includes framed legal documents highlighting decades of lawsuits between musicians, producers and streamers with the intent of asking the controversial question, ‘Who really owns the music’? Hotel Ziggy’s goal is to trigger lively conversations and in doing so, connect people. Its position is clear for all to hear: Free the music!
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
“We created Ziggy to provoke stimulating and meaningful conversations with the intent to spark curiosity and playfully challenge perspectives,” said Jon Bortz, Chief Executive Officer at Pebblebrook Hotels. “What better location than the Sunset Strip to celebrate the rebellious spirit of norm-breaking musicians who have changed how we live? Hotel Ziggy is located right down the street from the former sites of two world-famous music destinations: Tower Records and House of Blues. As these and other icons are now gone, a legacy here needs to be remembered. We push boundaries with our hotels, and we certainly did that with Ziggy.”
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
Conceptualized by the international award-winning design team of Dawson Design Associates (DDA), every element of the space is designed to honour and support the rebellious and independent attitude of musicians’ fight to be heard. Powerful street murals wrap the front exterior of the building, the courtyard surrounding the pool, and the main lobby spaces, together expressing the vitality and rebelliousness of the music scene. A comfortable and informal mix of modern and vintage furniture sits on top of rustic hardwood floors and worn oriental area rugs, creating a space designed to chill.
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
“It was vital that this hotel didn’t take itself too seriously,” said Andrea Sheehan, Founding Principle and Art Director at DDA. “We kept things simple so the art could speak for itself. We stripped away all previous attempts to make this quirky building look modern. Instead, we exposed its blemishes and embraced the awkward structure for what it was – authentic, just like our guests and the musicians we are celebrating.”
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
In alignment with its ‘free the music’ mantra, Hotel Ziggy offers guests access to a Shred Shed that includes electric and acoustic guitars, amps, records, record players, Walkmans and backpacks to use while finding inspiration in LA or sharing creativity with others. All are welcome to borrow, experiment, and share in the ‘free the music’ movement.
In the playful spirit of LA’s first iconic record store and precursor to the original Tower Records, Licorice Pizza, a casual dining concept named B-side Pizza fronts Sunset Boulevard. The pizza joint harkens back to mid-century carhops with an old school pick-up window that allows locals to order to-go with concierge service and style. A custom neon-wrapped 9-inch vinyl album solidifies the retro theme.
The art of craft: art inspired by Ghanaian culture
Heart Beats and States, is a collection coming soon by Amma Gyan from Amanartis, that has been inspired by the rich history and craft of weaving that stems from the Ashanti people in Ghana…
Textile artist Amma Gyan from Amanartis has a story to share with the design community. It’s one about colour, texture, fashion and materials and is told through the upcoming Heart Beats and States art collection. “As a child my art looked like handmade miniature clothes, this turned into still life drawings and photography in my teens and early twenties,” says Gyan when asked about what inspired the design of the pieces. “Throughout it all was a love of textiles.”
Colour, pattern, texture – a mischievous sense of excitement would takeover Gyan’s senses when her mother would return home with sacks of remnant fabrics, gathered from the factory she worked in, when items were still made in London – she was a dressmaker in Ghana before her family moved to the UK. If being a creature of your environment is to be believed, then Gyan’s path was, perhaps, always going to be around working with fabrics. “I began creating wall hangings almost 10 years ago, inspired by the same exuberating excitement felt as a child – the detail in fabric, from the soft iridescent frayed edge of Dupion Silk, to the etherial quality of Tulle – this was my medium.,” she said. “Creating wall hangings as a form of art, also provided a moment of stillness and calm, each twist and turn determined by the moment, the subconscious thoughts and distractions that often showed up in the tension of the piece. A story could be told by the simple yet considered attention to detail placed when combining different fabrics.”
In recent years, Gyan has taken to researching her Ghanaian heritage; the rich history of weaving that stems from the Ashanti people, her ancestral tribe, seemed to be deep within her – a connection unrealised until it appeared in her creative expression. Bold colours and geometric shapes formed a language that was literally used to tell a story. A sequence of rows and lines conveyed the tribe, their status and their leader. “Holding on to this tradition, my creations are a way of drawing with the fabric, creating lines and waves that connect with the heart and a moment in time,” she added.
A visually impactful and abstract way of interpreting emotion through fabric and sculpture is the focus of Gyan’s current work, culminating in a new exhibition planned for spring 2024. Creating art that depicts the subtle sensibilities of our mood through the combination of fabrics and mixed mediums is, as she puts it, “an exciting project that opens up the topic of how our emotions are represented.”
Heart Beats and States, expected to be available from Spring 2024, has been born out of that vision. “It looked like a pile of rags,” she added, “but what I saw was a palette, a series of emotions in the form of colour and texture.”
Amanartis is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Ken Hu, President of CCD, on the language of hotel design
Editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with Ken Hu, President and Principal Partner at CCD, who for more than 30 years has been putting culture and history first in order to nail down descriptive design narratives in hotel design…
Whatever the tool used, whether it is art, architecture, materials or – in most cases – all of the above, designers who manage to consistently capture meaningful sense of place in hotel design are the individuals who spend time researching, exploring and in some cases living in the local culture to breathe new life and energy into the spaces that are being transformed. For Ken Hu, President and Principal Partner at CCD, understanding the landscape of an area, before going in and adding elements that sensitively challenge conventional design models, is the only approach when it comes to interior design. “I first get to know the culture, history, and geography of the project,” he told Hotel Designs. “Different styles and forms are presented according to the local cultural characteristics of the project. In my opinion, design is a circular process, which should not be restricted by style, but let the style form naturally.”
“I hope that contemporary young designers pay attention to the differences of each project, deeply study the design function, and carefully do the design work well.” – Ken Hu, President & Principal Partner, CCD.
With more than 30 years’ experience – more than 22 of those being in hospitality design – Hu has seen many shifts in the hospitality arena. One of the most obvious themes that Hu has noticed is how cultures have been merge through design and architecture. Looking back, and when offering advice to the next generation, he would like the scales somewhat rebalanced between the translation of eastern and western influence in hotel design. “Our modern life is borrowed from Western society,” the designer explained. “Therefore, Western creativity has a complete system and occupies a leading position in the design field. But Eastern design also has Eastern wisdom. How to integrate eastern wisdom into the Western system is what we want to do.”
With this in mind, I thought it would be a good place to start my interview with the designer.
Hamish Kilburn: Can you give me an example of a project where you used eastern references in a western project?
Ken Hu: In the design of Diaoyutai Hotel Hangzhou, I did a lot of research and experimentation in order to subtly integrate the taste of Hangzhou with the characteristics of the Hotel. We injected some bright colours, such as bright yellow, to reflect the grandeur of the East.
I encouraged our teams to innovate and break the imagination when designing DongFengYun Hotel Mi’Le – MGallery and 50% Cloud Artists Lounge. The final work is stunning, full of ethnic customs and contemporary art.
HK: You joined CCD in 2000, a ‘turn of the page’ for the hotel design industry. How did the studio feel back then?
KH: My old classmate Joe Cheng gave me many different inspirations. In the past, western design has a complete system and occupies a leading position in the design field. But Eastern design also has Eastern wisdom. We no longer fellow the old path of Western design, and added Eastern wisdom and culture to the design. Therefore, under the deep cooperation with Joe Cheng, the concept to ’embody eastern charm with western technique’ was born.
Image caption: A different perspective over Paris from Sofitel Foshan Louvre Hotel. | Image credit: CCD
HK: In that time, can you identify your most memorable projects?
KH: Sofitel Foshan Louvre Hotel is the most memorable project in my design career, which I worked on for seven years. It blended into the Lingnan garden, oyster shell wall, fragrant cloud yarn, Manchurian window, and other folk craft details, carved out the classics of southern Guangdong.
HK: Let’s talk about the present. Can you talk us through the design narrative of your most recent project, W Changsha?
KH: There is a Changsha star in the sky, and the city of Changsha is also called ‘Star City’. The interior design is inspired by that. The arrival experience has been designed to magnify the universe by 300 times, with cosmic elements such as galaxies, planets and meteorites, all embedded in the design.
The lobby is designed with ‘Star of the Universe’ as the design concept to stimulate the imagination of the universe. The stars were deconstructed and reorganised to form the ‘Avenue of Stars’. Everyone here is a star in the future. The brave heroes who opened up the historical era are looking up and chasing the unreached places beyond the horizon.
Image caption: W Changsha is a futuristic and cosmic look at hotel design. | Image credit: CCD
In the design of RUNWAY Bar, we used artistic thinking to endow the starry sky with beauty, courage and sustenance. The blooming starlight ceiling, with fantasy, splendid and mysterious visual expression, injects hopeful and unconstrained imagination into the space.
The design of the restaurants are based on an artistic journey through the galaxy. ZETA Explorer will take you through time and space to experience a different artistic journey.
The interior scheme inside the guestrooms, meanwhile, is based on the ‘ideal star city’ as the concept, returning to the current demand of home feeling. The rooms are warm and comfortable.
HK: What is your hope for the next 20-plus years for this industry?
KH: In my opinion, design is a circular process, which should not be restricted by style, but let the style form naturally. I hope that contemporary young designers pay attention to the differences of each project, deeply study the design function, and carefully do the design work well. I hope that Eastern designers will have the opportunity to play their strengths, rather than being monopolised by Western designers. I hope more Chinese design works can shine on the world stage.
HK: What architect or designer do you admire most?
KH: The designers I admire most are Academician Mo Bozhi and Leoh Ming Pei. Different from the simple style of modernism, they had added Chinese traditional elements into the western modernism style. Their works are eclectic and quite distinctive.
Image caption: DongFeng Yun Hotel Mi’Le – MGallery, where architecture is art. | Image credit: CCD
HK: In your company’s profile, it says that “CCD has always been the icon in the hospitality design field”, how would you explain that? What is the secret to success in hotel and hospitality design (we heard you have more than 1,000 employees). How did you manage a large team?
KH: CCD is not a leader but a runner in the field of hotel design. There are many excellent designers and design works in the world, and they are interpreting design from different perspectives. Each has its own advantages and characteristics. CCD shows the difference of Chinese design to the world with Oriental wisdom and hospitality.
The hotel is a microcosm of social life. We must fully understand life and pay attention to the needs of everyone. Only in this way can we produce good hotel design works.
CCD has a good management system, which can mobilise the enthusiasm and creativity of every designer. This is also the way for CCD to maintain design vitality. In response to the diversified needs of the market, CCD has successively launched sub-brands FED, UCD, WUWU ART, and technology brand XIZHAO.
FED designs for boutique projects and chain hotels standardisation customisation. UCD designs public spaces and corporate headquarters. WUWU ART provides art consulting services. XIZHAO creates design data platform. Therefore, CCD’s products and services are connected across borders and customised flexibly.
Image captions: The public areas inside Sofitel Foshan Louvre Hotel are not what you would expect from a Parisian hotel. | Image credit: CCD
HK: What are the biggest shifts you’ve witnessed within the hospitality industry in China over the past year?
KH: Covid–19 has changed the way people lived and traveled. Short trips are becoming more popular, and hotels become destinations for people to relax. In the future, hotel design will no longer be large-scale and luxurious, but will change to more life-oriented and refined.
Preview: New year, new stages at Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam 2023
‘Expect the unexpected’ is the line from Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam this year, which takes place March 14 – 15 at the RAI Amsterdam. With more than 200 exhibitors, along with industry leaders who will highlight the latest developments from across the hotel industry, Hotel Designs will be there with a major role, on and off the Innovation Stage, as a proud media partner…
The Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam (IHA) has set itself the ambitious agenda of exploring generational intelligence, sustainable design and sensory experiences. To facilitate discussion and debate, stages have quite literally been redesigned and reshaped to ensure guests leave feeling supported, inspired, and ready to make essential changes to keep your hotel ahead of the curve.
On the Hotel Business Stage in partnership with RoomRaccoon and designed by Riviera Maison, will be presentations and panel discussions outlining business-led solutions to grow and develop hotel offerings. The Hotel Innovation Stage in partnership with HotelPartner, is where experts and innovators will discuss and highlight the latest trends set to impact the hotel sector through inspirational TEDx style sessions. The Social Business Space in partnership with Swiss Sense, remains a dedicated area to learn, network and share insights with like-minded hoteliers and industry leaders.
During the two days, the extensive seminar programme will be presented by an array of industry experts, including Hotel Design’s very own Hamish Kilburn who will be hosting one of the most anticipated panel discussions on a topic that will explore fashion’s role in hospitality design while promising something audience members won’t be expecting over on the Innovation Stage. Body language – reimaging hospitality design will include visionaries Nicholas Oakwell, Founder, NO Uniform, Robert Spijkers Suwarni, Manager Operations, OGER Corporate Fashion Statements and Sofie Rockland, Founder, By Rockland to understand how fashion is becoming a vital tool to extend a design narrative when telling a brand’s story.
The potential for some mischief aside, the line-up will be covering a myriad of compelling topics, from multi-generational talent, branding masterclasses, European hotel market forecasts and trend tours. Seminar highlights include, People First – lessons from another industry, The expectations of the evolving traveller, presented by Google, Generational intelligence, unpacking all talents of all generations, Destination gastronomy: re-designing and re-thinking your F&B offering.
On the second day, Kilburn will return to stage to deliver a TEDx style session on hotel design disruptors, which is expected to look at what makes a hotel exceptional on the global hospitality map. From creating and nurturing robust and memorable spaces that reflect a unique brand identity, to injecting quirky design details that excite and make sense. The session will challenge the pre-conceptions around what a ‘disruptor’ is in today’s world, while sharing tips on how designers and brands can stand out without having to inflate their ego.
Elsewhere, the Circular Lab has been designed to showcase a collection of inspiring start-ups ready to present eco-friendly innovations and sustainable design solutions. The HR Quarter and the Energy Saving Quarter are also freshly added to the shows key features. These show sections have been created to demonstrate tangible and cost-effective solutions to today’s two most pressing challenges – HR & growing energy costs. Here you can find pioneering suppliers and experts who can help a hotel meet its sustainability and recruitment goals.
When the shift comes in for a late night opening, get ready for an extended evening of unique experiences, networking opportunities, celebratory drinks, and live music. And, guests attending the show will also get the chance to see the winners announced for the inaugural Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam Awards
Hotel Designs is attending Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam as a proud media partner of the show.
Main image credit: Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam
Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll, a new destination from Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon portfolio is a collection of sustainable destinations, resorts, spas, and skincare lines. It has recently announced the summer opening of its newest nature-driven development, Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll…
Debuting in the Ásgarður Valley, at the edge of a remote mountain range deep in Iceland’s central highlands, the multi-faceted Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll from the Blue Lagoon Hotel group, will be the first of its kind in this untouched, adventure-driven paradise. The year-round destination will feature the Highland Base Hotel, complete with rooms, suites, and luxury lodges as well as a series of Highland Base Huts designed for private or shared accommodations, the Highland Base Camp, the 80 seat Highland Base Restaurant and Lounge and the Highland Base Baths.
Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll.
“Kerlingarfjöll has been beloved by Icelanders for decades, and we’re pleased to introduce the destination in an entirely new way,” said Grímur Sæmundsen, Founder & CEO of Blue Lagoon Iceland. “Full of adventure—from the journey to the experiences while there—Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll will be unmatched for those looking to explore the remote, central highlands of Iceland.”
Ideated and developed by the design teams at Blue Lagoon Iceland, Basalt Architects, and Design Group Italia, the property is being constructed to exist in harmony with nature. The development process has been conducted in accordance with the standards developed by BREEAM—the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for building—and the cosy, minimalist interior designs produce a sense of place, warmth, and comfort felt throughout the entire complex.
Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll
In addition to syncing with nature, the design caters to a wide range of travellers and will be comprised of three distinct accommodations types. The Highland Base Hotel is composed of multiple structures encompassing 46 guestrooms, two suites, and six luxurious lodges. The 46 guestrooms range in size from 18 square metres to 30 square metres and are designed for everyone from families to solo travellers. The two Highland Suites are 44 square metres and feature a terrace with a private, geothermal hot tub and breathtaking views of the mountains. The six Highland Lodges are luxurious, stand-alone, private accommodations.
The Highland Base Huts provide a range of seasonal accommodations in A-frame buildings including bunk beds with shared facilities as well as private huts designed for families or small groups travelling together. Getting even closer to nature, the Highland Base Camp is a seasonal, riverside campsite located at the base of Kerlingarfjöll mountain range with access to the same communal facilities used by the guests staying in the huts.
Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll
Covering almost 100 square kilometres, Kerlingarfjöll, a protected nature reserve, is a circular mountain range that formed over 10,000 years ago with a series of subglacial volcanic eruptions. The range includes peaks reaching more than 1,500 kilometres, and panoramic vistas punctuated by the grand glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, making it an adventure lover’s dream. For guests the selection of seasonal activities includes hiking the vast network of trails, ranging from one kilometre to 50 kilometres, access to a fleet of electric mountain bikes to traverse the raw and colourful mountain scape, backcountry and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing through the geothermal valleys and exploring the incredible panoramas via snowmobiles.
Getting the year off to a flying start, Edmund Bell showcased its comprehensive range of fabrics at the brands 12th Heimtextil exhibition in Frankfurt, previewing not one, but four brand new fabrics made from recycled materials…
Edmund Bell joined the global textile industry at Heimtextil earlier this year with its full range of fabrics and accessories for the commercial, institutional and domestic interiors markets including its comprehensive range of flame retardant decorative blackout, dimout, sheer, woven, upholstery and print fabric. Placed in centre stage were the recycled fabric ranges that have become a core part of the company ethos.
“The impact that our business and our products have on the environment is extremely important to us and we are committed to working towards a sustainable future,” said Fiona Napier, Sales Director, Edmund Bell. “Part of that includes producing fabrics that are made using recycled materials, and also working alongside various associations and commitments to continue to improve our sustainability initiatives across the entire business.”
Image credit: Edmund Bell
RESET is the first blackout fabric made from recycled materials by Edmund Bell and is also an industry first! Welcoming new materials into the world and infusing the dimensions of texture and structure, RESET represents that soft tactile wool look. Offering timeless appeal, it is sure to work effortlessly in any contract environment. With a super soft handle, the face fabric is made from 100 per cent recycled polyester (57 per cent overall recycled after coating).
Laid back and casual, DUO is a smart double-sided strié effect dimout made from 32 per cent recycled inherent FR polyester and 68 per cent inherent FR polyester. Lucky to be characterised by a texture on both sides; expect the unexpected with the use of elegant, recycled yarns creating a very stylish two-tone simplicity.
Humans use around 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute and only 56 per cent are recycled. LINK and SWAY are made using inherent FR recycled polyester REPREVE yarns – the world’s leading brand of recycled performance fibre. REPREVE high-quality fibres are made from 100 per cent recycled materials, including post-consumer plastic bottles and pre-consumer waste. Using recycled instead of virgin polyester produces fewer carbon emissions and gives plastic bottles a second life, keeping them out of oceans and landfills.
Image credit: Edmund Bell
Image credit: Edmund Bell
LINK, with its sculptured grid like structure and a super modernist architectural look, is made using 31 per cent recycled Repreve yarns (made from recycled plastic bottles) and so truly fulfils a sustainable message meeting all our strict testing protocols as well as being 100 per cent FR. Extra usable width at 320cm is a bonus as well.
SWAY, with its natural linen look and fluid movement, has exceptional drape quality and is woven with a super slub profile yarn, capturing a very timeless atmospheric character. It is made from 100 per cent recycled FR yarns, so purposeful in today’s sustainable world.
“After a three-year wait, we were eager to be back at Heimtextil and extremely excited to showcase the new products and services we’ve been working on for the last three years, including four new recycled fabric options,” said Adam Wilde, Group Head of Marketing. “For 2023, we refreshed the look of the stand to make it feel more open and included a striking recycled and sustainable installation at the front showing the new recycled ranges.”
Image credit: Edmund Bell
The recycled fabrics are however part of a bigger picture. As well as The Climate Pledge, Edmund Bell is excited to have partnered with Ecologi – an environmental company with a platform for real climate action. Ecologi facilitate the funding of carbon offset projects and tree planting in locations such as Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya and more locations around the world. Planting trees is one of the best tools we have in removing carbon pollution from our atmosphere, helping to tackle the climate crisis. For this reason, Edmund Bell pledged to plant a tree for every business card received in a specially designed box (made from recycled cardboard) at Heimtextil as part of its journey towards becoming carbon neutral by 2040.
Edmund Bell is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Domes Resorts, Greece’s leading luxury lifestyle hospitality brand and one of the fastest growing in the Mediterranean, has announced new hotel openings and growth plans for 2023, starting with its inaugural launch on the island of Milos…
Opening its doors later in the year as Domes White Coast Milos, Domes is to operate the luxury 30-key hotel, currently branded as Small Luxury Hotels of the World, located in a waterfront nature preserve on the island’s northern coast. Each suite of this adults-only property boasts its own private-infinity pool, uninterrupted sea and sunset views over the Myrtoan Sea, and access to three sandy beaches just a few steps away. Architecturally inspired by the destination’s white rock formations, Domes White Coast Milos encapsulates a calm haven with luxurious simplicity, subtle interiors and neutral tones, enabling guests to disconnect and soak up the surrounding natural environment.
Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves
“We are immensely excited about our newfound collaboration with Invel Real Estate and Prodea Investments on this first of many more exciting projects to come in the Cyclades Greek Islands,” said Dr. George P. Spanos, CEO of Domes. “Our vision is to evolve this unique asset into the leading private-pool hotel in the Aegean, with the expansion occurring in two phases over the next two years and will reach the total number of 130 suites. This will enable us to strengthen our footprint in the Cyclades and solidify our alliance with Invel and Prodea.”
Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves
This news follows the group’s recent expansion at the jewel in the crown Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Corfu. Designed by Kristina Zanic and architecturally styled by Makridis & Associates, the 7,000sqm extension welcomed 69 new guestrooms and suites, a new spa, pool, gym, restaurant and loft bar last season. The new areas continue Domes Miramare’s modernist aesthetic in a minimalist, contemporary style. The façade has been entirely reinvented with clean archways inspired by Corfu Old Town’s heritage buildings, accompanied by intentionally low-key and minimal interiors to frame the remarkable views of the sea and neighbouring five century old olive grove.
Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves
Across the Mediterranean to southern Portugal, Domes Lake Algarve near Vilamoura is currently undergoing a comparable renovation and joins the prestigious Autograph Collection hotels, becoming part of Marriott International. The family-friendly hotel, which spearheaded Domes’ growth outside of Greece last year, will reopen this spring.
Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves
The chic refurbishment is designed to embrace the natural surroundings and uplifting climate, while guestrooms and public spaces will feature fresh designs inspired by its surrounding gardens and lake. The hotel will also welcome an adults-only pool for calm downtime whilst children enjoy the original large swimming pool and salt-water lake.
From luxury hotels and fine-dining restaurants to beach clubs and wellness retreats, Domes Resorts has become a leading lifestyle hospitality brand in the Mediterranean with remarkable plans and growth ahead. Further new openings will be soon announced in popular Greek destinations including the peninsula of Halkidiki, Mykonos, Santorini and the Athenian Riviera, whilst the brand also plans to expand even further across Europe.
Hyperion Tiles reveals highlights from its latest mosaics collection, showcasing the design trend which continues to gather pace and make design strong statements in luxury and boutique hotel bathrooms and wellness spaces…
First appearing in Mesopotamia, mosaic tiles have been around for thousands of years and there is no sign of a slowdown in their popularity. The range of size, colour, pattern and shape of bathroom mosaic tiles available from Hyperion Tiles allows designers to unleash their creativity. Aesthetics aside, these tiles are also versatile, practical durable, hygienic and low-maintenance. Mosaics work brilliantly with other materials, such as Italian porcelain tiles and they can be used on a variety of surfaces, including walls and floors.
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
“Mosaic tiles are so versatile in so many ways and they can be used on walls and floors,” said Richard Skeoch, Director, Hyperion Tiles.”Made from small pieces of coloured glass, ceramics, stone or even metal, these designs come in sheet form for practical use and can feature in awkward spaces or around pipes and sanitaryware and we offer a huge selection to choose form in all sorts of colours, shapes, sizes and textures.”
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
“Mosaic tiles are also perfectly suited to floors,” added Skeoch, “just make sure you check their slip rating, and whether they can withstand the weight of the people who will walk on them, with your tile specialist first.”
Ideal for bathrooms, mosaic tiles are non-porous and therefore highly resistant to mould and mildew. Interior designers can use them on a single wall to create a feature, or all four walls for a stronger statement. The mosaics can be used to create accents or borders and uses can vary greatly from a splashback or framing a mirror to showcasing recessed shelving or zoning the bathing area.
Hyperion Tiles has extensive collections of bespoke floor and wall tiles in a variety of patterns, colours, shapes and sizes, including an extensive mosaics collection along with the technical expertise available to offer expert advice to designers, specifiers and architects.
Hyperion Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Social consciousness and innovative use of materials and lighting were the key themes amplified among the finalists of the Surface Design Awards 2023. Editor Hamish Kilburn was there to capture the winners across the 13 categories…
The final day of Surface Design Show kicked off with the industry gathering at Business Design Centre London for this year’s edition of Surface Design Awards, which delivered yet again in ‘celebrating design excellence around the world’. True to form, the event set a benchmark for global architectural design, receiving well over 130 entries from 12 countries. From the dozens of projects that were entered, a total of forty made the shortlist across the eleven initial categories. The winners of the categories were announced today during a breakfast ceremony this morning, the final day of the 2023 Surface Design Show.
The quality of this year’s entries led to a Surface Design Show first, with the decision to crown not one but two Supreme Winners: Glade of Light by BCA Landscape, won the Landscape & Public Realm category and the Winner of the Commercial Building Exterior category was MONC by Nina + Co with Smile Plastics.
Glade of Light is a living memorial to those who lost their lives in the May 2017 terror attack at Manchester Arena and is a space for reflection and remembrance. The abstract design is an emotional response to the ineffability of sorrow and loss. It’s a special place where people can briefly pause time, find a place of quiet and stillness in their busy lives, providing a space to reflect and linger a while.
Image credit: MONC
MONC is a retailer selling sustainable eyewear and its debut store in Marylebone, London was designed with circularity in mind. Almost everything brought into the building was entirely bio-based or recycled. The furniture within the store is expertly built to last but can also be disassembled for re-use, recycling or return to the earth as nourishment.
The differences of the two outstanding projects, a landscaped living memorial and a retail interior proved challenging for the judges, with strong opinions divided. After a long debate it was decided that the only fair decision that they could make was to award the Supreme Award to both. The judges said of Glade of Light, ‘It is a special place, which creates a moment and makes you feel safe’ whilst MONC was praised by the judges for ‘its powerful design with all the wow factor and beauty, yet still retaining a fantastic sustainability focus, something that we could all learn from’.
Image credit: Studio AVT Architects
Other winners of the categories all had a strong sustainability message and stood out within their respective categories. The Commercial Building Exterior category was awarded to Design District Building D2 by Mole Architects, a two-toned compact and angular building which contributes to the vibrancy of the Design District in Greenwich. Knitted Eaves by Studio AVT Architects Pvt, was highly commended within this category.
One of the Supreme Winners, MONC by Nina + Co with Smile Plastics, also took the award in the Commercial Building Interior category. This project not only prioritised the reuse of regenerative materials, but they also created products with multiple lifecycles in mind, making disassembly easy by limiting the use of adhesives. This project stood out as a fantastic example of circular design.
Image credit: Andre Kong Studio / Luke O’Donovan
Andre Kong Studio’s Stepped Loft won the category of Housing Exterior. An extension of a Victorian terraced house in south east London, this project features a series of stepped brick volumes, extruded to create a host of new rooms. The design asserts presence to the new level in a contemporary way, whilst still being sympathetic to the colours and materials of the existing house.
This year the award for Housing Interior was shared between Wiltshire Farmhouse, by Emil Eve Architects and Southwark Brick House by Satish Jassal Architects. The Wiltshire Farmhouse scheme demonstrated how a farmhouse kitchen was transformed using terracotta tiles both inside and out, which brings warmth to the new extension. The other winner in this category, Southwark Brick House, by Satish Jassal Architects, is a new-build which impressed the judges with its reuse of existing materials from the garage and the selection of other materials for their longevity.
Image credit: Satish Jassal Architects
In the Light & Surface Exterior, The Yards St Martin’s Courtyard Terrace by Brimelow McSweeney Architects was highly commended, with the winner named as Knitted Eaves by Studio AVT Architects Pvt. This project uses unique and natural designs to create a pattern which has its own solidarity, yet works together in a combination depicting the process of hand-weaving and textile production.
For the Light & Surface Interior category, Sky Lantern House by Proctor & Shaw Architects took the prize. This whole house refurbishment and extension project looked to the rhythm of traditional dormers on an existing roofscape to inspire the radical transformation of a London home. Expressed externally as an assemblage of stacked luminous boxes, the rear extension evokes the ethereal quality of a floating ‘sky lantern’ at night.
Image credit: Coffey Architects
Image credit: Nissen Richards Studio
The Digi-Tech Factory by Coffey Architects won the Public Building Exterior category. Coffey Architects threw a delicate white mesh over a practical teaching block to give it a light, enigmatic and joyful touch. The external screen of white powder-coated aluminium mesh or corrugated aluminium unifies the building’s form and modulates the interior and exterior environments. In short, this is a building of beautiful lightness and air. The Sutton Hoo visitor experience by Nissen Richards Studio was highly commended.
The Public Building Interior category award was given to Jiva Spa and Wellness Centre by Emil Eve Architects. Located in the Victorian cellars of the luxury Taj Hotel, the unique interior of this new wellness centre in London has been designed to complement the philosophy of Jiva’s traditional Indian treatments and their local partner Temple Spa.
Supreme Winner Glade of Light, by BCA Landscape, also won the award for Landscape + Public Realm. A contemporary memorial landscape with an emotional power and honesty, it has become a significant place in the heart of Manchester for the personal and communal process of remembrance, grieving and healing.
The Temporary Structure category award was also shared between two practices. A Cautionary Bench/Mark by Andre Kong Studio was one of the recipients. This structure was built from reclaimed materials and is sat on two levels. The lower bench invites passers-by to sit and reflect, with the higher-level looming 2.6m above, predicting the water level expected during a severe tidal storm in 2030. Sharing the spoils is the River Book by Atelier YokYok. This a volumetric interpretation of the geography and the history of Jiaxing, a city in the northern Zhejiang province in China. Its design results in dancing swirls, enticing visitors to come closer.
Introduced last year, The Architectural Photography award was won by Sanaa Aftab for their image of the National Museum of Qatar, ‘A Deserts Rose’.
As the industry immerses itself in the latest materials for the built environment, the projects across the board in this years entries afforded both new insights and inspiration into sustainable and innovative design.
Hotel Designs’ is proud to be a Surface Design Show media partner
One of the highlights at this years Surface Design Show, Stone Tapestry was designed by Squire & Partners to highlight the versatility of natural stone through surface finish and texture, celebrating stones from the British Isles…
Squire & Partners was invited by collaborators Stone Federation for the third year running to design an explorative natural stone showcase, which sits at the centre of the show’s Stone Gallery. In line with the Surface Design Show’s theme of ‘shaping communities’, this year the installation has focussed on exploring some of the natural stones that have helped shape and create towns and cities across the UK and Europe. The design of the installation gives visitors a unique opportunity to explore the materials and be inspired to utilise the sustainable and aesthetic benefits of using natural stone.
Image credit: James Balston
Image credit: James Balston
The bespoke LEMA-designed table has been reused from previous years and fitted with a reinvigorated array of stones from Britannicus Stone, SolidNature, Albion Stone and Burlington Stone. Samples have been finished by SolidNature in several different ways, from polished and sand-blasted to leathered and ‘pillowed’, to demonstrate the beauty and versatility of natural stone. ‘Exploring the Stone Tapestry’ talks have been taking place around the table during the show, exploring the concept behind the installation and the materials and methods used to create it.
Hotel Designs’ is proud to be a Surface Design Show media partner
Meet The Brit List Awards winner who scooped Best in Tech Award
To kickstart our video series in collaboration with GROHE X on the winners from The Brit List Awards 2022, Editor Hamish Kilburn meets with Alexander Marjanovic to understand how ReardonSmith Architects’ innovative thinking to design a new air purification system for The Beaumont Hotel in London led the studio clinching hold of Best in Tech Award…
ReardonSmith Architects is familiar with being under the spotlight on the global hospitality stage. The architecture firm has just completed its first stage of design renovation inside The Dorchester while it is working on creating the new Rosewood address in London, sheltered inside the former American Embassy building. But its recent accolade was awarded to the studio for its innovative thinking behind the scenes. Design Director Alexander Marjanovic created a new air purification system for The Beaumont Hotel, with the aim to improve wellbeing and the overall quality of the air in the interior spaces.
The new advanced air-purifying, bioclimatic GmbH DBD technology was presented to the hotel’s owners, who, in turn, had the vision to apply it throughout the property. The final result is a cutting-edge technology solution in accordance with the highest health standards, building regulations, and sound engineering practices, in line with the latest recommendations for the prevention of Covid-19 transmission.
It may have been influenced by the pandemic, but the technology was utilised to provide a plethora of wellbeing solutions. In addition to the tech reducing viruses and bacteria in the air and on surfaces, it also increases productivity and psychological health, helps in relieving symptoms of allergies and eliminates the static electricity issue throughout the internal environment.
Applications / nominations for The Brit List Awards 2023 will open in the Summer. The process to apply is free for all designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers alike. This is one of three videos that Hotel Designs will launch in association with GROHE, Broadcasting Partner of The Brit List Awards, to amplify a handful of the winners from last year’s campaign.
Miniview: Hotel Sin Nombre – a bohemian haven for history and art in Oaxaca
Located in one of the best known destinations in Mexico, Hotel Sin Nombre has managed to effortlessly combine elements of colonial architecture with art and contemporary design to offer an experience of comfort and minimalist sophistication…
Among the columns, arches and flagstone floors of the 17th century colonial mansion which houses Hotel Sin Nombre, there is an avant-garde spirit that has been put together with curated touches of artisanal sophistication. Arabic references that invite relaxation and sensory delight sit comfortably among handmade rugs, delicate cushions and details that highlight Oaxaca’s artisan traditions.
Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre / Lexus Gallegos
The contemporary design and minimalist elegance are the work of the architect João Boto Caeiro, who is responsible for the methodical and respectful restoration of the original structure, rooted in principles of sustainability and conservation of traditional skills, including ancient processes for preparing paint from charcoal, lime and ground clay.
Image credit: Hans Valor
The vaulted ceilings, central staircase and walls were all treated as canvases for the work of the Oaxacan master craftsmen, as well as to frame works by visual artists such as the photographer Alberto “Negro” Ibáñez, present in black-and-white images of nudes in the rooms and public areas; works by painter and sculptor Carlito Dalceggio, whose talent is expressed in two interventions; the work of Dr. Lakra exhibited in the Cantinita; and three metal sculptures by Portuguese sculptor Fulvio Capurso installed on the terrace, their silhouettes outlined against the horizon.
Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre
Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre
At Hotel Sin Nombre the spaces present an ethereal sobriety emphasized by a harmonious play of light and shadow, appreciated in all 18 guestrooms, which have also been meticulously decorated with furniture in tropical hardwoods from certified sawmills, antiques, and snow-white bedding that contrasts with the hand-embroidered textiles.
Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre
The comfort of a home away from home is the promise for those who stay and choose to let time slip away unhurriedly surrounded by its design features and details. The glass dome, the ironwork from the early 20th century, and the Bibliotekita – a unique hideaway with an infinity mirror ceiling and a red neon light that invites you to unleash your creativity with its collection of literary works on various themes.
Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre
The terrace is another defining point in this design, with the swimming pool with sunset views across the illuminated domes of Santo Domingo and the cathedral. Guests can kick back and enjoy panoramic vistas that extend as far as Monte Albán and San Felipe on the horizon.
Image Credit: Hotel Sin Nombre
The culinary offering sheltered within the property is spread across three distinct concepts, each with its own personality. The Restaurant Sin Nombre is an avant-garde fusion between the gastronomic traditions of different communities from the region, with recipes prepared using seasonal and organic ingredients. Respecting the harvest cycles, the menu is renewed every three months to offer authentic mouthfuls of tradition and flavours of the fields. In the Cantinita, the hotels’ mixology bar, the specialty is the unique elixirs prepared there together with a selection of snacks. Finally, the Terraza Sin Nombre presents a menu of meat and fish combined with vegetable ingredients in original recipes.
With the bathroom increasingly becoming an extension of our living space, Duravit has identified several trends that are both shaping the bathroom and impacting on its design…
The bathroom is no longer merely a place for a daily care and health routine. It has become a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In the same way that the kitchen has converged with the living room, the bathroom is now becoming an extension of the bedroom. Room boundaries are becoming more fluid as the washing area and bathtub can be creatively located in the centre of the bedroom, with only the toilet being physically separated.
Such floating spaces work because sanitary objects are now designed and installed in a similar fashion to furniture – as decorative standalone features crafted from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and stone with a look and feel that creates a feeling of sanctuary.
Image credit: Duravit
Contemporary bathrooms are being designed in a homely style with sanitary objects and bathroom furniture, being entwined with soft furnishings, lamps, textiles, and accessories. Specific shapes and materials combine with calming earth tones specifically to create a cosy ambiance, enhanced with plants bringing a touch of outdoors indoors. Inspiration from nature in interior design are hallmarks of Scandinavian design and Japanese aesthetics. The Zencha bathroom collection from Duravit brings these two concepts into harmony. Designer Sebastian Herkner crafted the sanitary objects and bathroom furniture from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and textured glass. Whilst the modular storage furniture with its delicate edges and shadow gaps exudes a slightly more austere look, with the freestanding bathtub giving the impression of a large bowl that culminates in a graceful edge with a gentle outward curve.
Image credit: Duravit
Duravit’s White Tulip bathroom collection features organic forms combined with furniture in natural solid wood surfaces and high-gloss or satin-matt lacquers to create harmony and softness in the interior. Designed by Philippe Starck, the forms of the sanitary objects, faucets, and furniture are reminiscent of the silhouette of a tulip in bloom.
Inspiration from nature is a trend that is here to stay in interior design. As a material, wood surfaces are appealing to the touch with aesthetic and tactile qualities that make it suited to a natural furnishing style like no other material. Wood is also an established feature of the bathroom. In D-Neo, Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly has created a complete bathroom range that offers no fuss vanity units and semi-tall cabinets in a range of oak and walnut furniture finishes.
Image credit: Duravit
Increasing numbers of manufacturers now offer sanitary objects, and furniture smaller sizes so that bathrooms with compact measurements can easily be transformed into living spaces. Bathrooms in large cities are often only a few square meters in size. Mirrored cabinets, storage furniture, and washbasins with storage space also play their part in maintaining order in the bathroom. Free surfaces can accommodate eye-catching decorative pieces such as jewellery boxes, vases and bowls.
Thinking and acting in a sustainable manner has always been important at Duravit and as such it offers a range of bathroom solutions that consume less water than conventional ones or are made from sustainable materials. Sustano is the first ever recyclable shower tray to be marketed from the German manufacturer. Made from the sustainable mineral material DuroCast Nature, it not only has a high surface hardness and density, but the shower trays can either be returned to the manufacturer or a local recycling centre after the end of their useful life.
Image credit: Duravit
The minimalist Tulum faucet range by Philippe Starck saves energy and water because it is equipped with a FreshStart function. In the central position, this only produces cold water to start with. The flow rate limited by the MinusFlow function additionally helps save this precious resource. In parallel to its existing sustainable product range, Duravit has embedded the goal to be climate-neutral by 2045 in its company targets.
Image credit: Duravit
Since the pandemic more attention has been paid to hygiene, especially in the bathroom. Thorough cleanliness is ensured by easy-to-clean surfaces such as ceramics or DuroCast Nature. Toilets in the White Tulip range from Philippe Starck are equipped with the innovative HygieneFlush technology which cleans the entire inside of the toilet. The ceramic glaze HygieneGlaze ensures that approximately 90 percent of bacteria have been eliminated within six minutes, rising to approx. 99.9 percent after 24 hours. The Soleil by Starck bathroom series, toilet has a slightly protruding, delicate lid. This design feature means the lid is easily griped without touching the seat or ceramic.
Duravit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
In conversation with: Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, CEO of Naumi Hotels
Naumi Hotels is a family-owned business that has a refreshing approach to hospitality – the design and sustainability-led hotel group is giving the industry a serious shake-up with husband and wife duo Arshiya and Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala leading the way…
Having recently opened the doors on the seventh property in its portfolio, Naumi Wellington was quickly listed as one of New Zealand’s hottest new hotel openings. We caught up with Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, Naumi CEO to find out a little more about what it is that sets the brand apart in the competitive APAC hotel market.
Hotel Designs: Naumi is credited with developing ‘a whole new design’ of New Zealand hotels. Can you tell us what changes the brand has brought to the design table?
Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala: The design of every Naumi hotel is built behind a story of architectural and artistic concept brought to life by modern and cutting-edge design visions. Wherever our hotels are situated – whether that be New Zealand, Australia, Singapore or the UK, the vision of the property begins with its location, the history of the building and the surrounding community. The aspect that makes each hotel quintessentially Naumi is that it is anchored in the spirit of the location. Each property represents a definitive hospitality style fuelled by the desire to be whimsical, experiential, and innovative. An important factor of Naumi’s design process is breathing new life into an existing interesting property, rather than building from scratch – the essence of sustainable design: repurposing what is already there. Our most recent opening, Naumi Wellington, was originally one of many People’s Palace hotels that were built by the Salvation Army in the late 19th and early 20th century. It has been a delight repurposing the Edwardian-era building for the contemporary traveller. It is important for us to work with local designers and suppliers to support the local design and artistic community while creating an experience that is eclectic, bold, and colourful.
Image credit: Naumi Wellington
HD: Naumi talks about its take on modern luxury – what do you think are the new luxuries?
GJ: The Naumi guest is the epitome of modern luxury: those that prioritise high quality, well-designed spaces and features without paying above and beyond for them. Modern luxury is putting purpose and quality as the primary factors when making aesthetic and practical decisions. For example, it’s a given that all our hotels provide technology that a modern traveller is used to, like smart TV’s, USB cable points and easy access to fast Wi-Fi. It amazes me how often these tiny but significant details are missed in hotel rooms. I think the way dining experiences have changed reflect this too. Modern luxury is about being able to enjoy affordable world class cuisine that has been localised with fresh ingredients grown in the environs of a destination, innovative flavours, working with a close-knit community of growers and suppliers. Lola Rouge, our Wellington restaurant, and bar is an example of this. Our award-winning Executive Chef Kiran Ghate combines a stunning range of local ingredients, colour, flavour, and texture to reflect the Asian influences of Lola Rouge.
Image credit: Naumi
HD: Sustainability is a key issue in the hospitality industry and clearly one being addressed by Naumi – can you tell us a bit more about how this is being done in real terms?
GJ: People are at the centre of Naumi’s DNA, and we are supporting communities in the countries where we operate and where we’re from. Naumi’s goal is to help break the cycle of poverty in marginalised communities. We work on issues of food insecurity, hoping to provide children with an equal chance to a better childhood, where they can focus on their education and an increased quality of life. To date, we have partnered with KidsCan in New Zealand to provide 125 hot meals daily to children in low decile schools in New Zealand and we have supported the nutrition of 100,000 children in India and have fed 13,000 children from food insecure backgrounds in Singapore. In addition in Singapore, we have set up educational grant programs with institutions to provide financial support to women pursuing their undergraduate studies.
Through unique product placements in our hotel rooms, we have supported women with opportunities to up skill and create unique products for Naumi. One of the projects we are rolling out are our new lightweight bathrobes, made from waste sari offcuts by women in India. Previously, we have created our Hope Tote Bags that guests can use at all our hotels and then purchase, with 100 per cent of the profit going towards food insecure children. Working with marginalised women communities is fundamental to us. It helps us create products that are one of a kind while providing better opportunities for them.
It’s also important to say that sustainability is an ongoing process as we learn and strive to be better every year. Technology is continuously improving and that enables us to be increasingly sustainable and effective in how we operate. The key cards used in our hotels are now made of recycled wood and our amenity pouches are eco-friendly and biodegradable. One of the biggest challenges hotel groups face is land waste, to mitigate this we have eliminated all single use plastic at our hotels and restaurants. We are now also learning about and sourcing real solutions to keep land waste to a minimum. We must keep the momentum going to continuously strive to be better, which is key!
Image credit: Naumi
HD: With plans to expand into Europe, do you feel that the brand will need to make changes when moving into Europe – or is it more about introducing the Naumi hotel flavour to the European palette?
GJ: Our approach will be the same – find a building with an incredible history and design aspect and create a Naumi hotel for that place and space defined by its bold and colourful design. Working with local designers helps set the mood and tone to make sure that every project is different while maintaining the feel of a Naumi hotel.
HD: The design of every Naumi hotel is built on a story of architectural and artistic concept – how do you approach the design of a new property – do you use in-house designers, local designers etc?
GJ: For our New Zealand properties (two in Wellington, two in Queenstown and one in Auckland), we have worked with an incredible interior design firm called Material Creative, who are renowned for their unexpected design and for sourcing and working with local designers and creatives. We start with a seed of an idea that we take to Material Creative and then allow the brief to bloom and take form in collaboration. We plan to take this approach with all our properties. It’s been great working with up-and-coming Kiwi brands with our Naumi Wellington opening including Made of Tomorrow who have designed the bedroom’s unique bedside tables, coffee tables, and mirrors. One of my favourite artwork pieces is a sustainably designed kina, inspired by the spiky and plump sea urchin’s endemic to New Zealand, designed by local artist, Andi Regan, made from cable ties dyed in a multitude of colours. Collaboration with fellow designers allows real magic to happen and that’s what we’re about!
Image credit: Naumi
Image credit: Naumi
HD: Have there been any significant lessons learned during the journey and has the model changed or adapted with experience?
GJ: We were always clear that we never wanted to apply a cookie cutter approach to our hotels. Each Naumi has to be a unique and exciting experience. I always want each of the hotels to be different but with a shared DNA. Covid was a huge learning curve for us where we had to transition into various models. Some of our hotels were part of the isolation and quarantine facilities, and some had become long-term serviced apartments of sorts. I think one thing that I learned is fluidity in all of this. The model must serve the need of the hour and we need to be flexible and nimble to adjust to macro issues.
HD: Do you have a favourite property in your portfolio?
GJ: I think that is always my newest property because of the amount of work we all have poured into it, and it is great to see it in completion. From a sketch and concept to a final reality is very rewarding!
HD: Your dream destination for the Naumi vision?
GJ: I think there are so many cool interesting places where Naumi would be able to make a mark. I would be very interested to open hotels in Europe – Amsterdam, London, Manchester, Brussels. I am also looking at Dubai and Thailand as interesting markets. Watch this space…
HD: Finally, next steps – what’s in the Naumi pipeline?
GJ: As of now we are renovating Naumi Sydney and getting ready for its launch which I am looking forward to. It’s great for our guests to have properties in both Australia and New Zealand to stay in when they’re exploring the APAC region. We are on the lookout for new properties in Australia and New Zealand as well as newer markets.
Workspace Design Show: a closer look at the design talks
Returning to London’s Business Design Centre on February 27-28, the Workspace Design Show builds on the theme ‘Destination Workplace: Places Where People Want to Be’. Here is a little more about what to expect in the talks, interviews and discussions…
To cover the ever-changing world of workplace strategy and design, there will be four different talks programmes running through the show: The Workspace Design Talks, Sustainability Works, The Occupiers Forum – The View from HQ and The Finishes & Interiors Sector Conference.
The Workspace Design Talks will feature the latest trends, challenges and success stories in workplace design and strategy from our country’s leading architects, designers, developers and occupiers from the likes of Gensler, MCM, KKS Savills, Foster + Partners, Squire & Partners, Grimshaw, Lloyds Banking and more. One of the panel discussions, ‘Finding common ground: when hospitality, workplace and residential design collide’ will be chaired by Hotel Designs’ editor Hamish Kilburn, featuring Conran & Partners, Squire & Partners, and Jacobs.
Image credit: Gensler
In a series of talks, interviews and discussions, the Sustainability Works programme will bring together a selection of key figures behind the workplace market’s leading sustainable initiatives, projects and product developments. Curated by Mick Jordan and the Works editorial team, the latest thought leadership on sustainable design will come from the likes of Perkins&Will, M Moser Associates, BDP, Scott Brownrigg, BDG and tp bennett.
Workspace Design Show will also be hosting the Occupiers Forum – ‘The view from HQ’, providing the audience with the chance to listen to the Occupiers’ perspectives on the future of workplaces in these fast changing times. Among the speakers from occupiers are HMRC, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Oracle, Standard Chartered, BT, CBRE and Unilever.
Image credit: Workspace Design Show
Image credit: BDP
Gensler, the worldwide integrated architecture, design, planning, and consulting firm will be designing the show entrance, with the theme ‘Destination Workplace Rebirth’. It’s about fresh perspectives to enable new ways of working and create unique and tailored destinations for people, hence the overarching theme of rebirth.
International furniture specialist, The Furniture Practice will curate this year’s Design Talks Lounge in collaboration with multidisciplinary studio Acrylicize. The main stage space will bring together key pieces from leading furniture manufacturers, including Moroso, Andreu World, Arper, Fredericia and Vitra, alongside an immersive installation celebrating material innovation within furniture and interiors.
WDS has a brand new addition, ‘Change by Design’, lounge space concept for the Workspace Design Show, carefully curated by BDP. It is a discussion piece surrounding the current climate crisis, and questions the impact of workplace design on the natural environment. It represents a problem-solving approach that showcases the use of recycled, reused and bio materials in design projects helping to shape a low-carbon future.
Image credit: Workspace Design Show
The WDS Party returns this year on the evening of February 27, taking place on the show floor, featuring a stunning bar designed by M Moser Associates. The REVIVAL designed by M Moser will be a place to inspire, restore and recharge the show visitors throughout the day. The concept for this bar is inspired by their mission to reduce waste and repurpose discarded materials. The goal is to give these items a new lease of life and spark curiosity and conversation. The space which aims to take you from a state of flux to stasis.
Leading fabrics brand, Kvadrat will be running the mood board contest this year. This opportunity offers all show visitors the chance to come along, be creative, inventive and design outside the box. All entries will be judged by some of the industries most experienced creatives, with incredible prizes to be won.
Hotel Designs is proud to return in 2023 as an official media partner for Workspace Design Show. Editor Hamish Kilburn will be on the main stage on February 27 at 15:20 to moderate a discussion on when workspace hospitality and residential design collide.
Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort, the sanctuary synonymous with Mykonian luxury, has announced its latest addition for guests seeking an ultimate retreat. We stepped inside the 945 square metre villa to have a sneak peek….
The Mykonos Grand shelters 96 guestrooms and suites including luxurious suites with private pools and is now also home to an impressive private villa. The hotel worked in partnership with the award-winning team of interior designer, Maria Vafiadis, Founder of MKV Design, and landscape designer, Philip Jaffa, Founder of Scape Design, to create this unique residence where family gatherings or groups of friends can celebrate life and the joy of the natural world as they take in the extraordinary views over the Aegean Sea towards the sacred island of Delos, birthplace of the mythological god of light, Apollo.
Image credit: John Athimaritis
Indoors, the villa comprises four bedrooms, lounge, dining area and gym; above, there is a magnificent rooftop terrace where pool, lounging, dining and a choice of sitting areas combine to make another collection of outdoor rooms and al fresco experiences. The villa has its own arrival courtyard and car parking space. From here, guests progress into an inner courtyard that provides a wonderful, breeze free retreat, from where a staircase leads directly to the rooftop. Both courtyards are surrounded by punctured walls allowing dappled light to penetrate and the enchantment to begin.
“We wanted guests to truly experience the natural beauty of the Aegean Sea and the romance of the distant islands so creating a seamless link to the breathtaking scenery was paramount to our design approach,” said Philip Jaffa, Founder of Scape Design. “It’s very easy for a guest whilst relaxing on this roof space, to feel like they are living in a dreamscape, a haven dedicated to their own desires.”
Image credit: John Athimaritis
Upon entering the villa, guests are greeted by a striking work of art created by emerging Greek artist, Nano and by interiors that are pure and elegant. Architectural features reflect traditional Cycladic forms and the colour palette of white and numerous shades of blue belongs symbiotically with the island and its natural world. Curvaceous and elliptical shapes in the furniture, mirrors, wall tiles and accessories provide a contemporary take on the architectural language of Mykonos while timber elements add warmth.
Image credit: John Athimaritis
The interiors reflect the design language of the progressive refurbishments undertaken across the resort in recent years but elevate and add to these with personal touches by the designers, including a curated collection of accessories which emphasises the residential feel of the villa.
Since the rest of the hotel accommodation sits behind the villa, residents of the villa have virtually uninterrupted views from their guestrooms offering an intimate and privileged connection with the Aegean Sea. There is a master bedroom, complete with a built-in sunken bathtub from where guests can indulge in romantic contemplation of sea and sunlight, and three further ensuite bedrooms, two of which feature a walk-in steam cabin. Each guestroom is similarly designed with little superficial adornment, instead allowing nature to create the magic as shafts of sunlight play on the walls and sheer curtains wave in the breeze.
Image credit: John Athimaritis
The open plan living area, which flows from kitchen to dining area and finally the lounge, spills onto the verandah. When night-time falls, the living area can be closed down into a cosy space where contemporary task and feature lighting takes over, complemented by lanterns and the flames of a fire. Dionyssos Greek marble, polished plaster and a natural chalk-like paint were used throughout.
Image credit: John Athimaritis
“The design of the villa is about a symbiosis of indoor and outdoor living,” said Maria Vafiadis, Founder MKV Design. “It is a celebration of the unique location both in terms of views and our reinterpretation of traditional Cycladic architecture. Throughout the design there is a crisp contrast between white and blue, and a continuous play of organic shapes with linear geometric forms.”
Image credit: John Athimaritis
The experience of the rooftop is almost a world unto itself where different levels offer retreat from, or exposure to, the natural world. Guests enter into a stylishly furnished sitting and dining area under the shade of a white pergola sufficient to make even the hottest afternoon enjoyable. From here, steps lead to the 45 square metre heated pool and an infinity edge water channel that navigates the far end of the terrace, seamlessly connecting guests to the sea and the far horizon. In the centre of the terrace and looking directly out to sea, large loungers provide a tranquil place to sunbathe during the day. The west of the terrace is a very special place to be for picture-perfect views of the setting sun, relaxing on lounge seating as the flickering flames of a sunken firepit add drama against the darkening skies.
Since the villa sits within the resort, villa guests have access to all the resort’s facilities, including the award-winning Althea Spa Retreat, concierge services, a private chef and the safety provided by the resort’s security team.
12 studios ‘named’ as architects on The Line in Saudi Arabia
According to multiple sources, 12 studios have been named as working on the controversial project, The Line, in Saudi Arabia. Here’s what we know…
Ever since we first dropped the news of a futuristic 106-mile, mirrored metropolis to emerge in Saudi Arabia, named The Line, the demand to know more among the design and architecture community has been off the scale. Lines have been drawn over how ethical and sustainable the ambitious – some would argue controversial – engineering and architectural project will be. Questions have been raised over the oil-rich country’s track record with human rights and many are wondering how the development can be sustainable given the size of the build – roughly the size of Belgium – and the materials required for the project.
Since drone footage was revealed on social media, though, any trepidation as to whether The Line was just another make-belief concept was wiped away. From what we can see, construction has started and it looks like progress is being made on the project that is due for completion in 2030. And now, making the project even more real, the architecture studios involved have apparently been named.
Image credit: Neom
Developed by Neom, The Line’s mirrored-wall city will cost a reported $500 Billion to design, and it will create 380,000 jobs. While on the outside The Line will reflect dessert landscape, inside the urban city is expected to contain residential, hospitality, and leisure spaces as well as vertical gardens and educational buildings. Each building will be stacked and layered in an arranged that the visionaries behind its concept are calling ‘Zero Gravity Urbanism’.
Within the space of just 200 metres, the city in-between two perfectly parallel mirrored walls, is said to house nine million people. The structure, reaching 500 metres tall and stretching more than 106 miles, if built, will become the 12th tallest – and by far the longest – building in the world. So who will be responsible for designing it?
It is unclear, at present, which studio will be responsible for what. And given that all are refusing to comment, this information is going to, if ever, be revealed at later stages of the build. For now, the design and architecture community continue to question the development’s social impact on Saudi Arabia and its people, while also being intrigued, dare we say inspired, by the forward-thinking approach from Neom.
Brown Hotels unveils the new design-centric Isla Brown Chania
Brown Hotels has announced the opening of a second property under its new line of Isla Brown luxury design resorts. Set to open in May, the group continues to expand its five-star offering with the arrival of Isla Brown Chania…
Located on the coastline of northern Crete featuring panoramic views that sweep across the Mediterranean Sea, Isla Brown Chania is set to invigorate the Cretan hospitality scene with its contemporary design aesthetic, elevated F&B concepts and state-of-the-art facilities, as the international hotel group continues to develop its portfolio of luxury resorts. A brand known for its quirky, design-driven boutique urban properties, Brown Hotels’ expanded into beach-side resorts in 2022 with the opening of Isla Brown Corinthia, a 166-room five-star resort on Greece’s Saronic Gulf, swiftly followed by the launch of two additional four-star resorts on Evia island: Brown Beach Eretria and Brown Beach Chalkida.
Image credit: Brown Hotels
Isla Brown Chania’s design presents a clean and organic concept harmoniously reflecting the vast nature that surrounds it. Designed by Greek architectural firm Liakos Associates Architects, the new resort champions the use of natural materials with a refined interior decorated in earthy, neutral tones. The property features 148 spacious guestrooms and suites, unique restaurant concepts, an outdoor bar and lounge area, three swimming pools and a spa and wellness centre.
Image credit: Brown Hotels
“At Brown Hotels, we’re passionate about hospitality in all its aspects and the stories behind each and every one of our 50 hotels from the high-spirited, urban hotels, to sophisticated design resorts,” said Leon Avigad, Founder of Brown Hotels. “Isla Brown Chania will continue to raise the standards for the Crete hospitality scene with its stylish and luxurious design, led by the famous Liakos Associates Architects, complete with all the signature Brown Hotels’ experiences.”
Maximising the use of natural materials, the guestrooms have an organic aesthetic of earthy tones, decorated in cream, taupe and brown shades, with plush green velvet and marble furnishings, natural wood fixtures and upscale gold accents. Following suit, the main areas of the hotel are decorated in the same warm, earthy tones, with natural wood fixtures and furnishings and deluxe gold detailing. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow for streams of natural light to illuminate the space, whilst connecting the inside with the out, drawing the eye across the Mediterranean Sea.
Image credit: Brown Hotels
The property shelters two guestroom types and four suite varieties to suit the needs of every traveller. Guests will be able to choose from a ‘Deluxe Garden’ or ‘Deluxe Sea’ guestroom view, or opt for one of the more spacious suites, including a ‘Junior Family’ suite, ‘Deluxe Garden View’ suite with shared pool, ‘Grand Suite’ with private pool, or ‘Honeymoon Suite’ with private splash pool. All rooms and suites at Isla Brown Chania will feature balconies, and will be equipped with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, flat HD TVs, bathrobes, slippers and luxury bathroom amenities.
Image credit: Brown Hotels
Utilising its prime location, Isla Brown Chania will boast an impressive outdoor terrace that meets the water’s edge, with a swimming pool, lounge area, and spacious bar. Gastronomy promises to be a highlight at the hotel, with the resort offering three unique restaurant concepts for an exemplary dining experience. Guests will be presented with an a la carte menu and the famous Brown Hotels breakfast buffet, a main restaurant serving contemporary, fresh dishes, in addition to a more traditional style taverna offering Greek culinary classics.
The wellness centre at Isla Brown Chania will invite guests to step into a sanctuary of calm and enjoy a selection of quality spa treatments, whilst making use of its hammam, sauna and on-site gym. In 2024, Isla Brown Chania will add an additional 30 suites with private splash pools as the resort continues to enhance its offering.
In conversation with: Jeremy Grove on sustainability beyond the buzzword
CUBE recently released its original documentary, Sustainability: A Broken Record, exploring sustainability within architecture, manufacturing and design. Following the release, we sat down with Jeremy Grove, Managing Director and Head of Design at Sibley Grove to dive deeper into this topic and learn how we can move forwards from the broken record that we’re stuck on right now…
The documentary explores how we manage the relationship between people and our planet, unearths the secrets for a more substantial impact and discovers how powerful decisions can move us forward towards a nourishing future. In his role as Head of Design at Sibley Grove, Jeremy Grove is a driving force behind the company ethos that architects and interior designers can and should be vehicles for positive change. Having articulated this position clearly through the making of the documentary, we continued the conversation.
Image credit: CUBE
Hotel Designs: Sustainability is a real buzzword across the industry and being sustainable has arguably become a ‘trend’. What are the challenges that come as a result of that?
Jeremy Grove: I’d say that sustainability has been a buzzword, and it was a trend. I feel as though it’s already moved on and become less relevant, partly because today, people associate it with greenwash and guilt.
We’ve transitioned to an environment where we’re talking about waste, carbon, circularity, and issues such as resource depletion and biodiversity.
These are far more valuable to talk about as they’re measurable and actionable, but they’re just as at danger of becoming trends and that’s definitely an issue. Trends are transient and for these situations, we need permanent solutions.
HD: In the documentary, you describe us living in a world built on consumerism and waste, without truly understanding the consequences of our actions. How do we tackle that problem and create solutions that work?
JG: The first step is acknowledging that we have a system in place which, essentially, is about generating wealth through generating waste.
A lot of designers design products today with disregard for the future. The solutions lie in circular design practices, design for disassembly and refurbishment, and taking greater responsibility for how we source our products and materials.
From a design point of view, it’s about knowing a lot about a little and becoming specialists, rather than knowing a little about a lot.
Image credit: CUBE
HD: You talk about sustainability being misleading, with products often being marketed as being sustainable, while using materials that cannot be recycled and which must then be sent to landfill. How can consumers be aware of this when making buying decisions?
JG: Often, it’s just greenwash – plain and simple. But a lot of the time, it is good intentions executed poorly, or a general lack of understanding. Until you’ve tried something, you don’t really know if it works.
Part of this is understanding more about materials. We talk about hybrid materials, which is where two materials that are of good quality and are fully recyclable are combined to form a hybrid, which is then unrecyclable. Those are the products where I understand the intention. It’s a good try, but really, we need to do better.
The good products lie in closed-loop cycles. In the documentary, we use the example of a tile which is infinitely recyclable. The factory generates zero waste and these tiles will be recycled and made back into tiles; breaking the cycle of landfill.
HD: You refer to sustainability as being ‘less bad’. What does that mean, and how can we strive to be less bad?
JG: Historically, sustainability has been about limiting impact; reducing waste, reducing carbon, buying less and driving less. The problem with that is when you have a global economy built on linear consumption, you’re dealing with a fundamentally flawed system. All you can really be in that model is ‘less bad’.
We need to be using materials appropriately, sourcing them from the right places, and not constantly digging up materials, using them and then burying them again.
Michael Braungart talks about transitioning to a way of thinking that is focused on positive impact. That means keeping valuable materials in use, creating healthy spaces, eradicating exploited labour markets, supporting forestry schemes and avoiding trends.
HD: How important is it that, as businesses, we’re taking responsibility, looking at ourselves, and allowing others to critique what we’re doing?
JG: I think it’s integral. To solve problems, we have to focus on process.
A large part of our work is shifting mentality away from solution-driven design and towards process-led design. You don’t start with a solution and tinker at the edges. You start from, ‘what am I trying to achieve?’, ‘what does that look like?’, ‘what are the appropriate materials?’.
It’s important to accept critique and act on it, but also to actively challenge things when you know they’re not right. These problems can only be solved collaboratively, and we’ve got to be aligned along the way.
HD: You talk about growing up on a farm, not having a lot of money and having to be resourceful. How has that inspired your work?
JG: As a profession, farming has to react and respond to nature. Nature dictates whether you have a good year or a bad year, but a lot of professions operate outside of that. They either fight against nature or they deny its existence.
This creates a culture of consumption with a lack of awareness of the consequences. That’s a big inspiration for how we approach design, and consider our impact on things like deforestation and climate change.
In regards to income, anyone who has experienced periods with less money, or who has felt that not everything is attainable, can use that as a positive influence and to know what their motivations are.
When we’re designing Five-star hotels, we consider how we make it accessible to everyone, and how we ensure it’s inclusive. When we’re creating spaces, everyone’s experience should be fantastic. It’s easy to lose sight of your background, but it’s very valuable to refer back to.
Image credit: CUBE
HD: How do we move forwards from the broken record that we’re stuck on right now?
JG:I think we have to release the shackles of sustainability and move on. Sustainability, as a term, has served its purpose and has got us to where we are now, but it’s a catch-all word.
We need to focus on measurable outcomes, positive impact and something which I touched on in the documentary, the idea of holistic beauty; redefining what we think of as aesthetic.
Something which is made using exploited labour isn’t beautiful, and something which damages the environment isn’t beautiful. I think the younger generations are far more mindful of that.
HD: What has the response been to the documentary?
JG: Much of the response has been around how the documentary focuses on positive messages.
I often see frustration from people who want to make an impact and want to do things better. Designers, especially, feel as though the systems and structures they work with are the opposite of where they want to be, but they have no power to influence that.
People can now see small steps that they can take to get their own house in order. They’re watching the documentary and thinking, ‘what can I do?’, but also, ‘how can I benefit from supporting and collaborating with other people?’.
The documentary is very solution-based and I think that’s so important. It’s easy to spot problems and be cynical, but it’s far harder to see solutions.
Combining technology with stylish design, KEUCO has developed the IXMO Sensor series of touchless taps in response to increasing concerns about both hygiene and sustainability…
The design of the IXMO Sensor series of touchless taps by KEUCO includes a number of additional benefits that ensure the product is easy to clean and with a reduced flow rate, making it more sustainable. Flow rate is set at 5 l/p/m but is adjustable, with a flow time of one second to a maximum of ten seconds until switch-off, enabling economical and resource-saving water consumption. The water temperature is adjusted via a small lever on the back of the free-standing fitting model. If permanent temperature control is not desired, especially in public areas, the adjustment pin can be removed after the initial setting and a special blanking plug fitted to cover the access. For the wall-mounted fitting, the temperature is adjusted in the under-sink box, under the washbasin.
Image credit: KEUCO
The IXMO Sensor taps are extremely versatile and can be combined with a wide range of washbasin styles. They are available in chrome plated or matt black, as either a freestanding or wall mounted variant. They have dual feed fittings but suitable for use as single feed with blended water delivered from a TMV.
The taps have a ‘cleaning stop’ function, by covering the sensor for several seconds it prevents the tap from flowing for 180s enabling the product and surrounding basin, mirror, other surface areas to be cleaned effectively. All the mixers have a range of programmable functionality including cleaning stop, automatic flushing, adjustable detection zone and adjustable run-on time following use. The functions can be set manually or via an app. when fitted in combination with the IXMO Bluetooth receiver. this is optional and is only possible to install with the mains powered fittings.
Both the surface and wall mounted options can be mains powered, but the free-standing option is the only model which can be supplied as both battery or mains powered. The battery is a 6V CRP2 lithium-ion type which has an approx. lifespan of 3 years or 200,000 uses. The battery housing is to be fixed to the wall underneath the basin and is easy to source and replace. This combination of intelligent technology and elegant design make these taps perfect for a variety of locations within the hospitality, hotel and even health care sector.
KEUCO is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Cabin fever at The Bolder – luxury cabins hovering over the fjords
The Bolder has become one of Norway’s most remarkable places to stay and the three new cabins designed by architect firm Snøhetta are now ready to offer guests an experience of nature that is far beyond the ordinary…
The moment you open the door to the lodge, the eye is drawn to the enormous panoramic window looking out towards the Lysefjord – like a landscape taken straight out of a painting. The high ceilings blur the boundaries between the lodge and the sky and with only air below, the cabin and its guests are literally hovering high above the fjord. The view from The Bolder Starlodge is picture perfect and the bolder just got even bolder.
Image credit: The Bolder
The first two lodges, called The Bolder Skylodge, have been a massive success. What developed from the slightly wild brainchild of printer and founder Tom B. Norland soon became known as one of the most remarkable places to stay in Norway. The meeting between unique architecture and nature was the starting point for further developing the project of The Bolder.
“The new Starlodges build on the experience we gained from the first two lodges we built,” said Norland. “They are 40 per cent larger, have an even higher standard, and are more at one with nature in terms of their location and the choice of materials.”
Image credit: The Bolder
The eye for detail, quality and nature is what inspired the Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta to take on The Bolder project. Creativity, and a shared interest in and respect for the nature, meant the collaboration quickly came to fruition.
‘It’s not often we get to work on projects on such a small scale as this one, but it’s been a very important and exciting project for us,” said Frank Denis Foray, Project Manager at Snøhetta for The Bolder Starlodge. “It’s been challenging, but in a positive way. We normally try to find clients who have a vision and leave room for the creative process. What excited us about this project was the commitment to quality, luxury, and the desire to create something in harmony with nature.”
Image credit: The Bolder
The cabins work with rather than against nature, leaving almost no footprint. The architects at Snøhetta rented a motorhome for several days in order to really get a sense of the place and devise a project that respects the landscape and shows consideration for mother nature.
‘We saw a unique possibility with the network of paths and the landscape and wanted to make the smallest possible footprint in what we did and we had to remain mindful of this throughout the process,” continued Foray. “The idea was to convey a sense of buildings standing free in the nature and for guests to feel alone in nature. At the same time, we wanted to use elements from the landscape in the design and let the mountain blend into the foundations and the rough style of the timber.”
The foundation on which the cabins ‘float’ uses rock from the granite mountain on which it rests. The timber is from the same type of trees that surround the lodges, and the choice of interior materials creates a sense of being sheltered, that shows respect for the landscape in which the lodges are situated. The lodges are lofty and the light creates a unique sense of space.
Image credit: The Bolder / E. Heier
Image credit: The Bolder / E. Heier
The details of the furniture and the interior of The Bolder Starlodge is equally something out of the ordinary, with meticulous quality in every last detail. Everything has been carefully considered, from the choice of kitchen knives to the type of wood used for the furniture. The interior has been mindfully curated with brands that include Vipp, Expo Nova and Eikund. When you sit in the chair on the first floor and rest your legs on the small pouffe, you feel like you never want to get up again. The unique comfort combined with the atmosphere in the room is designed to let your mind wander.
Image credit: The Bolder / Elin Engelsvoll
“The intention behind the lodges is to allow guests to also enjoy the beautiful nature around the lodges, ” said Foray. “What’s important is that the experience lasts for twenty-four hours, that it’s a place where you can enjoy high standards while living in and with nature. That’s the feeling we were going for and which I hope we’ve achieved.”
When the founder and designers at Snøhetta describe the lodges as being ‘in harmony with nature’, it doesn’t just mean that the buildings have a unique connection to the landscape, that the choice of materials is well considered, or that the buildings leave a minimal footprint in the landscape. Staying a night or two in the small lodges promises a rare experience of nature, and the opportunity to experience Norwegian fjord landscapes in a whole new way.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco – harnessing the creativity of the city
The newly reimagined Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SoMa, designed by the multi-faceted, bi-coastal interior design firm BHDM Design, has been created to celebrate community, art and sustainability with a defined palette throughout the hotel…
Hyatt Regency SoMa ,akes a strong design statement with layers of different textures and art mediums while providing a pleasing atmosphere perfect for business and leisure travellers alike with spaces that seamlessly transition from day to night activities. The neutral grey and cream colour palette with luxurious wood finishes throughout serves as a backdrop for the bespoke art that is the focal point of the hotel’s sleek and polished design. In partnership with the Academy of Art University of San Francisco through a scholarship program, Hyatt SoMa is adorned with art by local students and alumni – photography, paintings, sculptures, and mixed media enhance each space of the hotel and offer a unique sense of community.
Image credit: Reid Rolls
Image credit: Reid Rolls
In addition to being artistically driven, the redesign of Hyatt SoMa is the first Hyatt hotel designed and furnished in alignment with Hyatt Hotel’s World of Care environmental, social, and governance (ESG) program. BHDM Design collaborated with MindClick and 20 of its top-rated vendors to source sustainable materials from fabrics, flooring, tables, and wall coverings. A majority of these elements are recycled and renewable – being free of toxins that improve indoor air quality. The materials were also produced in facilities that are actively measuring and reducing carbon emissions.
Image credit: Reid Rolls
“This was a pilot project for Highgate Hotels to use a platform called MindClick,” said Dan Mazzarini, BHDM Design’s Principal and Creative Director. “We worked with vendors who are eco-conscious throughout the entire process of making their individual pieces. We also used timeless materials such as a new terrazzo floor that has no grout and will stand the test of time even through future renovation and all the millwork was done locally in order to cut down on emissions. The public areas of the hotel had the highest MindClick ratings with the guest rooms following right behind!”
Image credit: Reid Rolls
Image credit: Reid Rolls
The hotels’ bold textures and patterns are a culmination of the ‘architectural grid’ narrative of the property, carrying a theme throughout with custom cross-hatch carpeting and terrazzo flooring. BHDM Design’s meticulous approach to reinventing this hotel resulted in an amalgamation of artistic and architectural components rooted in sustainability.
Sneak peek: what to expect from Bulgari Hotel Tokyo
Bulgari Hotels & Resorts has announced that The Bulgari Hotel Tokyo will be opening its doors in April. The new hotel will be the eighth gem of the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection, bringing the Bulgari Italian contemporary style and glamour to the capital of Japan…
Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is the latest creation in the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection which comprises properties in Milan, Bali, London, Beijing, Dubai, Shanghai, Paris, as well as a pipeline that includes upcoming openings in Rome, Maldives and Miami and Los Angeles.
Occupying the 40th to the 45th floor of the Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, a ultra-skyscraper in the Yaesu 2-Chome North District, the hotel overlooks the quiet premises, fascinating history and natural environment of the Imperial Palace, and offers stunning views of the city, including Mount Fuji on the horizon. Named after the 17th century Dutch adventurer Jan Joosten van Lodensteyn, known in Japanese as Yayōsu, the Yaesu district has recently flourished becoming one of the most attractive areas of the city for both luxury and business stays. Located within walking distance to the iconic red brick Tokyo Station and the financial districts of Nihombashi and Marunouchi, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is perfectly placed amidst the best attractions in town and the vibrant shopping area of Ginza.
Like all the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo interior design has been entrusted to the Italian architecture and interior design practice ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, who conveyed Bulgari’s core values of contemporary design, magnificent craftsmanship and artistic detail to create efficient living spaces reflecting the essence of the Italian most sophisticated style. All the interiors have been created with the same attention to details and precision of a Bulgari jewel, enhancing all the characteristic codes of the establishments developed by the Rome-based jewellery house.
Image caption: Bulgari Suite Milan | Image credit: Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
The hotel’s 98 exquisitely furnished guestrooms and suites – using outstanding Italian luxury residential furniture brands like Maxalto, Flexform and B&B Italia – include the exceptional Bulgari Suite, with some of the best views over the city. Measuring 400 square metres – and offering guests modern Italian design with touches of Japanese tradition, coupled with cutting-edge technology – Bulgari Suite is one of the largest suites in Tokyo and can be further extended by connecting it with an adjoining suite.
In true Bulgari Hotels & Resorts style, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is home to a variety of signature-dining options. Uniqueness and ultra-exclusive surroundings are at the heart of the one-of a-kind culinary journey available at Sushi Hōseki, the Japanese concept already present at Bulgari Resort Dubai. With only eight seats overlooking a private Japanese rock garden – featuring iconic cultural references such as the pine tree and the ishi-dōrō, the stone lantern – the restaurant will be helmed by the Japanese Chef Kenji Gyoten, awarded three Michelin Stars at Sushi Gyoten and will offer a memorable gastronomic treat with the finest ingredients from Japan. Following the fine cultural Japanese traditions, the chef will perform Omakase, a discovery concept meaning “I leave it to you”, where he selects the dishes to create a tailor-made experience. The restaurant design’s exquisitely modern and minimal interiors feature a counter made by a single piece of hinoki wood as per the ancient Japanese tradition.
The Italian Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, helmed by chef Niko Romito, one of the world’s most celebrated chefs with three Michelin stars for his Reale restaurant in Abruzzo, presents a carefully canon of contemporary Italian cooking in a seductive restaurant overlooking the city lights and welcoming up to 80 guests. Located on the way to the restaurant, the Lounge – with its plush armchairs and a cosy fireplace – will soon be the most desirable place to gather.
Just in front of the Japanese restaurant stands Bulgari Dolci boutique, where guests can enjoy both the renowned Bulgari ‘chocolate gem’ delicious creations and a selection of traditional Italian pastries from the La Pasticceria – Niko Romito menu.
Image caption: Bulgari Hotel Paris | Image credit: Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
On the 45th floor of the tower, guests will find the iconic Bulgari Bar. Here they can sip signature beverages indoor, where a quintessential handmade mosaic representing a ‘garden of wonders’ frames the counter, or while soaking up the magical dusk on the two half-covered outdoor terraces, with sweeping views of the city on both sides of the bar and an array of citrus plants such as yuzu and lemon, reminiscent of the Japanese and Italian traditions coexisting throughout the Hotel. When the weather allows it, the terrace offers an incredible view on the snow-capped Mount Fuji, the icon of Japan, which also inspired the “Mount Fuji” vintage brooch in gold and mother of pearl, created in 1972 by Bulgari to celebrate the long lasting connection with the country and now becoming a recurring symbol of the Hotel.
Image caption: Bulgari Hotel Paris | Image credit: Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
Whether guests are looking to host corporate events, intimate family gatherings or lavish weddings, the hotel is not only a location to vacation, but the ideal events destination. Two dramatic Bulgari Ballrooms, measuring 180 square metres each with triple-height ceilings, located on the 40th floor and separated by a glass niche hosting a secular pine tree, can be customised for large scale events up to 100 guests each and offer state- of-the-art technology. With stunning city views, these locations are fit for bespoke special occasions and business events alike. On the same level of the two ballrooms, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo hosts its Wedding Salon for guests who choose to celebrate their ceremony in a Bulgari style. A Bulgari Wedding Planner will take care of all necessary coordination to ensure an exquisite day. A glamorous 110 square meter Terrace Room close to the Wedding salon and featuring a geometric pattern wall inspired by the diamond cut design, can be set up as a Chapel for a truly unique experience.
The 1000 square metre Bulgari Spa on the 40th floor adds a further luxurious touch to the guest experience with nine treatment rooms, including a spa suite and two double treatment rooms, and a 25-meter indoor pool with full view on the skyline through its magnificent floor to ceiling windows. Augustinus Bader’s wellness treatments and line of products will be available at Spa where the guests will enjoy the ultimate wellbeing experience, immersing in innovative treatments, therapies and grooming for both men and women, in addition to thermal and bathing experiences. Moreover, a state-of-the-art fitness centre offers WORKSHOP GYMNASIUM signature bespoke training method: a results-driven approach that redefines the very concept of well-being.
James Latham, is a long-time supplier for Rycotewood College, one of the country’s leading institutions for vocational training for furniture design and making. When the college approached the company to be involved as a partner for its 2022 student competition, the company was delighted to donate the materials designed to test the students creativity…
In support of nurturing the next generation of designers, surface manufacturer James Latham collaborated with Rycotewood Collage when the institution launched its student design competition.
At the heart of the campaign’s aims were colour and curve, inspired by guest mentor Fred Baier. To provide an extra level of challenge, James Latham suggested the students work with unfamiliar materials, using the resources available at Rycotewood, under strict timings. Once the overarching theme of ‘storage’ was agreed, James Latham approached three of its premium supplier partners to get involved: HIMACS, UPM and Valchromat. All globally popular options for furniture applications, they were delighted to participate.
Following a 10-week entry period, in which 12 Rycotewood degree students participated, judging took place during the end of year celebratory show and the winning and commended entries were announced.
“Solid Surface was a totally new material for me and I was immediately impressed at how it can be worked in a similar way as bent, laminated wood, but hold a far better shape, with more consistent surface definition,” said Yuchen Liu, joint Winner, when commenting on working with HIMACS. “I knew it had to become the centrepiece of my project.”
Liu’s cool and contemporary bar cabinet design is a true celebration of HIMACS, using its bright orange tone complemented with stained European oak to create a visually arresting piece of furniture. What made his piece stand out for the judges was the originality in its use of HIMACS, and the way in which he had formed the surface to create a seamless s-shaped curve. This feature ran across the top of the cabinet before cascading down its side and tapering off to create a multi-level effect.
Image credit: James Latham / Rycotewood College
Image credit: James Latham / Rycotewood College
Luke Rawlinson was the competition’s other winner, using UPM’s Grada2000 Birch Plywood to breath-taking effect in an elegant, biophilic-themed storage cabinet. Taking advantage of the material’s thermoformability, he adopted an innovative approach to the design by accentuating Grada2000’s signature ability to curve and stay curved. Light and modern, the sustainable credentials of the material were further enhanced with, curved shelving and ribbing on each side of the central storage unit, creating a pleasant visual contrast. Furthermore, the ribbed side act as a trellis from which creeping plant life can prosper, enhancing the natural theme Rawlinson intended.
Image credit: James Latham / Rycotewood College
Catherine Warsi was also singled-out for her clever and creative use of Valchromat, discovering the versatility of this popular engineered panel when aiming to create an ambitious spherical storage unit. Seeking a through-colour surface, but realising the tools available on-site would limit her opportunity to work with HIMACS, Valchromat’s blue-hued board provided the perfect solution to this challenge. “The structural composition of Valchromat makes it easy to shape, meaning I was able to achieve the stepped spherical shape I wanted using the equipment available at Rycotewood,2 said Warsi. “Furthermore, the product came in an amazing range of colours, which fired my imagination.
The competition tested the mettle and imagination of the students who delivered incredible results under considerable time pressure and James Latham’s provision of a variety of different materials encouraged them to think outside the box and discover the advantages and potential of a completely new range of products.
James Latham is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: James Latham / Rycotewood College
Inside the hotel that is said to redefine luxury in Doha
After the long-anticipated launch Raffles &Fairmont Doha are open and moving the dial for luxury in the region. We stepped inside to take a look…
The two hotels are housed within Lusail’s iconic Katara Towers. Setting itself apart from its global peers, Fairmont Doha will surprise guests with its grandeur from the moment they step through the doors. Taking centre place in the lobby is a 56.5 metre high crystal chandelier –the world’s tallest weighing over half a tonne and complete with 4,807 bulbs and glass parts.
In addition, The Fairmont Doha shelters 270 guestrooms, 92 suites, four themed suites and one presidential suite, all inspired by the interiors of luxury mega yachts. With gold mosaic wall tiling, the rooms present an outstanding visual spectacle with rounded and curved walls.
Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
The hotel has a strong focus on fitness, recovery from sports injuries, physiotherapy and nutrition with the help of international well-being gurus. It is the largest gym in Qatar and is home to the countries biggest indoor climbing wall and multiple spinning studios. Fairmont offers guests clinical well-being programmes with an ability to diagnose and assess for a highly developed programme to improve sports performance, prevent injury, enable rest and recovery and deliver personalised nutrition.
Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Doha also offers guests one-on-one personal coaching with master athletes including co-founder of PILLAR Wellbeing Harry Jameson. PILLAR will provide the highest quality one-to-one training for guests covering all disciplines within fitness, sports and conditioning as well as offering complimentary fitness classes such as yoga, boxing and pilates.
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
On a slightly different note, the highlights at Raffles Doha include an ‘in-suite scent library’, where guests will have the option to choose which scents are diffused across the suite during their stay. this has been done in partnership with French perfume house Compoz, and is the first hotel in the world to offer guests this luxury experience for the senses.
One of the most exclusive experiences housed within the hotel is the The Blue Cigar Lounge which houses a secret library where some of the most prized classics will be available for guests to read, including some first edition classics such as a rare two-volume copy of The Iliad and The Odyssey in Greek and Latin from 1707.
Raffles is also home to Alba by Enrico Crippa, three-star Michelin chef, which is the first international opening of a Crippa restaurant.
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Wellness at Raffles is primarily focused towards providing an ultra-luxury spa experience. To go even further in the way of indulgence, the individual beauty, fitness and hydro suites are designed and equipped like elegant mini-spas within the spas. Set across 2,100 square metres, the Raffles spa includes nine suites – one Fitness Suite, three Spa Suites and five Experience Suites. The Spa Suites are connected with either a fitness or beauty studio and are designed for two guests to undergo treatments in the privacy of the suite. Spa Experience Suites meanwhile incorporate a sauna, hammam, outdoor pool and relaxation space along with a treatment space for two. Spa Experience Suites can be reserved entirely for a family to exclusively enjoy all hydrothermal facilities.
Raffles Doha spa works in partner with some of the most respected names in scientific skincare and advanced beauty – Dr Burgener, Subtle Energies, marocMaroc – to produce immediate and long-lasting results. The Dr. Burgener Haute Couture treatment addresses personalised skincare and analysis for heavy metals and trace elements. Well-being programmes can last between four hours to six days, addressing anti-ageing and regeneration, detox and immunity-building as well as slimming and contouring needs.
Heythrop Park, the stunning Grade II listed hotel set within 440 acres of parkland located in the idyllic Cotswolds, has re-opened following a monumental renovation. With the project spearheaded by DesignLSM, we stepped inside to have a look…
Following an extensive year-long transformation with DesignSLM at the helm Heythrop Park has opened its doors. The design brief involved developing both a strategic and creative position, evolving and expanding Warner Leisure’s F&B offer as well as repositioning and redesigning the property with a pre-dominant focus on three key principles – relaxation, exploration and entertainment – enhancing the overall guest experience.
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
The refurbishment has bridged the gap between the 18th century charming manor house and the contemporary extension, creating an engaging aesthetic that runs through the whole estate including The Orangery, six lounges, three restaurants, two bars, a ballroom and a state-of-the-art theatre – all of which were under the design remit of the creative agency. With the property originally built for the 1st Duke of Shrewsbury in 1706-1711, the transformation has been inspired by the previous owners and inhabitants of the estate, including taking influence from exciting adventures such as the Duke’s Grand Tour. Each space boasts its own unique design identity, encouraging a journey of discovery and exploration for guests.
“Projects like this don’t come around very often, and to be a part of one on such a vast scale has been an incredibly exciting for both myself and the DesignLSM team,” said Holly Hallam, Managing Direction at DesignLSM. “We’ve taken great care in respecting Heythrop Park’s historical roots, whilst bringing it forward into a new era of enjoyment and adventure for guests, for many years to come.”
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
Retaining the beautiful architecture whilst bringing the estate into the future for today’s modern traveller was a key design directive. Careful consideration was, therefore, given to ensure the building’s stories were conveyed through intricate design features. The Churchill, Bladon and Blenheim rooms – a tasteful trio of lounges set within the listed house – have been influenced by the Duke’s modes of travel across Europe and the new cultures he would have experienced. Taking a more quintessential approach to the spaces, the seating is inspired by the detailing of those found in traditional train carriages with warm and opulent velvets and contrasting piping, whilst an original oil painting depicting movement, bespoke prints and dressing items convey the obscure and exotic, all subtly joining together to tell a story.
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
Located within the extension, The Market Kitchen, the largest of the three restaurants, takes its design cues from the traditional kitchen garden. Inspired by a working pantry, a calming colour palette is balanced with citrus-patterned upholstered chairs and floral wallpaper adding bursts of colour to the room. Dressing details layer the space – particularly the main server framed by hanging utensils and copper cook ware – all creating a bright and refreshing restaurant for guests to enjoy their dining experience within. Meanwhile, the Brassey Bar conveys the history of another former owner of the estate, Thomas Brassey who created most of the world’s railways within the 19th Century. His love of engineering is illustrated through industrial forms, patterns and materials such as dramatic beamed structures, metal detailing, intricately patterned tiling and bespoke artwork and dressing.
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
Taking a contrasting approach to the classic aesthetic of the wider hotel, the Warwick Wing Theatre adds a striking contemporary touch of glamour and decadence to the hotel’s evening offering, with live music and cinematic performances on stage for the guest’s entertainment. The atmospheric space is brought to life with dazzling arched lights that emit a warm glow throughout the room, whilst the theatrical ‘Show Time’ neon feature lights ignite a sense of excitement of what is yet to come.
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
The neighbouring Late Bar and Lounge plays with opulent fabrics, delicate patterns, dazzling lights and rich tones creating a perfect backdrop for a more dynamic evening ambience, providing guests with a luxurious space to relax and unwind for the night.
Navigating a project of such importance and grandeur, DesignLSM have shown creativity and vision, with Heythrop Park sitting as a testament to the beauty of design.
Main image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
In conversation with: Charlie North, VP of Interior Design, Ennismore
Editor Hamish Kilburn catches up with Charlie North, Vice President of Interior Design at Ennismore, to discuss branding, longevity and why the company has launched AIME Studios…
It’s a typical winter morning in London. Not that you could tell the time of day by looking at the pearl-grey sky that has swallowed up the architecture. I am on my way to the Ennismore headquarters, not the first time in my career. It’s a buzzing hub, aptly located in the same building as one of its hero projects, The Hoxton Southwark, that shelters creative thinkers; some of the industry’s best storytellers.
I glance down at my phone to read a press release that’s just pinged through. It reads: “Ennismore announces AIME Studios – an award-winning team of interior and graphic designers”. That’s the thing about Ennismore, it’s a proactive company; always looking ahead. On the surface, it is a doer not a thinker. Although, when you scratch beneath the various brands the group has managed to scoop up or conceive over the years – 12 to be precise – you start to see the result of careful thought that has gone into its strategy to make Ennismore the fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, and perhaps the most diverse.
In an instant, my neatly written draft questions for Charlie North, the group’s Vice President of Interior Design, have become irrelevant, like a fashion moment slipping away. And I am forced to ad-lib, which feels rather exciting and appropriately more human.
Image credit: The Hoxton / Ennismore
Ennismore is somewhat of a pioneer on the hospitality landscape. Throughout more than a decade of success, the company has been extremely transparent on how it has achieved its status and respect in the industry. Make no mistake, it is the people from the inside that amplify Ennismore’s forward-thinking vision. Key to making blue-sky concepts tactile realities are the design team, led by North who has more than 16 years’ experience in interior design, having worked for David Collins Studio and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio in the past before his career evolved into what it is today.
Image credit: The Hoxton / Ennismore
“When it comes to interior design, we naturally gravitate to rich and layered spaces, which are well-curated through artwork and accessories,” North tells me. “The newly launched AIME Studios is about bringing together different disciplines.” I am told that it is made up of 30 strong interior and graphic designers responsible for creating brands and spaces including Gleneagles, The Hoxton, SO/, TRIBE and Working From_.
“We never walk away from projects when they finish, we live with them.” – Charlie North, VP of Interior Design, Ennismore.
AIME Studios replaces what was formally Ennismore Design Studios. “It differentiates itself from other design studios as it has a vested interest in the brands we work on and prioritises the longevity of its designs,” North points out. “Always with the guest experience front of mind, it is a fully integrated creative studio that uniquely covers brand, graphics and interior design, which together tell authentic stories through every guest touchpoint.”
Being in-house team, and working with outside studios, many would argue that Ennismore has the best of both world. “We work closely with Ennismore’s F&B studio, Carte Blanched, to produce well-thought-out restaurants and bars,” the designer adds. “We have strong working relationships with operational teams and years of brand related experience. We never walk away from projects when they finish, we live with them, so it’s important to us that our designs will stand the test of time, both functionally and aesthetically.”
Image credit: TRIBE / Ennismore
Since 2017, AIME Studios has worked across 22 properties, designing a staggering 2,865 hotel rooms, 30 restaurants and bars and 17 meeting and event spaces, and counting! With each opening, the industry has bore witness to brands, not just the ones that Ennismore touches, but also other brands it inadvertently influences, become more human-centric. And the softening of lines, I believe, starts in the lobby, where first impressions are made. “As we create lifestyle hotels, our lobbies have always been a space to encourage interaction and engage with the local community – a place where people are welcome to relax and make themselves at home,” North explains. “This is especially so in The Hoxton, which is always designed to feel homey and understated, and focuses on the way the guests feel in the space.”
Image credit: The Hoxton / Ennismore
If I was to pick a brand that would represent AIME Studios and the Ennismore coolness, it would be Hoxton, because of its laidback, almost boundless public areas and its overall refined look and feel – it doesn’t try too hard; it’s confident but not arrogant. The Hoxton is probably the brand that most people associate Ennismore with, but North and his team have worked across a plethora of hotels from Gleneagles to Tribe and every Hoxton in between. So, what is the designer’s approach when he starts a project – is it always the same, I wonder? “When we design a city hotel like a Hoxton, we do a detailed research process focussed on the local area,” he explains. “We cover everything from significant historical use of the property and the district, neighbouring properties and also the local community, upcoming artists and brands that could collaborate with The Hoxton brand.”
Image credit: TRIBE / The Hoxton
The team that make up AIME Studios, over the years, have proven itself to be diverse in design, creating many layers suitable for each brand – the designers have been able to breathe life into both new-builds and heritage buildings alike. There is no greater example of this than Gleneagles. “The brand has a long history so any design decisions are made with the knowledge they will impact the story of the next century,” North says about the design approach for Gleneagles.
Through design, the team have sensitively and cleverly brought each building into a new era – done through intuitive space-planning and ever-so-subtly breaking conventional boundaries when it comes to materials and lighting. “Whatever the project, our designs are based on an in depth analysis of the brand we’re working on, and the location we’re in,” North adds.
Image credit: Gleneagles / Ennismore
The most recent addition to the Gleneagles clan, of course, is its wee townhouse in the heart of Edinburgh. “Our mission was creating a space that felt like an extension of The Gleneagles Hotel, which was built in the 1920s,” North recalls. “When conferring with the brand team responsible for shaping the future of Gleneagles, we all agreed to refresh the interior design, modernise the paint schemes, simplify the fabric selections and embrace contemporary nods to lift a beautiful building of the past, into the present day. We kept subtle references in shapes of custom-made furniture and joinery details, but we contrasted these with fresher fabrics to sit alongside a very contemporary selection of artwork. The artwork is curated specifically to focus on current active Scottish artists. As a result, we have a building that represents the best of the history and the future of Scotland.”
Image credit: Gleneagles Townhouse / Ennismore
Given Ennismore’s position in the industry, as both owner and designer, it has got a unique opportunity to make a difference, ethically do the right thing and redefine trends. As I look around the hotel design scene, one cannot ignore certain trends and movements happening in the wake of bold moves from lifestyle brands. The private members model being introduced in a lot of lifestyle hotels is an interesting conversation that was, perhaps, allowed to evolve now that there is a wider embracing of working remotely.
“The hospitality world has adapted to provide spaces to work and play and sleep,” explains North. “Members clubs have always been an important blend of socialising and networking, a place for important meetings and greetings, so it makes perfect sense to incorporate a third dimension through accommodation. Gleneagles Townhouse has shown that a private members club can also be a hotel which welcomes the public. By creating additional members only spaces, it’s an additional perk for the guests who want to amplify their experience.”
Image credit: Working From_ / Ennismore
As a mega brand, Ennismore has conquered by authentically growing and recognising worthwhile and meaningful hotel development opportunities. So, what’s next? “Plenty,” North says with a quiet confidence. “This year we’ll be finishing The Hoxton, Charlottenburg, The Hoxton, Brussels, along with Working From_Brussels, and The Hoxton Edinburgh. We’re also working on an exciting project in the Middle East which is currently under wraps!” If any group can layer conscious hospitality while ushering in a refined take on luxury in the region, my safe bet is on AIME Studios and Ennismore.
International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF), returns to Berlin on May 15-17 2023 under the headline theme, fortune favours the bold, providing a stage for world-class experts in hospitality investment to deliver insight and forge valuable connections…
Positioning itself as the event for hospitality innovators and game-changers to help steer industry towards success, IHIF returns following the success of 2022. Last year’s event was attended by 2,400 forward-thinking hospitality professionals, including investors, owners and developers. The forum plans to build on this, moving from strength to strength with another inspirational billing of more than 200 guest speakers, who will focus on bold movements within the market being the key to a successful trading year.
Confirmed headline speakers include Keith Barr, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts; Sébastian Bazin, Chairman and Chief Executive of AccorHotels; Christophe Beauvilain, Managing Partner, Pygmalion Capital; Anna Cohen, Fund Manager, Extendam; Dr Peter Ebertz, Managing Director | Head of Hotels, Art-Invest Real Estate Management; Ruslan Husry, CEO & Owner, HR Group; Ufi Ibrahim, CEO, Energy & Environment Alliance; Jeffrey O, CEO, St. Justine Hotels and Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Global CEO, JLL | Hotels & Hospitality.
“One sector with real potential in 2023 is limited service hotels,” said Joe Stather, VP Market Lead, Operational Real Estate at Questex, commenting on the opportunities for the hotel industry this year. “More investors are looking at this sector relative to full service hotels. The index score in the Investor Sentiment Index was 61.9 for limited service compared to 45.2 for full service hotels. The reason could be that the cost base is typically leaner and these businesses are not exposed to some of the operational cost headwinds that full service hotels are, so mitigating what they’re expecting from a demand, revenue and profitability point of view within their investment strategy.”
As well as offering a plethora of insightful talks and discussions, IHIF 2023 also provides multiple opportunities to network, including a welcome reception for delegates new to the forum.
Created for the market by the market, based on delegate feedback and Advisory Board recommendations, the IHIF programme promises challenging and thought-provoking sessions with specific areas of focus for each day.
Tuesday May 16 – Assessing the Macro-Environment and Travel & Hospitality Trends:
Focusing on the challenges faced by the industry in the current economy, the day will shine a spotlight on managing the impact of structural forces and current trends. In addition to this the afternoon’s Big Interview will see a leaders’ perspective, sharing their insights into setting clears ESG goals to meet shareholders’ needs.
Wednesday May 17 – Partnerships & Performance and Looking Forward to Future Growth:
The insightful programme looks to analyse the value of partnerships and how aligning growth strategies can build long-term success including talks on efficiency, productivity and profitability. Later in day discussions between a panel of innovators, trailblazers and entrepreneurs will explore the increase of asset output as well as a keynote from Andrew Cosgrove, global business insights leader, EY, which will see the forums final talk discuss getting ahead of the future consumer.
Belmond announces a makeover for Splendido – the grande dame of Liguria
Belmond has announced the renovation of Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino. The property is an emblem of Portofino’s allure since the 1950s and the hotel will undergo a multi-phase renovation by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio…
Following the refurbishments of Spendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino in 2021 and Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya, slated to reopen in May 2023, Belmond will be embarking on a comprehensive renovation of Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino with the first phase complete in June 2023.
Image credit: Belmond
“Splendido is a true icon and so our approach to the renovation project was similar to that of a portrait painter,” said Martin Brudnizki, founder of Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. ” We are creating a design centered on the building and one that is as much a restoration, as a rejuvenation.”
Taking place over several years, the team will undertake a meticulous restoration of the former 16th century Benedictine monastery, honouring the history of the building, while sensitively injecting contemporary relevance. Over the course of each summer reopening, the hotel will unveil brand new spaces, with the first reveal taking place in June 2023. This will include a renovated pool area and new intimate, family villa dining experience at The Pool Grill restaurant, as well as the complete redesign of the Baronessa Suite.
Inspired by the noble Palazzos of the region, the elevated accommodation offering will blend the rich tradition and storytelling of the Italian Riviera, with contemporary comfort and elegance.
VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in February 2023
Editor Hamish Kilburn takes a look at the design-savvy hotels opening this February that are expected to arrive and steal the show…
Following Hotel Designs’ special feature last month, where we explored the hottest hotels opening throughout 2023, it’s time to kickstart our VIP arrivals series that will run throughout the year taking a monthly glance at the hotels appearing on the global hotel design scene.
To launch our in-depth hotel development editorial series, February will not be short of new and spectacular hospitality hotspots, with openings coming in thick and fast from Paris, Morocco, Thailand, London, Switzerland and more.
Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai
Image credit: Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai
Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai will be located between the ancient city of Chiang Mai and the famous Vipassana meditation centre, the Wat (temple) Umong Forest, surrounded by vast and awe-inspiringly beautiful natural countryside.
Sheltering 44 guestrooms and suites, a swimming pool, bar and lounge area, restaurant, spa and wellness centre, the hotel tastefully combines traditional Thai design with modern facilities, with each villa being crafted from traditional teak wood, manifesting a sustainable design concept whilst celebrating the essence of rejuvenation.
With innovative holistic wellness at its core, Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai will offer the discerning traveller an extensive menu of wellness retreats with tailormade programs to help guests reach their individual health goals. The in-house doctor, nurse and ‘master healer’ at Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai will be on-hand to assist guests in achieving optimum wellness and balance in life, through holistic approaches encompassing diet and nutrition, mental wellbeing, physical fitness and medical guidance.
Maison Delano Paris
Image credit: Accor/Ennismore
Poised in the heart of the fashion district, located at 4 rue d’Anjou, the Delano brand’s debut property in Paris, Maison Delano Paris, will be sheltered in a former 18th century private mansion. The Paired-back Parisian design of the 55-key hotel, imagined by Ennismore Design Studio, has helped to transform the grand building into a charming and chic boutique hotel, which will make its entrance onto the European hotel scene in February.
Art’otel Battersea, London
Image credit: art’otel
A new hospitality experience – one that fuses together art, architecture and design – is about to arrive in London. Introducing art’otel Battersea, which promises a vibrant, surreal and playful hotel experience, complete with bold colours, original hospitality concepts and unique art currated by signature artist, Jaime Hayon.
Aside from sophisticated guestrooms, the hotel will also feature JOIA, its signature restaurant on the 15th floor, which will frame unparalleled views over the former powerstation and London skyline. What’s more, the hotel will be home to a heated rooftop pool, giving guests a 360-degree perspective over the city below.
Six Senses Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels, Resorts & Spas
Six Senses is on top of the world right now – quite literally, in fact, with its new hotel and spa located in the Swiss Alps. Six Senses Crans-Montana is a ‘playground’, as the brand puts it, where ‘vitality meets serenity’. The ski-in, ski-out hotel will shelter 78 chalet-style Terrace Rooms and one- and three-bedroom suites, as well as a spa that will blend high-tech biohacking with high-touch therapies.
The opening is just another ripple in the brand’s aggressive hotel development strategy, which follows the arrival of Six Senses Ibiza. But there’s more to come. The luxury brand is not taking its foot off the gas with other hotels expected to emerge soon in New York, Loire Valley, Rome, Austria, Iceland and London. Not to mention what is arguably its most challenging project to date; creating a new far-remote, carbon-neutral wellness destination in Norway,Six Senses Svart, that we are hoping will open in 2024.
Caravan Dakhla by Habitas, Morocco
Image credit: Habitas
From one environmentally and socially conscious brand to another, Habitas is a hospitality on a mission having just opened its second property in Morocco. The 24-key Caravan Dakhla is focused on reconnecting with nature through the pursuit of adventure. Habitas’ newest home will embrace its locality offering guests immersive experiences both in and out of the water bringing a unique vibe to the region through its key pillars of adventure, music, wellness, food, art & culture and learning.
Le Grand Mazarin, Paris
Image credit: Le Grand Mazarin
I’m sorry, but we are not quite done with Paris yet in this round-up. Ever since the small yet mighty hotel group, Maison Periente, unveiled its Haute Couture-style hotel in the French Alps, Le Coucou, designed by Pierre Yovanovitch, we have taken an unhealthy interest in the brand’s next steps. And thank goodness we did, because there is somewhat of a statement about to arrive on the Parisian hospitality scene and it’s going by the name of Le Grand Mazarin.
Unexpected and endearing, the 61-key boutique hotel will be a place that reflects the values of Maisons Pariente, through an original hotel story with an exceptional location – a location which is part of the canvas of the cultural history of the capital. Le Marais has crossed the centuries to become the epicentre of new trends. A lively and avant-garde district, sparkling with creativity, vibrant by day and by night, the district represents the art of living joyfully. Taking its lead from the location, inspired and elegant, the décor is imagined by the Swedish interior designer Martin Brudnizki.
Hotel Vermelho, Melides, Portugal
Image credit: Vermelho Hotel
We thought we would round-off this round-up with something to look forward to. This spring, Christian Louboutin will open Hotel Vermelho in Melides, which, according to Vogue, is the fashion designer long-considered ‘creative respite’. The 13-key luxury boutique hotel, which will be a home for the culturally inquisitive and inexhaustibly curious, has been sensitively carved around the building’s detailed architecture. The interiors inside, as you can imagine, will be scattered with art and antique furniture, and full of bold personality, while the rooms will be aptly muted to create a sense of place and calm.
VIP Arrivals is a dedicated editorial series, that drops monthly, to explore the hottest hotels opening around the globe. Please contact the editorial desk if there is a hotel that you think should be on our radar for future features.
Main image credit: Six Senses Hotels, Resorts & Spas
Feel is a new collection of glass mosaics from TREND. Made from recycled molten glass, the range takes mosaics to a whole new level by playing with the senses and adding texture…
The distinctive style of TREND solid glass mosaics have unique light-reflecting qualities and depth of colour that add a bespoke finish to any surface and project. The Feel range is able to add sustainability into the designer mix, utilising up to 78 per cent post-consumer material in production. The subtly striated finish has a silky-smooth appearance with the subtlest of textures evident to the touch and the interrupted surface creates a sense of movement as the light hits different angles within, adding extra depth and intrigue.
Image credit: TREND Group
One of the key benefits of Feel is its semi-transparent surface, which has a silky texture that enhances brightness and differentiates it from TREND’s Vitreo collection. Additionally, Feel has been tested to resist chemicals, thermal shock, water, and freezing, ensuring it maintains its technical characteristics. The tiles can be used in a variety of applications, including on floors and vertical surfaces, both indoors and outdoors. It can also be used in contact with water, making it suitable for shower trays and swimming pools. Additionally, the mosaic’s small tile size and frequent joints make it inherently slip-resistant. It’s worth noting that, while the mosaic is waterproof, waterproofing of the foundation substrate may be required for swimming pools and other similar applications.
TREND Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Vergo is a textured and trend-led bathroom furniture collection from Crosswater that is guaranteed to make a statement…
When it comes to designing a bathroom, functional yet aesthetic storage solutions that complement the overall design vision is key. The addition of a furniture console or vanity unit can transform the look and feel of the bathroom space, while still fulfilling all the prerequisite practical requirements. The Vergo range from Crosswater does just that – it is a collection of functional furniture that doesn’t compromise on style. What sets it apart is the cross-hatched surface design that is a feature across the range with each drawer unit given the tactile cross-hatched surface treatment.
Image credit: Crosswater
Image credit: Crosswater
The design of the drawer front and storage is ample and easy to access, thanks to its full extension drawer runners. The wall-hung design helps free up floor space, creating the illusion of a bigger bathroom, making Vergo the perfect addition to small bathrooms.
The Vergo Single Drawer Unit is available in three sizes and in three contemporary colour finishes, Sage Green, Matt Black, and Matt White. The unit partners with a choice of four built-in basins for a streamlined look, or several countertop basins for additional luxury.
Crosswater is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Examples of natural hotel lighting by Dernier & Hamlyn
Trends in bespoke lighting come and go, however according to Dernier & Hamlyn, a recurring requirement from the designers its team works with is for lighting that references the environs of place…
It is becoming increasingly important for designers to reference a sense of place, from the hotel lobby right through to the details in the guestrooms. It can be as simple as a suggestion of the outside landscape by utilising materials that echo what is naturally there. At the Dorchester Collection’s Coworth Park Hotel in Ascot, Dernier & Hamlyn was tasked with creating light fittings as part of the design narrative of connecting with the surrounding landscape and gardens. This included a fantastic ceiling light for the hotel’s main reception area. Formed by hand by its craftsmen, the fitting was modelled from brass sheets to empathise with the essence of nature’s finest woodland images. This spirit is continued in the table lamps that they produced for the bedrooms and public areas, all subtly taking notes from nature to produce a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary lighting design.
Image credit: Dernier & Hamlyn
At The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Buckinghamshire originally built for the third Duke of Marlborough in 1756, the design intent was to restore this majestic building to its former glory, protecting its listed building status and resurrecting its place in British history. The timeless luxury interiors encompass modern sensibilities and aspirations with an understated aesthetic and reference the grandeur of a very distinctive British heritage.
Lighting required similar high quality, attention to detail and a deep appreciation of Britishness and what that means. The statement chandelier that highlights the impactful entrance of The Langley’s reception comprises 221 curved arms made in solid brass and hand finished in antique brass in Dernier & Hamlyn’s London factory. Each arm has been fitted with a handmade glass spear, each hand cut to form facets to either side to provide playful reference to the hotel’s setting as a former royal hunting ground.
Image credit: Dernier & Hamlyn / Adam Lynk
The fantastic chandelier made in Dernier & Hamlyn’s factory that adorns the hotel’s Drawing Room comprises hundreds of metres of swags of differing lengths, embellished with individually positioned hand cut crystal balls, fixed to a brass frame almost two metres high exuding luxury for this special part of the hotel. While the chandelier manufactured for the hotel’s private dining room is made of antique brass which has been fitted by hand with some 824 solid glass rods to express an undulating organic flow. Dernier & Hamlyn also made lighting for the hotel’s main bedrooms which was inspired by foliage in the hotel’s grounds and surrounding countryside with antique bronze leaves and porcelain English rosebuds.
Dernier & Hamlyn is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Chalet-chic: designing high-end luxury digs in the French Alps
Editor Hamish Kilburn checked in to Chalet Inoko, high in the French Alps, to understand how owner and designer Jeanne Roesch-Degoy created a luxurious yet unpretentious alpine retreat in the heart of Val d’Isère, one of Europe’s most raved-about ski resorts…
Over decades, since opening its first ski season in 1932, Val d’Isère has become known as one of the world’s finest trick-of-all-trades winter destinations. With high-altitude skiing conditions – it has more than 60 per cent of its slopes sitting above 2,200 metres – a plethora of one-off and slightly unusual activities on offer paired with a fabulous après ski scene, life in Val is fast-moving.
On the surface, the ski resort in the French Alps attracts extreme adrenaline junkies with a need for speed. But it’s not just reserved for those wanting to drop down to confront La Face de Bellevarde – an infamous black-rated piste that has an eye-watering gradient of up to 71 per cent. Away from the more than 186 miles of marked ski runs that all differ in steepness and difficulty, the family friendly mountain-side destination is all about one-off adventures, which can come in the form of ice floating, moonbiking, paragliding off the edge of the mountain or even checking out the original Le Folie Douce – where partying and watching live cabaret performances and DJ sets on the slopes is an afternoon occurrence.
For all these reasons, and more, Val d’Isère, like Tignes, Meribel and Val Thoren, is constantly being ranked among the best snow-sure ski resorts in Europe. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the area entices around four million visitors each year. And with all sought-after places where, naturally, the demand for luxury is high, the local hotel and hospitality scene has to work hard.
Away from the slopes, in the middle of valley – still 1,850 metres above sea level – Val d’Isère is a flourishing hospitality arena, with 25,800 rooms in total, and counting. In amongst the hundreds of hotels, self-catered digs, private chalets and thriving bars is Chalet Inoko, a striking luxury pad, available to book through Purple Ski, that provides an elevated yet blissful alpine experience.
“We wanted a special place to shield our family, very near to the centre of the village but yet in a wild place, in the middle of the mountain, at the end of a road.” – Jeanne Roesch-Degoy.
Image caption: Each of the six bedrooms inside the chalet have their own personality. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Image caption: The master bedroom has been designed with playful faux fur headboards and lighting. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Less 007-chic and more home-from-home, Inoko has its own style that is told through its design and connection with nature. The chalet, located just above the central ‘Petit Alaska’ area, arguably boasts ideal views over the valley and the surrounding forest – best seen, in my opinion, at dusk under a purple sky, framed inside as well as out through unexpected windows carved into into the architecture of the building to allow natural light to flood the space.
For Jeanne Roesch-Degoy, the owner and designer, the concept for the chalet was to create a ‘vibe’ that felt warm and comfortable in the mountains; a “safe haven at the edge of the forest,” she described. “We created it in 2017, right when our daughter was born. We wanted a special place to shield our family, very near to the centre of the village but yet in a wild place, in the middle of the mountain, at the end of a road.”
Image cation: The light bright living area sits under a six-metre-tall ceiling. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Chalet Inoko shelters just six individually designed suites that have been cleverly crafted to enhance the property’s unique take on alpine living. The walls and floors are aptly cladded in wood, creating a hearty and inviting feeling. Roesch-Degoy has used art, artefacts, materials (in some places faux fur) and texture in the design scheme to create points of difference in each space, giving each area and suite its own clearly defined character.
In addition to each room’s decorative nature, Roesch Degoy put emphasis in room configuration to ensure that the space is practical as well as utilised. The bathrooms, for example, have been deconstructed and are almost connected into the bedrooms themselves. Tucked away in a corner, the powerful walk-in showers, specified by GROHE, with grey industrial-like tiles and modest vanity areas, complete with stone basins, are a luxury extension of the bedroom.
Image caption: There is a cohesive design narrative between the bedrooms and the bathrooms inside the chalet. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Meanwhile, the Villeroy & Boch W/Cs in each suite are positioned in private rooms, discreetly concealed around the corner from the bed. By doing this, the designer has created free-flowing spaces that feel inviting and non-intuitive in their design.
While the suites are indeed cosy, the real, and I believe intended, piste-de-resistance is located upstairs in the chalet’s welcoming lounge and dining area. With a ceiling that stretches six-metres tall, the open-plan living areas are the lungs of the property, and reflect a twisted nod to traditional alpine interior design and architecture.
“This piece is pretty controversial among our friends; but to be honest, I fell in love with [this photograph] the first time I saw it.” – Jeanne Roesch-Degoy.
Centered in-between four deer heads that are marvellously displayed on the wooden walls, and framed by two haute-couture-style pendants on either side that are netted to look like clouds, hangs a blown-up, high-fashion photograph depicting a moody model draped in contemporary, slightly gothic, clothing. It’s a masterpiece that effortlessly commands the room, while proficiently juxtaposing the mountain views of snow-covered fir trees in the French Alps.
Image caption: The artwork that commands the dining and living areas was found by the owner in an antique shop. | Image credit: Purple Ski
The story behind the artwork that the designer found in an antique shop near Biarritz, is as impressive as the effect is has over the chalet’s interiors. “This piece is pretty controversial among our friends; but to be honest, I fell in love with [this photograph] the first time I saw it,” the designer explained. “I designed the living room and dining room area to integrate this piece of art – it brings a disruptive vibe to the total Chalet look.” The artwork in this area of the chalet is an example of how something so simple, in this case aptly injecting a voguish accent into the design, can completely transform the entire room.
Aside from the art, the lighting design also has a haute couture look and feel. “I wanted some pendants and chandeliers to occupy the huge space,” the designer recalled. “But at the same time, I wanted them to breathe, like the air, so you wouldn’t notice them too much. That’s how I came up with the cloud idea, and the large yet light chandelier in the living room.” The chandelier, which spreads across the double-height room, has been designed like the various neutral lampshades are almost floating in the air, which only works because of the vast space that the chandelier softly fills.
Image caption: Hidden away in its own nook, the chalet’s cinema room is a cosy escape. | Image credit: Purple Ski
In such a large property, with many nooks and crannies to explore, the design is not overbearing or imposing. Instead, through clever references to nature and sensitive architecture, the chalet feels almost part of the mountain. Outside on the terrace, complete with a large sunken hot tub, features a generous seating area with firepit that reminds you that you are in the heart of the French Alps.
Image caption: The hot tub on the outside terrace offers an unparalleled vantage point over the valley. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Image caption: The outdoor fireplace, opposite the hot tub, is a serene area of the chalet. | Image credit: Purple Ski
The wellness setting continues as you walk downstairs. Past a fully equipped cinema room, the chalet channels you into the spa area, which has been designed to transport guests into a peaceful setting that has everything one would need to recover from a day on the slopes, including a narrow heated indoor pool, a sauna, a private massage room and a chic relaxation area.
Image caption: The chalet’s swimming pool and sauna is located in the basement of the chalet, and almost channels guests into a new mindset as they enter. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Complete with everything one would need from a luxury experience in the mountain, Chalet Inoko is a modern, stylish way to experience Val d’Isère and capture its natural beauty through a luxury lens. Its carefully curated, yet homely interior design scheme – inside an architectural shell that has been constructed to sensitively blend into the low-level development style of the town below – answers to the buzzing hospitality scene in the French Alps with character, class and effortless charm.
7 interior design trends set to shape our spaces in 2023
When it comes to interior design trends for 2023, the year is, according to Interior Designer Benji Lewis, “all about bold colours, 70’s glamour and an opportunity to introduce personal style and vigour to a space.” We thought we would take a look at how these trends will translate into the hospitality arena…
Benji Lewis is an established British interior designer whose extensive experience working on residential and commercial properties has included spaces from studios to town and country houses, listed properties and commercial spaces. Responding to social changes and picking up on trends has allowed him to pivot his business model into the realm of virtual consultation with Zoom that Room. He has drawn on all this experience to give us some interior design trends and touchpoints for 2023, which we have sensitively taken and married against shining hotel design examples.
“Deep jewel colours – amethyst, blue, jade and lapis for example – used in an immaculately tailored fashion are looking good.” – Benji Lewis.
In the hospitality arena, the use of jewel colours and rich textures always gets our attention when picking out emerging interior design trends. The team at David Collins Studio embraced these hues in Corinthia London’s new cocktail bar, Velvet. The furniture, upholstered in shades of red and royal blue, and deep velvet curtains, provide a glamorous feel, alongside convex mirrors and lavish lighting.
Image credit: Alex Upton
Bergman Design House used these colours to make a strong statement in hotels like The Other House, and venues like Bagheera, where guests are greeted with a sumptuous cocktail lounge in hues of gold, deep red, teal and imperial purple.
“Pattern is contained to include just a simple geometric or stripe.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: J.K. Place Paris
Integral to strong design is getting that balance between layers of colour and pattern – we all have our tipping point from the austere approach of minimalist through to exuberant maximalists. The key to successful use of pattern in the hospitality arena where design has to appeal to a broad cross section of guests, is as Lewis suggests, a curated approach to pattern. The interiors of J.K. Place Paris illustrate the point perfectly as pattern traverses design both in fabrics, floors and accessories but is consistently part of a bigger design picture and importantly, is never overpowering.
“Mid-century eclectica is going to be strong, but used in a chic paired-back fashion in a blend of textures rather than anything cluttered. For example, a lacquered sideboard with a statement ceramic lamp, with linen shade, and a single good piece of glass will pack way more of a punch rather than multiple baubles and trinkets.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: The Quoin / Matthew Williams
The in-house design firm Method Studios makes full use of layering mid-century design with other elements to create a full story of its location in The Quoin. The building’s existing natural materials were emphasised by layering in modern handmade décor with the clean lines of modern Shaker-influenced furniture, and an overall subdued, earthy colour palette influenced by original Victorian-era paints dating back to 1820.
With an increasing interest in the repurposing of buildings within the hospitality industry – think less interior design trends and more socially doing the right thing – a lot of the structures fall into the realm of mid-century modern, making a clear case for these design elements to be incorporated without resorting to pastiche.
“Glamour is back in all its ‘70s smokey-glass fashion – think low seated lounge sofas, with built-in acrylic end tables, sumptuous leafy woven fabrics in mid-brown shades with forest green and gold.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: The Ned NoMad
Glamour is unquestionably back! And if you were in any doubt, a quick run through some Hotel Designs’ posts from Manhattan to Madrid will illustrate the point. From bespoke bars, retro cocktails, and low slung sofas – hotels are clamouring for the top podium in the smoky glass stakes as the importance of creating both moments in time as well as beautifully designed spaces with stories becomes as important as the contents of the cocktail shaker. Aside from the ’70s inspired glamour of it all, those hues of green and brown in this trend forecast also play right into the biophilic mood of the moment.
“Lighting is one [element] that we just want to get better and better at. Blend wall lighting with a statement table lamp, consider a wash of light being cast over the floor with skirting height recessed wall lights, but absolutely do not think a single pendant light (however beautiful) will cut the mustard on its own when it comes to providing a strong ambient feel to your space, because it won’t.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: Mel Yates
Take this statement about lighting interior design trends and multiply it by 10 when it comes to hotel and hospitality design. From the practical to the playful, lighting has a role to play in every corner of the room. Guestroom lighting has to be thought through and impeccable, as well as intuitive and easy to use. In the public areas it can increase guests sense of wellbeing, entice guests in though a sense of the dramatic, redefine a space and curate a design. Lighting can quite literally be all things to all people in the hotel environment.
The design team at Taylor Howes Design harnessed the forces of lighting in the design for Chateau Denmark to create drama and extend the narrative of the property from the moment you step through the doors. collaborating with Northern Lights on this project, every element was carefully considered and layered. “Our aim was to craft lighting solutions from scratch that would not only create the right ambience and illumination, but that would also form an integral part of the storytelling,” said Kevin Swart, Sales Director, Northern Lights.
In contrast, and with more of an emphasis on maximising natural lighting and less of a penchant for the dramatic, Buckle Street Studios by Locke illustrates the point that clever and layered lighting is not confined to the realm of the dark and moody interior. Layered and focussed lighting is used throughout the design to both highlight the design and to soften its edges.
“We’ve all got the memo about upcycling, it’s now hardwired into our thinking and certainly won’t be on the wane in 2023.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: room2
No discussion on upcycling and sustainability can be had without mentioning room2 Chiswick. Having claimed the spot as ‘the worlds first net-zero hometel’, and after winning Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2023, it has set the bar high. From fabrics to flooring, materials have been mindfully chosen to promote reuse, such as soft bedroom throws from Slow Down Studio, which are made from 80 per cent recycled cotton, and carpets constructed using recycled fishing nets which line the corridors. Architects, designers and manufacturers are all responding to consumer demands as well as challenging us and the overriding feeling is that the (recycled) surface has only been scratched.
“Look at incorporating architectural detail like panelling in your room schemes, referencing the Savoir office in Emily in Paris, have it painted in the same colour as the walls so the whole room blends as one.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: GuestHouse
Luckily you don’t have to be Emily, or go to Paris, to appreciate the impact of colour-on-colour architectural details. A wander around the boutique space of No1 York should be enough to convince you of the appeal of colour saturation and architectural details. Hotels like The Other House have also skilfully incorporated this into the design to add detail and layers of interest and as a useful tool when crossing between period details and contemporary design.
As with all interior design trends, they are there to guide and inspire rather than dictate. At a time when the boundaries between work and play, home and hospitality, are being increasingly blurred it is interesting to see trends crossover and become reimagined in spaces that are by necessity designed with both longevity and curb appeal in mind. Scrolling through these references, it is clear that hotel design has moved far beyond the beige of neutral mass appeal and is in fact setting trends rather than following them.
Sneak peek: inside the reimagined Hotel Indigo in Nashville
Studio 11 Design has completed its latest Nashville design endeavour with the newly renovated Hotel Indigo at the Countrypolitan Downtown Nashville with a design that reflects both its country music roots and the contemporary arts…
Studio 11 Design’s striking reimagination of the public spaces in Hotel Indigo seamlessly preserves the structure’s singular pre-war details while modernising it for today’s traveller in celebration of the organic relationship between art, design and music. Converted from an old bank building, the boutique property was originally designed to reflect its storied past.
“This is our second project in Nashville and I am so proud of the work Studio 11 Design’s team did to transform this boutique hotel,” said Kellie Sirna, principal of Studio 11 Design. “Greer May, Associate Principal of Studio 11 Design was a crucial part of the team as the lead designer and project manager for the Hotel Indigo from beginning to end.”
Image credit: Jordan Powers
Nashville is known as Music City, but over the years has developed a flourishing art scene. Reflective of this, Studio 11 Design collaborated with acclaimed musician Chris Coleman, who has been quietly building momentum and recognition for his burgeoning art career. Coleman first became involved in the art world while using the creative outlet as a form of therapy. Upon realising his artistic talents were not limited to the stage he began to more seriously explore his talent in the visual arts. With the encouragement and support of his singer-songwriter wife Holly Williams, he began developing his second calling as an artist.
“The icing on the cake in this project was having the opportunity to collaborate with the multi-talented Chris Coleman on the focal artwork in Hotel Indigo’s central lounge area,” said Sirna.”Chris signifies country music royalty in Nashville and I could not think of a more perfect artist to capture the spirit of Printers Alley and the countrypolitan music genre.”
Image credit: Jordan Powers
The musical genre countrypolitan emerged in the 70’s from the smooth sound of lush string instruments, or what is typically known as ‘The Nashville Sound’ as it is a category of music developed to help country artists cross over into the pop market. Coleman went into his studio and opted to create a custom artwork on a large piece of glass rather than canvas as he wanted the piece to interact with the dynamic lighting in the space and glass allows the art to play with the light.
“The piece is a whimsical depiction of a man casually standing next to a woman at a bar,” explained Coleman. “It is a snapshot look into the country music scene with a lot of drinking and smoking. The team at Studio 11 Design gave me a lot of artistic freedom and space to create. It was a dream collaboration. The firm understood my artistic process and allowed the story to unfold.”
Image credit: Jordan Powers
The location and history of the neighbourhood was an integral part of Studio 11 Design’s overarching vision for Hotel Indigo and Hotel Indigo’s new lobby and additional common spaces pay homage to the building’s roots and location. The name ‘Printers Alley’ was coined from the late 1800’s when the newspaper publishing and printing industries took off. Cafes, saloons, gambling parlours and speakeasies started popping up as industry took hold in the area, making it more populated and traversed. Printers Alley has an exuberant history and Studio 11 Design leaned into this contextual industrial aesthetic through the use of opulent lighting and extravagant accents that are seen in velvet jewel tone textures and plush rugs. The colour palette is retro-inspired, featuring deep clementine, mustard, peacock green and plums set into a backdrop of warm woods, rich tones and welcoming neutrals.
Accor, an established market leader in Europe, has made significant strides in expanding to the East of the continent as it continues to drive market leadership in the region…
Last year saw Accor signing 47 properties in Eastern Europe and the ‘New East’ – the latter including South Caucasus countries Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as Central Asia, notably Kazakhstan on the threshold of Europe and Asia, and Uzbekistan. Romania saw the most signings for Accor in these regions during the year with eight new properties, followed by seven in Uzbekistan, six in Hungary, five in Poland and four in Georgia, with total signings across these regions accounting for a total of 5,476 rooms.
Image credit: Accor
“Countries in Eastern Europe and those on the threshold of Europe and Asia continue to provide a fast-growth market for hotel development,” said Camil Yazbeck, Global Chief Development Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy at Accor. “They are seeing a rise in tourist numbers, with strong domestic and intra-regional travel demand, and provide value for money alternatives for those travelling from further afield.”
Accor drove a 60 per cent growth in the South Caucasus and Central Asia area, signing 15 new projects under six hotel brands adding more than 2,100 rooms to its existing portfolio of 24 hotels in these regions. The region proved fertile ground for Accor’s premium brands in particular, with 17 signings including seven Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts and four Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts. Mercure also performed well in the midscale segment, with 12 signings; and ibis Styles was the fastest growing economy brand in the East, with seven new signings.
Conversion opportunities continued to be a growth driver, with an equal number of new build and conversion projects signed, underpinning the company’s strong focus on environmental, social and governance. Accor’s’ strong growth in these countries is indicative of their burgeoning tourism markets and the popularity of international brands in the region.
Atlantis The Royal: a hotel with an extraordinary design story
It was, without question, the world’s most elaborate hotel opening party of the decade, but what is the architecture and design narrative of Atlantis The Royal? Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Ever since the first sketches of Atlantis The Royal first emerged, it was clear that the peculiar structure that would sit at the edge of The Jumeriah Palm – neighbouring the iconic Atlantis, The Palm – would be an aggressive contender among the flurry of hotels – past and present – that shape the skyline of Dubai.
In addition to creating a bang, with its famous three-day opening party attended by the world’s media, fireworks and A-lister celebrities with Beyonce stealing the show with a private performance, the hotel has opened as an architecture and design marvel. And here’s why, which, like all great masterpieces on the global hotel design stage, starts with an exceptional team.
Image credit: Kerzner International
With a deluxe cluster of design and architecture visionaries including globally renowned master architects Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, award-winning hospitality interior designers G.A Group on the hotel and famed interior designer, Sybille de Margerie on the residential and and the innovative water feature creators WET Design, the resort that stands nearly 500 metres wide and almost as tall as the Eiffel Tower, offers the next level of elevated luxury.
To create this feat in architecture, the hotel required 90,000 square metres of glass (the equivalent to 10 FIFA football pitches), 220,000 cubic metres of concrete, 5,500 tonnes of structural steel and 150,000 square metres of marble.
The structure of Atlantis The Royal rethinks the conventional concept of the ‘iconic tower’ and its role in the skyline of the rapidly growing city. Rather than focus on form only, the building centres on extending the idea of indoor-outdoor living. This idea is transcended vertically into a 500-metre-long, 178-metre-tall mega structure, operating as a permeable screen porous to people, light, and air.
The hotel was conceptualised as the ‘deconstruction’ of the traditional sculptural towers associated with Dubai, taking the form of a stack of individual blocks, each offering a bespoke private experience off of a single core. The individual series of blocks enhances the convenience of luxury and amenities for residents and guests, in what seemingly feels like a smaller and more intimate setting. The gaps between become outdoor courts, naturally ventilated and shaded, with incredible views over Dubai and the Gulf.
Image credit: Kerner International
“There was almost a performance goal to our brief; an expectation ‘to blow the client out of the water’ and create a show- stopper of a building that would deliver a unique set of experiences,” explained James von Klemperer, President and Design Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. “The building has a lot to do with entertainment. It’s not just a quiet place to go and relax and eat fine food—it’s about experiencing something you never imagined could be. The architecture sets this up really strongly with its vertical piling up of outdoor experiences in the pools and outside spaces.”
The curved façade and porous hollows within Atlantis The Royal were created in response to where the building sits. Positioned on the outer crescent of The Palm, this location allows the building to have two different types of waterfront views: towards the Arabian Gulf or the sheltered lagoon of the Palm Island and the Dubai skyline. The structure enables guests to take advantage of the views on both sides, many times from the same room or location.
“Rather than create another piece of ‘iconic architecture,’ we sought to create a series of ‘iconic experiences’ through the design of a building that, by being split into pieces, forms multiple gardens in the sky,” added Elie Gamburg, Design Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. “This makes it possible to have all of the indoor-outdoor living experiences we expect in a beach-side villa raised in the air and creates a place where one can swim underwater in a transparent pool with views over the skyline of Dubai, thirty-four stories in the sky.”
The building’s two terraced towers step down towards one another to meet through the 90 metre by 33-metre-wide sky bridge, which features dramatic views of the Gulf and Dubai skyline. The 1,350-metre bridge was lifted into place at a rate of six – seven metres/hour by eight hydraulic jacks via a strand jacking method and took 10 hours in total. This arch is a defining element of the Atlantis brand and has been reinterpreted for Atlantis The Royal. Atop of the arch is The Royal Mansion signature suite and the skybridge, a 90-metre-long pool deck, flanked by restaurants and lounges as well as an event space.
“This was an amazingly daring feat of engineering! It is going to be a very entertaining place to go, but at the same time, it is also a very serious piece of architecture,” explained von Klemperer. “It has a longevity about it. And we hope this building will help take the city beyond the transitory, into something that feels more rooted, longer lasting – and timeless.”
Due to the prescience of sunshades and the depths of the terraces, most of the resort glass is fully shaded during the summer, and for much of the day during spring and fall. This allows the usage of clear glass whilst still achieving energy efficiency. In addition, the water across all of the fountains and water features is recycled on a continuous loop.
Inside, the design scheme, created by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and G.A Group, centres on the notion of water and water-based moments throughout the property, rather than the ocean, as can be found at the building’s neighbour, Atlantis, The Palm. The original design brief was inspired by the oldest inhabitants of the Arabian desert, the Bedouins. Known for their resourcefulness and hospitality, the tribes would traverse thousands of miles across the sand dunes using water wells, which were the lifeblood of the desert, to navigate. The precious commodity of water is constantly celebrated throughout the property, with water features, sculptures and moments peppered throughout to guide guests on their discovery of the resort.
Image credit: Kerzner International
Examples of this can be seen in lobby sculpture Droplets, which represents the first drop of rain in a dry desert, to the Deluge water elevators, which invites guests to quite literally walk-through water to reach the next part of the resort. Cloud burst light fixtures feature at each elevator bank and hundreds of raindrop shaped light pendants delicately stud the lobby ceilings.
The theme of each guestroom and suite continues the connection with water but in a more refined and abstract way. From the soft lines of the sofa, to the undulating blues and turquoise of the carpet, guests are gently enveloped by the water theme. Each room category moves through this water theme to become more dramatic, the higher up the building guests go. From the gentle blues of the Seascape room, to the shimmering pearls of a Horizon Penthouse, all the way up to the dramatic hues of orange and red coral coloured walls of the Panoramic Penthouse.
Image credit: Kerzner International
Unlike many resorts, the lighting design of Atlantis The Royal, by Light Touch PLD, was created as part of the overall architectural concept, helping to technically refine the design, in keeping with the vision of the resort. Designed to create fluidity and depth across the property, the lighting is an integral part of the guest experience and impacts how the building can be seen on the Dubai Skyline, all the way through to what guests see when they look out from their balconies at night.
Notable highlights include the underwater lighting across the resort’s pools change from day to dusk and dark. As night falls sparkling fibres become brighter until all pools will glitter as guests look over their balconies. In addition, light projections are used across the resort to create moving ‘art moments’, from aquariums complete with underwater LED screens to projection mapped bars at Cloud 22. Within each Sky Court, light is projected onto the underside of the court (roof) to create a truly immersive experience at night. The replicates the shimmering water from the pools below.
Image credit: Kerzner International
SKS Studio and 40NORTH were the visionaries behind the exterior design of the entire resort, from conception. The Sky Courts feature suites with resort landscaping and stunning acrylic pools 46 storeys in the air. The brief to the design duo was to extend the guest experience found inside the property to the exterior and to celebrate the iconic architecture on a scale that feels comfortable for the guest.
“Atlantis The Royal is not a check-off box project, but rather a push-yourself-beyond-what-anyone-could-possibly-imagine-under-tight-time-restraints project,” said Sean Simms, President, SKS Studio. “We’re thinking ahead to what will be cutting-edge in two to three years. One idea spurs an even better one, so changes are made, but one change affects 10 more down the line. Things happen in the field that evolve the landscape architecture design, yet we’re careful to hold on to the original vision as well. Atlantis The Royal is built for those who can travel anywhere in the world, and they chose this property.”
Image credit: Kerzner International
The result is a contemporary look and feel, that responds to the building, and its curved façade. This shape is mirrored in everything from the lines of the pool to the trunks of the luscious date palms, dotted across the landscape. The detailing is notable, from the knife edge planters surrounding the pools to the pixelated diamond texture tiles along the walkways.
Image credit: Kerzner International
Atlantis The Royal, which shelters no less than 795 guestrooms and suites, 44 swimming pools and 17 restaurants and bars, including the world’s first Nobu by the Beach, has made a bold statement in design, architecture and hospitality. It’s anyone’s guess as to which hotel in the future will come close to the level of ambition, engineering and design, but one thing is for certain: Atlantis The Royal has ensured that Dubai remains extremely relevant in this new chapter of luxury hospitality.
Creating Muir Halifax – a hotel steeped in maritime culture
The capital of Nova Scotia, Halifax, was screaming out for a hotel that answered to its landscape. On Travel By Design, a podcast by Marriott Bonvoy Traveller, host Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs, spoke to interior designer Alessandro Munge and art consultant Grace Zeppili, to unpick the raw design narrative of Muir Halifax…
Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia in Canada, is a city built on one of the largest natural harbours in the world. The Atlantic-facing destination has a distinct lack of luxury hotels. Instead, it’s a place that has a strong local community that has formed around a robust maritime history. With that authentic charm, though, comes a demand to explore, and it was necessary for the city to welcome a luxury hotel that sensitively reflected the environment and character of the city around it.
Cue the arrival of Muir Halifax, Autograph Collection, which was painstakingly designed by Studio Munge with the aim to honour and integrate the city as a maritime jewel. Everything about the hotel, including its location that is seamlessly nestled into the Queen’s Marque waterfront district, has been carefully and meticulously thought of. The architecture, for instance, is full of texture and natural materials that have been inspired by the local topography – think sandstone, granite and Muntz metal.
Image credit: Marriott International
The story of how such a hotel has been created is vast, so in order to dive into exactly how the design and art narratives married together, I was able to speak to both designer, Alessandro Munge, and art consultant, Grace Zeppili, on Travel By Design, a podcast brought to you by Marriott Bonvoy Traveller.
Like most hotel designers, Munge was set on creating an apt first impression for guests first experiencing the hotel; to create a feeling that was less and ostentatious, but more authentically rooted to the natural materials of the destination. “There’s use of granite and walnut and beautiful fabrics, and even the rugs have beautiful textures underneath your feet,” Munge explained. “You have your shoes on, you can actually feel it. So your sensories just take off!”
In the dark-toned, minimalist lobby of Muir Halifax, the artwork behind the reception desk feels effortless – almost as if it is blending into the surfaces. But it also introduces the guests to the motif of colours that they will experience throughout the hotel. “That particular piece was commissioned by Allison Baker,” Zeppili said. “And she works with hand-dyed fibres. And you could see the finished project is this beautiful scene of an ocean and the water hitting the rocks.
“But more so than that, it looks a lot more three-dimensional because of the way she knotted every piece and, and the, the way she stitched every piece of rope and tapestry in there. She worked with our interior designers and understood the colours that were going to be present in the rooms and throughout the space. So she hand-dyed all the colours herself. And then hand-wove that particular tapestry.”
In addition to tapestries, Zeppili commissioned a variety of styles, techniques and artists in order to help the artwork filter outside of the frame when aptly elevating the design’s sense of place. In the hotel’s speakeasy bar, she decided to use the use of photography. “There’s a very-well-known photographer, Thaddeus Holloway,” she added. “He photographed the Sable Island series, which is unheard of. It’s very difficult to get to Sable Island. You need a special permit. And he was one of the few photographers allowed on that island. And it’s where horses run wild. And it’s, there’s about six horizontal, large-scale photographs that sit over the seating areas, and they just really give you a sense of place with that island. You understand that you’re seeing things that no one else will get a chance to see. And these horses running wild are so free. and you feel free in that room, as well. We were very lucky to, to get access to those photographs.”
In the guestrooms and suites, the design scheme is layered with materials that define the hotel’s location. To amplify a luxurious finish, Munge surfaces the walls and floors in oak wooden panels. Here, the designer explains the need for ‘subtle’ over ‘sheen’, to add an extremely soft feel to the space.
Image caption: Muir Halifax, designed by Studio Munge. | Image credit: Marriott International
Image credit: Marriott International
Juxtaposing the softness – and to again be true to the destination’s rawness – the bathrooms have been made out of locally sourced granite, inspired by the historical properties and their architecture in Halifax. “We were very careful in the specifications that all of the granites had a very tactile feel to it,” said Munge. “So if you have bare feet in the floors, they’re not only heated, but you could actually feel the textures of the granite. And nothing is polished. Everything was super-honed. You felt the granite, you felt the wood, you understood where it came from.”
Muir Halifax, developed by The Armour Group, was opened in 2021. Its precise and timeless design and architecture qualities ensure its life as a hub for travellers and locals alike will continue for years to come. The hotel’s design manages to shelter a refined hospitality experience that is warm, welcoming and aptly Nova Scotia.
Newmors’ trends for 2023 – from grounded tones to colourful exuberance
Newmor has built a reputation for its visually inspiring trends forecast, so with this in mind we caught up with Rose Campbell, head of design and marketing to find out more about her seven trend predications for 2023…
From futuristic to vintage, sophisticated to playful, there really is something for everyone in Newmor’s 2023 trends forecast as each trend has been interpreted into a series of palettes. “This forecast comes after a year of many challenges we have faced as a society,” said Rose Campbell, Head of Design and Marketing. “Our trends forecast addresses a desire for security, nurture and for finding moments of joy. We’ve used the core colours from each trend to create a series of palettes, to show how the trend would work in different commercial environments.”
Newmor sets the scene with Terra Firma, a very grounded and reassuring trend. It is reflective of the natural world, so is nurturing – the warm tones are not only uplifting, the nature-inspired palette is also very practical and versatile. “There are several transitional hues that make an appearance in each of our other trends,” discussed Campbell. “Colours include tan, oxblood, sage, terracotta, rust, brown, and olive.”
Designs that fall into this trend include the new Tanner collection, a realistic leather design, their award-winning Sanctuary collection, which is inspired by the natural world, as well as tactile textured designs seen in Zenith II and Acacia.
Image credit: Newmor
As the name suggests, the Royal Flush trend is both polished and sophisticated. The inky blue palette is lifted by gold, brass, and marble with white highlights. The designs that best link to this trend range from the structured geometrics found in Art Deco Concrete Tiles to the interictally drawn botanical bouquets of Bloomin Marvellous, and damasks in Newmor’s aptly named Kensington collection.
“This androgynous trend sees the burnished distressed metallic effects of the Sorrento and Jakar designs sit alongside the delicate laced metallics in the Mantelito collection,” explained Campbell.
Image credit: Newmor
There is no doubt that the world needs a dose of the Walking In Sunshine moodboard. The joyous palette of warm bright golds and rich amber hues are enhanced by the sun-drenched nudes. This trend is optimistic and cheerful and the designs which have been selected reflect this and more. From the witty Tern design created by design duo the Patternistas, to the larger than life Argyle mural by artist Leigh Bagley and the beautiful Alacha Ikat stripe by Ptolemy Mann.
“Promoting the UK’s design talent is really important to Newmor,” said Campbell. “I love working in collaboration with artists and designers as it is a true celebration of design.”
Image credit: Newmor
Image credit: Newmor
From Walking on Sunshine, Newmor take us to their Dark Matter trend. It encapsulates the elegance of liquid metal, creating a super moody ambience with hues of ebony, pewter, brown and rust. Structured geometric patterns from their Quadra and Landscape Geo designs, work with the organic flow of World Revolves designed by Augustus Kotei. “The colour palette and textured design influences in this trend are captivating,” said Campbell. “I wanted to reflect a sense of intrigue and intimacy.”
Meta-Morphasis builds on Newmor’s 2022 Metaverse trend. This trend promotes wellness, selfcare. The almost translucent ethereal colour palette is easy to use across all types of commercial interiors. “I wanted to harness the positive impact of technology, so whilst this trend is futuristic it is also soft and accessible,” explained Campbell. “There is an array of designs that fit into this trend. From the inky hand painted tiles in our Water Colours collection to the calming clouds in Nimbus in our Sanctuary collection.”
Image credit: Newmor
Vintage Find is an eclectic melting pot, which honours enduring patterns we have loved through generations. Newmor’s latest designer collection John Morris, is tribute to British heritage design but delivered with a twist. This flair and flamboyance can also be seen in their Trompe-l’œil Menagerie, where birds and botanical motifs adorn a panelled effect, to bring us a sense of fun and grandeur. The colour palette has an artisanal influence with duck eggs blues, greens and mauves, which pair comfortably in Newmor’s tartans and tweed designs.
Image credit: Newmor
The final flourish in the 2023 trend forecast, Dopamine Rush, leaves us happy, satisfied and motivated. With hints of the Barbie core trend, this palette is uplifting and delivers a natural high. Designs are simply fabulous, as the distinctive patterns from artist Lois O’Hara, and design duo the Patterinstas drench our walls with colour. Here we also find Newmor’s fun splattered Get Arty, a Pollock inspired paint design, created in Campbells garden.
Newmor is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Workspace Design Show announces an inspiring speaker line-up
Workspace Design Show returns for the second time, unveiling an exciting speaker line-up as part of its 2023 edition. Taking place once again at London’s Business Design Centre, the show brings together the UK’s workplace interiors community to explore the experience of tomorrow’s workspaces…
The Workspace Design Show will take place in February, with this year’s theme being Destination Workplace: Places Where People Want To Be. With one of the highlights from the inaugural 2022 edition being the show’s talks programme, which was well received by the workplace design community, this has been built on going forward.
Confirmed speakers for 2023 hail from a raft of stakeholder groups, from developers to architects and their blue-chip clients. These include architects and designers such as Collin Burry, Design Principal with Gensler; Christos Passas, Director, Zaha Hadid Architects, Katrina Kostic Samen, Director and Head of Workplace Strategy & Design, KKS Savills, and Grant Kanik, Partner, Foster + Partners. Other industry professionals speaking include Kate Smith, Executive Director, Head of Workplace Strategy at CBRE, Scott Rominger, Creative Director at WeWork, Kael Gillam, Principal Lighting Designer at Hoare Lea and June Koh, Total Workplace, Partner, Workplace Strategy Lead EMEA, Cushman & Wakefield.
Image credit: Workspace Design Show
International furniture specialist The Furniture Practice are curating the Talks Lounge once again this year, as well as collaborating with architectural firm BDP on the newly added talks space. The spaces are set to feature iconic brands including Vitra, Fredericia, Arper, Andreu World, and Moroso amongst others. Panel sessions will include the likes of Ed Hoban, Associate Director and Head of Workplace at The Furniture Practice, as well as Matt Davies, Director of Sustainability.
In a series of talks, interviews and discussions, the Sustainability Works programme will bring together a selection of key figures behind the workplace market’s leading sustainable initiatives, projects and product developments. Confirmed speakers include Natalie Smith, Principal, Perkins&Will, Georgia Elliott-Smith, Managing Director at Element 4 and UN Special Junior Envoy for Youth and the Environment. Curated by Mick Jordan and the Works editorial team, it is a response to sustainability’s place at the top of the workplace agenda.
Workspace Design Show will also be hosting the Occupiers Forum – ‘The view from HQ’. Among the speakers from corporate organisations are Anita Glenn, Head of Workplace Design, AstraZeneca, Michelle Harwood, EMEA Real Estate Director, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Ash Kaur, Workplace Design Lead for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Oracle, and Suzan Dixon, Head of Workplace Europe & Americas, Standard Chartered. This gives visitors the opportunity to hear perspectives from current senior workplace end users, exploring the present and future demands of high-profile firms.
The Finishes and Interiors Sector Conference (FIS) will take place over both days of Workspace Design Show too. The first day will focus on the compliance and the fit-out process: creating the best possible environments to put the wow factor into buildings, while the second day will focus around creating destination workspaces: places where people want to be. Among those presenting their thought leadership are Jamesina Sainsbury, Director of Consultancy, MCM, Andrew Parkin, Partner – Global Head of Acoustics, Cundall, Vidhi Sharma, Creative Director, Future Workspaces Group.
The complete speaking programme at Workspace Design Show will cover a range of unmissable topics around workplace design and strategy featuring speakers with a diverse range of perspectives.
Hotel Designs is proud to return in 2023 as an official media partner for Workspace Design Show. Editor Hamish Kilburn will be on the main stage on February 27 at 15:20 to moderate a discussion on when workspace hospitality and residential design collide.
Sparcstudio an independent, creative design studio specialising in spa and wellness design for over 15 years in the spa, wellness, fitness, hotel, and resort sectors has announced its key trends in spa design for 2023. Creative Director, Beverley Bayes talks us through the trends…
It’s an incredibly exciting time in the world of spa design. Hoteliers, developers, and the general public are much more spa savvy and want to enjoy the benefits that spa can bring, with a great focus on improving physical and mental health and wellbeing. For operators and owners, this not only raises the profile of the business and places it the forefront of innovation, enhancing facilities with considered, sustainable design is good business sense and correctly done can significantly improve revenue and return on investment.
Sustainability in spas has been firmly in the spotlight for some years, but it is now that we are seeing the true innovation in terms of sustainable materials and finishes that are available. It’s akin to the effect that the introduction of LED lighting has had in spa/interior design.
Image credit: Sparcstudio
Last year more than any other we were excited to discover a range of UK based companies producing a wealth of sustainably sourced and innovative products. Many of these sustainable materials also have health and comfort benefits, including reducing noise, providing thermal insulation, and are non-toxic or boast low VOC’s emissions. Increasingly, clients recognise the need to create sustainable environments, and this is also important to discerning customers who are also demanding this approach.
Examples of beautiful and sustainable materials that we are currently specifying include clay based wall renders which is natural and non-toxic, with low VOCs emissions and no synthetic, concrete or lime additives and made from readily available, naturally abundant materials. Countertop surfaces formed from waste plaster and wood chips and eco paint ranges with low VOC’s are also on on the list. Hemp fibre building products produced on a farm outside of Cambridge is presenting some exciting alternatives.
Cork flooring in the form of a refined plank type product utilising waste cork from cork forests and bottling plants in the Western Europe that have the added benefit of thermal insulation and noise reduction, while improving air quality. Natural linen looking textiles and rugs that are made from recycled plastic bottles but are highly durable are also perfect for spa use. We are also endeavouring to specify a lot less laminate and are instead opting for solid timbers, and reclaimed English ash, salvaged from tree felling resulting from Ash Die back disease in the UK.
Image credit: Sparcstudio
Image credit: Sparcstudio
Whilst connection to nature will continue to be a central theme for spas, as witnessed by the huge rise in spa gardens and forest bathing, we are also anticipating a rise in the design of truly ‘immersive’ spa interior spaces and experiences.
Advances in technology, many as result of video art installations in galleries, will see the use of back and front projected imagery to floors, ceilings and walls. When this is combined with heat or hydro pools, a yoga studio or spin class it can create a totally unique environment. This can be witnessed at QC Terme Milano ‘secret spa’, which has multiple immersive experience rooms including a ‘rain room’ with rain showers, immersive video skyscape of stormy skies located around a submerged hydro pool.
Virtual reality experiences are also on the rise where guests can take a guided meditation in a beautiful landscape as part of a spa experience. Relax VR transports clients using virtual reality by catering to three of their five senses – sight (visual scenery), sound (music) and smell (essential oil scents). Combining Relax VR with a treatment that caters to touch, such as a foot soak or hand massage, and adding an element of taste, such as a coconut water, creates a full multi-sensory experience.
Examples of more ‘physical’ immersive spaces can be experienced within the Aqua Sana Forest spas created by Sparcstudio, where guests can gaze out over panoramic views of the forest canopy in the Treetop Sauna, or listen to the trickling water in Longleat’s Forest Cavern or gaze up at the magical changing sky as it phases from dusk to dawn to daylight in the Forest Meditation room.
Intuitive design for wellness tech
With the growth of technology in spas, including the recent rise in Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy and cryotherapy machines, careful consideration needs to be given to the design of the spa to accommodate large equipment like this. Physically, they take a lot of floor space, but more importantly spas need to ensure that these facilities remain a luxury experience in keeping with other elements of the spa.
Firstly, the space needs to be sized to be large enough for guest comfort. We would also look to create a totally immersive environment for the equipment to integrate them into the overall experience. For high ticket treatments such as these, the experience must be elegant and luxurious.
Image credit: Sparcstudio
This type of immersive environment can be experienced at Cottonmill Spa Sopwell House. The deep relax room houses six multi-sensory AlphaSphere by Sha loungers. The undulating up lit sheers surround the perimeter of the room, cocoon each bed and create an immersive dynamic space, enhances the guest experience, whilst maximising the substantial investment that has been made in specialist equipment such as this.
Inspired by ancient traditions of Greek Roman and Ottoman empires, the ‘Modern bath house’ spa concept is also set to be a strong trend for 2023 and beyond. Olympia Bath House in Melbourne is due to launch later this year and is set to offer ‘Thermotherapy and immersive experiences that inspire a sense of slow and social connection.’ This is taking urban wellness to another level.
The social aspect of the modern Bath House is a key element of this model and is reflected in the membership packages, which encourage greater usage than a traditional spa and typically much longer opening hours too. For example, the Aire Ancient Baths in London’s Covent Garden opening hours are 8am to 11pm.
Image credit: Sparcstudio
These Bath houses can also bring spa to the sometimes ‘spa deprived’ Urbanites – The AIRE Experience always takes place in restored brick vaulted subterranean historical buildings in the centre of cities and with atmospheric candle lit pools and thermal experiences. Modern Bath houses encourage ‘slow’ spa experiences and are about reconnecting and escaping from technology.
Sparcstudio has identified these trends playing out in their bespoke design approach to all elements of every project, including pools, thermal experiences, treatment zones, luxury changing rooms, relaxation spaces and café restaurants, fitness areas, and Spa suites as well as accommodation. The studio always aims to create a unique product with a real ‘sense of place’, individuality and luxury and an elevated guest journey and experience.
The wait is over. London’s iconic The Dorchester debuts its new look with an immaculate new ground floor following a year of master renovations. This first stage of unveiling is just the beginning as the luxury hotel on Park Lane steps out to redefine the West End while celebrating its iconic heritage…
For the first time in a year, the famous revolving doors have reopened, as the first phase of the property’s head-to-toe renovation completes. Starting with the façade which has been a prominent landmark of London for over nine decades, new lighting rejuvenates the new exterior, creating a welcoming glow across Park Lane. Guests arrive onto an enhanced forecourt, featuring a beautiful green granite underfoot and a landscaped, verdant garden area located underneath the renowned plane tree. The arrival experience extends into an open lobby, flooded with natural light and bookended by two imposing artworks.
Image credit: The Dorchester / Mark Read
Image credit: Mark Read
The first phase of the property’s head-to-toe renovation includes the entire forecourt, entrance, lobby, The Promenade and Artists’ Bar designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, while the legendary and glamorous James Bond-inspired Vesper Bar (formerly The Bar at The Dorchester) has been transformed by Martin Brudnizki. Rooms and suites are slated to debut this March.
Image credit: The Dorchester
The Vesper Bar, named for the hotel’s many connections with 007 throughout the years, is where guests encounter a space with movie star looks and a supporting cast of talented bartenders ready to curate evenings of mature fun. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, the bar’s new interior is inspired by the spirit and elegance of the roaring 30’s, a time when manners were still important and yet mayhem was celebrated. Ornate design runs throughout the bar, including a 1930s Palladium leaf ceiling paired with a series of Cecil Beaton original drawings and celebrity photographs married with Rosie Emmerson pieces.
Image credit: The Dorchester
The Promenade remains the heart and soul of the hotel and captures the imagination as you move beyond the lobby and into the setting for vibrant dining experiences. An original collection of contemporary artworks by British artists are on display throughout The Promenade. The uniquely individual pieces all offer a new take on nature and have been created to evoke the sensation of strolling through a perfectly curated and cultivated British landscape.
The interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon encompass the hotel’s charming eccentricities whilst bringing a fresh elixir of colours inspired by the British landscape. Flanked by striking pillars along the depth of the space, delicate white and soft sage green ceilings are finished with gold leaf accents. The furnishings complete the drama of the space with cornered blue sofas and flavescent yellow and deep pink chairs sitting neatly around dark oak wood tables. And of course, no part of The Dorchester would be complete without a signature statement carpet to anchor the vibrant interiors.
Image credit: The Dorchester
As part of the first phase of this comprehensive transformation the hotel has unveiled its new Artists’ Bar. A new destination for Londoners in the heart of Mayfair, Artists’ Bar will be a glamorous and sparkling area for fun evenings of champagne, seafood and entertainment. The interior shines at every angle from the bar’s own Lalique crystal designs and Liberace’s legendary mirrored piano, which has been meticulously restored to take pride of place. Cocktails, served tableside on bespoke trolleys to create a touch of theatre, will reflect the carefully curated collection of artwork that adorns the walls.
Image credit: The Dorchester
An original collection of artworks by artists working in Britain will be proudly displayed throughout Artists’ Bar. The pieces, uniquely individual and crossing a range of media and techniques, are a celebration of London, mixing nature with urban landscapes, whilst portraying The Dorchester’s impact on the city and the famous figures associated with the hotel. Six signature cocktails presented at Artists’ Bar take inspiration from the spectacular artwork with ingredients mirroring the references and influences that each artist used to create their work.
Image credit: The Dorchester
Image credit: The Dorchester
Highlights of the collection include Ann Carrington’s work inspired by the Queen Elizabeth II postage stamp, creating a large scale silhouette of the late Queen using only mother of pearl buttons, painstakingly individually sewn by hand. At the opposite end of the bar, Ewan Eason has created an aerial view city map of the Hyde Park area of London, rendered entirely in gold leaf, with The Dorchester at its centre.
Image credit: The Dorchester
Located towards the end of The Promenade, the design and details of Artists’ Bar have been imagined by Pierre-Yves Rochon. From the moment guests arrive they will be captivated by the dramatic mirrored ceiling, flanked by striking pillars along the length of the destination bar. The design encompasses The Dorchester’s charming eccentricities, with pastel blue seating dotted along the bar, circling a grand crystal chandelier and again, anchored by the patterned carpets that swirl under foot.
Through a new lens: how Belmond writes local art histories
Working alongside Belmond, international art agency Artiq firmly believes in the power of art outside the traditional gallery space and its unique potential to convey local stories in ways that connect with global audiences…
According to a recent report by Bloomberg, art and design are more important than ever to the post pandemic traveller. This doesn’t come as a surprise – after being confined to our homes for such a long time, the past few years have left us all searching for new experiences while having reinforced our appreciation for beautiful spaces. That, combined with art’s rise as an asset class, is compelling more guests to look at the art in hotels much like their wine menu; it’s a judgement of taste.
Hotel group Belmond has been working with Artiq to further connect with its locations and is fully embracing the power of art in this process as its global properties are taking on characteristics of cultural hubs, offering art not only as a luxury asset but as a means for their guests to learn about local histories and connect with local communities through a different lens, tapping into each destination’s essence and beauty.
Image credit: Belmond
Taormina is a small town located on Sicily’s east coast. With spectacular views of both the Mediterranean sea and Mount Etna, it is an exclusive destination for visitors looking to immerse themselves in its rich history while enjoying the pleasures of this first-class Ionian sea resort which is home to two Belmond properties.
Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina, was the first hotel to be built in the town, opening its door to guests in 1873. Perched high on a hill with stunning views of the valley below, the hotel is located next to the ancient Greek theatre of Taormina, one of the world’s best-known and most admired amphitheatres, built in the 3rd century BC and later transformed by the Romans to make room for games and gladiatorial battles.
Image credit: Belmond / Artiq
Today, Grand Hotel Timeo combines old-world grandeur with a cosmopolitan spirit. Thanks to the generous cooperation of Vista Mare and Gallerie Karsten Greve, Artiq procured a collection of photographic works by the iconic Mimmo Jodice. A contemporary of Andy Warhol and Joseph Beuys, Jodice is an Italian avant-garde photographer who, since the 1970s, has pushed the discourse of Italian fine art photography. He has exhibited at the Guggenheim in New York and Louvre Museum in Paris and he is collected by leading art institutions and museums across the globe, such as the San Francisco and Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art and Milan’s Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea.
Belmond has now joined them as a collector of Jodice, with a selection of photographs depicting Roman sculptures in a mythical yet intimate way on display in the grand entrance hall. The installation tells the story not only of Italy’s fascinating ancient period in Taormina and the Mediterranean but also of Italy’s modern art history.
Image credit: Artiq
Image credit: Artiq
Down towards the coastline, Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare, has been enchanting guests since the 1950s. The beach residence, located right on the seafront, oozes old-world glamour and is quintessentially Sicilian. Artiq worked alongside the internationally acclaimed Eric Egan of L’Artigianato and the Belmond team to procure a fully bespoke art collection, highlighting emerging talent from the local area, resulting in an art collection that echoes the history and traditions of the region through a contemporary lens.
Taormina-based painter Alessandro Florio started his career as a tattoo artist but expanded his practice to include works on canvas. Nine original works by Alessandro were commissioned for the restaurant and lounge area. This body of work draws inspiration from eclectic sources, ranging from the art of the Renaissance and the Middle Ages, combining visual symbols and cultural references between Sicily and the Arab heritage in a playful, sometimes irreverent way.
Image credit: Alessandro Florio
Image credit: Belmond / Artiq
By collecting from the past and the present, Belmond is preparing for the future. Established and emerging artists are presented side by side, ensuring the brand stays timeless yet relevant. And by shining a spotlight on emerging talent locally at this time will, in the future, tell the story of Sicily’s creative scene in the early 21st century in the same way that Jodice’s works are reminiscent of the modern era. It also opens up new funding routes to the arts as artists are being paid to show their work in new spaces and given platforms to engage with new audiences.
Collecting art is to write the history of a particular time and place. By collecting diverse art with local relevance, Belmond is forging a connection between its brand, its locations, and its guests, ensuring the opportunity for future generations to learn about their location’s artistic legacies.
Artiq is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Artiq / Alessandro Florio at Villa Sant’Andrea
6 inspiring sensory surface trends to expect in 2023
Inevitably a new year is punctuated by predictions and trends of what is to come on the design stage. Sifting though the conversation is often inspiring and certainly interesting and when it comes to surface design there are some products that are both reflecting these points of conversation as well as directing discussion. In the lead-up to Surface Design Show, writer Pauline Brettell throws the spotlight on a few that have caught our attention…
There a few standout trends that are crossing all design boundaries – sustainability is clearly an ongoing and underlying consideration across the board, while tactility and texture are shining a light on the surface of things. Having gone through a period where hygiene was of greater concern than sensory satisfaction, it is with some relief that we can finally embrace surfaces that invite us to touch and feel. Wellness – another strong trend that remains firmly on the agenda – is about so much more than a steam room and a wipeable surface, it is about injecting elements into design that bring warmth and wellbeing.
3DForms from Granorte
Image credit: Granorte
Designed by Alzira Peixoto and Carlos Mendonca of SimpleFormsDesign, 3DForms is a collection of three-dimensional cork wall tiles that can be arranged to bring a bespoke texture to walls and other vertical surfaces. Made entirely from 100 per cent post-industrial recycled cork, already a sustainable and renewable raw material, 3DForms also captures cork’s unique natural aesthetic for a distinct look. The tiles are available in different geometrical 3D designs that can be used together to bring a wide range of layout combinations.
Kudzu and Sambe from Arte
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
The Osmanthus Collection by Arte exudes refinement and luxury, not only through the sophisticated embroidery techniques utilised, but also due to the use of natural materials such as sisal, cotton and hemp that have been used to create it. The materials, designs and colours in this collection are inspired by the Far East, and the aesthetic aspect and purity of nature is the common thread weaving through all the designs in perfect balance. The Kudzu wallcovering is made from the fibres of the climbing kudzu plant which is very common in tropical regions. These fibres are coarsely woven into a unique wallcovering as the irregular thicknesses and different shades of the various threads reveal its natural origins. Sambe is another design within the collection that focusses on texture through natural fibre. The design is made of hemp fibres whose natural colours contrast with the fine black yarns that hold the fibres together. The knots and irregular threads of different thicknesses are clearly visible, and this is what makes Sambe so authentic and pure.
Gold from TREND
Image credit: Cécil Mathieu
Moving from woven organics to glittering minerals, the gold range of mosaic tiles from TREND harnesses the age-old fascination for all that glitters. The artistry of the glass mosaics has always been at the heart of TREND offerings, and are made using the same artisanal methods developed by master craftsmen at Venice’s Orsoni in 1888. The gold mosaic tiles are created using 24kt yellow gold, providing a rich and luxurious colour while the textured surface design of these mosaics adds depth and dynamism. With longevity being inextricably linked to sustainability, gold mosaics have a rich history and the sensory experience the surface has most certainly stood the test of time.
3D tiles from Atlas Concorde
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
The plastic, three-dimensional expression of bas-reliefs and sculptures is introduced with the range of 3D wall tiles from Atlas Concorde, allowing interior design to create scenic walls that become three dimensional and dynamic. Light then helps to add movement to the surfaces and bring them to life, changing the look at every hour of the day. In a range of colours and textures, the depth, chiaroscuro, and workmanship typical of bas-reliefs have been interpreted by Atlas Concorde to create a surface design with strong from geometric and linear effects through to soft sinuous sensations, all inviting you to run your hand over the surface. In addition the impact of joints in the designs have been minimised to ensure a greater sense of surface uniformity.
Mogu Acoustic from Mogu
Image credit: Mogu
Italian-based Mogu has been exploring the potential of mycelium-based technologies in diverse application sectors and have developed commercial mycelium-based products suitable for interior design applications. Mogu Acoustic are the first commercially available products of their kind, entirely made of mycelium and of upcycled bio-based materials. The panels are not only 100 per cent biodegradable and bio-based, but they also contribute to assigning new value to the tons of residues of the textile industry. Thanks to the action of selected microorganisms, the fibres are naturally degraded, transformed and compacted into beautiful and functional materials for interiors.
Timber Terrazzo from Foresso
Image credit: Foresso
Image credit: Foresso
Foresso has developed a timber terrazzo, made from waste wood sourced from trees felled in Britain and hand finished in Birmingham, this product is all about sustainability, and a circular design process while creating a surface that is both aesthetically pleasing and professionally finished. Using timber waste that comes from city maintenance, local sawmills, or even building sites, the offcuts and wood dust are combined in a process with the end result being a warm and organic reimagining of the classic terrazzo stone surface. Like many of the surfaces on this page the Foresso timber terrazzo is about embracing the process and ethics of sustainability while keeping the focus firmly on design.
Viva vibrancy: CTD Tiles explores the colour of year
With the launch of Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Viva Magenta, colour palettes of red and pink have been circulating the interior landscapes. CTD Tiles explores the trend through tiles…
As we head into a more colourful and open-minded approach to interior design, there should be no limit to how the pantone-inspired palette can be implemented. With a wide range of red and pink tiles available across the CTD Tiles collection, from textured to smooth finishes, designers have the tools and the tiles to create a showstopping look whilst remaining effortlessly on trend.
Image credit: CTD Tiles
Image credit: CTD Tiles
Working flawlessly in contemporary and traditional settings, CTD’s Nador and Titan collections provide the perfect backdrop for both bathrooms and kitchens alike. Boasting character and rustic appeal, the Ruby Titan tiles are a bold and distinctive choice. Showcasing a scale of deep and vibrant red tones, gold elements and black accents help tie the look together, adding a sophisticated edge. Presenting a more playful feel, the Nador Pink Gloss tiles can transform a bathroom setting, thanks to their bright and reflective finish.
Image credit: CTD Tiles
For those looking to add interest and style across the walls, a tile with a patterned motif can showcase personality. The Varadero Rose Hexagon tiles create a visual experience in the bathroom, resulting in a truly eye-catching appeal with its rosy honeycomb design.
Offering the ultimate choice of red and pink tones, CTD’s Poitiers collection can inject fun onto the walls of any space. Whether used to adorn a living room or to create an aesthetically pleasing kitchen splashback, the Bordeaux and Rose Pink Gloss Tiles will both add an effortlessly creative edge to each room – especially when laid in a herringbone formation.
Image credit: CTD Tiles
Image credit: CTD Tiles
Another trend for 2023 is the focus on wellness which is reflected in the desire for spa-like bathroom designs. Whilst red and pink can be associated with bolder and more statement looks, they can also work seamlessly with luxury finishes, evoking a calming and relaxed feel. The Carrara Brick tile works well with a solid terracotta-inspired red and accentuates the luxurious aesthetic, igniting an urban and contemporary edge. For a softer take on pink, combine a pink wall or sanitary ware with a classic marble finish on both the walls and floors, as seen here with CTD’s Kingston tiles.
Image credit: CTD Tiles
Accentuating interiors with aesthetic, sumptuous red hues can add a touch of warmth whilst pretty pink tones will refresh and energise. CTD Tiles’ collection provides the full spectrum of Pantone pinks, giving designers the ability to get creative with interior schemes with a versatile spectrum of tones, patterns and textures.
CTD Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Birch, described as ‘a place for the explorers’ has announced that its sister hotel, designed by Sella Concept and A-nrd, will open this spring. Here’s everything we know about Birch (Selsdon)…
Surrounded by 200-acres of rewilded landscape, and yet just 30 minutes from central London, we are expecting big things from Birch (Selsdon), which will become the Birch Community’s second hotel following the opening of Birch (Cheshunt) in 2020.
Staying true to the brand’s personality, the 177-key hotel is expected to bring Londoners, and travellers alike, an oasis of calm. The design team from Sella Concept and A-nrd have collectively created a layer of contemporary flair on top of an existing red-brick mansion in South London. As well as creating tranquil guestrooms and suites, the designers have transformed the building to shelter a lido, a wellness space and two restaurants, which will use produce from Selsdon’s own grounds to create the chef’s seasonal, farm-to-fork menus. The hotel will also feature three bars, a co-working hub, family wing and kids club, activity studios and several communal spaces from snugs to the Orangerie.
Image credit: Modern lighting inside the brand’s first hotel, Birch (Cheshunt) credit: Birch/Red Deer/Adam Firman
Image caption: Interior design detail inside Birch (Cheshunt), the brand’s first hotel. | credit: Birch/Red Deer/Adam Firman
Respectful of the building’s history and architecture and mindful of minimising waste, the existing infrastructure has been adapted and repurposed where possible and a carefully curated palette of colours, materials and décor have been woven together. Sella Concept has also injected glamour and a little bit of drama to some of Birch (Selsdon)’s key spaces – think earthy glam in the signature restaurant, velvet and Chinoiserie in the bar and dark, glossy walls in the speakeasy.
Birch (Selsdon) is part hotel, part ‘foodie haven’, part members club, part working space, part wellness getaway, part creative hub and, as the brand has always boasted, all parts fun.
YOTEL announces its first hotel signing in Saudi Arabia
The latest YOTEL property will be a key hospitality development in one of the world’s most ambitious projects, set to define sustainable urban living. This is what we know…
Global hospitality brand YOTEL is known for challenging the status quo, so it comes as no surprise that its first hotel signing in Saudi Arabia will also be the first hotel to open in Oxagon, the home of advanced and clean industries in NEOM, Saudi Arabia.
“Oxagon’s ambition to house hospitality assets where innovative design, sustainability and technologies converge, echoes our core values at YOTEL,” said Hubert Viriot, CEO of YOTEL. “We understand that the non-stop traveller craves destinations that won’t slow them down, and Oxagon promises to be a unique destination where new tech-enabled hospitality experiences can be live-tested. It is an honour to be one of the first hotels to open within a city redefining industries through sustainable innovation.”
Image credit: YOTEL
The hotel’s location is at the heart of the integrated live-work-play Research and Innovation (R&I) district of Oxagon with a dedicated R&I campus. Strategically located on NEOM’s Red Sea coast, Oxagon is reimagining the traditional industrial city by developing multiple thriving residential and business communities. Additional to the R&I district, the city will be home to a next generation port with a fully automated and integrated supply chain and logistics network.
“Oxagon’s hotel strategy is built around several pillars including technology – key for integration within a wider smart-city infrastructure,” said Vishal Wanchoo, CEO of Oxagon. “After a competitive selection process, YOTEL was the clear hotel brand of choice for the district, given our shared ambitions to focus on people-centric design, circularity and digital advancements.”
Upon check-in, guests will be immersed within the bustling energy of the innovation eco-system within the district. Featuring 300 guestrooms, the hotel will showcase YOTEL’s latest features including the brand’s signature robotic concierge, motorised SmartBeds, and fully integrated technologies which it is known for. Guests will have access to Komyuniti – the brand’s signature multi-functional dining and co-working space, a 24-hour fitness centre, a Grab-and-Go Café, and meeting spaces used to network and relax. The surrounding areas will be walkable and connected to nearby communities through advanced, active, micro and autonomous mobility solutions.
The partnership marks the latest hotel agreement with NEOM’s Hotel Development, the division responsible for building a future-centric hospitality ecosystem in the Northwest corner of Saudi Arabia.
“YOTEL’s decision to open their property in NEOM’s Oxagon is a powerful endorsement of our ambition to redefine how people travel, stay and live,” added Chris Newman, Executive Director, Hotel Development at NEOM. “When complete, it will serve as the ideal home for modern travellers in search of thoughtfully curated and designed spaces, and we look forward to welcoming them.”
Through groundbreaking urban developments, world class sport, hospitality, recreation and retail concepts, and next-generation mobility solutions, Oxagon is creating a new model for modern urbanism. Oxagon will be one of several cities and destinations within the NEOM development, all set to be powered by renewable energy sources, amplifying Saudi Arabia’s plan to sustainably diversify its economy, as part of its Vision 2030 strategy.
The new announcement signifies YOTEL’s ambition to grow both management and franchised projects in the Middle East region, as part of its larger strategy to reach 50 hotels by 2025.
Can you ‘corking’ believe it? The beginning of 2023 marks a year since the opening of Granorte’s first UK showroom for its range of cork floors, walls and furniture…
Providing more than 900 square metres of warehouse space, as well as a sample centre, showroom and offices, Granorte’s Telford headquarters provides retail and commercial clients with exceptional service and support. Giving high stock levels across the company’s range of cork walls, floors, furniture and design objects, the facility is centrally located for efficient distribution across the UK.
Since opening one year ago, Granorte’s headquarters have become an important hub for the growth and awareness of cork’s potential as a design material across the country. Delivering faster samples across a broader range of products than ever before, it has helped to position the brand as one of the premier cork products suppliers in the country.
The showroom has proved hugely important in the growing awareness of Granorte’s innovative cork solutions, welcoming architects, designers and specifiers wanting to embrace the natural, renewable and recyclable material into commercial and residential projects.
“The first year of our new HQ has been a great success and has really helped us to ramp up service and supply across our portfolio,” said Andrew Ellison, Sales & Development Manager of UK Operations. “With the continued dominance of sustainability in commercial interior design and a growing awareness with homeowners, we’re expecting even more visitors to the showroom and our warehouse to be busier than ever.”
Granorte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Early bird tickets now available for MEET UP London 2023
MEET UP London takes place on April 24, on the rooftop of the stylish The Department Store in Brixton – the home of Squire & Partners. Early bird tickets for designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers are available between now and February 17…
Following last year’s energetic performance, where Casey the DJ lit up the Minotti London showroom and more than 200 designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers alike came together to celebrate the industry levelling up, MEET UP London returns in 2023 on April 24 with the aim to take the event the new heights.
Image credit: MEET UP London / Hotel Designs
Image credit: MEET UP London / Hotel Designs
But hurry, the early bird promotion, which has just gone live, will end on February 17. Between now and then, those who qualify as designers, architects, hoteliers and developers will be able to purchase tickets for just £10 + VAT (inflating to £20 + VAT after the promotion). Meanwhile, suppliers are able to purchase tickets for £99 + VAT (inflating to £150 + VAT after the promotion).
“It feels extremely apt for us to be taking over the rooftop of one of the UK’s leading hospitality design studios.” – Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs.
Designers, architects, hoteliers and developers, click here to purchase tickets. Suppliers, click here to purchase tickets.
For this year’s event, the team at Hotel Designs will take its audience south of the river, to Brixton. Specifically, to The Department Store, which is the stylish home of Squire & Partners. “It feels extremely apt for us to be taking over the rooftop of one of the UK’s leading hospitality design studios,” said Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs. “The value of MEET UP London is that, year on year, it answers to the energy of its audience. Brixton, like the industry right now, is a thriving hotspot of culture, trends and colour, which we aim to unapologetically amplify this year.”
Image credit: Squire & Partners
Image credit: Squire & Partners
The building itself that shelters Upstairs at The Department Store, designed by the team at Squire & Partners, was unveiled in 2017. Upstairs forms part of Squire and Partners’ redevelopment of the Department Store, and creates a new nearly 500-square-metre rooftop social space with a bar, lounge area and dining spaces for the practice’s staff and guests, as well as a landscaped roof terrace.
Image credit: Squire & Partners
The roof design is based on a series of copper clad roof lanterns supported by a solid oak frame which aligns with the existing building structure. An external terrace, accessed through full height Crittall glazed doors, runs the length of the building and is landscaped with steel planters containing a variety of plants and trees.
Inside, the bar is a continuous run of untreated pewter with a copper skirting. High solid oak tables provide a relaxed area for eating and drinking, while the lounge area is marked by a full height copper clad wall housing a wood burner, with silk and wool rugs and leather sofas.
MEET UP London is Hotel Designs’ premium networking event. The event is designed to authentically bridge the gap between designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and key-industry suppliers. Tickets for the event are limited, and will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Accor & Ennismore to open 28 hotels in Southeast Asia this year
Accor and Ennismore will expand their portfolio with a series of new hotels across Southeast Asia in the year ahead. Here are some of our top picks…
The opening of Gleneagles Townhouse was the beginning of a new chapter for Ennismore, a landmark hotel that opened two years after the brand entered in talks with Accor to become a powerhouse in the hotel development arena. Now that that the brands have created their solid bond, it seems as if this year is going to be all about growth with the two groups announcing that they will open nearly 30 hotels this year in Southeast Asia alone – 2023 marks an important milestone in the two groups’ regional development strategies.
“2023 represents a watershed year for travel, tourism and hospitality,” said Garth Simmons, Chief Executive Officer for Accor, Southeast Asia, Japan & South Korea. “As the world emerges from the challenges of recent years, we are set to enter a bright new era, free from travel restrictions and filled with optimism. Accor’s new hotels and resorts, which span every sector of the market from economy to luxury, will enable all travellers to spread their wings and explore some of Asia’s most desirable destinations. We look forward to delighting guests with exciting new experiences in 2023 and for many years to come.”
Thailand is a key market and this year will see the arrival of a series of important new hotels and resorts in the kingdom. Ennismore’s TRIBE Bangkok Sukhumvit 39 (scheduled to open in Q2 2023) will mark the debut of the design-driven, guest-centric TRIBE brand in Thailand, while the 207-key Novotel Living Bangkok Sukhumvit Legacy (Q2) by Accor will introduce Novotel’s extended-stay concept to the Thai capital’s Sukhumvit district. Also in Bangkok, guests can look forward to the 178-key Mercure Bangkok Sukhumvit 60 (Q4) and the 666-key ibis Styles Bangkok Twin Towers (Q3), which is set to become the world’s largest ibis Styles hotel.
Outside Bangkok, the 234-key Novotel Rayong Star Convention Centre (Q1) will become an important new MICE and leisure destination on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard, while the Mercure Rayong Lomtalay Villas & Resort will debut its garden wing, which will include an additional 133 rooms, suites and villas, four restaurants and bars, along with expansive meeting, conferencing and events facilities. Grand Mercure Resort Ao Nang Krabi (Q4) is also set to makes its debut in Southern Thailand with 200 keys at the end of the year.
Accor’s industry-leading brands will launch in Southeast Asia’s most exciting up-and-coming destinations in 2023. In Cambodia, the 232-key Novotel Sihanoukville Holiday Resort (Q2) will bring international midscale comfort to the country’s popular seaside town, while the 253-key Novotel Phnom Penh Boeng Keng Kong (Q2) will rise in the centre of the Cambodian capital. In Vietnam the 373-key Pullman Hai Phong (Q4) will introduce world-class five-star standards to this thriving port city.
In Singapore, three new landmark hotels are set to elevate the five-star hospitality sector in this vibrant metropolis. The 326-key Pullman Orchard Singapore – Singapore’s first Pullman hotel – will officially launch in February in the famous retail district of Orchard Road as the ultimate playground for today’s new entrepreneurs. Later in Q2, the 342-room Pullman Singapore Hill Street will open, offering sweeping views over Fort Canning, Saint Andrew’s Cathedral and the Singapore River, while the 302-key Mondrian Singapore Duxton (Q1) by Ennismore will rise above the colourful streets and shop-houses of Chinatown, overlooking the Lion City’s skyline. This design-led, culture-infused hotel will join a collection of only eight Mondrian hotels worldwide.
Image caption: Mercure Hotel Tokyo Heneda Airport. | Image credit: Accor / Ennismore
Accor’s rapid growth in Indonesia will gather pace in 2023 with the launch of multiple new hotels, including the 224-key ibis New Yogyakarta International Airport (Q1) and 189-key Novotel New Yogyakarta Airport Kulon Progo (Q3) in Yogyakarta, the 150-key Mercure Pangkalan Bun (Q3) in Central Kalimantan, the 158-key ibis Palembang Sanggar (Q4) in South Sumatra, the 335-key Grand Mercure Lampung (Q4), and two Swiss-inspired Mövenpick properties: the 413-key Mövenpick Bintan Lagoon Resort and 253-key Mövenpick Jakarta Pecenongan, both of which are on track to start welcoming visitors in Q4 2023.
In Malaysia, the 161-key ibis PJCC Petaling Jaya and the 172-key Mercure Miri City Centre are both due to open their doors by the middle of 2023. Finally, Japan will welcome the 363-key Mercure Hotel Tokyo Haneda Airport (Q4) at one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.
In 2022, Accor and Ennismore signed a combined 30 hotels representing 8,700 keys across eight countries in Southeast Asia. These hotels will be operated under 15 brands within all segments, from economy to luxury.
Celebrating its 50th year in the design, manufacture and distribution of high-quality decorative lighting, Franklite continues to manufacture exquisite products for the retail, commercial and hospitality markets, alongside bespoke project designs…
The passion for lighting has been within the Lissauer family for three generations. Taking his father’s passed down knowledge and many years of experience from owning a number of lighting shops in South Africa, Frank Lissauer decided to relocate to the United Kingdom and establish Franklite in 1973. Growing and developing the business over the years took dedication and countless hours of hard work by founder Frank Lissauer but these responsibilities were eventually shared when his son, Mark Lissauer who joined the business in 2002.
Image credit: Franklite
The family owned business has achieved significant milestones over the 50 years which include moving to a much larger purpose built factory in 1990 after quickly outgrowing the previous premises, an in-house laboratory which holds state-of-the-art lighting technology which very few other lighting manufacturers within the UK possess, an expansive warehouse and assembly area where products and parts undergo stringent quality control and finally an exquisite showroom.
Image credit: Franklite
2021 was the year the company received recognition, winning two awards within the hospitality industry. The innovative L11 Tuneable white light engine came under the spotlight and saw it being awarded Best in Tech at the Hotel Designs’Brit List awards in 2021.
Franklite certainly has a story to tell. It is far more than just a lighting manufacturer and is made up of creators, visionaries and craftspeople who continue to pride themselves on their manufacturing and service excellence. At the heart of the brand is a highly-skilled team who understand the importance of good product design that will stand the test of time, both technically and aesthetically.
Over the next 50 years the visi0n is to grow the brand while staying true to its founding roots of being a renowned family business and maintaining the core principle on which Franklite was founded – to offer products that balance optimal performance with beautiful aesthetics.
Franklite is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Nao Beach – a delicate blend of Japanese finesse and Mediterranean warmth
Situated at the heart of Saint Jean Bay, Nao Beach is a new club in Saint-Barthélemy where the sound of the crashing waves and the warm Caribbean breeze are the perfect partners to a unique and festive culinary experience. We stepped onto the sand to have a look…
Noa Beach can be found in prime position on one of the largest and most beautiful beaches of the island of Saint-Barthélemy in the Caribbean. Like its menu, the décor is all about fusion, steeped in both tropical and Mediterranean inspiration while creating its own style in the Caribbean. Delicate hues of sand, sienna and terracotta have been elegantly and expertly put together, setting the stage for a daily celebrations underscored by incomparable sunsets best enjoyed with an Osaka Sour in hand.
Image credit: Hugo Allard
This lifestyle destination of the Annie Famose & Blackcode groups is all about a new culinary experience on the white sand. On the menu are original creations imagined by the Japanese chef Kawaï (executive chef of the Blackcode Group, Nobu LA) and the French chef Alexandre Delage, who pilots the cuisine of the Annie Famose Group establishments since 2019. A perfect fusion of the talents and gastronomic sensibilities of each, for the benefit of a mixed, fresh and original menu.
This approach extends to the design concept of Nao Beach, with the curated and contemporary furniture designed for the project being a combination of French craftmanship, both from the mainland and from overseas territories. Use of sustainable materials has been a priority to ensure that the project respects the natural environment which is an inherent part of its design and its location. Recycled fluted wood, tables made of certified wood, furniture draped in artisanal palm leaf weavings, screens allowing natural shade, all reflect the tones and textures of its pristine location. The bar is decorated with ceramics crafted by Chiara Andreatti for Bottega Nove, which are enshrined in delicate panels dressed in exotic leaves.
Image credit: Hugo Allard
Image credit: Hugo Allard
Similar attention to detail and quality is reproduced in the table layout with every element considered. The chopstick stands shaped as seashells are handmade by the Parisian ceramicist Marion Graux, while the organic soy dishes are made from olive tree wood.
Both Annie Famose and Blackcode groups already have a presence on the island with Kinugawa and La Petite Plage. Nao Beach is the tale of two friends who share the same passion for ‘l’art de vivre’ – it is about the pooling of two sets of talents to bring out the best in both, to create something truly unique.
Handwritten Collection – a new portfolio from Accor
Accor has announced a new addition to its network of brands – Handwritten Collection is a global portfolio of bespoke hotels that offer an intimate and stylish hospitality experience…
With the creation of Handwritten Collection, Accor is broadening its brand portfolio and midscale hotel offerings and will look to replicate the success it has achieved with the group’s collection brands across other segments. This includes the MGallery Hotel Collection, a storied portfolio in the upper upscale brand segment that now counts more than 100 boutique hotels worldwide and Emblems Collection, Accor’s first luxury collection brand, a carefully curated selection of distinctive hotels that are emblematic of their destination, designer or place in history. With a similar bespoke approach, Handwritten Collection will bring together hotels with individual personalities, intimately reflecting the character and warmth of the people who love and look after them. Like a handwritten note, each host’s individual touches will be subtly encountered at select moments throughout the guest journey.
Image credit: Accor / Wonil Hotel Perth
“Handwritten Collection enriches Accor’s offering in the ‘collection brands’ segment with a curated selection of hotels that exhibit charming and one-of-a-kind concepts,” said Alex Schellenberger, Chief Marketing Officer, Premium, Midscale, Economy Brands, Accor. “Our aim, beyond delivering a truly authentic guest experience, is to support the growing number of independent and boutique hotel owners looking to boost their global profile, connect with more audiences and grow their revenue without losing their identity. The hotels we will feature in Handwritten Collection are those sought out by travellers who appreciate heartwarming travel experiences and a twist on traditional hospitality, as well as by hoteliers who cherish the unique personality of their properties while desiring the benefits that come with a leading global partner.”
Image credit: Accor / Paris Montmartre Sacré Coeur
The Handwritten Collection is designed with the needs of independent hotel owners in mind. With a current conversion rate of 80 per cent, the bulk of properties joining Handwritten Collection will be conversion projects rather than new builds, requiring a simpler transition and ramp up process and a more sustainable growth and development model. The brand’s standards are designed to be flexible, light, and easy to attain. Moreover, Handwritten Collection provides direct ROI and the opportunity for owners to maximise revenue with immediate access to the power and reach of Accor’s sales, distribution and loyalty platforms, while also benefiting from the Group’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) capabilities.
The new brand launches with an immediate footprint of 12 hotels spread across the globe with over 110 Handwritten leads around the world totalling more than 11,500 rooms, including 12 secured signings, with five properties expected to debut throughout the first few months of 2023. With properties in the pipeline from Paris to Perth, The Handwritten Collection portfolio is expected to reach more than 250 hotels by 2030.
Image credit: Accor / Oru Hub Hotel
“Independent hotels are increasingly seeking the strength of Accor’s powerful sales, distribution and loyalty platform to increase their revenue and assist them in optimising their costs, whilst retaining their own distinctive personality and offering a highly qualitative product, service and experience,” said Camil Yazbeck, Global Chief Development Officer, Premium, Midscale, Economy, Accor. “Handwritten Collection offers them an ideal solution, providing the option for a franchise contract and a flexible and cost-effective level of investment. We look forward to working collaboratively with owners and partners and welcoming additional hotels from around the world into this outstanding collection”.
Key to the concept, the guest experience at Handwritten Collection aims to bring to life the spirit of the host – their tastes, their passions and the little quirks of their personality. Each local hotelier provides a charming presence that weaves their character and personality into the fabric of their hotel, engaging guests with local wisdom and delightful conversation, bringing a personalised energy to the guest experience.
Hyperion Tiles showcase seven new designs to transform a compact bathroom
Hyperion Tiles, specialist in bespoke wall and flooring solutions, has released seven new tile designs which will instantly take a compact bathroom to new heights…
The new ranges from Hyperion Tiles have been designed and produced by two leading tiles manufacturers Bert & May and Ca’ Pietra. Bert & May is known for its reclaimed and handmade tiles in curated colours, while Ca’ Pietra is passionate about colour and pattern, bringing inspirational tile designs into the home.
“I’m delighted to reveal seven new tiles launches for those who are looking to treat your hotel guests to a new bathroom design this year,” said Richard Skeoch, Director at Hyperion Tiles. “These demonstrate how bijou really can be beautiful in bathroom design. In fact, each collection is so versatile, they lend themselves just as well to compact rooms and large spaces.”
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
Stepping over to the dark side, add some star quality to a small space with the new Bert & May Luna Old Iron Porcelain tiles, developed in conjunction with Fired Earth. They are suitable for both interior and exterior walls and floors. On a brighter note, the new Bert & May Forest Green Santona porcelain tiles showcase exactly how to make a statement with pattern, even in a limited space. The tiles are suitable for interior and exterior walls and floors.
“At Hyperion Tiles, we not only offer exceptional products, which will stand the test of time, but we are also on hand to offer expert advice to designers, specifiers and architects,” continued Skeoch. “If you’re looking for ways in which to make a small bathroom look bigger, we’ve got plenty of advice from how to choose the right colour scheme to the best ways in which to play with pattern.”
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
Making it clear that natural doesn’t have to be neutral, the Bert & May Little Greene Purple Brown glazed rectangular tiles complement the more neutral tones of the Kast Concrete basin and wooden surfaces, perfect for adding depth of colour and warmth to a natural design scheme.
In a more traditional take, a two-tone wall that combines our Ca’ Pietra new Tisbury Porcelain Tiles and new Ca Pietra Akazu Porcelain Emerald Mosaic Tiles makes a textured backdrop for the deep green roll-top tub. Combining colour and pattern with a common thread such as the Ca’ Pietra new Sequel Reformed Stone Leaf Green can create a strong statement in a small bathroom.
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
The pretty and on-trend pale pink and green combination, which features the new Ca’ Pietra East Java Marble Honed tiles alongside the Hummingbird Marble Brick and Plumbe Mosaic Hummingbird add layers of pattern and tone without crowding the space. The striking floor tiles are the Ca’ Pietra Hummingbird Temple Mosaic.
Strong accents in a small space can add a touch of glamour. A gold basin is a great way to make a statement using metallic surfaces. Keep things classy by pairing with modern neutrals, such as the new Ca’ Pietra Long Island Marble Honed Bamboo Mosaic tiles – a classic white marble with grey veining.
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
The last of the seven new additions to the Hyperion Tiles portfolio, the Bert & May Skinny White Metro Tile is ideal for bouncing light around a small bathroom. Paired with the bold monochrome design of Bert & May’s Black Split Shift Two encaustic tile creates a contemporary design statement in a limited palette and is a perfect fit when designing for a small space.
Hyperion Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Chic Chanel-inspired makeover of Chicago’s Waldorf Astoria
Design firm KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group has elevated the grand Gold Coast hotel with a major refresh and redesign which evolves the property’s tradition of timeless, refined luxury, while giving it a modern edge. We stepped inside with the designers for a closer look…
Chicago’s Waldorf Astoria is debuting its new look after an extensive renovation of the hotel’s guestrooms, lobby, spa facilities and restaurants, all spearheaded by award-winning interior design and architecture firm KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group. Located in Chicago’s exclusive Gold Coast, the latest incarnation of the château-like hotel continues its stylish legacy, led by firm principals Lisa Simeone and Gina Deary, who were also responsible for the original design in 2009. The duo credits the earlier project, originally completed as The Elysian Hotel, for informing how they approach projects today and for allowing them to break the typical rules of hotel design.
Image credit: KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group
For the Waldorf, the team drew inspiration from French design masters, crediting the legendary Coco Chanel as their muse. Her influence can be seen in elements ranging from the lobby’s glittering Swarovski crystal chandelier to the black-and-white pinstriped stone that trims the entryways of two palatial new suites. The chandelier, inspired by a vintage Chanel brooch, greets guests as they step into the reimagined hotel.
Image credit: KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group
Image credit: KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group
Beginning in the hotel’s open lobby, the design exudes warmth with sumptuous jewel tones juxtaposed with that opulent, attention-grabbing chandelier. The entry space flows into the Peacock Lounge, which pays tribute to the original Peacock Alley at the brand’s flagship, Waldorf Astoria New York, with peacock feather panels lining the backs of bookcase shelving. The Peacock Lounge’s noteworthy Impressionist art collection, intended to provide the essence of a formal parlour, is also worth exploring.
Image credit: KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group
Bernard’s, the hotel’s cocktail lounge, has reopened in its former space as an intimate craft-cocktail lounge and champagne bar sanctuary, adorned in traditional tweeds and equestrian leather with brass accents. Other Scottish Highlands-inspired design elements include millwork panelling with custom herringbone-tweed inserts and cosy banquettes with leather and plaid detailing. Notably, the design team commissioned artist Kahmi, who created a three-tier braided art installation inspired by a braided horse tail. The lounge also includes a step-up bar, which overlooks the hotel’s front courtyard drive, fluted smoked-glass windows that peer down to the updated lobby and private antique brass lockers, where regulars can store their favourite spirits.
Image credit: KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group
Upstairs, all of the guestrooms and suites received a contemporary design refresh, featuring a black and white colour palette with rich burgundy and blush accents. Chic pinstripes detail the furniture and drapery, as well as the framework around the architectural, floor-to-ceiling panelled headboards in the standard rooms, which integrate abstract floral art created by artist Ashley Woodson Bailey.
Image credit: KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group
Image credit: KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group
Two new luxurious suites — the 140 square-metre Astoria Suite and a lavish Presidential Suite of more than 200 square metres — offer even more standout design moments. Both suites evoke the charms of a Parisian pied-à-terre with polished brass and black-nickel accents, cerused oak flooring and millwork, and softly curved furnishings, including custom sofas with intricate, brushed-brass bronze metal inlays. For those guests who love to host, both suites feature private entrances to the butler’s kitchen for caterers to come and go.
Image credit: KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group
Image credit: KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group
Inside the Presidential Suite is a duo of bedrooms, each with its own private bath and dressing area, a kitchen and dining room, an exclusive fitness room and two terraces with expansive views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. The Presidential Suite can expand into an even larger, three-bedroom space. An entirely new guestroom experience added during the renovation, the Astoria Suite combined three former standard guestrooms and now includes two fireplaces and a furnished terrace. The suite also has the ability to add an additional bedroom, bringing the footprint close to 180 square metres.
The renovation of the property undoubtedly marks a new chapter for the iconic Waldorf Astoria in Chicago, offering an elegant, inviting respite for travellers looking for contemporary glamour and luxurious amenities.
Main image credit: KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group
How to attend Parkside’s panel discussion during Festival of Sustainability
In March 2023, Parkside will bring another instalment of its successful event series during Festival of Sustainability…
With a chance to hear leaders from environmental charities, industry bodies and suppliers give their diverse perspectives on how to build sustainable specifications, the Parkside Festival of Sustainability is back for 2023. Taking place on Thursday March 30 at Clerkenwell’s Crypt on the Green, it’s an evening not to be missed.
Image credit: Parkside
The evening will be an exclusive opportunity to hear from Planq sustainable furniture, Envirobuild, World Land Trust and the Natural Environment Research Council. Speakers will tackle a range of issues and the festival will conclude with an informal panel Q&A session answering your questions from the night.
Anthony Gray, from sustainable furniture maker Planq will be first to deliver a keynote, before we’ll hear from Dr Aidan Bell of Envirobuild on the idea of pragmatic sustainability, where everyone in the supply chain contributes. Once again, Dan Bradbury from World Land Trust will join the festival, looking at conservation projects benefitting from Parkside’s Carbon Balanced status. Hannah Lacey from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) will be the last to talk, looking at how environmental science can boost our journey to net zero and enhance wellbeing.
The event will round off with a lively Q&A, giving the opportunity to have your burning sustainability questions answered by the panel. As always, the Festival of Sustainability will conclude with post-session networking and refreshments.
To register early for the event and secure your place at the Festival of Sustainability email the team. Parkside is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Hilton has announced the launch of Spark by Hilton, the newest addition to its portfolio with the aim of filling an open space in the industry by creating a new premium economy lodging option. Here’s what we know…
Spark by Hilton builds on Hilton’s continued work evaluating the market to develop new brands to meet the evolving needs of guests and owners and provide a hotel for every traveller for every stay. Over the last 15 years, Hilton has more than doubled its brand portfolio and number of guestrooms around the world organically, creating a diverse, yet complementary range of brands across categories.
The new brand will offer simple, inspired design with splashes of colour that bring the outdoors in. Each hotel will provide a welcoming sense of arrival with colourful exterior statement walls and energising artwork. The public space will feature multi-functional seating from communal tables to rocking chairs, offering plenty of options for guests to enjoy breakfast, socialise or work throughout the day. Guestrooms will be comfortable and relaxing allowing travellers to unwind and recharge for whatever comes next. Focusing on practical amenities, the simple, streamlined furniture will include an open closet, in-room refrigerator, multi-purpose work surface and bright bathroom.
Image credit: Hilton International
To ensure the goal of a consistent, quality guest experience, each hotel will be required to complete a full renovation, encompassing all guest-facing areas of the hotel, prior to joining Spark by Hilton and the Hilton portfolio.
“In looking at the economy category, we saw a segment that has grown dramatically but lacks consistency, providing us an opportunity to deliver on the needs of this underserved segment of travellers,” said Matt Schuyler, Chief Brand Officer, Hilton. “True to its name, Spark by Hilton signifies the start of something great – a moment of ignition as we add energy and momentum into the category and deliver the most reliable and friendly stays. This breakthrough premium economy brand will deliver the essentials done exceptionally well for every guest, every time along with friendly service – ensuring all travellers can enjoy a great hotel experience where they feel truly cared for.”
Image credit: Hilton International
Image credit: Hilton International
Spark by Hilton is about creating greater value for both owners and operators. This cost-effective conversion brand provides a unique opportunity for existing properties by reimagining the economy segment and focusing on areas that drive the guest experience while also providing a consistent look and feel across each hotel. Owners also will benefit from Hilton’s powerful network effect, resilient business model, and high-performing commercial engines, including supply chain management, a cost-effective pricing model and automated customer offerings such as digital check-in and digital key.
Experts in planting design for luxury hotels and hospitality spaces, Leaflike shares biophilic design and trends that are set to put down roots in the year ahead…
As hoteliers and the hospitality industry continue to consolidate strategic plans for the year ahead, the buzz around biophilic design remains key and the question remains: how can we use the power of biophilic design to improve hotel design and guest experience? Leaflike has put together the top three trends and considerations for 2023 impacting on design and hospitality by drawing directly from nature.
First on the list, having a sustainable mindset is key as approaching the topic of sustainability as a ‘tick list exercise’ is no longer adequate in the eyes of changing consumer expectations. Being more environmentally aware, guests are looking for brands they trust and will make choices based on a brand’s sustainability credentials. Hoteliers getting specific about the actions they are taking to care for planet Earth, whilst serving the needs of customers will become a significantly larger focus this year. Recent studies have shown that around 80 per cent of travellers surveyed said they ‘plan to choose a sustainable accommodation option in the coming year’, and this trend will continue to strengthen.
“We believe you can have both creative design and sustainability, that complements the interior of your venue,” said Brandon Abernethie, Head of Design, Leaflike. “A key area of biophilic design includes planters and this is why we want to showcase the options available to customers, helping them get what they need from the concept, ultimately making biophilic design sustainable.”
Image credit: Leaflike
Biophilic storytelling for your customers is integral to the process with the evolutionary shift in customers looking for memorable, emotional experiences versus just a functional product or service. Throughout the entire customer experience, hoteliers should be on the lookout to find creative ways to connect their guests to nature using storytelling through their planting and floristry displays – an approach that goes far beyond the aesthetic appeal of greenery. The team at Leaflike are working on several projects that enable hotel guests to interact and connect with the story behind the planting and floristry displays that educates and inspires. Sharing stories and reasons why certain displays were carefully chosen, how they ignite the senses through scent and texture, or the benefits of particular plants for wellbeing, ultimately enhances a guest’s experience. It connects them with hotel design on a deeper level and thus creating a far more memorable stay. A classic Leaflike example of approaching a planting scheme with the sustainability mindset can be seen by observing The Waldorf Hilton hotel and how it has combined British luxury with sustainability using recycled woodchip planters in its Palm Court!
The third trend in the biophilic story is to make it clear that planting is not a luxury! The passionate team at Leaflike believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the benefits of being surrounded by nature. An increasing trend across the hospitality sector is that hoteliers are realising the benefits that planting can bring to all types of spaces, not only to five-star luxury hotels, but to mid-scale and even budget hotels.
Not only does a strong biophilic design improve the overall aesthetics and feel of the public areas, but it can significantly improve the retention rate of guests in certain spaces. Research by groups like Terrapin Bright Green has proven that attractive planting displays increase dwell time in a hotel lobby area by as much as 36 per cent. This makes it an attractive proposition for all hotels to consider simple, cost-effective ways to help connect guests with nature, using a tailored planting scheme.
Leaflike is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Arte threads eastern inspiration into its Osmanthus collection
The new Osmanthus Collection from Arte takes both its inspiration and its name from the fragile and fragrant flower of the osmanthus shrub that plays an important role in Asian culture…
The Osmanthus Collection by Arte exudes refinement and luxury, not only through the sophisticated embroidery techniques utilised but also due to the use of natural materials such as sisal, cotton and hemp that have been used to create it. The materials, designs and colours in this collection are inspired by the Far East, and the aesthetic aspect and purity of nature is the common thread weaving through all the designs in perfect balance.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
The Korean word for embroidery is chasu, which is very appropriate for this refined pattern. The abstract herringbone pattern is embroidered onto a natural sisal background using shiny textile threads, giving an effect that is both luxurious and authentic. Chasu is available in four colourways, all quietly reflective of the natural environment.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Tatami, meaning folded and stacked in Japanese, refers to the way in which traditional Japanese floor mats are manufactured. The substrate of this design is a playful reference to this authentic technique. The shiny geometric embroidery comes into its own against this background and the design is available in five colourways.
Staying in Japan, Gardens of Okayama tells the visual story of a colourful Japanese garden and has been carefully embroidered with great attention to detail onto the base of sisal fibres. The different shades and textures of the threads revealing the natural and organic character of the garden. The fairy-tale scene appeals to the imagination in all three colourways which are light yet grounded in nature.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
The Kudzu wallcovering is made from the fibres of the climbing plant kudzu which is very common in tropical regions. These fibres are coarsely woven into a unique wallcovering as the irregular thicknesses and different shades of the various threads reveal its natural origins, and comes in 12 colourways. Sambe is another design within the collection that focusses on texture through natural fibre. The design is made of hemp fibres whose natural colours contrast with the fine black yarns that hold the fibres together. The knots and irregular threads of different thicknesses are clearly visible, and this is what makes Sambe so authentic and pure. The hemp weave comes is available in five earthy colourways.
Image credit: Arte
The final thread to the collection is Geloma, a refined jacquard-woven textile in glossy multicolour threads. The dancing horizontal lines create a playful effect on the one hand, while the dark background and warp provide relief on the other. This design owes its name to the word ‘loom’, which in turn comes from the old english word geloma, a descriptively apt name for a design rooted in textile history.
Arte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Owned by one of the leading hospitality investment companies Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC), the hotel has been designed to bring guests together through thoughtfully crafted spaces, warm service and a commitment to well-being. Converting from Hotel Berlin Central District, the announcement marks the completion of the first stage in the property’s transformation to join the iconic JWMarriott brand, set to offer a different perspective to the capital city’s hospitality scene.
“JWMarriott’s balanced, welcoming and human approach to hospitality provides a unique offering in the luxury sector – creating a destination where mindfulness, business and leisure come together,” said Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “JWMarriott Berlin marks the second JWMarriott Hotel in Germany following Frankfurt in 2022.”
Image credit: Marriott International
ARTIC are committed to ensure that all of its investments have what his Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of ARTIC, described as a ‘distinct imprint’ on the markets in which they operate in. “JWMarriott Hotel Berlin will be no exception,” he added. “Since its establishment, ARTIC has recognised Marriott International as a valued and important partner. Today’s announcement is a testament to our shared vision for modern hospitality and commitment to serving guests in distinctive and creative ways.”
Located on the central Stauffenbergstraße street, the 505-key JWMarriott Hotel Berlin is directly adjacent to Tiergarten, one of the largest urban gardens in Germany boasting almost 520 acres of forested ground, tree-lined paths and sparkling lakes. Interiors have been led by design practice El Ghoneimi, with references and inspirations from the neighbouring Tiergarten found throughout the hotel with a colour scheme of dark green and warm browns complemented by bright marble. In the restaurants, public areas and rooms, artwork reflecting the beauty of nature brings a joyful and inspiring energy, while from the terrace of the hotel’s incredible Presidential Suite, guests can have their mind and soul nourished with expansive views of Tiergarten and the wider cityscape.
JWMarriott Hotel Berlin’s culinary offering, led by Chef Friedemann Heinrich, gives guests the choice of eight dining destinations, all of which have undergone a full transformation. Each dining concept is underpinned by a commitment to high quality produce, fresh local sourcing and sustainability while delivering exquisite, mouth-watering creations. Locally-sourced ingredients take on a whole new meaning at Market Restaurant where guests can pluck herbs for breakfast from the JW Garden or take away seeds to continue growing produce at home.
JWMarriott Hotel Berlin has some of the most extensive meetings and events offerings in the city with more than 48 event spaces spanning more than 6,290 square metres, including the largest ballroom in Berlin with the capacity to seat more than 2,300 guests. Working in tandem with the brand’s mindful approach to dining and design, the meeting and events spaces will encourage guests and attendees to foster purposeful connections, with the expert events team on hand to anticipate the needs of each client.
Embodying the JWMarriott brand’s commitment to the well-being of guests, JWMarriott Hotel Berlin is home to a revitalising spa, complete with a swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and two treatment rooms – together covering 347 square metres of space dedicated to relaxation and wellness. Guests can enjoy access to exceptional treatments throughout their stay encouraging them to discover the city in a more relaxed, balanced manner. In addition, two fitness centres ensure guests can maintain their routine while on the road.
“The debut of JWMarriott Hotel Berlin is an exciting moment for the city, defined by our harmonious approach to nature,” said Aramis Gianella-Borradori, General Manager, JWMarriott Hotel Berlin. “We look forward to welcoming everyone – from families to business travellers, solo travellers to group trips – in this haven in the heart of the city.”
The ongoing development of the hotel will see the property’s full transformation finalised by 2025, with the complete renovation of all guestrooms.
Main image credit: Marriott International / Vison Photos
Product watch: Hansgrohe launches new Pulsify shower range
Pulsify from Hansgrohe, an ever-evolving range of shower heads, offers the optimal individual shower experience for every room, budget and taste. Here’s why…
The new, modern Pulsify shower range from hansgrohe opens new possibilities to offer customers daily luxury shower routines at home. Whether in a large family bathroom suite or a more compact space, such as a flat or bungalow, Pulsify offers the optimal individual shower experience with high performance and water-saving technology, it claims, for every room, budget and taste.
The Pulsify shower range includes a variety of technological features to bring a luxury shower experience to everyday life. There are different spray modes for various shower experiences, including microfine PowderRain spray that creates a gentle rain to envelope the user in water droplets, and Intense PowderRain for an invigorating shower. Complete with hansgrohe’s Select technology to easily switch between spray modes at the touch of a button, and an adjustable inclination angle on the Pulsify showerpipe, for users to position the shower exactly where they want.
Image credit: Hansgrohe
For the finishing touch, the ShowerTablet thermostat allows seamless control of the temperature and water volume of the shower, which also serves as a shelf for the storage of shower gel, shampoos, as well as a docking station for a hand shower. In addition, the Pulsify ShowerTablet has been designed with a retractable bath filler, discreetly hidden under the ShowerTablet it can be pulled out to draw a bath and pushed away when not in use for a streamlined, minimalist look.
The hansgrohe Pulsify range also stands out with its modern and striking design, with rounded, easy-to-clean forms available in three finishes as standard – Chrome, Matt Black, and Matt White – ideal for any bathroom. The range can be easily combined with other hansgrohe bathroom products including the Vivenis basin mixer range, and WallStoris accessories to increase storage space in the bathroom without compromising on design aesthetic. These ranges are also available in Matt Black, Matt White and Chrome, to create a cohesive look for customers without compromising on function.
“Pulsify is the perfect showering range for a variety of bathroom aesthetics, and its sleek design is great for compact spaces,” said Sarah Evans, Head of Product Marketing at Hansgrohe UK. “With a wealth of technological features, such as EcoSmart for the eco-conscious bathroom and different spray types, users can have completely individual, luxurious shower experience in their everyday life.
Each product is designed with the customer in mind, including CoolContact technology in the ShowerTablet which uses an intelligent water flow to prevent the outside of the thermostat from heating up – making uncomfortable contact with hot surfaces a thing of the past.
The Pulsify showerpipes are also designed with a flat profile, reducing the amount of space needed for the showerpipe and allowing for a more spacious showering experience even in the most compact of bathrooms.
For customers trying to create a luxury shower experience without the space for an overhead shower, Pulsify’s hand showers are available in two variations that give the same experience as overhead showers. Both are equipped with PowderRain and IntenseRain spray modes, however there is also a third spray mode available in both variants, one a relaxing massage spray and the other a more intense activating spray to meet the desires of every customer.
Image credit: Hansgrohe
As more customers look to save water, Pulsify is also available with EcoSmart technology to help lower water consumption. EcoSmart products consume up to 60 per cent less water than conventional products, without compromising on individual shower experience. The Pulsify showerhead and hand shower are also equipped with hansgrohe QuickClean technology, allowing customers to run their fingers over the spray surface after showering to remove lime and calcium deposits easily.
What’s more, the Pulsify overhead shower has a draining function to reduce dripping after showering, meaning the shower dries faster and the showerhead stays more hygienically clean.
Hansgrohe is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
A hotel designed to capture 20th century Warsaw architecture
Here’s how Tremend Architects used 20th-century Warsaw architecture as inspiration when it transformed a heritage building in the city centre into a design-led aparthotel…
The interior design concept, imagined by Tremend Architects, is a remarkable story of 20th-century Warsaw. The overarching theme was inspired by the art and architecture of the capital city. The design narrative starts exactly where the property is located today.
Image credit: Piotr Gesicki
The arrival experience takes place, quite literally, on the border of the city centre and Wola districts, just like Grzybowska street, which in fact connects both of these districts. It is also, where the architects found the urban plan of Warsaw from the 20th century, which is what the design of the whole ground floor refers to. It resembles a giant carving on the wall and allows the guests to familiarise themselves with the interior concept, welcoming them to explore the analogies.
The lobby area boldly relates to the urban architecture of the city. From the very beginning, there are parallels to Rotunda, a famous and iconic building in the city designed from 1960–1969 by chief architect Jerzy Jakubowicz. The oval-shaped reception desk resembles the significant facility with its form and is the only circular element of the interior, similar to the actual Rotunda. Another analogy to the city centre of the 20th century is a black-and-white floor, made of so-called Warsaw ‘gorseciki’. Those familiar with Warsaw may also notice the inspiration with Wars and Sawa neons, the joinery from Smulikowskiego street, or the secessionist balcony railing of the tenement house from Piękna 44 street.
Image credit: Piotr Gesicki
Hotel cafe ‘swaWola’, with its interior and function working together, brings to mind the former coffee roaster ‘Pluton’. Once again, the black-and-white mosaic proudly presents itself on the floor, where guests will also notice golden strips reminding of old railway tracks. It is a reference to the tram station located in the area. Similarly, the cafe desk resembles the former rail vehicles.
Image credit: Piotr Gesicki
Among other parts characteristic of the Wola district, guests will find a brick wall, resembling former gasworks, colourful boards referring to photographic glasses of Foton lounge, or golden and brass elements, which are a tribute to Hefr’s cutlery factory.
The apartments themselves also refer to the storied history and architecture of particular Warsaw districts. In each of them, the wall is decorated with the graphic of a district map in its symbolic colour. The trademark of Powiśle is the blue tone of Vistula, for Żoliborz it is green of Kępa Potocka Park.
Image credit: Piotr Gesicki
In a family room, inspired by the Mokotów district, guests will walk in to a wine-red colour of the greenery. The apartment, inspired by Saska Kępa, is held in bright colours, broken by dusty orange, characteristic of the facades from the district. Each mosaic pattern, which dominates the floor of the particular apartment, refers to the mosaic style of the individual district. Again, it is a nod to the unforgettable Warsaw ‘gorseciki’. The bathrooms are finished with large format tiles with white marble imitation.
Image credit: Piotr Gesicki
Image credit: Piotr Gesicki
The interior design of Royal Tulip Warsaw Apartments is a sentimental journey through 20th-century Warsaw. By exploring the history of the districts, the hope is that guests can then discover new analogies and, perhaps, even see and feel the city differently, having understood its architectural context.
Hyatt Hotels has announced a franchise agreement for Grand Hyatt La Manga Club and Resort. Following significant renovation work, the iconic resort property is set to debut the Grand Hyatt brand in Spain in mid-2023…
Preparing to take its place in the impressive Hyatt pipeline, Grand Hyatt La Manga Club and Resort sits at the heart of the renowned enclave of La Manga Club in Murcia, Spain, widely recognised as one of the most in-demand sports and leisure destinations in Southern Europe. As part of an extensive renovation, set to be completed in spring , the hotel’s 192 guestrooms, including a Royal Suite and six additional suites, will be redesigned to reflect the vibrant design and bold architecture that the Grand Hyatt brand is known for. An array of renewed culinary offerings will also be added, highlighting local produce through international cuisines.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
“Grand Hyatt La Manga Club and Resort will offer the modern traveller enriching luxury and lifestyle experiences and will mark an important milestone in our impressive luxury brand growth in Europe,” said Felicity Black-Roberts, Vice President Development, Europe, Hyatt. “This will be our third collaboration with Grupo Inversor Hesperia in Spain, building on our lasting relationships with leading owners and the value of our diverse and dynamic brand portfolio.”
True to the brand principles of being a captivating destination within a destination, Grand Hyatt Manga Club and Resort will be located amidst 1,384 acres of lush greenery with access to the surrounding wildlife, and natural landmarks Calblanqe Natural Park and Mar Menor lagoon close by. The hotel’s outstanding facilities will set a benchmark for sporting offerings in the region and include three championship level 18-hole golf courses, expansive outdoor tennis facilities and the La Manga Club Football Centre, currently the home of Cartagena FC.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
“It’s an enormous thrill to work with Hyatt again and to introduce the Grand Hyatt brand to Spain,” said Jordi Ferrer, Chief Executive Officer, Hesperia. “Grand Hyatt La Manga Club and Resort will deliver an abundance of options for high-class travellers looking for unparalleled splendour and luxury experiences while visiting Murcia.”
The hotel’s generous spa area will encourage total relaxation, with two new adults-only pools providing stunning sea views. Guests can make the most of this striking backdrop at one of the many indoor and outdoor event spaces. In addition, with up to 1300 square metres of space to use, Grand Hyatt La Manga Club and Resort will be an ideal venue to host an unforgettable event, from meetings to conferences and weddings, amongst the flourishing landscape.
The property will be the first Grand Hyatt branded hotel in Spain and will be joined by the Grand Hyatt Lanzarote, which is set to open in 2025. Both these properties will join iconic European properties in the portfolio including Grand Hyatt Berlin in Germany, Grand Hyatt Athens in Greece and Grand Hyatt Istanbul in Turkey.
Refocus, regroup, indulge your senses, reconnect with your inner self, with others and with the environment. Ahead of Maison&Objet Paris getting set to shine a light on these highly meaningful forward-focused values, we take a look at what to expect from the design laden week ahead…
The major social, economic and political upheaval we are all currently experiencing is inciting everyone to stand up for their convictions. It is also encouraging brands to be more transparent, inclusive and responsible when reaching out to consumers, who are themselves more invested than ever in the way in which they engage with brands. Now is a time for straight talking, taking action and being open-minded, even if that means beating a drum in order to drive forward change. With this in mind The theme ‘take care’ is set to sweep across the entire fair, extending through to the talks and the trend zones.
The design on show at Maison&Objet will look to challenge the modern-day aesthetics of what is Beautiful and provide a springboard for what is Good. Taking care is something that has become a veritable necessity at a time when we are all actively seeking meaning and tranquillity. Above and beyond the increasingly responsible approach being adopted by the trade fair itself (recycling 50 per cent of waste, using more and more LEDs, storing and reusing signage, donating unsold food to the Red Cross, sourcing water locally and turning down the heating), an ever-increasing number of exhibitors at Maison&Objet Paris are themselves keen to defend these pivotal values with a view to shaping a desirable and inclusive future.
Image credit: AETHion
Image credit: AETHion
There is Noma, for example, the French design house that works solely with recycled materials. Or la Ciergerie des Prémontrés, which perpetuates the traditional expertise inherited from the Pères blancs monks at l’Abbaye des Prémontrés. Other good examples would be Care By Me, the Danish brand that designs soft and warm clothing ranges and accessories, or Laines Paysannes, whose rugs are crafted solely from locally sourced materials. These are all just a tiny handful of so many stands that bring joy to our hearts and meaning to our interiors.
Brands and designers are now looking beyond simple aesthetics to come up with increasingly meaningful creations that invite us to take care not only of our bodies, as is the case with Waterrower’s wood and metal sports equipment, but also of our mental health.
Image credit: Maison&Objet
The fair will encourage visitors to take their time and clear their heads in spaces such as the ‘what’s new?’ trend zone, curated by Elisabeth Leriche and appropriately named ‘In the air’ as an invitation to openly embrace lightheartedness and relaxation. Trend-spotter François Delclaux will encourage us to get onboard with ‘slow hospitality’ by whisking us off on a journey that inspires us to take the foot off the accelerator. The soon-to-be-announced ‘Designer of the Year’ meanwhile, will put together a peaceful and atmospheric space to help us disconnect from the stresses of daily life.
For a number of years, the trade fair has been awash with up-and-coming socially minded brands, who are proactively embodying a brand-new ethic that is finding a foothold amongst consumers, echoing the slow living trend. These include La Fabrique à Sachets, which inspires us to give nature a helping hand by sowing our own seeds, or Dopper, which is highly committed to fighting the good fight against single-use plastic bottles with its own attractive, ingenious and sturdy vessels. Knife maker Jean Dubosc designs pieces whose handles are made from waste plastic that has been collected and recycled in France.
Image credit: Maison&Objet
For the past few years, the brands that boast the most exemplary CSR initiatives have been singled out by an independent jury of experts to feature on the trade fair’s ‘Sustainable’ itinerary. It is also worth noting that as of December, Maison&Objet’s digital platform, MOM, is set to showcase products that can help us save energy, a testament to just how red hot – or perhaps that should be green hot – the topic is this season.
François Bernard’s zone that helps visitors home in on new trends, ‘What’s New?’ will shine a light on the relationship between raw materials and nature in an installation titled ‘Grounded’, illustrating a new kind of luxury that sees gold and glitter make way for simplicity.
Maison&Objet tracks down and celebrates hot new talent every single year, and the January edition will place seven Spanish “Rising Talents” firmly in the spotlight, all handpicked from the country’s vast pool of up-and-coming talent by some of its more well-established design names. These talents all represent a socially minded generation, with their creations echoing the widespread desire to care for the world around us. Those self-same values are shared by the three design talents that have been invited to be part of the new ‘Future on Stage’ programme, which allows recently launched brands to showcase their convictions.
Also, in a carte blanche given to Ukrainian designers entitled ‘The art of resilience’, Maison&Objet wants to show that Ukrainian design, like all of us, no matter where the war has dispersed us, survives and even grows. Designers are still creating, launching new collections and producing. A tribute to the courage and spirit of freedom of this generation that is helping to write the history of design.
Taking care of our heritage and expertise, brands are increasingly placing the accent on all things local. Reine Mère works with wood from the Jura region. Cristel’s saucepans are 100 per cent Made in France. Then there are designers such as Samuel Accocebery, who collaborates with craftsmen in the Basque country, or Youssouf Fofana from Maison Château Rouge, whose creations celebrate this French capital’s district. They all reflect a mindset that is underpinned by a sense of commitment and the desire to root design in a specific region, drawing on local expertise and culture.
Young brands and centuries-old firms present at the trade fair are all keen to ensure this valuable heritage gets passed down to future generations. In France, brands such as Drugeot, Delavelle and Sollen are giving French cabinetry a resolutely twenty-first-century spin with collections that flaunt overtly contemporary silhouettes. AS’ART, meanwhile, selects pieces from South Africa, encouraging and promoting traditional expertise with a view to contributing to the socio-economic development of artisan communities.
With all this information noted and onboard, Hotel Designs’ will be scouring the stands to bring you a curated round-up of the event.
In addition, coinciding with Maison&Objet and marking Hotel Designs’ first networking event outside of the UK, MEET UP Paris, in association with Arte, will take place at the Arte Showroom in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Santo Collection’s hotel arrivals in Santorini launching in 2023
The hotel scene in Santorini, Greece, is about to get hotter, as Santo Collection moves in with new boutique resorts. Here’s what we know about the properties launched in April and May of 2023…
Santo Collection is raising the temperature in Santorini, Greece, this year. Its anticipated arrivals include 20 new suites inside the existing five-star boutique resort, Santo Pure , and the launch of The Villas by Santo Collection, two new independent four-bedroom luxury villas that can be combined to create an impressive eight-bedroom villa sleeping 16 guests.
Exterior of The Villas at Santo Collection
Santo Mine is a new all-suite luxury hideaway carved into the cliffs of Oia on the site of an old stone mine above the enchanting Ammoudi Bay. With direct views over the Aegean Sea, all new 37 individual suites come with a private pool or jacuzzi, and have taken inspiration from Santorini’s rugged landscape, calming earth tones, Mediterranean aesthetics, and Cycladic minimalism. The resort brings guests at one with the island’s natural surroundings and Santorini’s famous sunsets and will also include a new restaurant and all-day bar, wine cellar serving local and international wines, spa, and outdoor gym.
Meanwhile, The Villas by Santo Collection, the two new properties making their mark this year, are matched in style – we have been told that it will be link ‘stepping into the world of refined luxury’.
Image credit: Santo Collection
Located in the western part of Oia, the villas are nestled in a secluded setting of awe-inspiring natural beauty with panoramic views overlooking the Aegean Sea. The four-bedroom villas are interconnected and can be combined to create an 1,195 squar metre (including outdoor areas) eight-bedroom luxury villa accommodating up to 16 guests.
Image credit: Santo Collection
Both villas embrace an outdoor living concept with outdoor and indoor kitchens and BBQ areas, indoor and outdoor jacuzzi, outdoor swimming pools, fitness rooms, saunas, a butler’s room, large verandas, outdoor seating areas, and up to 389 square metres of landscaped gardens in a prime elevated position perched on a cliff, offering views of the neighbouring Greek islands, and Santorini’s magical sunsets.
Image credit: Santo Collection
The new arrivals will add further layers to the sustainable-minded hotel brand’s personality, which prides itself on sheltering luxury hospitality – and high quality design – with a passionate Greek soul. Its properties in Santorini, put simply, represent the authenticity of the island and reflect an elegant, yet exciting, experience.
Bergman Design House unveils new speakeasy in Vancouver
Bergman Design House, the luxury design studio co-founded by dynamic duo Albin Berglund and Marie Soliman, has unveiled its latest Vancouver speakeasy project, Bagheera. We drew back the curtain to step inside…
The opulent sipping spot sits in the heart of the Vancouver’s buzzing Chinatown and has started serving its experimental cocktails, light bites and sharing plates in a train cabin that transports its patrons back in time to the flâneur era. Drawing on the cultural crossroads of co-owners Lewis Hart and Brij Rathi, both of whom have extensive roots in India, Bagheera pays homage to the adventurous spirit of the Indian subcontinent at the turn of the 20th Century.
Image credit: Berman Design House
Bergman Design House has an enviable portfolio of international projects and has been the trusted design partner of Bagheera’s parent group, Three Kingdoms Hospitality, since the launch of Vancouver sister venue Laowai in 2021. It was only fitting, therefore, that the duo should bring their magic touch to the group’s latest opening.
“Bagheera has undoubtedly been one of our most exciting projects to date,” said Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Design House. “Working on a brief centred around the namesake of the majestic black panther in Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, the scheme has a decidedly sexy, feline, feel that oozes luxe and excess.”
Image credit: Berman Design House
“Think less neighbourhood bar, more total theatrical experience,” added Albin Berglund, Co-Founder Bergman Design House. “It’s no secret that Bergman like to bring maximalism and opulence (or what we call ‘organised chaos’!) to our work, and this jewel in the heart of Vancouver might be the truest expression of our signature style that we’ve done.”
The experience begins the moment guests enter the Happy Valley Turf Club betting shop at 518 Main Street. As soon as they utter the magic password and place a wager on ‘King Louie’, they enter a vestibule papered with original postcards from late 1800s and early 1900s India, before voyaging into the speakeasy itself – a true ‘passage to India’.
Once inside guests will be greeted with a sumptuous 60-seat main cocktail lounge in hues of gold, deep red, teal and imperial purple. “We used a decadent mixture of textiles and fittings throughout to really dial up the glamour in the space”, explained Soliman. “Think rich velvets combined with dark hardwoods and opulent gold detailing. The main space was inspired by the majestic train cars of the era and glitters with over 1,000 antique coins and bangles we sourced from the bazaars of Delhi and Jaipur, with the help of Delhi-based décor brand, Rosie Dahlia. The effect is quite spectacular.”
Image credit: Berman Design House
Image credit: Berman Design House
The star of the show is undoubtedly the 12-metre long bar clad in a hand-carved, reclaimed teak frontage with an illuminated bar top and a backsplash of polished tiger blue onyx. A bespoke 14 metre hand-painted jungle mural spans the entire north wall across from the bar, leading to the semi-private Drawing Room. Here, one can find real bohemian curios in bronze and brass, which reside in a softly lit ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ that also houses some of the bar’s harder-to-find whiskeys. Cheeky overpaints by internationally renowned ‘hacker’ artist Blase, playfully superimpose modern commercialism onto period Gothic canvases.
Image credit: Berman Design House
Behind the bar, Operating Partner Alex Black who includes Laowai and Wildebeest in his portfolio, oversees a drinks programme of period-inspired cocktails named after Kipling works, featuring unexpected ingredients such as saffron-infused gin (Man’s Red Flower), smoked paprika (All One Vine), and cinnamon tincture (The Anvil). A separate Gin & Tonic section offers Classic, Savoury, Tropical, and Bon Vivant options. The bar menu is complimented by the subcontinental cuisine by Phong Vo and boasts a pakora menu with a variety of meat, seafood, vegetarian, and vegan fillings as well as a selection of sharing plates.
In conversation with: Patrick Speck, Global Design Leader at GROHE
We caught up with Patrick Speck, Global Design Leader, LIXIL, EMENA & GROHE UK to discuss the trends from sustainability to surface texture that continue to impacted on bathroom product design, along with those shaping the brand moving forwards into 2023 and beyond…
While HIX tends to be a rollercoaster of networking and new product launches, we managed to find a quiet corner (yes, there where one or two to be had!) to sit down in conversation with GROHES’ Patrick Speck to get a little more insight into what drives and differentiates the brand, while at the same time exploring bathroom trends more broadly to develop an understanding of what to expect in the realm of wellness and bathroom design moving into 2023.
Hotel Designs: With GROHE being a brand that has always abstained from working with outside designers – putting pride on its in-house design team – how has this shaped recent innovations within the product portfolio?
Patrick Speck: By keeping our design teams in-house, our brand, product designs, and innovations remain on brand and consistent. For us, strong brand consistency is integral as it enables us to make recognisable products that our customers can truly trust in and identify as quality and premium, giving peace of mind. Our customers trust in our products as they are confident in what we supply and that all stems from brand consistency. Our dedicated design team have a wealth of brand experience and knowledge which is invaluable to creating meaningful designs and fully encompass our brand identity. Most recently we shared a design concept of a recycling shower which incorporates our beloved shower systems along with our core brand pillar of sustainability and preserving our natural resources.
HD: The megatrend of wellness shows no sign of slowing down. What would you say are the catalysts pushing wellness to evolve in hotel design?
PS: Fuelled by modern lifestyles changes and the continued effects of the 2020 global pandemic, we have seen the bathroom steadily shift to a room in which we can promote personal wellness, optimised relaxation, and individuality. This shift is no longer just an interior trend, but a societal change in behaviour as the borders of the bedroom and bathroom dissolve. When it comes to hotel design, customers are demanding more than ever before as they expect heightened escapism and wellness that is not easily accessible at home and as wellness is becoming more of a priority in our every-day lives, this is pushing hotel designs to greater heights.
Image credit: GROHE
HD: How is the definition of luxury shifting due to the emphasis on and demand for sustainability in hospitality design?
PS: Moving from extravagance, excess and a lavish display, true luxury design lies in expert craftmanship that offers timelessly designed products and concepts. As sustainability is now a crucial project element for designers and specifiers, there is a greater understanding of what it means to offer luxury. A selective approach and choice across materials and bespoke fittings that offer a unique experience and premium quality are now prioritised, as there’s an increased understanding and appreciation of artisan features. At GROHE we believe there should not be a compromise on functionality, premium quality, and design. Our products are expertly designed and crafted to the highest of standards, while also providing users with sustainability minded technology that supports with resource-saving which in turn supports with green specification.
Image credit: GROHE
HD: What other trends have you seen emerge this year – perhaps in colour and texture?
PS: Through the increased desire to create a bathroom that encompasses personal style and fits seamlessly into building’s wider interiors, we expect bathroom fittings and ceramics to have a greater significance in the overall design and feel of the bathroom. Through this shift and greater attention to detail, we expect to see bold styles and designs to increase in popularity such as coloured ceramics, brightly coloured brassware, and distinctive shapes as designers and architects put greater significance on individuality and style.
HD: We have been hearing whispers about this spa-like collection for a while now. How would you define this new range?
PS: Our new premium sub-brand, GROHE SPA, stands for health through water and has been created to provide designers and architects with a portfolio of products dedicated to evoking the very best in wellness and relaxation. GROHE SPA will offer exclusive designs combined with cutting-edge technology, curated to transform the bathroom into an oasis of wellbeing and to create a new kind of water experience for all the senses.
HD: Earlier this year, we hosted a roundtable with you on sensory design in hospitality. What is the latest research, and how have your products been developed with the sensory experience in mind?
PS: Now more than ever, our design team is exploring how to create home spaces that prioritise our health and well-being through sensorial design and health through water. Our new launches, such as Rainshower Aqua Body sprays, combined with the new Aqua Ceiling shower modules, are designed to transform any home into a holistic wellness oasis. We are also looking at how spa environments can provide the perfect hideaway to recharge body, mind and soul and we will continue to propose ways to create holistic bathroom experiences that stimulate our senses.
Image credit: GROHE
HD: We ended the year reviewing the year’s product launches, hotel reviews, and stand out moments. What key GROHE moments will you remember most from 2022?
PS: 2022 has been a year of working towards strengthening our brand and product portfolio, particularly when it comes to sustainable innovation and our sustainability business initiatives. In February thanks to our successful ‘Made For Your Water’ campaign, we took part in a hugely effective waterway clean up with the environmental organisation everwave, removing 30 tons of waste from the Bočac Reservoir which is equivalent to over one million 1.5l plastic bottles in weight. For us, this was a huge achievement as our campaign made a real-world difference and could be instantly recognised. Our goal now is to further close the gap between waste product and functional items, finding ways in which we can utilise waste.
This year we also took a huge step in supporting designers, hoteliers, and architects’ make easy and transparent comparisons with regards to sustainable specification, with the launch of EPDs across a wide range of our portfolio. On this basis, designers and specifiers can make informed statements about the environmental impact of buildings, which is often a cornerstone for sustainability certifications such as DGNB, LEED or BREEAM. With increasing pressure on the industry to make buildings ever more sustainable, information of this kind will be a selection norm for products in the future, on level with price, design, and quality.
GROHE is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
As the second stage in its exciting launch, luxury hotel Sommerro has announced the opening of Villa Inkognito in April – an urban retreat located next door to the hotel in the heart of Oslo’s West End…
Housed in a former private residence dating back to 1870, the villa was originally built by architect Thøger Binneballe as an office space for Oslo Lysverker administration, the city’s original electrical company, before housing the Algerian embassy from 1980. Now part of Sommerro, this iconic building has come full circle with a new lease on life as Villa Inkognito, a private villa available to book in its entirety. Offering the ultimate in seclusion, with its own dedicated hidden entrance, guests will benefit from their own personal host throughout the duration of their stay.
Image credit: Sommerro
Separate to the main building, this 11-suite retreat will boast several opulent living rooms, including a library, snug room, meeting and dining room space, an open kitchen, an intimate bar, a fitness room in the basement and an outdoor area. Guests will be able to enjoy the privacy of their own villa with full access to all of the amenities and services offered at Sommerro.
Providing a home-away-from-home for both travellers and locals, the iconic Art Deco hotel is complete with seven restaurants and bars, meeting and event spaces with capacity for up to 150 people and even a 100-seat gilded theatre. In addition, it shelters a landmark wellness space that features historic public baths, the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, sauna and a terrace. Guests staying at Villa Inkognito will be able to arrange private dinners and order in-suite dining from the best of Sommerro’s food and beverage offerings, while also having the opportunity to enjoy in-room wellness treatments from the experts at Vestkantbadet.
Image credit: Sommerro
Best-known for its elaborate, detailed and meticulously researched designs, GrecoDeco will once again head-up the interiors, embellishing the spaces with a mix of antiques, original artwork, decorative details and classic Scandinavian furnishings. The villa’s thoughtfully designed bedrooms and eclectically themed public areas are inspired by a range of eras including Classic Norwegian, Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts and a bit of Japonisme, all rooted in the history of the building. Guests can imbibe cocktails among the spirits in the Villa’s intimate Ghost Bar with mosaic floors combining golden onyx with Norwegian granites, silver gilt walls and antique light fixtures. The guestrooms boast opulent details and lush textiles, such as custom-designed furnishings with marquetried details recalling 19th century Norwegian motifs, bespoke hand-knotted rugs, beds from innovative Swedish sleep brand Hilding Anders and indulgent bathrooms with custom tiles.
With a strong development pipeline set for 2023, Nobu continues to grow globally with plans to open five new hotels in 2023. Properties in Rome, Marrakech, Atlantic City and Toronto are all expected to arrive to strengthen the luxury-lifestyle brand’s portfolio…
This year will mark Nobu Hotels’ 10th anniversary following the opening of Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2013. For almost 30 years the Nobu brand has been synonymous with modern luxury and instinctive design, a commitment to fine ingredients and incredible food, and an innate passion for service. Each of the existing 32 hotel destinations have been carefully selected based on the success of a Nobu restaurant, to reach 60 restaurants worldwide this year, creating a platform for locals and international travellers alike to create unforgettable memories around food. With the concept of Kokoro – the Japanese word for heartfelt – tying the portfolio together, Nobu has continued to maintain a strong family-feel over the last decade fuelling its continued expansion.
Providing not just a place to stay, but a place to live, 2023 will also welcome the brand’s first luxury residences in Toronto and Los Cabos, embodying the spirit of Nobu in both design and attitude. With six other residential projects in the pipeline, including Al Khobar, Danang, Abu Dhabi, Tulum, Orlando, and Punta Cana – Nobu is firmly positioning itself within the luxury lifestyle sphere by offering an exclusive curated experience for buyers. A place to relax in unpretentious luxury, while still feeling part of something special, the residences will provide purposeful design, elevated amenities including Nobu dining and room service for its residents and unparalleled access to the surrounding area through a dedicated team.
Image credit: Nobu Hospitality
The global lifestyle brand’s first hotel venture into Africa, Nobu Hotel Marrakech will open its doors in January 2023. Just steps away from the city’s cultural epicentre, where rich heritage meets Nobu Hospitality’s contemporary flair, the luxury lifestyle destination is complete with 71 spacious suites, a stunning rooftop lounge and restaurant, nearly 200 square metres of luxurious spa and fitness centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and the first Nobu restaurant in Marrakech.
Image credit: Nobu Hospitality
Slated to open in March, Nobu Residences Los Cabos will be home to 60 exclusive residences located next to the Nobu Hotel Los Cabos with impressive views of the neighbouring, championship golf course. With Nobu’s signature lifestyle and emblematic design, Nobu Residences offers a distinctive luxurious service, exclusive restaurants, and special amenities.
Further strengthening the partnership between Nobu Hospitality and Caesars Entertainment, the brand is delighted to be launching Nobu Hotel Atlantic City within Caesars Atlantic City as part of Caesars’ $400 million investment. The much-anticipated Nobu restaurant opened in November 2022 offering spectacular floor-to-ceiling window views of the Atlantic Ocean overlooking the famed Boardwalk.
Nobu Hotel Roma is expected to open in spring 2023. The exciting opening will transform the luxurious Grand Hotel into a stylish Nobu Hotel and Restaurant. Located in the historic heart of Rome, the hotel will house 116 guestrooms and suites, a spectacular green rooftop terrace, a full-service city spa, a Nobu restaurant offering 24-hour in-room dining, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre.
Image credit: Nobu Hospitality
Moving through to the summer, Nobu Hotel San Sebastián is scheduled to open in July, with 20 luxuriously designed guest rooms and suites and a 98-seat Nobu restaurant offering panoramic water and city views. Overlooking La Concha Bay and with a strong focus on cuisine, local culture, and architectural design combined with an air of celebrity, Nobu may have met its match in San Sebastián.
Image credit: Nobu Hospitality
Rounding up the pipeline, Nobu Hotel & Residences Toronto is slated for Q3 of 2023. Located in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district Nobu Hotel & Residences Toronto’s two towers will rise 45 storeys above the city with 658 residential units, 36 luxury hotel suites, and a Nobu restaurant on the ground floor. On the site of the historic Pilkington Glass Factory the Nobu Hotel Toronto will be positioned at the top of the west tower and offer guests panoramic views of the Toronto skyline.
James Latham has introduced Dekodur Architectural Metals to its product catalogue, a metal-surfaced laminate offering design flexibility…
Architectural Metals is the latest collection in the James Latham portfolio of products, and comprises of a range of high-pressure laminates with a real metal surface and phenolic paper backing. Lathams is the UK and Ireland’s largest and only fully-national stock-holding distributor for this innovative product range, which is a game-changer in material terms, addressing the longstanding challenge of successfully applying real metals as laminates.
The definition of style and sophistication, the visual appeal of the Architectural Metals range makes it ideal for use in luxury hospitality, high-end retail, marine and contemporary commercial interior schemes. In terms of options, there is a wide range to choose from. Highlights include the versatile Aluminium Collections, a wide array of sheets which comes in a range of different styles, from popular brushed metal and highly-reflective mirror finishes to toned-down fine matt and tactile, textured surfaces.
Image credit: James Latham
Beyond aluminium, the range comprises a Specialities Collection, which includes real copper and stainless-steel laminates, for a truly authentic-to-the-touch look and feel. Offering unrivalled design flexibility, the Architectural Metals range is fully customisable, and can be embossed, etched, and even specified with a writeable magnetic layer. Going further, there’s also a Unique Art Collection, which is hand-painted by artists using techniques that allow for repeatability.
The entire range is coated with special lacquer coat to withstand scuffs, cuts, chemical exposure and collision impact without showing any visible signs of wear and tear. Easy to fabricate, and formable, they are suitable for a variety of interior and furnishing applications, for example: wall panels, accent walls, reception desks, table tops, store fixtures and point-of-sale displays. Those surfaces featuring a polished finish are also anodised, so will not tarnish, ensuring they are fully protected and maintain their aesthetic appeal day-in-day-out.
Image credit: James Latham
From a sustainability perspective, Architectural Metals’ specially-manufactured Eco collection consist of pre-consumer materials (post-production, pre-consumer by-product metals) that are phenol-free and carbon neutral. The core is also made from 100 per cent biological secondary components, obtained from renewable sources and fully recyclable.
Distributed nationwide from Lathams’ 14 depots, a selection of Architectural Metals most popular styles are available to view on its new Digital Showroom. The introduction of the Architectural Metals range represents the next step in Lathams’ aim to be the most innovative and lowest-carbon materials distributor in the UK and Ireland, committed to sustainable design and construction.
James Latham is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
The Maldives is as remote a tropical paradise as you can find on planet earth. Sara Darling took the duel-flight journey (plus a seaplane) to land into the heart of Patina Maldives, a sharply designed luxury hotel, which opened in the wake of the pandemic in 2021…
Just under 50 kilometres from Malé, which is the capital of the Maldives, Patina Maldives is a 90-key resort that is spearheading new trends, in both design and hospitality, in the region known for its luxury experiences.
The hotel is the brainchild of luxury hotel powerhouse, Singapore-based, Capella Hotels & Resorts, and it has ensured that every aspect of the build works seamlessly with the landscape to create accommodation and public areas that harmonises with the surrounding Indian Ocean. Designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, from Studio MK27, the resort has been created to evoke a deep sense of calm; an oasis that retains a deep connection with nature yet still incites social encounters.
Image credit: Patina Maldives
Image credit: Patina Maldives
Creating a temporary home amongst the natural hues, wildlife and open skies, the goal to create a resort that is respectful to its surroundings, yet captures and amplifies the landscape, has been achieved by low-rise buildings that are cosy and unpretentious, and never break the skyline. Patina’s beachside villas are simple structures, which are designed to maintain privacy by staggering them from one another, shrouded in vegetation and on different elevations; whilst the overwater villas are encased in a vegetative shield to ensure total seclusion as a reminder that you are in a tropical paradise.
Image credit: Patina Maldives
Inside the rooms, every guest is blessed with simple, unpretentious furnishings, complemented by natural tones and dark wood. The oversized bed with slate grey bedding faces the ocean, and there’s no need for a TV or complicated media system. Instead, celebrating all things analogue, each villa boasts a commissioned photograph by renowned Brazilian photographer Cássio Vasconcellos, whose interpretations of flora and fauna complement the ethos of living with nature.
Image credit: Patina Maldives
Further exclusive touches, which actually allow the resort to find its own authentic lane, are the large artworks that dot around the island. Guests are welcomed by a six-metre-wide textile by Hiroko Takeda, a New York based artist who was commissioned to express the colours and fragile ecology of the island setting. Whilst in a clearing amongst the palm trees, Netherlands-based Chinese artist Hongjie Yang has installed a series of eight-mirrored columns that have been designed to immerse viewers in reflections not only of themselves, but their natural surroundings.
Image credit: Patina Maldives
Image credit: Patina Maldives
However, the most prominent work of art on the island is arguably the Skyspace Pavilion, a signature piece by James Turrell. A member of the California Light and Space movement since the 1970s, Turrel uses natural light as a tangible material to create immersive art.
Image credit: Patina Maldives
Here, the open ceiling frames the skyline in such a way that it appears to be within reach. Hidden lights within the Skyspace subtly shift the viewer’s perception of the sky’s colour, distance, shape, and density. Even the exterior walls are made of vertical wooden slats, designed to add a dance of shadows that continuously change throughout the day.
Image credit: Patina Maldives
Image credit: Patina Maldives
With a commitment to sustainability, each villa has solar panels as well as energy saving heating and cooling systems: by connecting the AC system to the water tanks, for example, so that the two can simultaneously heat and cool each other.
The hotel’s drinking water is processed and bottled by the island’s Nordaq plant, a patented Swedish water filtration system, and there are plans in place to have solar energy provide 50 per cent of the resort’s energy needs by 2030. Single-use plastic is almost entirely eliminated: plastic bottles are replaced with reusable ones, and all bathroom products are organic and refillable. Food waste is composted, and there is a pro-active marine conservation programme and guests will be invited to regular beach clean-ups with plastic waste being turned into Parley ocean plastic material. With a pioneering coral propagation programme, a collaboration with the Olive Ridley Project which works on sea turtle rehabilitation, the resort will donate one per cent of its gross profit to local women’s and children’s charities. Even the kid’s club is solar powered, and attendees will be invited to turn recycled ocean plastic into models using 3D printing.
Image credit: Patina Maldives
Although it’s a tropical playground, it’s also a magical paradise for rest and recuperation, and Patina has nailed this with contemporary design, earthy colour scheme and tactile textures that create a dialogue with nature.
> Since you’re here, why not read our review of Gili Langkanfushi, which is a very different, kind of shipwrecked, vibe in comparison to Patina?
Sneak peek: new talents showcased at Surface Design Show
As we gear up for this years rendition of Surface Design Show, a key event for architects and designers to explore the best in surface material innovation, we thought we would introduce some of the new movers and shakers as the focus of this years show throws a spotlight on new talent in the design industry…
As the exhibition hall gets ready to welcome more than 180 exhibitors to the 2023 edition of Surface Design Show, 30 new talents will be amongst them with the best in new innovations and design represented from across the world by designers not only from Great Britain but also Sweden, The Netherlands, Argentina, Malaysia, Denmark and Thailand.
Curated by Chief Creative Director at Trendease International, Jennifer Castoldi, and in Partnership with Tessellate.co, the New Talent section will again inspire and excite visitors whilst at the same time supporting those starting their career in the design world. The ‘class of 23’ New Talents will feature amongst others biomaterials, natural materials, digital print, textiles, furniture, wallcovering, weaving and biopolymers.
“Trendease International is delighted to be scouting the New Talent at Surface Design Show,” said Jennifer Castoldi CEO and Chief Creative Director, Trendease International. “Due to the success of this feature, we have expanded the scope of talents to include: architecture/interior design and professional services, material innovation, biomaterials, surface design, textiles, upholstery, wallcoverings, window treatments, floor coverings, furniture/case goods and lighting – categories we know will interest the design professionals attending the exhibition.”
Image credit: Lydia Hill Designs
Lydia Hill Designs creates luxurious wallcoverings and textiles that transform spaces into a dynamic oasis of colour, pattern and texture. Often inspired by nature, archival design, or even endangered wildlife, these unique digitally printed patterns add a contemporary twist to traditional design. Her approach to design is very fluid and can adapt to suit a variety of styles, colour palettes and outcomes. Whether it be for home furnishings, home décor, art prints, accessories, or even giftware, her passion for creating unique and captivating print designs always inspires.
Studio Lionne van Deursen is a material research and product design studio. The studio focuses on experimental research to give insight into the possibilities of new materials. An ongoing project is a research into a material made of bacterial cellulose. In the studio, an organically grown material is developed and the products are handmade. During the design process, the material is used as efficiently as possible leaving minimal waste of the grown material.
Through incorporating elements of nature in their design and work, Mehreen Ali Studio is inspired by new organic shapes and textures to create unique pattern styles. The style of work is embodied by a hand painted and illustrative aesthetic, pursuing rich tonal quality and saturated colour. This is then combined with a digital design processes to achieve seamless repeat pattern and refined prints. Mehreen Ali’s collections aspire to bring a striking, contemporary feel to every day living through sophisticated designs and a trend focused colour palette.
Image credit: Yejoong Choi
Yejoong Choi will showcase its latest series of maximalist chairs, this project is called ‘Kkoch-Galam’ meaning ‘a river with flowers’. Yejoong’s project brings new life to traditional Korean crafts, namely lacquer and shell inlay, and shows how these specialists techniques can be applied to contemporary design. The collection has a seasonal theme, and each chair is named after each season. The shell inlay of each seat represents flower blossoms, typical of each season, falling on the water’s surface.
Image credit: Emily Hatton
Image credit: Lara Pain
Volume Created & Spared is a start-up by design agency Volume Creative. Born from a desire to support brands in re-using their own waste by turning waste into beautiful objects, furniture, art and surfaces. They use their design expertise to provide innovative solutions for waste to ensure that it is spared from landfill and re-purposed into something beautiful, giving it another life.
Another exhibitor on this platform, Antonia Claudie is committed to changing the textile industry, devoted to craftsmanship, prioritising quality over quantity. Through sustainable practices and ethically sourced materials, the effect is always beautiful and long-lasting designs. Antonia Claudie focuses on a circular design process, using natural materials and dyes, lessening the negative impact on the planet. The brand stands for a no waste policy with only made to order pieces, avoiding overproduction. Any material offcuts are turned into accessories or art pieces.
The innovations brought to the design table by the New Talent, will be framed by the new and innovative materials of the already established surface specialists exhibiting at the show from the February 7 – 9, 2023 at the Business Design Centre, London.
Hyatt Hotels has announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Izmir IstinyePark, marking the sixth Hyatt branded property in Turkey, and the second Hyatt Regency hotel in the country…
Located in the Balçova district of Izmir, one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean, the 160-key hotel features timeless interiors and memorable views over the Gulf of Izmir along with premium meetings and event spaces, a spa, 24-hour fitness centre, and outdoor pool. The hotel’s contemporary guestrooms include 16 suites, with open layouts, dedicated work and relaxation spaces, as well as large windows or balconies that offer panoramic sea views.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Inspired by the sunlit shores of the Aegean coast, the guestrooms have been designed using a palette of soft, subtle hues conveying a welcoming, calming ambience. Guestrooms also showcase marble bathrooms with rainfall showers and a range of intuitive services and amenities for both business and leisure travellers. Three luxurious suite categories are available to guests; Regency, Regency Executive and The Penthouse on the 19th floor. The Penthouse includes a fully equipped kitchen, a multi-functional living room and an expansive terrace to relax, work and entertain.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Three elements that define Hyatt Regency Izmir IstinyePark’s dining would be fresh, imaginative, and surprising flavours. The Bay is open for indoor and outdoor all-day dining and serves elevated Aegean and Mediterranean dishes which are complimented by an impressive cellar of local and international wines. A visible kitchen indoors showcases the team at work, whilst a refreshing ambiance of Izmir Gardens can be enjoyed when dining al fresco.
With a dynamic event space spanning more than 1,997 square metres amidst lush greenery and iconic sea views, the property is designed to host both small and large-scale gatherings in both indoor and outdoor settings. In addition to six modern meeting rooms, the Istinye Ballroom offers refined elegance with its private outdoor terrace. Overlooking the statement pool, it makes for a special backdrop for weddings, dinners, and business launches.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
The expansive Regency Ballroom is one of the biggest halls in İzmir, with almost 700 square metres of space accommodating 750 guests in a theatre-style configuration. For added convenience, the space can be divided into two soundproof sections. Technology-enabled services include smart screens, wired and wireless video transfer and high-speed internet access.
The hotels Aqua Spa offers five unique treatment rooms, including a dual treatment room for couples. For those who wish to keep up with their wellness routines while traveling, guests can enjoy the 24-Hour fitness centre with premium cardio equipment, free weights, and strength training machines. The hotel also features an outdoor swimming area in which to make the most of Izmir’s beautiful Mediterranean climate.
Just days after MEET UP Paris, Hotel Designs’ first networking event outside of the UK, the Delano brand will open its first hotel in Paris. The ‘hotel like no other’ will shelter just 56 rooms, and has been designed by Ennismore Design Studio. Here’s what else we know…
Poised in the heart of the fashion district, located at 4 rue d’Anjou, the Delano brand’s debut property in Paris will be sheltered in a former 18th century private mansion. The Paired-back Parisian design of Maison Delano Paris, imagined by Ennismore Design Studio, has helped to transform the grand building into a charming and chic boutique hotel, which will make its entrance onto the European hotel scene in February.
Image credit: Accor/Ennismore
The hotel brand, which first launched in Miami in 1995 and is now owned by Accor, is all about ‘redefining’ the luxury resort experience together with service and customised guest experiences – known as a classic trailblazer in hotel design.
Image credit: Accor/Ennismore
Maison Delano Paris, which will be no exception among the portfolio of design-led hotels, will feature just 56 rooms including 19 suites, a French-Andalisian restaurant that operate in a historic courtyard and an energetic cocktail bar that will have its own street access. Named La Chambre Bleue in reference to Pablo Picasso’s painting, the restaurant will invite guests to a Mediterranean journey through fresh fish, seafood and other Iberian specialties.
Image credit: Accor/Ennismore
Given its position in the Faubourg Saint Honoré, a vibrant hub of Parisian luxury, the hotel will respect Delano’s history and soul through a personalised and understated, non-pretentious scheme. The brand itself has described the hotel as “a bustling cocoon where guests can be their true self with a smart mix of conviviality and sophistication all with the trust of ultimate discretion. Maison Delano Paris is a hotel like no other, offering a new landmark for Parisians and travellers – a place to feel revived with energy.”
Situated along the beautiful Al Corniche waterfront in the former site of the Ministry of Interior, The Ned Doha debuts as the third property for The Ned private members club and hotel, and its first in the Middle East…
Founded in 2017, The Ned originated in London in the former Midland Bank headquarters, designed by Sir Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyens in 1924, and opened its second location, The Ned NoMad, in the renowned 1903 Johnston building in New York City in 2022. Again breathing new life into an historically significant building, the third Ned location is set over five floors in the former site of the Ministry of Interior, overlooking the Arabian Gulf and Doha’s skyline. It features 90 guestrooms and suites, seven restaurants, a pool and club lounge, a health club with spa, a salon, a fitness centre and a new 775-square-metre event space for large-scale conferences, events and receptions.
Image credit: The Ned Doha
“Five years after launching The Ned in London, we are excited to be open in Doha,” said Gareth Banner, Group Managing Director, The Ned. “We are honoured to occupy one of the city’s most architecturally significant buildings, comprising of a hotel, multiple restaurants, and its own private members’ club, and look forward to delivering a distinct experience to our guests and members, welcoming them to stay, connect, eat and have a good time.”
Originally designed in the 1960s by Lebanese architect William Sednaoui, the unique brutalist style building has been redesigned by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin with interiors by Soho House Design. Since the property is one of the most historically important in the destination, all renovations and design touch points were implemented in line with Qatar’s noble mission to preserve, modernise, and repurpose its significant buildings.
Image credit: The Ned Doha
The property’s newest and most notable architectural attribute is an outstanding podium that surrounds the building and creates relaxed and inviting public spaces abundant with shade, lots of greenery, and of course unobstructed views of the Al Corniche Waterfront – a welcome retreat in the city. Guests arrive to contemporary sculptures, a water feature, and a striking concrete pergola, and enter to the building’s interiors, which are inspired by 1970s glamour with terrazzo flooring, silk drapery, marble furniture, and woven and mirrored fabric headboards. Drawing ingenuity from The Ned’s original address in London, there is a live performance stage beneath an atrium surrounded by a collection of restaurants and rich green marble sourced from the Greek island of Tinos. There are also plenty of indoor-outdoor spaces for guests to meet, work and have a good time.
Image credit: The Ned Doha
The 70s-inspired guestrooms range from Cosy to Large, each with balconies offering views of the city or Arabian Gulf, and many of which feature original coffered concrete ceilings that have been thoughtfully restored. Cosy guestrooms feature writing desks and curated drinks cabinets, while Medium guestrooms in three styles, Palace, Park and Sea, feature glass chandeliers, silk-covered ottomans, dining areas for two, and balconies with city, park, or sea views, respectively. Large bedrooms feature corner seating areas, curated drinks cabinets, period vanity desks, silk-covered ottomans, and balconies with sea and city views. Guest bathrooms are marble-clad, with walk-in rainforest showers in Cosy and Medium guestrooms, plus freestanding claw-foot bathtubs in Large guestrooms.
Image credit: The Ned Doha
The accommodations also include 12 suites, ideal for lengthier stays and larger parties. Palace View suites are positioned in the corners of the original building and feature two floor-to-ceiling glass walls, double aspect balconies overlooking Doha and the Arabian Gulf, and separate living areas with L-shaped sofas. Corniche suites have separate lounges with a sofa, coffee table and dining for four, and two balconies with expansive views. Park View suites feature double aspect balconies with sunset views over Al Bidda Park, dining areas for up to six guests and large sofas. Noteworthy details for the suites include mirrored headboards, reflective surfaces, walk-in wardrobes with dressing tables, period walnut coffee tables and wingback armchairs, bathrooms with free-standing bathtubs and walk-in showers, and separate powder rooms for guests.
Image credit: The Ned Doha
The Ned Doha offers seven restaurants open to all. Situated in the centre of the hotel, Cecconi’s serves Northern Italian classics from hand-made pastas and wood-fired pizzas to Venetian-inspired seafood dishes, with an open kitchen, and a centred, walk-around bar with high-back seating serving cocktails and an international wine selection. Kaia serves Pan-Asian cuisine, with signature dishes from Southeast Asia and Hawaii including sushi, poke bowls, and mains slow-cooked on a robata grill, served in a space with a marble-topped counter, jade-green cushioned seating, and bulbous chandeliers.
Image credit: The Ned Doha
Electric Diner is a casual restaurant, serving American staples and deli favourites including burgers, salads, and classic milkshakes, in a comfortable space with red leather banquettes, an open kitchen, and a focal wall accented with the restaurant’s name in red neon. Nickel Lounge offers a menu of classic drinks, with seating centred around the live performance stage. Also on the ground floor is Millie’s Grill, an European brasserie with vintage-style interiors that also serves afternoon tea.
Image credit: The Ned Doha
Hadika, serves Levantine cuisine al fresco, offering mezzeh family-style selections from fattoush to shish tawook in a garden setting, shaded by umbrellas and foliage. Three private dining rooms within Hadika offer air-conditioned spaces for guests to book and enjoy in privacy. Adjacent to the pool, Malibu Kitchen brings an entirely new culinary concept to the destination, offering a menu of California-inspired favourites. The outdoor restaurant is air-conditioned for year-round comfort.
Image credit: The Ned Doha
The members’ club experience plays out in two settings at The Ned Doha. On the ground floor, sits Ned’s Club Pool, an area with private cabanas, terrazzo flooring, and green and white striped daybeds. On the rooftop, Ned’s Club Upstairs is a lounge with a warm wood palette, touches of gold, statement furniture, and unparalleled views of the West Bay and the Amiri Diwan, the seat of rule of Qatar. A private room is available for entertaining on the rooftop, seating up to 12 guests. Ned’s Club members also get access to all members-only spaces in The Ned London and The Ned NoMad, as well as invitations to exclusive parties and creative events worldwide.
Situated on the top floor with panoramic views of the city is Ned’s Club Spa, offering members and hotel guests a menu of treatments using skincare brands such as Cowshed, as well as sauna, steam room, and traditional Hammam. The health club is also home to Ned’s Club Gym, a fitness and studio space with state-of-the-art equipment, a wide range of classes ranging from Zumba to kickboxing, and a separate, private gym space for women.
The new Corniche Hall event space, accessible by its own private, separate entrance, invites groups for large-scale conferences, social occasions, and events. Sized at 775 square metres, the venue caters up to 600 people for a standing reception, arranged around a landscaped courtyard. The space is lit with height-adjustable chandeliers as well as bathed in natural daylight and features a balcony with access to additional outdoor event space. Also available for private hire is the balcony overlooking the main stage, which accommodates up to 40 guests for a standing reception.
The Ned Doha celebrates local and regional creativity with an extensive collection of original artworks created by close to 100 artists, more than half of whom are based in Doha and nearly three quarters of whom are female. Commissioned for the property by Wadha Al-Aqeedi and Elina Sairanen, the co-founders of Mathqaf, the collection features more than 350 works in a diverse array of media such as textile, painting, and sculpture, and covers a wide range of themes including identity, history, culture, globalisation, and ecology. Many of the artists drew inspiration from the modernist building and its important location.
Meta by Dornbracht: minimal in form with maximum variability
The impressive versatility of the Meta fittings’ series, which was created for Dornbracht by Sieger Design, is now underlined by new finishes, textures and variants to embody modern minimalism at its most pure…
Dornbrachts‘ additions to its Meta range in new red, orange and dark green finishes deliberately set a bold tone, designed to catch the eye in every bathroom. Puristically elegant dark chrome, on the other hand, creates an atmosphere of clarity and calm, impressing with subtle elegance. In addition to the colours, Meta will also be available in linear and faceted textures. As with the new colours, the series is taking up contemporary trends in interior design and architecture.
Image credit: Dornbracht
Image credit: Dornbracht
Image credit: Dornbracht
Further highlights complete the series enhancements. With the slender, free-standing version, the single-lever mixer for wall mounting with single point attachment increases the range of options, and ensures greater creative freedom in the bathroom. Product variants with smaller projections are particularly interesting for the guest bathroom and for small rooms, as they allow the design to continue beyond the main bathroom.
Image credit: Dornbracht
The proportions of the range are harmonious, the transitions free-flowing, the radii precise, as the design of the fitting focuses on the basic, geometric shape of a cylindrical body, and is perfected in every detail. The series deliberately creates different ambiances through the interaction of various colours, materials and finishes. Confident, stylish incongruities, surprising contrasts and unconventional combinations stand in direct contrast to the reduced design language. This is how Meta allows maximum personal development, whilst retaining all its characteristic features.
Image credit: Dornbracht
Image credit: Dornbracht
Three different versions of the fitting are available. The Classic Meta’s appeal comes from its balanced and harmonious design language, Meta Slim has an even more delicate lever and minimal gap widths, while Meta Pure features an innovative twist controller.
Conceived according to the Dornbracht design principles – proportion, precision, progressiveness, performance and personality – the series conforms directly to the company claim of creating ‘Leading Designs for Architecture’. A timelessly reduced design and the ability to keep re-inventing itself in a variety of different contexts make Meta yet another striking character in the Dornbracht portfolio. One that creates an assured sense of style in diversity and allows individuality and attitude to be expressed.
Dornbracht is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Santa Marta, which will become the group’s second hotel in Colombia’s oldest Hispanic city, showcasing a design inspired by its surroundings…
Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the contemporary 261-key Hilton Santa Marta is within striking distance of the beach and overlooked by the mountains of Sierra Nevada. The newly constructed hotel features five unique dining experiences, more than 3,000 square metres of flexible meeting and event space and an array of amenities.
“The opening of Hilton Santa Marta is an exciting addition to our rapidly growing portfolio of more than 200 hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Jorge Giannattasio, Senior Vice President and Head of Operations, Caribbean and Latin America, Hilton. “We are thrilled to open our second hotel in Santa Marta and offer an elevated experience and Hilton’s friendly service in this unique destination in Colombia that blends beaches, mountains and exuberant nature.”
Image credit: Hilton International
Hilton Santa Marta’s contemporary design takes inspiration directly from its locale and creates an elegant and warm ambiance through elements of stones, woods, metals and crystals. The hotel’s main entrance features a water mirror made of Tayrona stone and a façade composed of a metal structure inspired by the nearby coral reefs, allowing for seamless integration of the interior with the exterior through a harmonious passage of natural light. The design concept spans into the corridors, decorated with woodwork engraved by local artisans and showcasing the area’s diverse marine wildlife, including manta rays, lionfish and turtles. Spacious guestrooms offer balconies with ocean or mountain views, ample closet space and a large shower. For those seeking more spacious accommodations, suites with a separate living area with a sofa bed allow travellers to spread out, notably the Ocean Front Suite and its oversized furnished balcony with a hot tub, sizeable living room and spacious dining room.
“We are delighted to expand the footprint of Hilton’s flagship brand in this spectacular destination with the debut of Hilton Santa Maria,” said Leonard Gooz, Global Brand Head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “Hilton Hotels & Resorts will continue to set the benchmark for hospitality at this new property with intuitive service and world-class amenities, including an array of dining options, contemporary design with local influences and exceptional event experiences.”
Image credit: Hilton International
The hotel features five unique culinary concepts that showcase local cuisine and international flavours, with restaurant names honouring the native Arhuaco language. Nuggu Restaurant and Bar, meaning ‘salt’ pays homage to Colombia’s rich history with Latin soul food and Caribbean Creole authentic dishes. Located on the second floor near the hotel’s spa and fitness centre, Waku, or ‘fish’ in Arhuaco, offers a selection of seafood and catch of the day in a vibrant atmosphere.
The highest rooftop lounge and bar in the city, Sikunu, or ‘slingshot’, is located on the hotel’s 16th floor. The Creole menu is influenced by prehispanic cultures and based on the flowers of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Signature cocktails are inspired by the Arhuaco, including clove and aniseed maceration.
In addition to the extensive F&B offerings, Hilton Santa Marta shelters more than 1000 square metres of flexible event space, including eight meeting rooms and a ballroom that can hold up to 450 guests. With a terrace on the 16th floor, the hotel is the perfect venue for an outdoor event with fantastic views.
Hilton currently has a portfolio of more than 20 hotels in Colombia, including Hilton Bogota Corferias, Hilton Bogota and Hilton Cartagena. The company is actively pursuing additional growth opportunities and currently has a robust development pipeline of more than 100 hotels in various stages of design and construction throughout the region.
Spanish hotel group Palladium which manages two hotels in Montego Bay, has announced a thorough renovation of Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa, enhancing its offering in the destination and complementing the refurbishment carried out in 2016 at the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa, located within the same resort…
The ambitious renovation of Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa includes the remodelling of common areas and the complete refurbishment of the hotel’s 537 guestrooms, including 48 suites in two new categories, which now have a terrace, private pool and sea views. The main concept of the entire renovation, designed and executed by Urcoisa Interior Design, has been to emphasise the colonial style of the existing resort, as well as to seek a timeless, elegant and fresh inspiration in line with the attributes of the Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts brand. In addition to these concepts, the aim was to integrate elements of its spectacular natural location into the interior design and decoration through natural colours, textures and materials.
Image credit: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa
The first objective of the renovation has been the complete refurbishment of the guestrooms. Of these, two spectacular new categories stand out with 48 sea-view suites including 40 Superior Junior Suite Private Pool Ocean View and eight Superior Suite Private Pool Oceanfront View. Surrounded by greenery, the swim-up suites have both private pools and terraces and are fully equipped with beautiful furnishings and a wooden pergola that gives a greater sense of privacy and is perfect for sheltering from the sun.
Image credit: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa
The Superior Junior Suite Private Pool Ocean View category guestroom has been redesigned to incorporate an eight square metre pool with a 15 square metre terrace. Stepping things up, the Superior Suite Private Pool Oceanfront View room, the largest accommodation across the entire hotel, is home to a 15 square metre pool situated within an impressive 44 square metre terrace, alongside a fully furnished dining area. The room also has a private lounge with a balcony, a larger bedroom and a relaxation area that allow guests to contemplate the marvellous views of the pool and the sea.
Image credit: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa
Inside the 537 suites, modern and comfortable new furnishings are used to complement the timeless and elegant décor, in keeping with the architecture of the rest of the resort. In addition, the use of light colours is combined with brown, black and green, and marble and solid wood elements, as well as natural textures and fabrics. The bathrooms have also been given attention with hydro-massage bathtubs and showers added for extra luxury. In addition, some guestrooms have an open-plan bathroom incorporated into the design, in which the bathtub itself becomes the main feature of the room.
Energy efficiency and technology have also played an important role. All guestrooms have energy-saving systems with sensors for light and air conditioning and the swim-up pools are heated through a heat pump system.
Image credit: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa
The renovation has mainly focused on highlighting some of its most emblematic spaces. Among them, the Infinity Saloon Bar, the centre and meeting point of the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa, from which guests can enjoy spectacular 180 degree views of the Caribbean Sea. The open-air terrace now has elegant awnings to protect guests from the sun and lounge-style furniture with sofas and large armchairs, perfect for relaxing while sipping delicious cocktails. Black and white stripes dominate the furniture fabrics, which match perfectly with the tropical touch of the bar mural, decorated in bright white tiles with floral and plant designs and the image of the national bird, the hummingbird. In the lobby, the resort’s heritage style has been further enhanced. The emphasis has been placed on solid wood and comfortable, spacious furnishings. In the reception area, the walls have been covered with white trellised lattices and mirrors that combine perfectly with the large and striking black lamps installed in the area.
Image credit: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa
In line with Palladium Hotel Group’s firm commitment to the environment, the resort also has more than 6,000 photovoltaic panels. This is the largest installation of panels in the entire hotel group and one of the largest in the country. It also has a trigeneration project where, by adding natural gas to the energy supply, electricity, heat and cold are produced, reducing emissions and the consumption of electricity and water., and as a result, more than 20 per cent of the resort’s energy is renewable and avoids 136,000 kg of CO2 emissions per month.
Main image credit: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa
Introducing Son Net – a Mallorcan island idyll reborn
Son Net, a stylishly understated, art-filled hideaway on a private Mallorcan estate dating back to 1672, is being lovingly and meticulously restored by the team behind Finca Cortesin to re-emerge in early spring 2023…
A short drive from Palma in the foothills of the UNESCO World Heritage Tramuntana Mountains is Son Net, a newly independently co-owned property that is now under the management of the team behind Finca Cortesin – the enchanting, award-winning Southern Spanish bolthole in Andalusia.
“It is an honour to be able to revive Son Net, that I have long admired as a beautiful and historic estate on the island,” said Javier Lopez Granados, CEO & President of Single Home S.A. and Finca Cortesin. “Following the success of Finca Cortesin, we felt that a second property was the natural next step for the brand, and we are excited to bring the spirit of what we have created in Andalusia to Mallorca, while offering something fresh for the destination, next spring.”
The hotel’s setting in the Tramuntana Mountains is one of the main attractions and forms the dramatic backdrop of Son Net.
Over centuries, this Mallorcan manor house was passed down through the hands of several prominent Spanish families and became one of the most prestigious residential estates on the island. With just 31 suites, Son Net will juxtapose elegant, palatial architecture with tastefully transformed interiors that are relaxed, romantic, and intimate and framed by breath-taking views of citrus orchards, and its lush Mediterranean gardens. Famed for its history and classical design, during its transformation, Son Net will preserve many of the mansion’s original features: rustic beams, stone floors and archways, carved wooden ceilings, antique fireplaces, an original 17th century interior courtyard and spring-fed well, and private family chapel. There will also be a curated private art collection.
“I know Mallorca extremely well, and Son Net was always a personal, firm favourite hotel on the island,” said René Zimmer, Managing Director, Finca Cortesin Hotels & Resorts. “Son Net in fact inspired much of Finca Cortesin in its early years, and it therefore feels very special to recreate – with its own quintessentially Majorcan flair, of course – the essence of Finca Cortesin in Mallorca, and what makes it so unique. I feel confident that the soul of Finca Cortesin is a perfect fit for this island, and the renewed Son Net will exemplify this.”
Spanning 57,000 square metres of private landscape, there will be multiple pools flanked by private shaded cabanas, encircled by impeccably tended lawns and flowerbeds that give way to an ecological vegetable and herb garden, small farm, and private vineyard. Food will all be locally sourced, with native orange and lemon trees growing on the estate, fresh seafood procured directly from the island, and fresh olive oil tastings from a century-old olive press. The vineyard will produce Malvasia white wine that supplies the large, open wine cellar.
Of all the hotel openings expected to unfold in 2023, Hotel Designs has been projecting which properties will truly set new standards in hotel design and hospitality. In the second article in our special ‘hotel openings’ editorial series, Editor Hamish Kilburn gives his pick of the new hotels to look out for in Q3 and Q4…
Now, more than ever before, hotels entering the hospitality scene need to not only sensitively answer to the local culture in their own style, but they also must pack a punch of personality when it comes to amplifying the brand’s ethos if they are to remain in the arena for years to come.
In an age where meaningless construction and development is no longer tolerated, new hotels – especially those are are sheltered in new-builds – need to balance the scales, not only environmentally but also socially when it comes to enhancing the community within neighbourhoods. On the other hand, hotels that open inside heritage buildings have to consciously marry a design scheme that is modern yet compliments the history of its architectural shell.
In our first editorial that we published in this in-depth editorial series, we made the link to nature when discovering the hotel openings that will make the biggest impact in Q1 and Q2. As we steer our attention further into the year – and to compliment the theme of biophilic design and hospitality – the hotels that are listed below are linked by their ambitions to connect communities and to create a deeper sense of place as well as adventure.
Raffles London – opening Summer 2023
Image credit: EPR Architects
It has been one the most anticipated hotel opening stories of the decade (so far), but Raffles London is starting to transform from renders to real life as it hurtles towards its grand opening this summer. EPR Architects has worked with multiple interior designers, including Tihany Design and Goddard Littlefair, to design and create 120 guestrooms and suites, 85 branded residences, no less than nine restaurants, three bars and luxury spa that will all be sheltered inside one of London’s most iconic addresses, the Old War Offices in Westminster. The interiors, from what we know already, will be an eccentric yet sensitive reflection of high-end British design, with a strong focus on creating striking public areas – the whole building has been restored to usher the building into a new era.
Locke al Platz, Zurich – opening summer 2023
Image credit: Locke
Locke al Platz is set to open Zurich in Summer 2023, marking pioneering lifestyle aparthotel brand Locke’s first entry into Switzerland. Situated in the Enge neighbourhood of the city, the aparthotel will comprise 80 rooms, in a mix of studio and one-bed suites, alongside amenities including a restaurant, bar and coffee shop.
Reflecting Locke’s locally focused ethos, progressive interior studio Sella Concept is tasked with reflecting the cultural identity of Zurich through a distinctive and sophisticated aesthetic for the rooms and common areas.
Salt House Nantucket – opening summer 2023
Image credit: Salt Hotels
Salt Hotels – a homegrown collection of artfully designed boutique hotels with properties in Cape Cod, Miami, New Jersey Shore, the Hudson Valley, and beyond – will debut its latest addition, Salt House Nantucket, in the summer.
Featuring just 18 guestrooms, the historic inspired hotel will be situated in the heart of verdant Brant Point, minutes from downtown and steps from the beach. The fully renovated property will be reminiscent of a classic bed and breakfast, but with an elevated difference.
Salt House Nantucket features ample gathering spaces including an expansive lawn complete with lawn games, fire pits, surrounded by adirondack chairs, complimentary bikes available for exploring the island, and plenty of quiet corners to enjoy an inventive cocktail or tuck into a good book. The public areas feature the breakfast room and lounge, which spills out onto a dining deck and outdoor bar and lounge area.
Hotel Dorothea, Autograph Collection – opening in Q3
Image credit: Marriott International
Image credit: Marriott International
Merging three historical buildings, Hotel Dorothea, Autograph Collection is the vision of acclaimed architect and designer, Piero Lissoni. Named after Duchess Dorothea, who was an influential character of the 1800s in Hungary, Hotel Dorothea will be a melting pot of architecture and interior design, where history and modernity meet, connecting guests with the local community and its heritage. Guests will be welcomed by a breathtaking foyer filled with restored columns, an ornate ceiling and portraits adorning the walls.
The 229 guestrooms are split into contemporary and heritage categories, all elegantly decorated with traditional influences and contemporary artwork. At the heart of the hotel, an impressive communal garden awaits, where guests can forge connections surrounded by nature and grandeur.
Villa Beauchamp and Villa Clair-Soleil – opening in Q3
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
In summer 2023, Villa Beauchamp and Villa Clair-Soleil, two new villas on the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat lush grounds, will open. With design by Sybille de Margerie, the interiors will feature paired-back palettes and soft touches, with rich decorative accents and unexpected details coupled with a touch of chic seafaring charm. Pathways will connect the hotel’s three villas, with secured gates ensuring privacy is always maintained, making the buildings the perfect solution for larger groups.
W Prague – opening in Q3
Image credit: Marriott International
Marking the brand’s debut in the Czech Republic, the 161-key W Prague will be located on Wenceslas Square in the heart of the buzzing capital city. The hotel is a renovation of the former Grand Europa Hotel, a radical art nouveau-style property that pushed boundaries when it originally opened in 1905 and will do so again with the W brand’s progressive design and innovative spirit.
The historic structure and lasting elements will be combined with a new modern oval-shaped extension to create an intriguing blend of old-world glamour and bold new concepts. Contemporary design elements include the imaginative Fantastical Garden at the heart of the hotel where guests can relax and socialise.
Swissôtel Kolasin, Montenegro – opening in Q3
Image credit: Accor
Accor’s first property in Montenegro, featuring 116 modern guestrooms, will be located at 1600 metres above sea level, next to the ski slope, in Kolasin. Complete with a restaurant and an aperitif bar, the hotel’s design integrates with the natural ambiance preserving the location and capturing the essence of Swissotel’s natural vitality. The premium Swissôtel in Montenegro located in the winter resort K16 of Kolasin, by the magnificent mountain range of Bjelasica, will be a perfect destination for winter sports lovers, offering direct access to the slopes.
Pnoēs Tinos, Tinos, Greece – opening in late 2023
Image credit: Design Hotels
Slated to become one of Greece’s most iconic luxury hotel opening, Pnoēs Tinos will open in late 2023 as the first member of Design Hotels on the Greek island of Tinos.
With Original Aristides Dallas—one of Greece’s most celebrated architects—at the helm of the project, this three-villa property will exemplify a contemporary and sophisticated interpretation of Cycladic traditions. Architecturally, each villa will feature stone walls and lime-washed surfaces that play off minimal steel, wood details, and broad, airy openings.
Private pools and fireplaces will offer cozy spaces to relax year-round, backdropped by interiors defined by local craftsmanship, bespoke furniture, earthy wooden décor, warm neutral hues, and natural fabrics. Guests will also have access to onsite gardens, including an orchard, Mediterranean herb garden, tea garden with flowers to make infusions, and organic vegetable garden, while nearby are villages ripe for exploration and pristine beaches for relaxation.
The West Hotel, Minneapolis – opening in 2023
Image credit: Salt Hotels
In 2023, Salt Hotels is the gift that just keeps on giving. Not only will it arrive in Nantucket, the brand is also making a statement later in the year with the unveiling of The West Hotel, in Minneapolis. A first-of-its-kind development for the burgeoning city, the hotel will transport Salt Hotels’ signature hospitality and thoughtful curation of guest experiences to the Twin Cities. ‘The West’ as it is already being referred to, is a collaboration between some of the hospitality industry’s top and most creative talent, both local and worldwide, including Minneapolis based developer Commutator, LLC, Salt Hotels; Snow Kreilich Architects; Neri&Hu and Greiner Construction.
Located steps from the Mississippi riverfront in Minneapolis’ North Loop – the highly coveted culinary, design, and boutique hub for Minneapolis – the 123-key property will encompass a modern structure thoughtfully integrating four historic buildings, resulting in an unmatched design destination for both locals and visitors.
The Curator Hotel, Lisbon – opening in Q3
Image credit: Design Hotels
The backend of 2023 will see the opening of The Curator Hotel in the historic district of Belém – Alcântara, Lisbon. More specifically, the property will be located within the Palace of the Counts of Ribeira Grande, which dates to the beginning of the 18th century, plus a newly built annex—both of which will also house the Museum of Contemporary Art Armando Martins, a new cultural project dedicated to modern and contemporary art.
While the museum will occupy the ground floor of the entire building, 44 rooms will be spread among the first through sixth floors of the palace, with an additional six studios in an independent wing and 14 guestrooms in the new building. An onsite restaurant will be dedicated to local flavours and regional products and producers, while other amenities will include a garden, a small auditorium, and a desecrated chapel to host cultural programming with a focus on performing arts and literature.
Introducing Mori – a sustainable jewel in the heart of the forest
‘Mori’, Japanese for forest, has been designed as a holiday home offering room for four people, with a clear focus on sustainability. We stepped inside to see how it was done…
Mori, a property that couldn’t be more connected to nature if it tried, was built using the wabi-sabi approach, which foregrounds seven Japanese principles. The three main concepts of the tiny house are durability, simplicity, and imperfection. The pared-down yet refined interior design extends through to the bathroom where selected pieces from the Happy D.2 Plus collection from Duravit enhance the sense of wellbeing.
Image credit: Muk van Lil
The owners created sketches of the façade and the floor plan which were then realised by a local construction company. Because Mori is located within the forest, good insulation and durable workmanship were hugely important. The base of the house is made from robust wood and the interior walls are clad with straightforward plasterboard. In terms of the careful selection of materials, the developers placed great importance on durable, natural, and recyclable materials in addition to the aesthetics and optics. For example, the walls are painted with a natural chalk paint and the floors are covered with the world’s only 100-percent recyclable PVC flooring.
Image credit: Muk van Lil
Using a few selected furnishing items and a harmonious colour concept with bright, natural colours combined with wood tones, the house owners were able to create a stylish and warm atmosphere with an inviting sense of wellbeing. The pellet stove which generates a cosy heat on cold days also plays its part. Despite the minimalist floor plan, the Mori tiny house does not feel cramped. This is due in part to the sizeable window surfaces which draw the view outward to the surrounding landscape.
Image credit: Muk van Lil
Image credit: Muk van Lil
The interior design concept is followed through in the bathroom with refined and durable furnishings from the Happy D.2 Plus range from Duravit – a true feel-good experience for the guests. The ceramic washbasin in white is connected to a floor-standing, height-adjustable metal console in Black Matt with a combined towel holder. The integrated drawer in brushed walnut has a practical seating element added on the side, and the resulting storage space adds to the tidy aesthetics. The visual highlight is a circular mirror with ambient light, a coloured light switching function, and mirror heating. The shower area is connected to an outside shower and features a Stonetto shower tray made from DuraSolid Q, the matt surface of which creates the impression of authentic stone. The finishing touch to the bathroom furniture is the shower toilet SensoWash Starck f, which offers hygienic cleanliness, high operating convenience, and sustainable design.
Duravit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
FOCUS eco fireplace wins at German Design Award 2023
The new glazed version of the Gyrofocus fireplace from FOCUS, a design that has survived fashions and trends over the last fifty-plus years, has been awarded after the company reimagined the classic, bringing it bang-up-to-date whilst making it environmentally and eco-efficient…
The iconic Gyrofocus by FOCUS was selected as ‘the most beautiful object in the world’ at the international Pulchra competition (Italy) in 2009 among 100 participants, exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Bordeaux in 1996, at the Centre National d’Art Contemporain in Grenoble in 1997 and at the Guggenheim in New York in 1998. Now validation comes from the prestigious German Design Award as French fireplace manufacturer has been awarded the Gold award in the category Excellent Product Design – Design Classics and Re-editions.
Created by Dominique Imbert, the founder of FOCUS in 1968, it was, and remains, a revolutionary design and a technical innovation. It was the world’s first suspended and pivoting hearth complete with a 360-degree action. The Gyrofocus is the symbol of the brand and this original model has become an internationally recognised design icon.
Image credit: Focus
The product was the first model to be transformed into a high- performance eco-design glazed fireplace, and the winner of multiple awards including Archiproducts Design Awards at the end of 2021. On this occasion, it also won the inaugural Sustainability Award, judged and chosen by a jury made up of leading figures in environmental and eco-design from the world of architecture and design.
Image credit: Focus
The Glazed Gyrofocus celebrates a real technological feat as the original sculptural hearth was not intended to meet energy performance standards set out 50 years ago, which we now expect as standard. Importantly, the new standards have been met without compromising design. While only about fifteen parts made up the original open wood-burning fireplace, more than 150 parts now make up the reimagined design. Two years of research and development and numerous rigorous tests have been undertaken to design and preserve the original design, a fireplace capable of achieving energy and environmental performance that is among the most demanding in the world. The only visible change is the sliding, curved glass pane which protects the central hearth without abandoning the fire’s original attributes: its legendary shape and its 360-degree swivel. The concept has paved the way for other FOCUS models to become glazed, benefitting from the same patented technology.
FOCUS is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Radisson Hotel Group has opened the doors of its first safari resort in Africa – Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort, Zambia. Nestled on the banks of the Zambezi River, the resort is a key step towards its goal of reaching 150 hotels in operation and under development in Africa by 2025…
You would be wrong to think that the Radisson brand is limited to city centres and airports. In what can only be described a major plot twist, Radisson Hotel Group has turned a new chapter to open its first safari hotel. Located a literal stones throw from the famous Victoria Falls, a celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort has been constructed and will operate with the greatest respect to one of the world’s largest waterfalls and habitat for several unique species of plants and animals.
The building has been given an EDGE green building certification because of the hotel’s 20 per cent increase in energy efficiency, water reduction, and use of sustainable building materials, compared to other similar properties in the region. The resort has also signed the UNESCO Sustainable Tourism Pledge, aligned with Radisson Hotel Group’s globally recognised Responsible Business programme.
Image credit: Radisson Hotel Group
“Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort, Zambia represents a unique destination for our guests to discover and explore,” said Tim Cordon, Chief Commercial Officer, Middle East & Africa, Radisson Hotel Group. “The expansion of our presence in Zambia demonstrates our belief in the country’s potential. This hotel is our second property in Zambia, following the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka, with a third hotel, Park Inn by Radisson Lusaka, Longacres, due to open in 2023.”
Image credit: Radisson Hotel Group
Image credit: Radisson Hotel Group
Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya shelters 200 guestrooms, luxurious suites, and villas, many with unparalleled views of the Zambezi River. Guests can enjoy the resort’s bespoke all-day dining restaurant and sip their favourite drink at the resort’s Shungu Bar and Lounge, the Viewing Deck, or the Pool Bar overlooking the Zambezi River.
Image credit: Radisson Hotel Group
The design includes a fitness centre, spa, and swimming pools for those looking to stay active or cool off with a relaxing dip. The outdoor boma and firepit allow guests to make the most of the African evenings and gorgeous sunsets. In addition, with its ballroom of over 500 square metres, boardrooms, and meeting rooms, the hotel is an ideal setting for events and meetings for both leisure and business use.
Radisson Blu is part of Radisson Hotel Group, which also includes Radisson Collection, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.
Trascenda by TREND – making marble even more marvellous
Recreating the seamless look of classic marble patterns, Trascenda from TREND incorporates the distinctive veining and subtle hues so beloved by designers seeking to add that extra touch of luxury…
Revered by artists, architects and designers the world over for centuries, marble is one of the oldest natural materials. Used for everything, from contemporary sculpture to classical monuments, through to buildings and bathrooms, its trademark veining, soft colour tones and the way it subtly plays with light give it a unique, timeless quality. It can elevate a design from the everyday to luxury, and whilst a natural choice for making a style-statement in kitchens and bathrooms, many design professionals find it is no longer practical for modern living. Although hard-wearing, the porous nature of marble means it can easily stain and allow bad odours to build up. As a surface material it is also heavy and brittle and can easily become scratched or chipped.
Image credit: TREND Group
Constantly pursuing design solutions, TREND has created a tough surface material that overcomes these problems and echoes the visual qualities of traditional marble, making it ideal for use on walls, floors and a whole host of heavy-use areas such as kitchen worktops, waterfall ends, bath and shower panels. Recreating the seamless look of classic marble patterns, Trascenda incorporates the distinctive veining and subtle hues so beloved by designers seeking to add that extra touch of luxury.
Image credit: TREND Group
The secret lies in the new technology that allows TREND to permanently embed a pattern into stone with a combination of heat and pressure. Using only organic, water-based dyes and recyclable materials, the result is not only a visually stunning one but is a sustainable option too. In addition to marble, almost any pattern can be created including wood and concrete as the material can be customised to order.
Image credit: TREND Group
Like all etherium By E-Stone surfaces, Trascenda is light weight, completely non-porous, heat, stain, impact and scratch resistant and also benefits from Microban anti-bacterial technology built in for life.
Available in seven different colours and patterns, ranging from classic Carrara with its greyish-white ground and feathery veining, Statuario with its distinctive flowing rivers, through to the majestic Calacatta with its more dramatic veins and golden undertones, Trascenda truly transcends even its natural counterpart.
TREND Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Sneak peek: a first look inside Eastwind Oliverea Valley
Building on the success of the brand’s established properties, Eastwind Hotels is preparing to debut Eastwind Oliverea Valley, bringing its signature Scandinavian-inspired accommodations to a new corner of the Catskills…
Eastwind Oliverea Valley, the third property from the portfolio’s founders Bjorn Boyer, Julija Stoliarova and Dan Cipriani, is the brand’s first ground-up build, offering intentionally styled accommodations featuring designer-curated mid-century vintage furnishings. Nestled amidst three 900 metre peaks and framed by lush trees and the calming sounds of Esopus Creek which runs alongside the property, Eastwind Oliverea Valley has been purposefully designed to offer secluded, elemental escapes that don’t sacrifice style.
Image credit: Lawrence Braun
The design delves deeper into the natural splendour of the region and offers an enhanced guest experience along with the amenities to facilitate this. Travellers can ride one of the complimentary bikes along a nature path, join a sunrise yoga session, creative seasonal workshops, or foraging walk and lounge by the pool with curated DJ sets. The property features a refined food and beverage programme, which guests can enjoy across a variety of different formats: a seasonal all-day menu and dinner service at Dandelion, breakfast baskets for in-room delivery, s’mores kits for creating at the firepits, cocktails at the bar, weather-permitting meals prepared on the open flame Argentinian grill, and private dining with prix fixe menus under the canopy of trees.
Image credit: Lawrence Braun
“When conceptualising our latest Eastwind instalment, we knew we wanted to offer a true resort experience with an enhanced amenity program that would keep guests engaged during the entirety of their visit,” said Boyer, Eastwind Co-Founder. “At the Oliverea Valley property we’ve created more opportunities for guests to gather, lounge, and unwind together.”
Image credit: Lawrence Braun
The boutique hotel features 30 unique guestrooms all differing in layout and décor, each individually curated by Eastwind Co-Founder and Creative Director Julija Stoliarova, with Scandinavian design in mind and inspiration from mid-century vintage styles. The all-weather, wood A-frame freestanding cabins are now available in four types, all outfitted with queen beds: Lushna Cabins, Lushna Cabins with Decks, Lushna Suites, and an entirely new category catering to more varied guest needs — Double Lushnas. Guests can also select from a variety of different hotel rooms, featuring king beds and varying in-room amenities including furnished lofts with floating netting under the skylight, vintage desks, rain showers, seating nooks, hooded Pendleton robes, private patios, fridges, and electric kettles with tea and coffee kits for early morning pick-me-ups. Intentionally styled, accommodations highlight the natural surroundings with the use of earth tones, organic materials, and vintage décor.
Image credit: Lawrence Braun
Image credit: Lawrence Braun
“The sentiment of Hygge, the Scandinavian word meaning a sense of contentment and cosiness, drove the design of Eastwind Oliverea Valley,” explained Stoliarova. “Think spacious common areas with large windows for natural light, high ceilings, clean minimalistic lines, and earth tones to complement the surrounding landscape. It’s the vintage furnishings and objets d’art within each of our spaces that are vital to our storytelling and make subtle statements. In curating, I was inspired by the discerning eyes behind a number of female-founded boutiques.”
Image credit: Lawrence Braun
Dandelion is the first full-service restaurant outside of the five boroughs from Eastwind Hotels Co-Founder, Daniel Cipriani, who was previously the chef and founder of some of Brooklyn’s favourite restaurants including Urban Rustic, Sea Wolf, Playland Motel, Lodge, and Gemelli. After spending nearly 20 years running restaurants in NYC, the last few years he has been exploring the Catskills and Adirondacks, getting in touch with nature, sharpening his foraging skills and building relationships with local farmers. Using his new skills and relationships, Chef Daniel will feature a ‘forage-to-table’ plant-forward, international comfort food menu at Dandelion. An all-day menu of select seasonal cocktails and small plates will be available daily, as well as nightly specials based on what’s seasonally available via foraging and local sourcing.
Image credit: Lawrence Braun
Image credit: Lawrence Braun
True to brand, Oliverea Valley is both located in and reflecting all the elements of its immersive wooded location. Just a short drive away from local landmarks, parks and trails, the hotel provides a respite from city living and joins the Eastwind boutique portfolio of hotels in defining natural destinations with designer-curated accommodations.
5 bathroom design trends to expect in 2023, according to Roberto Palomba
With the aim to capture emerging bathroom design trends as we step into 2023 we caught up with Roberto Palomba, Ideal Standard’s Chief Design Officer and Co-Founder of renowned Italian Design Studio, Palomba Serafini Associati (PS+A)…
Despite trends being considered somewhat subjective, design is and has always been influenced by all that surrounds it, from the everyday needs of users and cultural values, through to design philosophies of the past and expectations of the future.
Roberto Palomba, Chief Design Officer and Co-Founder of renowned Italian Design Studio, Palomba Serafini Associati (PS+A), to reflect on the current and future trends of the bathroom sector, many of which Ideal Standard showcased at Salone del Mobile in June 2022.
Image caption: Roberto Palomba,
1) The increasing availability of luxury
Ideal Standard made its debut at Salone in 2022, with the show focusing on how luxury and beauty are becoming accessible for everyone as pleasures we encounter every day. Why should we not demand the same from our bathrooms? Social media and the complete connectivity it provides have brought luxury style to the masses, and premium brands have had to adapt to the values held by this new audience. Luxury now extends beyond look and feel, into the quality, functionality, and sustainability of products. It’s on the strength of these broader values on which modern luxury brands build their reputations.
In 2022, the industry saw designers showcase products that looked incredible, with sustainability and accessibility credentials that were as integral as the aesthetics. Adapting to this new landscape means more collaboration and more cross-pollination, as designers connect with experts from other fields to meet customers’ needs and create designs which have these aspects at their core.
Image credit: Ideal Standard
2) Back to the future
A theme of 2022’s Salone was one of collective nostalgia. Designers were focused on breathing new life into iconic pieces from history, regenerating them for the 21st century. There was a return to the past – not to simply recycle it, but to revisit the design values and philosophies of the work that made us who we are.
It’s no different for Ideal Standard, which has a design heritage full of the values that have been instrumental to decades of identity-defining style. But the brand didn’t go to Salone to show off imitations. Instead, it wanted to showcase something new! Bathrooms are unique – they are designs that form a major part of our routine, every single day. The values and philosophies that the brand brought back to Salone this year have stood the test of time, and with it thousands of mornings and evenings of use. Ideal Standard didn’t have to break into the store cupboard and blow the dust off these collections; it encountered them repeatedly since they were first created, and each time our understanding of the values they represent has evolved.
Image credit: Ideal Standard
3) Colour is key
“When we created Atelier Collections,” said Palambo, “we knew we could return confidently to the roots of our original pieces with the knowledge that it was also our philosophies that we were revisiting.” Ipalyss is a prime example. The design team at Ideal Standard created 12 different colours for the ceramics in the collection to allow its customers to explore their own design philosophies and let their bathrooms become truly personal spaces. Some of the palette was inspired by designs that made a splash in the 20th century and others are completely new. “We let the design philosophies which shaped our heritage, guide our interpretation of new trends,” the designer added.
Image credit: Ideal Standard
4) Singular: an architect’s mosaic
The team wanted to put the power to create great designs into the hands of those that know their projects best. Ideal Standard’s Singular philosophy allows all its collections to be combined and intertwined to create the perfect bathroom, whichever way you want it. The collections that the brand displayed at Salone provide paths to follow for end users, while also inspiring designers to draw upon their own values, knowing they won’t have to compromise on functionality or quality.
This is only possible because these collections don’t exist in isolation; they share the values and philosophies that underpin all our collections, a single thread that runs through function, size, shape, and colour. Ideal Standard provides the tiles; the mosaic is yours to make.
Image credit: Ideal Standard
5) Technology driving design forward
“Confidence in the technology within our products means we can focus on creating visually striking designs,” said Palambo. “Exhibited for the first time at Salone, Solos is a great example of this. It is all about modern minimalism. The basin’s straight lines and thin edges are fully integrated with fittings that float effortlessly on the ceramic surface.” Nothing is there that does not contribute to the overall finish. The brand exhibited Solos alongside its more classic collection, Calla, as a celebration of design’s pluralism, with the two approaches coming at either end of a spectrum that caters to every taste. “We want to do more than keep up with the latest trends, and instead create a comprehensive, multifaceted offering through which designers can take the route that best suits them,” added Palambo.
The new collection, Linda-X, celebrates and re-energises the Linda collection created for Ideal Standard in the 1970s. Modern technology means the brand is in a better position than ever to celebrate the design values that embody the collection, as its Diamatec ceramic lets the design team push the boundaries of its basins, making them thinner, stronger and more durable.
Image credit: Ideal Standard
Sustainability is one area where Ideal Standard is forging new values on which we can build on in the future. The company leads by example when it comes to providing water-saving solutions to help homeowners reduce their consumption – flow regulators and delay fill technology make it easier to save water. But it is also looking internally to understand how to begin re-using and recycling materials in its manufacturing processes.
Salone del Mobile 2022 was an exciting first for Ideal Standard, a celebration of the design values that have defined our journey so far. The brand left with a determination to continue promoting its name in this space as one known for pushing the boundaries of what is possible aesthetically, functionally and sustainably.
Ideal Standard is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Marriott opens its debut resort in Dubai on Palm Island
With a prime location on Palm Jumeirah’s West Beach, Marriott Hotels, the signature flag of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio, has announced the debut of its first resort in the United Arab Emirates – Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai…
Marriott Hotels has opened its first resort in the United Arab Emirates. The 608-key Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, which is spread over 7,000 square metres of private beachfront, is all about elevated outdoor sophistication, while delivering enriching experiences for leisure and business travellers in the UAE.
Image credit: Marriott International
“As one of the world’s most lively leisure destinations and a hub for business travellers, Dubai is an ideal location for a flagship Marriott Hotels property,” said Drew Iddings, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, Marriott Hotels. “With the opening of this resort, we continue to live our legacy of wonderful hospitality, and build momentum for the brand’s evolution and modern appeal that is tailormade for our guests to empower their every pursuit.”
Image credit: Marriott International
Reflecting Marriott Hotels’ continued evolution, guests are welcomed into sophisticated, comfortable spaces beginning with the Greatroom lobby – a stylish hub that is all about connecting and relaxing. Featuring ocean and sand hues transitioning seamlessly from the outside inwards, the resort’s 608 contemporary guestrooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling ocean views, private balconies, and thoughtful in-room comforts including a pillow menu, mood lighting, a top-of-the-range entertainment system, and large bathtubs. Interconnecting rooms reflect the resort’s flexibility and focus on family stays, while the spacious two-bedroom suites offer separate living, sleeping and dining spaces.
Image credit: Marriott International
With an eclectic mix of new-to-the-region global restaurant brands, born-in-the-UAE concepts and signature Marriott Hotel offerings, the resort’s 10 dining venues bring flavours, influences, and ideas from Japan, Peru, Italy, Korea, and the Levant.
Rustic, contemporary and chic, the trattoria Cucina fuses old-school Italian charm with a modern edge serving handmade pasta, along with the ice cream parlour Gelateria by Cucina, serving a rainbow array of silky, tantalisingly flavoured gelato. All-day dining venue Levantera offers a menu richly influenced by Mediterranean cuisines, with an overall focus on health and produce sourced from local farms. American, Caribbean, and Latino-inspired concept MYAMI Pool Bar & Lounge serves mixologist-made cocktails and light bites with a swim-up bar and a glamorous South Beach Miami mood.
Image credit: Marriott International
The beach restaurant Señor Pico stays true to its San Francisco roots serving up American-Mexican comfort food and craft drinks, while the Lobby Lounge – situated in the Greatroom – invites guests to settle down to work or switch off and relax. Guests can enjoy the resort’s signature tea and coffee experience, exquisite cakes, pastries, and mouth-watering desserts including chocolate ravioli.
Yet to open, beachside spot Bal Harbour Beach with scenic marina views will be an ideal place to enjoy a light meal and tropical drinks while lounging in the sun, and Above Eleven will make its first foray outside of Asia in early 2023. Bringing a unique blend of Peruvian spirit, Japanese precision, and effortless New York soul, the restaurant’s sprawling open-air rooftop location and panoramic skyline views will set the tone for sundowners and after-dark vibes. Also slated to open in 2023, the resort’s flagship restaurant Smoki Moto Dubai will be the first high-end Korean steakhouse in the city. The resort’s tenth venue is expected to be unveiled in the new year and will bring a high-end, multi-award-winning restaurant to the city.
“From our industry-leading business and leisure facilities, incredible dining options, wide-ranging recreational activities, well-equipped rooms, and heartfelt service, we provide enriching guest experiences that will exceed expectations at all times and on all levels,” said Gerrit Schmitt, General Manager, Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. “We look forward to welcoming guests to our new beachside resort.”
Image credit: Marriott International
For active guests, the fitness centre, open 24 hours a day, is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and offers an extensive schedule of group classes, personal training options, and an age-appropriate fitness program designed specifically for younger guests. Set to open in 2023, the resort’s opulent Middle Eastern inspired Saray Spa will create an opportunity for self-care, rejuvenation, and relaxation. The tranquil space will feature private treatment rooms, a couples room with a waterbed and jacuzzi, and relaxation areas. The spa will have an extensive range of treatments including the Saray Hammam, an elevated experience of the traditional cleansing ritual.
The resort is poised to be the backdrop for unequalled events all made possible by a dedicated in-house events team. From intimate gatherings to lavish celebrations and business meetings, Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, offers choice and flexibility with more than 1,800 square metres of event space, 11 venues including a Majlis, and more than 3,000 square metres of sea view outdoor terrace space. A generously equipped business centre ensures guests have access to everything they need, whenever they need it.
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