Hilton has announced the signing of the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts third property in Mexico — the new-build Waldorf Astoria San Miguel de Allende is slated to open in early 2025. Here’s what we know…
Located in the heart of one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in the country, Waldorf Astoria San Miguel de Allende will offer 120 hotel guestrooms and 24 Waldorf Astoria branded residences in the colonial city, known for its architecture, thriving art scene and rich history. The property is owned by PEAKAIR GROUP, is being developed by Skyplus Developments Corp., and will be managed by Hilton.
“As global interest in luxury travel continues to rise, we are perfectly positioned at the forefront of the trend by expanding our offerings to welcome the discerning traveler in new and highly desirable destinations across the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Juan Corvinos, Senior Vice President, Development, Architecture and Construction, Caribbean and Latin America, Hilton. “We are excited about the growth of our portfolio in the region and introducing our distinct brands in landmark locations, such as San Miguel de Allende. The city’s timeless surroundings and recognition as a luxury vacation spot make it a natural fit for the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand.”
Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts
With the arrival of Waldorf Astoria San Miguel de Allende in 2025, Hilton will bring yet another world-class destination to its prestigious Waldorf Astoria global portfolio of more than 30 iconic hotels and resorts, and 18 residential properties either open or in development. The addition strengthens Hilton’s luxury portfolio in Mexico, featuring Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Conrad Punta de Mita, Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, and the recently opened Waldorf Astoria Cancun. Hilton’s luxury growth in Mexico forms part of the company’s broader expansion plans in the country.
Waldorf Astoria San Miguel de Allende will be located in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by the destination’s signature cobblestone streets and brightly coloured Spanish-colonial buildings. Hotel guests will enjoy some of the area’s most impressive attractions within walking distance, including the renowned neo-Gothic church Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, a structure that dramatically rises above the city’s main centre plaza.
Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts
“San Miguel de Allende has been recognised as one of the most enchanting cities in the world in recent years, and we are thrilled to marry that appeal with the iconic Waldorf Astoria brand, which is known for its sense of place and community for guests,” said Dino Michael, Senior Vice President and Global Head, Luxury Brands, Hilton. “Hilton’s growing luxury portfolio in Mexico, including two Conrad Hotels & Resorts properties and two Waldorf Astoria Resorts, has been met with incredible guest satisfaction, and we look forward to creating even more opportunities for travellers to discover the destination through unforgettable experiences at Waldorf Astoria San Miguel de Allende.”
Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts
The property will shelter 120 guestrooms and suites, as well as 24 private residences managed by Hilton, providing owners with access to all hotel amenities and signature resident services. Hotel guests and residence owners will be able to utilise wellness-inspired amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness centre with yoga and meditation areas, a lavish and restorative destination-inspired spa, and a rooftop space with pools and relaxation areas offering stunning views of the city. An on-site art gallery and local artisan crafts store will also welcome guests, while family travellers will have access to the hotel’s kids and teens club. The array of amenities is complemented by the hotel’s culinary excellence, to be experienced across three restaurants, two bars and a coffee shop.
Year in review: 6 stand-out surface design products launched in 2022
Grand architectural gestures may be what makes the design headlines, but it is often the surfaces within that make the difference and elevate a room or a space by adding layers, tones and textures. Writer Pauline Brettell takes a look back at some of the surface design products that have made a mark this year…
Surface design ranges from the purely pretty through to the frankly functional side of design. What has been exciting over the year is seeing new products, many with a focus on innovative and sustainable materials and production being championed by both designers and manufacturers. This is also a realm that has benefitted from collaboration, as design and manufacture merge to create exciting new products to inspire and change the shape of things to come.
One of these products that literally is a shape shifter comes from Kaynemaile, and is all about creating boundaries without actually requiring any building blocks — instead it is designed as an extremely strong yet highly flexible architectural modern mesh consisting of interlinked polycarbonate rings formed together by a unique liquid-state assembly process – a process which enables seamless mesh screens of any height and width to be fabricated. It is a versatile design element which can accommodate a range of design applications while lending an impactful, sculptural aesthetic to any interior.
Inspired by centuries-old medieval chainmail used for armour, Kaynemaile’s origins can be traced back to the film set for The Lord of The Rings trilogy. The film’s art director for the Creatures, Armour and Weapons department – and Kaynemaile’s founder – Kayne Horsham developed a lightweight, manually assembled version of traditional chainmail made from polypropylene piping. This lightweight material looked and moved realistically and allowed the cast to work in chainmail costumes for extended periods. After filming finished, Horsham continued his work with chainmail, perfecting a liquid state assembly process to mass produce the first polycarbonate chainmail for architectural applications.
Image credit: Arte
Earlier this year Arte expanded its wallcovering collection Décors & Panoramiques with a collection of designs that immerse the viewer in a series of enticing stories and intriguing fairy-tales.The new designs in the Arte Décors & Panoramiques collection transport you both geographically and imaginatively. With wallcoverings referencing locations from Tibet to Italy to the fiery lines of a Brazilian dance you can travel the world in seven designs. Alternatively, you can go on a journey of the imagination as mysterious fairy-like figures invite you into the panorama. The strength of these designs is not only in the surface patterns, but also in the materials that have been used, which include velvety soft silks, textured boucle fabrics and sophisticated linen effects.
Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design
Red Dog Glass Design breathed fresh ideas into the world of surface design with the launch of Inhale, a series of designs in a range of inspired glass panels focussing on the restorative power of the breath. Based on the original artwork of company founder Sally Coulden, the Inhale range of glass panels is an observation on the expansiveness of the landscape, particularly from the summits of the brooding British hills. The artwork is then expertly applied to high-quality glass panels. Durable, practical and beautiful, each unique piece can be installed as high-end contemporary art panels or as glass splashbacks, in a range of commercial and residential settings. All of the designs tell a story, and create visual impact. Whether as a panel in a bathroom or a statement piece in public areas such a lobbies and restaurants, a piece of Red Dog glass will elevate any space into something extraordinary.
Image credit: TREND Group
Continually working on innovative surface solutions, the etherium By E-Stone solid surfaces from TREND, are made with up to 72 per cent recycled glass. TREND was the first company to combine recycled beer, wine, and mineral water bottles with polymer technology. Today, the company uses 7.5 million tons of recycled glass each year, greatly reducing their carbon emissions. And the sustainable story continues with the brands signature glass mosaics. Whilst employing centuries old artisan techniques TREND makes use of modern technology to make their products as environmentally friendly as possible. Their signature blue glass for example is made from upcycled SKYY Vodka bottles.
Image credit: GranorteUsing cork to provide underfoot comfort, thermal insulation and acoustic absorption; Granorte has created a unique luxury floor with the capability to add something very special to interiors. The 100 per cent recycled genuine leather finish is available in a range of finishes – the the mock-croc of Veneto, grained Umbria and elegant Lombardia, are each offered in a palette of dark, sophisticated tones. Granorte uses a 2mm thick piece of recycled leather for Corium and uses cork to enhance performance. A high-density fibreboard core lets Granorte use Uniclic joint for fast and easy glue-free installation. The cork integrated underlay has Microban technology to inhibit the growth of bacteria and the floor is available in two formats – a rectangular tile and plank. The leather surface of Corium is protected with Granorte’s AQUA2K+, a water-based performance coating that enhances wear resistance and makes maintenance easier. Corium is a luxury flooring option that comes with excellent environmental credentials.
Image credit: Architextural
Launched earlier this year, the Avery Dennison Organoid from Architextural provides a natural, eco-positive design solution, and includes seven finishes, three of which are translucent films suitable for window application. The four solid films in the collection are Moss Bright Green, Moss Dark Green, Original Alpine Hay, and Mountain Hay and Marguerites. The three translucent films include Rose Petals, Sunflower Petals, and Skellett Leaves. The Organoid Natural Surfaces range is made from organic and regionally produced raw materials, often reusing ingredients that are a by-product of others, including things like alpine hay, sunflower petals and even real moss.
Rather than processing the material through conventional production processes, these natural materials are mixed by hand with an ecological binding agent and pressed together onto a self-adhesive tape, resulting in a thin, compact film layer. The film is practically emissions-free and allergy tested, meaning it’s free from any subsequent ecological health concerns.
The Surface Design Show earlier this year provided a platform with the aim to ‘bring surfaces back to life’, and the plethora of innovative products that have been designed, produced and manufactured over the course of the year would lead one to assume that surfaces are indeed alive and well, shifting boundaries and challenging preconceptions as in many cases it is the realm in which material innovation is at the forefront.
Year in Review: Modieus looks back on its collections and collaborations
Australian based rug and carpet company Modieus has seen three high profile collections launched across the year, embarked on a collaboration to plant a trillion trees, and even had the Australian Prime minister open one of the venues it has worked on this year…
Modieus kicked off 2022 looking at the top three rug and interior design trends forecasted for 2022. It’s been an interesting journey to see these trends come to life in both residential and commercial interiors through its Allusion Collection, which developed a design journey through time, giving us two different perspectives. From 70’s retro fused with boho style, to the 90’s street art movement and awareness of biophilia, the design team at Modieus are driven by colour, and with over 1400 shades to select from, designers can be confident in finding the right combination for any project.
Image credit: Modieus
Launched in June, the new Boutique Collection by Modieus, is as luxurious as it is individual. True to its name, the collection drives forward the new expectations of ‘bespoke’; designs are flexible, adaptable and over time have the potential to become the new classics. Designs can be manufactured as broadloom, rugs or tiles. The Boutique Collection was the first to use enhanced customisation techniques, allowing Modieus to elevate the tactile nature of woven Axminster carpet with a 3D effect created through delicate hand carved details. This along with a specialist knowledge in combining mixed yarns took Modieus on a journey that would take Axminster carpets to a new level.
Image credit: Modieus
The launch of the Impressions Collection has pushed the boundaries of what can be achieved with Axminster carpet. Modius have taken a new approach to designing, weaving, and finishing Axminster carpets. This, combined with the curated inspiration of each capsule makes it a noteworthy addition to their portfolio.
Earlier this year Hotel Designs caught up with Xander Okhuizen, Founder of Modieus. Like the rest of the world, Australia had seen the impact of climate change through the devastating impact of bush fires and floods on their natural environment. Picking up the environmental baton, Okhuizen announced that Modieus had chosen to support the work of Trillion Trees Australia, by planting one tree for every 10 square metres sold. Trillion Trees is a Not-for-Profit tree planting organisation based in Western Australia. They have planted over 15 million trees, and Modieus are thrilled to support their mission to reach a trillion.
Image credit: Modieus
It’s not often we see a Prime Minister open a hospitality venue, but Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese officially opened Petersham RSL’s new clubhouse in Sydney, delighting patrons and everyone who had worked on the project. From a new restaurant, day spa, indoor and outdoor gaming areas, a café, bistro, pub, tab, function centre, corporate offices, members car park arrival areas, and all new branding. The result is a customer experience akin to a luxury resort, the only difference being that it is in a suburban location, serving a local community.
Despite the year drawing in, the Modieus design team are already focussed on the 2023 Trends Collection to be released in the new year.
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.
Sneak peek: inside The BoTree, London’s new design hotel
New luxury hotel The BoTree has announced its opening for July 2023. Located in the heart of London’s West End at the intersection of the affluent Marylebone and Mayfair neighbourhoods, The BoTree plans to capture the spirit of the city’s ‘village’ life while reflecting the prestige of central London…
Sister property to the award-winning Middle Eight and The Guardsman hotels, The BoTree will open as a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious Legend Collection. The hotel’s interiors will reflect a natural extension of the lane through a series of uniquely designed luxurious spaces that have been created by award-winning designers, Concrete. With a focus on personalised service, it will comprise 199 rooms, including 29 suites, with spectacular views across the city. Additional highlights include destination restaurants and bars, and a diverse range of events and shared spaces such as a private cinema screening room, a unique club with regular live music, and a fitness centre.
Image credit: The BoTree
Blending Marylebone flair and Mayfair chic, spacious, beautifully styled guestrooms designed by Concrete will be adorned with colourful natural fabrics and eclectic textures created exclusively for the hotel. Each room will welcome guests with a reception space separated by discrete sliding panels leading to bedrooms and lounge areas, featuring luxurious furnishings. Contemporary suites, ranging from 31 to 78 square metres will serve as destinations in themselves, providing the perfect entertaining space with a lounge, balcony, personal bar and integrated cocktail station. The largest of the suites, Presidential Suite will offer commanding views across central London. Featuring a private elevator lobby, guest entrance and an outdoor terrace, this exclusive space can be combined with the adjoining suites to create a 350 square metre wing for the ultimate private retreat.
Image credit: The BoTree
The hotel’s intuitive personalised service will be the cornerstone of its character. Welcoming floor hosts will be on hand to fulfill guests’ needs as they indulge in a stay. ‘The BoTree combines uncompromising standards with a purpose-driven approach to establish our own form of luxury, conscious luxury,” said Rishi Sachdev, Founder of The BoTree, Middle Eight, and The Guardsman. “Our core values of Truth, Love and Compassion will drive our business decisions in this new hotel.”
Image credit: The BoTree
Conveniently connected with Bond Street tube station on its doorstep, The BoTree will serve as the perfect base to discover the city’s iconic sights and unmissable events. Travellers will not need to go far to enjoy London’s independent cafés, bookshops and boutiques from this stylish haven. Nearby Marylebone, a fashionable village-like neighbourhood, is known for its elegant Georgian and Victorian architecture, world-class dining and premier entertainment. In Mayfair, guests will find major international galleries and auction houses, flagship designer stores on the famous Bond Street, private clubs, Michelin star restaurants and more. From a stroll in Regent’s Park to taking in a concert at Wigmore Hall or an art exhibition at The Wallace Collection, the area boasts plenty of opportunities for explorers to get a true taste of London’s best.
Situated in southern Vietnam’s popular beach town Mui Ne, the independently owned and operated five-star resort The Anam Mui Ne, will be the second Anam property to open, following the successful 2017 debut of The Anam Cam Ranh…
Overlooking Mui Ne’s white sand beach, The Anam Mui Ne, sheltering 127 guestrooms and suites inspired by Vietnam’s Indochine era frames spectacular East Sea vistas. Like its predecessor, The Anam Mui Ne’s design is an echo out of Vietnam’s bygone Indochine period, with architecture guided by Hanoi’s grand old French villas. Evoking a romantic atmosphere, with glowing lanterns, customised encaustic mosaic tiles, big-bellied clay water vases, statues on plinths, imperial style roofs, cornice detailing and intricate woodwork have been crafted by artisans from across Vietnam whose trades have been handed down the generations. Giving way to an infinity pool and the ocean beyond, the lobby makes for a striking first impression, replete with a grand piano and a sloping roof fashioned with glass panels that water gently flows over, casting faint shadows underneath.
Image credit: The Anam Mui Ne
The resort’s 127 classic guestrooms and suites range in size from an ample 40 square metres to a spacious 142 square metres across six accommodation categories. Vietnamese artists were commissioned to create unique paintings for each room and suite, opening doors on the country’s fascinating culture. Clawfoot bathtubs and custom-built furniture such as leather-bound tables add to the resort’s old-world feel.
“We learned so many valuable lessons about how to design, orient and build a hotel with The Anam Cam Ranh; so much so that every design element that is extraordinary about our first property has been accentuated in The Anam Mui Ne, such as the layouts and flow of the accommodations,” said Pham Van Hien, Owner and Founder. “The alluring woodwork in our Lang Viet Restaurant, from forests cultivated for sustainable harvests in Vietnam, is all handcrafted and took the craftspeople over six months to complete and is just one example of the many hand-crafted design elements evident in our new resort.”
Image credit: The Anam Mui Ne
“We expect The Anam Mui Ne to redefine Mui Ne’s hotel scene,” said Laurent Myter, Group General Manager. “There is nothing quite like it; an intimate, classic and genuine Vietnamese hotel with personalised Vietnamese service that is anything but the industrialised product that so many hotel chains have established in Vietnam.”
The resort’s dining landscape will include an all-day dining restaurant and grill called The Indochine, beachside restaurant and bar Lang Viet Restaurant and Bar, and Saigon Bar in the lobby. The resort will cut the ribbon on a collection of luxurious facilities on January including a five treatment room spa, two spacious swimming pools — one freshwater and the other saltwater — a ballroom, conference rooms, water sports centre, fitness centre, yoga room, kid’s club and gift shop.
Image credit: The Anam Mui Ne
Championing the environment, the resort will open with a ban on single-use plastics and has implemented an array of measures to reduce its carbon footprint with solar power and locally sourced ingredients. Its water filtration plant supplies drinking water in recycled glass bottles, and laundry water is recycled to water the gardens. Straws, bags and bathroom amenities are biodegradable. The resort’s eco-friendly key cards are also made from wood that has been sourced from sustainably managed forests.
The human mind instinctively categorises images from the world around us, assigning each a ‘shape’ and creating our own mental library of visual forms. We then link each shape to a range of emotions, thoughts, and perceptions. Round, square, oval or rectangle, Kaldewei explores the choices we make…
Throwing some shapely questions into the mix, Kaldewei looks at why shape plays an important role in how consumers respond, and how this is impacting on design in the bathroom. In 2010, neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins conducted an experiment to find out if any shapes were more pleasing than others. A curvy surface is characteristic of living organisms so the brain may have evolved to process information about rounded shapes to guide behaviour like eating and attracting partners, evoking a friendly feeling. On the flipside, more angular objects, relating to rough, jagged forms, tend to be inorganic and offering shelter and structure, hence the feeling of safety.
Image credit: Kaldewei
Rounded shapes have a friendly, gentle warmer, softer association than more ridged images. There are a multitude of shapes, such as the sun and the moon, that symbolise a circle, representing inclusiveness, unity, and protection; their presence in the overall design makes a room feel youthful, happy, and carefree.
With their even proportions and strong ridged edges squares suggest stability and order, these more formal shapes are calming, evoking a sense of conformity, honesty, and rationality. You can’t imagine a square shape being easily toppled, designs with squares as the dominant shape, feel exceptionally reassuring.
Round, square, neutral or statement colour – there might be more to your bathroom choices than you thought!
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.
Predicting that beige tiles will lead bathroom trends in 2023, Hyperion Tiles sets out to make a case for this enduring neutral, which is not only endlessly versatile but makes the perfect colour choice for a restorative bathing haven…
With shades of beige ranging from taupe to greige and every nuance in between, the natural palette is potentially perfect for bathrooms looking for some grounded luxury. Pattern and tone can take the shade from neutral to strong statement, and Hyperion Tiles works closely with designers, specifiers and architects to achieve a vision and make the transition from boring to bold.
“Unfairly maligned for being bland and boring, beige is a shade with plenty of character, ” asserts Richard Skeoch, Director, Hyperion Tiles. “Mixed through brown and white or white and yellow, it’s a warm colour which works well with natural materials, such as stone, clay or wood.”
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
Beige belongs to the neutral colour family but, importantly, it’s a neutral with plenty of character. It’s created through a mix of brown and white, or white and yellow. The Ca’ Pietra London Marble Mosaic tiles feature modern, 3D-illusion patterns that are pre-assembled on a mesh sheet, illustrate the benefits of beige perfectly. Lighter shades of beige are similar to cream, while darker shades are closer to tan or brown. Beige plays beautifully with other neutrals, but also contrasts brilliantly with a huge range of accent colours, from burnt orange to emerald green. Yet another benefit of beige? It suits both classic and contemporary bathroom schemes.
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.
Conran & Partners enters new chapter after management buy-out completes
Conran & Partners, founded more than 40 years ago by designer and visionary Sir Terence Conran, completes a management buy-out of the practice, which signals a new chapter in the evolution of the international design firm. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Known for always doing things differently, designing spaces for the people, Conran & Partners is about to head into a new ownership chapter with its Principals; Tina Norden, Simon Kincaid, Sebastian Conran, Katy Clarke and Tim Bowder-Ridger, now sharing the practice.
Founded more than 40 years ago by designer and visionary Sir Terence Conran, the studio has since been committed to improve people’s lives through good design. Over the years, the practice has evolved into an international, award-winning studio, with projects across urban regeneration, hospitality, residential and workplace, all under the guidance of a long-standing leadership.
Image caption: The Maximilian Hotel in Prague, designed by Conran and Partners
The five Principals have had key roles in the practice for many years and have been instrumental in the growth and development of the business. They now equally share the responsibility of leading the independent business as Principals, with the continued support of the board members and the London and Hong Kong studio teams.
“Conran & Partners is first and foremost a creative business,” said Tim Bowder-Ridger, Principal, Conran & Partners. “We pride ourselves on offering a distinctive boutique service to clients in the UK and internationally, whether we’re delivering architectural design for a new urban neighbourhood or creating unique interiors for a global hospitality brand. The new ownership of the practice is an incredibly exciting moment for us to build on a unique legacy and take the business forward with clear purpose.”
Image credit: Park Hyatt Jakarta, designed by Conran & Partners
Image credit: Park Hyatt Jakarta, designed by Conran & Partners
The buy-out demonstrates the leadership’s belief in and commitment to the practice into the future. The Principals will continue to build on the legacy and ethos of Sir Terence Conran to achieve a seamless combination of architecture and interior design through carefully considered and collaborative design that addresses the needs and desires of the users, as well as the wider environment.
Form something new with 3DForms — the modular cork concept from Granorte that brings a unique aesthetic to walls…
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.
3DForms tiles are available in different geometrical 3D designs that can be used together to bring a wide range of layout combinations. Ramp, Pyramid, Plain, Porto, Lisboa and Douro are available in 300 x 300mm or 150 x 150mm tiles and in a wide range of colours. With natural cork colours as well as shades like bluemoon, dark, smoke, pearl and terracotta, 3DForms offers extraordinary possibilities.
“Our ability to machine cork blocks using robotic cutting arms has let Alzira and Carlos create something very special in 3DForms,” said Paulo Rocha, Granorte. “The natural properties of cork make this not only a beautiful wallcovering but one that also helps to bring a comfortable atmosphere to interiors. Warm to the touch, incredibly tactile and great at absorbing the noise of conversations; it’s a finish that’s sustainable, looks incredible and which creates a more supportive interior environment.”
To be suitable for use in commercial projects, Granorte has finished 3dForms with its proprietary Corkguard protection. Aiding stain-resistance and making the wall tiles easy to wipe down, it ensures that 3DForms can be used in environments such as hotels, restaurants and offices.
3D Forms is part of Granorte’s Delivering Nature collection of high-design cork products. Among a selection of wall and floor products, as well as sanitary ware, furniture and lighting; it marks the Portuguese family company as an innovator finding new ways to create eco-friendly interiors from cork.
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.
Hyatt pipeline: 13 new hotels between now and 2025
A strong pipeline of luxury openings and development projects has signalled Hyatt’s continued commitment to catering to high-end travellers in new and desirable markets as it announces an impressive list of openings over the next three years across Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME). Here’s what we know…
Hyatt has just announced its growth plans between now and 2025, which will include the opening of 13 hotels, adding to brand portfolios of the likes of Park Hyatt, Andaz, Grand Hyatt, Thompson Hotels, Miraval Resorts & Spas, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The new propertie will also debut in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations including the U.K., Spain, South Africa, Austria, Finland and more. By 2026, these hotels will increase Hyatt’s luxury brand footprint in EAME by more than 30 per cent in key growth markets.
As leisure travel continues to drive recovery in many parts of the world, Hyatt remains committed to catering to high-end travellers to meet the rising demand for luxury travel experiences. Following a strong year of luxury hotel openings in 2022, including La Zambra, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Costa Del Sol, 7Pines Resort Sardinia, part of the Destination by Hyatt portfolio, and the debut of the Thompson Hotels brand in Spain with Thompson Madrid, Hyatt’s luxury inventory currently accounts for approximately 25 per cent of its distribution in EAME. Hyatt’s anticipated openings through 2025 signal its commitment to creating more story-worthy experiences and unforgettable stays that exceed the expectations of the luxury traveller.
“Hyatt’s heritage is luxury; it is in our DNA. Our luxury brands across Europe, Africa and the Middle East set a global benchmark for delivering personalized and engaged service, and world-class offerings that cater to the high-end traveller,” said Javier Águila, Group President, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Hyatt. “The global luxury travel market is seeing remarkable growth as recovery continues, and the EAME region expects to capture a large portion of this segment. Our impressive pipeline of luxury properties and growing portfolio of diverse brands signals Hyatt’s commitment to thoughtful brand growth in desirable destinations and further reinforces Hyatt’s position as a leader in luxury hospitality.”
The strategic growth of Hyatt’s luxury portfolio throughout EAME will feature key milestones such as the opening of four Park Hyatt branded hotels including the return of the Park Hyatt brand to London; the introduction of the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Helsinki with the debut of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Finland; the introduction of the Andaz brand to Lisbon; and the unveiling of the first Miraval luxury wellness resort outside of the U.S., located on Saudi Arabia’s Shura Island. Each new property has been carefully selected to complement the elevated luxury brand portfolio, encapsulating Hyatt’s signature of unprecedented, immersive luxury experiences, inspired by the vibrant cultures and stories of their locations.
Image credit: Park Hyatt Jakarta, designed by Conran & Partners
Planned luxury openings through 2025 include:
Park Hyatt
Park Hyatt Johannesburg (Johannesburg, South Africa) Following an extensive refurbishment of the iconic Winston Hotel in Rosebank overseen by award-winning global designer Yabu Pushelberg, Park Hyatt Johannesburg will re-establish the Park Hyatt brand in South Africa. Set to open in early 2023, the hotel will showcase every aspect of luxury through its thoughtful redesign, with 30 guestrooms and suites, a spacious restaurant with al fresco offerings, and a sophisticated bar with an open-air courtyard.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Park Hyatt Marrakech (Marrakech, Morocco) Bringing a personalised, luxury experience to the impressive Al Maaden residential and leisure development, Park Hyatt Marrakech will be the first Park Hyatt hotel in Morocco. The stunning 181-room property is slated to open in early 2023 and will be set against the spectacular backdrop of the Atlas Mountains and feature a Moroccan garden-inspired 18-hole golf course, designed by award-winning golf course designer, Kyle Phillips.
Park Hyatt London River Thames (Nine Elms, London) Expected to open early 2024 while marking the return of the Park Hyatt brand to London, Park Hyatt London River Thames is poised to become one of the city’s premier riverside hotels. Located in the One Nine Elms development directly opposite Westminster, the hotel’s 203 tastefully designed guestrooms and suites and exquisite events spaces will reintroduce the Park Hyatt brand’s considered and refined sense of luxury to the U.K. capital.
Park Hyatt Riyadh Diriyah Gate (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Expected to open in 2025, Park Hyatt Riyadh Diriyah Gate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be part of the much-anticipated Diriyah Gate Development overlooking Al-Turaif’s UNESCO world heritage site. Over seven square kilometres of Diriyah will be transformed into one of the world’s foremost historic tourism destinations offering guests a refined home-away-from home and new ways to experience the history of Saudi Arabia.
Image credit: Hyatt/Andaz
Andaz
Andaz Doha (Doha, Qatar) Located in the centre of vibrant West Bay, and set to open in early 2023, Andaz Doha is part of the city’s iconic skyline of architectural ‘œuvre d’arts’. Bringing lifestyle, locally inspired design and contemporary art to a new level, the hotel will offer 256 rooms with 32 suites and four Royal suites, 56 residences, a signature restaurant, a Singaporean street food restaurant and a jungle-themed bar, an outdoor pool, a fully equipped fitness studio, and more. In close proximity to most embassies, financial institutions and luxury shopping malls, Andaz Doha is beating with the heart of Doha.
Andaz Lisbon (Lisbon, Portugal) Expected to open in 2024, Andaz Lisbon will incorporate the rich culture and heritage of Lisbon through locally inspired architecture and design. Located in the center of Lisbon’s bustling Baixa district, it will offer guests an exciting new luxury lifestyle hotel in the Portuguese capital. Guests will be able to enjoy cocktails and local dishes at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, bar, and Andaz Lounge, and relax and rejuvenate at the spa and fitness center.
Grand Hyatt
Grand Hyatt The Red Sea (Shaura Island, Saudi Arabia)
This 430-key Grand Hyatt hotel on Shaura Island, the hub of the ambitious Red Sea Project on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, is expected to open in mid-2024. This luxury resort hotel will represent the largest of 11 hotels set to open on the island and will occupy a prime position within this innovative tourist development. Grand Hyatt The Red Sea will be the second Grand Hyatt hotel in the Kingdom and the seventh Grand Hyatt hotel in the Middle East, marking an important milestone in Hyatt’s strategy for brand growth in the region.
Grand Hyatt Limassol (Limassol, Cyprus) The first Hyatt hotel on the island of Cyprus, the 300-room Grand Hyatt Limassol luxury resort is expected to open in 2025 and signifies Hyatt’s continued brand growth in Europe’s leading travel destinations. The new-build beachfront resort will be situated at a Blue Flag beach east of Limassol, one of the island’s most cosmopolitan cities. With a prime beachfront location on the southern coast of the island and 300 bold, light-filled rooms offering sea views, Grand Hyatt Limassol will be a captivating destination.
Grand Hyatt Lanzarote (Lanzarote, Spain) Expected to open in 2025, Grand Hyatt Lanzarote will be located in the premium tourist region on the island of Lanzarote and will provide stunning coastal views. Guests can look forward to spectacular design, iconic experiences in breathtaking settings and superior service and amenities to match.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Thompson Hotels
Thompson Vienna (Vienna, Austria) Slated to open in late 2024, Thompson Vienna will open as part of a landmark development bringing a new KaDeWe high-end department store to the Austrian capital. World-renowned architects OMA and interior designers Tara Bernerd & Partners will design the sophisticated lifestyle hotel, creating an immersive destination inspired by the distinctive characteristics of the city.
Miraval Resorts & Spas
Miraval The Red Sea (Shura Island, Saudi Arabia) Scheduled to open in late 2025, the 180-room luxury wellness resort, Miraval The Red Sea will introduce the wellness brand’s signature mindfulness-based wellness practices to a new corner of the world, empowering guests with tools and inspiration to find balance and support their emotional and mental wellbeing. Located on Saudi Arabia’s Shura Island, the central hub of the highly anticipated new hospitality development, The Red Sea Project, the new Miraval resort will pave the way bringing transformative wellness experiences and the largest spa in the Red Sea destination.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Grand Hansa Hotel Helsinki (Helsinki, Finland) Scheduled to debut in mid-2023, Grand Hansa Hotel Helsinki will join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt portfolio as the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Finland. Situated in the heart of Helsinki on one of the city’s most famous streets, the world-class hotel will fuse heritage with modern elegance, with 219 rooms and five suites, three dining options including a two-story bar, and a lavish day spa with three different saunas and a soothing lounge area. Hotel in development (Crans-Montana, Switzerland)
The luxurious 41 guestroom boutique hotel is expected to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in December 2023 and will inspire unforgettable memories with its Swiss Chalet cuisine and front row sporting experiences. The property will be located in Crans-Montana, one of the most prestigious and well-established year-round mountain destinations in the Swiss Alps and is also known for one of the most important golf tournaments on European soil.
Roundtable: utilising circadian lighting in hotel design
In Hotel Designs’ latest roundtable, Editor Hamish Kilburn, in association with Franklite, invites leading interior and lighting designers to explore the reality of circadian lighting in hotels…
With wellness continuing to be high on the hospitality design agenda – and with hotels continually looking for innovative and meaningful ways to differentiate themselves – is circadian lighting the next big biophilic thing? The research on the benefits of circadian lighting is certainly out there, so with this in mind the question that was asked to start the conversation rolling was just how – and in fact if – all this research, information and interest in circadian lighting has changed or impacted our approach and expectations to lighting in hotel design.
To finally get some answers, Hotel Designs, in association with Franklite, brought together a handful of interior designers and lighting experts to explore the possibilities if budget was no barrier.
Starting at the beginning of the design process, the designers were asked if lighting in general – circadian lighting specifically – is something that is being put on the design agenda by clients, or are the designers, and architects still required to convince clients of the benefits of a more integrated and thoughtful lighting design. “I think lighting is still something that we as architects introduce into the conversation,” said Richard Collings, Vice President, SB Architects. “People are still hesitant about it as it is hard to quantify the benefits, but it is certainly ripe for integration into hotels.”
Some aspects of circadian lighting have been employed in hotel design naturally for some time, particularly in public areas and in spaces that are required to be more multifunctional. This has meant designers and hotels have been able to change the function and the feel of a space at the flick of a switch – or two. The difference with this, is that, until now, this has been done from a central panel for a general space, as a controlled intervention. It was agreed by everyone around the table that taking this up a level to the individual guest was both more challenging as well as potentially interesting, as explained by Neil Knowles, Director, Elektra Designs. “There are some areas where you definitely need to control lighting in the hotel, and integrated lighting in areas such as all-day dining spaces has been implemented and understood for some time,” he said. “Before any discussion on the benefits of circadian lighting was brought to the table, what becomes both complicated and costly is when these lighting concepts are potentially introduced into the guestroom.”
Image credit: Maison Arabella
It was clear from the conversation that the constant pull between technology and user experience is not a question that is followed by a single or simple answer. The debate continues both between designers and guests on the benefits of technology, particularly in the realm of lighting in the hotel guestroom. Are potentially overcomplicated design options the answer, when in fact all a guest really wants to do is flick a switch and turn on a light?
It goes without saying, in hotels, that any lighting solution should be as user-friendly as possible. “We need to think about the lighting early on,” said Olivia Susai, Associate Designer, Maison Arabella. “Rather than over-complicating it, the solution is possibly to make lighting task appropriate – with focussed spotlights for reading, ambient lighting for dining, daylight for mornings. I would say there is more enthusiasm for playing with the technology first. Embracing science-based evidence and benefits will inevitably follow.”
Drawing on his experience as a lighting designer, Knowles’ continued this train of thought. “Rather than overcomplicating lighting in the guestroom,” he added, “we have found that it is about providing effective options that are simple for the user to action.”
Lighting is yet another design detail that has been impacted by the change in the work/home relationship post-pandemic. The work-from-home lifestyle has trickled down into both office and hospitality spaces with more layered and directive lighting being used, as opposed to the purely functional. This, along with trending conversations on biophilic design concepts, means that interest around circadian lighting is organically growing as designers and clients explore ways to design for the mind as well as the eye.
“We are definitely finding our clients are more interested in different lighting solutions allowing for shifting needs,” said Susai. “And this, along with lighting that can be manipulated, result in a more personalised lighting solution.”
Image credit: Sparcstudio
From a purely design-driven perspective, circadian lighting can also potentially be quite flat. Flooding a space with white light might be energising, but how does it impact on the textural and tonal elements of a space? It is clearly about balance – the fine line between lighting for wellness and lighting for design, the scales between light and shadow. But are these concepts mutually exclusive?
With the industry constantly looking at innovative ways to introduce wellness through comfort, and importantly sleep patterns – from pillow menus to sound apps – circadian lighting is an area that is still relatively underutilised in the realm of the guest experience. “The closer we are to nature, the better,” asserted Wren Louks, CEO, Be-kin. “The rhythms of nature and natural light should be an integral part of design, and circadian lighting is key to that.”
Image credit: Sparcstudio
On the design flip-side of circadian lighting, the trend for layered lighting – playing with shadows and pools of light rather than the pursuit of natural daylight as most clearly illustrated in the ‘members club’ trend – was discussed. Light can be used to create a journey and to make an experience feel more luxurious as lighting in hotel design has, it was agreed, become more creative. Increasingly it is being utilised as a design tool, creating focal points and, in some cases, a more immersive guest experience. Retail has been using lighting to direct and channel clients successfully for some time, and hospitality is now developing this as a concept in the hotel experience.
“In the retail context lighting is about doing something to you, while in the home it is about doing something for you,” said Mark Lissauer, drawing on his experience as Projects Director at Franklite. “Lighting in hospitality should be a bit of both, and circadian lighting has potentially a role to play in both these aspects.”
With circadian lighting being able to promote wellness, the question needs to be asked, if done incorrectly can it have an adverse effect? And if so, what are the lighting faux pas to avoid when injecting this technology? For circadian lighting to be introduced successfully in a hotel environment it does need to be automated to some extent – if left to the individual it potentially leaves too much room for error. Again referencing design considerations, there is also the danger of too much ‘white light’ being introduced at the expense of the more design driven layered lighting.
Image credit: Elektra Lighting
Image credit: Elektra Lighting
The balance between nature and nurture, light and shadow, is key to any successful interior. “Understanding circadian rhythms is important to allow us to then play with it and manipulate it when designing lighting, even if not utilising it directly,” said Ben Eneke, Senior Interior Designer, Blacksheep. Ideally this should not be an either/or scenario and the challenge for both hotel and designer is how to successfully integrate all these lighting elements into a solution that functions on all levels.
“The potential danger of an over emphasis on circadian lighting is that while it may be very good for your brain and general wellbeing, giving you a connection to nature,” said Beverley Bayes, Creative Director, Sparcstudio. “It can also be very flattening and potentially remove the nuances and richness of tone from more decorative led lighting.”
Image credit: SB Architects
As with all hotel design conversations, the question of sustainability needs to be put on the table. With an increased emphasis on natural lighting in hotel design that is inevitably part of the circadian conversation, it was pointed out that natural lighting is, to some extent the enemy of sustainability in hotels — a lot of glass flooding an interior with natural light does potentially mean less control of both lighting and heating. Is circadian lighting then in conflict with the space-saving pod design approach in contemporary hotels that often has access to minimal natural light? A possible solution mooted is that circadian lighting could be as much about controlling the outside environment, as it is about letting it in. Designers and hotels need to explore and develop innovative ways of introducing the idea of natural light if the sustainable balance is to be kept in check.
Finally, is this a trend or is it here to stay and evolve? Designers at the table agreed that if circadian lighting is going to move forward and be successfully integrated into a guestroom experience then it needs to be both personalised and simplified — on the surface at least. Clearly for the lighting to be both effective and simple, the complicated bits need to remain below the surface paddling towards a more circadian design future with furious swan-like momentum.
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.
With the design spotlight firmly focussed on both wellness and sustainability during the course of 2022, bathrooms have come out of the shadows to dominate the design stage. Writer Pauline Brettell shares the products and concepts that have caught her eye, elevated design, and in some case redefined the bathroom as we know it…
Inevitably when looking back at standout bathroom designs and innovations over the year it is the products which initially grab the spotlight. With so many beautifully designed and considered products – from taps to toilets – there are always a few that stand out from the crowd.
Starting off by looking back to the era of Art Deco era of design that continues to inspire today, which was the point of inspiration for the Venti20 collection from Gessi. Designed by Spanish interior decorator Lázaro Rosa Violán for Gessi, the Venti20 Collection has a purity of form and finishes that draw inspiration from the1920’s with all its energy, optimism and joy. The details of the design are beautifully nuanced, resulting in an eclectic finish with a distinctly Art Deco vibe. Despite drawing on the past, the design translates seamlessly into a contemporary setting, making a strong and sophisticated statement.
Image credit: Crosswater
Also inspired by history, but in this case America’s mid-century modern design movement, Crosswater launched Canvass, a new furniture collection that balances traditional design elements with modern craftsmanship to offer highly functional and stylish bathroom solutions. The Canvass collection features classic silhouettes, calming palettes, and hard-wearing materials that work together to provide a timeless and durable solution that compliments both traditional and contemporary bathroom designs. The collection comprises a wall hung countertop unit that can be paired with coordinating height adjustable legs for a floor standing option. The Double Drawer Unit is available in four sizes, and four flawless finishes, which include Sage Green, Deep Indigo Blue, Storm Grey Matt, and White Gloss. Crosswater has included a choice of three different handles, modern, knurled, and classic, available in a range of different finishes for a uniquely customisable offering.
Image credit: GRAFF
Fast forward to the 21st century for inspiration and the MOD+ collection from GRAFF is all about choices as it puts the design controls firmly in the hand of the user. This modular bathroom collection allows a high degree of creative freedom with luxury custom finishes, materials and configurations. The collection unlocks up to 65,000 possible combinations, as it is made up of 55 bathroom products for the washbasin, bathtub and shower areas, in which each element can be completely customised.
Image credit: Duravit
Staying with product design but looking east for some zen inspiration, the Zencha range for Duravit by designer Sebastian Herkner picks up on the zeitgeist of the era with a focus on authentic materials and simple purity of form. The understated design, available in three colour palettes, focuses on details such as the delicate, curved washbasin edge. This was inspired in turn by delicate teacups that nestle in the hand, as the focus was about creating an ambience in the bathroom which allows us to recharge our batteries in the morning and enjoy some ‘me time’ in the evening.
“In our apartments or houses we have places of communication, such as the kitchen or bathroom, and this also extends to the bedroom, which nowadays is also sometimes used for working,” said Herkner. “I find that the bathroom is the last place that is limited to its original function: reflection, relaxation, and spending some occasional time alone”.
Image credit: Kohler
In many ways the design concept that has consistently woven a thread through the pages of Hotel Designs this year is that of collaboration, and bathroom brand Kohler has certainly played its part in providing a platform for creative collaboration across the disciplines. Ticking the sustainability box along with design innovation, Kohler recently unveiled its partnership with global artist and designer, Nada Debs, through the creation of a custom hammam to be displayed at Design Miami 2022. Carefully thought through on every level, the design of the WasteLAB tile mirrors the arch of traditional hammams and offers a visual parallel between the rebirth of waste material and the spiritual and emotional rejuvenation that hammam guests experience. Kohler’s presentation of Transcendence by Debs, along with various onsite and digital activations, pays homage to cultural inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and heritage through design and innovation.
Image credit: KEUCO
In my opinion, lighting in the bathroom still remains a bit of an afterthought in a lot of homes and hotels, which is why the STAGELINE collection from KEUCO got my attention. This furniture collection from KEUCO is made up of a series of illuminated furniture pieces, so that the lighting in the bathroom comes from multiple sources, incorporating a vanity unit and several storage units all allowing for increased luminosity in the bathroom. The design incorporates practical elements including an integrated power socket along with a USB and USB-C charging point. The attention to detail is key, with elements such as the softly curved, gently protruding glass front at the top of the units, which is not only decorative but practical acting as a handle.
Image credit: Kaldewei
With the wellness trend showing no sign of slowing down, being able to create an individualised spa environment is becoming increasingly important. Answering that call directly, Kaldewei has added four new Whirl Systems to the mix offering bespoke solutions and a luxurious spa offering for every bathroom. From a vigorous sports style massage, through to a gentle caress, the bubbling, pre-warmed air bubbles in illuminated water can be altered in intensity and type of wellness treatment to suit the individual There are four different massage systems available; Body Soul, Soul, Full Body, and Body. The choice of settings means that relaxation is guaranteed, and the system can even be switched to silent mode, allowing the flat nozzles to work quietly to ensure the atmosphere of wellbeing is not disturbed.
Image credit: Dornbracht
Staying with the them of spa-like solutions Dornbracht continues to push the boundaries of the bathroom into the realm of the spa, and the innovative rain shower from Dornbracht gives designers and users a refreshing range of options for the bathroom, along with the secret of the Dornbracht raindrops. The focus of the rain shower is directly on the actual water experience, the sensation of natural rainfall that is created by drops of water falling onto the skin. The time when you simply took a shower is gone – we all expect a lot more from our bathrooms, and water experiences play an essential role in this. Dornbracht has spent time studying forms of water presentation and how they influence well-being, and has been instrumental in developing the technology around the natural rainfall experience.
Image credit: Hansgrohe
And finally, another innovative shower solution from bathroom brand hansgrohe, addresses the key areas of both design and sustainability. Recognising that water is a valuable resource, extensive time and research has been put into establishing AirPower technology to help reduce water consumption. The innovative technology enriches each water droplet with air, to produce plump droplets creating a velvety touch on the skin. When using the shower, air is sucked in through the spray disc that stirs up the water. Enriched with fresh air, the droplets are noticeably lighter, creating more enjoyable showers whilst helping save both water and energy. The AirPower feature can be found in an extensive range of hansgrohe products including basin taps, overhead and hand showers and shower systems. When incorporated in the basin taps, the technology encourages them to work reliably by adding volume to every droplet of water whilst noticeably reducing splashing. The soft water droplets make for a pleasurable washing experience, whether that’s washing hands, washing hair or caring for children’s sensitive skin.
All of these products bring something unique to the bathroom experience, driving forward the narrative that increasingly places the bathroom as the differential in a design. No longer simply a practical space for personal hygiene, the bathroom is a place for reflection, regeneration, and that all important and increasingly rare ‘me-time’!
Which design collaborations changed the game in 2022?
Whatever way you look at it, the projects that have been born from authentic and organic collaborations have come out on top in 2022. Highlighting just how togetherness has fuelled the industry this year, Editor Hamish Kilburn takes a look at some of the most stand-out and layered partnerships…
Together we can. I think, above all others, this has been the mantra that has carried the most meaning in 2022, since the industry rose from its forced hibernation of the pandemic. It’s been an exhilarating time for people working on the hotel design scene, which has kept us folks in the media on our toes throughout a tumultuous 12 months. When it comes to editing Hotel Designs during this period, it has felt, at times, like we have front-row seats to the most magical fashion show, with so many designers and brands pushing against conventional approaches to instead define a new era of hotel design and hospitality on a global scale.
This year, we have seen pioneering hotel concepts become reality – and designers, architects, hoteliers and brands working as one to collectively create conscious spaces full of imagination. Before we take off into a new year, where new trends, hotels and designers will be waiting, we have identified just a handful of the collaborations that, put simply, made the industry look, think and discover something new over the last 12 months.
Gabriel Scott
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
Six designers, David Rockwell, Kelly Hoppen, Alessandro Munge, Michelle Gerson, Sybille de Margerie and Guan Lee, were asked to help lighting brand Gabriel Scott to reinterpret the studio’s most iconic fixture, the Welles Chandelier. The six fixtures, first showcased at Milan Design Week 2022, have now been formalised into six capsule collections that include chandeliers, sconces and pendant lighting. “Inspired by jewellery, the Welles Chandelier is a true representation of our design philosophy – to design and make modular products to custom specifications,” said Scott Richler, Gabriel Scott’s Founder and CEO. “The Welles Reimagined capsule collections celebrates our brand ethos and the collaborations we undertook with each designer perfectly demonstrate how we like to work together with our design and architecture clients to achieve something really special and tailored to their requirements.”
Inoda+Sveje + Minotti
Image caption: The Yoko, designed by INODA+SVEJE. | Image credit: Minotti
Unveiling its largest collaboration to date, Inoda+Sveje launched three products this year in the Minotti 2022 Collection – they were Yoko, Lars and Sendai. Minotti described the collaboration as ‘two worlds connecting’, referring to the the two owners’ separate heritages – one Japanese and the other from Denmark. But, in reality, these protagonists within the 2022 Collection were the result of three cultures coming together in harmony, including Minotti’s Italian style. The tread that connects each piece is the language of minimalism, told is various ways.
One month after the collection was launched at Salone del Mobile, the design duo joined the DESIGN POD sofa to discuss the process, the details and the honest conversations that went into designing what was in many ways this year’s stand-out furniture collaboration.
Kit Miles + Moooi Carpets
Image credit: Moooi Carpets / Andrew Meredith
Telling a unique story of biophilic design, Kit Miles’ fascination with the rich synergy between plants and animals came to life in a collection with Moooi Carpets this year. Inspired by biophillia’s mesmerising patterns, the new addition to the Moooi Carpets’ Signature collection was a selection of prints, aptly named Biophillia. The aim of the partnership project was to provide a ‘window into the world of plants and nature’ with hand-drawn dragonflies, flora and surreal plants that dance around each other bound as well as references to eternal natural cycles.
Lois O’Hara + Newmor Wallcoverings
Image credit: Newmor Wallcoverings
Image credit: Newmor Wallcoverings
Fresh out the blocks from its rebrand, Newmor Wallcoverings launched a vibrant and playful collaboration with mural artist, Lois O’Hara, as part of the brand’s Newmor Designer range. O’hara’s brand ethos explored how colour can have a positive effect on how people feel when they use spaces. Her unique colour combinations and use of shape and movement formed her signature style.
The brand launched the Newmor Designer collection as part of its commitment to bridging the gap between artists, craftspeople and commercial interiors. Artists such as painter and fashion designer, Iona Crawford; interior design duo 2LG; weaver Ptolemy Mann; artist Stephen Walter; and The Patternistas are currently represented. All of the designs can be custom coloured, scaled, and printed onto any of Newmor’s wallcoverings, including metallics, textures and window films.
WeWantMore + La Succulente + Côme Di Meglio
Image credit: WeWantMore
The most literal interpretation of HIX’s mantra, ‘Great Things Will Grow’, was the Mush Room installation, which was the result of a collaboration between WeWantMore, La Succulente and Côme Di Meglio. The studios threw open the conversation on alternative materials by designing a bar that would grow towards the event while at the same time developing an example of what one of these ‘great things’ might be – in this case, mycelium as a design material. The design of the mycelium bar drew inspiration from shapes and textures found in and on shells. It illustrated the infinite source of inspiration nature can be, both aesthetically and structurally. The overall shape had a sacral feel to it – almost like a tomb – which was, according to WeWantMore, a metaphor for burying a traditional way of thinking and reflecting on new ideas when designing spaces.
Ghislaine Viñas + The Rug Company
Image credit: The Rug Company
Marrying together saturated colours with a myriad of patterns, Dutch-born, New York-based designer Ghislaine Viñas created the new Shongololo rug for The Rug Company, which is available in numerous monochromatic and multi-colour options as well as various pile heights. “The Shongololo rug was inspired by large millipedes found in South Africa, where I grew up,” said the designer. “As a child, I found these creatures so endearing and fascinating. I loved giving the Shongololo a little tap just to watch them roll up into a coil – a mechanism for selfprotection. My design mimics the millipede in both its crawling and curled-up forms.”
Ramy Fischler + Novotel
Image credit: Accor
Challenging the conventional bleisure hotel experience, designer Ramy Fischler together with Accor and Ligne Roset Contracts, designed one of four new looks for the Novotel brand.
Flexibility is a key aspect of the different sleeping arrangements made possible by the daybeds, also manufactured by Ligne Roset Contract. Available in different colour options and for different bedroom orientations, the daybeds provide 18 different guestroom configurations.
The bedroom concept is available in full and partial realisations, with different colour options, in a standard and premium finish which includes additional charging outlets. One of the key features of the concept is the headboard. Available in a standard and premium finish. The premium option has connectivity to the bedside tables providing induction charging. Luggage racks, a mini bar and the Valmy armchair, also designed by Ramy Fishler and part of the Ligne Roset collection can also be included. The Ramy Fischler bedroom concept has already been used in Paris and will feature in other Novotel hotels soon.
Main image credit: Gabriel Scott / Moooi Carpets / Accor / HIX / Newmor / Minotti
With 2022 wrapping up, we continue our ‘year in review’ series by taking a glance back at how Leaflike has transformed hotel public areas – from standard to extraordinary – with a healthy injection of nature. Here are our top picks from its projects this year…
2022 has brought wonderful opportunities and experiences to the world of biophilic design. Finally, the industry has been able unlock new, creative spaces that are focused around experience and sensory design. For the team at Leaflike, 2022 was the year to turn concepts and visions into realities – expanding from being seen as a solution for minor, quick wins during the pandemic into being major players in transforming public spaces into something new. It has been a year of growth in many ways and has once again proved the resilience of the hospitality sector.
Image credit: Damac Tower/Versace/Leaflike
The team have been ‘fortunate’, as Liam Abernethie, Client Relations Associate at Leaflike, puts it, to be involved in some of the most prestigious hotel openings and commercial projects where biophilic design has been an integral part of the interior brief.
We’ve picked our top three favourite projects this year that truly represent the use of biophilia in design:
Fairmont Windsor Park: a new hotel opening, Leaflike provided the biophilic design throughout the venue, not only for lush green floor standing planters, the trailing plants and flowers for Green’s Café placed outside the Fairmont Spa and Wellness, plus the hanging florals at the Courtyard Hydrotherapy Vitality Pool.
Pancras Renaissance Hotel London: Leaflike was required to produce a selection of premium quality lifelike planting displays in the Booking Office to compliment the interior design.
Damac Tower designed by Versace: Leaflike provided the planting displays throughout The Grand Lobby, the spa reception, pool area and The Residents Lounge.
As we look ahead into 2023, we are seeing a variety of trends from this year continuing to strengthen – from Leaflike and elsewhere – including the desire for clients to incorporate new living planting schemes to achieve their green credentials on their journey to being more sustainable.
Image credit: Leaflike
Preserved moss walls continue to become popular where the concept of a living wall hasn’t been successful or may not work due to the space conditions. Clients are recognising the impact preserved moss can have on public areas to add aesthetic, acoustic, and biophilic benefits.
Amidst the ongoing exploration to be more friendly, hoteliers are beginning to recognise the alternatives to fresh flowers in the form of the brand’s Everleaf range of florals. These are flower displays that are 100 per cent natural and preserved so they retain their beautiful colours and textures.
And that’s just the start. Leaflike is working on some exciting projects that will, once again, help to evolve the hotel design scene and balance interiors and architecture with nature – faux or not.
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.
Main image credit: Leaflike/Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
St. Regis Hotels and Resorts, part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, recently debuted in Jakarta. Born from the distinct legacy of a brand steeped in history, St. Regis Jakarta offers guests a new viewpoint from the heart of a modern city…
Every St. Regis hotel celebrates the culture and identity of its destination, and the design of The St. Regis Jakarta, conceptualised by the award-winning New York-based interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud, was inspired by Indonesia’s rich musical traditions.
Throughout the hotel, the general source of inspiration is music and performance. The lobby, for example, features a kinetic chandelier entitled ‘Sound of Light’, created by celebrated Czech glassmaker Lasvit, which is synchronised with music by Indonesian composer Andi Rianto. The installation produces a shimmering light that dances across surfaces and spaces, showcasing the distinctive soundscapes of Indonesia and creating a glamorous welcome for arriving guests.
Outdoor spaces, meanwhile, including the hotel’s entrance and swimming pool, feature artworks by renowned landscape architect Bill Bensley, with the theme of ‘Discovery’.
Image credit: St Regis Hotels and Resorts
“We are delighted to expand our brand presence in Indonesia with the debut of The St. Regis Jakarta, our second property in this vibrant country,” said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “The St. Regis brand’s founding family, the Astors, were known as visionaries of their time, embracing change and innovation while maintaining a strong sense of history and heritage. It is in this spirit that we welcome guests to enjoy The St. Regis Jakarta, and we look forward to providing impeccable service and exquisite experiences in Indonesia’s capital city.”
The St. Regis Jakarta features 282 guestrooms, including 28 spacious suites ranging from 75 to 187 square metres, each featuring a private balcony. Meticulously created by the G.A. Design team, the guestrooms reflect contemporary luxury and feature thoughtful touches throughout, such as custom-made cushions accented with embedded batik motifs by Indonesian designer, Iwan Tirta. Guests will also enjoy the St. Regis Butler Service, a personalised signature offering that has been a hallmark of the brand for more than a century, ensuring that each guest’s individual preferences are understood and anticipated at every turn.
Image credit: St Regis Hotels and Resorts
Exceptional culinary journeys are presented through the hotel’s distinct culinary venues. The Drawing Room, located near the arrival lobby, is an elegant lounge where guests can experience the signature traditions of St. Regis, such as Afternoon Tea and Champagne sabrage. The all day dining Bel Étage celebrates Indonesia’s multicultural heritage with a collection of Indonesian dishes along with western, Asian and Pan-Asian cuisines, from timeless classics to the Chef’s personal recipes. Located in the heart of the hotel, Rosé is a deli where guests can enjoy artisanal coffees, teas, pastries and cold cuts in a casual setting. The Pool Bar is a quiet spot that invites escape from the rush of urban life. The hotel’s signature St. Regis Bar, unique and different at every St. Regis hotel around the world, features a striking mural by Indonesian artist Eddy Susanto, which captures the interactive inspirations between art and jazz, and correlates the rhythm, energy and spirit of the historical development of jazz in Indonesia.
Image credit: St Regis Hotels and Resorts
With a total of more than 2,500 square metres of dedicated event spaces, the hotel makes the perfect venue for cherished celebrations, gatherings and meetings. The Astor Ballroom, with a capacity of more than 1,000 people, features a magnificent ceiling masterpiece that depicts the mountains of Indonesia. The Caroline Astor Ballroom, the hotel’s junior ballroom, includes its own reception area and private dressing room.
The St. Regis Spa is a sanctuary of refined relaxation and offers revitalising treatments based on a philosophy of ‘New Life and Fertility’ with ingredients from the volcanic mountains of Java. The spa offers a menu of signature treatments as well as OxyGeneo facial treatments for rejuvenated, fresh and healthy skin. To complement guests’ health and fitness goals, the hotel also offers a Fitness Centre with the latest Technogym equipment, professional personal training sessions and scheduled group exercise classes.
Year in review: remember when UNILIN unveiled this ultra sustainable oak finish?
Master Oak, which first entered our radar in February this year, is the multiple international award–winning decorative finish from UNILIN Panels. Here’s why we love it…
Recognised for excellence in sustainability and product by DNA Paris Design Awards and the MIAW Design & Innovation Awards, Master Oak is the decorative finish from UNILIN Panels that’s receiving international acclaim for its authentic recreation of natural oak.
The DNA Paris Design Awards jury is made of architects, designers and influential people from across the world of design, judging excellence in architecture, graphic design, interior design, landscape design and product design. Master Oak is winner of the Responsible Design category. With UNILIN Master Oak panels, projects benefit from decorative finishes made with HDF from 100% recovered wood, giving life to more than 1,000,000 tonnes of waste wood every year.
Image credit: UNILIN Panels
Master Oak has also secured a MIAW Innovation Award for Furnishings, Materials and Coatings. Organised by Muuuz, a publication for the world of architecture and its professionals. Master Oak is recognised for its adoption of innovative UNILIN Timber Touch Technology that gives 20 times more texture than regular decorative surfaces and which is responsible for Master Oak’s matt finish. A patented print coating ensures that Master Oak has more colour-play and depth, as well as better sharpness and contrast. Master Oak also has for the largest pattern in the industry., which means an authentic look and fewer repeats.
Master Oak is not the only activity by UNILIN Panels that can be called award-winning. The company’s Trendshooter hybrid exhibition concept made to showcase its 2022 – 2026 decorative collection has also secured a prestigious reddot best of the best award in the field of Brands & Communication Design. The Red Dot Design Award is one of the world’s largest design competitions and the best of the best award demonstrates just how UNILIN Panels strives for excellence in everything it does. Whether that’s world-leading sustainable production, class-leading products or creative concepts to inspire the world’s designers and architects.
Unilin Panels 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.
Sustainability is a term that has, quite rightly, become a mantra for businesses the world over in recent years, and a major factor when considering materials and suppliers. Whilst many have found themselves hastily having to make adjustments to jump on the eco-bandwagon, it is something that has always been at the very heart of the TREND ethos…
With a core mission at TREND of enhancing surfaces with natural, timeless, and sustainable beauty, the processes, products, and installations are all built around eco-friendly principles and practices by design. Having invented the ‘Top that fits on Top’, TREND has helped to re-utilise existing structures and re-surface existing spaces, recycling waste materials and reducing landfill. The whole concept of refacing rather than replacing kitchen and bathroom worktops and fittings is an example of ‘green’ thinking at its best. In addition, the materials used in this system are consciously designed to have a reduced impact on the environment.
Image credit: TREND Group
Awareness of the environment and an anti-waste mindset starts with the raw materials. Only 30 to 40 per cent of a quarry’s output is normally used to produce tiles or solid slabs, with the remaining 60 to 70 per cent usually considered waste. TREND uses this ‘by-product’ to produce its engineered stone surfaces.
Continually working on innovative surface solutions, the etherium By E-Stone solid surfaces are made with up to 72 per cent recycled glass. TREND was the first company to combine recycled beer, wine, and mineral water bottles with polymer technology. Today, the company uses 7.5 million tons of recycled glass each year, greatly reducing their carbon emissions.
The sustainable story continues with the glass mosaics. Whilst employing centuries old artisan techniques TREND makes use of modern technology to make their products as environmentally friendly as possible. Their signature blue glass for example is made from upcycled SKYY Vodka bottles.
Image credit: TREND Group
The company also carries the same eco principles through to manufacture, using 3 – 5 times less water, energy, and raw materials than any other rival company as well as producing 22% less waste material and 20 per cent fewer polluting emissions. Every part of the process is considered, and because the finished product is much lighter and thinner than solid pieces of granite, marble, or quartz, they are much easier to transport and install, helping to reduce its carbon footprint even further.
With all these elements taken into consideration, it is clear why TREND products carry full LEED accreditation and are Greenguard certified. Sustainable, environmentally safe on every level, versatile and beautiful, TREND products are proof that being eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean compromising design values.
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.
Year in Review: Northern Lights celebrates 35 Years of lighting excellence
The Northern Lights team continually designs and crafts lighting installations that transform the functional into a statement. With no less than three impressive award-winning projects and three shortlisted projects across the industry, we take a look at the standout designs shining a light on the company’s creativity…
Working on a series of innovative projects with some of the most creative designers in the industry, Northern Lights’ bespoke lighting pieces have perfectly heightened and carefully reflected each distinct design narrative that was set. Its portfolio this year remains as impressive as ever, delivering the unique blend of British artisan craftmanship, luxury materials and finishes, and engineering excellence across superyachts, luxury hotel destinations, champagne bars, and Michelin Star restaurants. From heritage to the unconventional, the breadth of expertise is clearly demonstrated across the wide range of projects from the luxury Galaxy Yacht, to bespoke designs for the disruptive Chateau Denmark, and include projects for Sopwell House & Cottonmill Spa, Koyn Restaurant Mayfair, & Warner Leisure’s Heythrop Park Hotel.
Image credit: Jack Hardy
Working with Njord by Bergman Design House, the Galaxy Yacht interior was transformed with cosmic design features to fit the unique galactic brief, and the bespoke lighting by Northern Lights was designed to underpin it all.
“Northern Lights has had an incredible year.” said Kevin Swart, Sales Director.”It’s been a true pleasure to work with so many talented people in this industry and without their trust and support, none of our achievements would be possible. Passion is at the heart of what we do and who we are. We’ve grown our team, welcoming new waves of expertise across design, business development and master craftspeople to prepare for what lies ahead in 2023.”
Image credit: Chateau Denmark / Michael Franke
Working with the Taylor Howes team on the Chateau Denmark project was another opportunity for the in-house team of designers and master artisans in the Northern Lights studio to develop custom finishes, designed to cut through the darkness and highlight some of the unconventional and striking interior elements on show.
Donna Gridley, Head of Creative at Northern Lights, also launched over 50 new lighting designs as part of her made-to-order Signature Collection. “Each design has its own narrative,” explained Gridley. “It’s the product of a diverse range of artistic and travel inspirations, where timeless luxury is celebrated through shape, texture and form to create true versatility”. Having been shortlisted for this year’s Brit List Awards Best in British Product Design for the Helios rechargeable lamps, the range was expanded to include new designs and more variants suitable for outdoor use, to meet the growing demands for flexibility in hospitality spaces. Her spectacular Breuer chandelier was also unveiled at HIX to a reception of awe and wonder, with its brutalist-inspired design narrative and unique hand-applied verdigris finish. Again, flexibility shone through as the tiered statement piece – weighing over 220 kilograms in its original form – is scalable and customizable, allowing smaller, lighter versions to be created for different spaces.
Image credit: Northern Lights / Michael Franke
Image credit: Northern Lights / Michael Franke
In addition to the design and project awards, Managing Director Donna Bruce was selected as an Exemplar Figure in the Top 100 Manufacturer Awards – a prestigious list of the UK’s most inspiring individuals in manufacturing. Donna also scooped up awards across four further categories, including Innovator, Inspiring Leader, Net Zero Hero, and Unsung Hero.
Northern Lights 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: Northern Lights / Michael Franke
Embracing her ‘inner child’, Rachel Everett checks in to No.1 by GuestHouse in York – and is left, checking out, feeling rather nostalgic…
No.1 by GuestHouse, the Guest brothers’ latest 39-key hotel in York is set in a handsome 19th-century townhouse. It’s the brainchild of brothers Tristan, James and Tom, who have retained its decadent antique features while, playfully, reinventing the hotel with the help of ace designer Martin Hulbert, who also redesigned The Grove in Hertfordshire. The brothers have two hotels – one in York and another in Bath – and new openings in Margate (2023) and Brighton (2024). But what’s special about them? GuestHouse has a distinctive quality: the brothers have set their sights on launching creative, thoughtfully curated places, sheltered inside interesting buildings throughout the UK – and they are ahead of the curve in creating small luxury hotels with that ‘extra something’ we’re all looking for.
Image credit: GuestHouse
So what inspired the GuestHouse brand? “We feel there’s a real opportunity to create an aspirational brand for secondary cathedral and university cities and seaside towns around the UK,” the three brothers explained. “There are lots of great hotels in amazing settings in the countryside or London but in the smaller provincial centres, many of them don’t have the offer those locations deserve. We wanted to put these places on the map as staycation destinations.”
And the trio comment further on the brand ethos: “We have two hotels open at present and are excitingly opening our third property in the seaside town of Margate in spring 2023. This will be called No.42 by GuestHouse, Margate. Later in 2023, we will be opening our fourth property, No.124 by GuestHouse, Brighton. A big part of our strategy is to connect with the local culture. We feel the leading hospitality brands embed themselves within the community. We strive to do that with our choice of suppliers and the creatives we enlist to support our design ideas, as we intend to be present in these cities for a long time.”
But let’s bring things back to the present moment. On arrival at No.1 by GuestHouse, even the dashing exterior of No.1 draws you in: the greenery-cloaked 19th-century townhouse appears more like an affluent friend’s residence. Set among the honey-toned houses in the posh suburb of Bootham, once inside, the huge black spiralled staircase and violin-clad walls grab your attention immediately; but take a longer look around and discover the saffron-hued Marmalade Lounge and the snug bar and restaurant. Whimsical design features include wooden dollhouses throughout the hotel: at the reception – holding the room keys – and in the rooms for the coffee and biscuits, the vast vinyl selection and in-room Crossley players, and the cellar, previously an air raid shelter in World War II. That’s the thing about this hotel; it has some quirky elements that are part of the signature brand, that make it feel more like home. And this makes it all the more comfortable.
Image credit: GuestHouse
“We were first drawn to No.1’s Regency Georgian façade and in the ideation process for this property, we wanted to retain the warmth and character of the traditional guest house experience whilst paying homage to the history and roots of the city in which it’s found,” the brothers’ explain when discussion their vision for the York hotel. “The grand-but-friendly exterior is full of charm, and inside there are plenty of intricate details that have survived nearly 200 years since its construction. For instance, the staircase leads guests up to a magical, towering glass dome in the ceiling and down to the cellar, which was an air raid shelter in World War II, where now guests can find a treatment room-focused spa.”
Image credit: GuestHouse
They continue: “We worked closely with local creatives on the interiors and design of No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath as well as for No.1 by GuestHouse, York. We wanted to pay tribute to the city of York with nods to historical heroism with engineering themes, beautifully crafted rugs, and upholstery inspired by the textile industry. At the core of GuestHouse’s ethos, we wanted to continue to champion the work and art of local artists and the community such as local artist Rachel Bernette. Excitingly, for our future openings, we will be enlisting the creativity of our new in-house interior design team to really bring the GuestHouse style and vision to life.”
Image credit: GuestHouse
Design themes are different for every hotel but some hallmark items remain steadfast with all the ingredients for a trusted hotel brand experience. There are some wonderful design touches in the rooms and throughout the hotel – book the Bootham Suite. There are beautiful four-poster beds with Sealy mattresses and 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens, tall, sun-filled windows and luxurious draping curtains, dollhouses that double as coffee cabinets, Crossley record players, and each property has a feature that is relevant to its city base – York has little white roses carved delicately into the walls like a seal of the city’s approval.
Image credit: GuestHouse
Throughout the hotel, there are considered details: in the Marmalade Lounge, there’s colourful art, amber floral displays, old vintage cabinets, deep, rich yellow velvet seating and fascinating coffee tables containing carefully-curated collections. In the bar, plump sofas are placed under a wall gallery and the refreshing blues of the main restaurant seep out onto the outdoor terrace. In the hallways, there are retro framed pictures like ‘How to build a doll’s house’. Then there’s The Pantry, a divine, room-level, sweet shop, packed with treats and drinks to pick at your leisure – it’s not just kids I see sampling the goods.
Image credit: GuestHouse
Image credit: GuestHouse
The basement holds the super lavender-laced spa, a serene space with top-notch treatments. There are just five rooms for spa treatments and a small bespoke menu – offering dreamy treatments using Pinks Boutique organic lotions and oils. Each treatment comes with personalised notes for each guest at the end and oil samples to recreate the experience at home. It’s the little touches that stand out.
“The hotel is small but full of wonder – and perfectly crafted – just like the dollhouses inside.”
The brothers mention the special touch points in the hotel: “At GuestHouse we have incorporated a number of special touch points at our hotels that we feel make for a unique stay for guests to ensure they feel at home from start to end come in the form of complimentary Brompton bike hire, moreish help-yourself pantries, vinyl walls to select records for in-room dancing and much more. Additionally, both No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath and No.1 by GuestHouse, York are within easy reach of London by train in under two hours and offer handy station luggage pick-up service to allow guests to explore the city hands-free as soon as they hop off the train. In every bedroom can be found ‘The Guest List’, a curated guide designed to uncover local tips and tricks. From nearby art galleries, food markets, hidden bookshops, hard-to-miss historical sites, and lesser-known boutiques, the hotels are the perfect launchpad to explore.”
Image credit: GuestHouse
What about sustainability? “As a brand, we are still in our infancy and establishing wider sustainable initiatives for future implementation,” they add. “A key focus for us is to encourage guests to travel via train instead of drive. Our luggage pick-up service is offered free of charge for all guests that visit via train for their stays and means they can immerse themselves in the cities as soon as they arrive.Supporting local makers and producers is particularly important to us, we locally source produce and work with bijou artisans to support the community in both York and Bath. In York, we have a strong relationship with Andrew Thwaite, a local chocolatier for any artisanal chocolate needs and the pantry goods are supplied by the likes of Yorkshire Popcorn.”
The restaurant dishes up a small but contemplative menu of excellent plates with a Yorkshire focus. Try a tasty Old Fashioned Parkin, the signature cocktail before dining on the best of British menu. Breakfast is the dream – order it for your room if you feel like lingering – a bountiful spread of pastries, bacon and sausages from Lishman’s of Ilkley, eggs made-to-order, coffee and fresh juices.
They talk about the culinary experience at the hotel: “Our kitchen and bar team cleverly conjure the essence of great British escapes to create flavours that feel familiar and original all at once. At No.1, there’s the signature cocktail called the Old Fashioned Parkin that transports you to the fireside after a wintry walk in the Dales. And the local honey is so heather-fragrant that it’s as though you’re rambling in the wildest nature of the North York Moors.”
Image credit: GuestHouse
What are their future plans? “From the off in 2019, our grand objective was to launch five hotels in five years. We are moving in a positive direction and will have four hotels under the GuestHouse umbrella by 2023 with the launch of GuestHouse in Margate and Brighton. We want to be in amazing locations and fantastic towns and great buildings and there are not many of those, so it’s a niche thing we are looking for, so when they do come up, we do want to jump at the opportunity. We’re continuing to cherry-pick iconic buildings in the heart of vibrant cities and reimagine them on the inside with a GuestHouse twist. We have our exciting Margate and Brighton hotels launching next in the pipeline and we will continue to evolve in the years to come. Watch this space.”
The takeaway? If you want to tap into your inner child, book into No.1. Fun, luxurious rooms with exceptional interiors, an excellent spa, and great food and drink, all make for a pampering city stay – the brothers have found the magic formula. The hotel is small but full of wonder – and perfectly crafted – just like the dollhouses inside.
Introducing the top 25 Brit List Hoteliers of 2022
This month has been punctuated by the editorial series celebrating the publication of The Brit List 2022. Following on the designers and architects that we have already profiled, here is the third and final instalment in this series. Introducing top 25 hoteliers in Britain — individuals who have not only made their presence felt on an increasingly crowded stage, but have also been catalysts for change and moving the industry forward…
So much more than an award ceremony and a trophy, The Brit List Awards is both a celebration and a conclusion. It is a celebration of talent and achievement, and the conclusion of a year of hard work on all fronts in the hospitality and design arenas. This is the third and final post in this series where we share the movers and shakers on all fronts of hospitality who make up the chapters of the The Brit List 2022 publication — with that being said, we present you with the top 25 hoteliers in Britain.
Anne Golden, Vice President of Operations for UK & North America, Pan Pacific Hotels Group
Image credit: Pan Pacific Hotels
Anne Golden was invited to join Pan Pacific Hotels Group, as General Manager, in 2019 to oversee the pre-opening, launch and operation of the group’s first UK/European property that would become the flagship hotel for the company. During the pandemic, Golden oversaw a pre-opening team of 21 working from home to ensure preparations for the opening were all in place. Since then, Golden has been the driving force to establish the hotel as a complete destination for business and leisure, for local and international guests, offering gracious service alongside great drinking and dining outlets, exceptional events spaces and unique wellbeing opportunities. In September 2022, in recognition of her success in London, Golden took on the role of Vice President of Operations for UK & North America in addition to her General Manager status at Pan Pacific London.
Conor O’Leary, Managing Director, Gleneagles
Image credit: Gleneagles
After winning the coveted title of Hotelier of the Year at the Brit List Awards 2018, Conor O’Leary continues to steer the iconic Gleneagles brand forward as it takes on new challenges, while maintaining all the traditional offerings its loyal client base value. O’Leary was appointed as Managing Director in 2020. Since then, he has continued to expand the hotel footprint with the recent addition of the Gleneagles Townhouse, successfully shifting gears from rural to urban hospitality within the same portfolio. Under O’Leary’s guidance, Gleneagles Townhouse, a hybrid hotel and members club offering, has kept the quintessential Gleneagles spirit embedded in different model. Running a legacy hotel within an 850-acre estate is no small task, but due in part to O’Leary’s attention to detail, everything that Gleneagles has to offer looks effortless while the clockwork below the surface runs to a tight schedule. His time at the helm of Gleneagles has coincided with a significant period of investment. His ability to focus on the team behind the brand is what sets Gleneagles, not to mention his management approach, apart.
David Taylor, CEO, Lore Group
Image credit: Lore
David Taylor was promoted to CEO of Lore Group just as the company prepared to launch One Hundred Shoreditch, the company’s sixth hotel and its second in London. Taylor joined the group in 2020 as Chief Operating Officer, steering its global portfolio of properties through the pandemic. His history in Shoreditch, having opened the original Hoxton hotel in Shoreditch in 2006, made the appointment particularly appropriate and significant. With more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Taylor has been at the forefront of some of the most exciting hospitality brands throughout the last two decades, from launching the EDITION brand in 2013 to leading the Principal Hotel portfolio for Starwood Capital, where he held the role of Chief Operating Officer. Following much anticipation, One Hundred Shoreditch opened its doors earlier this year to critical acclaim from both within the industry and beyond, and Taylor has been pivotal in ensuring that launch interest has translated into loyal support.
Edward Workman, CEO, The Newt in Somerset
Image credit: The Newt Somerset
Reinventing a country estate is no easy feat. As CEO at The Newt in Somerset, Edward Workman has played an integral part in the transformation of a rural site into a luxury hotel. His experience in the hospitality industry has taken him across several creative platforms, and it is this creativity, along with a strong team building focus, that has helped him steer The Newt on the path to being one of the most sought-after boutique destination hotels in the UK. Drawing on his experience working with organisations like Hauser & Wirth, through to the critically acclaimed Fife Arms Hotel in Scotland, the hotel has become the meeting point of gallery and hospitality, on an impressively large canvas. Operating far more than just a hotel, Workman has had to develop a team across multiple offerings, from the farm to the table, while running a contemporary boutique hotel alongside a traditional estate setting. There is a strong narrative running through the hotel and its grounds, and The Newt in Somerset has played a key role in bringing the experience concept into the hotel remit. It is about community and collaboration and Workman has ensured that the hotel has immersed itself in both. More so than many others, this is a hotel that is continually evolving, changing with the seasons while bringing new options and offerings to the table.
Elli Jafari, Managing Director, The Standard, London
Image credit: The Standard
Elli Jafari has been instrumental to the success of The Standard flagship in London, from the moment it opened, making a statement as the first opening outside of the US for The Standard Group. Jafari joined the 226-key hotel as General Manager, and within a short space of time was promoted to Managing Director in 2021. Before heading up The Standard London, she had major roles with W Hotels and Morgans Hotel Group, as well as being Managing Director for The Curtain Hotel & Members club. This experience, along with her personal style and energy, has equipped her for the role at The Standard London, making both a strong and stylish statement while simultaneously steering a successful team through unpredictable times. Jafari has ensured that the curiosity and energy of the opening continues on a day-to-day level with the hotel’s demanding schedule of high-profile events. Maintaining the industry spotlight on the property and the brand within the extremely competitive London scene requires the ability to step outside the traditional hospitality box to keep in step with the brand vision of ‘un-standard-ness’.
Franck Arnold, Managing Director & Regional Vice-President, The Savoy Hotel
Image credit: The Savoy Hotel
In 2020, Franck Arnold stepped into the role of Managing Director at The Savoy, one of London’s most iconic luxury hotels that has always prided itself on being ‘just slightly ahead’. Prior to this, his 30 years’ experience in the industry has included working with brands like Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, IHG and Ritz Carlton to name just a few. This experience has been integral in his role at The Savoy where he has been able to elevate the historic brand while injecting it with a current and contemporary energy, seamlessly merging the two. His vision has resulted in the reinvention of the historic Savoy forecourt, Solas, through to imagining a Savoy take-out mid pandemic. last year, keeping a finger on the pulse of contemporary culture alongside traditional luxury to ensure the historical brand maintains its position, the Royal Suite by Gucci was timeously unveiled. It is this combination of iconic brand with innovation that continues to mark Arnold’s time at the helm of The Savoy, driving it forward during a time when competition on the London luxury hotel scene is fierce. Not only is Arnold currently Managing Director at The Savoy, but he continues to direct and impact the hospitality sector more broadly as a Regional Vice President for Fairmont, while overseeing operations at Sofitel London St James, Sofitel Legend the Grand Amsterdam, and Fairmont Windsor Park.
Gareth Banner, Group Managing Director, The Ned
Image credit: The Ned
Gareth Banner has played a key role at some of London’s top hospitality properties, and now, in his role as Group Managing Director at the Ned, he continues to influence the hospitality arena, as the hotel remains as ambitious and demanding. With a team around the 900 mark, in nine restaurants plus spa, gym and the combination of hotel and members club model, this is no ordinary management role. Banner has been a protagonist in ensuring that The Ned delivers on all fronts, as a hotel, as a place to meet, to work and to socialise. Despite the sheer size of the project, Banner’s leadership style remains essentially hands-on, seeing himself as part of a team, and importantly making sure he maintains a relationship with the guests. Having cemented his role as a key player on the London hospitality scene, his role as Group Manager will see him extending this influence to New York and Doha as the year unfolds.
Giovanni Valentini, Vice President of Operations and New Openings, The Fellows House Cambridge Curio Collection by Hilton
Image credit: The Fellows House, Cambridge
As Vice President of Operations, Giovanni Valentini is responsible for the overall running of The Fellows House, Curio Collection by Hilton in Cambridge, a unique, luxury aparthotel. The past year has been particularly challenging due to post-pandemic recovery efforts and lingering Brexit issues that have impacted staffing and acquisition of resources. The increasing supply chain prices have also pushed the industry to be more creative and supportive of local economies. During this unstable period, Valentini and his team had to create a solid, successful strategy to continue to offer the best experience and hospitality to guests from all over the world. Valentini’s passion for The Fellows House and his inventive, intuitive thinking have led to enormous success, which is seen in the record breaking rate, occupancy, and retention levels. With continually good reviews and increased social media engagement, Valentini’s positive attitude, alongside great enthusiasm, has driven every employee throughout good and bad times.
Grace Leo, Managing Partner, Relais Retreats
Image credit: Relais Retreats
Under Grace Leo’s leadership, The Relais Henly, which was where the vision of Relais Retreats started, has now been joined by The Relais Cooden Beach where she continues to roll out her signature style of luxury in the English countryside. The properties are all about understated, localised luxury in a context in which Leo makes sure that the local fabric is reflected. For her, luxury is all about authenticity and an uncompromising approach to aesthetics and detail. Demonstrating a strong conviction in the future of hospitality, Leo embarked on this project during the height of the pandemic. Her insistence on delivering a sense of place, along with a particular considered luxury that manages resources sensitively, is the driving force behind this portfolio. Both projects are going from strength to strength and there are more Relais plans in the pipeline. The Relais brand underpins Leo’s key strengths, which are strong leadership skills, strategic and financial oversight, creative market positioning and branding.
Guillaume Marly, Managing Director, Hotel Café Royal
Image credit: Hotel Café Royal
Hotel Café Royal, part of the London-based curated hotel portfolio, The Set, has been under the leadership of Guillaume Marly as Managing Director since 2017. Marly has been an integral part of the journey to develop Hotel Café Royal as a truly iconic luxury destination in the London market, epitomising all that The Set stands for with a focus on delivering guests the essence of a location through contemporary design and traditional service. Stepping up the trademark mix of the old with the new to a fresh level of luxury, the Hotel Café Royal reflects both, earning it the title of ‘London’s modern grand hotel.’ The hotel is perfectly located, straddled between the elegance of Mayfair and the vibrant energy of Soho. Marly brings his wealth of experience to the table, ensuring that the hotel amplifies the best of both neighbourhoods. Believing that leadership is best done by example, he works hand in hand with the hotel team to continually strengthen the hotel’s position in the market. The hotel focusses on both design and delivery of service, along with an element of tradition. All of these elements are visible in the stylish and contemporary rooms and suites, as the design of the hotel answers to the discerning demands of the contemporary traveller. From cutting-edge wellness and spa offerings to traditional afternoon tea, Marlys attention to detail and guest experience in the F&B areas has ensured that the hotel continues to stand out with its own grand personality.
Hector Ross, Founder and Managing Partner, The Signet Collection
Image credit: The Signet Collection
In a remarkably short space of time, Hector Ross has not only set up a brand-new hospitality business, The Signet Collection, but has completed two projects, both involving an extensive restoration and imaginative design of historic buildings that are now part of the collection. The first project, The Mitre Hotel in Hampton Court, was on hotel and hospitality ‘hot lists’ within days of opening. The second property, The Retreat Elcot Park, followed close on its heels. Housed in a Grade II listed, 18th-century building, located between Hungerford and Newbury in the North Wessex Downs, the luxury hotel, set in magnificent grounds, cemented Ross’ reputation as both hotelier and developer. Ross has been involved in both projects from start to finish, in the design and building, through to the delivery of the uniquely focussed guest experience, which has been so well received and has been designed to set the properties apart. His hands-on approach is all about the combination of great design within historically significant properties. There is a strong design aesthetic that runs through the portfolio, but this is done with an emphasis on the unique – a quirky take on tradition that has captured the imaginations of travellers and guests.
Hubert Viriot, CEO, YOTEL
Image credit: YOTEL
Hubert Viriot is CEO of YOTEL, best known for its compact hotels in major airport locations. Over the past two years, Viriot has spearheaded a rapid expansion of the innovative brand, opening nine hotels across Europe and North America since the start of 2020. While competitor brands laid low, he made challenging decisions and jumped on the opportunities in preparation for post-pandemic recovery. Viriot joined YOTEL in May 2014 to roll out an aggressive growth strategy targeting city centres and international airports in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Under his leadership, YOTEL has expanded from a portfolio of three properties to 22 operating hotels around the globe, including five in the UK, located in some of the world’s most sought-after city centre locations. In line with YOTEL’s sustainability strategy of supporting the development of intelligent buildings, designed with the future in mind, recent success has been secured through the ability to convert existing buildings into the YOTEL concept. YOTEL Glasgow, for example, opened in 2021 following the conversion of the Westergate building – a disused office block built in 1986 and located right beside the city’s Central Station. The reuse and refurbishment of the structure enabled YOTEL to breathe new life into an existing building.
Jacqui Griffiths, General Manager, Stock Exchange Hotel
Image credit: Stock Exchange Hotel
With considerable experience across brands like Hotel du Vin, Malmaison and most recently Native, Jacqui Griffiths was appointed General Manager at Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester in 2021, after its 2019 opening, following an extensive six-year renovation. Under her leadership, Stock Exchange Hotel became the first hotel in Manchester to become part of the Small Luxury Hotels portfolio. As a woman in hospitality, she has been described as being ‘the embodiment of women building staircases for other women to climb’. Her approach to running the hotel means that she is involved on every level from the flawless guest experience Stock Exchange Hotel has become known for, to ensuring the smooth running of back-of-house. Griffiths has ensured that the hotel is constantly taking on new challenges in the F&B offerings and integrating them seamlessly into the hotel experience. The recent addition of Sterling on the lower ground floor of the hotel has further ensured that Griffiths and Stock Exchange continue to play a key role in pushing the food and beverage scene in Manchester forward.
James Clarke, General Manager, Hilton Bankside London
Image credit: Hilton Bankside London
James Clarke has always aimed, as a leading General Manager, to challenge conventional hospitality. This simple mission led him and his team on many routes that include sustainable approaches to hospitality while sheltering a sensory design experience unlike any other. The hotel is anything but a conventional hospitality experience. In 2018, it partnered with Bombas & Parr to create a unique multi-sensory meeting room inside its hotel, under the name The Agora. From flooding the room with scented air at the push of a button to specially curated objects designed to increase productivity, mood improving lighting installations and refreshments designed to recharge physiologically, every detail is based on the science and psychology of fruitful human interactions and innovation. The rooms take inspiration from their location on Bankside, with a central table featuring inlaid ley lines pointing to important sites of creativity nearby, such as The Globe, The Tate and Royal Festival Hall.
Javier Beneyto, General Manager, COMO Metropolitan London and COMO The Halkin
Image credit: COMO
Javier Beneyto joined COMO Hotels and Resorts in 2012, as Acting General Manager of COMO Cocoa Island in the Maldives before filling the same role in London at COMO The Halkin. He then moved to the United States as a Pre-Opening General Manager of COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach, before relocating to Bali to oversee the pre-opening of COMO Uma Canggu. In 2018, he returned to the UK as General Manager of COMO Metropolitan London and in 2020 he was also named as General Manager of the second London COMO property, COMO The Halkin. In short, Beneyto lives and breathes the COMO brand. In 2019, Beneyto played a key role in the re-launch of the brand’s Brick Street Residences, ten luxury accommodations adjacent to COMO Metropolitan London, following a complete renovation. This was pivotal for COMO, as it meant they could offer the same five-star facilities and services as the hotel to guests looking for a more discreet, private long or short-term stay. This year has seen him instrumental in the launch of COMO’s Hertford Street Residences, adjacent to COMO Metropolitan London. Beneyto is currently leading the reopening of COMO The Halkin in September which is undergoing a complete renovation.
Kurt Macher, General Manager, Shangri-la Hotel at the Shard London
Image credit: Shangri-la Hotel
Since joining Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard London as General Manager three years ago, Kurt Macher has softened the character of the hotel, injecting life and colour in a way that has earned the hotel success as one of London’s best-loved hotels for celebrations across the UK and internationally. He has been an exceptional force in reimagining the hotel as a space for escapism from the everyday to a place that is warm, welcoming, and unforgettable, a Shangri-La in the true sense of the word. Macher has masterminded now-staple experiences at its flagship London property to give flavour to its special brand of luxury with personality, and include immersive themed decorations centred around occasions close to the hearts of guests and the local community. He believes in taking personalised service to the next level and this is reflected in other popular initiatives he has put in place. Recently, his efforts in transforming Shangri-La, London into a welcoming and warm hotel for celebrations of all kinds have been recognised by the wider Shangri-La group with a new position, Innovation & Luxury Customer Experience Lead for the Group across Middle East, Europe, India and Americas. This recognition of Macher’s innovative thinking will see him consulting other hotels within the brand to create even more magical experiences for guests in other parts of the world.
Lina Zakzeckyte, General Manager, Hart Shoreditch
Image credit: Hart Shoreditch
Hart Shoreditch was one of the very few hotels open during England’s second Covid-19 lockdown, running on an extremely limited workforce in order to offset payroll and overall hotel expenses. This was a particularly challenging time for the hotel employees, but Lina Zakzeckyte was able to motivate her staff and create a strong sense of morale. With determination and incredible teamwork, Hart Shoreditch was back to full occupancy by the end of August 2020. An incredible feat. More recently, Zakzeckyte has gone above and beyond to solidify Hart Shoreditch as a central hub in Shoreditch for those who work from home. By creating a communal table in the hotel lobby, self-entrepreneurs are invited to find creativity and a sense of community within the area. Currently, Zakzeckyte has been central in developing the partnership with Atelier Roc for London Design Festival 2022. Hart Shoreditch has partnered with Atelier Roc to showcase the first limited-batch throw collection, taking visitors through the journey of the design and fabrication process. Wanting to ensure that the partnership went beyond London Design Festival, Zakzeckyte has commissioned permanent pieces that will be integrated into the hotel design.
Michael Bonsor, Managing Director, Rosewood London
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels
Michael Bonsor has been with the Rosewood London since the start of its journey and has worked tirelessly to ensure that a hotel labelled as being ‘off the beaten track’ has both claimed and retained its position amongst some tough competition on the London luxury hospitality landscape. Bonsor began his career at the Four Seasons, and his experience includes time at Claridges before taking more than 17 years of luxury hotel management experience to The Rosewood. Having used the time during the pandemic to re-evaluate, Bonsor has always maintained a finely tuned focus on appealing to the local luxury market. Under his leadership The Rosewood has constantly been pushed the boundaries of creativity on the on the F&B concepts sheltered within the hotel, viewing this as a key element in attracting Londoners and maintaining a loyal and local client base. Concepts like the Scarfe Bar and the Macallan Manor House has kept the hotel at the forefront of desirable destinations in the capitol. In addition to award winning F&B offerings, Bonsor looks after the hotel’s impressive 308 rooms and suites, 11 event spaces and three restaurants and bars – ensuring that all remain current. The hotel has more than a few trophies on the shelf, having been awarded Best Hotel in London by Conde Nast Traveller, Best Hotel by GQ Magazine and Hotel of the Year by The Caterer, to name a few – and all these awards have been under Bonsor’s leadership as he puts an essential London spin on the ‘Rosewood Sense of Place’ ethos.
Paul Bayliss, Regional General Manager, Hotel Brooklyn Hotels
Image credit: Brooklyn Hotels
Paul Bayliss is an award-winning pioneer in accessible design and conscious hospitality, leading the way in Europe through its facilities and services. He has been at the forefront of the hospitality industry, leading the Manchester Hoteliers Association, Europe’s Largest hospitality Association, through a time of change. Hotel Brooklyn is all about a luxury experience, with accessibility at its core, Bayliss has ensured that Hotel Brooklyn properties are inclusive safe zones for all employees. As certificated members of the Greater Manchester Disability Charter, all employee roles were open to applicants with disabilities. Bayliss signed up to Manchester’s Disability Charter and has worked closely for many years with Pure Innovations providing work placements and full employment for people with special needs. He is an outstanding example of a leader, operating at the forefront of society’s challenges, striving constantly for others to be included and creating the best opportunities for them. With ambitious plans for Hotel Brooklyn’s future, Bayliss’ continued work with the brand will ensure ‘accessibility for all’ finally becomes the norm for luxury hotels.
Paul Rafferty, General Manager, The Mayfair Townhouse
Image credit: The Mayfair Townhouse
Paul Rafferty has been with The Mayfair Townhouse for its entire journey– starting pre-opening as Director of Rooms, then Deputy General Manager, and finally earlier this year being appointed General Manager. His personality and professional impact on the success of the hotel is part of its fabric, from the day-to-day running through to its vision of the luxury hospitality market. The Mayfair Townhouse is the fifth British hotel in the Luxury Hotels brand portfolio and Rafferty has been part of the Townhouse journey since the beginning. Although he is now at the helm as General Manager, Rafferty has experience across the board in hospitality which he has brought with to the running of the hotel and its offerings like The Dandy Bar. His personal style and innovative approach to hospitality has been integrated into the brand to help define its place on the London hotel scene. The hotel breaks away from the usual Luxury Hotel mold and is a bit more irreverent and playful, yet Rafferty has ensured that personalised and intuitive service is what sets The Mayfair Townhouse apart. It is the combination of history with contemporary design that has ensured that the hotel received media attention, but it is Rafferty’s attention to detail and unfailing delivery of approachable luxury that makes sure the hotel continues to command attention.
Ray Goertz, General Manager, The Prince Akatoki London
Image credit: The Prince Akatoki
Ray Goertz achieved a Five Star Forbes rating for the hotel a year after it was rebranded as The Prince Akatoki London, one of 21 luxury hotels in London to achieve this coveted title. His outreach to the community during and after the pandemic has shown the warm-hearted nature of what Goertz believes hospitality is all about. This has included significant gestures such as welcoming senior citizens from the local area, through Age UK, to come and enjoy afternoon tea in the Prince Akatoki after the pandemic ended in 2021.As an experienced hotelier, Goertz understands how important it is to appreciate and be part of the local community. Aside from the demands of the day-to-day running of the hotel, he continually makes the time to reach out to all sectors, donating over a hundred warm duvets to the local shelter as part of the hotel’s outreach programme in London. Under his leadership, the hotel has also welcomed Ukrainian workers in the hotel, who are now thriving and loving their London experience in hospitality. Goertz’s leadership style makes him both successful and popular with his team, as well as within the community more broadly.
Robert Godwin, Managing Director, Lamington Group
Image credit: Lamington Group
Robert Godwin, Managing Director of Lamington Group and Co-Founder of room2 hometels, has gone beyond the remit of hotelier to offer exceptional and sustainable hospitality. With the most recent hotel opening of room2 Chiswick, the world’s first whole life net-zero hometel, Godwin has shown that sustainable tourism is possible, without sacrificing style, convenience or comfort. He has pushed past existing boundaries to create innovative features in the hotel, achieving a ‘world first’ and creating a hotel that is predicted to use 89 per cent less energy than any other UK hotel. The property uses a range of unique features, from underground heat pumps to the blue roof system that reduces the chances of local flooding. But perhaps the most inventive sustainable feature in room2 Chiswick is the three-in-one in room recycling bin. Having struggled to find a bin that kept in line with the company’s values, Godwin and his team designed and manufactured a bespoke bin to include waste, recycling and food waste, ensuring 100per cent of waste is recycled or converted into energy off-site. Lamington Group, owner of room2 hometels, is to be completely net zero by 2030; 20 years ahead of the Paris Agreement. All future properties under Godwin’s leadership will be built to a Whole Life Carbon Net Zero standard as the group hopes to show by example that it is necessary for hotels to contribute to the ongoing battle against climate change. The team at room2 Chiswick are also working with a nature-based reforesting partner in Nicaragua to calculate their footprint and offset for the unavoidable emissions.
Robin Hutson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, THE PIG Hotels
Image credit: THE PIG Hotels
Having been awarded Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2021, in no minor part due to his energetic ‘Seat at the Table’ campaign, Robin Hutson continues to lead the team at The PIG Hotels and take the trendsetting collection of country hotels to new heights. With a significant recent investment in the group, Hutson remains at the helm to maintain what has become the much-loved essence of the brand while expanding and developing the brand. With 45 years’ experience, Hutson has led some of the world’s most famous hotels, including, but not limited to, Claridge’s, The Berkeley, Hotel de Crillon and Hotel de Vin. Between 1995 and 2008, he was Chairman of Soho House Group, assisting Nick Jones shape the ambitious expansion of the game-changing brand into Europe and the US. Hutson continues to champion hoteliers and the industry more broadly as well as developing mentoring programmes to encourage young people into the hospitality trade and ensuring that keeping things local applies to more than the food on the table.
Stuart Geddes, Managing Director, The Lanesborough
Image credit: The Lanesborough
In 2019, Stuart Geddes left his position as General Manager of The Goring Hotel to join The Lanesborough as Hotel Manager, with the aim to help the Oetker Collection property reinforce its position as a market leader on the luxury hospitality scene in London. Two years later, Geddes was promoted to Managing Director, following the most challenging 18 months the industry has perhaps ever experienced. Geddes’ respect for heritage while ‘constantly pushing for creativity and innovation, has meant he has been able to lead the 93-key hotel into a new chapter of hospitality. He brings a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry to his new position, having worked in some of the finest hotels in London, including the Ritz, before moving to the Goring, and then on to The Lanesborough, and as a result has made an indelible impression across the landmark luxury hospitality market. The Lanesborough is a quintessentially British landmark which delivers a bespoke product to guests, and Geddes knows what it takes to deliver the ultra-luxury experience that is expected from the hotel. With a trademark attention to detail, he is as focussed on the day-to-day operations, as he is on ensuring that the elegant Regency-style décor lives up to every expectation. Never complacent about the position the hotel occupies, he continues to work on elevating the hotel experience, securing collaborations with like-minded brands to refresh the guest experience.
Zoë Jenkins, General Manager, Coworth Park
Image credit: Coworth Park
Set in 240 acres of Berkshire parkland, Coworth Park is the Dorchester Collection’s only country house hotel. It is, as Hotel Designs described it, ‘the group’s secret weapon’. Since opening the hotel as General Manager in 2010, Zoë Jenkins has been committed to ensuring that guests have the best possible hospitality experience, and that her team have an enjoyable environment to work in. The hotel recently launched new accommodation within the estate’s gatehouse. North Lodge is the latest addition to Coworth Park’s 22 suites, and unlike the rest of the estate, the three-bedroom cottage was not created by an award-winning interior design studio. Instead, the space was designed by the people who knew the DNA of Coworth Park best; Jenkins and Director of Rooms, Rowan McFeat. A marriage of the pair’s‘ expertise in hospitality and a confidence in knowing what the guests desire’, the suite was restored and designed to capture the hotel’s charm and residential origins.
This article has been published as part of a three-part editorial series, where we have listed and shared The Brit List 2022, a publication referencing the top 75 interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain. Entries will open for The Brit List Awards 2023 in the summer of 2023.
Rounding off a landmark year celebrating 50 years of Skopos, Alpha 11, one of Skopos’ first ever designs is being renamed, reimagined, and brought to the forefront again…
Celebrating 50 years of design and manufacture in contract textiles, Skopos has been marking this milestone every month by looking back at some of the standout designs that have come off its drawing board, and putting them back in the design spotlight with the launch of its 50th Anniversary Collection.
Alpha 11 — literally design number 11 in the Skopos design portfolio — made its first appearance in the 1970s. Effective in its simplicity, the design was a two-colour print featured in the original Skopos folder. A design that explored the relationship between shape and pattern, to form a simple repeat and horizontal stripe on a coloured background. The design team have revisited the relationship between positive and negative spaces to form an abstract graphic vertical stripe, tapping into the current trend for retro design and1970s styling. Renamed as Enteka (Greek for eleven) this new design is being offered in two colourways for December.
Image credit: Skopos
Partnering Enteka for December the second design appears as a seasonally-apt icy medallion; Pompadour was a hero design within the Skopos Erddig & Elle collection from 2012. A collection of contrasting designs, masculine versus feminine, Erddig & Elle was one of the last wet-printed collections, which fused the idea of wet print with modern digital printing techniques within one collection. Playing with designs on silk-style cloths, digitally printing motifs on velvet and including a raised minerfoam relief design, the collection was experimental in every way. Pompadour injected elegance into the collection in the form of a large-scale motif, perfect for curtains, cushions and bedding. A move on from Pomadour, the Nivis design retains the icy twinkle, shifting tone and texture into a modern interpretation for the Anniversary collection.
The Skopos designs for December are available on any of its standard print base-cloths and are being offered in two colourways for immediate order. For alternative colourways, in-line with minimum order requirements, the design team will be able to help.
Skopos 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.
5 hotel concepts that were out of this world in 2022
Designers, architects and hoteliers have answered the brief in style, calling for innovative, ground-breaking and conscious hospitality developments that will change the game in luxury travel forever. Editor Hamish Kilburn shares his top picks of hotel concepts that broke boundaries in 2022…
Albert Einstein famously once said it best: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” It feels somewhat apt to quote a scientist given given the influence neuroscience is having over hotel design and hospitality in 2022. This year, it’s like someone opened the floodgates to allow for a rush of ideas, concepts and blue-sky thinking that referenced weird and wonderful possibilities for the future of hotel design.
Just when we thought we had seen in all on the editorial desk, along comes a concept, now in development, for a 106-long mirrored city in Saudi Arabia, London’s largest timber development and hotel brands entering the metaverse – and that was all in the last few months alone.
With so much noise, it can be hard to take a moment to soak it all in, which is why we have broken down our list – a wishlist, if you like, of future hotels we would love to check in to – to focus on just five hotel concepts that we think will transform the hotel design landscape.
Image caption: A sneak peek render of the suite in the hotel concept designed by the students at L’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique. | Image credit: Accor Design Awards
Image caption: A render showing the exterior of the cabin, designed by L’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique. | Image credit: Accor Design Awards
Our next project doesn’t come from a well-known interior design or architecture studio. Nor does it come from an established brand. Instead, our next project comes from a handful of students – in many ways, our future – who entered the Accor Design Awards last year, and came out of it with a concept that the judges deemed ‘a highlight’ from the campaign.
The Coccon project, a hotel concept unveiled by the students from L’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique, was one of the highlights of Accor Design Awards in 2021. The sustainable shells of each ‘cabin’ or ‘suite’ stunned the judges with the designers’ level of creativity, flair and knowledge of innovative materials.
The hotel presented to the judges catered to the rising demand of bleisure travel. Forget the typical corporate shell, though, because this hotel suite concept – made from biopolymer, local wood and other eco-friendly elements – has been designed for the future as a one-off travel experience in Africa.
Mirror mirror on the wall – and around my city
Image credit: Neom
The next project in our edit is like looking at a future episode of black mirror; it’s like a futuristic version of the Handmade’s Tale. But make no mistake, this concept is not only real – it’s happening. Since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced that he wanted to turn a stretch of dessert in Saudi Arabia, roughly the size of Belgium, into a high-tech linear city that will be contained within a mirrored wall, things have developed somewhat speedily. New images have emerged all over the internet showing the foundations for the project, known as The Line that is part of the Neom development, taking shape.
For some, the idea of living in a mirrored city is a step too far. Nonetheless, its unconventional approach to city design has got us thinking about the future, especially as this month Hotel Designs is focusing its editorial gaze on weird and wonderful hotel concepts.
To the metaverse, and beyond
Render credit: LEVEN
I’m thinking of a place that has no latitude or longitude. In fact, it’s not a place at all. Where am I? Who knows is most honest answer, but many are calling it the metaverse, and, following recent a recent experience, it’s not as scary as it sounds. Earlier this year, brands such as citizenM and LEVEN caused a PR storm by announcing their first steps (for mankind) in the metaverse. It may not be a conversation that everyone wants to listen to – or get involved with, at the moment, but ignore this technological new chapter at your peril. It’s clear that businesses are investing in this space, and given how hospitality has always answered to the rear behaviours of people, virtual reality is slowly starting to integrate into the physical world to offer an experience hotels today just cannot match.
Rocking the boat in luxury hospitality
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
It may not be the first luxury hotel brand to launch a floating vessel, but Four Seasons’ very recent announcement to unveil a ‘floating hotel’ was something of a splash in the world of hospitality and travel. With interiors by Tillberg Design of Sweden and London-based Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, and with Prosper Assouline at the helm of creative direction, the Four Seasons Yachts, sheltering 95 cabins, is taking the hotel experience on board and sailing into the sunset with its first voyage expected in 2025.
Panel discussion: members only – exclusivity or community?
A panel of interior designers and hoteliers took over the stage at HIX to discuss the ever-changing arena of hotel members’ clubs, all with a nuanced take on the concept. Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs, moderated the conversation to dig a little deeper into the ‘members only’ model…
As the conversation in the hospitality trade becomes increasingly louder about making connections, community and creativity, the concept behind a members’ club has taken on new dimensions as hotels seek out paths that can set them aside. Naturally, this was a hot topic at HIX, the experience-led trade show that this year sheltered discussions that went further than any other conference seminar programme.
The conversation around hotel members’ clubs on the HIX Talks stage started at the beginning, at the point of concept and creativity, with Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs, asking the panel to expand on the factors that pushed them to launch, or, in some cases pivot, the hotel experience to include a space for private members.
What was clear throughout the discussion was the a sense of community, at the heart of all members’ clubs, mixed with the need to identify and then facilitate the growth of authentic, organic communities. Developing an understanding of what a members’ club can do for a hotel experience is as important as having a very clear understanding of what members want and expect from the club.
Image credit: The Other House
Referencing The Other House in particular, designed by Bergman Design House with architecture by Falconer Chester Hall, Heaton addressed the process of creating and launching a new members club. “We approached The Other House through a residential lens rather than a conventional hotel perspective,” she said. “The brand will be a ‘second home’ for its guests – their other house – and they can live like a resident, for as long as they are in town. Our aim was to create a second home for our residents for as long as they were in town – quite simply to be their other house. It was just a short step from there to arrive at the The Other House!”
Image credit: The Twenty Two
Picking up the designer baton, Natalia Miyar took a closer look at what it means to deliver a design-driven members’ club, understanding the importance once again of knowing your target community in order to really define the design expectations in an area reserved for members only. Is the space merely an extension of the hotel, separate but equal, or is a strong differential required? In the case of The Twenty Two, the design of the members’ club interacts with the hotel as a whole. Key to integrating and layering spaces is, according to Miyar, “to take a sequential approach.” Guests should be able to move through the space both practically and visually, using tools like colour and framing. The members’ club needs to be part of this journey, yet bring a whole lot more to the metaphorical table.
What all the brands on the stage had in common was a boldness of both design, and of purpose. King discussed the next steps in the Birch story, following on from the oasis that the brand created in Hertfordshire, which was designed by Red Deer in 2020. The new plans involve the re-wilding of a golf course — it is strong statements of intent like this that speaks to the Birch community, setting it apart and creating a sense of shared purpose. Everyone agreed that a consistency of brand messaging was key to the process of growing the members club concept, but never from a cookie-cutter perspective – while consistency is key, so too is personality and individuality.
Image credit: Birch
Social changes have clearly fed into the growing interest in members clubs as both work and leisure habit have changed fundamentally. People are exploring and enjoying the freedom of ‘work from home’ while not necessarily wanting to ‘work at home’. The boundaries between work and leisure have blurred and the these ‘clubs’ reflects this and is being driven forward by it as guests seek out their tribe based on design and interests beyond the confines of an office.
This is where programming becomes an important element in the concept, with curated events and experiences for members. For some, like The Other House and The Twenty Two, the club culture is more fuelled by aesthetic, while you could argue, Birch and the Sircle Collection are more experiential and event-based. What they do all clearly share is a focus within the members-only club on both wellness and F&B offering that is reflected in the industry more broadly. In all of these brands, the expectation of the members-only guest, on all of these fronts, is high.
Image credit: Birch
Taking the conversation into the realm of technology, the level to which technology is being integrated into the guest experience threw up both practical and aesthetic considerations. As Heaton asserted that guests want the hotel experience in general to be ‘less transactional’, The Other House has inserted technology to personalise the hotel experience and sees no contradiction in that process. Technology has a role to play in bringing people together digitally and it is important for the industry to understand how to harness the benefits of technology while retaining the heart of the project. While technology could also be integrated into the design fabric of a hotel, there was the dissenting voice from Miyar, emphasising the importance of at times stepping away from over complicated solutions in design elements such as lighting and maintaining the balance between old school candlelight and statement lighting.
What was clear from this discussion is the need, moving forward, to maintain the balance between brand expansion and growth, while maintaining that sense of a closed yet inclusive community – are the ideas mutually exclusive? As the members-only club model forges ahead, who after all, doesn’t want to be ‘in with the in crowd’?
Spanish hotel brand Meliá Hotels International, placed as the third largest hotel group in Europe, has announced that one in three hotel openings between 2023 and 2026 will be within its luxury portfolio…
The luxury brand rooted in Mediterranean heritage and born in Palma de Mallorca in 1956, has announced an ambitious pipeline along with a commitment to expand its luxury portfolio by 40 per cent over the next three years. This year’s new sustainable leader and first carbon-neutral prototype, Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá in Menorca, strengthened the brand’s position, which is elevated further with key upcoming luxury hotel openings: Palazzo Cordusio, a Gran Meliá Hotel in Milan, Ngorongoro Lodge, a Meliá Collection Hotel in Tanzania, ME Malta, ME Lisbon, ME Guadalajara in Mexico, Paradisus Gran Canaria, Paradisus Salinas in Lanzarote, and Gran Meliá Nha Trang in Vietnam.
“In today’s market, luxury and exclusivity can no longer be defined from one perspective, therefore our luxury brands (Gran Meliá, The Meliá Collection, ME by Meliá, and Paradisus by Meliá) seek to address the world of luxury in different ways. Our mission is to provide conscious travel for an enriching lifestyle,” said Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá Hotels International. “We have an impressive pipeline and our prime luxury hotels will spearhead our continued upwards trajectory, not just in destinations of Meliá’s roots of the Mediterranean, but further afield to Africa and Asia too.”
Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
Palazzo Cordusio, a Gran Meliá Hotel in Milan will be housed in Palazzo Venezia, one of the most iconic Renaissance buildings in the city. Opening in Q3 2023, the emblematic Palazzo Cordusio sets a major milestone in being Gran Meliá’s first Milanese property and reaffirms Meliá’s strengthening footprint in Italy. The hotel will preserve the building’s cultural prestige with the hotel’s historic façade whilst renovating the 84 guestrooms, restaurants and rooftop bar. In-house architect Álvaro Sans will create elegant spaces and sophisticated interiors to entice gourmand-lovers and cultured travellers.
Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
The most recent brand addition to the hotel group, The Meliá Collection, is also opening a new property next year. Further afield to the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, Meliá will launch its fourth luxury hotel in the African country and its first within the Crater itself – Ngorongoro Lodge, a Meliá Collection Hotel. Opening in June 2023, this five-star lodge will complete the brand’s safari circuit, boast the largest – yet still modest – hotel room offering in the Crater, and heighten Meliá’s commitment to sustainability and respectful exploration of the destination with Ngorongoro Conservation Area being a protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; a rare site where wildlife coexists with semi-nomadic Maasai pastoralists.
Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
The newly renovated 56-key hotel will display local artwork and feature neutral tones and traditional designs, coupled with remarkable views across the surrounding untouched landscape and the Crater, and subtle nods to Meliá’s Spanish heritage via guest experiences and culinary concepts. With considered environmental initiatives such as producing the hotel’s own electricity, solar energy and drinking water, employing local Maasai tribe members and collaborating with the Moshi-based NGO Born to Learn, Ngorongoro Lodge will introduce a cultural and eco-conscious hotel for discerning travellers.
Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
Across the Mediterranean, ME Malta will launch on the island’s eastern coast in St Julians in the second half of 2023, presenting a new social and cultural epicentre for cosmopolitan travellers to discover the latest art, culture, music and fashion in the vibrant city. Designed by world-famous architect Zaha Hadid, it will become a new and profound destination to elevate Malta’s urban landscape – and the second ME by Meliá hotel created solely by the late Dame Hadid, following ME Dubai. The hotel’s 140 rooms and suites, spa and meeting spaces will boast bold yet elegant interiors, accompanied by innovative culinary offerings and ME by Meliá’s signature Radio Rooftop Bar where expert mixologists, professional DJs and exciting events will attract local and international guests. With culture at the core of ME by Meliá thanks to its programme ‘The Culture Collective’, and Malta being the official host of EuroPride 2023, this synergy will bring a momentous drive for the destination.
Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
Another ME by Meliá hotel will launch as the brand’s first in the country, with ME Lisbon opening in Q2 2024. Perched up near Parque Eduardo VII, the hotel arrives as the city’s first luxury lifestyle hotel joining the high-end hospitality scene and marks a further milestone for Meliá’s European expansion.
Further afield, ME Guadalajara will open in Q4 2023 as the second ME by Meliá hotel in Mexico as well as the brand’s first urban hotel in Mexico. The brand will bring its unique style, personality and luxury lifestyle approach to one of the most cosmopolitan and cultural cities in the country. ME Guadalajara will comprise 152 rooms and suites, as well as a sky pool and signature rooftop area. In line with other global ME hotels, it will also offer a wide range of outstanding dining experiences.
Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels International’s fourth luxury brand, and currently solely located in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, marks significant news in 2023 with its inaugural European openings: Paradisus Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, in January and Paradisus Salinas, Lanzarote, in March. These resorts will be a blend of the brand’s signature family-friendly luxury approach with Paradisus’ new concept, ‘Destination Inclusive’. A concept that elevates the ‘all-inclusive’ notion to a new level, ensuring that the destination is now an essential part of the holiday experience. Each guest will be able to have a fully unique, immersive and authentic taste of the locality and embrace natural experiences through each resort’s sustainable design and philosophy. Paradisus Salinas will be housed in a building designed by Spanish architect Fernando Higueras, which is part of Lanzarote’s artistic and cultural heritage. The luxury resort will enable guests to discover the island’s culture, explore its natural beauty and delve into a holistic experience.
Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
Heightening the hotel brand’s presence in Asia has been of equal calibre this year, and Meliá is already set to become one of the largest international hotel brands in Vietnam. The forthcoming opening of Gran Meliá Nha Trang in Vega City, Vietnam, in Q2 2023, will reaffirm Meliá’s position in the region and luxury market. Designed to become a symbol of modern architecture, the ultra-luxury hotel’s 99 exclusive beachfront private villas offer elevated space and privacy, with guest experiences pivoting around gastronomy and wellbeing. Meliá’s signature Mediterranean roots are seen through the culinary offering blending Spanish cuisine with local ingredients, accompanied by swimming pools, a Beach Club, a spa and fitness centre for undisturbed escapism.
Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
Across the existing and upcoming portfolio, sustainability is a key component with corporate responsibility and sustainability embedded across Meliá’s social, economic and environmental pillars. Having led the S&P’s Global sustainability ranking in 2019 and 2020, Meliá was named the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe for the third consecutive year in 2021, and Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá set new standards for the group’s ongoing eco-commitment. Since its launch this summer, the hotel has received several awards such as the Rethink Award for the best hotel sustainability and rehabilitation project from the Habitat Futura Group, and has been acknowledged as the Best Sustainability initiative in the Balearic Islands, setting a benchmark for hotel-efficiency and decarbonisation in the Biosphere Reserve destination.
Ideal for high traffic, high design spaces, from a boutique hotel hallway through to a bathroom, the luxury hard wax oiled bespoke engineered oak flooring from Hyperion Tiles combines warmth and elegance…
Hyperion Tiles’ latest bespoke engineered oak flooring offers all the beauty of natural wood, including its warmth, but is much more hardwearing and cost-effective when compared to solid wood floors. “Now is the time to cosy up your hotel to create a warm, welcoming feel for guests with our luxury and affordable floor solutions,” said Richard Skeoch, Director,Hyperion Tiles. “Our engineered oak flooring can provide you with a practical way in which to do this.”
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
This distinctive flooring is available in a wide variety of shades, grains, stains and plank widths, ensuring a design and application to suit any project, irrespective of the size and shape of the floor being reimagined. The engineered oak flooring is also a practical answer as the planks can be applied and fitted to every room from the foyer through to bedrooms and even high-moisture areas, such as bathrooms. Brushed and topped with matte lacquer, the Woodpecker Lynton Seagrass Oak range evokes the look of long-lost timber washed by the waves, making it the ideal choice for any bathroom setting. In the same collection, the Woodpecker Brecon Vintage Oak Herringbone range combines the vibrant character of antique wood with practical waterproof properties, making it the perfect parquet for guestrooms.
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
Hyperion Tiles works closely with hotel owners, designers, specifiers and architects and are available to help designers achieve their vision, providing provide technical knowledge and extensive product information.
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.
Listed as New Zealand’s hottest new hotel opening, Naumi Wellington has opened its doors, marking the seventh property for Singapore based disruptor hotel brand, Naumi Hotels…
Naumi Wellington is a new 62-key hotel arrival that shelters generous oversized rooms, which are more studio apartment than hotel guestroom, ensuring the most comfortable stay with an irrepressible design and style overseen by leading New Zealand designers, Material Creative.
The colour palette reflects the essence of Naumi – colourful and wild with a refined edge. Bold colour blocking in the rooms takes its inspiration from nature: lilac, avocado green, rusty red, subtle turmeric, like the colours of a Wellington sunset tastefully clashing with a contemporary carpet diagonally striped in fluorescent colours. Statement peanut bedside lights by Sweden based, Ovature Studios, feature in every room alongside unique bedside tables, coffee tables, and mirrors by young Kiwi design start-up, Made of Tomorrow. Artwork includes a sustainably designed kina, inspired by the spiky and plump sea urchins endemic to New Zealand, designed by local artist, Andi Regan, made from cable ties dyed in a multitude of colours.
Image credit: Naumi
Image credit: Naumi
The walls of each room are draped in sumptuous velvet that provide soothing acoustics to make guests feel warm and cosy. For full chill factor, the rooms at Naumi Wellington have the largest televisions in the country ready to go with all major streaming services for those times when binge watching and ordering in room service are on the menu. Situated on elevated floor levels, every room has a view either out over Cuba Street or across to the Wellington hills.
“There is a real charm about Naumi hotels, with a brief of no white, we are pushed to use colour in new ways and ensure we create unexpected spaces that bring people together,” said Toni Brandso, Director and Interior Designer at Material Creative.
Image credit: Naumi
Naumi Wellington’s restaurants and bars contribute to the bold statement. Lola Rouge is a celebration of South-East Asia with a menu meticulously crafted by award-winning Executive Chef Kiran Ghate, combining a stunning range of local ingredients, colour, flavour and texture to reflect the Asian influences of Lola Rouge. The extensive drinks menu of boutique wines, cocktails and beers from local craft breweries happily accompany the dishes. Lola Rouge Bar is like stepping into a cabinet of curiosities, a cosy, sumptuous space to nurse a drink under the dim flickers of luxurious lamps. Merging old world glamour with new world romanticism, The Parlour is a pastel-hued dreamscape inspired by light-filled Parisian conservatories as a space to enjoy High Tea and cocktails. Floral sculptural assemblages from renowned New Zealand artist, Judy Darragh adorn the green walls, offset by the high arches framing this saccharine sweet spot.
Image credit: Naumi
“We love the spirit of Wellington – its grit, street art, galleries, cafés, fashion, cocktails and culture. The opening of Naumi Wellington gives guests a brand-new boutique experience in the world’s coolest little capital, unexpected surprises and yet, it still has that home away from home feel about it,” said Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, CEO of Naumi Hotels. ” I am very excited about this new addition to the Naumi portfolio of hotels where we invite guests to experience the whimsical world of Naumi.”
Naumi Wellington shares its dining outlets with its sister property, Naumi Studio Wellington, that is located in the heritage building next door. The Edwardian-era building was originally one of many People’s Palace hotels that were built by the Salvation Army in the late 19th and early 20th century. Naumi Wellington brings the portfolio to a total of seven properties across Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
Rosapetra Spa Resort is preparing to open for its first winter season under the stewardship of Relegance and The Unexpected Collection, the new Italian high-end hospitality brand founded by Antonio Onorato…
The 33 key boutique hotel overlooks the Tofane massif in the Ampezzo Valley, and whilst the property will retain its existing contemporary aesthetic, guests can expect a new and dynamic hospitality style – in both the hotel’s spaces and experiences. The design of Rosapetra Spa Resort is a unique combination of typical Alpine chalet with dolce vita style. Refined yet comfortable and welcoming, stone and local wood feature throughout the property, tastefully partnered with leather, steelwork, mirrors and ambient lighting that create an intimate and seductive atmosphere. These elements are visible in their fullest expression in the five new Dolomites Suites, where Swiss pine wood takes centre stage, ensuring guests restful sleep thanks to the material’s powerful natural calming properties. The generous suites feature a spacious living area with a lounge and dining room, as well as large terraces with views of the spectacular Tofane slopes.
Image credit: Rosapetra Spa Resort
Image credit: Rosapetra Spa Resort
The restaurant, also open to outside guests, will be an attraction from dawn until after dusk, thanks to an innovative new F&B concept. Executive Chef Fabio Manni pays homage to the classic flavours expected at high-altitude, such as black truffle, chestnuts, Jerusalem artichoke, and wild berries, but goes one step further to surprise visitors to Cortina this winter. Local produce from the region is partnered with an unexpected fish menu that brings something new to Cortina’s gastronomic scene.Terrazza26, the open-air lounge and bar named after the upcoming Winter Olympics Milan-Cortina 2026, will be the new winter hotspot for experimental cocktails and hands-on experiences, such as Shake&Drink led by Bar Manager Lucas Kelm, and evening aperitivos with live DJ sets.
Image credit: Rosapetra Spa Resort
At the heart of the resort is the spa, featuring a 12-metre indoor pool with far-reaching views of the Dolomites, Finnish sauna and an outdoor sauna, Mediterranean and Turkish bath, emotional showers and a cold pool. Guests can also tailor their wellness experience with the help of a Personal Spa Assistant.
First impressions count, and the new Impressions Collection from Australian based carpet and rug company Modieus doesn’t disappoint, with its new collection set to make its mark on how the hospitality design sector views Axminister carpet going forward…
This collection from Modieus is as much about design, as it is about technique and innovation and has been created through expert understanding of how to use different yarns effects and carving techniques. Exploring techniques that do not come as standard in Axminster carpet, the collection introduces a specialist use of hard twist yarn to highlight aspects of the design. This intensity of weaving different yarns and hand carving requires specialist skills.
“It started as exploration of how to represent a luxurious hand tufted look in woven Axminster carpet,” explained Xander Okhuizen, Founder, Modieus. “Our design team took the most beautiful characteristics of handmade rugs and cast the impression of these techniques onto Axminster carpet. The result is mind blowing. We have managed to achieve the impossible – a hand tufted look which takes months or even years to create, in an Axminster carpet that can be made in a fraction of the time and cost.”
Image credit: Modieus
“We used three special techniques to transform an Axminster carpet,” said said designer, Leah Manwaring. “Different yarns such as hard twist to give texture and variation to the pile. Hand carving to create shadow lines, highlights, and indents of pattern. And mixing different yarn types to add lustre and shine. Combined these three principals accentuate texture and create a unique look.”
The Impressions Collection has been split into five distinctive design capsules. Modieus designers, Debra Ryan and Leah Manwaring explained the nuances of each.
Impressions made in time — these are designs inspired by mid-century modern influences that have endured. “Here you will find a series of geometric patterns where curved, clean lines contrast against textures that have been stamped, or imprinted. Pure colours inspired by mid-century modern sensibilities are strong navy-charcoal blue, shimmery golds with softly and lightly added tones of blush pink.”
Image credit: Modieus
Impressions made by nature — designs inspired by a pure natural colour palette. “This capsule presents designs in a soft tonal palette of cream and beige, mixed with light earthy browns and yellows. We have taken inspiration from the textures of woollen rugs. Interestingly the word beige is derived from the old French bege meaning undyed wool.”
Image credit: Modieus
Impressions left by taste — this sophisticated coffee-coloured palette, is a tasteful design inspired by evocative taste and colour of a rich earthy coffee bean. “This beige and coffee brown palette takes on a darker hue, as if it has been roasted not unlike coffee beans.”
Impressions left by cultures — these designs are inspired by cultural influences and shifts in time. “This capsule delights in the beauty of an antique kilim rug. Rich, lush colours, aged with a vintage patina. These designs embody a fusion of cultures and styles with geometric and ethnic motifs, and intricate detailing.”
Image credit: Modieus
Image credit: Modieus
Modieus have put much thought and time in developing this new collection. It is considered and insightful, and has pushed the boundaries by taking a new approach to designing, weaving and finishing Axminster carpets. This, combined with the curated inspiration of each capsule makes it a noteworthy addition to the Modieus portfolio.
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.
By 2030, Duravit will reduce its CO2 by 20% – and here’s how
Duravit has responded to the UN climate conference COP 27, which took place last month, by amplifying its mission towards reducing CO2 by producing consciously sustainable bathrooms – from the manufacturing process right through to the end user…
Even in 2022, sustainability remains a buzzword that is fast losing its meaning, with brands using the term without purpose as a way to ‘level up’ and stand out. Therefore it is refreshing to see extensive research, development and progress from companies with the mindset to pull together in order to evolve manufacturing processes across the industry, with the unapologetic aim to set new standards. By working together, and sharing learnings, we as an industry are able to deliver a stronger punch through the noise around sustainability and conscious design.
The stated objective of the UN climate conference COP 27, which took place from November 7 to 18 in Egypt, is to put an end to global warming and its devastating consequences for our climate. While the members of the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change define the guiding principles for sustainable action at a global level in Sharm El Sheikh, every one of us can play our part today in putting less strain on the environment. There are a range of approaches to increased sustainability – including in the bathroom, which is why we decided to hear from one bathroom manufacturer that is making considerable changes.
Preserving resources is one of the key measures we can take to protect the environment. Saving energy releases fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and lower water use prevents soils from drying out. Preserving resources is important for increasing sustainability in the bathroom. This benefits the end customer as it almost always means cost savings – an attractive incentive, especially in times of rising energy prices.
Practical Duravit technologies that can be retrofitted in any bathroom boost cost savings without reducing comfort. For example, modern faucets with an additional FreshStart function offer potential savings because only cold-water flows in the central position. It is only when the handle is deliberately moved to the left that hot water is added to the mix. The Duravit single-lever mixer thereby ensures economical use of energy and resources – without requiring too much extra thought.
LEDs on mirrors and mirrored cabinets reduce resource usage in the bathroom. The intelligent control dims or turns the light off completely as required. Modern night lights, such as those available with the SensoWash® products, can be individually deactivated as needed. In automatic mode the night light only comes on when it gets dark. Because an LED only consumes 85 mW of electricity, energy consumption is negligible.
The Duravit faucets with MinusFlow function allow for a particularly efficient use of the ever-scarcer resource of water. Water consumption when washing hands is reduced by up to 40 percent while ensuring an almost equivalent experience, rising to as much as 60 per cent on the showerheads.
Image caption: Contemporary faucets with the FreshStart function
offer potential savings because only cold water
flows in the central position. Only when the handle
is deliberately moved to the left is hot water added
to the mix. The Duravit AG single-lever mixers
ensure sparing use of energy and resources. | Image source: Duravit AG
Image caption: The Duravit AG faucets with MinusFlow function
allow for a particularly efficient use of the ever
scarcer resource of water, reducing water
consumption when washing hands by up to 40
percent, rising to as much as 60 percent on the
showerheads, while ensuring an almost equivalent
experience. | Image source: Duravit AG
Water-saving flushing technologies on toilets have a huge impact and already enables savings of 290 million litres of fresh water per year in Europe. Duravit AG has been supplying these for the last 15 years. Similarly, Duravit products bear the UWL label (Unified Water Label), which transparently classifies water consumption for the end user.
Durability – the most sustainable concept of all
Durability is an essential aspect of sustainability. This starts at the planning stage: if bathrooms are planned with foresight – and for instance in an age-appropriate manner – they can promote users’ well-being for decades. Contributing factors are not only manufacturing precision and the highest-quality materials, but also a design that remains timelessly modern.
Ceramic production is Duravit’s origin story. Ceramic is one of the world’s oldest cultural materials. Its stability, robustness, and use of purely natural materials lend it properties that from the outset go a long way to satisfying the requirements for preserving the environment and saving resources. Most ceramic products from Duravit also come with a lifetime guarantee.
Further, durability plays a central role in the selection of materials at Duravit AG beyond ceramics. One example are the toilet seats made from urea, which are more robust in daily use and retain the material’s characteristic sheen even after 15 years. This means they need to be replaced less frequently. Moreover, urea has a lower CO2 impact of up to 30 percent than materials made from oil-based plastics such as ABS or polypropylene.
Image credit: Duravit / Paul Meyer
Duravit AG also constructs further product details such as hinges to be durable. These are made from robust and recyclable metal elements instead of plastic. Drawers for drawer systems as well as hinges and edging bands on pivot doors need to complete 80,000 cycles in demanding product tests to prove their long-term durability. Stainless-steel toilet-seat hinges need to flawlessly withstand 50,000 drop tests. Based on these exacting practical tests, Duravit AG offers a five-year warranty, assuming proper care and use. 15 carefree years are usually possible in practice.
In terms of durability and quality requirements, Duravit faucets fit seamlessly into the complete bathroom provider’s high-quality product portfolio. And not least the customers also benefit here from a five-year voluntary manufacturer’s warranty and a 15-year availability guarantee for spare parts following the discontinuation of a faucet range.
Sustainability as a commercial challenge
The ecological footprint of a product starts much earlier than its delivery to the customer. The key factor above all others is manufacturing. For that reason, sustainability is becoming an increasingly important topic particularly for small and mid-sized enterprises – and is even more essential for a complete bathroom manufacturer such as Duravit AG whose beating heart – ceramic production – is especially energy-intensive.
The company is concentrating on finding ways to reduce both its consumption of resources and raw materials and its emissions as far as possible. As part of the comprehensive package of measures, the manufacturing facilities in Germany already use electricity generated exclusively from renewable energies. Some internal solutions continue to reduce energy and resource requirements during the manufacturing process. Waste heat is also consistently reused. PEFC-certified furniture production that adheres to the principles of sustainable forestry as well as “local for locals” production methods that ensure shorter transport routes are further key aspects of the portfolio of measures.
Image credit: Duravit AG
Recycling and avoidance of waste are also part of resource preservation. For example, Duravit Group uses 60 per cent recycled water at its oldest company site in Hornberg alone and has constantly been able to reduce the proportion of fresh water used. Similarly, packaging for Duravit ceramics consists of up to 80 per cent recycled wastepaper and is 100 per cent recyclable. The active recycling of paper, cardboard, cartons, PE and PP plastics, wood, aluminum, steel, and sheet metal reduces emissions by some 320 tonnes of CO2 in Germany alone.
Duravit AG is constantly striving to further increase the use of recycled or recyclable material in its production processes. For example, a centrifuge is being planned at the Hornberg site that is intended to filter out raw materials from manufacturing waste and feed it back into manufacturing processes. Ten percent of the material – some 550 tonnes a year – could be reclaimed in this way. Sustano – the first recyclable shower tray made from the mineral cast material DuraSolid® Nature developed in-house – was launched in 2022.
Because that is not enough for the illustrious company, Duravit AG has embarked on an ambitious and comprehensive climate mission. The goal: to be an exclusively climate-neutral business around the world by 2045.
The family-run company from the Black Forest, which operates in over 130 countries, aspires to use CO2 offsetting as little as possible. The company is determined to accomplish its mission: “We are in the process of questioning old certainties and investing in finding and implementing new ways of achieving a sustainable future,” underlined CEO of Duravit AG, Stephan Tahy. “A key milestone for the company is to reduce CO2 by 20 per cent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.”
Image credit: Duravit AG
Potential measures are currently being reviewed and evaluated – including sourcing electricity from renewable energies around the world, combining oxygen and green hydrogen to reduce emissions, as well as powering electric kilns with green electricity. Additionally, Duravit AG is assessing how it can increase its use of recycled materials and is commissioning studies on binding CO2 emissions locally – just a small part of the sustainability package that the company is constantly reviewing and expanding.
Given that sustainability is always a collective task, Duravit AG has joined numerous initiatives: The “Green Building Council” (USGBC), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (German Association for Sustainable Construction, DGNB) as well as the Institut Bauen und Umwelt (Institute of Construction and the Environment, IBU), which awarded the designer bathroom manufacturer the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for the product groups ceramic, sanitary acrylic, and DuraSolid® A. Additionally, Duravit AG is a partner and funder of the Schwarzwald Mitte/Nord natural park.
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.
Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Salé drops anchor in Morocco
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has announced the opening of its newest flagship hotel, Fairmont La Marina Rabat Salé. Located on the banks of the Bouregreg river and the Atlantic Ocean in Morroco’s capital, the property, designed to mirror a majestic cruise liner dropping anchor on the estuary, has opened its doors to breath taking views of the region’s landmark sites…
The urban resort fuses modern Morocco anchored in timeless traditions with Fairmont’s grand elegance to create an iconic destination. By revealing the Rabat-Salé area through a new perspective, the hotel captures the life and soul of modern Morocco highlighting its ancestral traditions. A short drive from the capital’s city centre, this flagship property features 186 guestrooms, including 27 opulent suites, and 88 elegant residences. Combining authentic Moroccan craftsmanship with modern design elements, each room pays homage to the different influences that have marked the Kingdom over the centuries.
Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Embodying the signature Fairmont service and the best of Moroccan hospitality, the property offers a wide range of culinary experience. Guests can enjoy a selection of three restaurants as well as a bar overlooking a green Orangery, reinterpreting the outdoor gardens of antique Moroccan dwellings.
The French brasserie, “L’Ecume” is a culinary journey from farm and ocean to table, where local ingredients are showcased by Executive Chef Nicolas Warot. Whereas “Le Dahlia”, helmed by Chef Mohammed Amine Idbounite, is an exhilarating immersion in the heart of authentic Moroccan cuisine. With Mediterranean influences, modern dressings and cooking techniques, Le Dahlia provides guests with a new perspective on this traditional cuisine. Furthermore, ‘Le Deck’, a travelling cuisine inspired by Nikkei influences, awaits the connoisseur. Offering a 360 degree panoramic view of the estuary and the region’s most outstanding landmarks, this restaurant is equipped with an avant-garde bar and a year-round heated swimming pool. The venue is a suspended urban oasis where the ambiance evolves throughout the day, becoming more vibrant as the sun sets towards the horizon.
Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
The Fairmont Spa stimulates the senses, sheltering ten treatment rooms, includes a VIP Spa suite with an authentic Hammam room, and exclusive product ranges from ‘Natura Bissé’ and ‘Maison d’Asa’, every detail of this retreat is an invitation for well-being. Through a memorable sensory journey, the therapists capture moments of inner connection and discovery of ancestral care rituals using ingredients drawn from the richness of Moroccan terroir. Acting in perfect synergy with the Spa, Fairmont Fit offers guests wellness options while travelling. Featuring state-of-the-art fitness facilities, this area offers a holistic experience of well-being through invigorating activities such as cardio-training sessions combined with aqua gym in the heated pool or more restorative activities such as yoga and guided meditation along the beach.
Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
For leisure travellers, Fairmont La Marina Rabat Salé has curated memorable experiences for guests, from DIY workshops with the artisans of the Oulja to fishing trips aboard a luxury yacht and pedestrian tours through the maze of the old medina, offers an exciting immersion in the local culture.
In addition, the hotel offers nine meeting rooms, including a VIP Majliss, a majestic ballroom and seven board rooms. Thanks to the diversity of modular spaces equipped with leading-edge technology and an intuitive and passionate event planning service, the Fairmont La Marina Rabat Salé conference centre sets the stage for the community’s most anticipated events.
Within the core of this prestigious hotel are the craftspeople behind these moments: people who have been selected for their expertise and commitment to turn moments into unforgettable memories.
Dedicated to this mission, each team member strives express their passion for the hospitality industry daily and to highlight the assets of this new must visit destination.
7 design initiatives that defined sustainability in 2022
Editor Hamish Kilburn cuts through the greenwashing noise to look back at the projects, products and people that defined a new era of sustainability in hotel design and hospitality this year…
Have we finally entered into an era where greenwashing has been erased and bold, meaningful products and projects are stealing the limelight? Some would argue that we have a way to go, but 2022 has certainly seen progressive signs of imaginative ways to shelter conscious hotel design and hospitality beyond introducing plastic straws and removing disposable miniatures in the bathrooms.
After watching closely to see how and where the industry has evolved over the last 12 months, here’s our edit on who and what defined ‘sustainability‘ in 2022.
Winning Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2022, Robert Godwin’s vision of room2 Chiswick has completely changed the game in conscious hospitality by being the world’s first net-zero hometel. Now, when we hear claims like these, we want to see the data. Well, here it is. The hotel uses 89 per cent less energy compared to other hotels by rolling out various sustainability initiatives, including solar panels and a zero-waste policy – think three-in-one recycling bins – to ensure that 100 per cent of waste is recycled or converted into energy off-site.
Meanwhile, ultra-energy efficient lighting, occupancy sensors across the building, and ground source heat pumps are other noteworthy features that add to this hometel’s list of impressive green credentials. The hotel has even invested in a blue roof drainage system which can hold up to 50,000 litres of rainwater to reduce localised flooding and a green roof with soil and wildflowers to increase biodiversity and absorb CO2.
The future for Lamington Group, which owns room2, is looking greener after the brand announced that it will open three more net-zero hotels between now and 2026, in York, Glasgow and Manchester. room2, step forward and take a bow!
The William – designed by Foster + Partners as London’s largest timber development
Image credit: Foster + Partners
The William, a mixed-use development building that will be opposite the building that will shelter London’s first Six Senses hotel and spa, has just been granted planning approval. Designed by Foster + Partners, which worked closely with Westminster City Council and local residents, the building is set to help ‘transform’ the northern end of Queensway in Bayswater, London.
The renders that the London-based architecture studio has released show a large, timber-framed building positioned the high street. As well as the innovative use to natural materials, the entire building has been designed smartly to shelter a deep and conscious design narrative. Patrick Campbell, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners believed it sets a new standard for ‘the next generation’ of low-carbon, healthy office buildings. “The William provides natural ventilation, great daylight, flexible floorplates and green terraces – all within a high-performance façade and a hybrid timber structure. We are now looking forward to bringing our designs to life.”
LEVENverse – is there anything more sustainable than the metaverse?
Image credit: Leven
We are moments away from exploring LEVEN’s first hotel in the metaverse, which is billed to ‘shelter’ a creative and social space that evokes a new sense of wellbeing. It all sounds rather far-fetched, right? But given the noise around virtual social spaces becoming harder to ignore, we thought we would give this concept a chance, so we spoke to the brand’s Co-Founder, Joshua Senior, to help put it all into perspective. “As the Metaverse evolves from a sci-fi concept into a reality, every industry disrupted by the digital era will feel its impact,” he said. “We believe the potential for creative hospitality brands is limitless and in building the LEVENverse we will be one of the first lifestyle brands to blaze a digital trail in the early Metaverse. We have some exciting partners lined up as we connect our real life space with the online, and create a digital amenity space for our customers. We’re excited to push traditional boundaries, bring the LEVEN brand to new audiences and explore the opportunities the digital future holds.”
We were not expecting this article go to ‘toilet talk’ so soon, but ignore the TwistFlush technology from Villeroy & Boch at your peril. The easy-to-clean TwistFlush toilet requires only 4.5 litres for a large flush and a mere three litres for a small one. And as the flush is so powerful, one flush is usually sufficient.
Moreover, the patent-pending flushing technology far exceeds standard requirements, with the controlled water vortex generating a very strong pull in a conic bowl. It reaches almost all of the inside of the toilet bowl while well and truly carrying waste away. The controlled vortex power deploys the flushing water exactly where it is needed. This reliably prevents spray and significantly reduces the formation of aerosols. Another advantage putting the TwistFlush ahead of the pack, is that it is significantly quieter than a standard flush.
Image caption: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts was confirmed to operate Svart in Norway, which opens in 2024. | Image credit: Snøhetta Plompmozes Miris
On the podcast, DESIGN POD, Ivaylo Lefterov gave us an insight into the project that has raised more questions than answers over the last few years. Not bad questions, I hasten to add, but more sparking intrigue as to how the ambitious concept to develop a luxury hotel that, as well as being located the foot of a glacier in Norway, is also going to be the ‘world’s first energy-positive hotel’ will become a reality.
Designed structurally by Snøhetta, the 94-key Six Senses Svart will combine a futuristic design, led by interior design studio, Space Copenhagen, and technological innovation with earthy, organic materials that will use the latest embedded energy. The hotel, which will be poised on poles above the crystal-clear waters of the Holandsfjorden fjord, at the base of a glacier, aims to raise awareness of the possibilities of regenerative travel and the importance of the polar region, in partnership with the local community.
Boost Natural, designed in partnership with Matteo Brioni and Atlas Concorde, is a collection of porcelain floor tiles made from raw earth materials. Inspired by the irregular textures and dusty colours of raw earth surfaces, the collection is directly about introducing elements of nature into surface design in a contemporary way. It responds to the demand we are seeing for natural and tactile imperfections in surface design, being driven by the ever changing expectations of clients across design sectors.
Hearing about innovative sustainable innovations from bathroom brands is nothing new – in many ways, the bathroom manufacturing sector is leading the way to come up with thoughtful ways we, as consumers, can use less water without drastically changing our wellness habits and demands. However, for one brand in particular sustainability has always been – in line with aesthetics and functionality – a pillar when it comes to research, development and product design.
As a result, we were not surprised when GROHE became the winner of The Circular Economy award at the Sustainability Awards 2022 for its on-going campaigns, product development and research into initiatives that support with global issues around circularity, sustainability, and education with the view to create a positive impact globally, which this year has been driven largely by achieving the highest Cradle to Cradle standards.
This month, Hotel Designs is taking a look back at the latest projects, people and products that have stood out over the last 12 months. The ‘Year in Review’ series will comprise of articles that will drop weekly, which will explore innovations in bathroom, lighting, surface design and general hotel concepts that have changed the game in hotel design. To catch these – and to keep up to date with all the latest news and features – subscribe to the newsletter.
Introducing the top 25 Brit List Architects of 2022
Encapsulating a diverse range of design and architectural innovation, and following swiftly on the heels of us unveiling the top 25 hotel interior designers in Britain, we present you with the top 25 hotel architects in Britain, as profiled in The Brit List 2022…
What is immediately impressive when running through this list, is the impact of the portfolio of design that ranges from creating a strong and grounded sense of place, to presenting us with a completely alternative virtual space. The profiles of the 25 architects, in tandem with the inventory of projects and concepts running through the list, makes it clear that the winner in this category is in fact the British architectural landscape.
Without further ado, and in alphabetical order, The Brit List Architects of 2022 are…
Alastair Shepherd, Director, Falconer Chester Hall
In 2019, against a number of notable practices, Alastair Shepherd, Director at Falconer Chester Hall, was instrumental in winning the commission to transform the former Harrington Hall Hotel in South Kensington alongside client The Other House. To create the newly opened hotel, the architect radically re- invented the existing building through the introduction of natural light and space. The existing structure was dated with cramped accommodation behind a historic yet tired façade; there was little sense of hidden potential. To address these shortcomings, Shepherd introduced a series of double- height courtyards, bringing natural light into the dark basement and visually connecting to the transformed public areas at ground floor. As residents now move around the building, these spaces offer unexpected moments of surprise.
The architect is currently working on The Other House Covent Garden, Municipal Buildings in Liverpool and other hotels in Plymouth, Blackpool, as well as The Forum in South Kensington, a reinvention of one of the largest hotels in London, with more than 900 rooms, including an extensive rooftop bar.
Chris Fegan, Design Director, Ica
Image credit: Ica
Image credit: Ica/Virgin Hotels
In the more than 20 years that Chris Fegan, Design Director at Ica, has been immersed in hotel design, he has been at the core of substantial change, and the past few years have seen Fegan excel and reach the ‘top of his game’ as a hotel architect. The bold statement is backed up with projects such as the new Virgin hotel in Edinburgh, The Gantry at Stratford and Marriott Tribute. One of Ica’s core values is to ‘love hospitality’. That tenet is imbued throughout the studio’s design work. What that means in practice is that Fegan designs from the inside out; he creates the hotel spatially first, making sure that the spaces work and that no guest flow or back- of-house functionality is compromised. Once the hotel ‘works’, he then wraps it in architecture to suit aspirations, context and cityscape.
The new Virgin hotel in Edinburgh was altogether a different challenge. For this project, Fegan led the Ica creative team on a journey to create a unique, sympathetic yet unapologetic architectural response. One of the key ‘gains’ achieved by Fegan’s design was the development of 225 guestrooms within the sensitive World Heritage site, that cannot be seen from any other point in the city. Beyond that, the real skill lay in weaving together diverse listed buildings in a layered city context. The architecture that has emerged is simultaneously contextual and iconic.
David Chipperfield, Principal, David Chipperfield Architects – WINNER, Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry
Image credit: Hyatt
Image credit: David Chipperfield Architects
David Chipperfield, an architect, author and all-round creative, recently completed Taoxichuan Hotel, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Situated in the vibrant Taoxichuan creative and cultural district of Jingdezhen, China, the project is a collaboration between the two architecture studios, David Chipperfield Architects (architecture) and AIM Architecture (interior design). The hotel occupies three interconnected buildings, and every part – from the structure to the finishes – pays tribute to the city’s porcelain heritage. The contemporary brick architecture consists of three courtyard blocks connected by a generous interior street. AIM’s approach with the interiors was first to continue the architecture into the interiors by extending the brick facades of the exterior, and then, from translucent white to glazing greens and blues, each of the three interior volumes was dedicated to one technique. The lounge uses green Celadon glazing. The restaurant and spa are committed to the methods of using cobalt for blue colouring. The meeting and ballroom spaces are all about the lightness and transparency of porcelain. To move through the hotel is to move through different techniques of porcelain. With roof lights designed to evoke the powerful heat of the kiln, through to the use of softer clay tones in the guestrooms, the hotel is a tribute to the technique and experience of porcelain in the heart of its birthplace.
Davide Bertacca, Associate Principal, Woods Bagot
Image credit: Woods Bagot
Image credit: AMANO Covent Garden
Davide Bertacca has 16 years’ experience leading design teams for international clients located in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He has acquired extensive knowledge working across a wide range of commercial and mixed-use projects, specifically in the hotel, hospitality and residential sectors.
Having joined Woods Bagot in 2014, Bertacca is now an Associate Principal and hotel sector leader for Woods Bagot Europe. His role within the London Studio started with the Sheraton Park Lane hotel project refurbishment. Bertacca has also worked on the recently completed Hotel AMANO Covent Garden – a top-to-bottom project for the architecture studio, including all architectural refurbishment and interiors, located in one of London’s most popular theatre districts. Currently, the architect is leading the design and delivery of Antognolla, a major masterplan and resort in Umbria, Italy. He is also delivering the final stages of MINTHIS, a luxury residential golf resort in Cyprus.
Ed Murray is an accomplished Associate and architect who has led a wide range of projects for independent owners and international brands across the entire hospitality spectrum, including luxury hotels, banqueting and conference venues, resorts and spas. Murray has meticulous attention to detail, a good sense of perspective and a proven track record in delivering projects from conception to completion. He has a strong value set based on honesty, integrity and respect for the individual. Earlier this year, he was finally able to unveil his work on Westin London City, following a two-and-half-year project. The 222-key, new-build hotel, which is the brand’s first hotel in the UK, shelters nine residential apartments and a more than 740 square-metre spa. Murray’s ability to coordinate and manage large teams, his rapport with colleagues, clients, design teams and contractors alike makes him an indispensable interface between projects and their stakeholders. His role goes beyond architecture, as he is also involved in the practice’s inclusivity forum group, as well as mentoring other team members.
Geoff Hull, Director, EPR Architects
Image credit: EPR Architects
Image credit: EPR Architects
No stranger to The Brit List Awards, Geoff Hull, with more than 35 years’experience behind him, has completed many hotel projects during his time at EPR Architects, including refurbishments such as The Waldorf, Kimpton Fitzroy, Rosewood London and Home Grown, along with four new-build hotels for the Devere Group.He is currently overseeing several exciting conversion and new-build hotel schemes, including The OWO, Marylebone Lane Hotel, The Audley and Brickmakers Yard Hotel (all of which are currently on site), along with many planning applications and feasibility studies for new projects. The Audley is on site and due for completion in 2022. The OWO and Marylebone Lane Hotel are due for completion in 2023.
Hull continues to be an integral member of the EPR hotel team, offering a wide range of experience for operators, investors, contractors and developers and has a passion and drive to invest in his internal team as a mentor – along with an open ongoing collaboration with other disciplines within the hotel sector.
Helen Taylor, Head of Design, Caudwell
Image credit: Andrew Beasley
Image credit: Caudwell
Prior to her move to become Head of Design at Caudwell, Helen Taylor was the Project Lead on behalf of Woods Bagot with the ambitious task to help bring the renders and sketches of The Londoner, which opened late last year as London’s new eco hotel, to life. Both passive and active measures were applied to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by more than 30 per cent. The architectural feat of this project is not the building above ground, but more what happens below. The hotel shelters one of the deepest commercial basements in Europe – at 30 meters deep, the entire structure sits on a series of 20-metre-long, single-cast steel trusses, each weighing 55 tons. In this area of the hotel, guests will find a ballroom, leisure facilities, two Odeon Luxe cinemas, a spa and state-of-the-art conference facilities. To stay sympathetic to the surrounding historic buildings – such as the Gregorian Westminster Reference Library – the façade was developed to project a bold language while using traditional materials.
James Dilley, Director, Jestico + Whiles
Image credit: Jestico + Whiles
Image credit: Jestico + Whiles
For 28 short years, James Dilley has been working as an interior designer and architect at Jestico + Whiles. In this time, he specialised in architectural and interior design of hospitality projects including hotels, restaurants and bars, clubs and cinemas. In an interview with Hotel Designs, Dilley said: “The best designs come from challenging convention and doing things that haven’t been done before. Innovation and creativity are therefore key.” Dilley, now a Director at the firm, has led teams on hotel projects both in the UK and internationally, including completing hotels in territories, such as Malta, Marrakesh, Berlin, Amsterdam, Tbilisi and Kyiv. Working under appointment as either architect or interior designer, and under combined appointments to provide a comprehensive service, Dilley’s portfolio includes the remarkable W Edinburgh, which is currently in design and expected to complete in 2023.
James Soane, Director, Project Orange
Image credit: Lamington Group
Image credit: Project Orange
Project Orange was the architecture studio behind London’s first hometel, room2 Chiswick. The building makes reference to the classic loft apartment warehouse conversion where a simple exterior serves as a foil to a rich and individual interior. Low-rise, simple brickwork mixed with classic steel windows are a simple typology in traditional mixed contexts as found in the immediate neighbourhood of Chiswick High Road and Windmill Road. The 86 crafted rooms, designed by House of Dre, offer convenience and luxury each with a kitchenette and access to the cafe and restaurant. It is the world’s first whole life, net-zero hometel, meaning that all the carbon emissions from conception through to end-of-life have been reduced and rebalanced to zero. room2 Chiswick is 89 per cent more efficient than your average hotel. A heat pump under the building provides hot water while the solar panels meet five per cent of energy demand and the roof is covered in greenery to boost biodiversity. Guests are accompanied by 75,000 bees living on the roof, supporting biodiversity in the area, and in the process making unique, local honey.
Jen Samuel, Head of Hotels, 3DReid
Image credit: 3D Reid
Image credit: Ennismore
Jen Samuel, Head of Hotels at 3DRied, has extensive experience working with listed buildings and is interested in the challenges and opportunities that they present. The 33-key Gleneagles Townhouse is a fine example of this, which opened in June 2022 following a five-year project to convert the former Bank of Scotland headquarters at into a hotel and private members’ club as part of an expansion of the Gleneagles brand. In addition to guestrooms, and inspired by the highly significant historic features of the original building, 3DReid created the shells for an all-day restaurant with glazed courtyard, a member’s lounge, co-working spaces, a rooftop bar with terrace and a basement gym and wellness suite. Externally, the materials of the new-build elements included Catcastle Buff sandstone, reclaimed West Highland slate from the removal of the original pitched roof and a natural copper cladding panel, which takes on a warm bronze patina allowing it to blend in with the weathered sandstone of the existing banking hall building.
Jennifer de Vere-Hopkins, Associate Director, Jestico + Whiles
Image credit: Jestico + Whiles
Image credit: Jestico + Whiles
Jennifer de Vere-Hopkins is an Associate Director at Jestico + Whiles, and part of her natural leadership approach is to be a mentor to other women within the studio. Since joining in 2006, the architect has worked across a wide portfolio of buildings – from hotels, cruise ships, restaurants and guest experience suites. Most recently, Vere-Hopkins led the team behind the transformation of the two historic luxury Swiss hotels; Mandarin Oriental’s latest European hotel in Luzern, and the Kempinski Palace Engelberg. In Luzern, Vere- Hopkins and her team have sensitively reinterpreted the vision of eccentric Swiss hotelier Franz Josef Bucher, remixing faded Art Deco grandeur with fresh and spirited interior design elements. She leads significant projects in the hospitality studio, currently overseeing the interior design for a series of innovative workspaces and immersive customer experience centres for a well-known leading tech company across Europe. Through Vere-Hopkins’ visionary research developed for these technology centres, the team have developed methods of designing for cognitive differences, through creating spatial conditions where social and private environments can co-exist.
Kerry Acheson, Associate, Ica Studio
Image credit: Ica Studio
Image credit: Virgin Hotels
With conceptual talent and flair for problem solving, Kerry Acheson is currently working as an Associate at Ica Studio in Glasgow where she is responsible for the oversight of many professionals, including managing the development of Ica Studio’s aspiring student architects as well as the office mentors. For the architect, the new Virgin Hotel is the outstanding result of many years of specialised experience, a lot of hidden challenging work in both design and technical expertise to de-risk and make the project viable. Acheson first put ‘felt tip’ pen to paper for this complex site in the middle of Edinburgh’s Old Town and a UNESCO World Heritage site at the start of 2013, and after many years leading the Project Team, is finally seeing the first Virgin Hotel outside the USA opening to the public in 2022. In an area of the capital renowned for its varied topography, picturesque medieval streets, closes and wynds and diverse architectural character, her challenge was to combine the restoration of three distinctly separate ‘at risk’ listed buildings, which occupy dramatically different levels within the local cityscape, with new-build elements carefully considered to re-establish the historic form of the site, whilst also showcasing a bold, contemporary Edinburgh. Acheson led the studio’s team with expert heritage know-how combined with creative talent and world-leading hospitality expertise to a design that was able to unlock the viability of this challenging city-centre site.
Laurence Pinn, Director, Tate+Co
Image credit: Callow Hall Hotel
Image credit: Tate + Co
A key member of the team at Tate+Co, which won The Eco Award at The Brit List Awards 2018, Laurence Pinn aims to unlock the potential in projects to create a sense of place as well to bring spaces back to life. This has been evident in the studio’s work on the extension at Watergate Bay Hotel to create seven new suites, The Beach Lofts, that frame the best views in the hotel. Pinn and his team started by re-cladding the exterior of the building with robust materials appropriate for the coastal setting and created a series of cosy interiors with views across the bay. The design included some key adjustments to the existing building to dramatically improve how it fits into the beautiful natural setting. The studio also significantly reduced the operational energy consumption of the building by introducing super-insulation and triple-glazing. Another hotel recently completed by Tate+Co is Callow Hall, a Grade II listed building that the team transformed into a completely fresh guest experience centred on health and wellbeing, allowing visitors to connect to the spectacular natural setting of the Peak District.
Lee Sze Wei, Director, Translation Architecture
Image credit: Translation Architecture
Image credit: The Relais Retreats
Lee Sze Wei joined forces with Nicholas de Klerk in late 2020 to grow the new design studio Translation Architecture after more than 19 years in practice in London and Melbourne, working on projects as varied as hotels, and restaurants to student housing and destination retail. The first project that Lee tackled at the studio was the comprehensive refurbishment of the former Red Lion Hotel in Henley-on-Thames into the first property for new hospitality brand The Relais Retreats. The Relais Henley was born. Lee is passionate about working with existing buildings to make them more energy efficient, and thereby to improve their sustainability ang longer term viability. This is often a painstaking and delicate process as it requires experience, technical knowledge and a deep understanding of the building in question – how it performs and how to sustain its character and material qualities while improving the overall performance. The next hotel for the Relais Retreats is located at Cooden Beach, near Bexhill on Sea. Here, Lee has been able to go further in detailing and specifying the interior fitout (developed with Paris-based Interior Designer Pascal Allaman) to achieve high environmental standards. This has included specifying fitted joinery to eliminate VOC’s and formaldehyde, as well as using standard timber sizes to reduce waste and improve viability for re-use, a fundamental issue in circular design.
Last year, the industry got excited about Escapade Living’s new hospitality concept at Silverstone, home of the UK Grand Prix, and the project, designed by Twelve Architects, and led by Lorraine Stoutt Griffith, with interiors of the residences conceptualised by Bergman Design House, has gone up a gear. The trackside luxury retreats are being designed to be an abstract representation of a F1 car overtaking another. The residences themselves have cantilevered terraces, allowing spectators to get even closer to the racetrack. Light-filled and with high acoustic specifications, each sanctuary will have underfloor heating, comfort cooling and ensuite bathrooms. In addition to the architecture-meets-engineering project, the studio is also working on creating a modern yet sensitive extension of Bodmin Jail Hotel Spa, which will shelter a destination spa underneath a glass structure. Its form is inspired by the tri-arched windows on the gable ends of the Naval and Women’s Wings, and a modern interpretation of the trefoil arched leisure pavilions of the Victorian era.
Luke Fox, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners
Image credit: Foster + Partners
Image credit: Foster + Partners
Luke Fox has led one of six of Foster + Partners’ design studios, with teams in London, Hong Kong and Beijing, on a wide range of different projects around the world since 2010. As part of the Partnership Board, Fox also helps set the future direction of the practice. Currently, Fox and his team are working on Hermitage Plaza, which is expected to create a new community at the gateway to La Défense, in the area of Courbevoie in Paris. The extensive mixed-use scheme is intended to regenerate the site with a sustainable, high-density development. This brave, shared vision has shaped the form of the building, and the ambition to create two 323-metre-high towers – slightly less than the Eiffel Tower – a new arrondissement in the sky. The scheme brings together a hotel, spa, panoramic apartments, offices and serviced apartments, as well as shops and cafes at the base.
Martin Dobbs, Director, BrightSPACE Architects
Image credit: BrightSPACE Architects
Image credit: BrightSPACE Architects
Martin Dobbs is a Chartered Architectural Technologist and Building Engineer with more than 30 years’ experience designing, detailing and delivering buildings in a variety of sectors. With a passion for producing high quality, well-detailed buildings, Dobbs enjoys working closely with contractors from early design stages through to completion on site, helping to ensure delivery is within budget and on programme. BrightSPACE Architects has worked alongside Savills Planning Consultants, Calcinotto Structural Engineers and Arc Landscapes to submit proposals to improve and extend the current Savoy Hotel for Nicolas James Group. Following pre-app consultation with BCP, proposals were submitted for planning in December 2021. The proposals include a new bedroom wing, providing 21 guestrooms; a luxury spa with hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room; a roof-top sky lounge restaurant; external pool and landscaped gardens and a garden restaurant with sea views. The proposed extension to the hotel and garden interventions will contribute to a much-needed five-star leisure facilities in the Bournemouth West Cliff area.
Murray Levinson, Partner, Squire & Partners
Image credit: Squire & Partners
Image credit: Squire & Partners
In addition to a collaborative project on the Msheireb Downtown Doha masterplan in 2019, Squire & Partners is making noise on the hotel design scene closer to home. The 170-key Ruby Zoe hotel, due to open in Q1 2023, makes up part of the studio’s work regenerating three adjacent sites at Notting Hill Gate Estate. Taking inspiration from the vertical repetition inherent to the surrounding Georgian and Victorian terraces, the design of Ruby Zoe is expressed with a regular rhythm across the façade and a setback top floor. Prominent neighbouring mid-century developments influenced the design by incorporating coloured glazed tiles, textured concrete and angled glazing elements within the structural frame. At art’otel Hoxton, completing early 2024, architectural style will be infused with art-inspired interiors in a building that occupies a prominent corner, where Old Street meets Great Eastern Street. The studio’s design is evocative of the industrial history of South Shoreditch, responding to a precedent of bull-nosed buildings that characterise the area with a cylindrical form that references a fractured cogwheel form in plan, adapting as it rises in response to the internal functions of each floor. Twisting aluminium fins on the façade are a decorative response to the area’s association with technology, and are carefully spaced to create solar shading as well as the desired levels of privacy on each floor whilst maximising views of the city.
Patrik Schumacher, who joined Zaha Hadid Architects in 1988, is the Principal of the London-based studio, and has been leading the firm since the passing of Zaha Hadid in 2016. Widely recognised as one of the most prominent thought leaders within the fields of architecture, urbanism and design, Schumacher recently spearheaded the studio’s ‘cyber-urban’ city in the metaverse. Named Liberland Metaverse, the virtual city is based on the Free Republic of Liberland.
“While [the project] is meant to spearhead the development of Liberland as a libertarian micronation, it will also function as freestanding virtual reality realm in its own right,” explained Schumacher, who argues that physical spaces will coexist alongside virtual ones. “The ambition is for it to become the go-to site for networking and collaboration within the burgeoning web 3.0 industry; it’s the metaverse for metaverse developers and the crypto ecosystem at large.”
The studio designed all buildings using parametric design style, in its typical approach with curvaceous, sinuous forms and rounded corners. However, many of the buildings have elements not supported from the ground – something that is not possible when limited by gravity.
Paul Wells, Partner, Studio Moren
Image credit: Hyatt
Image credit: Dexter Moren
Paul Wells, who joined Studio Moren as a Project Architect in 2012, has worked his way up to Partner over the past ten years, and now leads on a number of projects. Having previously spent time working on conservation, Wells has a keen interest in heritage buildings and recently completed the RIBA course in Conservation Architecture to assist with his daily projects. He is currently leading on the upgrade of the Grade II listed Driscoll House in Southwark, which will be reimagined as a design-led hostel, and on the restoration and reconfiguration of the Grade II listed Welcombe Hotel in Stratford Upon Avon, which will be rejuvenated as a destination hotel. In a similar vein, the architect, who was instrumental in the delivery of Hyatt Place London City East, is currently bringing forward through planning a new-build golf and spa hotel in Buckinghamshire. The Magnolia Park Hotel and Golf Club that features a contemporary tri-winged design with undulating roof form to respond to its rural context, is set against a backdrop of the Chiltern Hills. In addition, he is leading on the construction stages of a new-build spa hotel and residential development at Noss on Dart, Devon, a former boatyard site with incredible views down the River Dart estuary.
Richard Collings, Vice President, SB Architects
Image credit: SB Architects
Image credit: SB Architects
Marking a significant milestone, SB Architects, has recently opened a London studio. Richard Collings, who joined the team in early 2022,has already delivered inspiring and impactful design that has set the foundation for the new London base. Collings has been spearheading its expanded design capabilities, forging new client relationships and advancing business development efforts. Leading talent acquisition efforts as well as project work, he’s been instrumental in the studio’s strategic growth into the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean. SB Architects structures itself and runs its projects with an equitable working environment that nurtures teamwork and communication, and Collings has worked hard to instill that same entrepreneurial ethos into the London office. The architect has more than two decades of experience in the architectural sector, including a focus on mixed-use projects and master planning. His impressive project portfolio includes large-scale, mixed use planning projects in Egypt, Viacom International Media Networks headquarters in London, a renovation work for a world-class The Landmark hotel in Cyprus, and hospitality projects in Dubai and Turkey.
Richard Holland, Director, Holland Harvey Architects
Image credit: Inhabit Hotel
Image credit: Holland Harvey Architects
Set across a crescent of Grade II listed, mid-19th century townhouses in Bayswater, Inhabit Queen’s Gardens, structurally designed by Holland Harvey Architects, comprises of 159 bedrooms, as well as a 70-cover restaurant and bar, lounge, library and wellness area including treatment rooms, a fitness suite and yoga studio. The hotel promises a commitment to environmental initiatives and meaningful community partnerships, pledging to work with 100 social enterprises and small, socially conscious businesses, including an extension of its furniture range collaboration with Goldfinger. Holland worked alongside Caitlin Henderson Design, There’s Light, and art curators Culture A to create a design that blends contemporary Scandi inspiration and Eastern philosophical awareness with quintessential British design. Key design features include a fire surround made by Granby Workshop from waste materials salvaged on site. Notably on this project, during construction, 100 per cent of waste was redirected from landfills, with 59 per cent being recycled or donated via the online platform Globechain.
Richard Woolsgrove, Director and Head of Digital Technology, PLP Architecture
Image credit: PLP Architecture
Image credit: PLP Architecture
Following the completion of Pan Pacific London, PLP Architecture, led by Richard Woolsgrove, is making itself known in the virtual universe, having created 5,000 NFTs based on the concept for a virtual skyscraper in the metaverse. The architecture studio collaborated with VerseProp, which describes itself as the “leading metaverse property platform”, to create the collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).Each of the animated digital images were based on the form of a conceptual skyscraper designed by the studio, which previously designed numerous real-world skyscrapers, including London’s second-tallest building that shelters Pan Pacific London. Through the project, the team is exploring and conducting vital research into the role of architects and designers on the blockchain and in the metaverse, from the use of smart contracts through to virtual design services. PLP has designed a concept building that is used as the basis for the NFT collection, based on the research work of PLP Labs. VerseProp is the first metaverse platform to focus on transforming virtual real estate into a professional, institutional asset class.
Rob Gibbs, Director, Synergy Architects
Image credit: Synergy Architects
Image credit: Synergy Architects
Working with Starwood and Property Alliance Group, Synergy Architects, led by Rob Gibbs, is working to create Treehouse Hotel Manchester, which will be the lifestyle hotel brand’s second hotel in the UK. As part of a wider masterplan for the site, the vision included the transformation of the old Renaissance Hotel site into a fresh new Treehouse offering aimed at the eco-conscious modern guest. The proposals undertook the high quality redevelopment of the existing hotel building to reposition it as a market-leading up-scale destination hotel. Working with Treehouse Hotels, a robust design has been prepared in line with their brand identity and their strong commitment to promoting sustainability. The new hotel is seen as a key component in ensuring a deliverable scheme for the wider regeneration site (the ‘Ramada Complex’). The works will fully modernise and transform the hotel both internally and externally, into something that gives back to the community and meets the needs of modern guests and hotel operators.
Ross Stewart, Architect, Ica Studio
Image credit: Ica Studio
Image credit: Ica Studio
Ross Stewart is passionate about architecture conservation and restoration. With more than a decade’s experience in hospitality projects, primarily in converting existing building stock into new and exciting uses, he enjoys the challenges of repurposing historic buildings. Working for Ica, he is the architect alongside his colleague Kerry Acheson for the first Virgin Hotel outside the USA, which recently opened in the oldest part of Scotland’s capital. Stewart’s heritage expertise combined with his creative talent and world leading hospitality knowledge led to a design that was able to unlock the viability of this challenging city-centre site. The design allows for the three listed buildings to be linked both to each other and to the new build part of the hotel with sympathetic yet modern interventions, creating a new flow through the complex site and deliberately framing unexpected views out into both the more intimate bustling local streets and closes and towards the grander views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town roofscape.
Following this editorial series, the Brit List hoteliers of 2022 will be unveiled next. The Brit List 2022 has been published, and references the top 75 interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain. Entries will open for The Brit List Awards 2023 in the summer of 2023.
Sekers continues to bring new designs and colours to the table as a leading supplier of quality contract furnishing fabrics for hospitality, leisure and cruise markets worldwide. Reflecting trends while ensuring performance, Pauline Brettell takes a look at the some of the highlights…
Earlier this year Sekers announced the launch of DECO, a vibrant collection featuring six eye-catching designs. Drawing inspiration from Miami’s Art Deco historic district, Deco boasts a wide range of colours across five versatile designs which are all suitable for drapery, bedding and accessories as well as a coordinating sheer. From the smooth, straight lines of Cardozo to the angular geometrics which have inspired Celino and the irregular, staggered, linear design of Lummus, this bold collection showcases simple, clean shapes that work well as drapery or cushions and will bring a touch of glamour and flair to any interior. Both Pestana and Raleigh bring a textural element to the collection while Setai, the complementary sheer, presents a colour gradient with a subtle lustre.
The Deco collection is suitable for all aspects of the contract market from hotels to cruise ships. Meeting all relevant UK and IMO standards for curtains, accessories and bedding, as well as US standards, this washable collection is the ideal resource for any contract application.
Image credit: Sekers
Image credit: Sekers
Another collection making a statement this year was SOHO; a versatile, velvet upholstery fabric which features an elegant, decorative cut piles to create a modern stripe. Soho captures a mature, stylish feel that sits comfortably in a wide range of interior schemes. This durable collection is presented in 16 colourways including on-trend blues, greens and neutrals shades. Each colourway features a fancy effect in the voided ground which combines a number of complementary coloured yarns to form a luxurious textured stripe.
Supplied with a crib 5 flame retardant backing and with a high Martindale abrasion performance of 60,000 rubs, Soho is a great choice for upholstery and accessories, also meeting all of the relevant UK, American and IMO standards. Soho is a handsome addition to any interior and is the ideal choice for the marine, hospitality and leisure markets.
Image credit: Sekers
Image credit: Sekers
ODISHA was launched as a collection of two beautiful textures available in a versatile palette including rich jewel tones and sophisticated neutrals. From sapphire blue to gold topaz, Odisha is the perfect gem for upholstery and accessories.
The AquaClean advanced nano technology helps protect the fabric against spills and stains without having to resort to specialist cleaning. The fabrics are also anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. Odisha is supplied with crib 5 flame retardant backing making it suitable for the hospitality, leisure and marine markets.
Image credit: Sekers
Image credit: Sekers
Ending on a sheer note — Tynan is a wide width sheers range comprising of Areo & Yara. Both plain designs come in a selection of 16 colours each including soft browns, stylish neutrals and mint blue tones. Both fabrics are washable and meet the UK, USA & IMO standards which makes these beautiful plains perfect for the hospitality, leisure and marine markets.
Sekers 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.
Oleg Pugachev designs new furniture collection for Ligne Roset
New to the Ligne Roset collection for 2023, and shown for the first time during the Ligne Roset product launch at the Palais de Tokyo arts centre in Paris in June, Tambour by Oleg Pugachev has a mid-century modern aesthetic with a streamlined edge…
Tambour, designed by Oleg Pugachev, comprises of chairs, benches and bedroom. The design encapsulates a mid-century modern aesthetic with their streamlined black frame and natural rattan backrest. Inspired by the iconic Cesca chair from the 1920s, Tambour is timeless, and sure to become a focal point of dining spaces.
An upholstered seat ensures optimum comfort, whilst the natural rattan cane backrest, crafted from liana palm, gives Tambour a natural feel. Crafted by experts, the cane is woven with tight spacing, offering impressive resistance. The chair base is made from black stained ash with a satin finish, with the back in natural caning and the seat upholstered in Alcantara Slate Black non-woven fabric and supplied with four felt pads.
Meanwhile, the bench base is in black stained ash and has a padded seat upholstered in beige cotton reps. The bedroom bench has a base in black stained ash and two seats in natural caning, which is a natural material, flexible and light and is made from a liana palm tree from which rattan canes are made.
Image credit: Ligne Roset Contract
Oleg Pugachev studied product design at the Weissensee Academy in Berlin, finding a balance between functionality, technology and aesthetics to achieve an unexpected consistency and simplicity. He is an advocate of an interactive and reflective approach while respecting the history of design.
Ligne Roset Contract is dedicated to making as little impact on the environment as possible in design. This has meant continued improvements across the brand’s production in meeting very high levels of responsible production. In the factory, its production methods make it possible to reduce the quantities of raw materials used, optimising processes in order to increase yield and limit scraps and waste.
Tambour is the second offering from Oleg to feature in the Ligne Roset collection, following the success of the Koto table in 2021, which is a sofa-end table in enamelled ceramic.
Linge Roset Contact 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.
From small ensuites and bijoux wet rooms through to luxuriously large rooms for indulgent bathing, hotel bathrooms need to balance practicalities with aesthetics. Tiles for both walls and floors are a popular and practical decorative finish, and as Rob Lynch, specifications manager from CTD Architectural Tiles, explains how to transform a bathroom from functional to fabulous…
The very nature of bathrooms means hygiene and cleanliness is at the top of any specifiers’ checklist. As well as the fixtures and fittings, the walls and floor need to withstand regular cleaning, often with harsh chemical cleaners. Tiles are perfectly suited for use in wet areas and bathrooms owing to their hardwearing finish which means they are easy to maintain and will retain a freshness of finish regardless of how many times they are cleaned.
The most durable tiles, and therefore the most popular for bathroom environments, are glazed porcelain tiles. This type of tile offers great protection against stains, marks and scratches and good water resistance, as well as being available in a wide range of colours, shapes and patterns. A great solution is the new Abbey range of stylish Victorian crackled glazed wall tiles which requires no sealing and is exceptionally easy to maintain. Investing in good quality mould-resistant grouts and sealants, and considering the use of coloured grouts, can also create a longer-lasting ‘just decorated’ appearance.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
Another key practical consideration is safety, and all bathroom floors need to be safe to walk on in wet conditions and in bare feet. Fortunately, there are many anti-slip floor tiles available that help ensure bathrooms can be both safe and stylish. Here it’s not so much about the type of tile you choose but what PTV rating it has. This rating refers to the Pendulum Test Value (PTV), which is recommended by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) as the most accurate and reliable measure of slip resistance for both wet and dry conditions. It is also the only measure of the slip resistance of flooring accepted in legal and insurance matters. A PTV score of 36 denotes a low slip risk and is the minimum requirement for any new or refurbished public building.
The best commercial tile suppliers will offer a vast range of non-slip floor tiles and will be able to provide you with the necessary information and testing certification so you can be sure that the tiles you choose are the safest option. Fortunately, there are also lots of different styles to choose from and manufacturers are constantly pushing the boundaries with their products so there’s no need to compromise on style. A new addition to the CTD tile portfolio is Tele Di Marmo Onyx which is a classic marble effect tile that combines a mirror-like finish with a high slip resistance.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
From boutique hotels to those that utilise refurbished, older or even listed buildings, a small or unusually shaped bathroom can present a challenge. Alongside thinking creatively about layouts and sanitaryware, it’s also worth considering how the floor and wall materials can help open up a space. Tiles can make a huge difference to the way a small bathroom looks and feels, working with the lighting conditions to create the illusion of more space. Choosing highly glazed or gloss tiles in combination with a well thought out lighting plan can make a big difference as light reflecting on the tile surface will make a bathroom appear bigger. It can also brighten up a small space, which is particularly important if there is limited natural light.
Think big even if the room is small! Playing around with layouts can create some interesting effects and this is particularly well illustrated by the versatile Metro-style brick tile. Such tiles can be laid in different patterns, whether this is installing tiles diagonally to create the impression of more space, horizontally to add depth or vertically to add height. Larger format plain coloured floor tiles also work really well in smaller areas. This is because larger tiles give more coverage with fewer grout lines and this in turn creates an expansive floor design that can add depth to a room.
And don’t forget colour. A popular approach is to use a natural, paler palette which will reflect light and will create a more seamless finish when used with a similarly pale bathroom suite. A bright colour scheme can also have a place in a small bathroom. Glossy, brick-shape tiles can be laid in different configurations and in a variety of different colours and shades to create a really eye-catching effect. Tiles such as those within our Abacus and Alba ranges demonstrate this design potential perfectly, comprising several different shades and finishes to allow interesting geometric designs to be created.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
Wet rooms, where the shower floor area is flush with the rest of the room to create a more open-plan experience, are becoming increasingly popular in hotels. Unlike traditional bathrooms, wet rooms need to be ‘tanked’ and fully waterproofed, and so it’s essential that the building materials used are suitable for a high level of water exposure. Tiled walls and floors are a popular solution and porcelain tiles, thanks to the material’s great water resistance, are often used.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
Despite the more challenging environment of a wet room, there is still plenty of design flexibility. Porcelain tiles are available in a wide range of colours, patterns and finishes and can be used to create a seamless finish when the same style tiles are used on the floor and walls. Similarly, the use of natural stone or wood-effect porcelain tiles can create a luxurious spa-like interior. Contrast also works well and patterned tiles can be used for a feature wall or to help zone the room, for example when used specifically around the shower area. Similarly, mosaic tiles work really well in wet rooms as the smaller surface area of the tile can help add grip and texture to the floors.
A tile supplier will be able to advise the best tiles to consider for wet room applications, whether these are natural wood effect tiles like Forest Jungle, glass mosaic styles like Pearl or the limestone inspired tiles such as Uniche. The Uniche range is particularly effective in wet rooms as it has a high slip resistance in wet conditions and although it is reminiscent of natural stone, it has a smooth finish that makes it comfortable under foot and easy to clean.
Whatever the size of the space or the style of the design, wall and floor tiles can create a hotel bathroom that is not only fit for purpose but that adds to the overall guest experience.
CTD Architectural 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.
A sophisticated yet arty vibe: inside The Morrow in Washington D.C.
Arriving in Washington D.C., The Morrow Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, has opened in the heart of NoMa, one of the city’s fast-growing creative neighbourhoods…
The highly anticipated Washington, D.C. lifestyle destination, The Morrow Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, officially opens its doors. The design hotel acts as an anchor tenant for the neighbourhood, bringing artfully designed accommodations, dining by Michelin-starred Chef Nicholas Stefanelli, nearly 1,115 metres of meetings and events space and unparalleled service to the heart of NoMa.
Brought to life by Trammell Crow Company and MetLife Investment Management, The Morrow provides one of the area’s first ever truly elevated hospitality offerings. This opening marks a new era for NoMa’s burgeoning 3rd Street District, an exciting hub of culture, culinary delights, and destination-driven experiences and offerings for locals and guests alike. Rising 12 storeys above the district’s tree-lined, walkable neighbourhood streets boasting buzzy shops and storefronts, such as Red Bear Brewing Co., REI, and CycleBar, the newly constructed hotel becomes a crossroads of socialisation in an energetic area of the city that is known for its rich industrial history and artistic innovation.
“We set out, along with Trammel Crow Company, to bring a truly unique lifestyle destination to a vibrant and culturally important part of Washington D.C. in NoMa,” said Bill Webster, Director, Hotel Asset Management at MetLife Investment Management. “We believe in the growth potential of NoMa and The Morrow Hotel will quickly become part of the fabric of the neighborhood, enhancing its already rich culture through unmatched hospitality, service and dining experiences.”
Image credit: Hilton Hotels
The Morrow Hotel is inspired by the vibrant heritage of the surrounding NoMa area and infuses its artful spirit throughout the entire property. Located on the last site of Central Armature Works, a 100-year-old electrical manufacturing and repair business, the hotel is deeply rooted in Washington D.C.’s history while representing a distinctly modern vision. The hotel exterior is designed by Shalom Baranes Associates, with the lobby and multiple restaurants designed by INC Architecture & Design, and the guestrooms, function spaces and a fitness centre designed by Rottet Studio.
INC Architecture & Design has created an atmosphere that builds on the optimistic qualities of The Morrow Hotel brand as well as emphasises the historical context of Washington D.C. and the local setting. The design of the public spaces, including the lobby, restaurant, cocktail lounge, and rooftop bar, creates a series of differentiated experiences from light and airy to dark and sophisticated by invoking the times of the day from morning to night.
The lobby has been designed to be uplifting – muted in the right places – and in harmony with the architecture that shelters tall ceilings and striking columns. The space features intimate seating areas surrounded by harmonic lighting and ambient music that transitions with the light throughout the day.
“The Morrow brings a new chapter in hospitality to an audience that values the grandeur of history, and the casual comforts of home,” said Adam Rolston, Creative and Managing Director of INC Architecture & Design. “Additionally, the pleasures and well-being derived from strong social connections all manifest in a magical alchemy of modern and neoclassical design idioms that connect the hotel to its city and neighbourhood.”
The hotel shelters 203 sophisticated rooms and suites that combine modern comfort, elevated elegance, and thoughtful amenities for a curated guest experience. Calming color palettes come together with luxurious details such as Italian linens and Le Labo bath and body products to provide welcome respite.
Image credit: Hilton Hotels
“When we started this project, we believed The Morrow could serve as the perfect central gathering place for the local NoMa and Union Market neighbourhoods, while also setting new standards for nightlife and hospitality across the District of Columbia and are so thrilled to see that vision come to life in this way,” added Campbell Smith, Senior Managing Director for Trammell Crow Company.
From daybreak to nightfall, The Morrow Hotel provides dynamic experiences that effortlessly guide guests from space to space, both physically and mentally. With self-care programming, elevated design and thoughtfully considered partnerships, even the transition is golden.
Kohler partners with designer Nada Debs at Design Miami
Kohler has unveiled its partnership with global artist and designer, Nada Debs, through the creation of a custom hammam to be displayed at Design Miami 2022. Kohler’s presentation of Transcendence by Debs, along with various onsite and digital activations, pays homage to cultural inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and heritage through design and innovation…
With handcrafted sustainable tiles from Kohler WasteLAB the hammam highlights Kohler’s design and material expertise and commitment to environmental sustainability, along with Debs’ ability to distil culture and craftsmanship to create emotional resonance. This soothing and peaceful environment crafted with innovative sustainable tiles from Kohler WasteLAB handcrafted exclusively for Design Miami is perfectly in tune with the overarching theme of the event – The Golden Age: Looking to the Future – and offers an earthly heaven within the bustling fair environment.
Image credit: Kohler
Image credit: Kohler
A Levantine designer living and working in Beirut, Debs’ work spans scale and discipline, from product and furniture design to one-off commissions across craft, art, fashion and interiors. What ties her work together is her ability to distil culture and craftsmanship to create pieces of emotional resonance.
“Having the opportunity to design a modern hammam at Design Miami truly embodies the sentiment that well-being transcends all culture,” said Debs. “I am excited to offer such a unique experience to the industry.”
The hammam is constructed from hand-crafted custom tiles designed by Debs and the Kohler WasteLAB team. Expanding on the design and process, Debs and Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainability and DEI Officer at Kohler Co., will participate in a discussion at the event that examines how partner collaboration can address societal shifts and result in more sustainable designs.
Image credit: Kohler
The design of the WasteLAB tile used in the hammam mimic the arch aesthetic of traditional hammams and offers a visual parallel between the rebirth of waste material and the spiritual and emotional rejuvenation that hammam guests experience. Visitors to Kohler’s space will be invited to explore Debs’ translation of a traditional hammam journey expressed through a three-room immersive experience.
Image credit: Kohler
Image credit: Kohler
“At Kohler, we have a great passion for exploring the nexus between design and environmental sustainability, a passion that is shared by Nada and translated into the hammam and the tiles themselves,” said Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainability and DEI Officer for Kohler Co. “Partnering with Nada helps to bring critical conversations about sustainability, cultural inclusion and well-being to the forefront of the Design Miami audience and community at large, while also showcasing what we can achieve with sustainable design.”
Kohler WasteLAB carries the objective to reimagine the approach to waste by finding value in landfill-bound material and engaging in a manufacturing process where nothing is wasted. WasteLAB is a cornerstone initiative within Kohler’s Believing in Better sustainability and social impact strategy. In 2021, the Kohler WasteLAB diverted 11.38 metric tons of waste from landfill through sales and product development. The custom tile featured in this installation utilises material for both the tile body and glaze that originate from Kohler’s manufacturing waste streams.
Kohler 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.
Canadian luxury handmade furniture and lighting brand Gabriel Scott has launched its latest lighting collection, Welles Reimagined, in collaboration with six global designers and architects to celebrate the brands 10th anniversary this year…
The six designers have reinterpreted the studio’s most iconic fixture, the Welles Chandelier. The six fixtures, first showcased at Milan Design Week 2022, have now been formalised into six capsule collections which include chandeliers, sconces and pendant lighting.
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
“The Gabriel Scott brand launched on a manifesto to furnish the architectural community with exactly what they needed, and we’re still doing this through material, size and form ten years later,” said Scott Richler, Gabriel Scott’s Founder and CEO. “Inspired by jewellery, the Welles Chandelier is a true representation of our design philosophy – to design and make modular products to custom specifications. The Welles Reimagined capsule collections celebrates our brand ethos and the collaborations we undertook with each designer perfectly demonstrate how we like to work together with our design and architecture clients to achieve something really special and tailored to their requirements.”
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
The David Rockwell capsule collection celebrates the Welles Chandelier’s classic geometric form, while creating a contemporary light fixture inspired by clusters found in nature, such as crystals, chemical compounds, and clouds. Ultimately, Rockwell drew from botanic forms to create an organic assemblage. The hollowed glass polygons act as metallic light points that come together at varying heights and dimensions to form a floating light cluster. The feature chandelier is defined by its luxe volume and organic nature.
“The collaboration allowed us to create something very special that combines Gabriel Scott’s modular approach to lighting and expert craftsmanship with our focus on storytelling and materiality,” said Rockwell. “We experimented with volume, colour, texture, and scale to create organic assemblages of light that have a dramatic impact on the atmosphere and our perception of space.”
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
Crafted from white clay and inspired by a collection of ceramics she is currently designing, the Kelly Hoppen capsule collection comprises a single flush-mount sconce suitable for both wall and ceiling installation, a pendant light, a single sconce on a banded arm and the Welles Long Chandelier in three sizes. The overall form has been scaled down from its original size to create an elegantly delicate aesthetic.
“When I was asked to do it, obviously it’s a very iconic piece already, but instantly I knew I wanted it to be a chalk white, clay, very organic piece,” explained Hoppen, CBE, “because that would make it incredibly different from anything Gabriel Scott had done before.”
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
Alessandro Munge’s capsule collection has a beautiful narrative infused with dynamic and bold fashion references inspired by rhythmic dance. It includes the 12-module central chandelier as seen in Milan, a scaled down 8-module chandelier, a larger 18-module chandelier and an arm sconce. While its volume is radically different, the modular qualities are still able to extend for extra tall ceilings and multiply for larger spaces. This flexibility makes it a truly versatile and playful product that invites designers to create bespoke configurations.
“One of the key features that inspired us was how architectural the Welles is, yet extremely detailed and jewellery-like – even the slightest of components like the bracket is beautifully designed,2 said Munge. “It felt like a sculptural piece of art. So, we drew inspiration from couture fashion, from dance, and when we immersed ourselves in this world, we thought about deconstructing the original piece and rebuilding it in a completely different way.”
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
Designer Michelle Gerson turned to nature to add a floral element that represents growth and bloom, alluding to a rebirth of a classic Gabriel Scott design. Uplifting and joyful, Gerson’s capsule collection includes a vertical sconce and small, medium and large versions of the chandelier first seen in Milan.
“The vision is nature. We tried to take a more geometric, modular, masculine type fixture and break it up and create what we thought would be blossoms, branches and leaves,” said Gerson. “We mixed up the materiality a little by using mesh to create a lightness, we wanted it to feel spacey, alive and happy.”
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
As a contrast to the sharp metal and glass silhouette of the original Welles, Sybille de Margerie’s interpretation reveals the feminine side of her signature design style. Couture-inspired, elegant and smooth, the capsule collection shows a gradient composition from emptiness to full, with a variation of hollow and plain shapes. It comprises a sconce, cluster sconce, the standard chandelier as seen in Milan, and a smaller version. All fixtures include padded vegan leather to create a subtle 3D effect and rounded corners to add softness.
“We love leather because we find it’s a very elegant finish and combined with a soft bronze,” said de Margerie. “This is our vision of luxury which is very understated.”
Guan Lee’s design is a striking floor installation, illuminated by light bulbs and made from POLiROCK, a new material developed by Material Architecture Lab. The fired clay has unique characteristics, somewhere between ceramic and rock. It appears natural but is made by recycling manufacturing waste. Due to the nature of this design, it can be customised from the original form that was shown in Milan. For commissions, Guan and the Gabriel Scott’s design team will work with the client to deliver something bespoke.
“The first thing I thought was that it would be nice to have a contrasting material, so instead of something transparent something solid that allows light to go through in a very particular way.” said Lee.
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
All Gabriel Scott pieces are handmade in a Montreal-based studio where an in-house team of industrial designers, engineers and manufacturers work together to create and oversee each piece from inception to production. Established to blend Scott’s design experience developed over many years working in architecture, fashion and jewellery design, Gabriel Scott’s furniture and lighting collections are designed in line with the studio’s three principles: timeless, customisable and versatile aesthetic.
Gabriel Scott 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.
Luxury all-inclusive Ikos Resorts has announced the addition of a seventh property to its portfolio, and its second in Spain with the new Ikos Porto Petro, opening in Mallorca…
Following its successful debut on the Iberian Peninsula with the opening of Ikos Andalusia in Marbella – Estepona in May 2021, Ikos Porto Petro is slated to open on the Spanish island of Mallorca in 2023. The hotel also marks the second new Ikos opening for the year 2023, closely following the opening of Ikos Odisia in Corfu in May 2023, as the innovative collection continues to expand at an impressive pace in spectacular destinations in Greece and Spain.
Image credit: Ikos Porto Petro
A stones throw away from the capital Palma, and nestled between two stunning coves; Calo dets Homes Morts and Calo de Sa Torre, Ikos Porto Petro stretches along a kilometre of pristine coastline on the south-east coast of Mallorca. Located next to the natural beauty of Parc Natural de Mondrago, the cosmopolitan Porto Petro Marina and the charming fishing village of Portopetro, the hotel will offer an authentic, chic new waterfront getaway in one of Mallorca’s best-preserved sites. The resort’s proximity to Porto Petro Marina makes it the ideal setting for water sports, boat trips and day tours or a Sea Caving Adventure. For those who want to stay out of the water, golf, hiking, and cycle touring are on offer.
Image credit: Ikos Porto Petro
Ikos Porto Petro will open with 319 elegantly designed guestrooms, suites & bungalows, including a selection of one, two and three-bedroom bungalow suites, thoughtfully designed for couples and families of all sizes. Accommodation enjoys balconies, gardens, and private pools, complimented by incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea. The property is expected to expand with the addition of spectacular cliff hanging three and four-bedroom suites as of 2024, offering unrivalled privacy with private pools and unobstructed sea views. Sitting serenely in verdant grounds, each guest room is curated with Ikos’ signature Mediterranean styling, infused with Mallorcan characteristics. The five-star resort aims to offer the best luxury all-inclusive experience in the area and will showcase the essence of the Greek brand through architecture and style, promoting the serenity and sophistication that Ikos is famed for.
Image credit: Ikos Porto Petro
Image credit: Ikos Porto Petro
The property will offer the award-winning Ikos luxury all-inclusive concept, which means virtually every element of a holiday is included. Guests can look forward to menus created by Michelin Star chefs, signature cocktails, 300 international wines, kid’s clubs, 24-hour room service and poolside service. Those looking for true indulgence can head to the exclusive Anne Semonin Spa offering state-of-the art facilities.
Image credit: Ikos Porto Petro
In addition, Ikos Porto Petro will offer an extensive gourmet offering, with five à la carte restaurants to tempt the most discerning of palettes. Ikos Resorts’ brand-new Food Hall concept will serve buffet-style breakfasts, international cuisine, and à la carte lunch and dinner. Guests can also opt to go on a gastronomic journey to the best local restaurants with the renowned Ikos Dine Out experience at no extra cost. Explorations beyond the resort can continue with the complimentary Local Drive Adventure offering the chance to go electric with a Tesla car for a day and discover the beautiful, rugged coast with breathtaking sea views, hike pathways such as the Castell d’Alaró, nature reserves like Parc Natural de S’Albufera and naturally sculpted underground caves such as Cuevas de Genova in Palma and Cuevas del Drach in Porto Cristo – all part of the Local Discovery concept.
Image credit: Ikos Porto Petro
Guests will be spoilt for choice with five indoor and outdoor heated pools, including an adult’s only pool, separate children’s and baby pools, as well as the pristine beauty of secluded coves and the surrounding natural environment. Deluxe Collection guests can enjoy exclusive benefits with everything they need at their fingertips, from fresh towels to an all-day waiter service and a bottle of Taittinger Champagne on arrival. They can also take advantage of the dedicated Ikos Deluxe Concierge, on hand for all holiday needs from a packing and unpacking service, booking a complimentary spa treatment and an exclusive seaside dining experience.
VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in December 2022
The temperature is not dropping at Hotel Designs HQ, as we migrate to far-flung destinations around the world to explore the hottest hotel openings expected in December…
What a year it has been! From new islands to renovated great dames, mind-blowing hotel concepts to the hospitality industry boldly entering the metaverse – 2022 will go down in history. It has been a year of growth and recovery – the ’20s really are living up to expectations of being totally ‘roaring’!
However, we are not quite ready to leave this year in the past to then focus on 2023 and beyond, as we have a handful of hotel openings expected to emerge in December that we believe will be revolutionary, and will aptly set the tone for the next year of openings, renovations and, generally, challenging conventional hospitality and hotel design concepts.
So, for the final time this year, here are our VIP arrivals that we expect to be ‘big news’ this month.
Fearn
Image credit: Faern
This month, Faern, a collection of lifestyle resorts in the idyllic Swiss Alps, is debuting two hotels; Faern Arosa Altein and Faern Crans-Montana Valaisia. What makes this brand exciting and ‘one to watch’ is its approach, answering each alpine destination with a fresh, new take that will be inspired by the scenic sights to ultimately – and authentically – bring people together to experience the best in altitude living. The design is to be rooted in traditional ’70s alpine charm with urban and modern convenience. Both destinations are also set to have extensive wellness offerings with indoor and outdoor pools for guests and visitors.
The Wayfinder Waikiki
Image credit: Read McKendree
Hawaii, but not as you know it. The Wayfinder Waikiki is opening in the neighbourhood of Honolulu as the second Wayfinder hotel under Dovetail + Co. The brand has created a uniquely hidden oasis with thoughtfully transformative design, public spaces, authentic food and beverage programming, and guest experiences steeped in culture distinctive to Hawaii and the Waikiki region. Designed by The Vanguard Theory, the 228-key hotel offers a fresh hospitality space, merging the building’s Brutalist architecture with tropical touches, electrifying colours, and patterns, alongside lush foliage specific to the island. Its design has been inspired by the sites, stories, and heritage of Hawaii by utilising colour tones that represent the land, sky, and water, geometric and floral prints, and natural fiber furniture with decorative art and design elements incorporated throughout by local artisans.
Portrait Milano
Image credit: Lungarno Collection
It is being billed as Milan’s ‘hottest and most exciting new hotel’ to arrive – big statement – Portrait Milano is not short of personality or colour! Lungarno Collection has once again collaborated with architect Michele Bonan on the interior design element of the project, after having worked with him on their other hotels; Hotel Lungarno, Portrait Roma and Portrait Firenze. The style of the rooms at Portrait Milano is clearly inspired by the city’s salotti, living rooms, of the 1950s: the blond Italian walnut and oriental references, typical at the time, take guests back to the most glamourous houses in Milan. The boiserie on the walls, which also feature rattan panels, add texture to the simple and essential lines of the interior design. These historical references are flanked by craftsmanship from Florence, the city where Lungarno Collection was born.
The Chedi El Gouna
Image credit: Orascom Hotels
Orascom Hotels Management, the hotels management arm of Orascom Development, is preparing the opening of its latest hotel, The Chedi El Gouna, which will become the brand’s flagship, located at the Egyptian Red Sea resort. The hotel represents the pinnacle of El Gouna’s luxury hotel offering, with its tagline ‘lean into the hush’ chosen to reflect the hotel’s serenity. With charming character and a stunning beachfront location, complemented by The Chedi’s signature Asian aesthetics of intuitive luxury, timeless design, and contemporary cool experience, the 82-key hotel will be a sumptuous, eco-friendly getaway.
Emerald Zanzibar Resort & Spa
Image credit: The Emerald Collection
This winter, the Scarapicchia family, which brought us earlier this year year Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa, will continue to build on their past success managing resorts in Zanzibar, Tanzania, with the launch of a new five-star luxury property in Zanzibar within The Emerald Collection group. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Emerald Zanzibar Resort & Spa will be located in the north-east of the island in Muyuni area, directly in front of Mnemba island.
JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites
Image credit: Marriott International
Image credit: Marriott International
Nestled in a beautiful beachside setting on southern Thailand’s Andaman coast, the 52-key JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites is opening this month, sheltering a contemporary yet airy interior design and architecture scheme. The resort’s collection of 11 restaurants and bars tempt guests with an extensive array of casual and formal dining choices ranging from traditional Thai to Japanese and Italian cuisines. New additions to the resort include Sala Restaurant & Pool Bar, an inviting all-day venue that celebrates the timeless pleasures of great Asian and international food and family dining by the poolside. DRIFT Beach Bar & Grill is the resort’s new meat and seafood grill restaurant inspired by regional Mediterranean cuisine. The brand’s signature JW Garden offers a variety of homegrown organic herbs, spices and other natural ingredients that are used in the restaurants, resort activities, cooking classes and for organic treatments in the spa.
In January, Hotel Designs will publish its extensive list of statement hotel openings that are expected in 2023.
Breaking news: Kerzner International’s new hotel brand Siro to launch in Dubai
Kerzner International, independent developer and operator of hospitality and residential properties, today announced plans to open a first-of-its-kind, immersive lifestyle and fitness brand, SIRO, at One Za’abeel in Dubai in Q4 2023. Here’s what we know…
The new holistic wellbeing brand SIRO, will be a key feature of One Za’abeel, a mixed-use development, spread over a 530,000 square-metre plot strategically positioned at the entrance to Dubai’s international financial districts. The two-tower high-rise, mixed-use development will also incorporate One&Only One Za’abeel, One&Only Private Homes, and office spaces, in addition to retail podium The Gallery, and a panoramic sky concourse – the world’s longest cantilevered building, The Link, which connects the two towers. Suspended 100 metres above ground, this 226-metre-long structure will be a lifestyle destination in the sky for high-end dining, hospitality, retail, and entertainment. Ithra Dubai is the principal developer, a fully owned subsidiary of Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD).
Image credit: Kerzner International
A fitness and recovery destination, SIRO One Za’abeel will offer holistic fitness and wellbeing programs, in a beautifully designed hotel environment with stunning views of Dubai’s skyline. SIRO will be situated in one of two towers at One Za’abeel and a state-of-the-art fitness club will form the hotel’s core across two floors, boasting a 1,000-square-metre gym with dedicated spaces for yoga, meditation, and group classes. A Recovery Lab will feature cutting-edge technologies; cryo, infrared, and oxygen therapies; physiotherapy, acupuncture, and stretching; and dedicated mindfulness coaches and nutrition experts. All the restaurants will serve organic and seasonal meals crafted by chefs working with local producers.
Image caption: Render of the gym and fitness centre that will be sheltered inside SIRO Boka Place, designed by Atellior. | Image credit: SIRO
“SIRO represents Kerzner’s continued ambition to break boundaries in the hospitality industry, and it will transform the fitness and recovery hospitality experience.,” said Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer of Kerzner International. “Going far beyond the expected by combining our renowned excellence in developing truly exceptional hotels and experiences, with the invaluable insight and expertise from a world-class selection of international athletes, the result will be a curated, bold guest experience with powerful opportunities to excel. Our aim is to expand the SIRO community globally and we look forward to partnering with developers and investors in key global destinations.”
“SIRO is a bold, innovative new Kerzner brand,” added Issam Galadari, CEO of Ithra. “It will serve a global community focused on health and wellbeing with a destination offering yet to be seen in Dubai and in the hospitality sector. We are proud to be a developer and partner in this unique project and look forward to building this iconic development in Dubai’s One Za’abeel.”
Image caption: Render of the rooftop that will open in SIRO Boka Place, designed by Atellior. | Image credit: SIRO
Each SIRO hotel and every guest experience is conceptualised and customised to the city in which it is built. As such, a holistic fitness and wellbeing programme is designed for each guest, including an optional 3D body scan to provide personalised data to develop a tailored programme for every individual. International sports teams (A.C. Milan) and Olympic athletes (Ramla Ali and Adam Peaty) serve as experts with SIRO in-house teams to shape the guest experience – a first for the hospitality industry. SIRO invites guest to ‘Live the Journey’ and unlock peak mental and physical performance in a supportive, aspirational environment.
The first SIRO was announced for Porto Montenegro, SIRO Boka Place, and is due to be open in early 2024.
HIX 2022 review: from a mycelium bar to the metaverse
HIX 2022 was underlined by the event theme; ‘Great things will grow’ – and indeed, from the discussions on stage to the conversations on the stands the event was fuelled by a sense of positivity and purpose as the industry as a whole faces up to the challenges of net zero and social innovation. Writer Pauline Brettell gives us her impressions of both the content and the creativity that made an impact…
Design, innovation and a healthy dose of optimism were evident themes on every level at HIX 2022. From the insightful speakers on stage to the bold brands showcasing new products and creative installations on the floor, designers were weaving their way through and between creative moments that together made HIX one of this year’s stand-out trade shows, globally.
With the event mantra anchored as ‘Great Things will Grow’ referencing this innovation in response to all the challenges having been faced by the industry, the most literal interpretation of this was the Mush Room installation, the result of a collaboration between WeWantMore, La Succulente and Côme Di Meglio. The studios threw open the conversation on alternative materials by designing a bar that would grow towards the event while at the same time developing an example of what one of these ‘great things’ might be – in this case, mycelium as a design material. The design of the mycelium bar drew inspiration from shapes and textures found in and on shells. It illustrated the infinite source of inspiration nature can be, both aesthetically and structurally. The overall shape had a sacral feel to it – almost like a tomb – which was, according to WeWantMore, a metaphor for burying a traditional way of thinking and reflecting on new ideas when designing spaces.
Image credit: WeWantMore
The installation was just one very loud statement from the show, though. All interior designers and architects know that lighting is key to successful design, and the lighting on display at HIX addressed all aspects of this – from the statement pieces, through to energy-saving solutions. These trends were clearly exhibited on the Northern Lights stand where a understated yet perfectly formed rechargeable lamp was mere steps away from the showpiece brutalist inspired Breuer – an impressive chandelier that instantly grabbed attention with its raw, honest narrative displays layers of brass metal. Beautifully finished, the chandelier is as much a sculpture as a lighting solution.
Image credit: HIX22
Proving that timeless can also be decorative (and never dull), Chelsom, a brand that can be found in all corners of the the residential, cruise ship and hotel design arenas, was front and centre during the two-day show, displaying some of its hero products from the Edition 27 collection – and marking its very special anniversary of 75 years.
Another lighting solution that was hard to keep eyes off – and that was as much about installation as illumination – came from Quasar. The modular and asymmetrical designs that characterise the suspended Quasar design throws light both downwards and upwards, while the design structure manages to be both geometric and modular while at the same time referencing the natural world in its elemental structure. The term Quasar, apparently, means a rising star, and this brand is certainly a rising star in the lighting realm that caught our attention.
Image credit: HIX
Bathroom design at HIX saw two main areas of focus, addressing concerns of sustainability and water conservation, while also elevating concepts of wellness onto a more personal level. Brands such as Laufen, Roca, Graff, Gessi and Hansgrohe proved that wellness has gone further thanks to variety. No longer confined to the realm of the spa, wellness and spa concepts are being introduced into the daily bathroom routine both in the hotel and the home. Brands such as GROHE was keen to highlight products that gave consumers the experience and indulgence of spa from the bathroom.
It was interesting perhaps with the focus in the hospitality industry more broadly on experiential travel and creating a sense of place, that the evening saw exhibitors imaginatively creating their own sense of place with personalised events. These events broke down the barriers between product and designer, shifting the boundaries and creating conversation.
Image credit: HIX
Image credit: HIX
Fabric and surface decoration were visible every step of the way through the hall, and again the thread of sustainable design in tandem with innovative design was a visible thread. Contract fabric house Edmund Bell addressed environmental issues head on with its new sheer range REPREVE, made woven from 100 per cent recycled materials, including post-consumer plastic bottles and pre-consumer waste.
Strong design statements showing us the directions and trends for both colour and pattern were clearly brought to life on the stands of fabric houses such as Sekers and Zimmer + Rohde where a common thread of warm and earthy – possibly biophilic? – tones and textures were apparent.
Speaking about the personalisation of design-led spaces, the surface designs by Arte made a strong statement in trend and colour direction, combining both in its striking Secret Silhouettes design, printed on chenille in rich colours, more artwork than wallcovering.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: HIX22
Since its arrival last year, HIX has characterised by the conversations it creates both on the floor and on stage, and this year was no exception. The HIX Talks stage, sponsored by Kohler, was a hive of energy throughout the two days. Rather than focussing on recovery, which has been the hospitality narrative for the past few years, it was, in general a forward-looking programme that encapsulated in the strap line ‘Great things will grow: the hotel is back’.
Kicking things off, Alon Baranowitz dug deeper into narrative-driven design, moving onto looking critically on where we are headed on the path to net zero; and yet another conversation discussing the impact of trends like digital nomads on the hospitality industry.
Having identified the foundations and meaning of narrative in hotel design, the ‘narrative’ of the show moved onto exploring topics that were slightly outside the perimeter of hotel design. One panel in particular that captured a progressive tone was that on members club in hotel design. The model may not be new, however, what became clear in the discussion between Hamish Kilburn (Editor of Hotel Designs), Naomi Heaton, (CEO, Founder and Owner The Other House), Natalia Miyar, ( Founder, Natalia Miyar Atelier), Myriel Walter, (Global Director of Culture & Membership, Sircle Collection) and Chris King, (Co-founder, Birch) all key players in this movement, was that the way in which it is being driven forward has developed a new and often design-led – and sometimes socially-conscious – momentum.
“Stepping off the stand after this event felt like having looked through a window into the overwhelmingly positive future of hotel design.” – Pauline Brettell.
Image credit: HIX
The talks were not just limited to the HIX Talks stage, as some brands took the initiative to carry the conversations onto the stand. The discussion on the Ligne Roset stand saw and in conversation with Damien Perrot of Accor and Ramy Fischler of RF Design, moderated by Kilburn, that dived into the collaborative hotel design project – redefining the Novotel brand – that was the hero of the Ligne Roset stand. It was an intimate chat that explained both the design process and concepts, as well as the idea behind the collaboration from the brand’s point of view. Stepping off the stand after this event felt like having looked through a window into the overwhelmingly positive future of hotel design.
And finally, I confronted my own personal bête noir by taking a front seat in front of the stage where things moved into the metaverse. Pallavi Dean, (Founder of Roar), Timothy Griffin, (Co-Founder of Wellbrook Hospitality ) and Emma Chiu, (Global Director, Wunderman Thompson Intelligence) unpacked the mystery of the digital world in a panel discussion moderated by Kilburn. In the process, the visionaries made cyberspace feel not only a lot more accessible, but, dare I say it, exciting! While I might not be ready to head off into the virtual sunset just yet, the conversation certainly opened my mind to the possibilities being presented to us, a sharp reminder to embrace change and look for the positive. And if that is the primary take-away from HIX 2022 it can, surely, only lead to a bigger and bolder hospitality industry, where, indeed, the hotel is both back and moving forward!
The fast-growing luxury lifestyle brand, Nobu Hospitality, raising the bar having just announced its plans to create Nobu Hotel, Restaurant and Residences in Abu Dhabi. Here’s what we know…
Slated to open in 2026 on Saadiyat Island, Nobu Hotel will shelter 165 luxurious and spacious guestrooms and suites, including the ‘jewel of the crown’ Nobu Villa. The plans were announced this week, Nobu Hospitality and Alder Properties gave us an insight as to what we should expect. But first, we thought we would explore just how significant this move is for Nobu, which is slowly yet surely taking over the luxury lifestyle scene.
Image credit: Nobu Hospitality
Founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper, with operations spanning five continents, the Nobu brand thrives in the world’s capitals as the ultimate destination lifestyle experience. Since 2013, when the first Nobu Hotel opened in 2013 in Las Vegas, the brand has spread far and wide – 30 hotels have been added both open and in development.
Following recent openings in Dubai, Mexico and Vietnam, Nobu’s latest hotel is located on its own island. Saadiyat Island is a world-renowned, leisure, business, residential, and cultural centre. Graced by the presence of free-roaming gazelles, white-sand beaches, and home to the critically endangered Hawksbill turtles, Saadiyat Island also offers the world’s largest single concentration of cultural assets including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Natural History Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Zayed National Museum as well as other remarkable attractions. Guests and residents of the island can also perfect their swing on the region’s premier waterfront golf course, or simply relax on the island’s sprawling stretch of powdery white beaches and protected coastal areas.
Situated alongside the hotel and just a seven-minute drive from downtown Abu Dhabi, the development includes an exquisite Nobu branded residences. Offering a mix of multi-bedroom waterfront residences and penthouses with unobstructed views of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and positioned in the most coveted location on the island, the Nobu Residences will be one of the most sought-after and desirable addresses in the region.
The ultra-luxury resort One&Only Mandarina, located on an undiscovered stretch of coastline along the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, has launched a collection of Signature Villas, designed by Studio Rick Joy. We stepped inside for a sneak peak…
One&Only Mandarina, which we first spoke about back in 2020, overlooks the Pacific Ocean with dramatic vistas and a location in an awe-inspiring beachfront rainforest setting. The ultra-luxury beach sanctuary and collection of expansive Signature Villas stretches across a 33 hectare landscape of unspoiled nature, and lush, tropical landscape. Together with the resort’s majestic Grand Villas, such as the exceptional Villa One, the resort has an array of options for groups of families and friends that are seeking a place to gather, relax and reconnect.
Image credit: One&Only
The collection of Signature Villas features sustainable design and ground-breaking architecture by Studio Rick Joy, sensitively built to integrate within nature and embrace the dramatic setting rather than reshape it with careful low-density planning. Each villa is designed specifically to reflect its location, drawing the outdoors in via breath-taking views of rolling, green mountain sides fading into jungle canopies or the unspoilt vistas of the crystal-clear ocean meeting the horizon.
Open structures capture natural light, filtered through the towering trees, while traditional Mexican design elements are reimagined, including pitched roofs with large overhangs, a nod to local palapas. Earth-hued walls emerge from the ground with low visual impact, inspired by the historic buildings once constructed on the site by the Cora, an indigenous settlement in the Western Central Mexico, who covered their buildings in earthen plaster. Terraces and courtyards are made from volcanic rocks directly sourced from the location while the tropical rainforest provides woods including Cumaru, Rosa Morada, and Tornillo.
Image credit: One&Only
Image credit: One&Only
Locally crafted custom woodwork, stone accents and earthy tones add rich, textural warmth throughout the interiors, complemented by intricate artefacts curated specifically for the space by local artisans. Designed to enhance the interior space, the villas showcase state-of-the-art Delos’ Home Wellness solutions with air and water purification, dehumidification, and circadian lighting systems to ensure a harmonious inner sanctuary and a wellness-focused living experience that is seamlessly in tune with its surroundings.
Image credit: One&Only
The Signature Villas introduce four to eight bedroom luxurious residences, with an expansive layout of multiple interconnected buildings surrounding a central indoor/outdoor living area ranging from 758 to 1,725 total square metres that can accommodate from 12 up to 24 guests in different layouts perfectly designed for multi-family travellers, groups of friends, and celebratory gatherings. Each villa is distinct, offering unparalleled bespoke amenities with a dedicated host service and preference planner to tend to guests’ every need, from pre-arrival shopping to booking private chefs, musical entertainment and more. Wine studios can be outfitted with leading wines from the region and the world, while TV rooms, cinemas and casino rooms offer a multitude of entertainment options.
Fully outfitted gyms allow guests to focus on wellness in the privacy of their villa, and offices allow for any work needs to be swiftly and professionally met. Expansive bedrooms with walk-in closets and ensuite bathrooms enhance a residential feel, allowing guests to linger for longer stays in ultimate comfort. Lush landscaping brings the rainforest into the gracious outdoor living spaces for gathering and entertaining, including spacious terraces, infinity-edged pools and jacuzzies. All Signature Villas feature additional facilities to ensure an easy stay, such as multi-car garages and laundry rooms.
Image credit: One&Only
This level of thoughtful design is matched with a warm hospitality and intuitive service. One&Only Mandarina’s 24-hour dedicated butler service and an expert team of butlers, chefs, fitness instructors and spa therapists, create a dedicated team delivering a perfectly personalised level of service tailored to each guest’s individual needs.
Image credit: One&Only
Image credit: One&Only
The new villas are the first to join the growing Signature Villa collection at One&Only Mandarina, offering ultra-luxury accommodation for groups of friends, multi-generational families, or celebrations. They complement the existing Grand Villa collection – Villa One, Villa Banderas, Villa Tortuga, Villa Jaguar, and Villa Pacifico.
Villa One, the pinnacle of resort living, stretches over 1,747 square metres boasting two king bedroom suites and one double queen suite, each with their own walk-in closet and terrace with a private hot tub. The expansive living and dining areas include a bar and a spacious kitchen with a central island for gathering, as well as wine cellar/humidor. The indoor spa and gym with cold plunge pool and terrace, full screen cinema, family room with games and an entertainment zone complete the rest of the villa, while outside a sweeping infinity pool and outdoor covered dining terrace with barbecue grill overlooking the Pacific Ocean await.
Image credit: One&Only
Completing the luxury offering is an additional four Grand Villas. Villa Pacifico is an airy and bright two-bedroom residence complete with a full kitchen, office space, private cinema and outdoor rain showers and pool. The two-bedroom Villa Jaguar’s indoor spaces transition seamlessly into a vast terrace complete with BBQ, hot tub, and expansive pool. Guests will enjoy jungle living in its finest in the two-bedroom Villa Tortuga, nestled into the rainforest’s greenery overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With wraparound views of the ocean, Villa Banderas comes in one or two-bedroom configurations, which both offer expansive living areas and sea-facing terraces perfect for lounging.
Foster + Partners will design one of London’s largest timber developments
Foster + Partners has released CGIs showing its design for a new mixed-use development building, which will be made from timber, in the fast-changing neighbourhood of Bayswater. Here’s what we know…
The William, a mixed-use development building that will be opposite the building that will shelter London’s first Six Senses hotel and spa, has just been granted planning approval. Designed by Foster + Partners, which worked closely with Westminster City Council and local residents, the building is set to help ‘transform’ the northern end of Queensway in Bayswater, London.
The renders that the London-based architecture studio has released show a large, timber-framed building positioned the high street. As well as the innovative use to natural materials, the entire building has been designed smartly to shelter a deep and conscious design narrative. Patrick Campbell, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners believed it sets a new standard for ‘the next generation’ of low-carbon, healthy office buildings. “The William provides natural ventilation, great daylight, flexible floorplates and green terraces – all within a high-performance façade and a hybrid timber structure. We are now looking forward to bringing our designs to life.”
Image credit: Foster + Partners
Image credit: Foster + Partners
The William will be built using cross-laminated timber, making it one of London’s largest timber developments and Foster + Partners’ first timber office building in the capital. The construction of The William is projected to be BREEAM Outstanding, and the building will be operationally net-zero carbon upon completion.
With six floors of office space alongside shops and 32 new homes, 11 of which will be affordable, The William is an integral part of the revitalisation of Bayswater. The development is named after William Whiteley, the eponymous founder of the nearby Whiteleys department store located on the opposite side of the road, which is also being redeveloped by Foster + Partners. The Whiteley will offer a further 139 world-class apartments, 19 new shops and restaurants, as well as Six Senses London.
Image caption: Render of The Whiteley, which will shelter London’s first Six Senses hotel and spa. | Image credit: Six Senses Hotel & Spas
The building’s modern design has sustainability and wellness at its heart. The building features a series of connected, light-filled spaces that provide a calm and inspiring working environment. A dramatic and welcoming double-height lobby features organic materials, biophilic design and art installations. Biodiverse terraces and rooftop spaces offer spectacular views across Hyde Park, while ground floor retail units activate the high street and mirror The Whiteley, on the opposite side of the road.
London’s ever-changing architecture landscape just became more interesting.
In conversation with: Ben Naylor, Group Operations Director, Sanderson Design Group
With sustainability at the heart of the Sanderson Design Group strategy moving forward, we caught up with Ben Naylor to dig a little deeper into the groups Sustainability Pledge and find out what it actually means for SDG to ‘Live Beautiful’…
To ‘Live Beautiful’ from a Sanderson Design Group (SDG) perspective, is about embracing sustainability while at the same time, preserving traditions and design heritage – the two are inextricably intertwined. It is about living well with respect, care and compassion. Combine this ethos with a Zero by Thirty pledge and you are on a winning and admirable road forward. SDG has been putting a lot of work into running a business on sound Environmental, Social and Governance principles, and we used this opportunity to find out what this means in more practical terms.
Image credit: Sanderson Design Group
Hotel Designs: Do you have a strategy on how you will tackle climate change within your industry?
Ben Naylor: Absolutely! Since 2020, Sanderson Design Group (SDG) and its brands have been executing a fully formulated sustainability strategy that treats all areas of its creative process, including design, manufacture and distribution. This strategy, awarded Planet Mark accreditation, has as its flagship policy the Zero By 30 pledge for net zero carbon emissions by 2030. A significant part of this activity occurs within our manufacturing operations, as they contribute 80 per cent of our internal CO2 emissions. We are investing in more efficient production processes, solar panels and energy reduction programmes. The plan is well articulated, but we’re always on the lookout for new technologies that can fast-track our Zero By 30 goals.
HD: How will you encourage your partners to support you in your vision for sustainability?
BN: It’s so important to spread the word about sustainability, as well as celebrate your achievements. At SDG, we share our plans with customers and investors through regular presentations and correspondences. We are also proud members and contributors to many charities and institutions which champion sustainability, including The Furniture Makers’ Company and Walpole.
For us, the most significant part of leveraging change is how closely we work with our supplier base. Our newly rewritten supplier manual sets out our expectations of supplier standards, ensuring we’re working with partners who share our vision of sustainability. In particular, we’re keen they recognise our commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.
HD: What concepts are you currently exploring in the development and innovation of product and design?
BN: In our packaging, we’ve waved goodbye to single-use plastics. When wrapping fabrics, sugar cane is our new go-to, and for parcels, the tape is now made from paper. These seemingly small changes add up very quickly to make a big shift!
Excitingly (and quite innovatively within the interiors industry) Clarke & Clarke has released its Eco Sustainable Weaves collection. Made entirely of recycled yarns derived from single-use plastics, the brand has created a compelling luxury design story for homes. With plans to continue using the same recycled yarns in upcoming collections, we’re helping to answer the question ‘Can fashionable interiors be sustainable?’ with an emphatic Yes!
Image credit: Sanderson Design Group
HD: With the pressing need by the clients for more green manufacturers, what are the new processes, measures and/or adaptations you are making to make your manufacturing process more sustainable?
BN: Standfast & Barracks, our fabric printers, have since 2021 only used cotton from the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) on all 100% cotton bases. BCI cotton uses a traceable sourcing route to ensure we can monitor environmental impacts, safe working practices, and fair treatment of all persons in the supply chain. It’s all part of aligning with the Global Ethical Trading Policy.
Standfast & Barracks’ cloth range also offers base fabrics sourced in collaboration with the Seaqual Initiative, using recycled plastic salvaged from oceans to create an innovative, quality cloth choice.
Our new Ecofast™ print process, the result of significant innovation, provides our customers with the opportunity to utilise the latest digital printing technology. Ecofast™ is OEKO-TEX® Certified for all cotton-based fabrics and boasts a vastly reduced water consumption compared to conventional and Digital Reactive printing.
Additionally, Standfast & Barracks is now certified by The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The world-leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, GOTS contains stringent ecological and social criteria for processing, manufacturing and trading our organic textiles.
Image credit: Sanderson Design Group
HD: How can designers overcome perceptions that sustainability is a trade-off?
BN: By understanding that it doesn’t have to be! We’ve been able to make vast improvements with no loss of quality. In fact, it has helped us totally rethink how we want to do things. Developments are being made all the time, too, which should help open-minded designers feel reassured that choosing the sustainable option needn’t mean sacrificing other elements.
HD: And finally, are you finding British-made is the way forward in your sustainability journey?
BN: At SDG, we’re pretty unique in the market for owning and operating a British manufacturing base and design studio. This means we’ve always been well-placed to understand the value of being British-made. Being able to laser focus our production line within one country reduces the kinks which can slow down progress on sustainability, too.
Additionally, we source the majority of our products from the UK, giving us far greater control, especially where we supply from Standfast & Barracks and our wallpaper printers, Anstey.
Sanderson Design 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.
Editor checks in: “hotels in the metaverse and beyond”
Headsets on. Hot off the HIX Talks stage, where he and a handful of visionaries explored why hotels are betting on cyberspace, Editor Hamish Kilburn is himself heading into the metaverse to explore how virtual spaces, in theory as well as reality, could work in harmony with physical hospitality and hotel design…
I’ve never been a gamer – it’s just never been a thing I have connected with. During my childhood, years before ‘hotels’ and the ‘metaverse’ were used in the same sentence, the physical act of falling from a tree, mastering the ability to ride a unicycle I got for Christmas one year, or hitting a new skill in gymnastics was much more appealing and exhilarating than levelling up in Crash Bandicoot – no offence to die-hard fans of the game!
The thought, then, of ‘plugging in’ to a virtual world to explore a new era of hospitality – an industry that has forever grown and developed from people interacting in a very real world – isn’t something that naturally excites me. Everything I have read and learned over the years of editing these pages has taught me that we should tread very carefully when it comes to injecting technology into the hotel experience; whatever we invent next needs to be accessible to both a digital and analogue world. Then again, they said the same about ‘online-only publications’, and look how far we have come!
When I was asked recently to moderate a panel discussion, at HIX, to explore this concept in a new light, I’ll be honest, I felt unqualified. Joining me on the panel was interior designer Pallavi Dean, who has bought four properties in Decentraland; Timothy Griffin, who has just launched a new hotel in the metaverse; and Emma Chiu, Gobal Director, Wunderman Thompson Intelligence, whose research in this area is refreshing, extensive and forward-looking.
Image caption: citizenM was one of the first hotel brands to buy property in the metaverse. | Image credit: citizenM
Knowing my position – and the limits I have set on how far I think technology should go in the hotel design and hospitality arena – I couldn’t help but feel like I was intruding on a conversation that many tech experts would jump at the opportunity to be a part of. Perhaps it was my hesitation – and natural curiosity – that led me to accept the very kind offer from the show. And, by doing so, I had a complete 180 – I literally changed my opinion on stage – on how the metaverse can elevate experiences in hospitality and beyond.
Given everything going on in the world, it’s easy to forget that there will be new generations that will, by nature, have different demands as well as behavioural traits. Everything evolves and platforms change – some morph while others don’t survive the pace. Life goes on without so much of a question as to whether what we are signing up to is healthy. Take social media, for example. In 2004, the year when I was starting secondary school, Facebook was launched as a new way to connect – it was the largest web development since Tim Burners Lee invented the internet in 1989.
A year later, Bebo emerged allowing users to create the best profiles/image of themselves, join groups and connect with like-minded people. But, unlike Facebook, after hardly any time at all, Bebo became clunky, unfriendly for the user and stuck in the past. On the contrary, Facebook evolved, updated and gave the user what they were demanding. The early Facebook that we all raved about is somewhat unrecognisable to what it is today. But that’s the point: slow, continuous tweaking has ensured that the platform has remained relevant to all who use it. And it’s the same could be said about the metaverse.
Before I take you any further, though, there are two things you need to know about purchasing ‘land’ in the metaverse:
First, you need to understand blockchains, which are digital databases or ledgers that are distributed among the nodes of a peer-to-peer network. So what does that mean? As a database, a blockchain stores information electronically in a digital format. This is integral to maintain a secure, decentralised record of transactions.
To own property in the metaverse you have to setup a crypto wallet. This is a space where private keys are stored, keeping your crypto safe and, importantly, accessible. Each metaverse has its own currency that you can convert easily – it’s very safe because the blockchain will trace every transaction. Essentially, you cannot purchase property in the metaverse with hard cash.
And we’re away – hold on to your handsets, it’s going to be a gripping journey of discovery. But first, please listen to the pre-flight safety annoucnement, from Chiu, designed to take away any anticipation around what it is we are actually talking about when we discuss ‘the metaverse’. “Take the word out of the sentence and we are, really, just talking about technology entering a new level,” said Chiu. “Our research started when we were exploring the gaming industry. We were intrigued how it [gaming] was jumping from the traditional video game into something that was more interactive and socially driven. In early 2020, this was the new frontier of gaming. For us, the metaverse is an evolution of technology, and the way we are engaging – it is far beyond gaming.”
“[The metaverse enabled us] to build a hotel that wasn’t bound by the physical constraints of traditional architecture.” – Tim Griffin, Co-Founder, Wellbrook Hospitality.
For a lot of designers, architects and hoteliers who I speak to, the biggest concern around the metaverse is that it will replace, possibly overshadow, the hotel experience as we know it today. Last year, I checked in to LEVEN Manchester, LEVEN’s first hotel, located in the heart of a thriving neighbourhood and designed by Giffin and his team at Wellbrook Hospitality. The space is uniquely residential, tactile and multi-layered. When I then heard that the next hotel to open world be in the metaverse, the decision at the time felt out of touch from the warm hospitality experience that LEVEN offered. “We saw this as an exciting opportunity to extend our brand as a ‘playground’ where we can break all kinds of rules. The ethos behind LEVEN is to create spaces where people can be themselves and enjoy our hotels and spaces on their own terms, and where better to do that than in the metaverse,” Griffen explained. “We saw it as a way to supercharge what we are doing in the real world – we were able to build a hotel that wasn’t bound by the physical constraints of traditional architecture, and it aligned with our progressive approach at Wellbrook Hospitality.”
“If you’re an architect or a designer then you’re already in the metaverse.” – Pallavi Dean, Founder, Roar.
Image caption: Roar, the studio founded by Pallavi Dean, has made a ‘home’ in the Metaverse. | Image credit: Roar
Image credit: Roar
This headline-grabbing topic has divided opinions since ‘Oculus’ became a common term. Aside from technology moving into unfamiliar territory, the thought of interior designers and architects working – not just socialising – in the metaverse has, at times, seemed unrealistic. But Dean, who is a prominent design figure based in Dubai, chooses to look at the topic through a different lens. “This is nothing new,” she said passionately. “If you’re an architect or a designer then you’re already in the metaverse – I’m talking about everything from mataport scanning to using VR headsets. This is a three-dimensional version of web 2.0 as we know it. Obviously, when it started to gain traction, I decided that I wanted to be part of it. I couldn’t ask my clients to invest in it if I wasn’t prepared to myself. We have set up a showroom, which has sparked interested, and we have just designed our first art gallery for a client that is not local to me, which wouldn’t have happened without taking that step. I think, for me, my advice to other designers would be not to be frightened. Modelling and designing in the metaverse is the easy part!”
For an industry that has always found creative solutions within perameters of possibility, entering the metaverse may sound like a free-for-all. But it would be wrong to think that there are no rules in cyberspace, as Dean explained: “The metaverse is very low-fi – think minecraft – there are constraints. We are in the very early days of what this could be, which makes it exciting.”
“I love the idea that eventually [the metaverse] will latch on to what we are talking about with web 3.” – Emma Chiu, Global Director, Wunderman Thompson Intelligence.
The other pre-conception around the metaverse is people relating it to a location. In the metaverse, there are no co-ordinates as to where you are on earth. Instead, as Chiu explains in her research, we should consider the metaverse as a platform. “People think it’s a place where they can go to, but we like to think of it as a platform where there are multiple worlds that can be explored,” she said. “I think of it as a place where you are able to be part of a community – it’s not a singular experience, and it is ever-evolving. In just one year, things have changed so much. Now, all of a sudden, there are live events, social spaces and purchases you can make. I love the idea that eventually it will latch on to what we are talking about with web 3, to give the power back to the users in form of ownership.”
A wise man, tech expert Jason Bradbury, once told me that social media has entered into an era fuelled by the ‘democratisation of everything’, which is a sexy way of saying that that anyone can have a platform. Take Instagram and TikTok, for example. With just few taps and swipes you are communicating to a mass audience. The idea of the metaverse is just stretching that ideology one step further to challenge the traditional ownership model when it comes to the internet. “It’s not going to be one company owning the metaverse,” Chiu added. “Think of it a platform that you can turn it into whatever you want that to be, whether that be hotels, social spaces or places where people can experience something they cannot in the physical world.”
“For me, the opportunity to be on the panel was a way of cutting through the noise to understand, beyond the PR storms, the purpose away from the gimmicks.” – Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs.
Image caption: Pallavi Dean, Tim Griffin, Emma Chiu and Hamish Kilburn exploring the metaverse on the HIX Talks stage. | Image credit: HIX
Relating this back to a living, breathing case study, I was interested to understand how the digital and physical married up for a hotel in cyberspace. “Through design, you can supercharge the experience in the metaverse,” added Griffin. It can be otherworldly and more dynamic than what we can create in the real world. Our biggest challenge, though, has been how we translate a physical hotel into the metaverse. We found threads of real life that we were able to inject into the online experience. Whether that’s using the same artists that we have used in our physical hotels or creating NFTs. We have really tried to blur the boundaries between retail and hotels. E-commerse is, to an extent, driving our evolution in the metaverse, because it has opened the opportunity for the guest to experience and access our merchandise in the metaverse – we are able to amplify the brand in an authentic and meaningful way.”
My biggest problem I have with the metaverse is how much it is flippantly used in conversations. The opportunity to be on the panel was a way of cutting through the noise to understand, beyond the PR storms, the purpose away from the gimmicks. “I have heard, wrongly, people say that the metaverse is immersive,” said Dean. “In its current format, it is two-dimensional, but it will be immersive when we have developed a second skin with haptic feelings. Right now, though, the metaverse is, put simply, an extension of your physical experience.”
Having peered through the vortex to see what’s on the other side – its not a black hole after all – and following an honest live conversation with three leaders who are all on this journey together to make sense on where the next mutation in technology will emerge from, I am no longer concerned about seeing the metaverse merge into hotel design and hospitality. Unlike the topics around sustainability and general urbanisation, the metaverse feels infant, untamed and charged – like a wild ball of energy. Adopted sensitively, and handled with care, we might even be able to utilise hardware and software together to understand changing social behaviours in order to design more intuitive spaces in the real world. For now, at least, the future is… unwritten.
Slated to open in 2023, Hotel AKA Alexandria will be the newest luxury offering in the Washington D.C. metro area showcasing a sophisticated, newly reimagined property designed by architect and designer, Piero Lissoni. Here’s what we know…
A joint venture between Electra America and AKA targeting the acquisition and repositioning of underperforming hotels in gateway markets, has announced that it has purchased a 178 key hotel in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. The anticipated opening of Hotel AKA Alexandria will be the first of its’ kind for the historic Old Town Alexandria neighbourhood, bringing a new level of style and sophistication for discerning travellers.
Image credit: Hotel AKA Alexandria / Lissoni New York
Following the transformation by Piero Lissoni, Hotel AKA Alexandria will deliver a new level of luxury with a balance of modern minimalism and refined mid-century element. Lissoni has effortlessly blended modern design with the charming brick-lined setting of Old Town, Alexandria. The sleek lines, dark tones, and rich materials of the common areas evoke Japanese minimalism, while the chic furnishings are sourced from the world’s leading artisans, including Lema, Living Divani, and Porro. The centrepiece is a dramatic floating staircase — a signature feature of Lissoni’s — that accentuates the transformative experience of moving throughout the property
Image credit: Hotel AKA Alexandria / Lissoni New York
Image credit: Hotel AKA Alexandria / Lissoni New York
The guestrooms are tranquil spaces marked by thoughtful design with residential touches, modern amenities, and premium décor. The public spaces have been designed with intimate spaces for relaxing, including a serene arrival garden on the porte cochere, as well as an expansive outdoor terrace with lush greenery. There will be a state-of-the-art conference room and private cinema, and the trademark a.lounge to enjoy some of Alexandria’s finest cocktails and light bites in the evening.
In addition to redesigning Hotel AKA Alexandria, Lissoni is also leading the design transformation of Hotel AKA NoMad, slated to open in 2023. While these two properties will be the newest in the AKA portfolio, there are two additional properties in the D.C. area including AKA White House, and AKA Foggy Bottom.
Main image credit: Hotel AKA Alexandria / Lissoni New York
Introducing the top 25 Brit List Interior Designers of 2022
Earlier this month, The Brit List 2022 was published, which profiles the leading interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain, following the projects that have completed throughout this year. Kickstarting a three-part editorial series, here are The Brit List Interior Designers of 2022…
The Brit List Awards has become known for its bold personality, expressive award ceremonies and its unique and in-depth style to leave no stone unturned when identifying who among the industry are the leading figures in design, architecture and hospitality.
Each year, from the entries that are submitted, the team at Hotel Designs, with the help of the judging panel, whittle down the entries to carve out the top 25 designers, top 25 architects and top 25 hoteliers – it has become an integral part of the campaign so that the industry can celebrate beyond the individual winners.
Over the course of the next few weeks, our editorial team will publish, in alphabetical order, the 75 individual profiles that together make up The Brit List 2022. And where better place to start than with this year’s leading interior designers.
Since becoming Head of Design at edyn in 2020, Alex Bauman-Lyons continues to oversee all design decisions at edyn – including the look and style of all Locke and Cove properties – working to ensure each brand shelters its own personality.
Following this year’s activity, which saw the arrival of Locke in Munich, Bauman-Lyons and his team are currently working on designing a Locke property in Zurich, which will boost a selection of restaurants and bars, as well as paired back appartments.
When asked what the DNA of each brand under edyn represented, Bauman-Lyons answered: “We push the boundaries at Locke. For us, it’s proof that we are doing something bold and unique. Cove is a very different approach. Great design is still at the heart of the product, but the approach is more familiar and residential. It is less about a specific response to the location and more about evoking a sense of home. The FF&E and finishes are selected to reflect the way we furnish our homes – unrelated, yet complimentary pieces that are collected over time.”
Alex Holloway, Co-Founder and Creative Director, Holloway Li
Image credit: Locke
Image credit: Holloway Li
Alex Holloway is the Co-Founder of Holloway Li, and, together with Na Li, is responsible for the overall creative output and design direction of the company. He also manages the studio’s London projects.
One of the studio’s recent projects was an aparthotel, owned by edyn, called Wunderlocke. Containing 360 serviced studio apartments, and situated in Munich’s buzzing Obersendling district, the property takes over an office building that previously belonged to German tech company Siemens.
Holloway Li aimed to celebrate the building’s raw structure and reveal its authentic soul, avoiding a more traditional ‘material intensive’ approach to retrofitting. Inspired by this approach, the studio stripped back the building to its concrete shell and added a carefully curated selection of furnishings, using natural colours and materials where possible.
Alexander Evangelou, Creative Director, Alexander Waterworth
Image credit: Alexander Wateworth
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels
Alexander Waterworth, established in 2010, is a distinguished international interior architecture practice, providing a fully comprehensive service to clients around the world. Its Creative Director, Alexander Evangelou, believes that, “design excellence is the relationship between design, aesthetics and functionality. Neither one should be compromised. They should work in harmony by complementing and enhancing [a space] to achieve a beautiful and practical solution.”
The studio’s latest project, which has been a labour of love for Evangelou and his team since 2017, is the interior design inside Rosewood Vienna, housed in a restored 19th century building. Inside, the guestrooms and suites have been created to conjure up feelings of home. The relaxed design scheme includes warm, amber curtains, crisp white linen, herringbone hardwood floors and an unmatched view over the Old Town’s skyline.
Charlie North, Vice President of Interior Design, Ennismore Design Studio
Image credit: Gleneagles Townhouse
Image credit: Ennismore
In what quite possibly has been one of the most anticipated hotel openings in Scottish history – from early teasers to the doors swinging open in Spring 2022 – Gleneagles Townhouse has finally arrived. During a painstaking five-year restoration project, Ennismore Design Studio was tasked to expand the legacy of Gleneagles, to create a boutique hotel in the heart of Edinburgh, sheltered inside a converted bank.
Beyond the strong public areas, which give a nod to the building’s former purpose, and sit under a striking glass-domed ceiling surrounded by ornate architecture, the hotel features just 33 well-dressed rooms. These fall into three categories: ‘Nook’ the smallest, located in the eaves of the building; ‘House’, moderate size, sumptuous and sedate; and ‘Master’ the largest and most luxurious, all pulled together by Charlie North, Ennismore’s Vice President of Design, who has been a main protagonist in creating the soul of the boutique jewel, which some have described as ‘Gleneagles’ sassy little sister’.
Constantina Tsoutsikou, Founder, Studio LOST
Image credit: Studio LOST
Image credit: Numo lerapetra, Crete
Constantina Tsoutsikou, the former Creative Director of HBA London and Founder of Studio LOST, said that, “it wasn’t hard to find a sense of place” when designing the interiors inside – and outside – Numo lerapetra, Crete, which opened last year.
The design vision for the hotel was to renovate a ‘tired resort’ and create an escapist destination where people can come together to relax and create memories. Confronting the task with an open mind, Tsoutsikou realised that the resort had been built one building at a time over a period of thirty years. It therefore lacked personality and was not suitable for modern travellers. The designer created an intimate dialogue between the surrounding landscape and the accommodation inside. The result was a simple yet stylish design scheme that oozed beach vibes.
The renovation of the resort was a great opportunity for Studio LOST to put into action its approach around sustainability, and in particular upcycling. This allowed the designer to restore and repair existing items, such as wardrobe carcasses and other furniture pieces that now sit, in harmony, in between new elements.
German Mendoza, Senior Associate, Wimberly Interiors
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
Image credit: Wimberly Interiors
With more than 20 years of experience in architecture and interior design, German Mendoza has a keen eye for detail and a passion for quality. His experience includes extensive work worldwide, with a specific focus throughout the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
Prior to joining Wimberly Interiors, Mendoza specialised in high-end residential projects for a well-established London firm. Over the course of his career, Mendoza has developed expertise in the design and delivery of exclusive projects, ranging from high-end residential to urban and resort hotels, for both new-build and renovation projects.
The hotel was a conscious refurbishment, taking the ‘bones’ of Ace London Shoreditch and updating all areas for a more ‘grown up Shoreditch’. Externally, the building was made to feel more democratic and part of the community with the addition of oriel windows and a new front to the wine bar. The brief was for the hotel’s public areas to retain the fun and vibrancy associated with the area, while the bedrooms were designed to represent a sense of calm in the heart of Shoreditch.
Past projects from Strauss include his work on Sea Containers London under Tom Dixon, the refurbishment of select spaces at Kimpton de Witt Amsterdam, creating Riggs Washington D.C. and his work on office and residential properties in New York City.
Jane Landino, Head of Creative, Taylor Howes Design
Image credit: Taylor Howes Design
Image credit: Chateau Denmark/Mel Yates
Together with Lottie Suckling, Senior Interior Designer at Taylor Howes Design, Jane Landino has, put simply, set new hospitality standards in Soho London with the design of Chateau Denmark. Set across 16 buildings, the 55-key hotel shelters a vintage-gothic look and feel mixed together with a punk personality.
The attention to detail within the interior design scheme, and in particular furniture specification, was unparalleled – think hand-carved skulls on desks, skull-button detailing, bronze-cast feet on the drawers and a striking lighting scheme to match.
Most of the pieces were bespoke creations that needed a lot of research and development along the way as prototypes with different materials to achieve the look and feel that would be both contract grade and commercially viable.
The overall hotel’s aim to create ‘party like a rockstar’ interiors has been met thanks to the team at Taylor Howes Design, which, most impressively, is the studio’s first hotel project, after making its name in the high-end residential market.
John Williams, Founder, SpaceInvader
Image credit: Wildes Group
Image credit: SpaceInvader
SpaceInvader, launched in 2009 by John Williams with the aim to provide word-class interior design solutions, has become a regional, national and international player on the hotel design scene.
The hands-on designer is currently working on a boutique hotel design in Chester for Wildes Group. The scheme is luxurious and highly creative whilst being sensitive to its Grade II listed building in Chester’s famous historical centre ‘The Rows’. The studio’s remit covers the whole interiors, from reception and public spaces, to room design, a spa area as well as the hotel’s brand-new restaurant, X by Harry Guy.
At the other end of the style spectrum, the studio has created the interiors for a new-build, nine-storey, 95-bed Tribe hotel within Malta’s fast-developing airport city complex for client Claret Group in partnership with Accor. The hotel will encompass ground and mezzanine floor F&B, co-working spaces and external decking, as well as a rooftop bar, terrace and pool. The scope of work includes all standard and executive bedrooms and corridors, as well as public spaces, with an exciting, ultra- contemporary feel driven by a narrative of the Zoetrope – an early form of animation technology, offering fast-moving contrasts from light to dark.
Maintaining relationships is key to project success, and Lauren Hughes- Glass thrives on collaborative energy, combining creativity with methodology in all her projects. With more than 15 years’ experience in hospitality, she continues to lead design teams on large-scale, complex projects, working alongside some of the world’s leading brands, including delivering the first Virgin Hotel outside the US, which is the 222-key Virgin Hotel Edinburgh.
Collaborating with the Virgin team, Hughes-Glass led her team to bring the brand’s playful concepts to life, designing for Edinburgh’s past and future while creating joy in the unique spaces that the Virgin brand offers within both the listed and new-build elements of the structure. The existing grandeur of the exterior extends into the interior design to enhance the features of the listed buildings while anchoring everything in the signature Virgin experience.
In combining the old with the new, more contemporary design features were sprinkled throughout the hotel to inspire wonder and awe: a glass- panelled corridor leading to the reception area, a very modern ‘scarlet lounge’ sitting within a very traditional corniced room and the exposed stone in the Commons Club restaurant combined with eclectic lighting and artwork bring a playfulness to the public spaces.
The luxury Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites are combined with a variety of bars, restaurants, and private dining spaces at street level enlivening both Victoria Street and Cowgate. The Chambers themselves combine sophisticated, neutral tones and pops of bright red colour, faithful to Virgin’s signature brand.
Lewis Taylor, Design Director, David Collins Studio
Image credit: Anantara
Image credit: David Collins Studio
As Design Director of David Collins Studio, Lewis Taylor has led the design and delivery of the studio’s hospitality and retail projects. These include the Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choo worldwide store roll-outs, projects for Harrods, David Morris, McQ, Louis Leeman, Pret A Manger, de Grisogono and most recently the 376-key hotel Le Meridien in Seoul.
He works closely with Creative Director, Simon Rawlings, ensuring that Rawlings’ creative vision is realised and overseeing each element of the design and delivery process at a senior level. In the 12 years since he joined David Collins Studio, Taylor has tackled an increasingly global scope of work.
Up-coming projects include Anantara Nice Plaza Hotel, Scarpetta Doha and Queen Anne for Cunard, which is being designed in collaboration with Richmond International, Sybille de Margerie and Adam D. Tihany.
“What David [Collins] taught me was always to put myself in the customer’s shoes; to painstakingly consider every aspect of the user journey,” Taylor said. “When you’re entering a hotel room, for example, is there somewhere to leave your keys and hang your coat? It’s easy to lose sight of the practical requirements of a space when you’re in the midst of the design process, but that is one of the major strengths of David Collins Studio – we’re always acutely aware that a space has to work operationally as well as aesthetically.”
Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Design House – HIGHLY COMMENDED, Interior Designer of the Year
Marie Soliman is an interior architect who, in her own words, “loves telling stories”, with a diverse portfolio stretching across many contexts and continents, from hotels, wellness and restaurant design to high-end residential and boutique retail projects. She is passionate about travel and loves designing spaces that ‘enhance the enjoyment of life’.
Soliman recently completed The Other House South Kensington, which is the brand’s debut property; a hotel and club residence. Inside, the aim was to explore maximalism in a way that gave a nod to the local area, while also creating an elevated hospitality experience that felt warm, inviting – like a good friend’s living room, if you like.
In addition, she has recently completed the Where Is Laowai, a speakeasy bar and restaurant in Vancouver, Canada, while also steering her and the studio’s attention towards the design and redesign of luxury yachts.
With every project, Soliman develops the client brief by delving into the specific context and history to create a bespoke narrative and design language that tells a unique story. She believes in style over fashion in design to ensure the result is timeless yet remains fresh.
Mark Bithrey, Founder, B3 Designers
Image credit: B3 Designers
Image credit: Marriott International
Mark Bithrey founded B3 Designers 20 years ago with the vision of creating a positive impact on people and places. Since then, he has worked with entrepreneurs, restauranteurs and hoteliers to bring hospitality spaces to life.
Recent projects include the ambitious refurbishment of the dual- brand Sheraton and Marriott Frankfurt that was revealed this year. The remarkable three-year renovation saw the first European Marriott dual-brand hotel operating two Marriott International premium brands, Marriott and Sheraton, under one roof.
The design challenge posed to B3 Designers was multi-fold. The project was technically demanding, owing to its location and range of offers. As the functionality of an airport hotel is unique and different to a business/ leisure hotel or resort, the areas designed had to serve multi-purposes.
With every project, Bithrey works to build strong relationships, while motivating his creative teams to introduce fresh concepts and inspiring ideas, and ultimately deliver exceptional spaces against all briefs.
Martin Goddard, Director & Co-Founder, Goddard Littlefair
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Image credit: Goddard Littlefair
Director and Co-Founder of Goddard Littlefair, Martin Goddard spearheads projects with more than 20 years of experience, introducing high-profile clients to forward-thinking design.
The company, which this year celebrates its 10-year anniversary’ now has two studios – one in London and the other in Porto. In a decade, the studio has worked with brands, such as Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Mondrian, Hilton Hotels and Corinthia Hotels, as well as developers, such as Qatari Diar and The Berkley Group.
Demonstrating the diversity and strength of the company in all its projects, Goddard Littlefair has shown, effortlessly, how hard work, resilience and consistency drives success.
Goddard’s dedication to design is clear in the turnover of exciting projects. Although no project is the same, each offer dynamic and unique experiences for guests, and all are inspired by location, sustainable design and have a luxury finish.
Mustafa Afşaroğlu, Co-Founder, Taner’s Sons
Image credit: Taner’s Sons
Image credit: MArks Skybar
Taner’s Sons is an architecture and design studio founded by two brothers, and is now a team of six creatives. Located in London, the team works globally with projects in the UK, Switzerland, France and Cyprus.
Not conforming to one sector, Mustafa Afşaroğlu and his team have completed projects in workplace, hospitality and residential that ultimately enables them to understand how people live, work, socialise.
A recent project was MArks Skybar, a new destination bar with the wider aim to help revolutionise the general neighbourhood in South East London. It’s the power of carefully articulated, versatile design that has allowed this place to become a community space.
The studio’s overall mission as a disruptive design studio is to upset the ordinary, create inspiring spaces and memorable experiences.
Neil Andrew, Head of Hospitality, Perkins&Will – WINNER, The Eco Award
Image credit: Perkins&Will
Image credit: Perkins&Will
Neil Andrew joined the London studio of Perkins&Will in March 2020 to lead the hospitality team. In two and half years, Andrew has made significant impact on the industry; he has seen through the completion of a major city centre hotel, won a range of new projects and has become a leading voice in sustainable design in the hospitality sector.
When Andrew started his role at the studio, the team had already designed a major refurbishment for Hilton London Metropole in Paddington. The hotel is one of Europe’s largest and most popular venues for conferences. Under his leadership, Perkins&Will delivered the phased refurbishment, which completed in May 2022. The design included new guest suites and created a fresh look in the hotel’s public areas. Paying homage to London’s heritage, the reception, lobby bar, all-day dining
and conference areas have all been inspired by different parts of London, celebrating the city in a contemporary, stylish and sophisticated way.
In addition, Andrew has spearheaded Perkins&Will’s ESG efforts in the hospitality arena, driving progress through research and innovative design. Passionate about climate change, but aware of the huge impact of the modern tourism industry, Andrew weaves eco-conscious design into everything that he does. In 2021, the London studio published Net- Zero Now: Hospitality, a research-based pledge for delivering net-zero interiors for hotels. The team’s experimental Guestroom 2035 digital installation for the Sleep&Eat Conference 2020 has been taken forward as net-zero hotel room prototype by a leading hotel brand that will be opened in spring 2023.
Nick Hickson, Director & Founder, THDP
Image credit: THDP
Image credit: Hilton Hotels
Nick Hickson and his team at THDP are the design masterminds behind The Pigeon Post Bar & Eatery, a new F&B experience inside Hilton Cologne, which expresses a vintage vibe, while being considered and contemporary with some fun and quirky details.
The Hilton Cologne lobby, bar and social spaces were redesigned and refurbished to accommodate a modern, innovative gastronomy concept. The centrepiece of this is the Pigeon Post, a combination of restaurant, bar and lounge and social-working area. Its unusual name and amusing details are a clear reference to the building’s history as a post office in the early 1950s through to the late 1990s. Later, after a long vacancy, in 2002 it was finally gutted and converted into the Hilton Hotel.
The optically chic restaurant and bar was built with a total of 110 seats, with a variety of furnishings and seating options that include intimately lit dining areas. A feature central bar dominates the space with a prominent overhead gantry in wood and copper colours. The table tops are in a faux marble, expressing the previous functionality of the building, while updating the effect to offer a more intimate but contemporary vibe.
Robert Angell, Founder & CEO, Robert Angell
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Image credit: Robert Angell
Continuing to design prestigious, luxury and amazing projects for visionaries across the globe, Robert Angell is well-recognised due to his prolific projects that help define the hotel and hospitality design industry. The studio is award-winning and strives to deliver ‘fabulous concepts’ that are individual.
Having recently completed Fredericks Berlin and Aqua Hong Kong, Angell is currently working on the design for Raffles Jeddah. Inspired by Middle Eastern heritage, and with an enviable location, the hotel will feature 181 guestrooms and 188 branded residences.
The projects in Angell’s portfolio are unique, considered and approached with a view to enriching peoples’ lives. They give inspiration to those who wish to experience the interiors, reminding them that design should be timeless, enjoyable and theatrical in all the right places.
Rose Murray, Director, These White Walls
Image credit: These White Walls
Image credit: Nacho Rivera
Rose Murray, Director of These White Walls, has achieved the impossible. The small studio emerged thriving from the pandemic with an exciting list of current projects and upcoming launches – each showcase the studio’s visionary approach.
The studio recently launched the new independent boutique hotel Nordelaia, a 12-bed converted farmhouse set in the beautiful hills of Piedmont in northern Italy. The client’s intentions for the estate inspired Murray to develop a conceptual narrative of nature meets nurture as the driving force behind the hotel guest’s experience, promoting an idyllic form of rural escapism that also celebrates cultivated indulgence.
The finishes and materials of the rooms have been designed to connect directly with the landscaped gardens and the changing seasons. Murray encouraged the hotelier to remove televisions from the guest’s rooms so that they could better connect with the views and the circadian rhythm of life. She also encouraged a rejection of the standard tickbox hotel room layout, replacing it with an alternative ‘Yours and Mine’ symmetry of furniture, giving each guest their own wardrobe, desk and chair, conjoined to celebrate both individualism and union.
Terry McGinnity, Executive Design Director, G.A Design
Image credit: Westin / Marriott International
Image credit: G.A Design
Terry McGinnity takes the overall design lead for G.A Design’s global operations, whilst being an acknowledged leader and outstanding designer in his own right. His continued efforts within the industry revolve around designing hotels that respond sympathetically to their environments, a process that G.A Design calls ‘resonance’. This is in evidence this year with prestigious openings in Japan, Westin Yokohama, and Shanghai, Shangri-la Qiantan.
McGinnity continues to curate and develop an impressive list of work-in- progress projects around the world, including the much-anticipated Royal Atlantis Dubai, a $1.4bn new-build development on the Palm in Dubai with architecture by KPF New York. This highly anticipated property will open in Q4 2022. McGinnity’s approach has brought all the luxury and glamour of Dubai to life, in a typically controlled and playful design.
He is also working on projects for clients such as Corinthia Hotels, specifically in Rome, and has embarked in new forays with Rosewood and Conrad brands (in Austria and Japan respectively).
Most recently, he has helped the G.A Design with explorations into digital technology and how this can augment the more traditional design skills. This has produced interesting developments with AI and algorithmic design explorations helping front-end concept development, a process the studio believes is unique to G.A Design in the interior design space.
Theresa Obermoser Interior Design is an award-winning studio with offices in London and Vienna. Theresa Obermoser is the Founder and Creative Director who incorporates a unique style that can be best described as effortlessly elegant, grounded in efficacy and practicality.
In 2019, Obermoser designed Chic Chic, a charming farm in Ibiza. The aim was to modernise the Ibizan Finca while preserving the beautiful, traditional elements. The farm was designed as a home with a striking view over the campo as well as the coast, and a strong focus on enhancing that vision. The building’s interior is characterised by micro- cement floors, natural tones and bohemian elements with an amazing view and outside area.
Most recently, the designer breathed new life into a former post and coaching station in Austria. The new design scheme of the 120-year- old Hotel Tiefenbrunner in Kitzbühel was inspired by traditional values combined with modern travel, with strong emphasis on materials, lighting and texture.
Tim Griffin, Principal, Wellbrook Hospitality
Image credit: Wellbrook Hospitality
Image credit: Leven
Taking on the challenge to achieve meaningful luxury/lifestyle hospitality in the heart of Manchester required individuals who were able to navigate the lifestyle sector and pinpoint valuable opportunities. Cue the arrival of Tim Griffin, PJ Kenny and Shanthan Balakrishnan, the Founders of Wellbrook Hospitality who prior to this accumulated 20 years’ experience between them as senior leaders at Ennismore.
Designed by Griffin, LEVEN Manchester became the brand’s debut hotel, and it is located on the corner of the infamous Canal Street – where the brand’s narrative begins. From the outside, the property’s striking red bricks and characterful crittal windows reflect the same style as many other building’s in Manchester: original, untouched and charmingly rustic. Inside, though, is a different story. Griffin used his own skill, talent and eye to create a textured interior design scheme that feels homely yet elevated.
Up next, LEVEN was wanting to make a statement, so it announced that its second hotel will be located in the metaverse – and is slated to open in Q4 2022. The ‘LEVENverse’ will be one of the first lifestyle brands to blaze a digital trail in the early Metaverse. It will push traditional boundaries, bring the LEVEN brand to new audiences and explore the opportunities the digital future holds.
Tina Norden, Partner, Conran & Partners
Image credit: Conran & Partners
Image credit: Park Hyatt
Former Interior Designer of the Year, following her win at The Brit List Awards 2021, Tina Norden is yet to peak in her career as she continues to be a valuable and much-respected leader within Conran & Partners as well as in the wider interior design and architecture arena.
Her and the team’s latest project, Park Hyatt Jakarta, is a new landmark hotel in the heart of Jakarta, with the design narrative inspired by the natural beauty and traditional craft of Indonesia, combined with the contemporary and diverse culture of Jakarta.
Conran & Partners was appointed to design the interiors for the hotel that is set within a landmark tower, developed by MNC Land. The property is situated in the centre of the Indonesian capital, and the hotel occupies the first three and the uppermost 17 floors of the 37-storey tower.
The design includes the interiors of more than 220 guestrooms and suites, including a variety of food and beverage spaces, a pool, fitness centre and full-service spa, plus a three-storey function and ballroom facility. The design seeks to respect Park Hyatt’s guidelines while creating a luxurious sense of space for guests, combining inspiration from the multi-cultural aspects of Jakarta and the natural beauty and traditional crafts of Indonesia.
Toni Black, Director of Interior Design, Blacksheep
Image credit: Blacksheep
Image credit: Prince De Galles Hotel
With more than 25 years of industry experience, working with world-class brands across the globe, Toni Black leads the interior design team at Blacksheep, specialising in directing hotel and hospitality projects.
Since joining Blacksheep, Black has been behind some of studio’s most highly acclaimed projects including Montcalm East Hotel London, St. Regis San Francisco and Prince De Galles Luxury Collection Hotel in Paris, among many others.
The designer is an avid storyteller who is always pushing her designers to consider the why and the why not. Her impeccable eye for detail ensures each interior narrative is expressed and followed through in every aspect of the design scheme. “For me, design is not about my own ego and putting my stamp on things,” she said. “It’s about working as a collective to create a unique design experience that tells us a story from not only a brand point of view but for that individual user/guest experience.”
Black and her team are currently working on a boutique lodge hotel in Scotland and a luxury residence in Macau. She is also helping to re- imagine the world’s oldest luxury casino and is also designing a new wellness and health resort.
Wren Loucks, CEO & Creative Director, Be-kin
Image credit: Be-Kin
Image credit: Be-Kin
Fuelled by research into wellness, wellbeing, mental health and sensory design, since launching Be-kin in November 2020, Wren Loucks has published six projects, ranging from Grade II listed buildings to a private gym in Fitzrovia. In addition to design, Loucks aims to educate her clients on how they are affected by spaces across their senses and create spaces that stimulate their wellbeing. For the studio’s commercial clients, Loucks creates spaces that support social sustainability – designing for a range of cognitive, physical, and sensorial differences. Backed by science, the company published a whitepaper on conceptual design, WISH, which was awarded highly commendable for the Celia Thomas Prize for disabled guests at the International Blue Badge Access Awards in April 2022.
Whilst Be-kin is, first and foremost, an interior design studio, it has been important for the brand that its work also inspires a wider community – including other designers. Given the early stages of Be-kin – and its statement into the market – Loucks is only just getting started on her exciting and meaningful journey.
Following this editorial series, the Brit List architects of 2022 will be unveiled next. The Brit List 2022 has been published, and references the top 75 interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain. Entries will open for The Brit List Awards 2023 in the summer of 2023.
The Wayfinder Waikiki – Hawaii, but not as you know it
Located in the heart of the vibrant Waikiki neighbourhood of Honolulu, The Wayfinder Waikiki is inspired by the sites, stories, and heritage of Hawaii. Before it prepares to open its doors before the year closes its door, we checked in for a sneak peek…
The Wayfinder Waikiki will be the second Wayfinder hotel under Dovetail + Co – an owner and creator of hotels, bars, and restaurants that promote exploration and discovery. The company has created a uniquely hidden oasis with thoughtfully transformative design, public spaces, authentic food & beverage programming, and guest experiences steeped in culture distinctive to Hawaii and the Waikiki region.
Image credit: Read McKendree
Designed by The Vanguard Theory, the property offers a fresh hospitality space merging the building’s Brutalist architecture with tropical touches, electrifying colours, and patterns, alongside lush foliage specific to the island. The hotel features 228 guestrooms that are inspired by the sites, stories, and heritage of Hawaii by utilising colour tones that represent the land, sky, and water, geometric and floral prints, and natural fibre furniture with decorative art and design elements incorporated throughout by local artisans.
Image credit: Read McKendree
Image credit: Read McKendree
In addition to this, the property is also home to various culinary venues, entertainment, and shopping experiences including B-Side, a sensory coffee shop that also features a retail store within; Lost + Found, a tropical speakeasy and pool bar; and Redfish Waikiki, bringing the popular restaurant concept by Hawaii’s beloved and locally owned Foodland to the heart of Waikiki with innovative, made-to-order poke creations using the freshest ahi, hamachi, salmon and more, and delicious, locally inspired dishes offered exclusively at this location. The Wayfinder is located within walking distance to the beach and serves as an energetic base to discover the best Oahu has to offer including popular surf beaches, designer stores, kinetic nightlife, waterfront restaurants, and authentic Hawaiian performances.
Not art for art’s sake: adding apt sense of place in hotel design
The definition of art has come a long way in hotels – from the decorative layer added at the end of a project to where we are now where the barriers between the interior design scheme and the art itself is blurred. To understand the role of art when creating meaningful sense of place, Patrick McCrae, CEO of Artiq, shares his experience and thoughts…
When seeking to explore local cultures, we usually think of museums or heritage institutions. They tell stories of the past, which is integral to understanding how places came to be. However, it is equally important to learn about current stories and events, and who better tell this than current artistic communities?
Hotels are often key features of the local area, especially in places that experience a high volume of visitors. By showing art made by local artists, collections resonate more with local people and travellers to the area.
A place exemplifying this is Belmond Splendido Mare, a luxury boutique hotel in Portofino, Italy. Once a guesthouse greeting travellers and weary fishermen, it has now bloomed into a hot spot for a discerning clientele looking for a retreat of solace, revival, and bliss.
Image caption: Living room inside Mattia Aquila for Splendido Mare. | Image credit: Artiq
We worked directly with Belmond and Festen Architecture to curate and commission an art collection comprising over one hundred original paintings, sculptures, and limited edition prints. Designed as a ‘collector’s collection’, the artworks reflect a mid-century aesthetic, complementing the interior design scheme and appealing to Belmond’s noteworthy clientele.
Our focus on promoting local talent and local stories perfectly aligns with Belmond’s appreciation for art that resonates with their locations. This project saw our curatorial team working primarily with emerging to mid-career artists from Italy, highlighting their talent and supporting the local creative economy in Liguria.
A quarter of the collection were commissions from international artists, echoing the cosmopolitanism surrounding the area today. Through careful curation, the story of Portofino emerged: a place shared between the local community and international travellers.
Another excellent example of a property tapping into the local creative community to elevate the experience of staying in their specific location is the recently opened Chateau Denmark, with punk rock interiors by award-winning design studio Taylor Howes.
Image credit: Mel Yates
At first glance, this might appear the opposite of Splendido Mare, but both brands used the same curatorial approach. Chateau Denmark’s art collection was grounded in research connected to the buildings, their histories, the location of Soho and specifically Denmark Street’s history and cultural identity through the past eras in London.
Denmark Street is London’s music epicentre; the 1960s-70s were its most noteworthy era. One of the more famous tenants taking up residence here were the Sex Pistols, and the Rolling Stones recorded their debut album in the same buildings where Chateau Denmark’s guests now stay.
Focusing on the contemporary sphere with a pool of diverse artists, this collection aimed to capture the DNA of Denmark Street: its past, present and future. The collection pays homage to the British punk movement, capturing voices and alternative perspectives from the LGBTQ+ community and artists of colour. Several included artists are also active in the city’s music and nightlife scene today, another nod to the area’s legacy.
Borrowing from the past to excite contemporary audiences, guests will see artists presented within Chateau Denmark’s collection carrying forward a rebellious punk spirit within their work that confidently speaks of today while paying tribute to the past.
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.
Foster + Partners has elevated global property standards by designing ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, which is situated at the apex of Palm Jumeirah’s crescent…
Dubai is a shrinking violet, said nobody (ever). Since its first luxury hotel, the destination has always been considered a leader in high-end hospitality – challenging conventional approaches and defying boundaries in architecture and design to offer something different. OMNIYAT, the developer behind some of the world’s most progressive buildings, including four developments in Dubai, including The Opus that shelters ME Dubai, has been at the forefront of this vision.
Its latest architectural masterpiece is located at the apex of Palm Jumeirah’s crescent. ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, which first entered our radar in 2020, has been designed by Foster + Partners.
Image credit: OMNIYAT/Dorchester Collection
The luxury property enjoys a privileged position situated on a 29,000 square-metre beachfront plot, with uninterrupted 270-degree views stretching from Dubai’s sky-scraping skyline to the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai features 86 exclusive two- to four-bedroom residences, three magnificent sky palaces and one of the largest mansions on Palm Jumeirah, boasting exceptional elegance and refinement. Each residence is adorned with oversized terraces and double-height ceilings (up to 6 metres) and decked with European appliances.
“Our development philosophy is to create iconic, best-in-class projects through collaborations with industry luminaries,” said Mahdi Amjad, founder and executive chairman of OMNIYAT, said. “ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, is a signature property like no other that represents the epitome of style and will set the new standards for uber-luxury real estate.”
Image credit: OMNIYAT/Dorchester Collection
Christopher Cowdray, CEO of Dorchester Collection, added: “We are delighted to be deepening our partnership with OMNIYAT through more residential projects. ORLA, our fourth project with OMNIYAT, will reimagine the property sector both in the Middle East and globally. It will be an iconic landmark with Dorchester Collection’s renowned hospitality offering.”
ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, features world-class amenities, including a private, resident-only 300 square-metre beach club; a large infinity, temperature-controlled outdoor pool; a private cinema; a state-of-the-art fitness centre; a business centre with two meeting rooms, a boardroom and a multi-functional events space; and library and cigar lounges; among others.
Miniview: Hotel Terrestre – sustainable architecture reimagined
Grupo Habita has been leading a design revolution in Mexico’s hospitality industry choosing untapped locations in Mexico where they integrate their vision into the personality of the location. Located in the Mexican jungle outside Puerto Escondido, Grupo Habita’s newest project, Hotel Terrestre, invites guests to reconnect with the luxury of nature…
At Hotel Terrestre, seven contemporary buildings blend into the lush Oaxacan jungle flora and fauna, offering stunning views in all directions. Nestled amongst such a pristine landscape, the property is set to be a place for nature and wellness aficionados, for those who enjoy the outdoors more than the indoors, and for those looking for a place to relax and reconnect through simplicity, beauty, and rest.
With sustainability in mind, architect Alberto Kalach and his team at Taller de Arquitectura X (TAX), together with Fernanda Romandia and Diana Backal, took this vision and translated it into an idyllic modern oasis constructed entirely of locally sourced materials. The property also features cooling methods achieved through innovate building techniques rather than through a reliance upon air conditioning.
Image credit: Terrestre / Fabian Martínez
Guest accommodations take the form of 14 interconnected villas, each with their own private pool. Exteriors are defined by earth, brick, wood, and concrete, and when seen from inside, these elements are enhanced through the addition of clay and sand. The inherently earthy colour palette is used throughout the property and is complemented by custom furniture by Mexican designer Oscar Hagerman.
Image credit: Terrestre / Fabian Martínez
Image credit: Terrestre / Fabian Martínez
This approach creates a harmony between the inside and out, helping to diminish any barrier typically placed between them. Slotted wooden doors and windows, for example, remove the need for glass. In each villa, such openings offer direct connections between bedrooms and private garden terraces with mountain views.
Image credit: Terrestre / Fabian Martínez
A few steps below, each villa has an outdoor bathroom, and upstairs are private terraces furnished with hammocks, lounge areas, and pools stretching out towards the ocean. Bath amenities are also locally produced and are fragranced with a signature copal scent. Moreover, each villa houses a small selection of books—for guests with a quick eye or those indulging in longer stays, a larger library can also be found near the reception area. In addition, Hotel Terrestre’s vibrant garden surrounds a wellness area and a standalone open-air restaurant, where Mexican gastronomic heritage is fused with the region’s rich ecology in an effort to help guests detox during their stays. A short walk away, the casual beach club also serves health-focused drinks, ranging from ginger and cacao sods to turmeric and cayenne-pepper lemonades and creates an ideal ambiance for guests to immerse themselves in the cycles of the moon, the sun, and the stars.
Image credit: Terrestre / Fabian Martínez
Image credit: Terrestre / Fabian Martínez
The wellness area features a communal circular pool, a long swimming lane, and a striking hexagonal spa. The spa is replete with a chilled water tub, steam room, and outdoor—as well as indoor—showers. The property is situated near cultural spaces such as Casa Wabi, a sprawling compound with a Tadao Ando-designed centre that hosts artist residencies and exhibitions; a ceramic workshop space with a 22-meter-tall chimney designed by Kalach; and a permanent large-scale outdoor art installation by Mexican artist Bosco Sodi. Nearby are also destination restaurants like Kakurega Omakase and small-batch mezcalerias like Cobarde. Outdoors, there are spots for activities like surfing, bird watching, meditating, hiking, horseback riding, and bathing in natural hot springs.
The Grupo Habita pipeline will maintain its focus on Mexico, and includes hotels in Puebla, Ensenada, San Agustinillo and Merida. All are expected to open in 2022 and 2023.
Case Study: Modieus designs for Sydneys Petersham RSL Club
The Petersham RSL Club has been serving the local community for almost 100 years, and has recently moved into a fabulous new facility — working with Modieus, Red Design reimagined this iconic club into a multi-use, contemporary space to rival the most luxurious of hospitality venues Sydney has to offer…
The new venue is a game changer when it comes to the design of community entertainment spaces, which dominate hospitality destinations in Australia. Every element has been carefully considered and has a distinctive style. From a new restaurant, day spa, indoor and outdoor gaming areas, a café, bistro, pub, tab, function centre, corporate offices, members car park arrival areas, and all new branding. The result is a customer experience akin to a luxury resort, the only difference being that it is in a suburban location, serving a local community.
Image credit: Modieus / Petersham RSL
Image credit: Modieus / Petersham RSL
Modieus were asked to design and supply carpets for this amazing space. A dramatic, light-filled courtyard creates a Mediterranean influenced casual dining space, while opulent finishes and furniture bring elegance and glamour to lobbies and gaming areas. The canteen has simple natural lines, whilst the pub gets a warm and authentic look inspired by the heritage elements of the original venue. A luxurious new restaurant with moody interior and premium finishes is complemented by a modern coffee shop and relaxing spa.
Image credit: Modieus / Petersham RSL
Image credit: Modieus / Petersham RSL
Image credit: Modieus / Petersham RSL
“From start to finish Modieus were a pleasure to work with,” said Tonia Barnes, Associate and Senior Designer at Red Design. “We supplied concept imagery in early 3D renders in our brief. Their expert team really understood what was needed, reworking designs to suit the floor plan, whilst giving due consideration to the overall design intention. We couldn’t be happier with the final result. The process was flawless, Modieus were responsive to our developing design brief, ensuring the flow of pattern, scale, and colour.”
“Red Design had a strong vision for using pattern within spaces and a clear idea of the mood they wanted to create,” said Leah Manwaring, Modieus Design Manager. “They were open to suggestions on how to apply textures and colours to achieve this goal. We found momentum in our design process, via zoom meeting, sharing my screen, so we could all see the carpet shots in detail. I really enjoy this collaborative and fast-paced way of working. Building rapport with a client and finding ways to communicate effectively goes a long way in creating great design solutions. Great relationships make great design.”
Red Design reviewed detailed digital designs for each space – lounge areas, indoor gaming, general corridors , function room, and Asian restaurant – tuft selections were finalised, followed by Modieus producing flooded plans for final sign off. Following multiple trials and collaborative conversations the hand trials were signed off and the carpets were put into production, and are now gracing the floors of the redesigned hospitality venue.
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.
In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the landmark White Elephant Nantucket, White Elephant Resorts, has engaged Elkus Manfredi Architects to design a top-to-bottom transformation and renovation of the iconic hotel…
Following on from the design firm’s multi-award winning renovation of White Elephant Palm Beach, the anticipated transformation of White Elephant Nantucket will create a bright, airy, residential feel that draws inspiration from Nantucket – its history, the quality of its natural light, its landscape – to breathe new life into the historic buildings and immerse guests in an authentic Nantucket vacation experience.
“Our intention with the redesign is to deliver the feeling of deep relaxation that comes with opening a window, looking out to the sea, and taking a deep breath of fresh air, feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, smelling the salt air, boats softly rocking in their slips and the hum of children laughing on the beach,” said Elizabeth Lowrey, Principal at Elkus Manfredi Architects. “We want all the senses to be engaged and excited.”
Image credit: White Elephant Resorts / Elkus Manfredi Architects
Originally opened in the 1920s, White Elephant Nantucket began as a series of rustic lodges and has evolved into one of Nantucket’s most popular resort destinations. Elkus Manfredi is designing a complete renovation of the 54 guestroom and suite hotel and its 11 cottages. A redesigned lobby will set the tone for relaxed elegance, and the entire hotel will be filled with details that honour the colours, textures, and artistic legacy of the island, from the basket weave carpet design, to grass cloth wall coverings that evoke the dune grasses, to ceilings painted to match the colour of a Nantucket summer sky.
Signature touches like brass elephant knockers, elephant door and drawer pulls, and elephant needlepoint pillows will maintain the iconic brand. In recognition of Nantucket’s rich history of basket weaving and textile production, Elkus Manfredi is working with Bloomsburg, a family-run carpet mill based in Pennsylvania that is creating custom carpets inspired by the New England island’s iconic basket weave design.
All 11 cottages will be renovated and given individual themes inspired by native plants of Nantucket— Bayberry, Hydrangea, Daylily, Beachplum, Honeysuckle, Holly, Arrowwood, Marigold, Rose, and Snapdragon. Elkus Manfredi has developed a unique colour palette for each cottage from buttery yellows and pale lavender through to pale pink. The design team wanted it to feel as charming as being invited into the home of a long-time Nantucket resident who is always thinking of ways to freshen up the guest rooms.
A key element in the redesign is the development of an Artist-in-Residency program to source new locally inspired original art that will be placed throughout the hotel. This specially curated and commissioned collection is an Elkus Manfredi initiative with White Elephant Resorts and art consultant and curator, Emily Santangelo, who also collaborated with Elkus Manfredi on White Elephant Palm Beach. The new Artist-in-Residency program provides selected artists from around the world with travel expenses, meal allowances, accommodations, and everything they need to gather inspiration and source material to create new works for the collection. Artists chosen for the initial program include painters Renee Levin from New Jersey and Greta Van Campen from Maine, Pennsylvania-based photographer and installation artist Thomas Jackson, Swedish artist Clara Hallencruetz from Stockholm, and New England-focused watercolourist Mary Chandler from Connecticut.
Main image credit: White Elephant Resorts / Elkus Manfredi Architects
Following successful openings in London and Dublin, Edinburgh is next on the list for Ruby Hotels. At the end of 2025, the lean luxury group will open a Ruby hotel with around 300 rooms in the Scottish capital. Here’s what we know…
The expansion of the Ruby Group, under the leadership of founder and CEO Michael Struck, is progressing rapidly despite the challenges in the European hotel market. The new Ruby Hotel in Edinburgh will be located directly on the famous shopping street of Princes Street, with plans for around 300 rooms across seven floors. The hotel will feature a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of both the World Heritage Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Old Town. The public areas will include a 24/7 bar which, like the rooms themselves, will follow Ruby’s Lean Luxury philosophy.
Image credit: Ruby Lucy London
The new hotel will be a conversion with partial new construction of three connected buildings. With its extensive in-house expertise of converting existing buildings, Ruby was able to convince Hunter REIM, Scotland’s leading independent real estate investment management company based in Edinburgh, to be its partner.
“The hotel market in Edinburgh has proven to be very robust in the past, shows sustainable growth and offers a lot of potential for our concept, especially in the affordable luxury segment,” commented Julian Mörs, Group Director Development at Ruby. “We are very excited to enter the Scottish market with this great project.”
Image credit: Ruby Lucy London
“Hunter REIM is delighted to be able to announce the next step in the regeneration of Princes Street in Edinburgh with the announcement of a new Ruby Hotel and associated retail development at 104 -108 Princes Street. We believe we can deliver a significant improvement in the streetscape in Princes Street and, importantly, retain some retail space as part of the development”, said Andrew Moffat, Head of Real Estate and Investment at Hunter REIM.
Founded in 2013, the group already operates 15 Ruby hotels, with a further 19 hotels under construction or in the planning phase. Ruby is currently expanding into Asia with the joint venture Ruby Asia, founded in 2018. The Edinburgh project in the Ruby pipeline is slated to open in Q4 of 2025
Following the launch of the Ergofocus earlier this year, FOCUS presents a new hospitality range – FOCUS design goes electric, offering an ultra-realistic fire experience with virtual holographic flames…
In addition to its wood-burning and gas fireplaces, FOCUS now offers its iconic design in a third option: electric. With its stunningly realistic virtual fire, the Holographik heralds a new era in fireplaces, opening new possibilities to feature fire in living spaces. A 3D holographic system generates lifelike flames that play over naturalistic ceramic logs to create a pure fire experience. The hearth of the suspended Ergofocus and Bathyscafocus pivots 80 degrees, allowing the fire to be enjoyed from every angle, while the Bathyscafocus on a base is free-standing for easy installation.
Image credit: FOCUS / Meritxell_Arjalaguer
With a patented innovation, FOCUS has met the challenge of making its iconic Gyrofocus fireplace available in a gas version. This ingenious technological feat allows the gas to be supplied through the ceiling plate, reaching the hearth through an airtight pipe, while retaining the celebrated ability of the hearth to pivot 100 degrees. Easy to use, this design icon can be installed in the reception area of a luxury hotel, in a chic restaurant or in a range of establishments welcoming guests. The gas Gyraofocus can also operate on green gas, which is 100 per cent renewable and can be produced locally, making it an energy of the future.
Image credit: FOCUS / Meritxell_Arjalaguer
Gold winner of the 2022 German Design Award in the Gardening and Outdoor Living category, the BUBBLE Brazier is a captivating addition to exterior settings, allowing outdoor socialising all year round, winter or summer, day or night. Its inviting fire is a call for shared conviviality, beckoning guests to gather around its warming circle. The award-winning BUBBLE was designed by Christophe Ployé, who is responsible for project design at FOCUS.
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.
Roundtable: the value of variety in hotel bathroom design
In Hotel Designs’ latest roundtable, Editor Hamish Kilburn, in association with Roca and Laufen, invites leading designers to explore the value of variety in hotel bathroom design…
Gareth Hare, Senior Specification Manager, Roca and Laufen UK
Despite the practicality use and need of the bathroom having never changed, the design of these now ‘wellness spaces’ have indeed evolved from the earliest surviving bathtub that dates back to 1,700 B.C. and the first flush toilet that was invented in 1596.
Traditionally, consumers associate bathrooms with comfort, hygiene and of course privacy – but given the identifiable shift in perception that we have witnessed recent years, suggesting heavily that these areas in hotels are now being seen beyond practical spaces – and instead, ‘experiences’ of their own – there’s now more variety than ever before. The bathroom door to ‘statement’ has been unlocked to inject creativity in these once empty white boxes. “Restaurants are a great example of how public bathrooms/restrooms have evolved, I would say quite dramatically,” said Dale Atkinson, Founder, Rosendale Design. “Instead of being ‘pushed to the side’, businesses have realised that bathrooms can become a magical places where their brand’s identify and personality can be amplified.”
After identifying restaurants that have elevated the bathroom experience to match or compliment the overall interior design, I was interested to understand when and how hotels started to put more emphasis on bathroom design. “Hotels are slightly different, because you naturally spend more time in them, so they are not transitional like restaurant washrooms” added Tina Norden, Partner, Conran & Partners. “We therefore tend to pull things back slightly. However, the great thing is that today there are more colours to play with that are much more affordable than previously. The other thing I have noticed is that finishes are much better.”
Norden identified an important catalyst – the affordable range of bathroom design products – that the rest of the panel continued to explore. “There are almost endless possibilities, which has enabled us to ensure that the bathroom feels a bit more connected to the overall design concept,” explained Elena Verdera Pastor, Senior Interior Designer, Studio Moren. “There is value in connecting the bathroom with the concept of the hotel. Like all things in commercial interior design, though, we are challenged by the budget, so it then becomes about compromise to ensure that we provide the quality while also staying in line with the client’s expectations.”
When discussing bathrooms and how they have moved on in recent years, one thing that is obvious to see – in colours and materials being used – is the demand for calm spaces. The recently unveiled Ona Collection from Roca is a prime example of this. “When the range was launched, the designers (Noa Design and Benedito Design) talk about Ona (which means ‘wave’ in Catalan) as facilitating the ‘democratisation of design’,” said Jon Bond, Head of Projects, Roca and Laufen UK. “The collection stands out for its versatility in terms of the full bathroom solution, whilst making full use of Roca’s recent innovations in fine ceramic, stonex, Everlux pvd coatings and touchless technology.”
Image credit: Roca
Gareth Hare, Senior Specification Manager, Roca and Laufen, added: “Traditionally, wellness in the bathroom was about just putting in a large shower, whereas now, we have moved towards sustainable wellness – there’s more emphasis on the details when it comes to wellness.”
In a previous roundtable, Nick Hickson, Co-Founder, THDP, shared that he had seen bathrooms cohesively being linked the guestroom, with the vanity unit and basin, for example, being placed outside the parameter of the bathroom. “I was in a hotel bathroom yesterday where this was the case,” said Sarah Murphy, Senior Interior Designer, AvroKO. “It just frees up special issues, and creates a seamless flow. In this case, the space resembled a kitchenette; more like a bar than a bathroom basin.” The Emporium Plovdiv – MGallery is a fine example of this, where the interior designers were met with a challenging room configuration but turned it into the suites’ greatest strengths.
“Brands these days are launching these beautiful products, such as taps with intricate detailing, but the reality is that these are incredible difficult to specify.” – Sarah Murphy, Senior Interior Designer, AvroKO.
Testing this concept, Norden, whose work has always been born out of understanding human behaviour, questioned just how practical these creative ideas are in reality. “Opening up the bathroom is all very well if you are staying on your own, but these spaces, if opened up too much, can sometimes take away not only the privacy but also the level of luxury for guests expecting to close the door to a tranquil space.”
Image credit: Laufen
After setting the tone, the conversation then veered into the lane of luxury, where designers are typically given more space in the bathroom to design and the budget tends to be more generous. For our designers, the definition of ‘luxury’ is creating a space that intuitively compliments travellers’ behaviour. “Like Gareth said earlier, it’s about the details,” added Atkinson. “One element that is often forgotten is that we are not just designing for the end user. We are also designing for the back-of-house staff, and these days a bathroom that is efficiently easy to clean has a lot of value. We have created mock-up rooms, and the client has actually timed the cleaners to see just how practical these spaces are.” Agreeing, the panel discussed anecdotes, including clients requesting rounded-off edges in surface design and putting emphasis on luxury elements such as vanity units.
With cleaning being such a factor in the design of today’s hotel bathrooms, I was interested to understand how trends in detailed texture are being explored in a way that is practical for both traveller and housekeeping. “Brands these days are launching these beautiful products, such as taps with intricate detailing, but the reality is that these are incredible difficult to specify,” explained Murphy. “Yesterday, I tried to specify traditional stone in a restaurant bathroom and it was rejected. And that’s an example of perhaps one client saying ‘yes’ but nine others saying ‘no’. I do think this impacts creativity. However, that’s where colour can really play a role, and it is inspiring to see brands allowing designers to customise the colours of their products. When that service comes from the brand, it’s so much easier to specify because we and the client trust it so much more due to the guarantees.”
When exploring texture, I was keen to understand how far designers would go to use layers to create stylish bathrooms. “To be honest, I think texture plays a larger role in a spa or health club than it does in a hotel bathroom,” added Pastor. “I see huge value in adding texture in corridors and public areas, but it’s so hard to add texture near water because of the cleaning and ware of the product.”
Moving cautiously on, it was interesting to understand how designers have already approached hotel bathroom design in an unconventional manner. For Pastor, who is working on a plethora of projects in London where bathroom space is limited, this is reflected in opening up the bathroom to make the room look and feel larger. Meanwhile, Norden and her team have just completed Park Plaza Jakarta, a project that allowed the team to make the bathroom a sort of protagonist in the overall design scheme. “In a typical room, there are two bathrooms,” she said. “This is a luxury hotel with a lot of space. You have a central entrance with one bathroom on one side, with a vanity and a shower and a bathroom on the other side that features a large vanity and a bath – and separate powder rooms. When you have a room to design of that size (15 square metres) this was an innovative way to connect the whole space.”
Image credit: Park Hyatt Jakarta, designed by Conran & Partners
Image credit: Park Hyatt Jakarta, designed by Conran & Partners
The boldest approach to bathroom design, though, came from Murphy, who is currently working on a restaurant project in Barcelona. “The client has requested for there to be an actual DJ playing in the toilets,” she said. “The vanity will essentially become the DJ booth – put simply, the DJ and the experience itself will replace a wallcovering or colour amplifying the brand’s personality. “Although I have never seen anything like that before,” added Norden, “I have noticed a lot more ‘uni sex’ washrooms. Culturally, things are shifting and that is opening up new possibilities for bathrooms to become more open to all.”
A topic that we have explored for some time at Hotel Designs has been sensory design. In addition to the odd DJ, how are designers injecting all senses to create more meaningful and purpose-driven spaces beyond their practical use? “We did a project in Saudi Arabia, and the client was keen to break the mould,” added Pastor. “We were looking at digital technology, such as screens that are ever-changing.” Reflecting Jason Bradbury’s vision when he checked in to a hotel 30 years in the future, the idea of personalised surface design is impressive but also perhaps not in budget in today’s landscape.
“I have been asked to specify products around a certain scent before – Japanese wood burning,” admitted Murphy. “It was so interesting, because it complete changed my approach to designing the bathroom. It was a great client, actually, that had thought about all the details, from the uniform to the soundtrack.” Knowing exactly what the client wanted, the project for Murphy was much more seamless and quicker. “We went in with a layout and design direction, which was instantly approved because everything was in line with their meticulous brief. Everyone in the room, from design to lighting and engineering, knew their role and what they were delivering.”
Image credit: Unsplash/Jared Rice
Although there are exceptions, the majority of designers will find it difficult to inject quality sensory design into the bathroom while also being on budget. Norden believes that by changing the narrative somewhat, clients will start to understand the overall value of including these elements. “The other thing that I think clients are really starting to understand is seeing the bathroom as an experience,” she said. “By doing this, we can understand the role of scent, sound and lighting much easier. It may be more expensive, but lighting that can dim, for example, is so much more impactful, especially in the bathroom. An alternative would be to have different light sources that the consumer can switch off.”
Steering the conversation back to product design, the sheer variety on offer has allowed designers to present clients with an abundance of design solutions. Hare explained: “From our side, we take these challenges that designers face and put them into R&D to produce products for other designers who end up facing the same issues. For example, in heritage buildings, designers are limited with W/Cs due to where the cistern is. We now offer a W/C that has an integrated cistern so that it can just fit into the wall.”
There are many conclusions and takeaways to draw from the discussion, but perhaps the loudest argument, amplified by all, was the understanding of human-centric design in the bathrooms of the future. Only then can these mini wellness areas answer to both client demands and traveller expectations – and ultimately push brands and manufacturers, such as Roca and Laufen, to continue to expand the range of materials, colours and products on offer.
Roca and Laufen 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.
Hotel on the tracks: a sneak peek inside the Orient Express La Dolce Vita
All aboard! Before the Orient Express La Dolce Vita train makes its inaugural voyage, Hotel Designs stepped inside for a sneak peek. Designed by Dimorestudio, the luxury train combines the Italian way of life with the contemporary spirit of travel…
Orient Express, the ‘artisan of travel since 1883, is making a statement with its latest train, designed by Dimorestudio, that will shelter a luxury design scheme that will feel distinctly modern. The train’s sumptuous decor will be applied to 12 deluxe cabins, 18 suites, one “La Dolce Vita” suite and a restaurant, and will boldly celebrate the arts and crafts, design, and creativity of the 1960s and 1970s.
Image credit: Accor
The Orient Express La Dolce Vita –named in honour of “La Dolce Vita”, a fantastic period of history, to the artistic and cultural fervour of Italy in the 1960s – is a luxury project conceived by Arsenale S.p.A. and Orient Express, part of the Accor Group. As hospitality design concepts go, we are excited about this one!
Image credit: Accor
The train, which will welcome its first passengers in 2024, will cross Italy from north to south via six iconic itineraries. The itineraries have been designed to create exclusive travel experiences while revealing the jewels of Italy, from the wonders of the Alps to the paradisiacal beaches of the South, from the beauty of Venice to Rome or Palermo. As of 2024, the brand’s first hotels – Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice – will welcome Orient Express La Dolce Vita passengers, and new routes with international destinations will be added.
Image credit: Accor
Image credit: Accor
In collaboration with the best international chefs and sommeliers, travellers will enjoy five-star service on board, discovering the treasures and excellence of the “Made in Italy” way, savouring its gastronomy and the finest Italian wines. At Rome Ostiense station, the lounge will welcome passengers, offering a selection of refreshments and providing advice and recommendations for an unforgettable journey.
With the support of Accor, the official hospitality partner of this project, and thanks to a partnership with Trenitalia – Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato – and the Fondazione FS Italiane, the new luxury train will invite passengers to travel along more than 16,000 km of railway lines – reminding them of the country’s historical treasures.
The team of lighting designers from LEDS C4 created a temporary light installation on Calatrava’s iconic Hemisfèric building, lighting up Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences in blue for one night…
Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences architectural complex swapped its iconic white colour for blue for one day. A corporate lighting project that, in the words of LEDS C4’s team of lighting designers: “sought to bring a corporate feel through colour, with the aim of creating a brand universe that was capable of turning the evening into an experience.”
The project’s success lay in its ability to harmoniously imbue the architectural surface with colour, so that it precisely covered the desired areas of cladding of the original Hemisfèric building, achieving a clean and stunning visual effect. The light installation was arranged to display the blue corporate logo of the company GES, the host of the private event that evening.
Image credit: LEDS C4 / Biel Aliño
Using the colour blue and playing with round elements such as rings and the ‘Pearl – the building’s central architectural element, consisting of a 30-metre sphere – the project by the LEDS C4 team was designed to showcase the concept that was the theme of the event: Building synergies between Companies.
With Tron, a wall washer, the surface of the ‘Pearl’ was illuminated vertically, achieving uniform lighting both inside and outside. Inside the hall where the private gala dinner was held, LEDS C4’s Cocktail portable lamp set the perfect scene, creating various ambiences with different light sources. Maintaining this uniformity in colour, blue was also prevalent in the inside areas of the building, the entrances and the main hall where the private gala dinner was held. Only small oases of warm white light were created in the middle of the tables, thanks to LEDS C4’s Cocktail portable lights.
Image credit: LEDS C4 / Biel Aliño
Image credit: LEDS C4 / Biel Aliño
The sides of the building’s roof gave the architecture an almost magical touch. The reflection of the side facing the artificial lake created a spherical mirage, merging the solidity of the architecture with the fluidity of the water in a single luminous figure. The project also featured several three metre high totem poles, lit in the same blue as the main stage and also serving to signpost the entrance to the event.
LEDS C4 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.
Sommerro opens the doors to its urban wellness retreat
Nordic Hotels & Resorts’ newest luxury hotel in Oslo, Sommerro, has announced the opening of its exclusive wellness space, Vestkantbadet, a reimagined and restored retreat sheltering the largest city hotel wellness space in the Nordics…
Serving as the largest city resort wellness space across the Nordic countries and comprising one of Norway’s last remaining public baths from 1932, Vestkantbadet in Sommerro has been restored and reimagined as a 15,000-square-foot subterranean urban retreat.
Designed as a haven for health and mindfulness, the space is a testament to the hotel’s all-encompassing approach to wellbeing, featuring a series of treatment rooms, an original restored Roman bath, gym, infrared sauna, cold plunge pool offering a traditional Nordic thermotherapy experience, the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, sauna and terrace, and the building’s original swimming pool with a magnificent mosaic wall.
Image credit: Sommerro Hotel / Francisco Nogueira
Giving back to the local community by bringing back to life one of the country’s original public baths and most beloved social spaces, Somerro has opened its spa to both hotel guests, locals and members. With its rich Art Deco details and original mosaic wall created by the famed 1930s Norwegian artist Per Krohg, the building’s original swimming pool, public bath, saunas, and changing rooms have been restored to their former glory. Celebrating Oslo’s famous and historic bathing culture, the treasured Roman bath has been transformed into a cold plunge pool and the public bathing facilities have been given a new lease on life as 18 different treatment rooms, while retaining original elements such as the bright hand painted blue tiles. Upon arrival to the hotel’s main façade, guests can access the space through its former entrance which boasts a historic, restored sign from the early 1900s. Guests are then welcomed to an expansive wellness lobby that is now home to a luxury shop with everything from local and international brands to essentials like swimming trunks and equipment for cold water bathing from sustainable Norwegian swimwear company AIX Studio. Vestkantbadet extends from the lower floor at Sommerro all the way up to the roof terrace, with its flagship rooftop heated pool, spacious sunbeds and a sauna providing a grand view over Oslo to be enjoyed year-round.
Image credit: Sommerro Hotel / Francisco Nogueira
Image credit: Sommerro Hotel / Francisco Nogueira
Vestkantbadet offers guests a relaxing space to indulge in a wide array of tailored traditional treatments, along with specialised therapies that are on the cutting-edge of wellness. The ever-evolving treatment menu offers pampering massages, restorative reflexology, and rejuvenating sports massages. Luxurious facial treatments include everything from relaxing massages to chemical peels, algae wraps, masks, microneedling, LED light treatments and more, using the highest quality products applied with most advanced tools in skin care. For the ultimate local experience, a traditional Nordic thermotherapy circuit includes an infrared sauna and cold plunge pool. This relaxation ritual is based on a 2000-year-old tradition founded in Nordic countries that involves alternating between hot and cold temperatures to accelerate recovery and healing, improving physical and mental health.
Image credit: Sommerro Hotel / Francisco Nogueira
Image credit: Sommerro Hotel / Francisco Nogueira
Innovative wellness takes centre stage, as Sommerro is the first hotel in the Nordics to offer specialist medical aesthetic treatments, including a laser treatment skin program with Fotona Lasers and Candela Medical, both world-leading medical laser companies. Wim Hof-style cold water breathing technique sessions are also available, which will leave guests ready to enjoy the year-round Norwegian tradition of outdoor swimming and ice bathing. Other holistic experiences include nutritionist workshops and two-day electric sauna boat retreats on the fjord by sauna masters KOK. Guests looking to improve their sleep health can take part in one-on-one sleeping sessions and masterclasses with a local expert, complemented by a sleep soundtrack and Why We Sleep book in each guestroom, a pillow menu for optimum comfort, and light blocking glasses available for rent.
Image credit: Sommerro Hotel / Francisco Nogueira
Exclusively for hotel guests and members, Sommerro’s gym goes above and beyond with state-of-the-art equipment, exceptional personal training sessions and group classes. The ultimate in post-workout indulgence, changing rooms feature freshly laundered towels, high-end bath products and fully-stocked beauty stations surrounded by rich, sleek timbers and soft lighting. Whether looking to reach new fitness heights or keeping up with a workout routine while traveling, memberships and packages are available to make the most of Sommerro’s wellness offerings.
Complementing Sommerro’s wellness offerings are a suite of bespoke products and services offered through custom partnerships with some of the most trusted names in the industry. One of Norway’s top stylists and hairdressers, Jan Thomas created custom hair products infused with the hotel’s signature fragrance that are featured throughout the wellness space. For the ultimate in cosiness, local bedding company Abate designed exclusive SOMMERRO X ABATE bath robes, while the exclusive Swedish perfume house Byredo’s unisex scents wrap guests in warmth, preparing them for a restful evening. Skincare partners include Elemis, SkinBetterScience, Babor, Skinceuticals, Meline and Noon Aesthetics, along with Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. A staple of Vestkantbadet’s aesthetic treatments, Sommerro is the award-winning dermatologist’s brand’s first-ever hotel partnership.
Main image credit: Sommerro Hotel / Francisco Nogueira
Product watch: MOD+ – a modular collection from GRAFF
MOD+ by GRAFF Designs is a rich and diversified modular collection offering endless customisation and design possibilities…
As the first modular bathroom collection from GRAFF, MOD+ allows a high degree of creative freedom with luxury custom finishes, materials and configurations. The collection unlocks up to 65,000 possible combinations, as it is made up of 55 bathroom products for the washbasin, bathtub and shower areas, in which each element can be completely customised.
Image credit: GRAFF
“GRAFF is committed to presenting the best bathing experiences in the personal space of your house,”said Ziggy Kulig, President of GRAFF Designs, “with exceptional style and selection of precious raw material innovations in a way that exceeds expectations.”
In addition, the MOD+ Collection Configurator has been created to fully exhibit the collection’s potential. This is an online tool to help design and specify, with personalisation options including handle detailing, finishes, materials, spout size and mounting type. The collection offers 20 unique finishes, including Gunmetal, Matt White or Vintage Brushed Brass, or for that extra special touch, a unique 24K gold finish. Handles materials include variations of Tuscan marble including Storm Black, Forest Green and Smoky White.
GRAFF 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.
How House of Rohl created contemporary bathrooms inside Fairmont Windsor Park
To really understand how Fairmont Windsor Park has emerged as one of the UK’s new luxury addresses, Hotel Designs asks the experts from House of Rohl how the team approached the bathroom design…
A gentle 60 minute walk from what was the Queen’s favourite royal castle, the Fairmont Windsor Park sits within 40 beautiful acres adjacent to Windsor Great Park. The country house hotel is one of the most exciting openings in the UK in recent years, combining regal splendour and understated luxury. Once a private Jacobean manor house, the Fairmont Windsor Park was rebuilt over four years, with a key focus on referencing the original exterior.
Image credit: Fairmont Windsor Park
The drive and passion for the unique project derives from Surinder Arora, the UK’s most successful independent hoteliers. His design team, under South African designer Margaret Morgan’s guidance, commissioned the House of Rohl to supply the critical bathroom fittings.
Bathrooms are always a litmus test of a hotel’s quality and design credentials. Ryan Nichols, the hotel General Manager, explains that the property the Arora group had purchased was “a bit of a mish-mash” – it needed to be redone, and brought back to its glorious self. “In terms of brand and the owner,” he said, “we wanted a particular style that would fit right for the luxury traveller. Bathrooms are very important! They are key facilities for our guests. Not only from a functional perspective but aesthetics as well; people need to feel that sense of luxury, specifically when they come to a hotel such as the Fairmont Windsor Park.”
House of Rohl proposed baths and basins from Victoria + Albert. The company’s proprietary material, QuarrycastTM, is made from Volcanic LimestoneTM. This produces a strong yet light material, warm to the touch and suited to sculptural shapes with crisp edges. Their Eldon model is a perfect hotel bath, with the profile of an elegant freestanding bath but the practicalities of a back-to-wall format. The long, elegant ledge is equally suitable for Molton Brown or Moët & Chandon. In the suites, these are matched to shapely ‘his-and-hers’ Victoria + Albert Barcelona basins, countertop-mounted.
Image credit: House of Rohl
Other bathrooms showcase the elegant and refined Worcester freestanding bath. Featuring a classically ribbed plinth and rim detailing originally found in stonework, it embodies a rich history that resonates in Windsor. With a discreet void space underneath to conceal waste plumbing, it is also a practical choice.
Arora had not come across Victoria+ Albert before, but expressed his impression when speaking to Hotel Designs. “When I saw the product and what the [House of Rohl] team had done, I was really excited,” he said. “We’re delighted with the end result.”
House of Rohl 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.
Hyatt has announced plans for the expansion of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection – a new global portfolio of distinct luxury all-inclusive resort brands – to Portugal with Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina, marking the Inclusive Collection’s entry into a fourth European country, and representing the latest milestone in Hyatt’s intentional global brand expansion in the luxury all-inclusive segment…
On the heels of Hyatt’s recently announced expansion plans for five all-inclusive resorts in Bulgaria, the planned debut of Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina will mark the Inclusive Collection brand portfolio’s entry into Portugal, following existing brand presence in Spain and Greece and introducing the signature Unlimited-Luxury concept to the destination. Leisure demand continues to fuel Hyatt’s thoughtful brand expansion in Europe, and today’s announcement signals the strength and reputation of Hyatt’s all-inclusive brands and the increased opportunity to introduce the luxury all-inclusive experience to more guests and World of Hyatt loyalty members around the world.
Image credit: Hyatt
Slated to open once renovations are complete in early 2024, Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina will offer guests access to more than ten a la carte restaurants, seven bars, unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits, 24-hour room service, daily activities, nightly entertainment and more. Programming for all-ages also includes an onsite water park, an Explorer’s Club for kids, a Core Zone for teens, and a 3000 square meter spa for adults to unwind. The resort will also include exclusive adults-only areas and reserved spaces for preferred guests looking for an even more elevated guest experience.
Image credit: Hyatt
“With Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina, we are thrilled to announce plans to introduce the Inclusive Collection to one of the world’s leading island destinations, which will attract diverse travellers from around the world seeking immersive all-inclusive resort experiences,” said Jaime De La Mata, SVP of Business Development for EMEA at Apple Leisure Group.
Situated at a premium location to the serene island of Porto Santo, one of the key touristic attractions in Madeira, Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina resort will feature 366 luxury appointed guestrooms, ranging from standard rooms to luxury villas, as well as an onsite private beach and marina. The resort will be operationally managed by Apple Leisure Group, a Hyatt affiliate and owned by an institutional investor that will rely on Okami Hotels for the asset management of the property.
Fancy a dip? Inside the revived Pasadena Hotel & Pool
Stonehill Taylor has reimagined the historic Pasadena Hotel & Pool, inspired by the golden age of the 1920s in California…
The building that shelters Pasadena Hotel & Pool dates back to 1926. It was originally unveiled during the city’s renaissance, purchased by a local prominent businesswoman, known as Constance G.L. Perry upon its completion.
Today, the hotel, which has just about stood the test of time, has been revived to reflect a modern era of travel while also honouring the property’s rich past with a nod to a Spanish colonial influence. The renovation was completed by Stonehill Taylor, the studio that completed projects such as The Ned NoMad and Ace Brooklyn. The designers’ brief was centred around the public areas; to redesign the lobby, courtyard space and pool deck.
Image credit: Pasadena Hotel & Pool
Pasadena, located in the northern tip of Los Angeles, became a popular tourist destination for those looking to escape cold winters, leading to a surge of developments centered around the arts, such as playhouses, art galleries, and musical theatres. Inspired by this Golden Age of Pasadena, the redesign incorporates hints of the 1920s displayed through sourced, unique, and vintage artwork, as well as Californian Mission Style furnishings, creating a layered atmosphere. The furniture throughout the public areas feels like it has been collected over the years to evoke a residential, laidback vibe.
Pasadena Hotel’s exterior features stucco-clad walls, and neoclassical details are carried over into the interiors. To modernise the space while recognising its past, Stonehill Taylor kept the coffered ceiling and restored the original terracotta flooring to highlight the property’s distinctive history. The design team sourced many of the furnishings from flea markets and antique go-tos.
Image credit: Pasadena Hotel & Pool
Stonehill Taylor transformed the lobby to a modern and comfortable space with Spanish colonial influences paired with collected furnishings. The walls have been repainted from an off-white to a moody chocolate brown colour. Warm finishes make the space feel inviting. Infills of patterned terracotta tiles were added to embellish the property’s original historic flooring. Terracotta and neutral tones stand out against the darker warmer hues, creating a striking colour contrast. Mirrored panels were replaced with a tile that has a Spanish motif for a dramatic layering impact. The design team placed a wallcovering behind the fireplace and in the phone booths to create a striking, mural-like effect. Collections of artworks, and some sourced pieces, are displayed throughout the interiors framed in gold to add another layer of contrast to the dark walls.
Image credit: Pasadena Hotel & Pool
Meanwhile, the bar features wire, brushed oak wood and marble. The repeated square motifs on the ceiling and original door paneling inspired the trim details on the bar face. Comfortable chairs and seating convey a lounge-like feel for guests. The collection of furniture allows for groups of people to sit and socialise while the back-bar feels very simple with its traditional styling.
Image credit: Pasadena Hotel & Pool
Outside, the courtyard space has been revitalised as an area for guests to come in and lounge in the morning or enjoy a drink at night. Stonehill Taylor incorporated touches of lush greenery accompanied by light blues and pinks to create a relaxed atmosphere. To pull the space together, each corner is designed with two towering birds of paradise, whose blossoms add bright colouring to the courtyard. The legacy of the hotel shines through the tiling, flagstone floor and elements from the original hotel opening. A standout component of the courtyard is the fountain with a grand, glazed urn surrounded by the original tile.
Steeped in history, which has been blended into the redesign of the hotel’s public areas, Pasadena Hotel & Pool has been brought back to life through an injection of colour, patterns and design solutions that make it as grand as it was when it opened in the roaring ’20s.
Tara by Dornbracht – a design classic that keeps reinventing itself
With Tara, Dornbracht and Sieger Design have laid the foundations for a totally new bathroom culture. The minimalist, elegant design language of the fitting has had an impact in a wide variety of contexts ever since, making a significant contribution in turning the bathroom into an aesthetically appealing living space…
Inspiring and stylistically confident, the Tara bathroom range from Dornbracht is an archetype with a lasting influence on fittings design. Celebrating its 30th year with new finishes and variations, the range has lost none of its contemporary appeal and Tara’s adaptability continues to inspire architects and designers. Its ability to regularly reinvent itself will also ensure that the classic design will provide the impetus for visionary bathroom concepts in the future.
Image credit: Dornbracht
The Antwerp based design studio WeWantMore, used the Dornbracht fitting in an extensively modernised hunting lodge hotel in Belgium. “We chose Tara because of the universal design that was also convincing in more unusual settings.”, said WeWantMore.
Sjölund Åkerblom Arkitekter from Stockholm also took advantage of Tara’s ability to create gentle contrasts in traditional settings. The architects’ office used the fitting in a historic, eighteenth-century building. “Tara seems modern yet familiar”, said founder Petra Sjölund. “This means that we could make a point, without clashing with the history of the building.”
Tara’s versatility and distinctive style also impressed Ben Allen, the founder of the London studio that bears his name. “We love Tara as a modern classic. The iconic cross-handles and semi-circular spout are unmistakeable. It can be staged in almost every conceivable way. Most recently, for example, we used Tara in white, to contrast with the many bright colours that surround it.”
Image credit: Dornbracht
Belgian architect Frederic Kielemoes takes a similar approach. He chose the Dornbracht fitting for a rather special project – his own home: “The Tara collection fits in very well with the spontaneous and intuitive thinking behind our design concept. The fitting itself has a certain spontaneity that also seems entirely consistent. It is the perfect match for our home.”
One reason for Tara’s enduring modernity lies in the many design options that Dornbracht provides. Over three decades, a wide-ranging family of fittings has developed from the original design sketches, including free-standing fittings for washstands and baths, shower solutions and kitchen fittings. The respective Tara variants can each be given different handles and are available in numerous finishes. In 2022, for example, three new finishes were introduced – Dark Chrome and brushed and gloss versions of Champagne.
“Tara always remained profoundly modern, thanks to what are sometimes only subtle artistic and technical refinements, and to the exciting new finishes and handle variants that we have implemented in recent years”, said Christian Sieger, Marketing Director of Sieger Design.
“With its disarming openness and its clean, archetypal design language, it will still be more relevant than ever before”, continued designer Michael Sieger, who runs the company together with his brother. Even 30 years on, Dornbracht’s most popular series of fittings remains a timeless design icon that will artistically enhance top-quality bathroom concepts.
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.
Slated to open April 2023, Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU will amplify Tempe’s revitalised downtown area and bring some of the largest conference and meeting space to the city…
Located in the heart of downtown Tempe, the newest addition to the Omni Hotels & Resorts portfolio will feature 330 guestrooms, including 11 suites, four dining outlets, a spacious pool deck, retail, and nearly 36,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting spaces with expansive views of the ASU campus and the Arizona cityscape.
The hotel is a $125 million investment and part of a public-private partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and the City of Tempe. Downtown Tempe is thriving with attractions, businesses, residents, and visitors, and Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU will be the incredible completion of an important downtown intersection.
Image credit: Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU
“In the timeline of opening a new hotel, the reservation launch is not only welcomed, but an equally exciting milestone,” said Todd Gagnon, General Manager at Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU. “This hotel will bring elevated accommodations, gourmet dining options, and a meeting experience that is unrivalled in the community. Without question, this hotel will not only offer an exceptional hotel experience, but will continue to re-define Tempe as a vibrant, destination city.”
Image credit: Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU
With four culinary outlets available to guests, each outlet will serve unique and locally inspired cuisine. From neighbourhood services that offers honest food and drink in the American tradition to Library Rules, Lobby Bar & Coffee Counter that evolves into a cocktail bar by night, to Salt & Gila Pool Bar with views of the Tempe skyline, there are food and beverage offerings available all day to satisfy every palate. Guests and Tempe locals will also enjoy expansive views from the Lucero Rooftop Bar that will feature indoor and outdoor covered space, and bold design elements that celebrate the Arizona cityscape. Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU will be a lifestyle hotel, reflective of its natural surroundings and the unique local culture of Arizona.
Sashaying past Stand 19 at HIX, you can’t help but be drawn in by the jewel tones and textures of the Odisha Collection by Sekers – we stopped off to dig deeper into these new collections and colourways…
Sekers is throwing back the curtain to reveal new collections this week, showcasing both Odisha and Tynan as its standout new designs. Odisha is a collection of two beautiful textures available in a versatile palette including rich jewel tones and sophisticated neutrals. From sapphire blue to gold topaz, it is the perfect gem for upholstery and accessories.The AquaClean advanced nano technology helps protect the fabric against spills and stains without having to resort to specialist cleaning. The fabrics are also anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. Odisha is supplied with crib 5 flame retardant backing making it suitable for the hospitality, leisure and marine markets.
Image credit: Sekers
Image credit: Sekers
A second new collection on display is Tynan, a wide width sheers range comprising of Areo & Yara. Both plain designs come in a selection of 16 colours each including soft browns, stylish neutrals and mint blue tones. Both fabrics are washable and meet the UK, USA & IMO standards which makes these beautiful plains perfect for the hospitality, leisure and marine markets.
Sekers 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.
Bringing the unmistakable look of classic cork floor tiles, Tradition by Granorte – inspired by nature – features four striking new designs that we were desperate to get our hands on…
With archetypal looks such as Classic and Twist, as well as contemporary designs like Expression, Fineline and Canyon, Granorte’s Tradition floor tile collection is ideal for bringing the natural style of cork into commercial interior schemes. Now with the addition of Segment, Primus Black, Crust and Blend, Tradition has four new looks to bring cork’s unmistakable aesthetic.
From the high-contrast bark-like formations of Primus Black to the concrete-like Crust and tiled effect of Segment, each design offers a unique and subtle take while retaining a natural cork look. Using agglomerated cork or a cork veneer mated to a high-density cork backing, they are made from 85% natural cork and are biodegradable and recyclable.
As a flooring material, cork is an excellent option, offering walking, acoustic and thermal comfort because of its natural structure. Water-resistant, the natural finish tiles need sealing to provide maximum durability in use and to prevent staining.
“Tradition remains close to the classic cork tile we’ve been making since 1973,” said Paulo Rocha from Granorte. “It’s a collection that references cork flooring’s long heritage and which retains a high natural cork content, but that also gives designers depth and versatility in the final look of their floor. For designers wanting to stay close to original cork flooring, Tradition is a great choice bringing cork’s unique natural look with the quality and consistency of modern production.”
The Tradition collection is made in Portugal by Granorte, a family-run company that’s celebrating 50-years of innovation in cork.
Granorte is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Live from HIX: versatile illumination from Northern Lights
Northern Lights has launched a collection of new decorative lighting designs exclusively at HIX. The designs can be seen on Stand 45, and will be added to any already eclectic mix of made-to-order lighting within its luxury Signature Collection…
From dramatic chandeliers and perfectly considered wall lights to cordless rechargeable lamps that can be moved around spaces with ease, each piece by Northern Lights has been curated to form a complete collection of versatile, timeless lighting to transform and elevate any hospitality space across unlimited design styles.
Head of Creative and collection designer Donna Gridley brings her passion for art, sculpture and textures into the new AW22/23 Collection, and the team of master artisans work with with an impressive range of materials in these newly designed pieces. New designs demonstrate considered detailing in glass, metal and clay and new acid patinas. Hand sculptured and moulded ceramics feature unique textures and rich reactive glazes, whereas luxurious stone and alabaster offer an organic presence, as do the hand-turned wooden parts which can be finished in everything from Walnut to Wenge. Free blown and mould blown glass are also utilised, whilst fabricated metals are subjected to a wide variety of truly unique finishes, all applied and controlled in-house.
Image credit: Northern Lights
Image credit: Northern Lights
The Reynard, Rathburn and Burlington collections celebrate the natural beauty of verdigris – a finish as unpredictable as the reactive glazes they use, and all the more covetable because of the uniqueness it brings to every piece. The Helios range of portable, rechargeable table lamps offer unlimited versatility, illuminating spaces without the usual constraints of wires and socket locations. The range was selected as a finalist in Best in British Product Design at The Brit List Awards 2022, and Northern Lights is showcasing more than ten completely new designs at HIX, including lights suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Image credit: Northern Lights
Image credit: Northern Lights
Suspended from the ceiling as a core focal point sits The Breuer – an impressive chandelier that instantly demands attention. Inspired by Brutalist architecture, this show-stopping piece with its raw, honest narrative displays layers of brass metal, specifically tiered to showcase the dramatic shapes, which are finished with alabaster strips. The metal is beautifully finished with hand-applied verdigris and illuminated with LEDs.
Northern Lights 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.
Live from HIX: Edmund Bell reveals recycled ranges
Edmund Bell, supplier of fabrics and accessories to the commercial, institutional and domestic interiors markets, is on stand 48 at HIX showcasing their comprehensive range of fabrics along with two brand new products made from recycled materials…
Humans use around 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute, and only 56 per cent of this is recycled. Edmund Bell is addressing this issue with the introduction of its REPREVE range. The fabrics are made using high-quality fibres woven 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. LINK and SWAY – two brand new sheers, are made using inherent FR recycled polyester REPREVE yarns – the world’s leading brand of recycled performance fibre.
“The impact of our business and our products on the environment is extremely important to us and we are committed to working towards a sustainable future,” said Fiona Napier, Sales Director. “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. For example, Edmund Bell is a proud signatory of The Climate Pledge!”
“We are working hard to ensure that we are doing everything we can across new product development and other business processes, to reach our sustainability and environmental goals,” said John Atherton, Group CEO. “Although we are proud of what we have achieved until now we recognise that we still have a long way to go to achieve our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040. With hard work and our dedicated “green Team” in place within the business we are looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
Image credit: Edmund Bell
Being part of The Climate Pledge further reinforces Edmund Bell’s commitment to sustainability and taking action to reduce its effects on the environment; working together to crack the climate crisis and solve the challenges of decarbonizing our economy. The company as a whole is working hard to ensure that it is doing everything it can across new product development and other business processes, to reach its sustainability and environmental goals.
This includes:
• Over 80 per cent of the product range is now recyclable, with the aim to increase this number year on year. • Rather than be sent to landfills, fabric waste is recycled and remade into other products used within the flooring industry. • Over 50 products certified to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX with more products being added. If a textile article carries the STANDARD 100 label, you can be certain that every component has been tested for harmful substances and that the article therefore is harmless in human ecological terms – this is applicable to all processing steps from yarn to finished product.
Edmund Bell aims to be net-zero carbon by 2040 and develop even more new products that contain recycled content. .
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.
Live from HIX: Villeroy & Boch showcases key products
Round, oval, rectangular – good design speaks for itself, and on Stand 11 at HIX, Villeroy & Boch continue to deliver design statements in exceptional bathrooms. Here are three key products that do just that…
The new Loop & Friends washbasins by Villeroy & Boch, turn the washing area into a striking centrepiece. The main feature is the 3 x 3 x 3 concept: three shapes, three installation types, three colours. Whether oval, round or rectangular, the washbasins can be installed as a striking surface-mounted, classic built-in or a simple undercounter version. Their narrow rims and thin walls showcase their trendy “lightness” theme. This extraordinarily fine and delicate design is only possible because of TitanCeram, a material where the titanium oxide makes the ceramic extremely firm and stable. It is accompanied by high-quality details such as an optional ceramic outlet valve and an oblong overflow hole. Bold colours make way for creativity and personality: the washbasins are available in white as well as three plain matt colours. In the same range, the new Loop & Friends baths reflect the oval and rectangular shapes of the washbasins. The result is modern baths available in built-in or ‘back-to-wall’ versions with either an oval or rectangular inner tub.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
Warm grey shades are a top trend in modern bathrooms, and are making a strong statement on the Villeroy & Boch stand at HIX. The tones and shapes evoke images of natural materials such as stone and rocks, and create a relaxing atmosphere for daily bathing routines. Created by the designer Christian Haas, the Theano freestanding bath in the new matt colour of Grey almost appears to have been carved from stone. The sculptural statement piece breaks away from the traditional white look in bathrooms with a monumental effect inspired by nature.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
On a more practical note, we can happily report that annoying toilet brushes are a thing of the past!The revolutionary TwistFlush toilet flushing system combines exceptionally clean and hygienic flush performance with extremely efficient use of water. The secret – the patent-pending TwistFlush technology which uses the physical force of a controlled water vortex, which flushes almost all of the inside of the toilet bowl while carrying waste away. In turn TwistFlush uses the flush water much more efficiently and saves precious water every time the flush is activated making good on its claim for ‘more power, less water’.
Villeroy & Boch 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.
Live from HIX: introducing City Vibes from Zimmer + Rohde
If you find yourself on the gallery at HIX, stop by at stand U7 to discover the new Zimmer + Rohde collections, where the colours and textures of ‘City Vibes’ caught our eye, and the innovative material and manufacturing techniques caught our attention…
One of the most exciting aspects of urban living is the almost limitless possibilities that are available to everyone, whether permanent residents or visitors stopping by for a weekend or on a business trip to soak up the pulsating atmosphere of a metropolis. The concentration of different lifestyles, cultural influences and art forms continually inspires the creation of new and surprising ideas for collective life in the city.Interiors blossom into creative collages; private spaces open up to reveal vivid personal portraits of the people living in them. Public spaces such as hotels, restaurants and bars can reference their immediate surroundings to imbue the interior setting with a distinctive identity –a sense of place – creating a welcoming feel of home. Both expressiveness and functionality are equally important.
Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
The new Zimmer + Rohde collection does justice to this sophisticated mix of extremely diverse expectations by valuing the creativity of artists and artisans and emphasising new features by using innovative material and manufacturing techniques. City Vibes boasts a casual, natural look with a focus on the greatest range of applications possible. With names like ‘Hyde Park’ and ‘Times Square’, the collection clearly references its point of inspiration.
A photo showcase for the collection was held in an apartment once owned by Auguste Perret, one of the pioneering architects and city planners of the twentieth century. This architectural jewel in the heart of Paris dating from 1934 is the perfect backdrop for these expressive textile personalities. The influence of this gorgeous, timeless mid-century style, which is inherent in some of our new designs, is exquisitely highlighted by the interplay of incredibly modernist architectural elements. Functionality and elegance combine to create a harmonious balance in this interior, which remains unchanged to this day – an homage to what excellent design can achieve and embody.
Zimmer + Rohde 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: Christian Sieger, CEO at sieger design
Having been charged with the task of presenting the Rising Star Award at The Brit List Awards 2022, Christian Sieger found time in his London schedule to sit down with us to chat about all things design and wellness, giving writer Pauline Brettell the opportunity to find out more about the driving force behind, and the direction in front of the seiger design brand…
The name ‘sieger design’ is no marketing idea – behind it today are Michael and Christian Sieger, linked by both professional and family ties. The brothers complement each other perfectly, with each one playing their own individual role as they drive the brand forward on a well-designed track of excellence and innovation. While Christian Sieger’s role in the company is focused on marketing, he shares his brother’s exacting design standards and understanding, having been integral to the process that has seen sieger design creating icons for the sanitary area and continually challenging and reshaping the industry with pioneering designs.
Image credit: sieger design
Since the beginning of the 1980s, the studio has innovated numerous product types – from the first designer bathroom fittings and holistic bathroom series to large overhead rain-shower spray systems and scenario-controlled showers. We kicked off the conversation by asking about this focus on the bathroom.
Pauline Brettell: The sieger history is rooted in bathroom design. While you have expanded the design remit, is bathroom design still at the core of the studio?
Christian Sieger: Yes, it is! We have been constantly active for Dornbracht, Alape and Duravit for more than 35 years now. Furthermore, bathroom architecture has become very important for us. For example, we create solutions for small size premium spas, for semi-public toilet facilities or hotel bathrooms. For me, the bathroom is on of the rooms that defines my day, so to sharpen the focus on bathroom design makes perfect sense.
PB: Picking up on the concept of bathroom architecture, last year at HIX, the conversation was about the Re-Charge Spa concept/design – has this moved forward over the course of a year?
CS: The Re-Charge Spa concept was about developing a multifunctional space with a high level of design and quality in a very compact space – we have detailed the room slightly further and are in touch with hotels from Portugal to realise some sample Re-Charge spa suits.
PB: The SSPS® (Small Size Premium Spa) project is another clear response and solution to the intense focus on wellness in hospitality – can you tell us a bit more about that.
CS: The SSPS suite is all about bringing together numerous treatment possibilities in the smallest of space giving guests the option of relaxing directly in the room, in a private personalised spa. Hotels are having to be innovative moving forward on wellness offerings and the SSPS® is an exciting solution!
Image credit: sieger design
PB: How does your work with Dornbracht tie into concepts like Re-charge and SSPS?
CS: For almost 20 years we have dedicated a lot of attention to the water experience – especially in the shower! From innovating a rain sky with natural drops beyond a horizontal shower to create new experiences to installations like the massage nozzles WaterFan or WaterCurve, wellness and promoting health has been a special focus of our work. These are all concepts that have been developed into products to enhance the overall wellness and health concepts within designs.
PB: The CYO fitting design for Dornbracht has won several design awards. Could you tell us a bit about the inspiration and process behind this design?
CS: It roots back to a design from 1969, a time with highly sophisticated design objects. Michael came up with a reminiscent to this design in a very up-to-date interpretation, with a contemporary level of precision and perfection and a new sculptural quality. With its iconographic C spout, CYO brings an archetypal formal language into here and now. And the product concept includes new possibilities for individualisation, for example with a selection of finishes and a multifaceted inlay concept for the handle elements. They make CYO a bold product to create and influence bathroom architecture, meaning that architecture may be developed around the tap, dedicated to the design DNA of CYO.
Image credit: dornbracht / sieger design
Image credit: dornbracht / sieger design
PB: What are the most fundamental changes to bathroom design – in your opinion – that we are seeing in hospitality and in the home?
CS: In hospitality, guests enjoy more functions and treatments in the privacy of their room, a spacious shower – ideally combined with a steam shower. With this they can find relaxation directly in their rooms at any time of the day.
In the private bathroom, we see more natural materials and less tiles, more water options in the shower for men and women, more daylight, more access to nature, all in a more recharging atmosphere.
PB: How collaborative are your projects in the studio – and are there cross pollination of ideas across the disciplines?
CS: It always depends on the project, but surely, between my brother Michael, who’s the designer, and me as the marketing director, there are constant discussions going on – as well as across the teams: industrial design, architecture, communication. In our studio, about 35 employees pool together expertise from a variety of disciplines. And our partners thus benefit from this creativity and consultancy.
PB: What is your favourite part of the process?
CS: For Michael – the creative mind – coming up with new ideas with ambitious goals for new products is most challenging and demanding. For me, it’s the official launch of a new concept or a new collection at an event or fair, being able to present the products personally and seeing the reactions of customers and press.
HD: From bees to the big five the sieger brand appears to be driven by a clear set of values. Do you have a personal passion project?
CS: On the one side, our tabletop brand is a special passion for me, bringing family and friends together, getting connected by a shared meal or just enjoying these special moments together. It’s our aim to enrich people’s daily lives or what we like to call ‘the good life’. On the other side, as part of our Dornbracht collaboration, we create awareness for bathrooms and its important role for enhanced quality of life globally. We have been driving major trends in the industry and our partnership makes me see various cultures around the world.
PB: And finally, any exciting new projects on the horizon you can share with us?
CS: Oh yes – it is all about eating and dining and the crucial process of preparing good food. Making sure, people will interact with their kitchen in a more natural way.
Sharing its latest innovation in the realm of sustainable luxury, Hypnos Contract Beds is on Stand 28 at HIX showcasing the Woolsleepers Pillow Top mattress…
Taking pride of place on the Hypnos stand at HIX is the Woolsleepers Pillow Top mattress. The ultimate in comfort and sustainability, the breathable, antibacterial mattress boasts a built-in pillow top layer made with 100 per cent British wool sourced from Red Tractor assured farms, alongside a fully traceable supply chain. Requiring no turning, the mattress brings practicality for busy hoteliers, with Zip and Link making the change between one super king and two singles effortless.
In addition, with hoteliers now considering sustainability every step of the way, the Hospitality Origins Collection by Hypnos represents a new era of sustainable sleep solutions, providing hoteliers with a truly eco-conscious bed for their guests. The collection represents a new era of sustainable sleep solutions, providing hoteliers with a truly eco-conscious bed for their guests. The fully sustainable collection comprises a choice of luxury, durable mattresses, each of which embodies Hypnos’ commitment to using natural materials. Featuring a comprehensive choice of sustainable fibres with unparalleled traceability credentials, including ethical cotton sourced through the Better Cotton Initiative and 100 per cent British wool from Red Tractor assured farms, each mattress is also fully recyclable, meaning that they will never end up in landfill.
Image credit: Hypnos
To encourage important debate within the hospitality and interior design industry, Hypnos has also launched ‘Hotel Hypnos’, a series of engaging conversations with leading industry experts, sharing their expert advice. Hosted on the Hypnos website, Hotel Hypnos will touch upon topics including the future of interior design within hotels, how hotels can adapt their marketing output to appeal to a more eco-conscious guest, how the customer experience is evolving and how the industry should react.
Hypnos 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.
GROHE has returned to HIX this year with a particular focus on spa bathroom design concepts, inviting guests to immerse in the serene ambience of its spa-inspired room set on Stand 5 as part of a new premium spa and wellness-focus…
This year at HIX, GROHE’s messaging is all around wellness, pleasure, and relaxation with its stand created with re-envisioned designs of the popular Allure brassware and the Atrio range, alongside its industry leading ICON 3D collection which consists of uniquely innovative 3D printed taps.
Image credit: GROHE
“We’re delighted to be returning to HIX this year, following last year’s triumphant debut show” said Ebru Bircan, Leader, Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL EMENA and GROHE UK. “This year we are be highlighting our premium product ranges, with emphasis on bathroom design concepts that evoke wellbeing, sanctuary, and relaxation. Concepts that provide an escapism and a place of refuge are crucial within the industry, and we’re continuing to create this immersive narrative within the hotel bathroom around wellness and health through water, providing innovative designs for a bespoke experience”.
Making sure that HIX is not ‘all work and no play’, and continuing the theme of relaxation, elsewhere on the stand GROHE has a lounge area for guests to enjoy. If you get your timing right you can get there in time for the barista created complimentary hot drinks, followed by a mixologist in the evening serving cocktails and alcoholic beverages.
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.
Live from HIX: inside the new Novotel hotel concept with Ligne Roset
Ligne Roset has collaborated with Novotel and designers Damien Perrot and Ramy Fischler to usher in a new era of design for the hospitality brand with sustainability at its heart. The designs are being showcased at HIX on the Ligne Roset Stand 18. In addition editor Hamish Kilburn will be hosting an exclusive conversation with the designers within the stand…
Novotel has teamed up with Belgian designer Ramy Fischler, through his design studio RF Studio, and Ligne Roset as manufacturers, to bring to life one of the winning Novotel Hotel concepts which will allow the brand to provide flexibility to its owning and franchisee partners, allowing each to choose and customise an ideal style that best suits the unique character of the destination.
With the bespoke manufacturing knowledge of Ligne Roset Contract, sustainability has been considered throughout this guestroom concept. Designed and manufactured to last over a long period of time with removable covers used to limit the overconsumption of furniture and to allow for easier future renovations. 100 per cent recycled polyester has been used for the fabrics and the furniture items have all been made from PEFC and EUTR certified particleboard. The wardrobe, mini bar and stool have all been made from 100 per cent recycled materials. The occasional and bedside table bases have been made from cork.
Image credit: Ligne Roset / Thierry Sauvage
Flexibility is a key aspect of the different sleeping arrangements made possible by the daybeds, also manufactured by Ligne Roset Contract. Available in different colour options and for different bedroom orientations, the daybeds provide 18 different bedroom configurations. The bedroom concept is available in full and partial realisations, with different colour options, in a standard and premium finish which includes additional charging outlets.
One of the key features of the concept, which has already been implemented in Paris and is soon to be unveiled in other Novotel properties, is the headboard. Available in a standard and premium finish. The premium option has connectivity to the bedside tables providing induction charging. Luggage racks, a mini bar and the Valmy armchair, also designed by Ramy Fischler, are part of the Ligne Roset collection and can also be included.
In addition to being able to experience the concept on the Ligne Roset Contract stand at HIX, Editor Hamish Kilburn will be putting both Fischler and Accor’s Damien Perrot under the spotlight – on stand 18 at 16:00 on November 17 – to discuss the design and the concept in depth.
Ligne Roset 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.
Live from HIX: GRAFF makes its UK exhibition debut
Luxury bathroom brand GRAFF will showcase its extensive product portfolio and wider brand story for the first time at HIX 2022 – Pauline Brettell headed over to stand U10 to get inspired and discover the Art of Bath…
GRAFF manufactures brassware products that inspire and enhance everyday experiences through sophisticated style, luxury living and timeless design. The bathroom brand’s products mix design with performance, launching products that add artistic flair in wellness spaces.
Image credit: GRAFF
“We are delighted to be showcasing for the first time at HIX 2022,” said Ziggy Kulig, CEO of GRAFF. ” The show, bringing together the best in hospitality, is the perfect platform for us to showcase what we can offer as a major player in the brassware sector. Our stand will showcase how our products can transform the guest experience, both in terms of wellness, customisation and experience.”
Taking pride of place on the stand are GRAFF’s state-of-the-art ranges Luna, Vintage, MOD+ and Artemis, all be on display. Alongside working water rigs, visitors are able to fully immerse themselves in the unparalleled experiences with water GRAFF products provided.
GRAFF Designs 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.
New images from inside Mandarin Oriental Palace Luzern
Jestico + Whiles has completed the interior revamp for Mandarin Oriental’s grande-dame Palace Luzern – the completion of the project on the banks of Lake Luzern marks the London-based Jestico + Whiles’ third hotel in Switzerland. We stepped inside for a closer look…
Marking 116 years since the the historic hotel welcomed its first guests, Jestico + Whiles has sensitively reimagined the vision of eccentric Swiss hotelier Franz Josef Bucher, remixing faded Art Deco grandeur with fresh and spirited interior design elements. One of the last grand-dames’ in central Switzerland, the Mandarin Oriental Palace Luzerns’ prominent location on the banks of the lake provides a magnificent backdrop to the design studios, newly envisioned guestrooms, spa, restaurants, arrival lobby and outdoor terraces.
Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald
Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald
Working alongside local heritage specialist Iwan Bühler Architects, decorative features have been faithfully restored, including scagliola columns, chequerboard marble flooring and stucco-adorned walls. The hotel’s original colour palette, inspired by Bucher’s travels across the Mediterranean, has emerged from beneath layers of past alterations. Terracotta, rich greens and chalk whites are incorporated into the newly renovated interiors, as palm and lily motifs nod to the stylised botanicals of the Art Deco era. By stitching new into old, uniting the traditional with the contemporary, the venerable Palace is ushered into a new era as a Mandarin Oriental.
Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald
The arrival experience has been wholly reimagined. An extraordinary vaulted axial corridor forms an internal arcade, connecting the hotel entrance directly to the tree-lined promenade and lake beyond. Inside the spacious lobby, guests encounter timber-lined arched doorways, curved sculptural seating, walnut joinery, and crisp terrazzo flooring.
Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald
Four distinctively designed restaurants and bars provide the perfect setting for the hotel’s guests to linger over a coffee in the morning or aperitif in the evening, creating an atmosphere of understated opulence for a modern age. In the hotel’s brasserie, an elliptical reeded bronze bar sits prominently between the original burnt umber scagliola columns, framing the spectacular view across Lake Luzern that greeted tourists a century ago. Mossy greens are set against rich walnuts and shimmering brass accents, evoking the lushness of the Swiss countryside and the surrounding mountains.
Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald
Each of the 136 unique guestrooms has been designed to complement the extraordinary landscape outside, composing a serene interior palette of muted pistachio, natural oak and dusky coral. The dialogue between old and new is embraced, introducing a minimal orbital brass chandelier alongside traditionally detailed ceiling mouldings and wall panelling. Heritage details such as the sensitively restored window frames are contrasted with a sleek furniture collection crafted by Italian family-run business Molteni, and tapered wall lamps emit soft ambient light. Characterful oak parquet is paired with ombre Tisca rugs woven in Switzerland, bringing warmth and texture underfoot.
Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald
Situated beneath the hotel’s verdigris copper tower, the Presidential Suite has panoramic views across the characterful cityscape as well as Lake Lucerne and the snow-capped peaks beyond. Water, birds and abundant nature have inspired the details that grace this special suite. The unique oval shape of the salon has been created as the centrepiece of this magnificent suite, with all decorative elements flowing from that geometry: fluted timber walls, contemporary wooden mosaic floor and a modern plaster ceiling rose that echoes the rippling of water. A deconstructed chandelier, made in a delicate swirl of hand-blown glass, is inspired by fluttering leaves and flocks of birds. The theme continues in the hand-tufted rug that mimics the pattern of densely packed feathers on the wing of a swan. Although the ambience is fresh and modern, contrasting pops of jewel-toned velvet curved sofas and striking green Irish marble bring grandeur and boldness. Specially selected artworks reinforce the colour story and connection to the lake and its wildlife.
Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald
The rest of the suite is enveloped in soothing tones of walnut and timber joinery that create a sense of warmth and intimacy that flows throughout. Hand-selected marbles, smoked oak parquet, lustrous plaster and antiqued brass highlights lend a sumptuous mood. Gracious curves appear in furniture pieces, mirrors, and objects. Unique details like wood mosaic inlays and starburst veneer entrance doors, have been crafted by Swiss artisans. A hand-painted mural inspired by the lakeside setting was commissioned for the bedroom, with its burnished leaves and periwinkle petals by Johina Garcia Concheso, who also created work for the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid.
Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald
Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald
“It has been a joy to build on our Swiss presence through this partnership with Mandarin Oriental. We have been incredibly honoured to be part of the team transforming this extraordinary building into the orbit of its second century, ” said James Dilley, Director at Jestico + Whiles. “We wanted the guests to feel immersed in a dialogue between old and new, welcoming them into a fresh new chapter in the palace’s long history. Every design decision was made to create a harmonious atmosphere of understated opulence, that wouldn’t diminish the magnificent view towards Lake Luzern and the snow-capped peaks beyond.”
Hand carved from Tuscan marble, Jestico + Whiles have designed a tranquil series of arched spaces to house the hotel’s new spa, featuring sauna, steam bath, experiential showers, treatment rooms and fitness salon. Dramatic Cipollini marble, cool Carrara and dark grey granite, hand selected in Italy and sculpted by expert local craftsmen, compliment a tactile palette of polished plaster, cast glass and bronze.
Main image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald
UK Bathroom Warehouse partners with Ideal Standard
Ideal Standard has strengthened its relationship with UK Bathroom Warehouse, and the partnership will see UK Bathroom Warehouse become a flagship showroom and one of only a handful of locations in the UK to host Ideal Standard’s premium Atelier Collections…
Ideal Standard’s premium Atelier Collections is a range of expertly designed bathroom products from renowned Italian design studio, Palombi Serafini + Associati (PS+A). Launched in 2021, the Atelier Collections are inspired by Ideal Standard’s rich design heritage, combining aesthetics and design philosophies of the past with modern aesthetics and technology. The result is an exciting collection of new statement pieces for the contemporary bathroom, including an exclusive range of ceramics, brassware and furniture – from the clean, pure lines of the Linda-X range, to the statuesque Tipo-Z basin and the geometrically inspired Conca collections.
Image credit: Ideal Standard
“We’ve worked closely with UK Bathroom Warehouse to provide customers with the highest quality in bathroom products for the past four years, and the launch of these new flagship showrooms is an extension and strengthening of that partnership,” said Adam Evans, Channel Director (Retail) at Ideal Standard UK. “We’re looking forward to joining UK Bathroom Warehouse in welcoming architects, designers and consumers to the launch event in Oxford and providing the chance for guests to immersive themselves in our design-led ranges.”
“We’ve developed a great relationship with Ideal Standard since we began working with them and this launch event for the Atelier Collections showcases that partnership perfectly,” added Steve Freeland, Showroom Director, at UK Bathroom Warehouse. “It’s a great opportunity for guests to visit the Oxford showroom on the 23rd November and get their hands on the fantastic new pieces in the Atelier Collections as we continue to work with Ideal Standard to give our customers the best possible options.”
The bold designs of the Atelier Collections work in harmony with pieces from across Ideal Standard’s ranges through the Singular philosophy – an innovative approach to specification, enabling customers, designers, and specifiers to easily combine products from across the manufacturer’s offering to create unique designs for their space.
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.
An instant finish with decorative MDF with UNILIN Panels
Decorative MDF from UNILIN Panels are ready-to-use, pre-finished wood fibre panels that give an instant and affordable decorative finish in a wide range of applications…
Ready-to-use panels that let you put a great design together quickly and affordably, decorative MDF from UNILIN Panels are suitable for general interior use including furniture, wallcoverings, cupboards, stand constructions and displays.
Coming in five striking looks that give any project a premium look that belies its cost-effective nature, decorative MDF Panels also deliver impressive durability for a design that stands the test of time. Moisture-resistant, stain-resistant, exceptionally scratch-resistant and easy to maintain, they can be used immediately, with or without edging tape, for a high quality look in a fuss-free finish.
Every decorative MDF panel features a strong coloured core combined with a high-tech lacquer coating available in varying transparency and gloss levels. UNILIN Panels brings a unique look that remains faithful to the materials used in its construction:
Original black Super Matt is a black MDF with an anti-fingerprint and soft touch lacquer
Original black Satin is a black MDF with a subtle silk gloss lacquer
Original black High Gloss is a black MDF with a mirror effect from its high-gloss finish
Meteor grey Super Matt is a pale grey MDF with an anti-fingerprint and soft touch lacquer
Mercury grey Super Matt is a dark grey MDF with an anti-fingerprint and soft touch lacquer
The decorative MDF panels are finished on both sides and can be sawn, drilled and milled without chipping of the lacquer, making a versatile solution for general interior applications. The panels come in 18mm and 19mm thickness at a 1220 x 3050mm sheet size.
Bart Catteeuw, product manager, UNILIN Panels, says: “Decorative MDF panels perform brilliantly in all respects and with a strong coloured core and a lacquer coating of incomparable quality, there’s no more fiddling around with manual finishing. You can use them almost anywhere and panels with the Super Matt and Satin finishes can also be used horizontally – except for worktops.”
UNILIN Panels 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.
Outdoor tiles with style: introducing Vistascape from Parkside
Vistascape are the new outdoor tiles exclusively from Parkside…
With a range outdoor-ready wall and floor tile collections, as well as technical accessories designed to withstand the rigours of all-weather use, Vistascape is the new outdoor tile brand exclusively available from Parkside.
For landscape architects, designers and contractors working on outdoor commercial and residential projects, Vistascape makes it easy to find a tiling solution that will deliver durability in all-weathers. Not only tiles, but outdoor Easy Joint and ProScape grouts, fabricated metal treads and strips, trims and pedestals; this is a solution for creating beautiful outdoor spaces.
Image credit: Parkside
Vista is Vistacape’s core collection, providing 36+ PTV frost and UV-resistant floor and wall tiles in a range of effects and specifications. With marble, stone, terrazzo, wood, concrete and slate effect finishes, Vista is exceptionally versatile vitrified porcelain range. Several options within Vista are also available in a specification for indoor use, ideal for a connection between inside and outdoor areas.
With up to 40 per cent recycled content, Dawson has the same weather and UV-resistance, its concrete effect bringing a modern and clean look to outdoor areas. Available in sizes up to 1,200 x 2,400mm, the collection also comes in an indoor specification.
In a range of four natural wood colours in plank and herringbone formats, Lusaka is the Vistascape collection for creating an exclusive spa-like feel in outdoor areas. With special relief reader technology, Lusaka achieves the perfect balance between colour, pattern, gloss and texture for a tile that looks and feels more like wood. Again, the porcelain tile is frost and UV resistant and comes in a coordinating indoor specification.
These tile collections are joined by high-quality installation products including the Easy Joint brush-in grout and resin-coated ProScape grout that can be jet washed without degradation. Outdoor trims and flat head and slope corrector adjustable pedestals are also available. And with custom fabricated pieces, even the most durable and hardwearing outdoor porcelain tiles can be finished beautifully.
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.
Building on Nobu’s prodigious success at Atlantis, The Palm, the hospitality heavyweights will continue their prosperous partnership by launching Nobu by the Beach – Nobu’s debut pool and beach club concept that is slated to open in Q1,2023. Here’s what we know…
Located at the world’s most anticipated ultra-luxury experiential resort Atlantis The Royal, Nobu by the Beach is set to change the face of Dubai’s beach and pool club scene when it opens in Q1, 2023. Blending modern cool luxury and minimalistic Japanese traditions into a one-of-a-kind pool and beach club experience, Nobu by the Beach is slated to become the city’s most stylish location to see and be seen.
With its enviable oceanfront location and sweeping views of the Palm Island and Dubai skyline, Nobu by the Beach will feature a lagoon pool, a Nobu restaurant and an expansive outdoor bar and terrace overlooking the ocean. With a live DJ providing a seductive deep house soundtrack, guests are invited to relax on stylishly appointed day beds or upgrade their visit to one of Nobu’s luxury air-conditioned cabanas, two of which feature their own private plunge pools overlooking the Arabian ocean.
“Nobu Hospitality is an incredibly valued partner for the Atlantis brand. Having opened at the resort in 2008, the brand has established itself consistently as the authority on Japanese cuisine in Dubai and we look forward to evolving this offering into a pool and beach club experience,” commented Timothy Kelly, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Atlantis Resorts and Residences. “As the leading culinary and entertainment destination in Dubai, Nobu by the Beach at Atlantis The Royal will be a simply unrivalled pool and beach experience and we look forward to unveiling this incredible experience to our guests and visitors in 2023”.
Image credit: Nobu Hospitality
Exuding the Nobu level of hospitality the brand is known and loved for around the world, the Nobu by the Beach experience embodies style and luxury from the moment of arrival. All guests are treated to an array of luxury amenities on rotation, including Nobu popsicles, fruit ceviche, monaka and mochi ice cream, and ultrasonic jewellery and sunglasses cleaning. Guests with a reservation for one of Nobu’s luxury daybeds or cabanas can expect a curated array of exclusively designed amenities, including a Nobu branded beach bag, hat, fan and water bottle, as well as a Nobu toiletry bag with travel size-skin care. Exclusive VIP experiences also include in-cabana spa services and floating food and beverage.
The menu at Nobu by the Beach is inspired by Nobu’s universally beloved Japanese Peruvian cuisine served with a bitesize twist. With a focus on sharing and lighter bites, along with some mouthwatering updates, guests can expect bento boxes, sandwiches and bitesize black cod and tacos. Guests dining at the restaurant can also enjoy a live Robatayaki counter, literally translating to ‘fireside cooking,’ featuring a fresh fish and meat display, as well as charcoal grilled skewers.
“We knew we wanted to continue growing in the hospitality scene and after Nobu Dubai’s huge success at Atlantis, The Palm we were very excited to continue expanding within the destination,” said Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. “Nobu by the Beach is an exciting new concept that we created to offer guests somewhere to relax and enjoy their Nobu experience for longer than just a meal, in a beautiful, casual setting.”
The curated cocktail program at Nobu by the Beach is unlike any other beach and pool club in Dubai. Designed to break away and reinvent the traditional and innovative techniques, Nobu by the Beach’s styles of service and, most importantly, balanced flavours combine with traditional Japanese and Peruvian ingredients create refreshing and easy to drink cocktails.
Designed by the international multi-award-winning GA Group, Nobu by the Beach draws inspiration from Japanese architecture and the oceanfront location to evoke a contemporary Japanese beach house with an intimate indoor restaurant and sushi bar. The free-flowing plan provides a sequence of dining areas, embodying timeless simplicity comprising warm woods, teak concrete and glass. Glass sliding doors fuse the dining room onto an expansive terrace and cocktail bar, which juts out towards the ocean. The interior is subtly Japanese in its horizontality and finely crafted joinery. There is no ornament: everything depends on the natural beauty of the materials and the simple furnishings.
At the helm of Nobu by the Beach is Chef de Cuisine, Belkacem Boubekeur. With more than 20 years of international experience and having worked at Nobu since 2018 in both Monte Carlo and at Atlantis, The Palm, Chef Boubekeur will lead the kitchen at Nobu by the Beach, working alongside Executive Chef Damien Duviau on menu development.
Informed by tradition, enriched by materiality, and inspired by contemporary life; architecture and interior design studio Ica Studio have transformed the Grade II listed Horwood House Hotel. We stepped inside the reimagined interior…
Set in 38 acres of beautiful English grounds in Buckinghamshire, Horwood House Hotel is a characterful grade-II listed Manor house hotel built in 1911 by famous architect Detmar Blow. The property has a rich history stretching across many centuries and was built on the grounds of former farmhouse, Old Horwood. However, the building is best known as being the birthplace of the famous gardener, Percy Thrower. The house, lily pond and Pytheas Gardens provide a truly stunning backdrop and were a source of design inspiration for the new interior scheme within the Manor’s refurbishment.
Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica
Ica Studio was appointed by ZIZ Properties to transform the public areas and guest rooms of this historic property. The transformation journey was spread across two years allowing the hotel to stay partially operational. The studio reimagined the original bricks and mortar into a new collection of guest-centred spaces while ensuring the building’s original distinctive features are not only retained but celebrated.
Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica
“Ica Studio has delivered a transformational design for the hotel that has helped to reposition Horwood House as a luxury leisure destination,” said Karim Kassam, Founder, ZIZ Hospitality. “This was a primary objective when I appointed Ica Studio as the architects and interior designers for the project. From appointment to where we are today, they have worked exactly to the brief and the feedback so far is fantastic!”
Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica
The design process required a delicate balance of blending the beautiful historic interiors with the more modern extension areas. The careful intervention ensured the listed areas meet both operational needs and comply with planning requirements. The more modern extension areas seamlessly continue the look and flow of the original Manor, while keeping the design appropriate within a more contemporary setting. The top-to-toe transformation of Horwood House consisted of the grade II listed Manor house, including suites, guest rooms, a reception, lounges, a function room and meeting rooms, private dining rooms and a new restaurant and bar along with the design of a new spa.
Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica
Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica
The colour scheme channels opulence and tranquillity — light with subtle grey, green and gold accents – all underpinned by the carpet which has been custom-made by one of the finest producers in the UK, Oriental Weavers Hospitality. Walking into the Manor reveals a lounge — a grand yet intimate event space ideal for weddings and parties. Layered with rich textures of buttoned leather, paisley prints and textured velvets, the space evokes elegance and luxury and will be the backdrop of many happy occasions for years to come.
Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica
Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica
Teaming up with leading lighting designers Imagine Global and Lightique, lighting installation throughout the hotel provides several focal points. Signature chandeliers have been carefully dotted in the Manor, inspired by the traditional 19th-century heritage lighting found in many stately homes. A statement piece hangs above the Manor’s feature staircase – this show stopping three-tier chandelier is made from steel with a plated finish and features smooth and ribbed glass tubes.
Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica
Guests at Horwood House will get a chance to explore some intriguing aspects of the Manor’s history through specially commissioned artwork by Indigo Art. Giving nods to 1911, the year in which the Manor House as we know it today was built and the landmark events that mark the period, such as the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, along with the publication of ‘The Secret Garden’ and works by the celebrated poet, D.H. Lawrence.
Ica 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.
Set on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by idyllic beaches, Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca has opened its doors to offer the perfect island getaway…
The brand-new Radisson resort is located on Dhekelia Road, overlooking Larnaca Bay, just a short drive from the city, and provides all comforts and amenities for relaxation, leisure, business, or a combination of all three. Larnaca is Cyprus’s third-largest city on the south eastern coast of the island. A bustling beach destination during the summer when its palm-lined Finikoudes promenade, restaurants, cafés, and bars fill up with locals and tourists alike, Larnaca also has a busy modern downtown district, which juxtapose with traditional whitewashed houses in its historic quarter.
“We are delighted to open Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca, our first resort in Cyprus and second hotel in the country,” said Yilmaz Yildirimlar, Area Senior Vice President at Radisson Hotel Group. “With our two successful openings earlier this year on the Greek islands of Skiathos and Mykonos, we are giving guests of Radisson Hotel Group an ever-greater choice of vacation destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Image credit: Radisson Hotels
Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca shelters 202 comfortable guestrooms and suites, all with private balconies or terraces, many with views of the Mediterranean from the main building, while the resort’s annex building features rooms with swim-up pool access, as well as spacious suites ideal for families. All rooms come equipped with smart TVs and free, fast Wi-Fi.
The resort offers private beach access with sun loungers reserved exclusively for hotel guests. The large main pool is the heart of the resort, adjacent to a separate children’s pool and outdoor playground. The full-service spa offers a variety of massages and treatments to revitalize, refresh, and pamper guests, as well as a beauty salon, a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, and a fitness centre with state-of-the-art cardio and weight-training equipment.
Image credit: Radisson Hotels
Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, including the international Crown Restaurant which serves breakfast and both à la carte or buffet options for lunch and dinner in a modern setting with touches of wood and marble. Filini Bar & Restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine with its diverse à la carte dinner menu, drinks, and cocktails to match the contemporary ambiance. On the ground floor of the resort, the modern and classy Lounge Bar offers international and local beverages, cocktails, and an exceptional cava selection, as well as a light à la carte menu with light dishes and sweet treats throughout the day. The Waves Beach Bar & Restaurant is the hotel’s seasonal beach bar open from April through October and serves international cuisine in a casual, relaxed beachside atmosphere. For guests wishing to dine in the privacy of their own room or suite, room service is available 24 hours a day.
With two meeting rooms and a spacious ballroom, Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca is an ideal setting for conferences, social seaside events, and private functions for gala dinners up to 230 people, cocktail receptions up to 1,400 people, wedding ceremonies in the Princess Ballroom, or outdoor events in the beautiful gardens of the resort right by the beach.
With the health and safety of guests and team members as its top priority, Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca is implementing the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program. The in-depth cleanliness and disinfection protocols were developed in partnership with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, and are designed to ensure guest safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out. The Safety Protocol is an integral part of Radisson Hotel Group’s Safety and Security program ensuring we always care for our guests and team members.
The new AYANA Segara hotel set within the AYANA Estate and designed by WATG, brings an indoor-outdoor concept and a contemporary twist to the brands legendary Balinese-inspired experience…
The new 205 guestroom AYANA Segara Bali is the fourth property inside the 90 hectare integrated AYANA Estate luxury community at Jimbaran, taking the total to 980 villas, suites, and guestrooms. Designed by award-winning design firm WATG, the firm behind the design of AYANA properties in Bali and Komodo, the contemporary design hotel evokes a modern and simple aesthetic.
On entering the hotel, guests are presented with interior design inspired by the Balinese tradition and culture. The Balinese-inspired interiors of the rooms and restaurants are designed by Yasuhiro Koichi, the founder of SPIN Design Studio who also designed the famed Rock Bar. Intricate wood carvings can be seen in the lobby of the hotel, to create a welcoming oasis of calm. A kamasan painting—a traditional painting from the village of Klungkung in Bali—can be seen within the ceiling taking guests to a virtual journey of Balinese epic wayang story. The identical kamasan painting can also be seen grace the ceiling of AYANA Resort Bali, uniquely linking both hotels, which provides unparalleled classic luxurious retreat.
Image credit: AYANA
The new AYANA Segara brings an indoor-outdoor concept that blends the spacious living areas of modern architecture with the expansive panoramic view of Jimbaran Bay and the Indian Ocean, the lush estate forest, and the sounds of nature. A place where the forest meets the ocean, the hotel brings an immersive experience to be harmonious with nature, a concept and guiding principle of AYANA inspired by the Balinese philosophy, Tri Hita Karana. A combination of building design, intricate Balinese-inspired traditional ornaments and the stellar view of the surroundings, AYANA Segara pays homage to its location and transports guests into a culmination of tranquil, comforting, and modern slow-living Bali luxury life.
Image credit: AYANA
Sheltering 205 modern and elegant guestrooms and suites, the guestrooms range from 58 to 65 square meters, and its four suites are about 93 square meters. Each room offers indoor-outdoor spaces with floor-to-ceiling framed windows that invite the cool breeze of the Indian Ocean, with private balconies or terraces complete with daybeds to immerse in the view. The contemporary design and modern lines of the room interiors are accentuated with rich materials, a celebration of the Balinese local craftsmanship. Each room has luxury living space, dining areas and a large walk-in wardrobe, while bathrooms are opulent and include oversized oval bathtubs and marble rain showers. In addition, there is a two bedroom Ocean View Suite for guests traveling in family-sized groups, combining two suites with a single entry and designated foyer for a total of 133 square meters of space. The suites offer the pinnacle of the AYANA Segara Bali experience with living and dining areas for six.
Image credit: AYANA
Image credit: AYANA
AYANA Segara Bali has three restaurants ideal for guests and visitors to relax and entertain. Each dining destination is adorned with natural lighting and outdoor spaces for alfresco dining and offers a collection of culinary experiences and menus from many parts of the world. The dining experience start near the main pool, where Karang is situated. The 194-seat all-day dining restaurant offers a menu of Pan-Asian, local and western breakfast buffets and comfort tapas-style plates of Chinese and Italian cuisine. Karang comes with open dining spaces with a contemporary environment. It come with a bar that will double as the pool bar for day time and a full-service bar during lunch and dinner.
The new Mediterranean restaurant, Medi, offers a wide variety of fresh salads, pasta and seafood. Guests can choose from the wine list highlighting the best Mediterranean white and red wines in Bali. It also features some exclusive wines from Italian and Spanish boutique vineyards. Situated at the top of AYANA Segara Bali, Luna is where to witness the most spectacular sunset. It offers contemporary dishes using fresh local ingredients available from AYANA Farm – a pure farm-to-table experience. The three new dining destinations at AYANA Segara Bali join the 19 existing venues, and bring the total number to 22 dining destinations to choose, including one of the world’s best hotel bars, Rock Bar, and the newly opened KISIK Lounge and Seafood Restaurant, making the estate a culinary destination in its own right.
Image credit: AYANA
Vista is the new open-air function space situated above the AYANA Segara Bali, which provides guests with panoramic views of the pristine Jimbaran Bay area, suitable for elegant wedding receptions, and innovative MICE. The new space is in addition to the 15 other unique event and function spaces spread across the estate.
“AYANA Segara Bali is bringing its charm to the curious-minded and young-at-heart travellers who are looking for a laidback luxury style of living, and inspire them to explore the unique experiences that AYANA Estate has to offer,” said Michi Sonoda, Executive Assistant Manager, Sales and Marketing of AYANA Hospitality. “As a microcosm of the island experience, AYANA Estate is a perfect starting point to explore Bali and a must-visit destination in its own right. AYANA Estate and its experiences is a sanctuary of wellbeing where peace, harmony, and happiness are nurtured, for our guests to come home renewed and refreshed.”
The indoor-outdoor concept of the hotel design is taken through its main pool with a unique design allowing guests to lounge and immerse in the view of the Indian ocean. The largest indoor-outdoor pool in Bali, AYANA Segara Main pool, is also suitable for lap swimming and exercise. Guests can also enjoy the rooftop pool at Luna Rooftop Bar or one of the total 14 swimming pools.
The impressive 22,000 square meter destination spa, AYANA Spa, is one step away from AYANA Segara Bali. The professional wellness team of fitness trainer and health coach along with multi-faceted spa program offer guests the treatment to nurture and achieve their fitness goals. With over 53 treatment rooms, guests can opt for traditional Balinese massages and marine rituals, to the Nakatsuji Method, created by Japanese professional osteopath and anti-aging expert Tadashi Nakatsuji exclusively for AYANA Spa, which encourages full-body healing. For a once-in-a-lifetime spa experience, guests can choose Ocean Rituals at Spa on The Rocks, a treatment villa perched above the formation of rock along the coastline surrounded by the sparkling blue Indian Ocean. Also on offer is pure Thalassotherapy, the therapeutic use of seawater and marine products, at one of the world’s largest Aquatonic Seawater therapy pools to promote health, wellness, and beauty.
With textured, organic design fast becoming sought after in the realm of surface decoration, the Organoid range from Architextural is perfect for bringing the outside in, and adding layers of interest to any room, whether it be a hotel, office, coffee shop or home…
Launched earlier this year, the Avery Dennison Organoid is perfect for any business looking to improve the comfort and appearance of their interior space. The range, which provides a natural, eco-positive design solution, includes seven finishes, three of which are translucent films suitable for window application. The four solid films in the collection are Moss Bright Green, Moss Dark Green, Original Alpine Hay, and Mountain Hay and Marguerites. The three translucent films include Rose Petals, Sunflower Petals, and Skellett Leaves.
Image credit: Architextural
Image credit: Architextural
“The Organoid range is a great natural hand-made alternative to wallpaper or wall art within a hotel environment,” said Lindsay Appleton, marketing manager at Achitextural, part of the William Smith Group 1832. “The addition of smell is a unique feature of the range, but the fact that the film is made entirely from natural materials is also incredibly important within the interior design industry. Sustainable solutions have never been more important. Organoid Natural Surfaces is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when doing just that.”
The Organoid Natural Surfaces range is made from organic and regionally produced raw materials, often reusing ingredients that are a by-product of others, including things like alpine hay, sunflower petals and even real moss!
Rather than processing the material through conventional production processes, these natural materials are mixed by hand with an ecological binding agent and pressed together onto a self-adhesive tape, resulting in a thin, compact film layer. The film is practically emissions-free and allergy tested, meaning it’s free from any subsequent ecological health concerns.
Organoid Natural Surfaces have a robust durability of up to five years and are excellent for short to medium term applications. The film is suitable for application to a variety of challenging substrates such as smooth and slightly textured walls, plasterboard, chipboard, metal, concrete, furniture surfaces and many more.
Hotel’s are perfectly placed to showcase the Organoid Natural Surfaces, offering guests a relaxing outdoor environment while enjoying the comforts of being indoors.
Architextural 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.
Not so fast. Did you think The Brit List Awards 2022 was just a party to celebrate the nine individual award winners? Each year, to conclude a year-long campaign to find the true influencers leading the hotel design and hospitality scene, Hotel Designs publishes The Brit List, a publication that profiles the top 25 interior designers, architects and hoteliers. This year’s issue has hit the shelves, and Editor Hamish Kilburn explains why it’s worth a read…
“What’s next? What’s new?”. In my Editor’s Letter in The Brit List 2022, I ask readers to start by shutting their eyes and repeating those words to form, if you like, the ‘heartbeat’ that keeps Hotel Designs alive. Two questions, which, said together often, form a kind pulse; constant surge of endless, unpredictable energy. Said out loud, they send a message to brand’s nervous system to stay alert.
The answers – all different, of course, depending on who we speak to – can lead to fascinating discoveries and innovative (sometimes unimaginable) possibilities we never knew existed before technology opened the door (and our minds). And that’s the remarkable thing about this industry. Sometimes, the most impactful design and hospitality concepts – foreign to convention – go under the radar due to the sheer volume of projects completing around the world.
For half a decade now, The Brit List has been about championing progressive thoughts and attitudes, while celebrating the individuals who are the true influencers behind meaningful change – answering effortlessly those two questions (what’s next? and what’s new?) with breathtaking solutions, to keep the tempo strong.
> “The Brit List 2022 is no exception. It contains the profiles of influential interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain.”
Read the publication below to find out who, among this year’s shortlisted finalists, were profiled:
This year’s nationwide campaign has not been short of stimulating design and heartening hospitality. It’s as if someone just opened the floodgates and in washed all these waves of ideas and stimulating concepts. But they’re not just renders on a page. They are being designed, taller, stronger and with a deeper sense of social and environmental awareness. Of their time, the projects scored in this year’s list include just the right amount of revolution to make them not only aspirational, forward-thinking and unconventional. But they are also, fundamentally, achievable, albeit through collaboration.
The 84-page publication, The Brit List 2022, contains the profiles of influential interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain., was officially launched during the awards ceremony and following the shortlist being unveiled. Within the issue you can find the profiles of the top 25 interior designers, top 25 architects and top 25 hoteliers, in addition to engaging editorial features and interviews with the likes of British design icons Sue Timney, Kit Kemp and more.
Each hotel referenced within the bios that you will read in this carefully curated edition of the publication has been born from extensive research and development into shifting traveller demands and future hospitality trends. From metaverse metropolis’ to breathing new life into heritage buildings, the visionaries profiled in this year’s publication are boldly, as well as sensitively, setting a new rhythm. The new question is whether or not you can maintain the pace.
First look: inside InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping
InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping has opened with interiors designed to elevate a new discovery of Chiang Mai’s heritage and Lanna culture…
As the first hotel to open as part of a strategic partnership between IHG Hotels & Resorts and Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real-estate group, Asset World Corporation (AWC), InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping is expected to open its doors in Summer 2023.
A contemporary escape in the heart of Chiang Mai’s historic district, the hotel seamlessly blends tradition and modernity to offer a guest experience steeped in true luxury and imbued with a sense of discovery. To bring the stories of Chiang Mai’s artistic heritage to life, design team of PIA Interior Company Limited drew on the city’s Lanna heritage, resulting in spaces that are vibrant, layered and engaging.
Image credit: IHG
Surrounded by Chiang Mai’s iconic landscapes, InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping offers guests connectivity to nature while cocooning them into an inviting scenery that provides a sense of resort in the city. Thanks to the hotel’s central location, travellers will find a host of iconic landmarks right on their doorstep, including Chiang Mai’s walking streets, the buzzing night bazaar and the historic Tha-Pae Gate dating back to the 13th century.
Image credit: IHG
When the first phase of renovations is completed, the nature-ensconced hotel will feature 240 elegant rooms and suites overlooking the charming alleyways of the old city or the jungle-clad Doi Suthep mountain. The stately guest rooms will feature stunning Lanna-inspired décor showcasing such traditional crafts as lacquering and metal beating, and spacious zen bathrooms with a plunge bathtub and separate shower.
To further immerse guests into the indigenous Lanna culture, the hotel will curate bespoke culture-centric activities. From traditional toy and umbrella-making classes to pottery workshops.
Image credit: IHG
From a sophisticated rooftop bar and authentic Chinese dining with a modern twist to an elegant lobby lounge and a market-themed all-day-dining venue, the five restaurants and bars at InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping are carefully designed to help guests discover and savour northern Thailand’s unique flavours.
Meanwhile, a collection of glamorous event venues at InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping promises to be the backdrop to some of its guests’ most iconic and celebrated moments, with options ranging from the grand ballroom to a secluded central lawn set within the temple grounds for one-of-a-kind celebrations in the heart of Chiang Mai’s old town. An oasis of serenity at the heart of the hotel, the manicured lawn encloses Wat Chang Kong, a 600-year-old stupa nestled in the shadow of a centuries-old tree. While available for private functions, the calming green space will be a cultural hub for the local community and guests to meet over rotating art exhibitions and music events.
A conversion of the prestigious Imperial Mae Ping Hotel that had long been in the forefront of Chiang Mai’s hospitality scene for more than 30 years of operations, InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping is blessed with a storied past.
GROHE has been announced as winner of The Circular Economy award at the Bathroom Manufacturers Associations’ second annual Sustainability Awards 2022 as it continues to fund campaigns, product development and research into initiatives that support with global issues around circularity, sustainability, and education with the view to create a positive impact globally…
The BMA Sustainability Awards are independently judged by journalists, industry experts, academics, and representatives from NGO. The Circular Economy Award recognises companies’ efforts in materials stewardship, reducing or removing waste, and designing products with repairability in mind. Helen Lord, Founder and Director of Used Kitchen Exchange Ltd, presented the award to GROHE, which was judged by Professor Sean Smith, Andy Davies, and Emma Hedges. The judges said that GROHE’s winning entry addressed bathroom manufacturers’ problem regarding circularity. BMA stated how GROHE’s entry shows ‘this is far from a token gesture and that they’re going about this with commitment and rigour, setting new standards for the bathroom industry in the process and the built environment as a whole’.
“As a global brand we have put a lot of resources into research, testing, and funding our company goals to become a more sustainable and circular manufacturer, achieving the highest Cradle to Cradle standard possible for some product ranges,” said Ebru Bircan, Leader, Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL EMENA & GROHE UK. “We are delighted with this acknowledgement from the BMA and hope it pushes the industry on in terms of sustainability and circularity.”
Over the last year, GROHE has made several notable actions when it comes to supporting sustainability and pushing for a circular economy, especially with their expanding range of Cradle to Cradle Certified products. GROHE is proud that four of its bestselling products are Cradle-to-Cradle Certified at the Gold Level. The products were assessed towards this global leading standard for safe, circular, and equitable products, across the performance categories of Material Health, Material Reutilisation, Renewable Energy & Carbon Management, Water Stewardship, and Social Fairness. This certification confirms that GROHE has manufactured these products with the potential to be re-used endlessly, offering a whole new take on the concept of recycling. The Cradle to Cradle Certified approach to product design enables GROHE to drastically reduce the use of new resources, as a product is designed and manufactured with the intent of using its components in its end-of-life-phase for the creation of new products, resulting in the ultimate sustainable solution.
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.
Inside The Peninsula Hotels’ debut property in Istanbul
The Peninsula Istanbul, the newest addition to The Peninsula Hotels’ portfolio of elegant and luxurious worldwide properties is slated to open in Q1 of 2023 – we take a sneak peak at what to expect…
Set along the banks of the scenic Bosphorus in Istanbul’s historic Karaköy district, The Peninsula Istanbul will anchor a new waterfront revitalisation project called Galataport, to include a promenade, museums and art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and a cruise ship port. The heritage property is also within walking distance to many of Istanbul’s most dazzling historic landmarks, such as Galata Tower, Galata Bridge, The Hagia Sophia Mosque, The Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.
The hotel is made up of four separate buildings – three of which are protected historical landmarks dating to the early 1900s, each carefully renovated, set amid a quarter kilometre expanse of blooming gardens along the Bosphorus Strait – the convergence point of East and West in Turkey’s most cosmopolitan city. Restoration work was done in collaboration with The Heritage Board, to ensure the design is in keeping with the local history and culture.
Image credit: Peninsula Istanbul
Celebrating Turkish art and design and the juxtaposition between old and new, the hotel creatively draws inspiration from its local surroundings – including Bosphorus boats and the city’s Grand Bazaar – to create a glamourous new urban oasis destination. The hotel displays a carefully curated handpicked selection of artwork from both renowned and upcoming Turkish artists.
“As a long-term investor, we spent many years selecting the best location for a Peninsula hotel. We are excited to expand our global presence with the opening of The Peninsula Istanbul, together with our esteemed local partners, Dogus and Bilgili. Istanbul is a dynamic multicultural city with thousands of years of history and culture, combined with a youthful and vibrant energy. We have spent a lot of time and effort to meticulously restore this beautiful property on the Bosphorus and we look forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike to experience our world-renowned Peninsula hospitality,” said Clement Kwok, Managing Director and CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, owner and operator of The Peninsula Hotels.
Image credit: The Peninsula Istanbul
With 177 opulent guestrooms starting at 40 to 49 square metres, and generous suites spread among its four waterfront buildings, The Peninsula Istanbul will offer guests a wide range of accommodation choices. Many will provide sweeping Bosphorus views from large windows, balconies, or private terraces; others will include direct access to the property’s magnificent gardens, outdoor swimming pool, private boat dock, and stylish luxury boutiques. All will be decorated with bespoke furnishings, original art, modern Turkish design elements like wood-and-mother-of-pearl inlay, kilim-style carpets, and lavish bathrooms clad in Marmara marble. The 510 square metre Peninsula Suite, with its own hammam, gym, and rooftop swimming pool, will be one of the most opulent and spacious suites available in the city.
Image credit: The Peninsula Istanbul
The hotel’s collection of special-event venues is similarly splendid. Options include a grand ballroom that, when combined with its terrace can accommodate 820 guests for a seated banquet and 1,300 for standing cocktails. In addition, the hotel offers two intimate conference rooms, VIP private dining and wine-tasting areas, and numerous alfresco spaces amid blossoming gardens overlooking the Bosphorus – all paired with state-of-the-art technology.
Image credit: The Peninsula Istanbul
The Peninsula Istanbul will provide diners a myriad of opportunities to enjoy sublime gastronomic journeys. The hotel’s featured rooftop restaurant and bar will offer sophisticated Turk-Asian cuisine, celebrating the diverse gastronomic traditions found across the Silk Road, served across several memorable dining areas for up to 350 people. Dining areas include an expansive rooftop terrace with unparalleled views over the Bosphorus and hotel gardens; as well as a main dining room where the décor reflects the confluence of Asian and Turkish cultures. In keeping with cherished tradition, the hotel will also offer signature Peninsula Afternoon Tea and globally inspired fare at The Lobby restaurant, whose 260 seats occupy a dramatic, airy space, with double-height ceilings, enormous windows, and water views from both main and mezzanine levels, which evokes its history as an early 20th century ferry passenger terminal.
Image credit: The Peninsula Istanbul
A robust line-up of relaxation, and wellbeing choices will also greet guests at the hotel in the Peninsula Spa and Wellness Centre. Indulgent offerings will include opulent hammams – traditional Turkish steam rooms – along with a dramatically lit, 25 metre indoor swimming pool, and an extensive menu of treatments to enhance well-being, beauty, and relaxation that can be enjoyed in eight private treatment rooms. Physical fitness and mindfulness classes and workshops will also be offered at the facility’s state-of-the-art Fitness Centre; and a dedicated Wellness Portal provides in-room, round-the-clock access to wellness programmes like guided exercise routines, aromatherapy self-care rituals, and audio meditations. In addition, The Peninsula Istanbul features a 25 metre outdoor swimming pool, set amongst the lush gardens along the Bosphorus offering guests an outdoor dining option as well as private cabanas.
As with all Peninsula properties, The Peninsula Istanbul will offer guests the superb comfort and flawless attention to detail that are synonymous with the brand.
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo open its doors onto the Pacific
Deeply committed to preservation of the natural landscape, celebrating Mexico’s rich heritage and providing the ultimate luxury travel experience, Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, México is now welcoming guests to a pristine coastal reserve that for centuries has been completely off the grid – until now…
With just two per cent of the surrounding 3,000 acre private nature reserve being developed, Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo offers endless opportunities for visitors to explore through guided excursions on both land and sea. The resort includes 157 cliffside and beachfront accommodations – many with private pools – along with authentic dining options, an outstanding golf course, transformative spa and wellness experiences, three pools and three nearly-deserted beaches for watersports and long days in the sun.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Seamlessly blending tradition and modernity, Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo was designed by architects Victor Legorreta and Mauricio Rocha, who came together as LegoRocha specifically for this project. Lead interior designers are Uribe Krayer and Estudio Esterlina, landscaping is by Mario Schjetnan, and restaurant designers are Esrawe Studio and Bibiana Huber.
“Our vision was to build a modern Mexican resort and make it a testimonial of our country’s rich heritage,” said Pedro Verea Hernandez, CEO of Paralelo 19, the owners of Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, México.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo has formed philanthropic alliances with Ensamble Artesano and Taller Maya to protect pre-Hispanic culture, support Mexican artisans and offer financial recognition to continue valuing their work. Both organisations’ craftsmanship is reflective of Mexico’s incredible abundance of beautiful, handcrafted fabrics and art. Guests are surrounded by puro talent Mexicano at every turn, from building architecture and design of indoor and outdoor spaces, to myriad details ranging from artworks to tableware and team uniforms. The Resort’s boutique features many handcrafted items that will allow guests to take tangible reminders of their time in Tamarindo home.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
“As we join our partners in guardianship of this incredible environment, we welcome our guests to participate in its next chapter through discovery of its breath-taking beauty and fascinating cultural influences from the surrounding area and across the country,” said General Manager Félix Murillo. “In Tamarindo guests can expect to fall in love with Mexico all over again as they become fully engaged in the destination, people and traditions.”
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Guests are invited to taste Tamarindo beyond the menus of the Resort’s restaurants while learning about indigenous plant species at the 35-acre Rancho Ortega, where Culinary Director Nicolás Piatti and the kitchen and farm teams are growing the ingredients that will appear on plates later that day. Meet La Manzanilla fishers, dive in for a macro-photography scuba tour, or paddle out to discover the Reserve’s secret spots along the coast. Free divers – or those who want to try – will find that the waters off Tamarindo are ideal for underwater odysseys.
Dining at Four Seasons includes Coyul which features modern Mexican cuisine by famed Mexican Chef Elena Reygadas and cocktails throughout the day, while Nacho is a barefoot taqueria near one of the Resort’s pools, perfect for snacks and midday meals. Opportunities for private dining abound – whether a romantic beach dinner para dos, a cliffside lunch with extended family or a party under the stars with friends old and new – and as always, in-villa dining is available around the clock. In 2023, Four Seasons will also debut Sal, an oceanside seafood restaurant and sunset cocktail bar.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
El Tamarindo Golf Course. a favourite of serious golfers, the David Fleming-designed El Tamarindo 18-hole links golf course is now a Four Seasons Resort experience. With winding fairways through tropical jungle and along the rocky coastline, it’s recommended that golfers pack a camera in their bag to capture every moment. And, with the number of golfers on course at any given time strictly limited, it’s like having a private course all to oneself.
At Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, there’s so much to do – or not do, if that is one’s preference.Resident biologists and researchers lead guests on guided hikes along natural footpaths created by indigenous wildlife, through jungles and along the coastline. Learn about medicinal plants used since pre-Hispanic times, and get to know the 70 endemic species and hundreds more birds, mammals,amphibians and reptiles that call Tamarindo home. Stop by the Discovery Centre to learn more about the region’s biodiversity and the ‘rewilding’ efforts that are enabling the Earth’s natural rhythms to flourish here.
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The winners of The Brit List Awards 2022 were announced on November 2 with an audience packed to capacity with creativity. But you know this already. What you haven’t seen, yet, are the official images from the evening. Hotel Designs’ Pauline Brettell and Hamish Kilburn were on the floor – and at times on the stage – to capture the moments…
Moving into its fifth year, The Brit List Awards 2022 took things up a notch with the spotlight shifting seamlessly between the winners, the designer audience and the energetic performers on a night characterised by a celebration when everyone had their moment – or was that the reflection from those aforementioned fire-breathers?
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
On November 2, PROUD Embankment transformed into the official venue for The Brit List Awards 2022. More than 600 architects, hoteliers, designers, developers and brands from across the globe gathered for an awards ceremony literally unlike any other that was punctuated with fire-breathers, acrobats and cabaret performers to celebrate not only the winners, but a progressive year in the hospitality arena.
Despite the end of year celebratory zeitgeist that underpins the event, it is also a time to pause and reflect. While the industry is still dealing with the aftershock of the pandemic and its inevitable redirection, it is also been characterised by a new era of social concern and responsibility – one in which the industry as a whole is digging deeper, no longer content with window dressing. To continue with the energy and forward momentum, it has been important for the hospitality industry to be seen as part of the solution – and moving forward has indeed been done in leaps and bounds as the conversation around questions of consumption, carbon footprints and circular design becomes both louder and part of the new normal.
And the exciting part – it feels like this is just the beginning! And the really exciting part – see if you can spot yourself in our pictorial round-up of the evening where we may show, but we’ll never tell…
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image caption: Kerry Acheson becoming the first woman to win Architect of the Year at The Brit List Awards. | Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
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The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs’ annual campaign to find the best interior designers, architects, hoteliers and brands in Britain and beyond, will return next year (with even more surprises). Applications/nominations for interior designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers will open in Summer 2023.
Main image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022
Angama Amboseli – taking inspiration from Kilamanjaro
Angama has announced the opening of Angama Amboseli – an intimate lodge with tented suites set against the famed backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro…
Angama Amboseli, slated to open in Q4 of 2023, will be a boutique offering of ten suites within the private 5,700-acre Kimana Sanctuary. Designed by the same team behind Angama Safari Camp with architecture by Jan Allan, and creative direction and interiors by Annemarie Meintjes and Alison Mitchell, the lodge’s concept offers a fresh take on the Amboseli ecosystem.
Image credit: Angama
“Sturdy and bold, elegant yet humble, the design takes inspiration from Kilimanjaro as well as the elephants, featuring a combination of materials and colours that reflect the surroundings, from the verdant greens of the fever tree forest to the red ochre of the earth,” explained Meintjes.
The tented suites — including two sets of interleading family units welcoming children of all ages — feature a super king, extra length bed, a personalised drinks armoire and a dressing area connecting to a bathroom which includes a double vanity and a double shower. To maximise the views of Kili, each suite has floor-to-ceiling screened doors leading to private a deck with a shaded lounge area, an outdoor shower and of course, Angama’s signature rocking chairs, perfect for mountain gazing.
Image credit: Angama
“Set within a fever tree forest where some of Africa’s last Super Tuskers roam, Angama Amboseli will be a gentle start or finish to any East African safari, and a lovely contrast to the wide open plains of the Maasai Mara,” said Steve Mitchell Angama CEO and Co-Founder. “The challenge has been to design appropriately for this ecosystem, and this guest experience, and to find the right amount of what our guests really want.”
The guest area will feature indoor-outdoor dining with an expansive baraza and a sundowner fire pit where guests can watch the light change on Africa’s tallest mountain throughout the day. The Studios will house a safari shop, a fun games room for the whole family, a gallery and makers’ studio for Kenyan artisans — along with a photography studio to assist guests with everything from hiring cameras and editing pictures to photoshoots. However, the focal point is sure to be the raised rim-flow swimming pool, fringed by fever trees and fronted by a drinking trough for the elephants, and Kili’s snow-capped peak in the distance.
Image credit: Angama
“At Angama Amboseli, guests can expect Angama’s signature blend of warm and gracious Kenyan service, well-considered guest experiences, contemporary African design with delightful touches throughout” continued Mitchell. “And just enough spontaneity and humour to ensure that no one forgets to have fun.”
With exclusive traversing rights and unrestricted game viewing, the best time to view the mountain is in the early hours of the morning on a pyjama safari. The Sanctuary is home to eland, buffalo, reedbuck, giraffe, zebra, warthogs in their hundreds, along with leopard, cheetah, serval, and many birds of prey — offering remarkable density of wildlife for the ecosystem. Guests may also choose to visit Amboseli National Park, a short 45-minute drive from the lodge.
Dorchester Collection has announced it will debut in Asia within Torch Tower – the tallest building in Tokyo, and a new landmark in Japan. Slated to open in 2028, the hotel will be the 11th property for the Collection. Here’s what we know…
Dorchester Collection has been selected to manage the hotel within ‘Torch Tower’, the highest building in Japan, by Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Century Corporation. Dorchester Collection currently comprises nine iconic hotels in London, Paris, Milan, Rome, and Los Angeles. Next year the company will open its first hotel in the Middle East, The Lana, Dubai. Each of these hotels has a strong individuality rooted in the city’s culture and heritage, and forms an integral part of the local community. The highly anticipated hotel in Torch Tower will be the first Dorchester Collection hotel in Asia, offering gracious Japanese hospitality, combined with the brand’s elevated service and experiences.
“This new hotel will become a beacon for Japan’s ultra-luxury hotel landscape and set new benchmarks. World-class architects will inspire with their symbolic design torch concept, lighting up not only the future of Tokyo and Japan but also the world,” said Christopher Cowdray, Chief Executive Officer, Dorchester Collection. “Tokyo has long been an integral part of our growth strategy given it is a gateway to Asia and its global significance, and to be partnering with the highly esteemed Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd. and Tokyo Century Corporation is a true honour. Their core values are perfectly aligned with ours given the vision of ‘a love for people, a love for the city’ and our ‘We Care’ philosophy.”
Tokyo Torch aims to become a core of urban tourism as the gateway to Tokyo and Japan, and the hotel is a key component of this redevelopment in the heart of Tokyo’s city centre. Located in the upper floors of Torch Tower, the tallest building in Japan, the hotel offers a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay, the city centre, as well as of Mt. Fuji. The ‘Sky Hill’ will become the symbol of the hotel and the city itself, an oasis of tranquillity where nature can be enjoyed through all one’s senses, creating a unique experience fused with the vibrancy of the hotel.
“We are delighted to welcome the historic and traditional Dorchester Collection as our partner,” said Junichi Yoshida, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. “We are confident that by infusing the culture and hospitality that Dorchester Collection has cultivated over the years, the hotel will provide a ‘one-of-a-kind experience’ that is unique to this location.”
Combining these aspects with Dorchester Collection, which has carved its name in the history and culture of many parts of the world, the aim will be to create the only worldview with Tokyo Torch, and a true luxury area in Japan that can be experienced nowhere else.
Product watch: new collections and collaborations from M+
Challenging preconceived ideas of dimensions and surfaces, M+ has introduced three new collections to enrich its range: Primal, XXL and Crack! are three different stories united by the desire to break the mosaic mold…
M+ continues its journey of reinterpreting surfaces while opening up to new collaborations and new formats as it takes the idea of mosaics in unconventional directions. The first of the collaborations comes in the form of Primal, a design based on research into the recovery of antique floors where elements of different materials coexist harmoniously. Primal is designed by LO STUDIO and Massimo Nadalini for M+, and is a series of porcelain tiles designed for both wall and floor coverings, indoors and outdoors.
“We wanted to design a material that would escape an exact cataloguing”, explained LO STUDIO and Massimo Nadalini. “We started from the patches of ancient floors in which the original surface, worn or broken, is sealed with portions of new material creating irregularities and randomness of patterns on the surface”.
Image credit: M+
From an inspiration that translates into a surface that is not perfectly smooth, characterized by chromatic changes and an aesthetic distributed in a non-homogeneous way, Primal is made of glazed porcelain stoneware, with a thickness of 10 mm, available in five colours in the 90x90cm format and in three colours in the 60×120 cm format.
Primal has 2 derived products – hence the REWORK collection – which continue the design DNA of the collection in the form of Crack! and XXL.
Rework XXL, is designed for M+ by Marialaura Irvine. It is a contemporary mosaic composed of small and large segments, square and rectangular, mounted on fiberglass mesh. XXL makes no difference between horizontal or vertical surfaces. Its geometries adapt to any type of environment, thanks to the different textures of the individual elements. Textures that vibrate when touched by light, creating three-dimensional effects on the surface. XXL is a mosaic in glazed porcelain stoneware that can be used on the floor and on the walls, indoors and outdoors.
Image credit: M+
To compose the surface, rectangles and rods in different sizes are mounted on fiberglass mesh to obtain sheets of 300×300 mm. The collection includes two modules with different layouts. The distribution of the elements on the sheets and the random laying allow the installer to create surfaces with a great decorative impact. XXL is available in all of Primal’s colour variants, which is the ideal complement.
Image credit: M+
In Crack! cuts of matter from the out-of-square geometries enter a regular grid, where the joints mark the rhythm of the gaze. Crack!, the collection designed by LO STUDIO and Massimo Nadalini, shifts the point of view from the tiles to the structure that contains them. The result is a seamless surface, in which elements and joint make up a single pattern. It is a glazed porcelain stoneware mosaic that can be used both on the floor and on the walls, both indoors and outdoors. The collection consists of elements with irregular edges that are mounted on fiberglass mesh to obtain modules of 300×300 mm. The collection includes four modules with different layouts, to be laid randomly based on the direction of the elements. Crack! collection is available in all of Primal’s colour variants, which is the ideal complement.
M+ 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.
Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, has announced the opening of Villa Beauchamp and Villa Clair-Soleil – two new historic villas nestled in the Hotel’s lush grounds, with interiors by Parisian designer Sybille de Margerie…
Slated to open in summer 2023, the Villas are perfect for families and friends wanting to enjoy a luxurious stay in total privacy, while benefiting from legendary Four Seasons service. Offering butler service and their own private access, the Villas feature paired-back palettes and soft touches, with rich decorative accents and unexpected details coupled with a touch of chic seafaring charm. Pathways connect the Hotel’s three Villas, with secured gates ensuring privacy is always maintained, making the Villas the perfect solution for larger groups wishing to rent out all three Villas. Villa guests enjoy direct access to the hotel and can make use of all the facilities throughout their stay.
“With Villa Rose-Pierre and the launch of Villa Beauchamp and Villa Clair-Soleil, guests seeking privacy and seclusion can enjoy the Villas’ unique setting and fabulous design, while benefiting from exceptional Four Seasons service,” explained General Manager François-Régis Simon.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The hotel has appointed acclaimed Parisian designer Sybille de Margerie to create bespoke interiors. “I chose a style that would respect the architecture and classical side of the villas, combining both traditional and contemporary features to create a design that is in line with today’s desired aesthetic,” commented de Margerie.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Steps away from the hotel’s fabulous Villa Rose Pierre, Villa Clair Soleil is an intimate two-bedroom villa offering a peaceful, quiet location enjoying wonderful sea views. Built in the mid 20th century, the two-bedroom Villa features paired-back palettes and soft touches that are a typical feature of villas in the Saint-Jean du Cap-Ferrat area. Interiors have fresh and simple clean lines and white-washed walls; soft accents of green recall the surrounding natural landscape, while earthy tones of orange and terracotta add a touch of Provençal charm. The Villa has a wonderfully spacious sea-facing terrace with swimming pool, as well as a private gym offering access to the garden.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The five bedroom Villa Beauchamp exudes a distinctly southern feel, with elegant finishes and neutral palettes marrying with greens and blues to echo the colours of the sea and the surrounding vegetation. References to the south of France abound, most notably in the primary bedroom, which has a magnificent bathroom mosaic floor with design patterns inspired by the work of Jean Cocteau, who famously transformed the walls of nearby Villa Santo Sospir into a dreamy space.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The Villa’s lush gardens are home to a gorgeous 16-metre-long swimming pool shaded by pine, fig, laurel and cypress trees. Among the other facilities are a state-of-the-art entertainment centre with home cinema, sauna, hammam and fitness centre offering direct access to the garden. Adjacent to the Villa is the Pavilion, an independent, fully equipped two bedroom guesthouse that is the perfect solution for friends to stay, or for teenagers wanting a little more privacy. Both bedrooms in the Pavilion come with ensuite bathroom and private terrace.
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe (CSIE) has released the itinerary for Cruise Conversations Live. Covering subjects from Starting Fresh, through to Designing for 2030, the workshops and conversations will take place over the two days of Cruise Ship Interiors. As media partners for the event, we have our finger on the cruise ship pulse – here is what to expect…
Showcasing design, cruise lines, interior designers and outfitters can learn from their peers at topical conference sessions, while intimate workshops explore the challenges specific to cruise ship interior design with pinpoint precision. From blue sky thinking for leaders and buyers to practical takeaways for suppliers, there is something for everyone on the cruise ship interiors supply chain on this years CSIE conference programme.
Cruise brands leading the conference and workshop programme include Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean Group, Damen Shipyard, Meyer Turku, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and MSC Cruises.
Image credit: CSIE
Shipyards are the heart of the European cruise ship interiors industry and CSIE will be welcoming Vesa Uuttu, Director, Head of Architectural Design & Outfitting Turku site, Newbuild and Innovation, Royal Caribbean Group to moderate the keynote conference, The Modern Shipyard. Project managers and owners alike know that a strong relationship with their shipyard is one of their biggest assets.
In this session, essential for project managers and owners alike, Bas Loohuis, Commercial Director Maintenance & Upgrade Services Cruise, Damen Shipyard and Petteri Heimo, Head of Hotel Outfitting, Meyer Turku will share their perspective, exploring how shipyards can add value to newbuild and refurbishment projects, along with top tips for ensuring both quality and efficiency and how to combine reference ship requirements with innovation.
Image credit: CSIE
Anyone hoping to launch their business into the cruise ship interiors industry must attend the workshop Marine Design 101: How to Break into the Marine Market. Led by Beatrice Siri, AVP Architectural Outfitting Europe, Royal Caribbean Cruises, this intimate session decodes the language of marine design and will guide attendees through the seemingly labyrinthine specification process. Practical takeaways will include the top ten questions to ask cruise lines when pitching your product, the different routes to market and, crucially, how to become an authorised supplier.
Designers with an eye for the future will be found at the day one keynote The Futurist: Cruise Design in 2030 and the day two conference session Young Designers: Designing for Gen Z and Beyond. From those who track trends to those who are currently shaping the trends, the CSIE conference presents two insights into trapping lightning in a bottle and getting it right before its even happened.
Kohler collaborates with Lois O’Hara in a live painting event
Kohler extended its celebration of design and colour from London Design Festival with a live mural painting evening at the Kohler Experience Centre where members of London’s A&D community were invited to join ‘An Evening with Lois O’Hara’ to watch the London-based artist create a large-scale mural on the showroom wall…
Kohler prides itself on designs which will enrich and enable an architect or interior designers’ vision through a huge spectrum of colour, finish, pattern and function. Taking this vision beyond the confines of product design the brand continually pushed boundaries while promoting creativity. At the start of Design London, Kohler unveiled a striking piece of art wrapped around the Discussions at Design London Theatre, truly reflective of O’Hara’s style and formed from a calm selection of pastels.
O’Hara’s signature style of using flow and movement in art to bring spaces to life comes to the forefront in these installations, connecting the natural fluidity of water to shape, movement and colour.
“Our partnership with Lois O’Hara this year allows an impactful explosion of colour to explore movement in design and the positive impact colour has on people and places,” explained Angela Zahn, director of global campaigns and channel marketing for Kohler Kitchen and Bath Global. “Design Week provided the perfect springboard for our focus with Lois, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to our KEC to continue the creative focus.”
The new artwork is reflective of the overall colour campaign and this original artwork will now stay on display at the Kohler Experience Centre, where visitors can view alongside Kohler’s collection of high end bathroom products.
Kohler 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.
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