Hotel Designs

On the 12th October, Travelodge announced it has opened its 486th hotel, a stone’s throw from the Bank of England. The London Bank Travelodge, a 75-room grade ll listed property represents an investment of £7.5 million and has already proven to be one of the most successful new hotel opening’s in the Company’s 26 year history. In the first few days of trading, Travelodge has reported a record level of bookings at its latest opening. The majority of reservations have come from City Workers who have taken advantage of Travelodge’s low cost rooms and booked ahead in preparation of the Christmas party season.

The new London Bank Travelodge is also the start of a £223 million expansion programme for London’s biggest hotel chain – with the opening of 26 hotels scheduled over the next 24 months. This investment will create 710 new jobs across the capital.

Ten of these new hotels will be opened in the next ten months before the 2012 Games start. Many of these new properties will be located within walking distance of the venues where the Games will be taking place. This includes a 188-room Travelodge hotel in Stratford – which is just minutes away from the Olympic Park and a 131-room property at London Excel where the boxing, fencing, weightlifting and wrestling events will take place.

Listed below are details of the ten hotels Travelodge is opening before the start of the Olympic Games:

1. London Cricklewood
2. London Edmonton
3. London Stratford
4. London Twickenham
5. London Crystal Palace
6. London Teddington
7. London Greenwich West
8. London Balham
9. London Enfield
10. London Excel Centre

Super yachts are considered to be by some the 7* star sailing hotels of the sea. The possibility to sail away from the coast and still enjoy the luxury that comes from staying within a top hotel is hugely attractive to this lucrative market. Crystal Caviar´s Yacht division has, within the last year, finished an installation of chandeliers and staircase artwork onboard one of the super yachts, the TALISMAN C.

Generally it is thought that chandeliers do not yield to the yacht market. People think they are fragile, not seaworthy and will not withstand salty environments and vibrations. Since the structure of chandeliers is completely different and difficult to ordinary pendant lighting, they require sophisticated engineering in order to protect the fragile crystal parts. However, with some modifications they can be converted to suit the yacht market and create an impressive design statement.

Crystal Caviar are specialised in custom lighting within moving objects such as yachts, aircrafts and trains and they relished the opportunity to create a chandelier for the Talisman C. Developed over a number of years, Crystal Caviar‘s specialist knowledge has been applied to fittings used in hotels in earthquake zones and sea coast areas with high corrosive environment. Crystal Caviar‘s know-how comes from centuries of proven technology and tradition of Bohemian crystal production.

How do you design and build a chandelier for a yacht?

The owner or designer usually has a certain concept of lighting. They know roughly the size and the style of the chandelier required, whether that is classical, art deco, flower theme, Mother Nature theme, contemporary or ultramodern. The chandelier usually complements the style of the whole space, the colours and textures on other surfaces and the atmosphere.

The chandelier on board the Talisman C was done in corporation with H2 Yacht Design. It is a beautiful 8m glass sculpture installed in the stairwell. It consists of hundreds of crystal, amber and silver glass bubbles ‘floating’ in the air, resembling the bubbles rising from the seabed. The most difficult part was the sky window above the sculpture, so the whole sculpture had to be fixed in between floors without a central hanging point. We used fibre optics mixed with conventional lighting to produce this stunning result.

Mantra Group has defied the challenging tourism and leisure conditions in Queensland in 2011, achieving an increase in revenue per available room (RevPar) across the Queensland network in the past 12 months of 3.74% and an overall revenue increase of 9.06%. The positive results follow a successful spring school holiday period which saw a 3.8% increase in occupancy and a 4.7% increase in RevPar. The addition of Peppers Broadbeach to the network was a major contributor to the positive results proving to be a popular choice with families taking advantage of the quality and space provided by the superior apartment product.

The results reflect a 3.9% increase in accommodation bookings in Queensland in the past twelve months, indicating a resurgence in leisure travel in the Sunshine State.

Mantra Group is the largest accommodation provider in Queensland with over 50 Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree resorts and apartments throughout all major leisure destinations from the Gold Coast to Port Douglas.

Mantra Group CEO Bob East attributed a significant part of the recent success to a comprehensive marketing campaign headed by new Mantra Ambassador, tennis great, Pat Rafter.

“We’ve added two properties to our network – the brand new Peppers Broadbeach on the Gold Coast and BreakFree Rainbow Shores on the Sunshine Coast –and the increased inventory is being met with the demand we had anticipated,” Mr East said.

“Queensland – after all its challenges – has certainly returned to being a holiday destination of choice for Australians.

“We are continuing to investigate opportunities to grow our portfolio in Australia in both the leisure and corporate accommodation sphere.”

The Mantra Group portfolio offers the most comprehensive selection of hotels, apartments and resorts in Queensland and based on the results to date, Mr East said the Group is confident of a buoyant Christmas holiday period.

The Football Association, Hilton Worldwide and construction company Bowmer & Kirkland have recently celebrated the topping out of the Hilton and Hampton by Hilton hotels at St. George’s Park – the landmark new national football centre located near Burton Upon Trent. The event signals the conclusion of the exterior construction of St George’s Park which is expected to open in summer 2012. Senior executives from Hilton Worldwide, alongside representatives from The FA and the world of football, celebrated the topping out by placing a commemorative engraved stone on the roof of the new Hilton St. George’s Park which will operate alongside the Hampton by Hilton St. George’s Park.

St. George’s Park will feature a full-service and upscale Hilton hotel with 142 bedrooms, as well as an economy 86-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel. Hilton St.George’s Park will offer conference and banqueting space of more than 1,400 square feet and house a lecture theatre and flexible seminar rooms including a library.

Hilton and Hampton by Hilton St. George’s Park form part of a £100mllion investment led by The FA, across a 330-acre site in the heart of the National Forest. St. George’s Park builds on Hilton Worldwide’s presence at U.K. sporting grounds, with Doubletree by Hilton Milton Keynes housed in the MK Dons stadium and Hilton Wembley also due to open adjacent to Wembley Stadium next year.

The hotels will be available for use by leisure guests either using the park’s facilities or visiting the area’s local attractions; corporate guests visiting the hotels on business and for events; those recuperating from medical care in the Spire run medical facility; local residents utilising the hotel food and beverage options; and sporting related organisations using the sporting facilities including the England senior football teams.

Travelodge strengthens its presence in Spain by opening its fourth hotel in Valencia and starts building work on a new 250-room hotel in Barcelona Rambla Poble Nou. Both hotels represent a combined investment of £40 million and will create 66 new jobs. The new Valencia Travelodge is located at the airport – which is Spain’s eighth busiest airport and annually serves 6.5 million passengers. The 116-room hotel represents a £10 million investment in Spain’s third largest city and has created 16 new jobs. Rooms are available from 20 Euros.

The Barcelona Rambla Poble Nou Travelodge which is scheduled to open in spring 2013 is located in the heart of the business district (at @22 Barcelona). The ten storey hotel represents a £30 million investment and will create 50 new jobs.

These two properties have boosted Travelodge’s Spanish portfolio to five hotels and 602 rooms. The budget hotel chain already has an 83-room hotel in Barcelona Hospitalet and two hotels in Spain’s capital city Madrid – which include a 74-room property at Torrelaguna and a 79-room hotel in Las Rozas.

The Spanish tourism industry accounts for over 10.5% of the GDP and its growth has been more positive than the overall Spanish economy with a year on year growth of 1.4%

With over 2.5million visitors annually visiting Valencia, the new Travelodge hotel has got off to a flying start with a high level of bookings. Room rates start from 20 Euros. Each room has en-suite facilities, a luxury king Size bed, air conditioning / heating, a flat screen TV and Internet connection. The hotel also has a Bar Café which offers a 24-hour food and drink service.

With the opening of Valencia Airport Travelodge, has 485 hotels and 34,342 rooms (470 hotels UK, 11 Ireland and 4 Spain). The budget hotel chain plans to grow its estate to 1,100 hotels and 1000,000 rooms by 2025.

Marriott International, Inc. celebrated its new multiple-brand Doha City Centre complex with an exclusive event featuring an RLife LIVE performance by emerging artist Hamdan al Abri. The celebration welcomed the 257-room Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel, 204-room Courtyard by Marriott Doha City Centre and 123-unit Marriott Executive Apartments Doha City Centre – the first of the three Marriott brands — to Qatar.All three properties are located within two 48-storey towers located in West Bay across from Qatar Financial Centre, adjacent to the Doha City Centre Mall, featuring more than 340 shops and attractions, and just 15 minutes from Doha International Airport. Each hotel has its own unique look and feel, while sharing many floors within the complex, including three expansive lobbies, nine restaurants and bars, 1200 square meters of meeting space, a world-class Vitality Zone health club and Marriott International’s signature Saray Spa, known for offering traditional Middle Eastern treatments.

Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel

The 257-room Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel stands out with its colourful fabrics, bold design and indigenous touch brought to life through artwork from Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani’s collection of cultural and historical art. The Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel is equipped with the finest amenities and innovative technology, boasting 17 meeting rooms across 1,200 square meters (12,917 square feet). Embracing various local elements – from design to cuisine – the hotel provides visitors with a unique environment as well as comforts in forms of luxurious bedding, a Club Lounge, rooftop pool, Business Centre, high-speed internet and exclusive amenities. RLife LIVE, a signature program for Renaissance Hotels which launched in October 2010, is highly regarded as a leading entertainment hospitality program dedicated to providing guests and local patrons with the opportunity to engage with musical talent on-site at various hotels around the world.

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The Hilton Olympia hotel was a large-scale project, made up of multiple phases. The brief was a complete refurbishment of the ground floor public reception areas, first floor bar and restaurant to create a flowing, relaxed space.The initial phase saw the removal of the escalator, which had been the only way to approach the first floor bar. By replacing the escalator with a modern, glass staircase a greater visual impact has been created and the first floor bar is now a destination venue. The bar, which is distinctly visible from Kensington High Street, has an organic feel to it – a deliberate contrast to the orthogonal lines of the building.

designLSM restyled the restaurant interior applying a fresh colour palette, revamped the lighting and introduced a bespoke, display screen. New, decorative lighting was fitted and a private dining room area created.

Simon Spiteri, Architectural Director comments; “Not all structural changes were made at ground level due to a limited budget and timescale constraints. However, the overall brief has been answered and the end result is a distinctive and timeless piece of interior design which flows throughout the reception, bar and lounge areas.”

Drayton Manor Theme Park’s new hotel has now been confirmed as a 4-star hotel by Visit England, the UK’s national tourist board.The Drayton Manor Hotel successfully achieved the rating after a thorough inspection by an independent professional assessor.

Martin Wright, General Manager of the hotel, said: “This is terrific news. Having this star rating means that guests will know the quality and services they can expect when they book a stay with us.

“Visit England’s star ratings are determined by the type of services and facilities a hotel provides, as well as things like cleanliness, hospitality, standard of bedroomsand bathrooms, and the quality of the food.”

The Drayton Manor Hotel has 150 rooms, all of which have Wi-Fi access, air-conditioning, an en-suite bathroom and LCD TVs as standard. Each room has a stylish, contemporary interior, complete with a unique framed photograph of one of the theme park’s rides. Guests can choose from a range of rooms, including standard, family, interconnecting, executive and deluxe rooms, as well as three presidential rooms

But the hotel’s unique appeal is its 11 Thomas & Friends™ themed family rooms. Each room has a hand-painted scene on the wall and ceiling, depicting a different character from the Thomas & Friends series. There are also themed bunk beds and train track patterned carpets in the corridors leading to each room.

In addition, the hotel features two restaurants, Parklands Brasserie and Parklands Restaurant, and two bars, Parklands Bar and the Carousel Bar.

The Drayton Manor Hotel, which opened in August, was inspected by independent professional assessors on Monday 21st November.

Choice Hotels International, Inc. has announced the first Cambria Suites hotel planned for Washington, D.C. and Houston, Texas. The D.C. project is a joint venture between Choice Hotels, Concord Hospitality and Roadside Development. The 182-room Cambria Suites hotel will be part of CityMarket at O, a $300 million mixed-use development, located by the D.C. Convention Center in downtown Washington, D.C. near Gallery Place, the hub of the city’s entertainment district. CityMarket at O is a one million-square foot urban infill project being developed by Roadside Development. Major construction on the over 87,000 square feet of retail, 629 residential units, 500 parking spaces and Cambria Suites hotel is set to commence in the fall of 2011.

This Cambria Suites hotel will offer all-suite guestrooms, an expanded food and beverage area and a rooftop featuring a pool, fitness center and an outdoor patio with views of the U.S. Capitol and the National Monuments. Designed as a lifestyle hotel brand, Cambria Suites offers more than just a place to sleep at night. It features a larger lobby to give guests a more social atmosphere, all-suite rooms that are larger than standard hotel rooms and include separate living, working and sleeping space, providing business and leisure travelers a haven to relax, socialize and network. There are currently 19 properties open across the country.

Like all Cambria Suites hotels, the D.C. property will feature: Reflect, a casual dining and gathering area serving a dinner menu, liquor, wine, beer, freshly prepared grab-and-go gourmet salads and sandwiches, a barista bar featuring Wolfgang Puck® coffee, Cheesecake Factory® desserts and a hot breakfast buffet; Refresh, a state-of-the-art fitness center with an elegant pool and hot tub/spa area; and Refill, a 24-7 convenience store that offers energy drinks, snacks and sundries.

Raoul’s Hammersmith is the latest restaurant & deli to be opened by owner and founder Geraldine Leventis. This is the third restaurant in the group following on from the original Raoul’s in Maida Vale and a second in Notting Hill. It is testament to the hard work and commitment of Geraldine, Executive Chef Ziad Jaber and a dedicated and enthusiastic team of individuals vital to the ever thriving Raoul’s.The interior design was by Project Orange, their latest collaboration with the client. The deli is a glamorous room with striking Herringbone marble floors, black-mirrored walls juxtaposed with natural oak and marble surfaces.

The room is illuminated by six Disco Gloss double pendants supplied by Andy Thornton. These adjustable light fittings are suspended from versatile telescopic rods and combine black and chrome metalwork with acrylic gold drum shades.

The complete Disco Gloss collection comprises of the double pendant, plus a single pendant, semi-flush pendant, wall light and table lamp.

You can view the full range of Andy Thornton lighting at www.andythornton.com/products/lighting or talk to a member of their sales team on 01422 376000.

SB Architects and the Mission Hills Group are pleased to announce the completion of Mission Hills Volcanic Mineral Springs and Spa, one of the world’s largest spa destination, on the Northern coast of China’s Hainan Island. The spa and volcanic mineral springs comprise a major component of Mission Hills ▪ Haikou, a five-star resort offering a wide range of wellness, leisure, recreation, entertainment and dining experiences including 10 renowned golf courses. Mission Hills Volcanic Mineral Springs and Spa is home to the largest natural springs reserve in the region, and measures an incredible 950,000 square-feet. The magnificent Spa at Mission Hills is the central defining feature of the expansive mineral springs complex. It is surrounded by 473,000 square-feet of lushly landscaped gardens, 168 springs and water features, and treatment venues inspired by the five continents – Asia, Oceania, North & South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa – which comprise the Volcanic Mineral Springs. Twenty-nine luxurious Spa Villas provide an intimate and exclusive sanctuary for residents and guests seeking longer-term solace.

The Spa
The iconic main spa structure is comprised of soaring, semi-circular bamboo, rising from a massive lava stone base that is slightly canted to increase its sense of grandeur. The soaring sense of verticality imposed by the sustainable bamboo makes a powerful design statement, while the use of locally-abundant lava stone and bamboo firmly grounds the design in the nature and topography of Hainan Island.

Featuring 61 well-appointed spa treatment suites, the Spa takes its design inspiration from the traditional Hakka Earthen Fortress Villages of Southern China. These distinctive communal structures—historically used for defense and communal living—have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites for their unique contribution to the history of building and human settlement. The space fuses both western and oriental design elements in their most refined form while honoring the long-standing Chinese philosophies of balance and harmony.

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Nestled in a private estate in the South-West of Mauritius is one of the most prestigious privately owned villa estates. Belle Rivière estate consists of 33 exclusive 3, 4 and 7 bedroom villas with access to the acclaimed new boutique hotel brand Sofitel So Mauritius. The estate’s villas are designed from island stone and exotic wood and all have ocean views. The villas are within 5 minutes of Heritage Golf Club and 20 minutes from Le Morne Brabant Mountain (a UNESCO world heritage site).Each villa has an infinity pool with a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean. The suites are bright and spacious and are equipped with over-sized bathrooms and outdoor showers. There are extra double-bedrooms which become practical for large families with children or groups of over six. The villas feature expected technologies such as air conditioning per room, free Wi-Fi, an iPod docking station, a plasma screen with home cinema & DVD player; adding modern comfort to the exotic lifestyle. The large main living area is made up of the open-plan American kitchen, dining room and living room which lead onto the pool. The villas are all designed with a focus on the outdoor coastal habitat; with lush gardens of indigenous flora opening up to the glistening sea and being constructed from exotic wood and island stone creating the warm Zen ambience.

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Golden Tulip is continuing its ambitious development process in the CEE region and opens a hotel in the capital of the Czech Republic on December, 1. Nearby the famous Prague Castle the 5-star Boutique-Hotel Savoy – built in 1911 and re-opened in 1994 after an extensive renovation – attracts guests with 61 luxurious rooms and suites. Since 1990 the hotel is owned by the Warimpex Finanz- and Beteiligungs-AG – an Austrian real estate development and Investment Company. From December, 1 Golden Tulip is taking over the management contract. It`s the second hotel in Prague for the brand operating 200 hotels in 40 countries.

Hotel Savoy combines gracious living with the charm from long ago – the face of the building originates from the year 1882. Behind it a mixture of elegance and modern technology is waiting for the guests.

This year the online portal TripAdvisor awarded the hotel with the “certificate of excellence”. Situated in the embassy district of Prague the hotel features a relax center with a whirlpool, sauna and a steam bath as well as a beauty salon and two conference rooms with the capacity of 45 persons. Above that a presidential suite offers an intimate atmosphere for meetings with up to 20 people. The award-winning restaurant Hradčany and a library with an open fireplace complete the offer of the hotel.

David Anderson, Director of Operations for Northern Europe says: “The Louvre Hotels Group is delighted to have this key hotel within our Golden Tulip brand. The Savoy hotel offers the luxurious comfort you would expect from a 5 star Prague hotel combined with such charm that it has made it the choice of corporate and leisure guests and of many celebrities and politicians visiting Prague over the years.”

Butlins continues its investment programme with the construction of the £25million Wave Hotel at the Bognor Regis Resort. Due to open in spring 2012, Wave will be the resort’s third hotel, joining Shoreline and Ocean Hotel & Spa. Each has its own identity: Shoreline for younger families; Ocean with its Spa and quirky features; and Wave embracing innovative technology as well as offering a combination of hotel rooms and apartments. Wave will consist of 215 bedrooms and 29 apartments spread over eight storeys and most will have balconies and sea views.

Butlins hotel firsts
Butlins has listened to the feedback from its guests and as a result, Wave has been specially designed with the following features:
• The hotel apartments will each have their own lounge and kitchen area
• Bedrooms with separate sleeping areas for parents and kids – giving each generation their own space and privacy
• Inter-connecting rooms available for the first time for families looking for more options

Wave will have a modern and innovative theme throughout designed to appeal to families – particularly those with children aged 8 – 14. Some of the exciting features will include:
• An Amazon Kindle library – so no one will be short of a holiday read or access to the daily news
• An underwater-themed gaming room, housing the latest 3D video games and experiences
• iPod docking stations in all the rooms
• Unique and contemporary design concepts throughout the hotel, bedrooms and apartments

Mike Crowther, Butlins Operations Director says: ‘We’re very excited to announce the launch of Wave Hotel and reveal its fresh and unique design concept. Facilities like the new gaming room and Kindle library are good examples of how Butlins is continually investing and updating its family offering.

‘Customer feedback is so important to us and we have used it to guide us with the development of all aspects of Wave. We firmly believe that the modern, funky design of Wave mixed with the brand new hotel features will further heighten the Butlins family experience for 2012.’

Wave’s wide choice of accommodation will be attractive for families of all shapes and sizes as well as multi-generation families who enjoy holidaying together. The inter-connecting rooms and apartments offer flexibility for families allowing parents and kids their own space while also providing the perfect place to relax together after a busy day.

The other bedrooms provide full size beds in the children’s sleeping area which is closed off by a door with a porthole in it. As a result, the separate sleeping areas are cozy while offering some privacy. Each child’s bunk also has a TV built into it so they can watch different programmes if they wish.

As well as the new and innovative features, Wave will have the familiar special touches that make a Butlins hotel stay so ideal for families. Wave, like the Shoreline and Ocean Hotels, will be centrally located on the Bognor Regis Resort so guests are close to all the action and attractions that bring to life the sparkle of a Butlins stay.

Soft furnishings by CD Curtain Contracts. Please contact Nigel Andjelic.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced the opening of Le Méridien Coimbatore, its newest hotel in India and the 100th Le Méridien hotel globally for the brand. Owned by Appu Hotels Limited, Le Méridien Coimbatore is the first internationally branded five-star hotel in the city.Strategically located, Le Méridien Coimbatore is situated within easy access from Coimbatore Airport (CJB) and features 254 guest rooms and suites, including a Presidential Suite, with timeless chic design and flexible work space. The hotel also features a wide range of cuisine and bar options, including Latest Recipe, Le Méridien brand’s signature all-day dining restaurant, with an interactive, open kitchen serving a selection of international cuisine; Peacock, anauthentic Indian restaurant serving a variety of regional cuisines from around the country; the Pan Asian restaurant Ponzu, with an open kitchen, serving authentic Mongolian, Chinese, Thai and Japanese dishes; and Le Méridien’s signature Italian restaurant, Favola. The Illy Café reiterates the brand’s point of view on the coffee culture, while Latitude 11 offers an ideal location to enjoy fine wine or signature cocktails. The hotel will also feature an international spa concept and night club, both opening soon.

Le Méridien Coimbatore showcases the signature Le Méridien arrival experience, curated by international arts provocateur Jérôme Sans, the brand’s Global Cultural Curator since 2006. The award-winning arrival experience commences from the moment guests arrive at the hotel doorsteps until they have opened the door to their guest room and is designed to make the first ten minutes of the guest’s stay memorable and special. Arrival consists of four elements: large-scale artwork in high impact areas to reset the mind and stimulate dialogue and curiosity; the sensory experience, illustrated through Le Méridien signature scent, sound and use of light, creating a unique and distinctive atmosphere; UNLOCK ART(TM) programme, which features an artist designed key card collection that not only offers access to the guestroom but also to Le Méridien affiliated contemporary cultural centers; and the elevated experience, which transforms the event of riding an elevator into an “elevating experience” through sound. Le Méridien Coimbatore’s UNLOCK Art partner is the city’s contemporary art initiative, “Contemplate.”

With nearly 3,500 square meters of meeting and event space and eleven smaller meeting rooms, Le Méridien Coimbatore offers the largest meeting space in South India with flexible and customized meeting solutions for inspired large-scale social gatherings as well as state of the art conferencing. For thoughtful and personalized weddings, the hotel also features a temple on-site.

SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Missed out on Sleep, Decorex and 100% Design?

Innovation meets high-end design with collections from hand-picked suppliers offering creative solutions, for the hospitality and leisure sectors, with their newest products and technologies.Catch up with the industry specialists all under
one roof at the North West Design Centre.

30th November 2011
4.30pm to 9.30pm
Drinks served on arrival
Talks from 2 x designers
Networking opportunities

1st & 2nd December 2011
11.30am to 7.30pm
Showcase new collections
Client meetings and conferences
Launching new areas of the centre

Please RSVP to denise@dawnvale.com

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of the new 355-room Hilton Nanjing in Jiangsu Province, China. Conveniently located as part of Nanjing Wanda Plaza, the hotel provides guests with direct access to expansive malls, luxury shopping outlets and the first and only IMAX cinema in town. It is the first of two Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties set to open in Nanjing this fall.Located approximately 40 kilometers from Nanjing Lukou International Airport and approximately three kilometres from Nanjing International Expo Centre, the hotel also enjoys a central location within the Jianye District that is walking distance to Jiqingmendajie Metro Station and close to Mochou Lake Park, Nanjing Yunjin (brocade) Museum and Nanjing International Expo Centre.

The hotel includes deluxe and executive guest room options along with 19 suites. With designs that reflect the rich history of this former capital, the contemporary rooms feature a state-of-the-art sound system, high-speed internet access and generous work spaces. Guests are also spoilt for choice at six innovative dining options: The Square, an all-day dining restaurant, The Gallery Lobby Bar and the Library, an upbeat bar with live entertainment. In addition, there is the Café Deli, serving delectable home-baked items, as well as two Chinese restaurants – Yue Yang, featuring local Nanjing fare and homemade dim sum, and Yue Xuan featuring fine dishes such as abalone, birds’ nest, sea cucumber and fresh seafood.

Hilton Nanjing also offers seven versatile meeting rooms and a 1,200-square meter pillar-less Grand Ballroom. With a nine-meter high ceiling, this makes it the largest ballroom in town. The hotel also has a business centre and wireless internet access throughout the premises.

All images credited: Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

Due to open on the 1st December 2011, Le Chalet Zannier has released images to give a sneak preview of what the hotel will look like.With its 8 rooms and all the luxury services of a 5* hotel, this is the perfect place to rent with once family and friends!

About Le Chalet Zannier
Between the mountains and the forest, the former Ferme de Mon Père has been acquired by the Zannier family. Meticulous renovation works have been carried out on the three chalets, creating an unprecedented and exclusive environment, bearing the hallmarks of authenticity, vernacular nobility and outstanding singularity.

The hotel’s simple ambition is to offer travellers and holidaymakers an outstanding restful resort with a new distinct code of luxury. Luxury that is intentionally back-to-basics, evocative and laconic, calling on local materials, resources, traditions and customs that are true to the mountains.

We offer twelve suites and a private eight-room chalet, gourmet dining, a cosy wellness centre with a swimming pool and first-rate treatments, as well as every service one could require for a tête-à-tête, a family holiday or a visit with friends.

The surge of corporate travel to the world’s new economic powerhouses has sent hotel prices soaring for British business executives, according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®). In the first half of 2011, the soaring demand for accommodation has led to average room rates increasing in the emerging markets of the BRIC nations: Brazil (up 7% to £132), Russia (up 11% to £141), India (up 2% to £85) and China (up 4% to £92).

At the same time, major business hub cities have also witnessed rocketing hotel rates with Sao Paulo – exacerbated by a lack of new hotels – up 27% to £123, Sydney up 22% to £110, Hong Kong up 17% to £110, Singapore and Moscow up 11% to £130 and £157 respectively and Mumbai up 9% to £114.

The findings are consistent with the Global Business Travel Association’s projection that worldwide business travel spending will rise 9.2% in 2011.

Alison Couper, of Hotels.com, said: “At a time of economic turmoil in the developed world, it’s important to remember that some markets are still doing very well and outstripping the traditional powerhouses of the global economy.

“Corporate travel to the booming BRIC nations has undoubtedly helped boost hotel occupancy and prices with an overall 3% rise in the average price of a room in the first six months of the year.

“It’s fair to say that hotel rates are serving as a good barometer of the growing importance and popularity of cities in these rapidly-developing countries to the global business community.”

Other countries which have held their own in the difficult economic environment have also experienced hotel price rises because of robust demand from business travellers with Australia up 15% to £102 and Sweden up 11% to £112.

The Hotels.com survey found that convention travel has staged a revival – filling hotels and prompting recovery – with increased prices in major conference and tradeshow cities in North America, including Boston (up 10% to £134), San Francisco and Chicago (both up 9% to £103) and New York (up 6% to £160).

However, as demand for rooms has increased, so has the supply and this has acted as a brake on prices in some economic hotspots. There was a 19% fall in Shanghai as the city’s hoteliers re-adjusted after the World Expo event last year which saw the opening of a string of new hotels. Furthermore, according to the July 2011 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report, there are still nearly 6,000 new hotel projects in development around the world, adding more than 900,000 hotel rooms.

Alison Couper, of Hotels.com, said: “Monitoring hotel development can help explain shifts in prices, especially in cities where business travel continues to rebound.”

Ayers Rock Resort has appointed the world’s largest hotel operator, Accor, to help take the iconic resort and tourist attraction to new markets as well as maximising opportunities for Indigenous employment and development. Under the agreement, Accor will provide a full range of services to complement the day to day operation of the Resort, which is managed by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. Accor will particularly concentrate on opening up new markets for the Resort, boosting domestic leisure and conference demand, and working with the Resort to boost career opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

New initiatives to boost the Resort’s international and domestic popularity will include:
• $4.9 million investment in the national indigenous training academy at Ayers Rock by the Federal Govt which will create 200 indigenous positions at Ayers Rock Resort and 100 traineeships annually with graduates to be placed within Accor’s national network of 160 hotels
• Major promotion of the Resort in emerging Asian markets
• First-ever charter flight from China (in January 2012)
• Opening of new Conference & Exhibition Centre in August 2012
• Extensive refurbishment of hotels, starting with Sails in the Desert Hotel
• The launch of a new ‘under the stars’ 5-star dining experience (called Tali Wiru)
• Introduction of new activities and experiences
• Establishment of a pioneering Indigenous Training Academy to develop the careers of over 300 indigenous Australians in the tourism and hospitality sectors

Ayers Rock Resort is the largest integrated resort complex in Australia, consisting of five hotels – Sails in the Desert, Desert Gardens Hotel, Outback Pioneer & Lodge, Emu Walk Apartments, and Lost Camel Hotel. The hotels will retain their names, but will be aligned to corresponding brands in Accor’s portfolio. The addition of Ayers Rock Resort will boost Accor’s Australian network to over 160 hotels, and will add to Accor’s Northern Territory presence, which currently comprises hotels in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs

Announcing the agreement with Accor, Managing Director of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, Koos Klein, said that Accor would play a key role in re-building and growing Ayers Rock Resort’s market both internationally and within Australia.

“Since the Indigenous Land Corporation purchased Ayers Rock Resort earlier this year we have been looking at a comprehensive range of measures to rejuvenate what is one of Australia’s most important tourism assets,” said Mr Klein.

“We are developing a new vision for the Resort, with new directions, new activities, a program of major refurbishments and upgrades and a far reaching program to involve far greater numbers of Indigenous Australians at the Resort.

“We want to complement the unique nature of the destination with unique services. Our mission goes well beyond attracting tourists to Uluru. We are committed to investing in the development of Indigenous employment and tourism businesses, which is why a fundamental aspect of the agreement with Accor is to enable trainees of our National Indigenous Training Academy to further their careers by working in Accor’s extensive hotel network. This should significantly boost the presence of Indigenous Australians in the hotel and tourism sectors.”

The latest Jamie’s Italian, the hugely successful award-winning Italian restaurant concept, has recently opened on Threadneedle Street in London. Located in the heart of the financial district, the building is itself rich in banking tradition featuring many original mouth-watering architectural features. The designers, Martin Brudnizki Design Studio (MBDS), have made stunning use of the decorative high ceilings, stone columns and arched windows and entryways. Much of the restaurant’s loose furniture has been sourced from Andy Thornton, the well-established UK suppliers of contract furniture for restaurants, bars and hotels. They worked closely with MBDS to provide furniture from their extensive range, with special finishes and high quality upholstery.

In the main dining area, Andy Thornton supplied traditional country-kitchen style slat back dining chairs. These high quality solid beech chairs have been specially lacquered and hand-waxed in a deep purple/red colour and upholstered in dark brown pull-up leather, carefully finished with a blend of oils and waxes to create a pleasing distressed finish.

Andy Thornton also supplied 80 solid oak table bases in a mixture of single and twin pedestal and matching rectangular and circular oak tops featuring a special ogee shaped edge profile. Again the tables have been stained and waxed to an exact specification, to help create the desired effect.

These unique touches reflect the ethos of Jamie’s Italian – appealing, informal and unpretentious; a place where everyone feels comfortable.

Go to the Andy Thornton website at www.andythornton.com or call their sales team on 01422 376000 to find out more about their extensive range of hospitality furniture.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has recently announced the opening of Hilton Bogota – Hilton Worldwide’s first managed full-service hotel in Bogota, Colombia. The opening of Hilton Bogota marks the anticipated return of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand to this thriving capital city, and serves as a reminder of Hilton Worldwide’s strategy to expand the portfolio throughout Latin America. It joins Hilton Cartagena as the second Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Colombia.Located just 25 minutes from El Dorado International Airport, Hilton Bogota brings a mix of contemporary design, thoughtful business and leisure concepts and discerning service standards to the city’s bustling financial district and an area known as the “new” downtown.

The 15-story Hilton Bogota offers 245 well-appointed guestrooms including 13 spacious suites fashioned in neutral color palettes and featuring furnishings and artwork with contemporary flair; flat screen HDTVs; iPad compatible alarm clock; a frosted glass pane that separates a room’s rest and leisure areas from the work space with desk; and a walk-in closet next to a sliding-door bathroom. A contemporary executive floor caters to the hotel’s business travelers from around the world.

A defining feature of Hilton Bogota is the elegant atrium lobby which showcases the array of offerings guests can experience from the moment they arrive: the hotel’s signature restaurant with direct street access and sophisticated dining concept; a café that indulges palates with a taste of regional delicacies; a stylish, four-level bar and lounge that looks upon a heated outdoor pool and hanging garden wall; the executive lounge exclusively for executive floor guests; and a quartet of small meeting rooms that follow the Hilton brand’s meetings standard.

A glass-enclosed poolside fitness center featuring a massage room and treatment room area completes the hotel’s recreational amenities, while a ballroom measuring almost 5,000 square feet rounds out the hotel’s nearly 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Hilton Bogota’s underground parking provides a coveted guest convenience in this city where parking is scarce.

In addition to welcoming global business travelers, Hilton Bogota is poised to appeal to the capital city’s growing number of leisure guests with its proximity to downtown, the city’s renowned zona G dining and entertainment quarter, and a bevy of museums and theatres.
Hilton Bogota participates in Hilton HHonors®, the only guest rewards program that allows members to earn Points & Miles® for the same stay and redeem points for free nights with No Blackout Dates at more than 3,700 hotels worldwide.

In recent Newsletters and Reviews I have commented on the inability of the UK’s Hotel standard or star rating authorities to consistently implement their own rating standards, resulting, in my view, in major hotel developments that do not meet the star ratings advertised.

The Guides to Hotel Design (available in the DesignClub) illustrates the hotel bathrooms that work. The standards in the Guide articles are worth a wider mention, so here they are.Firstly what are the major annoyances recorded by all guests in survy after survey? Both designer and hotel need to take note these are:
• Cleanliness (or rather, lack of it)
• Not enough space to layout wash gear
• No space to dry swimming gear/running gear or hand laundered items
• Mirrors that steam up
• Poor water pressure
• Varying temperature in the shower
• Eco-flush toilets that fail to clean the pan after use combined with no toilet brush
• Poor shaving/make up mirrors
• Low powered hair dryer ‘toys’
• Poor quality toiletries (one travel writer said they wouldn’t stay in an hotel whose toiletries were not worth stealing)
• Poor lighting
• Noisy extract fans

Alila Bangalore in India’s garden city is now open, offering a new and stylish option for travellers visiting the region for business and pleasure alike.

Designed by London-based architects, Allies and Morrison, Alila Bangalore is set in a tranquil oasis in a beautiful suburb of the city, seamlessly combining stylish and innovative design and locally inspired interiors with a commitment to environmentally aware practices.The 101 contemporary Studio Rooms feature private balconies and merge a practical workspace with high-tech amenities and luxurious living quarters. The 12 SOHO Suites, the first of their kind in India, provide a separate living area with guest bathroom, ideal for use as an office or meeting room. The seven Leisure Suites feature over-sized daybeds on the balcony and are the perfect couples’ retreat. For a home away from home for families or longer stays, two 506 sqm Alila Residences comprise a living room, kitchen, three bedrooms, library, large balcony and maid’s quarters.

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Spanish giant Roca bought the long established Swiss family ceramics company Laufen in 1999. Since then the company has capitalised on the Swiss tradition of investment in design and technology to position Laufen for a strong attack on the Global contract sales market though both design and innovation.

HotelDesigns had the opportunity to visit Basle and the Laufen factory to look at the production processes involved in producing those most vitally important elements of the hotel interior – the toilets and wash hand basins. That is not the limitation of Laufen’s production and they produce a whole range of equipment for bathrooms including now their own ranges of baths, shower trays, bathroom furniture, taps and other brassware.
The traditional material for production is possibly the oldest production material known to man – clay. As the TV programme ‘Time Team’ shows over and over again, this material survives as a testament to its flexibility. Centuries of innovation and inventiveness continues today, with Laufen working both with high technology and high design input using designers such as Alessi.

Traditional techniques have been developed, the main one of which is slip casting. Using a mix of traditional hand pouring and highly developed high pressure moulding the base material is formed into the shape required. For those who didn’t tease potters at college (second only to sculptors as the butt of many a painters joke) the base material is mixed to a smooth runny consistency and poured into a plaster mould. The plaster and air absorb the moisture and after several pouring and being allowed to dry the clay will hold its shape and can be worked, attaining the consistency of hard chocolate (although not as tasty of course).

Marriott International, Inc. has opened the first Residence Inn branded property in the United Kingdom, the 107-room Residence Inn Edinburgh. The hotel, operated by Marriott International under a management agreement with Gladedale Ventures Limited, is centrally located in the Scottish capital’s new Quartermile development, the city’s most exciting new address. Boasting 107 stylish and spacious studio and one bedroom suites designed by acclaimed architect Foster + Partners and interior design house ICA Interiors, the Residence Inn Edinburgh is located near the picturesque Edinburgh Castle and the famed Royal Mile, as well as Edinburgh’s bustling business district, University and Haymarket and Waverly rail stations. Each suite offers a kitchen and expansive living, dining and working zones, designed for comfort for travellers staying five days or more. Special amenities include complimentary hot breakfast and Wi-Fi, grocery delivery service, 24/7 marketplace and fitness centre.

“Following on the opening of our first Residence Inn in Europe in Munich just last month, we are thrilled to introduce our first Residence Inn hotel in the United Kingdom in the dynamic city of Edinburgh,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe. “With more than 35 years of expertise in long term lodging, Residence Inn offers guests everything they need to thrive and maintain balance while on the road. As Marriott’s third largest lodging brand, we see tremendous potential for growth for this unique service and product in Europe.”

Quartermile is a high quality, mixed-use development that will boast 900 luxury apartments, over 10,000 sq meters of retail space and over 30,000 sq meters of office space when complete.

January 2012 sees the launch of Jiva Puri, a private home available to rent on the authentic and undeveloped south west coast of Bali. Set on two acres of prime ocean-front land with extensive lawns and tropical gardens the villa is the result of the owner’s 20-year love affair with the island. The location is truly exceptional – set on a small cliff, about thirty feet above the water, with a black sand beach surrounded by rice paddy fields. The villa has already been recognised by the design industry, being awarded the Asia Pacific Property Award in the residential Property Interiors category for its design. The architecture and interiors are designed by Ernesto Bedmar – a Singapore based Argentine architect – and it is a contemporary Geoffrey Bawa inspired take on Balinese living. The concept, like Bawa’s own, is to take the Balinese design precepts of organised living spaces around a courtyard and open views of verdant green living spaces and the sea and update them for the 21st century.

The property consists of five spacious bedroom pavilions, each with their own private outdoor spaces of ponds and gardens. They feel like independent villas with a tennis court-sized lawn punctuated by wooden tribal art leading to the common living areas. There is a large living and dining pavilion with wraparound views of the sea and a dining table that can seat 20 – plus a library, gym and spa. The views overlook not only the sea but one of Bali’s most beautiful temples – black and set on rocks in the sea.

The villa also includes a private collection of Indonesian tribal antiques that set off the clean lines and tranquil spaces of the property and includes wood carvings from a village chief’s house in Borneo, a stone Shiva Lingam from Java and a canoe from Medan, near Malaysia as well as stone carvings from the Sumba islands. As a counterpoint there are large black and white photographs of Balinese ceremonies taken by Rio Helmi within the bedrooms.

There is also a 30 metres swimming pool with a separate pavilion with a large dining area plus a professional kitchen with a private herb and vegetable garden. In addition, there is separate accommodation for any staff that a guest may choose to bring with them. Staff on site include a highly experienced manager with over 20 years experience with the Hyatt group, an Executive Chef (a former Grand Hyatt Executive Chef and co–author of the famous Food of Bali Cookbook), sous–chef, short–order cook, driver and 10 staff for housekeeping, 24 hours security and maintenance. The staff can cater for up to 40 people with bespoke menus.

The owner, a former Indian banker based between Hong Kong and India has had a 20 year love affair with Bali, finding it to be the one of the only vacation destinations in Asia that had retained a character and culture independent of the tourism industry. They did not want to be part of an enclave built for tourism. Bali’s rich history of music, theatre, art and religion were the lure of the island and the location for Jiva Puri was the result of a five year search to find the perfect place to build. Most luxury villas in Bali are set on plots that are a third to a half the size of Jiva Puri.

Hotel 71, located along the picturesque Chicago River, proudly marked the completion of a top-to-bottom upgrade that integrates high-end design and luxury amenities. The renovation of the boutique luxury hotel extends to the lobby, guestrooms, fitness centre and meeting spaces, resulting in a refined and sleek destination fit for both business and leisure travellers.The $20 million renovation includes the following:

Public Areas
Guests entering the chic new lobby will be awed by the modern lines and use of different textiles and textures that complement the warm lighting found throughout and create a new, welcoming entrance. A new business centre located on the first floor directly behind the lobby is fully equipped will all the bells and whistles for guests in need of personalized work stations with access to the internet. For travellers looking to maintain their workout routine while out of town, a renovated, state-of-the-art fitness centre on the 7th floor of the property features top-tier cardio equipment, circuit and free weights in a space overlooking the Chicago River.

Guestrooms & Suites
49 new premier guestrooms, including 10 junior suites, feature separate living and parlour rooms, spacious soaking bathtubs and rainforest showers. Fitness suites that feature either treadmills or elliptical machines are perfect for guests looking to enjoy their work-out in the privacy of their own room. The hotel renovation includes abundant technical upgrades to both existing and new guestrooms. The addition of high-speed wireless internet, 37″ flat screen televisions and iPod docking stations are just a few of the new amenities that will appeal to guests.

Food & Beverage
Hoyt’s, the sleek dining destination located on the first level of the property, is the hotel’s new signature restaurant. This American tavern features re-imagined Midwestern comfort food and an extensive cocktail program in a chic environment. Additionally, Hoyt’s features a 1,200-square-foot private event space overlooking the Chicago River, ideal for cocktail parties and formal sit-down dinners. The renovation also included updates to Hotel 71’s famed 39th floor penthouse ballroom, which now features fresh, contemporary new carpet and draperies, adding to a more modern feel.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Abu Dhabi National Hotels have announced the opening of Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas. The hotel is the first Hyatt-branded property in the UAE capital.The stunning island property reflects Park Hyatt’s authentic and elegant approach to hospitality. In addition to the 306 luxuriously appointed rooms, suites and villas, the hotel also offers a first class array of dining options serving a wide selection of cuisine from around the world: The Park Bar & Grill, The Café, Beach House and The Library. Resort activities include four generously sized swimming pools, a range of water activities, the beautiful Atarmia Spa with nine spacious treatment rooms, outdoor private terraces, fitness facilities, a tennis court and Camp Hyatt children’s club. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi also offers guests an impressive range of meeting venues for any occasion, from exclusive board meetings to large conferences and social gatherings.

Design and Guestrooms

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, developed by New York-based architects Perkins Eastman and Singapore-based designers Wilson Associates, incorporates energy efficient design techniques that meet LEED’s silver standards while also complementing the island’s natural beauty. The design team has created an “urban resort” concept for Saadiyat Island with interiors that have a contemporary understated design mixed with Arabian culture. Different components of the resort are connected by landscape elements, courtyards, covered walkways and gardens.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi’s 306 spacious rooms, suites and private villas offer guests a secluded and luxurious place to retreat. Each room has a spacious, open-plan bathroom with an oversized stand-alone bath tub and dedicated rain-shower area as well as a spacious balcony with views towards the Arabian Sea, golf club or hotel swimming pools. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, the resort’s luxurious Beach View, Garden View Suites and Villas offer guests a private, residential ambience and also feature a large terrace with a private plunge pool, rain shower and sunbeds overlooking Saadiyat Beach or the Golf Club.

The design of all guest rooms is contemporary with a blend of Arabian décor. All wooden elements in guest bedrooms and corridors originate from a mixture of oak and black American walnut from Finland. Guest bathroom features are made from Chinese lava wave marble as well as white marble originating from Oman.

Continued on page two…

The Riviera Hotel is an institution in Beirut, in one of the best locations. The excellent architecture from the 1950’s, the seaside location and the Mediterranean light were the inspiration for the new interior design for the renovation. The hotel has been refreshed and renewed in its own style; one that is sure to become a classic, like the hotel itself.Together with the design practise SHS International from Düsseldorf, Baulmann Leuchten fitted out the guestrooms of the hotel with a bespoke version of a LED-reading light, fully integrated into the headboards.

Another bespoke solution has been supplied for the lift-portals; a special-made framework with integrated lighting is covering the old lift-portals, creating now an eye-catcher on each floor.

Images copyright Riviera Hotel Beirut

A year ago work started on the new Hampton by Hilton, on a cramped site in central Croydon. With an original target opening date of September this year the operators, Croydon Hotels, recently announced the opening date would be in January 2012.

The new opening date reflects the times, as the main contractor has had to be replaced , apparently after cash flow problems caused the previous contractor to cease trading. In June of this year work on the site came to a complete standstill, with the £11.5million build almost ready to be topped out. Work resumed in August when a new contractor, Ardmore, was appointed.
The project is on a 30metres by 30metres site, previously part of the footprint of a carefully demolished office block. On an adjacent part of the site another contractor is creating 56 units of supported housing for the single homeless, both projects making extensive use of offsite construction. I have watched as everything from bathroom pods to prefabricated walls and staircases have been delivered to the cramped site by lorry (the housing units are coming in almost completely prefabricated).
Traffic management and disruption has been kept to a remarkably low level first by the original contractor (Bowens) and then by their replacement Ardmore. Indeed the most difficulty was incurred by the use of a mobile crane to install the key component in the construction, the site crane, and will be matched by road closures for its removal.
The Hampton by Hilton development consists of an 11 storey hotel. The hotel has 120 bedrooms located on the 3rd to 10th floors inclusive. The building foot-print takes up the greater majority of the site area. There is minimal landscaping area proposed at the front of the building, disabled car parking at the front of the building and a small car holding area at the rear of the building. A covered roadway passes under /though the building at ground floor level to allow vehicles gain access to the rear of the hotel directly from Dingwall Road.

• Ground floor – main entrance, public areas, WC, kitchen, breakfast area, reception, and lift
lobbies.
• First floor – kitchen, banqueting, lift lobbies and WC.
• Second floor – Offices, lift lobbies and WC.
• Third floor to Eleventh floor inclusive – 15no bedrooms on each floor and single lift lobby

I think it’s a shame that plant has to occupy the top floor exclusively as from the 12th floor meeting or function rooms would have stunning views (this has been done at the Croydon Holiday Inn Expresspreviously reviewed, with great success). Location is less than 300 metres from East Croydon Station, with 20 trains an hour making the 16minute journey into central London, and easy access to the Tramlink service for Wimbledon as well as buses.

Hilton are accepting reservations for the new hotel from 1st February 2012.

©Words and Pictures Patrick Goff
November 2011

Marriott International has opened its first hotel in Siberia, the 208-room Courtyard by Marriott Irkutsk City Center. Centrally located within walking distance of the Kirov Square, Angara River and the historic Drama Theatre, the hotel is perfectly situated to explore the sights of Eastern Siberia. Irkutsk, located along the Trans-Siberian Railway, is also 70km in distance from the UNESCO world heritage site of Lake Baikal – the world’s largest fresh water lake.Designed for to help business travelers maintain balance on the road, the spacious guest rooms are stylish and comfortable offer large well-lit work desks, ergonomic chairs and coffee makers. Health conscious guests can also take advantage of the on-site fitness centre.
The “Grand Courtyard Ballroom” is one of the largest and most modern event venues in Irkutsk and can host events and celebrations for up to 300 persons. For meetings and events, the Courtyard Irkutsk offers five meetings rooms with a total of 395 square metres of meeting space.

Guests can enjoy all-day dining at the Mesto Vstrechi restaurant, with a range of European and Siberian inspired dishes. The Malachite offers private dining for up to 28 people – an ideal setting for intimate events. Cedar Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy drinks and snacks throughout the day and the hotel’s 24/7 market is offers a range of drinks, sandwiches and snacks around the clock. Complimentary high speed internet is available in public areas such as the hotel lobby, restaurant and bar.

Set in 320 acres of rural Essex countryside is the Crowne Plaza Resort Colchester – Five Lakes. The resort has two 18-hole golf courses, spa, two restaurants (Brasserie 1 and Catch 22), Bar Lacu, 18 meeting rooms, 3,500sqm of exhibition space, pool, 194 guest rooms and four suites. Aimed at the business market and those looking for an alternative base to stay during the Olympics in 2012, the resort offers a refuge away from the hustle and bustle of London and prides itself on excellent customer service.The launch of the resort on Thursday 6th October was celebrated with a vast number of guests from the press and local businesses. Entertainment included a string quartet, opera and West End singer and both restaurants and bar offered a variety of meals to sample.

It was an extravagant party with a guest appearance from Andy Priaulx, Triple World Touring Car Champion who Crowne Plaza sponsors.

Overall it was a fantastic night and the resort showcased its high quality food, excellent level of service and services – there was even a section offering free massages to demonstrate the spa but it was so popular I missed out!

Continued on page two…

Abu Dhabi’s new landmark, Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi, has recently opened its doors to guests. Representing the company’s most architecturally bold property to date, the visually striking eleven-storey curved glass structure is the company’s first hotel opening outside of Europe. Blending a European sophistication in design so synonymous with the group, with Arabic elements and sensibilities, guests at the new luxury hotel can expect continuity of the brand’s high levels of personable service and quality throughout. Situated in a prime location close to the downtown area, the exhibition centre and Yas Island, Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi offers 281 spacious, well-considered bedrooms and suites, as well as a dedicated executive floor and lounge, seven diverse and compelling options for dining and recreation, a generous spa, traditional Hammam and wellness centre and some of the UAE’s most sophisticated meeting and events spaces.

Four years in the making, the stunning green and blue wave-shaped glass building was masterminded by architects WS Atkins and Partners and developed by UAE’s Al Farida Investments Company in conjunction with Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi.

Continued on page two…

Under construction for the past 18 months, the Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport finally opened on 24 October 2011 and is aimed at the premium end of the leisure and business traveller market. It has 218 stylish guest rooms at four-star standard, a bistro-style restaurant as well as conference, gym and spa facilities.

“There are a lot of business and leisure travellers passing through the East Midlands but we don’t think they are well served at the moment so they move onto other areas. We’re near major road and rail links as well as the airport.” said Daniel Keane, General Manager at the hotel.

Radisson Blu chose Nottingham-based public relations agency Redbrick Communications to handle the launch of its new ‘design hotel’ at East Midlands Airport.

With the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago the very first Radisson Blu has opened its doors in the United States of America. The 334 rooms-property is set within the stunning Aqua Tower created by internationally acclaimed architect Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architect, and awarded as “Skyscraper of the Year”. Situated near the confluence of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River in the Lakeshore East Development, the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is surrounded by Chicago’s biggest tourist attractions, including Millennium Park, Navy Pier and the fabulous shopping of Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile. The hotel is a joint venture between Carlson Hotels and Magellan Development Group, and a US$ 125 million project. The contemporary and creative design of the interior spaces is a work by Jim Hamilton (Graven Interiors), and Swedish hospitality designer Christian Lundwall created the rooms in two different styles: “Mansion House” is defined by sophisticated strong lines and boasts rich timber finishes, flashes of chrome and a “dark but clubby” aura. “Naturally Cool” is contemporary and features splashes of colour, a soft and sensual white bed, metal lamps, wood flooring and dramatic paper art versatile enough for any setting of climate. All rooms offer incredible views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago Skyline and are equipped with extras like complimentary WIFI access, flat screen TV, iron and iron board, and deluxe Anne Sémonin bath amenities. Two floors of the hotel are exclusively designed for Business Class guests, and comprise a hospitality lounge with complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails.

The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago also presents Filini, a contemporary Italian restaurant and bar that focuses on the finest fresh ingredients and flavours. Filini’s food is uncomplicated but exquisitely prepared. Unpretentious and stylish, the mood of the restaurant is friendly and subtle with memorable Mediterranean overtones.

Guests of the hotel enjoy access to an indoor and outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, a fully equipped fitness centre, an indoor basketball court, a game room, and an outdoor terrace. Meeting facilities of the brand new property include 2,600 square meters of total meeting space with an additional 650 square meters of outdoor space. The hotel’s unique ballroom features 6-meter-high windows overlooking The Park at Lakeshore East. The overall meeting space can be configured into 14 different meeting rooms.

Choice Hotels International, Inc. has recently announced the development of a new Cambria Suites hotel in White Plains, NY. The project comes on the heels of two additional development deals in New York City and marks Choice Hotels first partnership with Meyer Jabara Hotels, an award-winning hospitality company that owns and operates more than 20 hotels in 13 states. This is a joint venture between Choice Hotels and Meyer Jabara Hotels, who also will manage the property. The 130-room Cambria Suites will be part of a $47 million mixed-use development located at 250 Main Street in downtown White Plains. When complete, there will be 30,000 square feet of new retail space and 17,000 square feet of retail and office space in an adjoining building. Construction on the retail portion of the development is already underway, with hotel construction set to commence in March 2012. The property is anticipated to open in September 2013.

The new property features a unique urban design, with the six-story midrise hotel built on top of two stories of retail outlets. Underground onsite parking will be available for guests.

Designed as a lifestyle hotel brand, Cambria Suites offers more than just a place to sleep at night. It features a larger lobby to give guests a more social atmosphere, all-suite rooms that are larger than standard hotel rooms and include separate living, working and sleeping space, providing business and leisure travelers a haven to relax, socialize and network. There are currently 19 properties open across the country, with additional properties in development.

Like all Cambria Suites hotels, the White Plains property will feature: Reflect, a casual dining and gathering area serving a dinner menu, liquor, wine, beer, freshly prepared grab-and-go gourmet salads and sandwiches, a barista bar featuring Wolfgang Puck® coffee, Cheesecake Factory® desserts and a hot breakfast buffet; Refresh, a state-of-the-art fitness center with an elegant pool and hot tub/spa area; and Refill, a 24-7 convenience store that offers energy drinks, snacks and sundries.

Comments areas generally don’t get a great deal of attention on HotelDesigns. Occasionally a designer will amplify an article but rarely do we get much feedback or comment. The first article was originally an Editorial sent only to subscribers, added here because of a request from ACID to add it to their evidence to a government enquiry into manufacturing and IP rights.ACID and I don’t see totally eye to eye on IP Rights but the article struck a chord not only with them but with other readers. Although the comments are attached to the article I thought it worth adding them as a News item as the criticism is so corruscating. So here they all are:-

Added: Wednesday, 26 Oct, 2011
by Jeremy Quantrill
Dernier & Hamlyn UK

Great article regarding the demise of British manufacturing.

As you rightly point out finding youngsters wishing to enrol and learn the skills in the same way that our existing qualified staff is difficult. In my time here we have always reached out to youngsters to encourage them to learn a trade and take forward skills that can be easily be lost. With the continual loss of manufacturing companies in the UK it does become difficult to remain optimistic, however we need to continue to adapt and change in order to survive.

Also we need to look outwards to people in the trade, those that are responsible for the specification and ask them to support the UK. We are often thought of as being too expensive, however the costs of mass produced products mean British built is an option, and often is a far better quality product.

Hope that you are all well.

Added: Wednesday, 26 Oct, 2011
by P J Statham
Cardiff

Patrick,

I am now on the Management Guild Mark Committee of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers and we are trying hard to revamp the award, to turn it into almost a “royal warrant” for British furniture makers…then we need help to get that through to UK specifiers as a standard required…should help to overcome the foreign makers and publicise British-made items.

I will keep you informed as to progress…next meeting on 13 December, with a view to having something worth presenting by early spring. Rodney McMahon has been helpful in the process…I just push it onwards and it seems to be working. Both WCFM and MGM needed to be made relevant for 21st Century…

Royal Doulton…my now-deceased uncle was one of their first reps…with a company car! I have an original white jug with a face on it, numbered underneath, but cannot find any way of valuing it, so I hide it!

Keep up the good work

Added: Wednesday, 02 Nov, 2011
by Frank Triggs
Oswestry, United Kingdom

On the button Paddy. Im currently having difficulty offering work experience to my local school that was supposed to have “technical status”. Post graduate Spanish students have sought me out because of my combination of craft and technical (cad cam) skills. Here I get the “Oh well I suppose some of our less bright pupils might be interested” which is such a bloody insult to me and an expression of ignorance on the part of teacher . When she flies I hope she does it in an aircraft the was designed and constructed by some one who was not one of the less bright.

Thanks for the mention.

Best wishes Frank

Added: Saturday, 05 Nov, 2011
by Rodney McMahon
Emsworth, United Kingdom

Patrick, as always, very good points.

I am interested in Jamie Lesinski’s remarks which are financially and intellectually unarguable but reflect the misunderstanding, amongst non manufacturers, that is too prevalent about costs and risks.

The fact is simply that enterprise in the UK does not flourish because of the relentless press of legislation and the enormous costs, risks and barriers that they place on any kind of activity. This ranges from Health & Safety to Employment to generalised insurance requirements and on and on.

Bank lending is the least of our problems.

We are beholden to, and paying for, an idle, incompetent, overpaid and bullying bureaucracy which has no concept of the real world or enthusiasm for achievement but enjoys stopping us from generating proper jobs.

Until the wider community, not just politicians and bankers, grasp these facts little will change.

All best wishes

Editors Note: Governments borrow more than they get in taxes. They spend it on social programmes. Results are clear, as the Greek crisis shows. Asking for politicians to cut spending is like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas, so the markets do it for them.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant in historic Old Town San Diego has received three awards this year for its $6.5 million rehabilitation and historic preservation—an effort that brought back this most important historic resource, making it once again a viable part of San Diego culture and society: The SOHO 2011 People in Preservation Award, a 2011 Preservation Design Award, presented by the California Preservation Foundation and a Governor’s Historic Preservation Award.The juries in all three awards were impressed with the level of detail and care that went into the complete restoration of the hotel and restaurant, the intensive research and documentation, and the accuracy of bringing the property back to its original appearance as the 1869 Cosmopolitan Hotel. The restoration was completed by a team of over 60 professionals lead by Heritage Architecture & Planning under the direction of California State Parks.

The Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO) 2011 People in Preservation Award. The jury noted the extensive preservation and reuse of original historic fabric, together with the use of traditional tools and materials; and the number of people involved, including historians, architects, state employees, contractors, artists, and other specialists.

Also noted was the intensive research and documentation, the below- and above-ground archeology, and the overall forensics that took place for the 185-year-old building.

2011 Preservation Design Award is in the “commercial restoration” category. Juror comments: The Cosmopolitan shows a true commitment to preservation, displays extensive research and a tremendous amount of work and detail. It is a project that accurately depicts the property as it appeared in its time. The California Preservation Foundation is California’s only statewide non-profit organization, promoting historic preservation, founded in 1977.

The Governor’s Historic Preservation Award is the only official preservation award presented by the State of California to worthy recipients in recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of historic preservation.

Background
After a $6.5 million dollar rehabilitation and restoration the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant—the oldest surviving hotel in San Diego— has been returned to its historic appearance as the 1869 Cosmopolitan Hotel, fulfilling a 50-year goal of historians and many San Diegans to restore the 19th-century landmark and recapture one of San Diego’s most important architectural treasures. The restoration was completed in July 2010.

The Cosmo is one of the most important 19th-century buildings in the state and one of the most important restorations ever done in San Diego because there was so much original fabric still there including trim, doors and windows. State historian Victor Walsh believes that the renovation of the Cosmopolitan is an unprecedented historic restoration; few other buildings in the state rival its scale (over 10,000 sq. ft.), blending 19th-century Mexican adobe and American wood-framing construction techniques.

Originally constructed as the home of San Diego pioneer and early settler Juan Bandini between 1827 and 1829, the building was later adapted and converted into a hotel, apartment building, olive factory, and restaurant. It is not only a rarity because of its long history, but it has also been associated with some of California’s most important people and events, and its distinctive architectural character helps tell the story of the birthplace of California.

Whether you’re looking to give areas a complete overhaul or simple uplift this New Year, introduce a hint of luxury to surface style with the natural Mother-of-Pearl mosaics from Siminetti. From walls and floors to splashbacks and tabletops, the iridescent mosaics are sealed with resin for exceptional quality and durability, which makes them suitable for every surface.Environmentally sourced in Asia from nature’s finest freshwater Mother-of-Pearl shells, customers are spoilt for choice with a pearlescent palette of 15 exclusive colour tones that emanate natural beauty. Available in 4 different shapes and sizes including hexagons, squares and circles, mix and match different style combinations for a bold statement, or use individually for timeless appeal.

New to Siminetti are the bold series of decorative designs that incorporate a mixture of different coloured mosaics. For those seeking a unique creation, Siminetti offers a fully bespoke service producing designs for customers’ own needs and requirements.

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IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announces the opening of the new Holiday Inn Express Los Angeles Downtown West, which recently underwent a conversion from a Ramada Limited hotel. The hotel’s extensive $1.25 million renovation includes upgrades to the exterior and updates to its 80 guests rooms and 15 Jacuzzi suites. All the guestrooms are fresh and modern with flat screen televisions and new furnishings in a mocha décor complementing the signature white bedding.Guest rooms have been completely refreshed and offer new furniture including comfortable queen or king-sized beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair and an in-room coffee machine featuring complimentary Smart Roast® 100% Arabica coffee. Business travellers will find large desks with ergonomic chairs, free local and toll free phones with private voicemail and complimentary USA TODAY® newspapers.

Guests can access free high-speed wireless Internet connections in guest rooms, the lobby as well as in the hotel’s 24-hour business centre. There is also an 800-square foot meeting room as well as a fitness centre and outdoor pool.

Located at 611 S. Westlake Ave. and situated close to Hollywood and Beverly Hills and just minutes from the Los Angeles fashion district, the new Holiday Inn Express Los Angeles Downtown West is close to several entertainment venues, including the Nokia Centre L.A. Live, Staples Centre and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Guests can be at the beach or in the mountains within a half hour drive from the hotel.

For business travellers, the hotel is located near offices of Kaiser Permanente, Northrop Grumman, Boeing and Bank of America. It is also near the University of Southern California and the offices of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The Holiday Inn Express Los Angeles Downtown West is owned and managed by Titan Management, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

Multimedia maximised at Cardiff’s Marriott Hotel

Having been impressed by the sound, lighting and AV installation at the Marriott Hotel in Swansea, the prestigious brand’s Cardiff-based chain requested Vaughan Sound’s expertise.Approached by Chief Engineer Mike Fodor, the hotel desired multimedia equipment for two of its multi-purpose function rooms, the Bardd Suite and the Henry Morgan Suite.

The event spaces were subsequently supplied with projectors and retractable electric screens, as well as six-button controllers and Laptop/DVD connection points, which were cabled to a matrix system enabling media to be displayed to a combination of screens.

VSI has worked on many hospitality-based projects, with previous clients including The Brooklands Hotel, Surrey and Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa on Vietnam’s central coast. Conveniently located between Hoi An, a UNESCO world heritage site and the bustling city of Danang, Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa is situated on an immaculate stretch of white sandy beach with views of the ocean and the magnificent Marble Mountains. The resort is a 15 minute drive from Danang International Airport. The contemporary design of Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa is accented by Vietnamese-style architectural elements, and the hotel’s 200 guestrooms feature modern design with oversized balconies and floor to ceiling windows. Additionally, there are 182 luxurious residences and 27 private Ocean Villas each with a private pool.

Restaurants, Bar and Lounge

Beach House, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is located on the beach with uninterrupted views of the sea, which stretch all the way to Son Tra Peninsula. Beach House offers authentic Vietnamese seafood and Western grills, complemented by a bar and private dining room.

Green House is an all-day dining restaurant with an open kitchen concept offering Vietnamese comfort dishes and a taste of the Mediterranean. The wood furnishings bring a warm texture, and are coupled with stone from the iconic Marble Mountains. The dining room spills out to the terrace where guests can sit in a Vietnamese style basket boat while enjoying the view.

Other food and beverage offerings include Terrasse, the lobby lounge with indoor and outdoor seating; and Pool House, which is adjacent to the main resort pool and serves lunch and cocktails in the evening.

Spa and Recreation

VIE Spa offers a true wellness experience coupling traditional and innovative therapies and treatments. Cradled by the mountains and the sea, VIE Spa is a simple sanctuary built in harmony with the natural world. Signature treatments include Mountain Air to energize and uplift; Expansive Sea to calm and de-stress; and Pure Earth to purify and nourish. VIE Spa has ten private treatment rooms including eight singles and two doubles.

Other resort facilities include a fitness centre, swimming pools, tennis courts, badminton courts, and Camp Hyatt, which offers a wide range of activities for children and younger guests.

Event and Meeting Space

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa features event and meeting facilities, totaling 7,500 square feet (900 square meters), which include the Regency Ballroom accommodating up to 400 people for meetings and seven function rooms that cater between 40 and 80 guests. All meeting rooms are equipped with the most up-to-date technologies, high-speed internet access and audiovisual systems.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced the first conversion of an existing hotel to its “style-at-a-steal” Aloft brand, launching a new phase of growth for one of the world’s most talked-about hotel brands.Aloft San Francisco Airport, a former Clarion property, will undergo a significant renovation before opening as an Aloft in the summer of 2012. The 253-room hotel is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts and this significant investment demonstrates Starwood’s strong commitment to the three-year-old Aloft brand.

“Building on the success of adaptive reuse projects like the award-winning Aloft Dallas Downtown, a former railroad depot, we’ve developed a conversion-friendly strategy for existing hotels to meet owner and guest demand for the brand while helping our partners reposition existing assets in a cost-effective manner,” said Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood. “We believe that many well-located, older hotels in metro markets represent enormous untapped repositioning potential. With the right capital investment and the backing of Starwood’s powerful platforms, these assets will benefit from Aloft’s ever-growing guest loyalty.”

Aloft San Francisco Airport occupies a prime location adjacent to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), one of the world’s busiest travel hubs. The property’s strategic location, along with proximity to mass-transit options into San Francisco, made it an ideal choice for a conversion for Starwood. “We see two types of opportunities as ideal candidates for an Aloft conversion: older hotels in need of a major renovation, and unique independent boutique hotels seeking a stronger brand point of view and the ability to utilize Starwood systems,” Turner said.

The Aloft hotel will become the third Starwood property adjacent to San Francisco International Airport, joining The Westin San Francisco Airport and Four Points by Sheraton Hotel & Suites San Francisco Airport.

HBA London has recently won and been shortlisted in three awards programmes for hospitality projects created by The Gallery, the salon within the interior design practice which focuses exclusively on high-concept, bespoke schemes for clients seeking to achieve one-of-a-kind guest experiences. SBID International Design Awards 2011

HBA London’s design of the restaurant and cocktail bar Améthyste at the InterContinental Phoenicia in Beirut was honoured with the top prize as Overall Winner in the SBID Awards (Society of British Interior Design). Once known as the “Paris of the Middle East”, Beirut’s resurgence as a glitzy and vibrant destination is epitomised by The Gallery’s transformation of this once-famous hot-spot into a brilliant new destination. Nostalgic aspects, such as the poolside projection of vintage black and white films depicting Beirut’s legendary panache, have been layered with a “story” derived from the 1001 Arabian Nights folk tales and the amethyst stone. “We were instantly captivated with the jewel-toned purple colour that seemed prevalent throughout various illustrations and interpretations of the tales,” says Inge Moore, Principal of HBA London. “Thus, purple became our signature colour and everything started to work around this element”.

In addition, the team’s design of the ESPA at the Istanbul Edition was shortlisted in the Best Interior Design, Best Commercial Design and Overall Winner categories. The first SBID International Awards 2011 ceremony was held at design exhibition Maison & Objet in Paris last month.

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St. Regis(R) Hotels & Resorts have announced the highly anticipated opening of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort on January 19, 2012. The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort will reveal the affluent Bal Harbour enclave as a coveted international destination: at once a secluded escape with unrivalled amenities and a destination at the intersection of art, design and fashion all within reach of the vibrant energy of Miami. As one of the nation’s most impressive oceanfront developments, The St Regis Bal Harbour will offer guests a new dimension of bespoke luxury with the resort’s 214 elegant, ocean view rooms and suites and 307 residences in three all-glass towers rising 27 stories above an expansive stretch of beach. The magnificent resort will offer signature St. Regis Butler Service, a sprawling Remède Spa, a world class dining experience at Jean-Georges’ restaurant J&G Grill, exquisite interior design by Yabu Pushelberg, contemporary art and the finest finishes with one-of-a-kind West African Movinque wood and Chinese God Flower Stone Marble from a private quarry commissioned exclusively for the resort.

Guestrooms and Suites

Designed by Sieger Suarez Architectural Partnership with interiors by celebrated design firm Yabu Pushelberg, guestrooms will reflect a contemporary Art Deco style, a subtle nod to Morris Lapidus, the legendary architect of neo-baroque modern Miami. Ranging from 650 to 2,800 square feet, all guestrooms will offer expansive private balconies with ocean views.

The exclusive 2,800 square foot Presidential Suite will be located on the 24th floor and accessible via private elevator. Here, guests will discover a gourmet kitchen, a media room, two bedrooms, a dining room and 1,200 square foot private ocean-facing balcony.

The resort will be Wi-Fi accessible and guests will enjoy state-of-the-art hotel technology, such as programmed key cards that automatically whisk guests up to their guestroom floor.

Exquisite Culinary Experiences

J&G Grill(R) will be The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort’s signature restaurant presented by world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Featuring the exquisite cuisine of this international star, J&G Grill at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort will set new standards for Bal Harbour as a world-class dining destination.

The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort will feature an oceanfront grill for casual oceanfront dining called Fresco focused on South American-influenced cuisine as well as Atlantico, a breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant, with a focus on seafood. Poolside cabana and beach services will complement the resort’s private beach and pools, including an adults-only pool area with exclusive day cabanas.

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Hyatt Regency New Orleans, one of the city’s most recognized hotels, proudly re-opens its doors for business. Following a $275 million redesign and revitalization, the hotel now boasts 1,193 all-new, strikingly sophisticated guest rooms, 200,000 square feet of state-of-the-art, flexible event space, expansive food and beverage offerings, and unprecedented service. The re-opening of this landmark hotel, centrally located downtown adjacent to the Mercedes- Benz Superdome, marks one of the most significant hospitality developments to open in New Orleans in over a decade. Eagerly anticipated by locals and visitors alike, the newly restored Hyatt Regency New Orleans re-opens as the city’s premier meeting and convention hotel. Having doubled its meeting and exhibition space, the 32-story hotel offers the most meeting space of any hotel in the city, as well as the unique ability to self-contain group events of all sizes. This includes two 25,000-square-foot ballrooms, 64 versatile meeting and banquet rooms, 19 executive level meeting rooms, seven permanent boardrooms, and more than 80,000 square feet of exhibition space, highlighted by a new 50,000-square-foot exhibit hall.

With dramatic design that complements the uniqueness of New Orleans, award-winning interior designers Looney & Associates, in collaboration with the creative architectural design team at HC Architecture, conceived the extraordinary redesign of the city’s iconic hotel. Looney & Associates revitalized all interiors, including the lobby, restaurants and meeting spaces, as well as 1,193 guest rooms, including 95 suites, five meeting planner suites and four presidential suites. HC Architecture conceptualized the transformation of the exterior structure paying special attention to the new entrance on Loyola Avenue. The hotel’s new, innovative design makes it the ideal urban destination for business and leisure travelers.

Highlights of the hotel’s expansive culinary offerings include 8 Block Kitchen & Bar, a 360-seat, full-service restaurant and bar; Vitascope Hall, a media/action bar outfitted with 25 flat-screen TVs; and Borgne, the latest restaurant by Chef John Besh (opening this winter). Additional culinary options include a 65-seat Starbucks; Lagniappe Exchange, a 24-hour fresh market and convenience store; Whole Hog Café, featuring award-winning barbecue; and Pizza Consegna, a pizza delivery-only program that will prepare and deliver savoury, hand-tossed pizzas directly to hotel guests and nearby businesses.

Hyatt Regency New Orleans anchors the vibrant Sports and Entertainment District in downtown New Orleans. The hotel is located adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Arena and the new Medical District; and just blocks from the French Quarter, Morial Convention Center and Mississippi Riverfront. In 2012, the new Loyola Avenue Streetcar line will make the hotel even more connected to all the city has to offer.

Hyatt Regency New Orleans is owned by Poydras Properties Hotel Holdings, a hospitality venture that includes AREA Property Partners, Poydras Hotel Members LLC, and a subsidiary of Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

With 10% of the hotels in Ireland under the administration of the Irish National Asset Management Agency, and the remainder struggling in a market place that shrank by some 30% through 2009 and 2010, the approach to operating hotels has come under severe monetary pressure. Meeting loan repayments agreed in better times places extraordinary pressures on hotel managements.

Ireland is not unique in experiencing difficulties but the way in which investment has been directed at a national level has had unintended consequences for many hotels. The EU has a policy of funding infrastructure improvements in countries joining the European Union (mind you I didn’t see any evidence of it when the UK joined). Like Poland, Ireland has benefitted with a new motorway system. This has had a mixture of effects on business hotels in particular.
Whilst luxury hotels such as the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore have seen a very profitable lift in bookings as business people can now drive to the coast from Dublin so easily, many business hotels have suffered. Prior to the motorway system being built driving around Ireland was purgatory. Roads were narrow and potholed, keeping speeds well down, so going anywhere by car was a time consuming process.

Now not only has the new motorway system cut journey times, in many cases by half, but improvements to many rural roads have also increased speeds throughout the road system. It is now possible to drive from Dublin for a business meeting in, say, Wexford, and back, in a day. Previously it needed an overnight stay. Many internal air routes, always short within Ireland, have now been closed down and are only being reopened with major subsidies.

Business traffic is much reduced anyway, but now business hotels are finding themselves with reduced use by those businesses that are still busy (note that the Irish economy is growing rapidly again, much more so than the UK generally) as the improved roads system reduces the need for overnight stays. This ‘double whammy’ has led to increasingly desperate measures being taken to keep hotels solvent, and the policies of NAMA, which says quite clearly that it has no interest in operating hotels, broadens the areas in which this desperation becomes evident to the guest.

Hotel le Bristol, the first hotel to be rated as a Palace in France, has unveiled the completion of Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, two new signature suites and Epicure, the newly decorated 3 star Michelin restaurant, formerly the ‘Gastronomique’. The two new suites – the ‘Imperial’ and the ‘Honeymoon’ will be two of Paris’s most dramatic. The launch heralds the completion of a €100million three year restoration programme which included the launch of a new wing in 2009 and addition of restaurant Le 114 Faubourg. The entire restoration programme has been designed by hotel owner Mrs Maja Oetker in close collaboration with famous architect Pierre-Yves Rochon.

Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie includes eight beauty treatment cabins, a Russian Wet Room with the first affusion shower in Paris, a Turkish Bath for women only, a double VIP suite, a fitness centre, children’s area and a hairdressing salon. The spa is also working with five other famous brands including Organic Pharmacy, Russie Blanche, Maison D’Largon, Les Thermes Marins de Saint Malo and By Terry.

The spa is set over three floors of the hotel, is bathed in natural light and opens out onto a beautiful indoor garden. A welcoming water wall in the reception area invites guests to enter a timeless cocoon of wellbeing and beauty in typical French-style luxury. Two tailor-made signature treatments include – Private Bristol for Traveler and Ritual Rose de Mai.

The two new signature suites will be some of the hotel’s most iconic. Each has two bedrooms and are decorated with superb quality fabrics from the house of Canovas with Aurora pink marble in the bathrooms.

The Imperial Suite spans 320m²/3444ft² and, with its impressive Versailles parquet, boasts its own dining room for up to twelve people overlooking the hotel’s French-style garden, a separate lounge decorated with the famous Taillardat furniture and a large walk-in wardrobe in the main bedroom. The second bedroom features a lounge area, bath, separate shower and double washbasin. The suite also has its very own hamman.

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As our printed acrylic is still a best seller for the leisure and hospitality market, we decided to launch a new idea using the acrylic in a different way. The acrylic can be laser-cut as individual designs in panels which still have a decorative appeal for interiors but offers an alternative look to the printed acrylic. They can simply be used as decorative panels on a wall, or as dividing screens – ideal for restaurants, bars and hotels.

Our mirrored acrylic can also be cut to any shape or size with decorative cut-out borders to provide stunning individual mirrors.

Louvre Hotels Group brands are known to generations of UK travellers through France. My first visit to a Campanile in the 1980’s amused me. I watched travel-experienced Brits taking their own pillows to their rooms to use instead of the traditional French bolster. Thirty years on and the Louvre Hotels Group has undergone major change.

In 2005 Barry Sternlicht, the brain behind the revamp of Starwood and the introduction of the ‘W’ bought Louvre Hotels through his Starwood Capital investment arm and set about modernising and growing the Group. Sternlicht has enlarged Louvre Hotels acquiring Golden Tulip hotels as well as a number of luxury five star hotels, making Louvre Hotels Group the tenth largest hotel group globally with 1,000 hotels in 40 countries.
Kyriad is the two/three star brand within the group. Established in 2000 there are now 220 hotels with 12,700+ rooms in the brand and as with Campanile they have been redefined and over 30% have now been brought up to the new standard. (A similar process is analysed in the Review of the Campanile Northampton as that brand too is redefined and modernised) The outline of group brands is in the DesignClub Download area .

Kyriad claims to be a guarantee of quality. In the past many British tourists would avoided an hotel at this level in France as they have been very poor. Kyriad challenges this perception, intending the brand to stand for quality with the “charm of variety” (as Camille Sassi, the brand manager describes it). Certainly, the quality achieved in approximately the 14 square metre rooms of the Kyriad Epinal I stayed in indicates that this challenge is being met.

Centara Hotels & Resorts has announced that Centara Hotel Manila, a four-star property located in the culturally rich district of Malate, in Manila, will open on October 18 this year.The hotel will be operated by Centara under a management contract.

A newly-built 15-storey property, the hotel features 96 rooms and suites, the minimum size being a spacious 43sqm, with all rooms having views overlooking the city or Manila Bay.

Centara Hotel Manila’s 96 rooms comprise 30 Superior rooms, 34 Deluxe rooms, 26 Premium rooms, five Junior Suites and one Executive Suite. Each of the rooms and suites offers a choice of king bed or two double queen beds, accommodating up to two adults and two children in comfort.

The hotel’s all-day-dining restaurant, The World, offers local flavours and international cuisines, with a combination of set menus of Filipino, Thai, Chinese and Mediterranean influences served for lunch and dinner.

The rooftop restaurant and lounge, Ginger & Lime, reinvents Thai cuisine with an extensive selection of fusion dishes and international classics to be savoured al fresco or indoors.

A large swimming pool is located on the hotel rooftop and has its own sundeck and lounge bar, and the Centara-brand SPA Cenvaree offers a wide selection of traditional and modern treatments.

Located on the second floor is a meeting room that can accommodate up to 80 persons and which offers the latest meetings equipment.