Inspired by Jules Verne’s novel ‘Around the world in 80 days‘, the Mövenpick BalaLand Resort on Lake Balaton is the first Accor property to open in Hungary…
Mövenpick BalaLand Resort is located on the coast of one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in Central Europe. The new hotel is a significant milestone for the local hospitality and tourism industry as this highly anticipated opening brings the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts brand to one of Hungary’s most beloved regions and tourist destinations. The hotel resort is part of a wider development project encompassing a unique in- and outdoor family park named BalaLand.
“Opening the first Mövenpick hotel resort in Hungary is a great privilege, a true milestone, and big development for the local hospitality and tourism industry,” said Dieter Prachner, General Manager of Mövenpick BalaLand Resort Lake Balaton. “Being the first international five star resort at Lake Balaton means a big distinction for us. Breath-taking surroundings with captivating interiors and modern design are attributes that we want to be recognised for. The connection between our décor with popular Jules Verne’s novel and Caribbean-colonial style provides a magical and unforgettable guest experience.”
Image credit: Mövenpick
Image credit: Mövenpick
Mövenpick BalaLand Resort shelters 109 modern and comfortable rooms, including 46 suites. Each room stands out by a unique theme, created in the spirit of the ’80 days around the World with Phileas Fogg’ theme. Guests can also benefit from the extensive offering of relaxation and wellness amenities in the hotel – on the fourth floor, there are five SPA treatment rooms with three saunas, a salt cabin, a steam room, and a couples therapy room. Travellers looking for active rest can use a fully equipped fitness room. The BalaLand Family Park offers indoor and outdoor entertainment facilities perfect for families with children, with an emphasis on preschool-aged kids.
Image credit: Mövenpick
The F&B offering at the hotel includes Pirate Restaurant & Terrace serving luxury buffet breakfast and dinner inspired, by contemporary international cuisine, finest local specialities as well as selected Mövenpick signature dishes. The hotel bar, namely the Reform Club offers guests an inspiring journey to a famous London club, founded in the 19th century, where Phileas’ journey began.
The extended-stay boutique hotel brand, ROOST, has announced plans to introduce an 81-key apartment hotel to the waterfront neighbourhood of Baltimore…
The Baltimore Peninsula development team, led by MAG Partners and MacFarlane Partners and Method Co., the development and design company rooted in hospitality, announced plans for a new ROOST Apartment Hotel, the concept known for bridging the boutique hotel experience with apartment-style living. The new addition to the ROOST portfolio will be located within Baltimore Peninsula, a mixed-use waterfront neighbourhood. The team, together with its joint venture partners Sagamore Ventures and the Urban Investment Group within Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Goldman Sachs), is scheduled to open ROOST Baltimore Peninsula in summer 2023.
The ambitious project, designed by architecture firm Hord Coplan Macht, will feature a mix of furnished studio, one, two and three bedroom apartment hotel units with interiors designed in collaboration between interior design firm Aumen Asner Inc. and Method Studios, Method Co.’s in-house design firm. Each apartment hotel unit will feature full-size kitchens with contemporary appliances and floor-to-ceiling windows with balconies to take advantage of the stunning waterfront views.
Image credit: ROOST
The apartment hotel units, amenity space and lobby all feature custom and curated furnishings from designers such as Lawson-Fenning, Gubi, TON, Pedrali, &Tradition, Interior Define, Noguchi, Santa and Cole, Dumais Made, O & G, and Lumas. The furniture curation throughout the space, also designed by Method Studios, draws inspiration from the industrial and maritime heritage of Baltimore as a premier port city. The space is populated with vintage designer pieces and a colour palette of blues and greens accented by blackened steel and rich walnut wood.
Image credit: ROOST
The property includes an on-site fitness centre with Peloton bikes and 2000 square metres of indoor and outdoor resort-like amenity space, including an open-air pool lined with cabanas and an outdoor fireplace centred around a full-service hybrid bar and lounge. Additionally, Method Co. will be leasing out 40 apartment units for long-term residents who will also have access to all of the building’s amenities.
“With the addition of ROOST, Baltimore Peninsula is poised to become a vibrant destination for visitors and workforce talent that wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to experience the Baltimore Peninsula lifestyle,” said MaryAnne Gilmartin, Founder and CEO of MAG Partners. “ROOST’s high-design and commitment to quality compliments our broader approach as we create a new 24/7 neighbourhood.”
Image credit: ROOST
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to open our sixth ROOST location within the incredible city of Baltimore,” said Randall Cook, Co-Founder and CEO of Method Co. “MAG Partners and MacFarlane Partners are completely transforming the city’s waterfront experience with Baltimore Peninsula, making it an incredibly desirable destination for locals and visitors alike. We were drawn to this project by Kevin Plank and his partner’s positive energy, vision and commitment for the area and we look forward to playing a role in bringing that vision to life. At Method Co., it is an exciting moment for us as we explore new dimensions within our ROOST brand. The property’s design is thoughtfully layered with luxury details to create an elevated home-like experience. We’ve also worked to enhance our full-service amenity space. With a relatively low number of units versus the size of our team, we’ll be focused on delivering a high service and personalised experience to our hotel guests and residents alike.”
The ROOST Apartment Hotel blends the comfort and space of an apartment with the amenities and design of a boutique hotel, creating a temporary living environment ideally suited for today’s travellers away for a few days and long-term guests alike. Considered a pioneer in the apartment hotel movement, Method Co.’s ROOST Apartment Hotel brand is significantly expanding its portfolio, with recent openings outside of its home base of Philadelphia, including Cleveland and Tampa, with plans to open additional locations in Detroit this Spring and Charleston in 2024. Method Co. has combined its expertise in design, placemaking and operations to lead the development of the new property, building upon its robust portfolio of successful brands and hotel property launches.
London design studio Run for the Hills has completed its first full-hotel commission, Faern Arosa Altein, which is set on the snow-clad slopes of Switzerland…
Standing on a hillside within the beautiful national park resort of Arosa, Faern Arosa Altein is part of the Faern Resorts portfolio, a collection of resorts in the Swiss Alps dedicated to creating high altitude living wellness destinations with innovative food and beverage concepts, in some of the most loved Swiss mountain resorts. The Run for the Hills design team worked with Faern to redesign the picturesque 126-key hotel. Designed as a sociable haven for guests returning from a busy day on the mountain, the contemporary alpine interiors feature tactile upholstery, sheepskins and cosy woollen armchairs. Tailored mesh panels, ribbed glass column lights and antique brass fittings add an urban twist to the hotel’s modern charm.
Image credit: Romain Ricard
Image credit: Romain Ricard
A Wes Anderson-inspired wooden reception desk nods to the hotel’s heritage and complements the stunning architectural arches within the cosy-chic lounge and hotel foyer. A sweeping marble staircase encourages guests down to explore the hotel’s Zus Brasserie and inviting cocktail bar, Alchemilla Parlour. The interiors palette is grounded in alpine neutrals, forest greens, burnt rusts, and golden sun ochres, warmed with characterful timber furniture and joinery. Tabletops feature light and dark terrazzo stones and berry-red marble swirls. The tailored joinery is softened by fluted banquettes and sofa-height dining set-ups, accessorised with rustic ceramics and scattered Slim Aarons artwork, a nod to the retro village of Arosa.
“The hotel is deeply atmospheric and steeped in history,” said Anna Burles, Co-Founder and Creative Director, Run For The Hills. “We felt privileged to fashion its next chapter. Working closely with Faern Resorts CEO Romain Semmel, we developed our interior concept to honour its heritage, whilst also creating a fresh lifestyle escape for the next generation, channelling the spirit of chic millennial high-altitude living,”
Image credit: Romain Ricard
The hotel’s guestrooms offer a mix of comfort singles, doubles and larger deluxe corner suites for groups and families. Many have spacious balconies, with uninterrupted views over the valley and rooftops of Arosa. Inside, Run for The Hills’ guestroom design concept is unashamedly boutique-inspired. The soft curves of the custom headboards and contemporary joinery styles are punctuated with characterful lamps. The rooms are infused with alpine zig-zag textiles on the armchairs, which are paired with statement Swiss green cross, woollen bed blankets for extra warmth and cosiness.
Image credit: Romain Ricard
Image credit: Romain Ricard
The bathrooms are contemporary chic, featuring black-framed showers and brassware, washstand basin and terrazzo floors. The decorative palette is organic and rich, with a mix of timbers, woven panelling and rich clay paint colours creating a warm, elegant atmosphere. The final palette speaks to the hotel’s setting, as timeless tones from nature are accented by textural upholstery and sheepskin balcony seating to create a layered, modern mountain style.
“We created a design language for guestrooms of differing sizes; a suite of joinery designs which could flex for the varying styles and orientations of rooms,” explained Michael Smith, Associate Creative Director, Run For The Hills. “Bed sizes and storage solutions may vary, but we looked to connect them with signature features and maximum guest comfort touches, to make each room a relaxing retreat.”
Image credit: Romain Ricard
The hotel has several distinct spaces for both dining and drinking, including the stucco ceiling Grand Dining Room Zus Brasserie. Surrounded by large windows, this spacious room provides exquisite mountain and village views. The nature-inspired material palette features warm and organic tones, rich timbers, bouclé and wool upholstery fluted banquette sofas in forest greens, berry reds and bark browns. The structured dining chairs combine angled forms with Deco-inspired curves. These are given a contemporary twist with graphic art and mirrors suspended from ironwork rails that reflect the stunning views beyond. The Rustic Buffet adjoins Zus Brasserie, set under a statement decorative tree that celebrates the full height of the beautiful arched space, framed by the swirling marble staircase.
Image credit: Romain Ricard
Image credit: Romain Ricard
The hotel’s buzzy après ski rooftop restaurant and bar, Alpensand Panoramic Restaurant & Social Club, boasts breath-taking views of the Swiss Alps, sun-drenched by day and twinkling clear views by night. Offering an all-day à la carte menu, the light-filled indoor drinks and dining space extends out onto a magnificent balcony with uninterrupted views of the valley and village. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshment in the sun and an unrivalled location for après-ski sundown aperitifs and winter warmer cocktails. Alpensand channels 1970s décor, updated with alpine-inspired wallpapers from Mind The Gap’s TYROL collection, cosy Romo upholstery and a vintage collection of tongue-in-cheek mountain resort artworks. These are paired with cushy velvet sofas and deep, comfortable armchairs to provide a great spot to socialise and relax with friends.
Image credit: Romain Ricard
Alchemilla Parlour Bar, the hotel’s lower ground level social lounge set within the historic panelled Library Room, provides evening drinks, inventive cocktails and small plates for guests and locals. A beckoning, sumptuous space with richly upholstered cocktail armchairs, black-veined stone drinks tables and group nook sofas, Alchemilla is the perfect spot for retiring after dinner. In keeping with Faern’s spirit of joyful celebration, creativity and playful rebellion, the art is full of personality, channelling the spirited style of 1970s alpine fashion photography and surreal collage.
Image credit: Romain Ricard
The hotel boasts the town’s largest spa destination, with pools, water jets, steam and sauna, as well as pampering treatments for after a busy day on the slopes. During the winter season guests have access to heated boot racks in the ski room, with close access to the main lifts and an expansive ski and snowboarding area with sledging, snowshoeing and cross-country trails for those who don’t ski. In summer, Arosa is home to numerous lakes, picturesque hiking routes, mountain biking, parachuting for adrenaline junkies, and superb golfing experiences. Guests can play tennis on the two outdoor courts or take a dip in the outdoor pool. The hotel also offers breakout spaces, toddler and teenage games rooms, meeting spaces and a cinema room.
Fireplace innovator FOCUS has unveiled the Bathyscafocus Holographik – its latest design to be adapted for multiple uses in interior spaces…
FOCUS is rethinking fire and seeing is believing with this immersive design where flames are produced in 3D by a unique holographic system that plays over naturalistic ceramic logs. This creates an exceptionally realistic and multi-sensory fireplace experience, enhanced by the familiar sounds of a crackling wood-burning fire.
The Holographik has a patent that includes ten technological innovations making it a unique development in fireplace design and it has become the latest emblem of the Made in France label. This revolutionary range includes two models: the spherical Bathyscafocus whose design is evocative of underwater exploration and the Ergofocus, whose original design was recognised by Stockholm’s Modern Art Museum.
Image credit: FOCUS
New environmental standards are positively and sustainably impacting the world of traditional fireplaces. The Holographik fireplace requires no fuel supply and produces no emissions – all it needs is an electrical socket and it can be installed just about anywhere. This makes it perfect for low-energy building projects and apartments as this contemporary electric-powered fire poses no risk of burning and generates no sparks. Consuming less than 30 Watts, the fireplace uses virtually no electricity. It can be switched on/off at the touch of a button, making it easy for users to control and perfectly suitable for a workplace or for areas where there are high volumes of visitors.
The Holographik is the answer for anyone who wants to enjoy the experience of a fire in spaces usually unsuited for a fireplace. The flue is purely decorative and its length can be customised to any ceiling height. These fires are particularly suitable across a range of interiors, from hospitality projects such as bars restaurants and hotels, to retail projects, boutiques and showrooms. The hearth of both Ergofocus and Bathyscafocus Holographik models are suspended and pivot 80 degrees, allowing the fire to be enjoyed from nearly any angle.
FOCUS is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Ica Studio, an architecture and interior design studio regarded as one of the world’s leading hotel architecture and design practices, has won the Architectural Excellence Award at the 2023 Scottish Property Awards for its India Buildings project, now home to Virgin Hotels Edinburgh…
The Scottish Property Awards is an independent competition, which honours the achievements in the real estate sector by shining a light on the best new public and commercial buildings in Scotland. Walking away with the Architectural Excellence Award for its work on Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, the Ica Studio team’s heritage know-how, combined with creative talent and expertise, led to a design that was able to unlock the viability of the challenging city-centre site of the project.
“A project like this has a long road to travel from concept to completion and it involved the talent and dedication of many incredible people,” said Sussanah Macneill, Managing Director, Ica Studio. “This award is a testament to the power of teamwork, strength of vision and the importance of never giving up!”
Image credit: Virgin Hotels
Ica Studio’s challenge was to combine the restoration of three distinctly separate ‘at risk’ listed buildings, which occupy dramatically different levels within the local cityscape, with new build elements carefully considered, to re-establish the historic form of the site, whilst also showcasing a bold, contemporary Edinburgh. The design allows for the three listed buildings to be linked both to each other and to the new build part of the hotel with sympathetic yet modern interventions, creating a new flow through the complex site and deliberately framing unexpected views out into both the more intimate bustling local streets and closes and towards the grander views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town roofscape. The design also provides for dramatic public spaces, rooftop gardens and cosy bedrooms, creating a bold contrast between old and new, light and dark, modern and traditional.
Image caption: Commons Club Bar Virgin Hotels Edinburgh. | Image credit: Ica Studio
In working with existing buildings, every project has inherent quirks and challenges. However, the key to a successful refurbishment is careful planning, creativity and lateral thinking. Ica Studio has mastered the art of ‘expecting the unexpected’ and the team is adept at designing a well-executed historic development, combining the existing elements of unique properties with the perks and privileges of a contemporary luxury hotel.
For the team at Ica Studio, which is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, the new Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is the outstanding result of many years of specialised experience, a lot of hidden hard work in both design and technical expertise to de-risk and make the project viable, conceptual talent, a love of hospitality and a flair for problem-solving.
Ica Studio is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Vaughan unveils SS23 collection of lights and more
The decorative lighting brand, Vaughan, is displaying the spring/summer 2023 collection in its London showroom inside Design Centre Chelsea Harbour. Here’s our editor’s pick…
Combining a wealth of colour, texture and original design, the spring/summer 2023 collection from Vaughan welcomes both new designs, additional finishes and the much-anticipated return of a Kilim Rug collection.
Each new piece is made using the finest materials and calling on the highest level of craftsmanship across the globe. An assortment of table lamps, wall lights and ceiling lights, the collection refers to classic English design, yet is coupled with Vaughan’s signature pared-back aesthetic.
Adding to the Vaughan table lamp collection, the new Monxton table lamp launches a new shape and a new glaze finish. Slip cast earthenware ceramic and finished in a smooth, brown opaque porphyry style glaze with bronze fittings, the Monxton was inspired by a mid-20th century ceramic vase.
The Shoreham Table, popular in its existing high gloss red glaze finish and mid century style, launches this spring in a new finish. As with the Monxton table lamp, the new Shoreham table lamp is slip cast in earthenware ceramic with an opaque porphyry style glaze.
The ever-popular Avebury gourd table lamp, which is fabricated in ceramic earthenware with brass fittings, is now available in an additional colourway, in a crackled white glaze.
Vaughan expands its outdoor lighting collection with the new Twyford Lantern. Based on a 19th century antique, the lantern features intricate pierced metalwork detail. It is small in scale, with a height of just under 46cm. Although designed as an outside lantern and IP44 rated, it would work equally well in an interior setting. The lantern is manufactured from silver soldered brass sheeting, which is painted an ivory white colour. The piece has a three-way fitting and takes G9 bulbs, which are covered in frosted glass candle covers and candle tubes. It is supplied with chain and can also be installed with a fixed rod which needs to be ordered and fitted separately by the client.
Launching in a new Verdigris finish are the Axford and Hawley lanterns, which were first introduced in September 2022 with a copper bronze finish. The additional Verdigris finish is a copper oxide finish that is then sealed with a clear matt lacquer.
Wall lights continue to be integral to Vaughan collections and the 1940s inspired Marlow Wall Lights are now designed in brass and nickel finishes adding further glamour to the original design. The scale of the backplate is complemented by the design details and result in a strong and modern wall light. The Marlow wall lights are fabricated from solid cast brass with an antiqued brass or nickel finish. All wall lights are shown with five-inch lily linen drum lampshades.
Adding to Vaughan’s existing collection of Coldsteam picture lights, the design team have designed a version with a backplate that houses the driver for the LED module to ensure simplified installation process and an integrated LED cover to ensure even light. The backplate is solid cast brass and tube and hood are fabricated brass.
Exton mirror is now available in a bronze finish. Currently available in brass, the new bronze finish is fabricated from brass with brass wire detailing around the mirror edge that is then finished in bronze. Inspired by 1940’s design, it is a large scale statement piece measuring nearly 123cm in height and 90cm wide.Kilim
Striped kilims make a return to the Vaughan collection this Spring. Inspired by 19th century Turkish rug designs in subtle colour tones, the designs use natural dyes on 100% woven wool. Vaughan are introducing five new designs in a variety of sizes.
Kilim rugs
Image caption: Kilim Rug. | Image credit: Vaughan
Image caption: Kilim Rug. | Image credit: Vaughan
Striped Kilim Rugs make a return to the Vaughan collection this Spring. Inspired by 19th century Turkish rug designs in subtle colour tones, the designs use natural dyes on 100 per cent woven wool. Vaughan are introducing five new designs in a variety of sizes.
Vaughan is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
The latest destination from Sir Richard Branson’s luxury lifestyle hotel brand, Virgin Hotels, brings a fresh hospitality concept to NewYork City’s NoMad Neighbourhood…
There are many synergies between New York City and the Virgin Hotels – quiet, conventional and forgettable are not within their vocabulary. The hotel brand that recently opened a property in Edinburgh, which became as its first hotel to open outside of North America, has drawn the focus back on States for its latest arrival. Cue the opening of Virgin Hotels New York City, located on Broadway, which takes up an entire block – the brand is not known for being subtle. The new lifestyle hotel sits in the NoMad neighbourhood, and frames eye-catching vistas of the New York City skyline, while sheltering a contemporary, paired back interior design scheme.
Image credit: Michael Mundy
Delivering a vibrant yet sophisticated hospitality experience in one of the world’s most exciting cities, Virgin Hotels New York City arrives as the sixth Virgin Hotels in the United States and the seventh in the brand portfolio.
The new hotel, designed by MARKZEFF with architecture and part design from Stantec, shelters 460 guestrooms, suites and penthouses. It also features entertainment-anchored spaces, including Everdene, which is a 370-square-metre indoor/outdoor distinct dining and cocktail experience paired with nightly music and entertainment programming. The hotel also boasts an outdoor pool club exclusive to hotel guests, and more than 1,800 square metre of meeting and event spaces.
“We’ve wanted to open a hotel in NewYork City since Virgin Atlantic first flew here in 1984,” said Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group. “We have had so many milestones in this city, from opening America’s biggest record store, to driving a tank through Times Square, to lighting up the Empire State Building. I’m looking forward to even more adventures in the city and having a place to call home at the end of the day. I’m so proud of the amazing team behind Virgin Hotels NewYork, they have created something beyond my wildest dreams. Can’t wait to show you all!”
Image credit: Michael Mundy
The Stantec/MARKZEFF team created a contemporary design that seamlessly melds the classic Virgin aesthetic with the dynamism of the Big Apple. The resulting design language is playful and authentic to NewYork City while simultaneously delivering the luxurious hospitality standards that Virgin Group has pioneered for decades. While maximising views throughout accommodations and public spaces, subtle design elements reference nearby Madison Square Park, with some bolder design components reminiscent of the Virgin brand, including a signature red staircase connecting the third and fourth floors as well as other red accents like the Chamber doors.
Image credit: Michael Mundy
The hotel also features an impressive art collection with more than 100 different pieces. From the lobby’s “Where’s Richard?” mural by Nigel Sussman, inviting guests to play a Virgin-themed version of ‘Where’s Waldo’, to the hotel’s largest 2D piece ‘The Sweat of Disco’ by artist Joeggu Hossmann, celebrating the city’s history, icons and party scene, the hotel’s collection is a nod to the legacy and future of the Virgin brand as well as NewYork City.
Marriott to open three properties on luxury island in Saudi Arabia
The deal between Marriott International and NEOM marks the first signed property under the Autograph Collection Hotels brand in Saudi Arabia. Here’s what we know…
Marriott International is the latest hotel group to announce its hotel development plans in Saudi Arabia, following much hype – and scrutiny – around the region’s ethical stance over the megastructures, such as The Line and Mukaab, that are on the boards.
The group has signed an agreement with NEOM to open three properties on its luxury island destination Sindalah, situated in the Red Sea off the northwest coast of Saudi Arabia. The multi-deal agreement includes Saudi Arabia’s first Autograph Collection Hotels property, as well as two Luxury Collection properties.
“NEOM is one of the most highly-anticipated developments in the world and we look forward to working with its team to develop these three exciting properties,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “The Luxury Collection and Autograph Collection Hotels properties will express their own unique personality inspired by the exceptional natural landscapes of NEOM. We continue to see growth opportunities for our brand portfolio within the destination and Saudi Arabia overall.”
Image credit: Marriott International
The Luxury Collection in Sindalah
Offering global travellers a gateway to the world’s most captivating destinations, The Luxury Collection is expected to open two properties in the highly anticipated island destination, featuring transformational experiences and destination-rooted authenticity. Slated to open in 2024, a beach resort will offer a mix of 70 luxury rooms and suites, including one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom villas all featuring private pools. The second project, projected to open in 2024, is expected to be an all-suite property offering 115 one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury suites, and will be situated in the heart of the retail and marina district of Sindalah. Both Luxury Collection properties are set to showcase multiple culinary experiences and leisure facilities.
Autograph Collection in Sindalah
Expected to open in 2024, the Autograph Collection property in Sindalah is anticipated to offer rich immersive moments that will leave a lasting imprint for guests. Plans for the resort include 66 rooms and suites, including one- and two-bedroom villas, multiple dining options, a kids club, and a spa.
Sindalah is the first of a group of islands that will be developed in NEOM and is set to be among the most alluring destinations in the Red Sea. The island will feature exquisite facilities and exclusive offerings surrounded by diverse ocean environment home to more than 2,000 marine species, 600 of which are endemic to the Red Sea.
Extending over an area of approximately 840,000 square metres, Sindalah will be a new destination for one-of-a-kind nautical and yachting experiences, located just 17 hours sail from the Mediterranean and featuring a prestigious 86-berth marina for yachts up to 75 metres and serviced offshore buoys for superyachts up to 180 metres. Additionally, the island will include more than 400 ultra-premium hotel rooms and 300 top-end suites, a beach club, a glamorous yacht club and 38 unique culinary offerings.
“Marriott International offers one of the most compelling portfolios in the entire industry and enjoys a stellar reputation in the region. We are thrilled by the prospect of working together and look forward to building a hospitality experience that captures the spirit of Sindalah’s year-long appeal, while creating unforgettable memories for our guests,” added Chris Newman, Executive Director, Hotel Development at NEOM, the division responsible for building a future-centric hospitality ecosystem in the region.
The three projects are expected to the first hotels to open on the island, and Sindalah itself is expected to be the first destination in NEOM to start welcoming guests.
Based in New York City, Champalimaud Design is an award winning multi-disciplinary design firm with a commitment to creating unparalleled spaces. The company founder – Alexandra Champalimaud – believes that good design starts with an exceptional story and has spent a quarter of a century creating some visionary design statements…
From the iconic cabanas at the Beverly Hills Hotel through to reimagining spaces at The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman, the portfolio of Champalimaud Design reads like a who’s who of the hospitality industry. In the spirit of today, International Women’s Day, we thought we would walk through some of the designs that have set this studio apart as its Founder and President, Alexandra Champalimaud, continues to inspire and support the next generation of designers in her company and beyond.
In her capacity as a member of the Network for Executive Women in Hospitality, which empowers women in the industry through opportunities for education, professional development and networking, alongside The International Interior Design Association, Champalimaud has stepped into her role as mentor for women in the design field.
Image credit: Champalimaud Design
“I’ve been elected as a mentor for women in my field—perhaps due to the layered and unconventional life I’ve led, the many places I’ve lived and evolutions I’ve experienced, ” discussed Champalimaud. “In the face of monumental upheaval, I’ve been able to exercise an innate strength and that is something that I’d like to impart to all the people who work here. I want people to be successful, to be themselves and to laugh a lot.”
Image credit: Champalimaud Design
Image credit: Champalimaud Design
Steeped in Hollywood history, the pool at The Beverly Hills Hotel has always been home to glamorous stars, movie icons and the location for more than one classic film. With a restoration of its private cabanas by Champalimaud Design, the beloved ‘Pink Palace’ was able to step up and provide a new generation of guests with modern day luxuries in a setting reflective of Hollywood’s golden age.
Image credit: Champalimaud Design
Crossing swiftly to the other side of the Atlantic and the historic village of Bray-on-Thames, Berkshire where Monkey Island Estate opened its doors after undergoing an impressive renovation led by the Champalimaud studio. The renovation is a celebration and tribute to the storied history of the island. The design studio looked to the two original structures on the island, the Temple and Pavilion buildings, which were constructed by Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough in the late 1730s, as inspiration for design vocabulary. In paying close attention to the rich history of the project and its surroundings, the lodging interiors are influenced by the boats making their way along the river. Inspired by the cabins on board, Champalimaud Design developed bespoke amenities and storage cabinets which would feel very much at home on the Thames. The palette is a comforting variety of warm greys, deep blues and caramels which perfectly frame the colours of the gardens.
Image credit: Champalimaud Design
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman re-opened in December 2021 after an extensive renovation. The studio was responsible for revamping the public spaces, guestrooms and suites of the resort with a vision that reflects the natural beauty of the island. Careful consideration was given to the lobby and reception area to ensure this was achieved as soon as guests entered the resort. Natural materials and colours are used throughout, from lush greens, beach inspired whites and beiges to deep blues evocative of Cayman’s night sky and the turquoise of the Caribbean Sea.
With Champalimaud at the helm, the studio continues to celebrate design excellence and the traditions of craftmanship – a pairing that has allowed it to explore and redefine designing for impact. For more than 25 years the studio has been recognised internationally for its visionary design concepts and keen ability to infuse spaces with modernity while maintaining integrity, character and a sense of place that shows no signs of slowing down.
For Villeroy & Boch, the focus for 2023 is its milestone 275th anniversary and it is launching this anniversary year with extensive bathroom solutions for ISH…
Since its foundation in 1748, Villeroy & Boch has combined tradition and innovation, heritage and modernity, always with a commitment to design and quality. With the launch of an extensive range of taps & fittings in Europe and a new designer collection encompassing all product areas, the brand is consolidating its position as an all-round supplier for high-quality bathrooms. 2023 marks the start of a new era in bathroom design for the company and Villeroy & Boch is celebrating the dawning of this new era at ISH Frankfurt and online at the Villeroy & Boch Innovation Days.
Georg Lörz, Director Bathroom and Wellness, views the digital Villeroy & Boch Innovation Days and ISH as ideal complementary platforms to present and bring to life the comprehensive product portfolio. “With our broad presence and our hybrid presentation of new products, we are everywhere trade, retail, planners and architects expect to find us,” said Lörz. “Our partners can experience all the exhibition highlights live and at any time of their choosing. We are looking forward to this shared experience.”
To accompany the opening of the exhibition, all new products, 360° views, virtual exhibition tours, inspiring presentations and much more will be available on the Innovation Days platform. Access will still be possible after the close of the trade fair.
In addition, to mark the company’s 275th anniversary, Villeroy & Boch is perpetuating a long tradition of designer cooperations and presenting Antao, a collection developed by the design duo kaschkasch that transforms the bathroom into a holistic space with a natural and harmonious look. The new range of taps & fittings coordinates perfectly with all Villeroy & Boch collections and will make bathroom planning even easier in the future. Embracing the past while looking into the future, a special anniversary edition of the classic Hommage collection pays tribute to the brand’s history.
Villeroy & Boch is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
To mark this years International Women’s Day, we’re looking beyond the straps and hashtags and, instead, identifying women in the design realm who have embraced technology and innovation both past and present while challenging established design norms and shifting boundaries – our future is truly #DigitALL…
This year, International Women’s Day is celebrating under the banner DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality. From the earliest days of computing to today’s platforms of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, women have made untold contributions to the digital world in which we increasingly live in. Women have also had and continue to make a huge impact in the design world. Running with these two threads we are shining a light on a few of the designers who have embraced both design and technology to elevate their craft.
Image credit: Marimekko
Who in the design world doesn’t recognise the iconic Marimekko poppy design? An image that has in many ways come to represent all that is Marimekko, was created in 1964 by Finnish designer Maija Isola. Despite the company policy, as set by Marimekko’s founder, to use ‘anything but flowers’ , by having the creative confidence to challenge those boundaries Isola more or less single-handedly gave the brand the colourful aesthetic it is still known for today. We have chosen to highlight some of the women whose design work, in some shape or form, embraces change. And like Isola, they have not always followed the rules.
Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design
Fast forward from 1964 to 2023 and the design industry remains a platform where women innovate and harness technology to create something different. The work of artist Sally Coulden of Red Dog Glass Design combines contemporary art with exciting materials and technology. Her impactful abstract paintings reflect wild British spaces which the team at Red Dog Glass Design carefully translate the original paintings into works of digital art, deconstructing and recreating each piece into a range of bespoke sizes. The artwork is then expertly applied to high-quality glass panels that are durable, practical and of course beautiful.
Image credit: Nat Bowen
Also stepping outside the boundaries of traditional surfaces, abstract artist Nat Bowen brings colour to the table in her vibrant multi-layered resin works. Bowen bases her art on the concept of chromology, the psychology behind colour. She relates this, in turn, to her practice of wellbeing, meditation and mental health using the creation of her artwork as a way to manage these areas of life. Despite using a medium that in many ways embraces technology she uses the process to detach from technology and defer everyday distractions whilst she paints. From high-speed collaborations with Maclaren to more meditative installations, Bowen’s work exemplifies the use of technology for good – embracing techniques and mediums that are forward-facing, while focussing on the inner-wellbeing of both artist and viewer.
Image credit: Northern Lights
Combining the creativity of her designs with the requisite practical application of technology, Donna Gridley, Head of Creative at British luxury lighting manufacturer Northern Lights, works closely with the in-house design team to translate her sketches and concepts into 3D models. Using the teams’ Solidworks expertise, this modelling allows her to make finer tweaks and adjustments by viewing the design from all angles, ensuring it has been carefully considered and reflects the design brief perfectly.
“I am by nature creative with a passion for art, texture and sculpture, and my sketchbooks are never far away,” Gridley told Hotel Designs. “However, it’s been important for me to also work with the technology available to refine and maximise my creative output. Whether that’s understanding new technical applications and machinery in manufacturing, to working with the software used by our design team to translate and refine my designs.”
Image credit: Topophyla
Stepping into the great outdoors, as Co-Founder of landscape design firm Topophyla, Nahal Sohbati, has introduced advanced technology into the landscape design process with drone-aided design. While nature may be the central pillar to everything it does, Topophyla use drones and the surrounding technology to construct the trademark poetically designed landscapes. “Drones are an integral part of our process,” explained Sohbati. “We use the data they collect from the beginning of our projects, with site analysis, to the end, with post-occupancy studies.” With a strong focus on connecting communities to their environment Sohbati’s designs are a clear illustration of how we can harness technology to re-connect with nature.
Image credit: Twelve Architects
Moving into the realm of the built environment, architect Lorraine Stoutt Griffith has been one of the driving forces behind the Escapade Silverstone project, a space that seamlessly merges hospitality and motorsport in an original way, while also challenging conventional approaches to designing hospitality properties. In a previous interview with Hotel Designs’ Stoutt Griffith unravelled the challenges that she and her team at Twelve Architects faced and then confronted with innovative solutions to push boundaries in the luxury wellness arena of hotel design and hospitality. The end result is an interesting juxtaposition of a design that embodies the speed and technology of its location, while at the same time provides a connection with the natural landscape that frames it.
Image credit: Inhabit Hotels
Slowing the pace down and taking time for a little introspection, a strong belief that businesses can positively shape communities and the world, Co-Founder of Inhabit Hotels, Nadira Lalji, has put wellness at the heart of the brand, injecting it into every level, from the checking-in process to the design and sense of community. “Every aspect of our hotel is aligned with what being well means to us,” explained Lalji. “We think of wellness as more than a physical state, but a way of being. Our brand pillars, which stand for social connectedness, intellectual expansion and environmental responsibility, reinforce this belief”. Seeing Inhabit Hotels as more than a place to stay but as a force for good is essentially what Lalji and the brand has brought to the hospitality table. Everything is mindfully considered and curated with a genuine commitment to environmental initiatives and meaningful community partnerships. This ethos is not simply about providing guests with a recycled water bottle and the odd yoga lesson, it has been carefully thought through and penetrates every touchpoint, from materials used through to service, F&B offerings to its business model and broader interaction with the local community.
Image credit: Roar
And finally, no conversation on women embracing technology and change in design can be had in 2023 without casting our eyes onto the horizon of the metaverse. And with that being said, Pallavi Dean is among a handful of designers who are championing both technology and the metaverse with personal positivity that is making the virtual world a whole lot more relatable. As Founder and Creative Director of Dubai-based interior design studio Roar, Dean has always been clear that she believes design should be experiential, people centric and possibly just a little disruptive. With this mindset, she has become a champion of all things metaverse and in the process has demystified a lot of the hype around a concept that is so often dismissed. “The metaverse is clearly a lasting commercial phenomenon, not a passing fad, so we want – and need – to be there,” states Dean, believing that the growth of virtual architecture is likely to shape the future of physical buildings and public spaces. Essentially what the designer is doing by voicing her research and understanding of the metaverse is challenging preconceptions and putting alternatives forward that are being offered to us by technology on the table in a far more personable package. It is a progressive approach to design and hospitality that is both refreshing and challenging.
GRAFF Designs range of spa-like showers, innovative water technologies and stylish designs, allows the bathroom to evolve from a functional and clinical space to a room for living…
With its state-of-the-art technology, GRAFF’s product portfolio includes smart chromatherapy and hydrotherapy showers and basin mixers, helping create rooms of pure serenity, injecting the power of the natural world into the bathroom through water. Designed by Davide Oppizzi, GRAFF’s iconic Ametis Collection leads the way in luxury spa showering, bringing new dimensions of wellness and relaxation. The Ametis Shower Column with its high-tech integrated LED chromotherapy lighting system stands out from the crowds. The shower ring creates a waterfall effect, gently cocooning the body with water whilst wall jets offer massaging sprays for the ultimate experience. For a gentler more organic approach, the Ametis wall-mounted mixer and its beautifully curved spout delivers cascading water in a gentle delivery.
Image credit: GRAFF Designs
“At GRAFF, sustainability, quality, and cutting-edge design go hand in hand,” said Ziggy Kulig, GRAFF Founder, President and CEO. “As a company, we are devoted to preserving our planet’s precious resources, while working tirelessly to create dream spaces that enhance personal wellness around the world. Our products are designed to give people moments of complete serenity and extraordinary experiences with water.”
Image credit: GRAFF Designs
Bringing technical innovation to the bathroom, GRAFF’s Aqua-Sense Collection combines water, light and sound in effortless harmony. Delivering a physical and emotional showering experience, Aqua-Sense pushes the boundaries of digital showering. With an intuitive interface, the touchscreen controls allow the user to regulate water functions, colour, music and video preferences with ease. Its lighting capabilities create a soothing effect through diffused chromatic lines, whilst its rain, waterfall and mist spray options deliver unparalleled experiences with water. All products in the range boast water aerators, creating plump droplets that envelop the body.
GRAFF Designs is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
One&Only Cape Town has completed an extensive renovation. The new design scheme, imagined by Muza Lab, captures the natural beauty of the location…
Situated in the heart of Cape Town, at the fashionable V&A Waterfront overlooking the marina and with panoramic views across to Table Mountain, One&Only Cape Town is a tranquil enclave on the doorstep of the vibrant city. The refurbishment spans the full 133 guestrooms and suites of the resort, as well as the entrance lobby, Vista Bar & Lounge and landscaping, with new flooring, fittings and fixtures.
“This is an incredibly exciting project for the One&Only Cape Town team and a testament to our confidence in the positive future direction of South African tourism,” said Anne Scott, General Manager, One&Only Cape Town. “We’ve proudly incorporated local suppliers and artisans to create something magical – paying homage to African culture while retaining the innate One&Only ultra-luxury ethos.”
Image credit: One&Only
The scheme came together with the help of natural, timeless and locally sourced materials, all inspired by shapes, textures and colours of its surrounding habitat. From naturally crafted pieces by local artisans to symbolic aesthetics created to mirror elements of the sea, British design studio, Muza Lab has created an escape with both practicality and meaning. Focusing on portraying ocean, land and heritage, the design team at Muza Lab delved into this project with the idea of capturing the environment’s natural beauty, to reflect its setting and bring the space back to life. The end result is a harmonious and tranquil storytelling experience with a design blueprint drawn from Cape Town’s artistry and local mythology.
Image credit: One&Only
Image credit: One&Only
Guestroom interiors have been crafted using thoughtful textures and organic materials, creating not just a space, but a whole experience and story. Entering the guestroom, warm lighting and an earthy colour scheme set the tone, the Kente cloth adorned entrance, using fabric inspired by the traditional Northern African mud cloth, creates an authentically African welcome. The space is a perfect blend of metals and minerals, modernity and tradition. Every element is carefully considered, from the curved headboard of the bed which harmonises with the contrast of structural shapes and angles, to the handmade ceramics in organic shapes representing the textures and colours of Table Mountain: the golden yellow of the sun, the green of the plants and the blue of the sea, and the black texture of the Cape pine trees and silverleaf pine.
Image credit: One&Only
Considered the gemstone capital of the world with almost half of the world’s gemstones found in Southern Africa, sparkling accents are added throughout the guest rooms, with details of Tiger’s Eye drawer pulls and facetted artworks adding an ornate touch to modern African luxury. Gemstone-shaped shields, made by artists that are community figures in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, adorn Marina Rise’s headboard walls and are symbolic of the Sun and Moon. The beaded pots in all the rooms were created by Zimbabwe-born Richard Madongwe and his team of bead artists. The jars are representative of the vessels carried on the heads of the people of Africa, transporting the lifeblood of earth – water – to their families.
Image credit: One&Only
Image credit: One&Only
The suites offer space, repose and a journey of discovery. An extension of the overarching design concept but dotted with touches of green, the suites are a playful alternation of texture, use of lighting and colour, layered with honest natural minerals and unexpected objects. Limestone and African Ash feature tiles in the lobby, as well as statement tables and structural seating, complement the arrival experience. Both the reception and lounge spaces showcase individual identity with a balance of shadow and light, a colour palette of calm neutrals deep browns and warm earth tones, as well as exquisite African patterns.
Image credit: One&Only
By weaving an inspired design in collaboration with local artists and artisans, One&Only Cape Town is refelctive of its setting in a fresh and nuanced way that is inclusive and expansive, and with an elevated residential feel that makes guests instantly feel at home. The inimitable location along with its unique offering of inner-city yet resort-style accommodation continues to set the hotel apart.
Art outside the frame: transforming the bar into art
In an era of design where art is being reflected in all kinds of unconventional ways, who is to say that the bar cannot become the artwork? Corbello Loxstone has a stylish solution…
In hotel design, who isn’t looking to add some elegance and sophistication in the bar? For designers seeking to add elevation into an F&B space, suspended brass rings and wire wine racks offer not only a practical storage solution but also a new layer of luxe in the overall design scheme.
Corbello Loxstone believes that one of the primary benefits of using suspended brass rings and wire wine racks is that they are incredibly versatile. These racks come in a wide range of sizes and styles, making them ideal for any bar setup, whether it’s a small hotel bar or a large commercial establishment. Additionally, suspended wine racks can be installed in a variety of ways, including from the floor to ceiling, from the two surfaces within a built in system, or even from a freestanding structure. This means you have the flexibility to choose the installation method that best suits your space and aesthetic.
Another benefit of using suspended wine racks is that they allow you to showcase your wine collection in a unique and eye-catching way. By suspending your wine bottles from brass rings on wire racks, you create an interesting visual display that draws attention to your wine collection. This is especially true if you choose to install your wine racks in a prominent location, such as above your bar or in a dedicated wine room.
When it comes to incorporating suspended brass ring and wire wine racks into your bar décor, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, consider the size and style of your wine racks. If you have a small bar, then a compact wire wine rack might be the best option. However, if you have a larger space, then you may want to opt for a larger set up brass ring wine rack that can hold more bottles.
In addition to size and style, you’ll also want to think about the materials used in your suspended wine racks. Brass ring wine racks are popular because they add a touch of elegance to any space. However, if you prefer a more industrial or modern look, then a wire wine rack might be a better fit. Additionally, you can choose from a variety of the typical metal finishes, such as polished brass, antique brass, brushed or satin brass, bronze, chromes, nickels and many more choices to further customise the look of your wine racks.
When installing your suspended wine racks, it’s important to keep a secure fixing in mind. Make sure to properly secure your wine racks to the ceiling or wall using sturdy set-up, and ensure that the weight capacity of your racks is appropriate for the number of wine bottles you plan to store. It’s also a good idea to periodically inspect your wine racks to ensure they remain secure and stable.
Finally, when it comes to filling your suspended wine racks, you have a few options. You can choose to display your most prized bottles of wine, or you can use your racks to store your everyday drinking wines.
In conclusion, if you’re looking to beautify your hotel bar, then suspended brass ring and wire wine racks are a great option. They provide a unique way to display your wine collection, while also adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to any room. By following these tips for incorporating suspended wine racks into your décor, you can create a stunning display that is sure to impress your guests and become a talking point.
Corbello Luxstone is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Villeroy & Boch on bringing nature into the bathroom
As we all strive to get closer to nature in our day to day lives, one way to achieve this is to create a natural oasis in the bathroom…
Bathroom brand Villeroy & Boch have come up with five simple steps to incorporate natural elements into the bathroom. The first step is all about colour – when working on ways to bring the benefits of nature indoors, think about your base colour. To achieve a natural design within the bathroom avoid stark whites, because although beige can often get a bad rep, it can add natural warmth to any bathroom. When working on your colours, think beyond the tiles and paint and incorporate it into the fittings. Washbasin collections such as Loop & Friends from Villeroy & Boch offer matte colours like warm Almond, Ebony or Graphite in an organic design, that will instantly warm up the bathroom.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
Next on the list –incorporate textures found in nature. When designing a bathroom, think about using materials such as wood, bamboo, stone and glass that mimic or reflect the beauty of nature. Adding wood to a bathroom can add natural warmth. Villeroy & Boch have a number of collections including Collaro and Finion offering wood-toned furniture which is a beautiful addition to any nature-inspired bathroom.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
It might be stating the obvious, but always remember to bring a little of the outside in. Focus on incorporating plants into the space as many plants thrive in the tropical humidity of the bathroom. Alongside adding colour, they also add texture to the bathroom and keep the bathroom looking lush and green.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
Keeping the focus on the great outdoors and the natural world, get inspiration directly from the source. Nature is full of colour so don’t shy away from adding colour to the bathroom. One unusual way is to add a coloured washbasin and the Villeroy & Boch Artis range is a great option. In four forms and nine colours, the Artis washbasins come in a broad range of colours to appeal to all tastes, from bold statements to subtle highlights – just like in the natural world.
Finally, let the light in. Where possible, ensure that the bathroom is bathed in natural light by adding windows or even a skylight. Where this isn’t feasible consider adding a gentle lighting source which can also be customised. Softer and more natural light can be introduced by adding dimmable ceiling lights or alternative forms of lighting such as More to See Lite mirrors from Villeroy & Boch.
Villeroy & Boch is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Miniview: Hôtel Dame des Arts – lifestyle with a twist
Hôtel Dame des Arts is a vibrant new lifestyle hotel located in the beating artistic heart of Saint-Germain on Paris’ Rive Gauche. With interiors by Raphael Navot, we stepped inside to take a look…
Just a short walk from Notre Dame Cathedral and an easy stones throw from the Seine, Hôtel Dame des Arts has taken its inspiration from the artistic culture that the locale has been closely affiliated with since the 1920s. The 109-key boutique hotel, the latest addition to the Preferred Hotel & Resorts portfolio, is also home to a show stopping Rooftop Bar with 360 degree views of the seven main attractions of Paris, a beautifully designed restaurant with an adjacent garden courtyard and a stunning gym to entice even the most sedentary guest.
Image credit: Ludovic Balay
Image credit: Ludovic Balay
Internationally renowned Paris-based designer Raphael Navot, the 2023 winner of the Maison&Objet ‘Designer of the Year Award’, has spearheaded the interior design of the 1950s building, masterfully fusing Parisian elegance and an international twist with the essence of freedom, culture, and creativity that the Left Bank is celebrated for. Tapping into his flair for creating unique, beautiful spaces and furniture, Raphael Navot has designed a hotel which blends seamlessly into its surroundings, yet takes the neighbourhood into an exciting, bold future.
Image credit: Ludovic Balay
Although each guestroom is individually designed, all of them feature bespoke art pieces and over one third of the beautifully appointed guest bedrooms and suites boast an outdoor terrace overlooking either the rooftops of Paris or the Eiffel Tower.
Image credit: Ludovic Balay
Image credit: Jerome Galland
Guests can expect the unexpected when it comes to the hotel’s dining venues. The Rooftop Bar and an indoor restaurant with an adjacent outdoor garden courtyard has been conceptualised by the former operational director of Experimental Group, Matthieu Alfandari. Alongside Chef Othoniel Alvarez Castaneda, the food and drink offering showcases seasonal dishes that fuse classic French cuisine with a contemporary Mexican twist. Othoniel brings a sustainably minded culinary vision to the hotel, designed to be shared in celebratory style, and where each menu item is inspired by one hero ingredient, championing quality local produce and presented in a delightfully playful way.
Image credit: Ludovic Balay
And at the end of the day, the hotel’s crowd-drawing highlight, the Rooftop Bar, frames the awe-inspiring views of the City of Light with the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, the golden dome of Les Invalides, and Notre Dame Cathedral all visible. It is here that guests, locals, and visitors alike will be able to sip their cocktails in true Left Bank style.
With colour playing an integral part in shaping how a design scheme looks and feels, leading commercial tile supplier CTD Architectural Tiles is helping designers and specifiers set the right tone by providing in-house colour consultancy and technical support…
CTD Architectural Tiles offers an expertly curated product range and works with the world’s leading manufacturers to provide a ‘one stop shop’ solution to the design and delivery of commercial tile packages. From muted pastels to more vibrant shades, the company is continuously updating its product offering to provide its customers with the latest on-trend colours, sizes and finishes as well as ensuring a plentiful stock of the most popular tiles for immediate dispatch in the UK. To help designers navigate the company’s extensive tile collections, CTD Architectural Tiles’ experienced specification team is on hand to provide design and technical support to meet the specific requirements of a variety of commercial projects.
Image credit: CTD Tiles
The team can advise on creating bespoke tile packages to complement classic, contemporary or bespoke colour schemes and how to effectively use coloured tiles to zone and define specific areas. Technical support on how tiles can be used to improve accessibility through wayfinding is also available, focusing on light refection values (LRVs) and the suitability of different textures and finishes for both natural and artificial lighting conditions. Drawing on the team’s extensive experience of working with both interior designers and architects, the company is also well placed to provide guidance on the latest design trends, best practice and performance requirements including meeting the required slip-resistance ratings for both wet and dry conditions.
CTD Architectural Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
TREND Artistic mosaics take inspiration from nature and translates it into complete patterns created in vibrant coloured glass…
Whilst biophilic design might be making headlines, featuring nature in design is nothing new. From the earliest days of industrialised production, images of flora and fauna were regularly incorporated into walls and fabrics as decorative elements. From the floral silk panels of the Orient to William Morris wallpapers, all manner of birds and flowers have graced the walls of homes and buildings all over the world for centuries – they may go in and out of fashion periodically but they never really go far away.
TREND Artistic mosaics is a collection that brings nature, in all its colourful glory, into the home and onto the wall, floor or any surface that can provide a canvas for its creative and joyful patterns made up from the vibrant palette of coloured glass. By using classical Italian ‘hand-cut’ pieces, they are able to create curves and shapes that reflect natural elements such as grasses and flowers and give them a new artistic expression.
Image credit: TREND Group
Image credit: TREND Group
Enriched with enamels and aventurine stone, the mosaics can be used to represent images of incredible complexity or stunning simplicity as single motifs or repeat wallpaper patterns that literally bring designs to life. Ideal for use internally or externally on walls or floors, they are resistant to thermal shock, not affected by sunlight and the colours do not fade over time. They are also suitable for use in wet environments such as swimming pools and showers.
Image credit: TREND Group
Nature is all about soft edges and curves, patterns, colour and shape. There are no straight lines or right angles to interrupt the eye, everything flows and blends smoothly together to create a bigger picture. Interpreting this into modern expressions opens exciting new design solutions and endless possibilities. TREND Artistic mosaics offer a wealth of opportunities to create new artistic expressions of the natural world that not only provide visual stimulation, but make us feel good too.
TREND Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Located in the picturesque streets of Oaxaca’s historic centre, Majagua Boutique Hotel has perfected the precise balance between the purity of the lines of Art Deco architecture and a homage to local artisan traditions…
Majagua’s imprint draws on eclectic spaces with a fusion of contemporary design elements, handcrafted pieces and the careful restoration of a 1950’s Art Deco mansion. The building is testimony to the city’s rich history and cosmopolitan past and as you step inside Majagua, the luxury of comfort and abundant simplicity are a code that can be appreciated throughout the property. The geometric shapes and stylised decorations harmonise with materials such as metals, tropical woods and natural fibres.
Image credit: Chucho P
In its 14 guestrooms, arranged over two floors, the design aesthetic is developed as a continual dialogue between form, function and roots. In the guestrooms light tones are imbued with natural light, thanks to the large windows opening up the space. The rustic accents in textiles, furniture, lamps from Asia along with other detailed pieces such as the tivichi—an animal-shaped cushion made in the Valley of Oaxaca—invite guests to appreciate craftwork as the luxury of this era.
Image credit: Majagua
Image credit: Majagua
Stays at Majagua are complemented by the culinary offerings of Endémico Restaurante, which celebrates Oaxacan food traditions through typical recipes made from ingredients grown in the region. The menu is succinct and incorporates the flavours of local kitchens and touches of Mediterranean and Oriental cuisine for dishes with a decidedly comfort food feel. The recipes for breakfast and lunch revisit the unmissables of this part of the country, such as tlayudas and chilaquiles. Endémico Restaurante has two service areas, one on the ground floor and the second on the terrace, where diners can also enjoy original mixology and soft drinks while appreciating the panoramic views of the skyline of colonial buildings.
Image credit: Daniela Jara
The perfect location of the property right in the middle of this historic town has inspired the Majagua Route, an itinerary conceived for contemporary nomads to discover the main sites of interest and includes landmarks such as the Church of Santo Domingo, the Ethnobotanical Garden, and the Textile Museum.
The reimagining and renovation of The Omni Homestead Resort
The Omni Homestead Resort, America’s first resort, is currently undergoing a property-wide renovation. WATG and interiors studio Wimberly Interiors is collaborating with The Omni Hotels & Resorts’ design team to honour the legacy and carry it into the future…
Welcoming travellers since 1766, The Omni Homestead Resort is one of America’s most storied resorts, offering unparalleled hospitality and southern charm in a sprawling setting within the Allegheny Mountains of southwestern Virginia. For more than 250 years, The Homestead has served as a welcome respite for visitors from around the world. In the early years guests would journey for days on horseback or in stagecoaches to ‘take the waters’ and enjoy the cool Allegheny Mountain breezes. Over time, the resort grew and by the late 1800s it was known as one of the country’s premier resorts where US Presidents, foreign dignitaries and business leaders would gather.
Image credit: The Omni Homestead Resort
The 483-key property is currently undergoing a $140+ million renovation, which is scheduled to be completed towards the end of 2023. Drawing from the region’s natural beauty, the interior design will reflect a sophisticated, residential style while the new event pavilion will be a nod to the resort’s classic architecture and finishes. From the grandeur of the Great Hall to the dreamy comfort of each guest room, this charming oasis will be restored and revitalised for generations to come. The rich history and beloved traditions of the property are at the heart of this investment. Highlights of the renovation include façade improvements, balcony deck work, guestroom renovations, refreshed public spaces, a new event facility and associate housing complex and the rehabilitation of the Warm Springs Pools.
Image credit: The Omni Homestead Resort
The first phase of the renovation includes the iconic Warm Springs Pools, an integral part of Bath County and Virginia history, which debuted in December 2022 following a 14-month rehabilitation. Fed by four natural warm springs, rich in mineral content, the 19th century bathhouses have been sought by travellers for centuries. The stone basin of the Gentlemen’s Bathhouse was constructed in 1761, making it the oldest spa structure in the country. Throughout the process, Omni worked closely with 3North, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and Lionberger Construction to ensure the project adhered to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The Warm Springs Pools project is considered a rehabilitation, as it acknowledges the need to alter or add to a historic property to meet continuing or changing uses while retaining the property’s historic character.
Moving indoors, tailored comfort designed to be both delightful and restful is the theme for the 483 renovated guest rooms. Each wing will feature a distinct colour palette that flows from the corridors into the guestrooms and exquisite floral patterns along with uniquely Homestead touches accent the décor.
Image credit: The Omni Homestead Resort
The heart of The Homestead, the Great Hall is timeless and traditional. The custom-designed carpet, with a nod to the flora and fauna of the Allegheny Mountains, is accented with the trim of classic hardwood floors. Elegant up lighting enhances the welcoming ambiance and whimsical touches in this iconic setting. In addition, each of the resort’s 28 meeting rooms will be refreshed with a focus on architectural details and advanced functionality. Improvements from lighting fixtures and acoustic ceiling tiles to new carpeting and refinished hardwood floors will create a light, sophisticated retreat for meetings and events.
Image credit: The Omni Homestead Resort
The theatre, a 1923 addition to the resort will receive a classic, yet modern update with the viewing area converted from theatre seats to comfortable sofa settees, lounge chairs and side tables ideal for a variety of events from movie nights to magic shows. New audio-video technology allows for the transformation of the projection booth into an elegant, signature cocktail bar.
Image credit: The Omni Homestead Resort
The renovations will extend into the F&B venues include Pioneer Picnic, a fast-casual, family-friendly dining experience, Martha’s Market, the property’s grab-and-go café, the Lobby Bar, which will soon become a new speakeasy-style lounge, Jefferson’s Restaurant and Taproom, Rubino’s at The Cascades, and The Dining Room.
Sunny, light and bright describe the new bistro-style look and feel of Martha’s Market, the resort’s popular, all-day outlet with a design which flows seamlessly into the adjoining Washington Library. Lobby Bar is home to a stunning portrait collection of the resort’s presidential guests and expands into the Georgian Room. The bourbon and brandy colour palette creates a distinguished setting for enjoying top tier spirits, fine wines and even a game of pool. Pioneer Picnic is conveniently located in the Casino building and will provide a new casual, family-friendly dining experience that honours the cuisine of the region. The wrap-around porch and grand lawn invite guests to dine outside, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.
Product watch: Marvel Travertine from Atlas Concorde
Marvel Travertine is a collection with an extremely realistic look inspired by one of the most precious stones in Italian history…
Starting from the initial development, Atlas Concorde collections are conceived to create stylistic continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces capable of interpreting and suggesting styles and languages consistent with design projects. Marvel Travertine, one of Atlas Concorde’s latest collections.is an example of how a collection can express multiple tones of voice. The selection of floor and wall tiles feature a contemporary interpretation of one of the most classic materials in architecture, Travertine, used since ancient Rome for the decoration of outdoor spaces.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
There are two designs for outdoor spaces in the collection: the Vein Cut and the Cross Cut. The Vein Cut reproduces the typical streaked appearance of travertine and is available with a nine mm or 20mm thickness, the latter for laying on driveways or on grass and gravel. The Cross Cut version reproduces the appearance of a stone characterised by extensive shading and is available only in a grip version with nine mm thickness, ideal for patios, terraces and pedestrian spaces not crossed by vehicles. The collection is available in three warm shades in soft hues inspired by the Mediterranean: Sand, White and Pearl. While polishing travertine would produce a slippery stone surface, thanks to the application of specific substances the outdoor version of Marvel Travertine is slip resistant.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
In contrast with natural stone, porcelain tiles graphically reproduce the porous, perforated surface of travertine, preserving the aspect of permeability, which is highly valued for outdoor spaces. Porcelain tiles also incorporate many important features that make them perfect for outdoor spaces: they are weather resistant, nonporous, waterproof, and stain resistant. They are also scratch resistant and non-slip, maintenance-free, maintain their natural beauty, and are resistant to chemicals. This is particularly important when used with pools that require water treatment additives.
Atlas Concorde is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Listen now: sustainability in materials explored on DESIGN POD
Richard Holland, Director and Co-Founder of Holland Harvey Architects, joins Editor Hamish Kilburn to discuss sustainability in materials for the first episode to drop in series four of DESIGN POD…
The mantra of DESIGN POD series four, sponsored by Geberit and produced by Mel Yates, is to unapologetically ‘cut through the noise’ in design and architecture, while continuing to create conversations that are unlike any other. The topics that will be amplified across eight meaningful episodes will include nature in design, circadian lighting, design in the metaverse and unconventional design narratives. However, while all these themes are prevalent on today’s landscape, there is, arguably, no conversation that is louder in 2023 – and that is causing more confusion in its definition alone – than that around sustainability in materials.
In recent years, though, following the rise in demand for more environmentally and socially driven buildings and spaces, design and architecture studios, like Holland Harvey Architects, that were born from the idea of conscious design and development have finally started to win projects that will set new standards in sustainability. For Richard Holland, Co-Founder and Director of Holland Harvey Architects, that initial hotel project came in the form of Inhabit Hotels, which today comprises of two urban wellness hotels in west London that have been designed to make both and environmental and social impact on their communities.
In episode 27 of DESIGN POD (the first episode in series four), I welcomed Holland on the podcast to explore the significance of working with hospitality brands that truly understand the value in developing around communities and being environmentally aware throughout – not just using sustainability as a veneer. Nadira and Rihim Lalji, the owners of InHabit Hotels, created the small yet mighty hotel brand around social connectedness, intellectual expansion and environmental responsibility – all of which were qualities that form the foundations of Holland Harvey Architects to ‘free architecture’. This mindset from the client allowed the design team to, well, design deeper by applying research and finding unconventional ways to retain materials existing buildings, while not taking anything away from the contemporary Scandinavian-meets-British design aesthetic, created by Caitlin Henderson Design.
What sets Inhabit Hotels aside from others is its commitment to save and restore in both design and architecture, confronting the notion that listed buildings can’t be sustainable. “The first hotel for Inhabit was in six Georgian townhouses, and it was a bit of a labyrinth when we took on the site,” Holland says on the podcast. “The Georgian’s knew how to design beautifully proportioned buildings, and a lot of our work was to reinstate that. We asked things like whether we could take the ceiling up to expose these beautiful sash windows and how we could reinstate the sense of rooms.”
In addition to the project being environmentally aware, the design scheme was also created to enhance social interaction, and make the space feel more home-from-home. “Having an open kitchen, for example, created the opportunity to have a communal table, which becomes a hard-working and multi-functional space,” Holland adds. “That gave it that all-day vibe.”
Image credit: Inhabit Hotel
“Sometimes people fall on technology as a replacement for nature. And actually, it is already there for free.” – Richard Holland, Co-Founder and Director of Holland Harvey Architects, speaking on DESIGN POD.
In terms of materiality, there is no greater example among the architect’s portfolio than what is sheltered inside Inhabit Queen’s Gardens, which was the second hotel to open under the Inhabit brand. One such material that has gone on to define the design narrative is Granby Rock, a custom-made terrazzo produced by Granby Workshop using marble from the original site, which today forms a centrepiece fireplace in the reception. “We are not so naive to suggest that by designing one fireplace we are going to save the world,” comments Holland. “But it is an amazing showcase of what that organisation can do.”
Image credit: Inhabit Hotels
Outside of the hotel arena, Holland Harvey Architects recently completed a project for Shelter From The Storm (SFTS), a London-based homeless shelter that provides 42 beds, fresh food and holistic support to its guests. “Every single space had to be considered with a particular mindset, which myself and my colleagues did not understand at first,” Holland says on the podcast. “We very much leant on the founder to help us understand what the experience meant, what the challenges were and how design could soften the impact of finding yourself in this situation, arriving at the shelter and finding the space and time to rehabilitate yourself to leave the shelter, which is the ultimate goal.”
Image credit: Nicolas Worley / Strorm From The Shelter
The full 50-minute podcast episode is available to listen to on all major podcast platforms – just search ‘DESIGN POD’ wherever you get your podcasts. The next episode will drop on March 15 with lighting designers Mark Tweedle and Michael Curry from DPA Lighting joining as special guests to discuss circadian lighting.
Hansgrohe at ISH 2023: sustainable and holistic bathroom experiences
Hansgrohe will be at ISH 2023 presenting AXOR and hansgrohe innovations, showcasing sustainable bathroom solutions and holistic concepts all under the maxim of reduce – re-use – recycle…
Hansgrohe Group with its brands AXOR and hansgrohe will be making its presence felt at the trade fair as it presents new products, dream bathrooms and a visionary bathroom concept. “We are delighted to finally be back at the ISH this year with our innovation-filled trade fair booth after a pandemic related break in 2021,” said Hans Jürgen Kalmbach, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Hansgrohe Group. “It’s time for personal exchange, for haptic experiences with our innovations from AXOR and hansgrohe, and for celebrating change.”
Indeed, for the Black Forest-based manufacturer, ISH is all about ‘Celebrating Change’, because for the first time, the company will also be presenting sanitary ceramics and bathroom furniture under the premium brand hansgrohe. “This is our response to the wishes of our customers who demand holistic bathroom experiences from a single source,” added Kalmbach. “With pioneering product innovations and inspiring presentations, we are once again living up to our reputation as an industry leader in innovation, design, quality and responsibility. We create inspiring moments with water, while protecting the precious element.”
Image credit: Hansgrohe
As part of the Hansgrohe Group’s multifaceted sustainability goals, the company is implementing its ‘green vision’ in a design study of a bathroom with a 90 per cent reduction in water and energy consumption and therefore 90 per cent fewer CO2 emissions caused by water heating. “Our vision, the ‘Green Vision Beyond Water: Rethinking Bathroom Culture’ becomes concrete with this concept bathroom,” explained Kalmbach. “Individual elements of the study are already being used in our innovations and we will continue to develop others and incorporate them into our technologies and products. The important thing for us is to use this concept study to create greater awareness for our use of water in the bathroom.”
Image credit: Hansgrohe
Also on the stand, AXOR will be presenting new washbasins and bathtubs from AXOR Suites in keeping with the brand’s ‘Make it Yours’ campaign. AXOR is a pioneer in the development, design and production of avant-garde, design-led products for luxurious bathrooms and kitchens. The brand’s mixer taps, showers and accessories carry the demand for perfection in design, manufacturing and function. Developed with French design icon Philippe Starck, the products, in combination with the diversity of detail within AXOR surfaces, expand the immense spectrum of design freedom for individual luxury bathrooms. AXOR Suites can be found at ISH in individual bathroom concepts created in collaboration with the internationally renowned design studios Barber Osgerby, Ushi Tamboriello and Hadi Teherani. These include the Skyline concept by London-based design duo Barber Osgerby; a slim, elegant bathroom in a penthouse apartment measuring just seven square metres. Fitted with AXOR One bathroom mixer taps and AXOR Universal Circular accessories, all in a brand-new Matte White finish, Skyline offers a highly personal vision that reinterprets beauty and well-being in smaller spaces.
Image credit: Hansgrohe
The premium brand hansgrohe is celebrating the company-wide motto of ‘Celebrate Change’ with an expanded product portfolio in the areas of furniture and ceramics. With countless combination options and product variations, perfectly coordinated bathrooms can now be realised. The premium brand presents harmonious bathroom ambiances from a single source and offers an inspiring trade fair experience with dream bathrooms designed by Peter Ippolito, a Stuttgart-based interior design studio.
Hansgrohe is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Foster + Partners to design new Four Seasons resort in Saudi Arabia
The new 149-key Four Seasons resort, designed by British design firm Foster + Partners, will be located within The Red Sea destination, stretching across 124 miles of coastline along the Kingdon’s western coast…
The latest hotel group to emerge in The Red Sea destination that is expected the ‘change the game’ in luxury tourism is Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, which has just made public its plans for a 149-key resort, which is being designed by British design studio Foster + Partners.
The new Four Seasons Resort will be located on Shura Island, the hub of the development and also home to a yacht marina, leisure and lifestyle facilities, retail offerings, 18-hole golf course and more yet to be announced.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
“As we continue to expand Four Seasons presence in the region, our new project in the Red Sea will be one of our first resorts in the Kingdom, blending the best of beachside travel with the natural and cultural wonders of Saudi Arabia,” says Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management. “We are incredibly proud to be part of this impressive and visionary development by RSG and look forward to inviting guests to explore our new Resort within such a beautiful and storied destination.”
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
According to a press release, issued by the hotel group, “The Red Sea destination is being built with sustainable practices and tourism at its core, with the masterplan being informed by an impressive marine spatial planning simulation to model the environmental impact of development and operations to minimise over-tourism while providing guests with an exceptional travel and lifestyle experience. The destination will also rely on renewable energy and will only develop a small portion of the islands with expansive dedicated conservation zones.”
In addition to the guestrooms and suites that will be complete with uninterrupted views over white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, the new Four Seasons resort will feature six restaurants and lounge outlets, meeting and events spaces and a marine discovery centre.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
The news of Foster + Partners’ intentions for the new Four Seasons resort follows the announcements of other developments in the region, such as The Line and Mukaab, that have raised questions among critics over their sustainability and ethical credentials. The Red Sea destination, which is being formed at a rapid pace is slated to become the ideal destination for those looking to uncover the wonders of the ancient Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the close proximity to the ruins at Mada’in Saleh, as well as the natural attractions such as the environmentally protected coral reefs and mangroves, dormant volcanoes, local wildlife, and much more.
VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in March 2023
This months VIP arrivals of hotels that are making a strong opening statement all seem to be blurring the lines between in and outdoors and letting the light shine in. Writer Pauline Brettell explores the parasols and sun loungers that are tempting us over to the light side…
Throwing things open to let circadian lighting work its magic is becoming an increasingly interesting discussion within the realm of hotel design and in this month’s offering of hot new hotel openings there is a strong focus on design that harnesses natural light while softening the boundaries between indoor and outdoor space. Whether in the form of planted rooftops or pools with a view, the designer windows and doors have been flung open to ensure that we all get a healthy dose of Vitamin D.
R48
Image credit: R48
Slated to open in March, R48 Hotel and Garden is an 11-suite hotel housed in a meticulously restored 1930’s Bauhaus style building on Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv’s most prestigious address. The property has been preserved and renovated by architecture firm AN+ and features interior design by Studio Liaigre, with landscape and garden design by Piet Oudolf, the visionary landscape architect behind New York City’s High Line. Features include a garden rimmed rooftop pool overlooking the city, two exceptional restaurants, along with a carefully curated art collection of leading Israeli artists.
Mondrian Singapore Duxton
Image credit: Ennismore
Mondrian is preparing to inject its signature blend of art, glamour and culinary flair into Singapore’s most vibrant neighbourhood with the new Mondrian Singapore Duxton. With its bold design and electric energy, the scene is set from its cinematic rooftop pool through to the eclectic collection of bars and restaurants. The hotel’s 302 guestrooms have been designed by Studio Carter and take inspiration from the traditional Singaporean architecture while being executed with contemporary flair. The stylish spaces all offer converging views of the historic shophouses and modern skyline through its floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne
Image credit: Marriott International
Through a meaningful and inspired focus on place, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne will be providing guests with an authentic Australian experience that celebrates ancient stories and vibrant cultures through a distinctly Melbourne lens. Guests are encouraged to connect with the pulse and creativity of the city and be inspired by the unique and diverse rituals of the place and its people. Resident in Australia’s tallest hotel, where sweeping views provide the backdrop for an experience that’s singularly Melbourne, guests will not only be surrounded by luxury but grounded in the unique story of the city, which informs everything from the guest room décor to the hyper-local dining, beverage and spa experiences. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, on level 64 of the statement building delivers spectacular views along with the six treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, vitality pools and tranquil yoga space, all underscored by the heated infinity pool with floor-to-ceiling views across the city, providing the perfect setting for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Six Senses Rome
Image credit: Six Senses
Six Senses Rome is the first Six Senses property to open in Italy. The hotel will shelter 95 distinct guestrooms and suites, a spa, restaurant, events terrace, outdoor courtyard garden and rooftop terrace with a 360-degree view of the city and its monuments. Located in the Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, originally built in the 18th century, the interior design is by Patricia Urquiola, who, mindful of the building’s authentic heritage, has created a design that sensitively fuses a contemporary vision of hospitality behind the UNESCO listed façade. The crowning glory of the property is the large rooftop terrace with panoramic views, complete with an organic fruit, vegetable and herb garden, creating a secret garden escape unlike any other in the heart of Rome. The rooftop terrace and restaurant caters to all-day tastes from Ashtanga at sunrise to an Italian aperitivo at sundown, all while having the historical centre of Rome at your feet.
The St. Regis Chicago
Image credit: HBA / Angie McMonigal
Located within the architectural statement by Studio Gang and rising over Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighbourhood, the St Regis Chicago combines innovative architectural marvel with timeless tradition and is an architecturally prominent addition to the exquisite St. Regis brand. With interiors by HBA, the waterfront hotel’s luxurious guestrooms and suites tower over some of the city’s most notable downtown landmarks, including the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, and Grant and Millennium Parks. Notably, The St. Regis Spa is an urban oasis of calming sensory experiences while the indoor pool and outdoor sundeck invite guests to channel the city’s energy at their own pace.
Soho House Bangkok
Image credit: Soho House
The first Soho House in Southeast Asia, Soho House Bangkok, has opened in the city’s vibrant district of Sukhumvit in what was the former Eugenia Hotel. Created with the local creative community in mind, it will fuse Soho House’s signature design with the influences of the city’s bourgeoning art and cultural scenes. Set over three floors, there will be an in-house restaurant, a dining area, an outdoor pool framed by palm trees, and social spaces for members. With the interiors completed by the in-house interior design team, Soho House Bangkok has also partnered with local artists and designers. Custom made furniture, silk textiles from Jim Thompson and art from Thai artists all come together seamlessly in a Soho House that reflects its location while remaining intrinsically global.
MEET UP London, Hotel Designs‘ spring networking event, which takes place on April 24, will welcome leading interior designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers at The Upstairs at The Department Store, Brixton…
It has been the fastest-selling event in the brand’s history, and now MEET UP London, Hotel Designs’ first networking event of 2023, has sold out almost two months ahead of taking place at The Upstairs at The Department Store in Brixton on April 24.
That’s right, the team at Hotel Designs are taking leading interior designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers alike south of the river for a premium networking opportunity that will aim to set the scene in terms of hotel design and hospitality conversations.
The guest list includes leading designers, architects from the likes of Studio Moren, tp bennett, Ennismore, Goddard Littelfair, Conran & Partners, The GA Group, EPR Architects, IHG and Hilton. “MEET UP London has long been considered one of Hotel Designs’ premium networking experience, which is designed year-on-year to be relevant, entertaining and to bridge the gap in the hotel design arena,” Kilburn said. “It is therefore inspiring to see so many influentials people and brands attending what is no-doubt going to be a spectacular evening.”
Following last year’s edition, and after Hotel Designs delivering its first MEET UP outside the UK, in Paris, last month, the demand to purchase tickets to MEET UP London has been on a scale that has never been seen for at Hotel Designs, for any of its events. “Since we opened ticket registration in January, we have seen a phenomenal response to MEET UP London,” said Katy Phillips, Publisher of Hotel Designs. “We believe this is due to a number of factors, including our reputation of hosting industry-leading networking opportunities as well as the fabulous venue, thanks to Squire & Partners, that we have been able to secure.”
Despite the event being sold out, the event does have a waiting list should any tickets become available. To be added to the guest waiting list please email Katy Phillips or call 01992 374050. MEET UP London is sponsored by Hamilton Litestat (Headline Partner), Squire & Partners (Exclusive Style Partner), Crosswater (Event Partner), Burlington (Event Partner) and StoneBathwear (Event Partner).
The Alaya collection by Arte has been inspired by the fabulous journey along the Silk Road, with wallcoverings designed to transport designers back in time…
More than 2,000 years after its establishment, the historic Silk Road still appeals to the imagination. Exploring the Alaya collection of wallcoverings, Arte takes us along the network of roads used all those years ago with heavily laden caravans transporting silk and other luxury goods between the Far East and the Western world. It was and is a journey full of adventure, passing through the high mountains of the Himalayas. This collection references the route with panoramic designs inspired by impressive Himalayan vistas, along with details, tones and textures of the thread which has been woven into the collection.
Image credit: Arte
The grand gesture of the collection is Banyan, a design available in two colourways, which takes its name from the banyan tree commonly found along the Silk Road. It draws you in and lets you wander through a dreamy fantasy landscape amid the hidden valleys and summits of the Himalayas. The pure silk of this breathtakingly beautiful design truly brings the panoramic scene to life.
Image credit: Arte
Named after the forest in India of the same name, the Saranda wallcovering is drawn in a typical Asian style. In this design, you will discover stylised hills and trees under a soft cloudy sky. The name literally translates as seven hundred hills, a highly appropriate name as the organic design and colours invite you to wander through the forests and hills of India. Available in two colourways.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Manali is a timeless representation of the traditional mountain villages of the Himalayas where Buddhist prayer flags flutter in the wind. The inhabitants of these inhospitable areas try to attract happiness and prosperity in this way. The design, available in two colourways, was named after the Himalayan village of Manali, where hundreds of flags set the scene.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Anchoring the entire collection in a comprehensive 28 colourways is Katan. This wallcovering is an incredibly detailed impression of katan, a very light and luxurious type of silk. The minor irregularities that are typical of this fabric are also found within the design, bringing authenticity and detail to the pattern.
Arte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Is this what the next generation of luxury cabins looks like?
Thinking outside the box, design studio Aylott + Van Tromp has developed Nokken as the ‘next generation’ cabin and benchmark within the wellness retreat industry…
Making itself known as a true gamechanger in the rapidly expanding modular cabin market, Nokken by Aylott + Van Tromp provides a full turnkey cabin solution alongside a host of business supporting elements that cater to all hospitality operators, whether a fledgling start-up, experienced operator or existing multinational. Claiming to be the world’s most adaptable modular cabin ecosystem, it has been purposely designed to offer the most efficient and economic platform possible for hotel operators and landowners to start or diversify a retreat hospitality offering.
Image credit: Aylott + Van Tromp
Aylott + Van Tromp believes that modern hospitality is not just about nice design or a great location – guest experience and satisfaction play a huge part. Drawing upon decades of experience as hospitality designers has allowed the designers to tap into their existing network of management services, marketing elements and strategic partners to offer prospective operators the tools needed to propel the business on a clear path to success. Working with a diverse range of specialist partners, the Nokken Business Platform provides access to operationally ready property management systems and full tech integrations. These include remote door access, digital check-in, cloud-based property management systems, off-grid digital powering solutions and even e-bike rental integration.
Image credit:
Aylott + Van Tromp
Image credit:
Aylott + Van Tromp
“We believe this makes Nokken a fully rounded response to what operators actually need today and what sets it apart from all other offerings currently on the market,” said Nathan Aylott, Nokken Co-Founder. “Nokken is a whole ecosystem, helping business bloom within the burgeoning retreat sector of the hospitality industry. Whether a single unit acting as a work-life hybrid, or a whole village community focused around hospitality or wellbeing, the Nokken cabin platform creates the possibility to provide a relaxed place to live, work and socialise with like-minded people while getting connected with nature.”
Image credit: Aylott + Van Tromp
Adaptability and scalability are the key to outdoor hospitality. No sites are, or should be, the same as that is what makes every experience so individual. With this in mind, the cabin design couples consistency of experience and finishes with creativity of layouts. By keeping the architectural volume simple, operators are able to customise, join, stack or stitch varying Nokken units together to create a unique solution to each setting. Developers can begin small with a handful of units, then scale up as a project progresses. Units can even be stacked vertically to accommodate sites with restrictive physical footprints.
“Nokken cabins are ‘Swiss army knives’, combining everything you need and nothing you don’t.” – James Van Tromp, Nokken Co-Founder.
The exterior of the Nokken cabin has been created to be tough, functional and adaptable. Being able to perform in both freezing cold climates and boiling hot ones is no easy feat, but Aylott + Van Tromp invested months of research into the cabin’s thermal properties and breathability ratings, which have been achieved using ecowool and wood pulp layering. Working in tandem with the dark stained larch cladding, the Nokken signature perforated metalwork provides the cabin with a distinctive modern and minimalist look. Over time the perforated nature of the steel will allow for plants to grow upwards, truly integrating the unit into the landscape.
Image credit: Aylott + Van Tromp
The cabin interiors have been inspired by the essence of the outdoors, which purposely reinforces a sense of escapism and a greater connection and emphasis to the landscape. With the interiors clad in wood the overall feeling is soft, welcoming and embracing, complimented by matching joinery and zonal lighting. The modern bathrooms complete the interior spaces by providing a sanctuary that would not be out of place in the finest boutique hotel.
Image credit: Nokken
Each cabin is individually crafted by skilled modular experts with every aspect carefully curated, constructed and detailed using honest, eco-focused and premium materials. Each unit is delivered to its destination on the back of a low-loader in one single piece, allowing the cabin to be positioned almost anywhere. Once secured, services are simply plugged into the outlet in the base of the unit and the site is ready to go.
Inside Hamilton Litestat: where design innovation is in the DNA
Hamilton Litestat, Heading Partner at MEET UP London, should need little introduction. But in case it does, we caught up with Gavin Williams, Sales and Marketing Director at the Bristol-based company, to find out what makes this decorative wiring accessories powerhouse special…
The company’s story begins at the tail end of the swinging ’60s, when style and design innovation were enjoying a revolution. Launched in Teddington, London, in 1968, with the first UK sale of the dimmer switch – ‘new tech’ at the time – Hamilton Litestat went on to collaborate with Italian company Frascio. Together they created a comprehensive range of wiring accessories with an ever-expanding choice of stylish, Italian-inspired plate designs and finishes.
These à la mode designs placed the company at the forefront of the UK hotel design industry, making it a supplier of choice to several big-name hotel chains. From London, Hamilton Litestat moved to Mere in Wiltshire, where a larger factory created the increased capacity required to meet the demands of international customers and the growth of a British brand founded on quality and choice.
While now wealthy enough in experience and expertise to service the needs of the big brands, the wiring accessories company was also able to deliver the same quality solution for designers of smaller, one-off projects. With this, in the late 1980’s, Hamilton Litestat became the ideal partner to the rapidly growing boutique hotel sector that it is today.
Image caption: Hotel Indigo Cardiff | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
With boutique hotel guests desiring a more luxurious, one-of-a-kind experience, the solution in design terms is often translated via the quality and style of accessories within guest rooms and communal areas. Frequently inspired by the architecture or heritage of their location, with the ambition to realise a designer’s creative ambitions or with guest experience front-of-mind, boutique hotels present an opportunity for a completely bespoke decorative wiring accessories solution. And this is where Hamilton Litestat shines! We caught up with Gavin Williams, Sales and Marketing Director at Hamilton Litestat to find out more.
Hotel Designs: What does Hamilton offer the hotel interior designer?
Gavin Williams: Aside from 23 different collection designs in a choice of 23 different finishes, we are, to this day, small enough to care about the complexities of unique projects, while big enough to deliver on quality, quantity and time. Put simply, the company puts the finishing touches first. Taking inspiration from iconic and of-the-moment international design and lifestyle trends, its range delivers on both functionality and beautiful form. So whether your intention is for the accessories to stand out or seamlessly blend in with their surroundings, there’s a Hamilton Litestat solution with careful attention to design detail for every scheme.
And far from being your standard supplier, our brand can frequently be found working in close partnership with interior designers, architects and electrical contractors to deliver a custom solution, perfectly befitting of the individual project.
Image caption: Linea CFX | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
HD: Talk to us about Linea CFX range – and how this has evolved…
GW: With the clever two-part face plate and frame design of Linea CFX range, single colour finishes are the least of your limitations. A long, established designer range within the company’s line-up of decorative wiring accessories, Linea CFX now consists of six collections – each frame with a unique edge design: rounded, straight-edged, stepped, classic bead, traditional rope edge and a new, 45 degree bevel-edge, creating a veritable palette of contemporary and traditional designs. Each of these frame designs is available in up to eleven different finishes. And because face plates and frames within the Linea CFX range can be independently selected, these frame finishes can be combined with face plates in any of the same 11 finishes plus Satin Steel.
This ability to mix and match, enables designers the potential to flex some creative muscle and create a unique design feature of an otherwise functional accessory. For example, mixing polished with matt metallic for a gilt-edge touch, combining matt with satin metallics for a sophisticated finish, or mixing and matching contrasting metallics, allows the product to stand out from other off-the-shelf alternatives.
Image caption: Sheer Collection | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
HD: Can you give us examples of how designers can us colour co-ordination with Hamilton Litestat?
GW: Our extensive range of standard finishes enables the perfect matching of wiring accessories to the interior scheme. And even in cases where colour-matching reaches new heights, we really believe that we step up to the mark. In the renovation of Lime Tree Hotel in London’s Belgravia, the hotelier had handpicked reading lamps to be positioned either side of the guests’ bed and wanted decorative wiring accessories to colour match. We worked closely with the client to deliver an Etrium Bronze finish not typically available in the range, but an almost identical colour match to both lamps.
For those taking personalisation in a colourful direction, Paintables service allows accessories from the Hartland CFX, Sheer CFX or Hartland G2 ranges to be perfectly colour matched to any RAL, British Standards or NCS colour reference. The high quality powder coating process, together with a gloss, matt or metallic finish, ensures plates remain durable through daily use.
Image caption: Paintables | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
As well as affording the ability to personalise the aesthetic qualities of accessories within the standard range, Hamilton provides the opportunity to tailor functionality to the needs of the hotel business and its guests. In Sand Hotel, Reykjavik, Euro Module plates installed alongside standard plates, all from the Sheer CFX collection in Bright Chrome, provide a co-ordinated aesthetic with custom functionality. These include personal bedside lighting control and USB charging ability on each side of the bed, telephone and data sockets, key card entry switches, electrical sockets and light switches and total more than 2,500 accessories throughout the hotel.
Image caption: Hotel Sand Reykjavik | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
Sometimes, as with the renovation of Thornbury Castle Hotel, the style, age and heritage status of the building are a motivating factor in the production of custom-made plates. In this instance, Antique Brass was the natural choice of finish to harmonise with the ornate brass bedside lamps and dark wood panelling. The bespoke functionality requirements of the accessories was achieved with bedside plates that included individual toggle-switch control of the room chandelier, table lamps and bedside lamps and a single power socket with 2.1A USB port for charging smart devices. To enhance the guest experience, the function of each switch was clearly etched on each plate.
Image caption: Perception CFX | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
When you’ve invested in a stunning wallpaper or mural, wiring accessories that disappear into their surroundings are an attractive proposition. Cleverly designed to allow the customer’s own wallpaper to be inserted into the plate, Hamilton Litestat’s Perception CFX range is the ultimate ‘chameleon’ of the wiring accessories world. In the renovation of The Waterside Inn, Berkshire, where each guest room had its own unique decorative theme, the challenge was in finding accessories to suit each. And Perception CFX was the ideal solution.
HD: And finally, how integral are industry partnerships for a brand like Hamilton Litestat?
GW: Our partnership with the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) is a testament to its will to understand and cater to both the commercial and residential sectors, maintaining an innate awareness of current trends across both markets. Always keen to keep its finger on the pulse of emerging design trends, Hamilton is a regular exhibitor at major UK design shows including London Design Week, Clerkenwell Design Week, Interior Design & Architecture Summit (IDAS), Decorex International and the Independent Hotel Show.
As a Headline Partner for Hotel Designs MEET UP London, Hamilton Litestat recognises the importance of these industry events an invaluable opportunity to explore new products, services and industry trends as well as to meet and liaise with fellow professionals, this serves to inform and inspire technical and design decisions of the future. Its enviable pedigree in both commercial and domestic schemes and work as invested professional partners in some truly renowned interiors, means that ingenuity and creativity evolves to ensure Hamilton Litestat stays at the forefront of the hotel design sector.
Hamilton Litestat is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Case study: lighting theatrics from Northern Lights at Heythrop Park Hotel
Heythrop Park Hotel’s grand reveal, following a renovation of monumental proportions, was one not to be missed and Northern Lights’ installations ensured it was tripping the light fantastic…
Heythrop Park Hotel opened its doors earlier this year with a design brief focussing on three key principles – relaxation, exploration, and entertainment. As part of the strategic and creative approach to bridging the 18th century manor house with its contemporary extension, lead design agency DesignLSM appointed Northern Lights to develop bespoke lighting across four focal areas – the Orangery, Market Kitchen, Brassey Bar and Theatre. With an established portfolio of luxury hotels and several Grade II listed properties under its belt, the designers and master artisans at Northern Lights set to work, developing carefully considered lighting solutions to reflect the narrative and immersive design vision.
Image credit: Northern Lights / Stevie Campbell
The renovation of the Warwick Wing Theatre is one of the most awe-inspiring feats of the entire refurbishment. Taking a contrasting approach to the classic aesthetic of the wider hotel, the theatre adds a striking contemporary touch of glamour and decadence to the hotel’s evening offering. The atmospheric space is brought to life with dazzling arched lights that emit a warm glow throughout the room, whilst the enormous main theatre pendant brings the entire room together. The impressive four and a half metre wide fixture comprises more than 100 individual bulbs housed on 18 arms. A satin gold oval pendant rounds off the range of bespoke lighting, complementing the other fixtures using 30 individual bulbs to bring a sparkle of showbiz to its surroundings.
Image credit: Northern Lights / Stevie Campbell
In the Orangery stunning pastel furniture and elegantly tiled floors are brightened by a series of feature ring pendants spanning the room’s length. The gold satin fixtures are made up from a handcrafted outer ring which houses integrated LED strips, with a central dish that discreetly hides a single uplight.
Image credit: Northern Lights / Stevie Campbell
In the Market Kitchen, a range of satin steel feature pendants bring beautiful pools of light to those dining within the restaurant. There are eight-light and 12-light pendants spanning the entire length and breadth of the restaurant, each complete with handcrafted ivory cotton conical shades.
Image credit: Northern Lights / Stevie Campbell
The Brassey Bar is an immersive bar and is the star of the show in this part of the venue. Fixed satin gold and matt opal lamps sit atop an impressive two and a half metre handcrafted gantry created by Northern Lights’ skilled artisans. The booth seating is delicately illuminated by several matching lamps to complement the design, all of which use soft glass for light diffusion to create an inviting atmosphere.
Northern Lights is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Northern Lights / Stevie Campbell
Inside the Sir Paul Smith Suite at Brown’s Hotel in London
The famed fashion designer Sir Paul Smith has collaborated with Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, to create the ‘Sir Paul Smith Suite’ at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, London – and the result is marvellous…
Custom, vintage furniture, hand-picked artworks, brand collaborations and soft furnishings from the debut Paul Smith home collection. These are just some of the quirky treasures that one can discover when opening the iconic banana-shaped door handle of the newly unveiled Sir Paul Smith Suite inside Brown’s Hotel, A Rocco Forte Hotel in Mayfair.
Image credit: Rocco Forte Hotels
The new suite draws on the hotel’s history as a favoured residence for literary great, but in a way that feels aptly fresh and light. The British fashion designer, known for his relationship with multi-coloured stripe and eye-catching shop-window displays – has designed the suite as a space not only for rest and relaxation, but to spark inspiration and creativity through art and interesting objects. “Being asked to design a space for such an iconic Mayfair institution is a great privilege – and I’ve had a great deal of fun in the process,” explained Smith. “Just like Browns does with its rooms, we design every Paul Smith shop differently to celebrate the area’s individuality, which is just one of the reasons the project appealed to me. On a more personal level, I’m so pleased we’ve been able to include objects that inspire me personally and I hope, in turn, they’ll inspire the suite’s guests.”
Key features include furniture and art that resonates with the designer and his eclectic taste. Several pieces can be found in Paul’s office at his Covent Garden HQ, such as Christopher Simon Sykes’ impressive photograph of Chatsworth House library and, notably, his 1970s leather desk chair by Mario Bellini. As another personal touch, Smith has selected a small library of art and design books for the room. Limited-edition prints from photographer Julian Broad, a friend of Paul’s who shot his wedding pictures, are also layered in the space together with a selection of soft furnishings, including blankets and cushions, from the fashion brand’s namesake homeware collection, which was released earlier in 2022.
Image credit: Rocco Forte Hotels
Several of Paul Smith’s notable collaborations feature heavily in the room, including sofas, tables and leather goods from his recent ‘Everyday Life’ collection with Italian luxury furniture company DePadova; Type 75 lamps from the longstanding partnership with British lighting brand Anglepoise; and checked wool blankets designed by Paul for design company Maharam.
Like all the best collaborations, the partnership came about naturally, through Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design Olga Polizzi, who is a long-time visitor to Paul Smith’s Albemarle Street shop. “It is exciting to have a Sir Paul Smith suite at Brown’s Hotel,” she added. “It is elegant, bright and happy and has a lovely sense of fun. The sitting room is full of interest with its wall of pictures, smart sofas and flamboyant cushions. The bedroom is strikingly different, with its sense of calm and space. He has caught the feeling of Brown’s Hotel, but with a Paul Smith twist.”
Image credit: Rocco Forte Hotels
Further references to the Albemarle Street flagship shop, which is located just metres away from the hotel, are dotted about the room. They include custom Paul Smith + The Rug Company rugs and a Maharam headboard, both of which feature a geometric pattern inspired by the building’s iconic iron façade.
Uniquely quirky details, such as the banana door handles, the fire ‘dogs’ (which have been custom made to resemble Homer, Paul’s first canine shopkeeper), a robot figurine made from a vintage camera, and the striped fireplace tiles, are abundant in the room, a reflection of Paul’s ‘classic with a twist’ philosophy and his trademark whimsical sense of humour.
Marrying the old with the new – Brown’s Hotel was first established in 1837 and is considered one of the oldest hotels in London – the new suite has breathed life and energy into the hotel by adding a touch of home into a hotel that has stood the test of time throughout many eras of hospitality.
EXCLUSIVE: Kickstarting Workspace Design Show, Editor Hamish Kilburn heads to the heart of all quality trade shows, the bar, to interview Holly Loft, Senior Designer at M Moser Associates, to explore the design narrative behind the show’s installation…
In and amongst new products, emerging trends and meaningful conversations, designers and architects visiting trade shows are thirsty to experience spaces that inspire, restore and recharge. This year at Workspace Design Show, that moment of calm has been designed by M Moser Associates – and it comes in the form and shape of the REVIVAL Bar.
The concept for the bar is simple: to reduce waste and repurpose materials by giving the items used a new lease of life – the bar has been designed to spark curiosity and conversation. And with that, I’m here – under the veil-like canopy – half an hour before the show officially opens to the public to meet Holly Loft, Senior Designer at M Moser Associates, to learn more about the studio’s vision of this temporary structure.
Hamish Kilburn: So Holly, why ‘REVIVAL’?
Holly Loft: Revival is the act of reinstating life or interest. We have taken a series of unused materials and applied them in a new context to extend the lifecycle.
HK: What came first, the lighting scheme or the materials?
HL: Our bar concept is based on our mission to be more sustainable, as such we only wanted to use materials our collaborators had in surplus to limit our environmental impact. We set out to source these first and then we used lighting as a tool to create dynamism and enhance and complement the other materials. This lead to a more curated atmosphere and experience.
Edward Williams has built the feature bar using leftover materials from other projects, including spare fabric tubes from Kvadrat. Silent Gliss has provided fabric made from pre-consumer waste, to create partitioning throughout the space, and Flokk has loaned us the furniture for the lounge side.
Each piece is crafted sustainably and has its own unique identity and story. Smile Plastics has provided plinths made from made from would-be waste, such as discarded chopping boards, cosmetics bottles and yogurt pots. Bolon has supplied sustainably crafted rugs for the lounge area. Current Affairs (CA) has gifted us the lighting, which includes a feature light above the bar, and will repurpose the lights for future client projects. Finally, Planteria has provided the planting to decorate the space and repurpose it for future projects.
“The two areas (bar and lounge) centre around two major concepts of flux and stasis – movement vs stationary and action vs conversation.” – Holly Loft, Senior Designer, M Moser Associates.
HK: How does this concept reflect where bar design is heading in the future?
HL: The bar design reinforces our climate mission to build to net zero. By working with our partners and peers to design and build responsibly and to help reduce waste.
Our concept reflects where the whole design industry is heading, by having a much more considered approach to the environmental impact of a design and the reusing of material where possible. The reuse of materials came first with the bar being moulded around this concept resulting in a less traditional design and thus challenging the relationship between service/customer.
HK: What is the feeling you are hoping to capture with this design?
HL: The bar is a key space activated throughout the day for interaction and conversation. The two areas (bar and lounge) centre around two major concepts of flux and stasis – movement vs stationary and action vs conversation. The aim is to provide a place of repose that is immersive, tactile, dynamic and environmentally considered through the reuse of materials. We want to leave people feeling inspired, curious and restored. As creators and designers, we are responsible for a large portion of the built environment. Our work needs to be a catalyst for conversation and evidence of change.
HK: You mention tactility – what was your aim here?
The aim was to create a space with different levels of tactility through the layering and the juxtaposition of hard and soft materials. Using tonal sourced materials in interesting ways to create two environments that speak to the ideas of flux and stasis – movement vs stationary, action vs conversation.
Hotel Designs is a proud Media Partner for Workspace Design Show. Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs, will be moderating the panel discussion on finding common ground between workspace, hospitality and residential in design, today at 15:20 over on the main stage.
Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort has a new look after a transformative renovation project that saw the entire space updated and refreshed. We stepped inside to take a look…
The St Lucian Windjammer Landing resort has opened its doors to reveal the new design and accommodation. Influenced by its Caribbean-meets-Mediterranean island setting, the resort’s new look blends nautical and coastal elements, utilising soft neutrals and pops of St. Lucia’s renowned blue hue. Renovations were completed in partnership with Apple and Iron Concepts and G&G Interiors. The firms were inspired by the resort’s stunning hillside location with a design that pays homage to the resorts origins, bringing a focus back to the serenity of the beach. Custom-made wood furnishings including mindi and teak are used throughout spaces to provide contrast and natural rope and rattan furnishings transform outdoor space into a chic oasis.
Image credit: Windjammer Landing
The lobby’s grand infrastructure featuring high vaulted ceiling beams and an open air concept has been re-envisioned as a space where guests can mingle and meet. Outfitted with grand chandeliers, contemporary furniture, marble floors, a new reception area, ambassadors lounge and a coffee bar by day/wine bar by night concept, the refreshed look will enhance the guest check-in experience and bring to life the heart of the resort.
Image credit: Windjammer Landing
Dubbed the Manor Collection, the resort’s newly revitalised luxury estate villas feature sweeping views of the cobalt Caribbean Sea perched at the top of the hillside, complete with in-ground pools. Among the collection is The Presidential Manor slated to be unveiled later this year, which will be the largest villa on site at more than 350 square metres, along with a swimming pool and adjunct living space perfect for extended family or friends.
Image credit: Windjammer Landing
Additionally, guests can now enjoy the newly built Ocean Point Residences featuring a mix of luxury two and three-bedroom beachfront villas. Each villa in this collection has multiple outdoor terraces, a private infinity pool, fully equipped kitchens and artwork showcasing Caribbean culture and landscape by local artists. The design continues the modern meets Mediterranean aesthetic where island vibes blend seamlessly with a luxurious escape. A new Ocean Point Club House has been designed as an exclusive lounge for Ocean Point Residence guests with a dedicated concierge desk and private check-in area.
Image credit: Windjammer Landing
Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort’s enhanced culinary programme led by Culinary Director Aurelien Duarte and Executive Chef Sebastian Francis boasts chic upgrades to design elements and refreshed menus for Papa Don’s, Jammers, Upper Deck and now Masala at Embers, serving up authentic Indian cuisine, led by Chef Vikrham Singh. Upscale dining at Upper Deck evokes a modern steakhouse vibe with moody accents including a soon-to-be unveiled wine lounge. Fire pits and sophisticated coastal furniture adorn the newly re-envisioned Jammers restaurant adding luxe touches to the beachside dining hot spot. Each restaurant supports St. Lucia’s local farmers and fishermen, serving up only the freshest of ingredients.
The renowned spa at Windjammer Landing has also been reimagined and is now branded the Serene Wellness & Spa, which compliments the wide range of balance-restoring rituals and treatments available to nurture both physical and spiritual routines. Stand-out packages include their holistic approach to detox and immunity featuring steps to transition to a healthier way of living. This year the spa plans to unveil the island’s first medi-spa with treatments at the forefront of anti-aging and rejuvenation.
With only a few days until the Workspace Design Show returns to London’s Business Design Centre, here is a sneak peek into what will be on the table…
The Workspace Design show 2023 will be bringing together a range of striking features with a thought-provoking programme of talks featuring a whole host of speakers from developers to architects and their blue-chip clients, along with accomplished exhibitors showcasing the latest workplace interiors innovations. All of this curated content aligns perfectly with the show’s theme, ‘Destination Workplace: Places Where People Want To Be’.
The four talk programmes that attendees can choose from are the Workspace Design Talks, bringing you insights on workplace strategy and design; FIS Conference, offering the latest from the finishes and interiors sector; The Occupiers Forum: The View from HQ, providing the perspectives from the all important Occupiers; and Sustainability Works, addressing the latest challenges in sustainability and ESG in our workplaces. Over 100 speakers will be debating these issues from companies such as tp bennett, American Express, Heatherwick Studio, Grimshaw, PLP Architecture, Jacobs, Unilever, PwC, Nokia, Legal & General, DWP and CBRE.
Image credit: Workspace Design Show
Visitors can listen to the leading architects, designers and occupiers talking about the latest trends, challenges and innovations within this year’s ‘Design Talks Lounge’. This has been curated by international furniture specialists, The Furniture Practice, in collaboration with multidisciplinary studio, Acrylicize. The Lounge will host the Workspace Design Talks across the two-day event, where leading voices at Perkins+Will, Foster & Partners, WeWork and more will debate the current themes shaping today’s work environments. The space will incorporate furniture by several iconic brands including Andreu World, Arper, Fredericia, Moroso and Vitra; while the stage will feature an immersive installation, designed by Acrylicize, celebrating material innovation in furniture and interior design with materials by Foresso, Kvadrat, Kvadrat Really and Autex. Flooring for the space will be provided by Tarkett.
‘Change by Design’ is a lounge space concept for the Workspace Design Show, carefully curated by BDP. It is a discussion piece surrounding the current climate crisis, and questions the impact of workplace design on the natural environment. It represents a problem-solving approach that showcases the use of recycled, reused and biomaterials in design projects helping to shape a low-carbon future.
Image credit: Workspace Design Show
On arrival, attendees will be met by the spectacular Destination Workplace Rebirth entrance, designed by the worldwide integrated architecture, design, planning, and consulting firm Gensler, along with design partners, AW Spaces, Acrylisize and Kvadrat. “We are inspired by how we can care for our planet and how we as designers can affect that through pioneering and sustainable design,” explained project leader Becky Spenceley, Design Director at Gensler. “It’s about fresh perspectives to enable new ways of working and create unique and tailored destinations.”
Image credit: Workspace Design Show
The popular first-night Workspace Design Show party, sponsored by FUTURE Designs, also returns on February 27th. A stunning bar designed by M Moser Associates provides a focal point on the show floor. The REVIVAL bar will be the place to inspire, network, restore and recharge show visitors throughout the day. The concept for this bar is inspired by the practice’s mission to reduce waste and repurpose discarded materials. The goal is to give these items a new lease of life, sparking curiosity and conversation. The space aims to take you from a state of flux to stasis.
Other features include The Mood Board Contest, and interactive opportunity for attendees to express their creative talents with Kvadrat products. Also, don’t miss the Bio Materials exhibition, designed by bio manufacturing company BIOHM. This will combine ideologies of the circular economy and human-centred design with future-tech, representing an exciting opportunity for visitors to discover advanced materials that will be crucial to the future of design.
Hotel Designs is a proud Media Partner for Workspace Design Show. Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs, will be moderating the panel discussion on finding common ground between workspace, hospitality and residential in design.
Saudi Arabia unveils plans for the Mukaab – a mega skyscraper in Riyadh
Just when we thought we had seen all that was possible in hotel development from the plans in Saudi Arabia, along comes the Mukaab, a huge cubic structure able to shelter 20 Empire State Buildings inside. The project is expected change the face and landscape of Riyadh with claims of it being one of the largest built structures in the world. Editor Hamish Kilburn and writer Pauline Brettall try to make sense of the renders…
Timid, Subtle and conventional, said nobody, ever, when describing the hotel development scene in Saudi Arabia. Wasting no time for the world to catch its breath since announcing that the country would welcome a 106-mile mirrored city that is roughly the size of Belgium, the government has once again made the impossible possible with the unveiling of its next headline-grabbing development. Cue the arrival of The Mukaab, which, from its dramatic renders, could easily be mistaken for a hotel development on Mars. The Mukaab will be built by the New Murabba Development Company (NMDC), a company that is owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and has been launched to develop the New Murabba Project.
Despite the sheer size of the development, which will shelter a plethora of hospitality and entertainment venues, The Mukaab will apparently be built around the ‘concept of sustainability’, featuring green areas and walking and cycling paths that will, according to the developers, ‘enhance the quality of life by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and community activities’. However, the structure of the Mukaab – and the materials needed to build it – may suggest otherwise. The development that is anything but low-key will, when it is built, one of the largest built structures in the world, standing 400 metres high, 400 metres wide and 400 metres long – the enormous cubic shape will be able to contain 20 Empire State Buildings.
But it’s not just about size. Inspired by the modern Najdi architectural style, which has its roots in the traditional architecture of the region, the Mukaab will be the world’s first immersive destination, offering an experience created by digital and virtual technology with the latest holographics. The structure will envelop two million square metres of floor space that will be premium hospitality real estate, with a multitude of retail, cultural and tourist attractions, along with residential and hotel units, commercial spaces and recreational facilities. In addition, it will shelter a museum, a technology and design university, a multipurpose immersive theatre and more than 80 entertainment and culture venues.
Image credit: NMDC
The Mukaab joins The Line by Neom as one of the Saudi Arabia government’s mega projects aimed to diversify the oil-dependant economy. Both projects claim green and sustainable credentials, which would still need to be substantiated as design and construction unfolds. What they have in common, though, is that both currently on-the-boards structures divide opinion. On the one hand, many admire the sheer scale and ambition of these developments, but it is precisely that scale and ambition that raises questions and criticism among others who have taken to social media to question the social, sustainable and ethically implications of such construction.
With the recent reports of development having started on The Line, it is clear that these are not simply renders and blue-sky thinking, but are instead projects that are putting down roots and preparing to change the skyline – and indeed the global hospitality landscape. Having put themselves directly in the design spotlight, what inevitably comes with all the drumrolls and attention is scrutiny. Whether concerning issues of human rights or environmental impact, all eyes will be on these hotel concept as they become reality – no amount of sustainable smoke and deflective mirrors will be able divert industry from seeking the truth.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the recent developments that have emerged in Saudi Arabia. Mention us on social media using the handle @HotelDesigns.
Tackling some hard-hitting questions around the future of water, GROHE will dedicate its GROHE X Summit – Caring for Water – to the one element we cannot live without…
When we use water, we tend to forget about the existential value it has and that it is not an infinite source that we can take for granted. That is why the GROHE X Summit which runs from March 7th – 9th 2023, will be focussing on water as a resource and the challenges that surround it.
Societies all over the world are facing numerous challenges such as water scarcity and climate change, that require knowledge-sharing, new ideas and innovative approaches combined with a large dose of pragmatism. During the GROHE X Summit, the brand will highlight the relevance and value of water within society by bringing the industry together to demonstrate that it needs an entire ecosystem to make positive change happen globally.
Image credit: GROHE
“We will look at water in the context of the key trends that shape our industry and the future of living: urbanisation, sustainability, as well as health and wellbeing,” said Jonas Brennwald, Leader, LIXIL EMENA. “We will ask ourselves, what does the future of living look like in a world that seems to spin faster than ever before? How can we contribute to more sustainable buildings? And, finally, what potential does water have as a new mindfulness experience.”
The GROHE X Summit invites participants to join the discussion in various formats. From practice-oriented masterclasses, thought-provoking panel discussions, to inspiring keynotes and fact snacks, the GROHE X digital experience hub caters to the diverse needs of the entire ecosystem the brand is looking to engage. The programme will be complemented by showcases of new GROHE products and technologies, providing the best possible support for a sustainable tomorrow.
Speakers and guests at the summit will include:
• Elina Hiltunen, The Futures Agency, will demonstrate how we can develop scenarios that show us future possibilities and suggest potential pathways. • Børge Ousland, Norwegian adventurer and polar explorer, will share with us how he observes climate change and its effects during his expeditions. • Beth Healey, Researcher for the European Space Agency, will present her findings on humanity’s dependence on water. • Thomas Rau, founder of Turntoo and RAU architects; Anne-Vera Deinhammer, Director for Circular Cities & Regions, Circular Economy Forum Austria; and Gerhard Sturm, Leader Commercial Development, LIXIL EMENA, will discuss how we need to build for a sustainable tomorrow. • Tina Norden, Principal, Conran and Partners; Rhael “LionHeart” Cape, Spoken Word Artist; Dr. Alan Dilani, Founder, International Academy for Design and Health; and Karl Lennon, Leader Projects Channel A&D, LIXIL EMENA, will look at the healing power of architecture.
GROHE is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
The fourth series of DESIGN POD, the podcast for all architecture and design enthusiasts, is about to drop eight new episodes. Bathroom brand Geberit has come onboard as the series sponsor to support each episode that will cover topics from designing in the metaverse, circadian lighting, designing in (and with) nature and more. Editor Hamish Kilburn, host of DESIGN POD, shares his thoughts on the series, which goes live next week…
The mantra that has kept the editorial team on its toes, ever since I began my editorship almost five years ago, has been to ‘create conversations that are unlike any other’. This intention – this pledge, if you like – has ensured that our editorial focus at Hotel Designs remains on providing readers, and now listeners, with authentic content that is both educational and entertaining. DESIGN POD, which has, over three series now, become one of the most respected podcasts among the design and architecture community, was born out of that clear vision. Each episode is moulded around a special guest, with the purpose to scratch beneath the surface of that particular topic to uncover new conversations and points of view that will, we hope, continue around and beyond the arena.
Episodes in the fourth chapter of DESIGN POD, sponsored by bathroom brand Geberit, will drop bi-monthly. The series will welcome designers and architects at the top of their game to explore topics such that are helping to shape a new era in design, architecture and hospitality – think lighting, biophilic design, the social impacts of sustainability, sensory design, wellness and even the metaverse. Here’s a sneak peek on what to expect in the coming eight episodes.
The series will start with episode 27 that will explore ‘sustainability in materials’ with Richard Holland, Co-Founder and Director of Holland Harvey Architects. In addition to understanding the environmental aspect of designing consciously, Holland and I discuss the social impact of meaningful design and architect, which is the mindset that the architecture studio is built on. What’s more, in the interview we touch on how one client, Inhabit Hotels, with the same social conscience as the architecture studio, allowed Holland and his team to research new ways to preserve materials from a building and integrate them into the hotel brand’s recent renovation, using new methods following meaningful collaborations.
Episode 28 will welcome Mark Tweedale and Michael Curry, both from DPA Lighting, onto the podcast to put circadian lighting under the spotlight. At the heart of the conversation, and the topic, will be the question whether circadian lighting in design will change the game in wellness and hospitality or break the bank and become another gimmick that will continue to be stripped out at value engineering stages of projects. In the episode, with the aim to understand the qualities and opportunities around reflecting nature in lighting and design, the leading lighting designers will be pressed on the results of ongoing research around circadian lighting, to understand how the technology can be subtly introduced into future interior spaces.
Very much inspired by the episode with Tweedale and Curry, episode 29 will capture how designers can stimulate wellness. Wren Loucks, Founder of Be-Kin, will join the podcast to talk about wellness through sensory design. Following an editorial series with Hotel Designs, and contributing in Geberit’s Guest Report 2023, the conversation with Loucks will include references to her latest research, as well as an honest and compassionate look back at what inspired the designer to carve out her niche in the interior design industry that has allowed her to question, and to an extent redefine, expressions around luxury, wellness and wellbeing.
From amplifying sensory design in episode 29 to designing spaces that have no latitude or longitude, episode 30 will be all about taking the conversation around the metaverse to the extreme. Having already purchased property and designed experiences in the virtual world, Pallavi Dean, Founder of Roar, will make her debut onto the podcast with the aim to straighten out some of the misconceptions around the metaverse, and explore how a virtual world could not just work in harmony with physical hospitality but actually enhance it.
Bringing listeners back to earth – specially to the plains of Africa – episode 31 of DESIGN POD will check in to Great Plains safari camps that have been designed not just in nature, but around it. Dereck Joubert, together with his wife Beverly, were (and still are) wildlife photographers and videographers working for the likes of National Geographic when they set up their safari camps with the sole purpose to fund their wildlife conservation work and educate high-net-worth travellers and influencers on the need to protect Africa’s fragile eco system.
The episode will welcome Dereck on the podcast to explore the wild design schemes. For each camp, the couple’s approach is the same; to camp out under the stars and allow the inspiration for the design narrative to naturally appear. As well as talking about all things design, the episode also amplifies what fuels the duo’s work. There is perhaps no better example of the human-centric approach than when Beverly suffered from life-threatening injuries after being hit by a water buffalo while out exploring – Dereck, who suffered from a broken pelvis and rib fractures from fighting off the buffalo, recalls her ‘dying in his arms’ three times. When recovering in ICU, Beverly, who had became aware of the lack of opportunities among the women who were caring for her at that time, and decided to, from her hospital bed, setup a charity to support women like those who compassionately nursed her back to health.
Episode 32 will take listeners across to Toronto to meet Alessandro Munge, Founder of Studio Munge. The designer, who has helped to transform spaces, which is the theme of the episode, around the world, was my guest on the Travel By Design podcast, by Marriott, where we explored the fabrics and design story inside Muir Halifax, Autograph Collection. On DESIGN POD, my aim was to start where we left off from that meaningful episode to understand more about Munge’s approach to projects and how he has helped brands, through clever and social design, to amplify perhaps a different side of their personality.
Back in London, episode 33 will focus on net-zero and what that means in design. To remove the layers around what it takes to be a ‘net-zero design studio’, the podcast will welcome Neil Andrew, Head of Hospitality at Perkins&Will, and recent winner of The Eco Award at The Brit List Awards 2022, to explore materials, protocols and purpose-driven collaboration. The conversation will be centred around how the design, architecture and hospitality industry can more towards a future rejects products, elements and manufacturing methods that require high embodied carbon.
To conclude the series, episode 34 will have a little fun, and will explore unconventional narratives in design with special guest John Williams who is the Founder at SpaceInvader. As well as taking a look at the people and projects that have helped to define SpaceInvader as a leading interior design studio, including WILDES Chester, Tribe Hotel Malta and Oddfellows on the Park Cheadle in Manchester, the episode also throws it back to Williams’ somewhat unorthodox launch into the industry as a studio owner.
Series four of DESIGN POD, sponsored by Geberit and produced by Mel Yates, is available to listen to wherever you get your podcasts – just search ‘DESIGN POD’. Each episode, which will drop every two weeks, will be teased and available to listen to on Hotel Designs.
Main image credit: Holland Harvey Architects, DPA Lighting, Be-Kin, Roar, Great Plains Conservation, Studio Munge, Perkins&Will, SpaceInvader.
The opening of a 184-key hotel in the heart of Toronto marks the Canopy by Hilton brand’s Canadian debut. Inside, the hotel, designed by Studio Munge, shelters chic spaces, locally inspired cuisine and ‘superb amenities’…
For a brand like Canopy by Hilton, which is known for its local feel – where the role of design comes to the forefront to enhance the brand as well as the location’s personality and soul – each opening is like making a pledge to the hotel’s neighbourhood. The fairly new brand, which currently has 27 properties in 10 countries worldwide, has just reached a milestone after opening its first hotel in Canada.
Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville, a boutique hotel with a bold personality that has been born from an agreement between Hilton, Easton’s Group of Hotels and The Gupta Group, has just emerged in Toronto’s most prominent neighbourhoods. “With its premium location, the hotel will bring a unique blend of sophistication, convenience and urban living,” said Reetu Gupta, ambassadress, The Gupta Group and Easton’s Group of Hotels. “Nestled between the picturesque Yorkville neighbourhood and the wooded Rosedale neighbourhood, Canopy Toronto Yorkville offers guests an exciting new way to experience the city.”
Image credit: Hilton Hotels
With design led by Toronto-based Studio Munge, the 184-key hotel celebrates the best of the neighbourhood through thoughtful and authentic design. Canopy Central, the hotel lobby, welcomes guests with layered interiors, curved edges and organic motifs complemented by an impressive local art collection.
In a nod to its unique location between bustling Yorkville and forested Rosedale, the property pairs oak features with copper accents to highlight the unique connection between nature and cosmopolitan life. ‘Just-Right’ guestrooms also incorporate the brand’s iconic canopy bed and inviting warmth while public areas include a sleek indoor pool, a modern fitness centre incorporating local street art, a transfer lounge and 325 square metres of meeting space.
Under the leadership of Justin Raponi, executive chef and lead culinary enthusiast, Canopy Toronto Yorkville will boast two on-site dining options. Día serves as a gathering place to enjoy seasonal fare and eclectic wines and spirits.Día offers a variety of dishes including memorable cheeses, Roman-style pizza and more.
Image credit: Hilton Hotels
For lighter fare, Virtu Café & Provisions fosters a strong connection with the surrounding neighbourhoods and the entire city. Opening a few months after Canopy Toronto Yorkville’s debut, the hotel’s all-day café will serve purposefully sourced, locally inspired dishes and foster a connection with the community.
Canopy by Hilton continues to expand internationally, growing as a sophisticated boutique lifestyle brand that provides guests and locals a place in the neighbourhood to relax and recharge in comfortable spaces and surrounded by an energising atmosphere. Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville is, from design to warm hospitality, no exception to those values.
The new-build 532-key hotel from NH Collection is located shoreside on the trunk of the renowned Palm Jumeirah with direct access to West Palm Beach and spectacular views across the Dubai skyline. The property features 226 hotel guestrooms and suites in addition to 306 studios and apartments across 11 room categories. The bold, original décor is upbeat and playful, mixing splashes of authentic local character reflecting the vibrancy of the destination. Higher room categories, including the Premium Sea View Room, the One Bedroom Sea View Suite, and Superior One Bedroom Sea View Apartment, all offer captivating views of the Dubai Marina skyline and Arabian Gulf.
Image credit: NH Collection
The property has five distinctive dining venues, al set to become favourites with guests, Dubai residents, and visitors alike. Maiora serves dishes from around the world for all-day dining, including the renowned NH Collection breakfast, while Revo Café is a chic urban hangout where chefs craft creative and healthy dishes. Té Lounge is for those needing refreshment after the gym or a light, healthy bite and Seven Sports Bar provides an informal setting to watch the big game over classic snacks and drinks. Launching soon will be SEEN Restaurant and Bar, a modern multi-sensory rooftop venue with spectacular sunset views and expertly mixed cocktails. SEEN can be found in multiple locations in Europe, South America and Asia, with further additions to the brand launching soon in Europe.
Image credit: NH Collection
Image credit: NH Collection
Sustainability is a driving force at NH Collection Dubai The Palm and the property has been designed to minimise environmental impact. The hotel has its own water plant, solar panels are used to generate hot water and condensed water from the air conditioning system, which is then used for irrigation. Room amenities are vegan and sustainable with a diligent effort made to reduce and recycle waste. Initiatives to launch later in the year include an onsite apiary, a hydroponic farm within the hotel and a community market.
For those planning meetings and events, the hotel offers five bright spaces fitted with the latest technology and ready to cater for up to 45 people. Ideally situated on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah, guests have easy access to all the attractions of The Palm, Downtown Dubai, and the leisure districts of JBR and Dubai Marina and Dubai Old Town, and business zones.
From soaking up the mesmerising city views whilst taking a dip in the hotel’s spectacular temperature-controlled rooftop infinity pool, to pumping up at the fully equipped gym or unwinding with a massage, NH Collection Dubai The Palm offers guests a sophisticated place to deeply rejuvenate the senses. The hotel will also soon launch its own beach club adjacent to the hotel on West Palm Beach.
Recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site, San Miguel de Allende is known for its rich cultural and architectural exchange in Mexico and beyond and the name NUMU comes straight from the years of history and cultural exchange that influenced San Miguel de Allende, inspired by train tracks combining the letters N-U-M-U. The opening of NUMU Boutique Hotel marks the second hotel within the Hyatt portfolio in Mexico, following the recent opening of Rancho Pescadero in Baja California Sur, Mexico.
“It’s truly a remarkable feeling to officially open our doors and introduce The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand to San Miguel de Allende”, said Guillermo Valencia, General Manager of NUMU Boutique Hotel. “We look forward to providing independent-minded guests an authentic, thought-provoking experience as they immerse themselves in the rich culture of this charming city that will inspire memories for years to come.”
Designed by Mexican architecture firm Artigas Arquitectos, NUMU Boutique Hotel offers 44 luxury guestrooms including four suites carefully designed with the destination in mind. Guests will find modern sophistication celebrating the spirit of San Miguel de Allende throughout the hotel, with each room boasting a private terrace or balcony overlooking either the interior garden or the beautiful cobblestone streets.
Image credit: Hyatt
The hotel’s Nubye Spa offers experiences balancing ancient rituals and advanced therapeutic modalities. The spa offers a wide variety of treatments and body wraps, sports and personalised prenatal massages, along with facials and beauty treatments. Nubye Spa also features three treatment rooms, a full-service beauty salon and a fully equipped fitness centre. After a spa experience, guests can take in sweeping views of the city at the hotel’s rooftop pool and sun deck.
Image credit: Hyatt
NUMU is also home to two restaurants – one on the ground floor and another on the rooftop – each created especially for the hotel using local ingredients and authentic cultural traditions. Located in the main courtyard, guests and locals can enjoy a menu of gourmet Mexican influences with vegetarian options at El Fogón de Don Enrique. The hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Maura, mesa de sal, offers guests exquisite cuisine of the land and sea with flavours that will transport guests to south eastern Mexico as they enjoy panoramic views of the city.
And at the end of the day, indulge in signature cocktails including mezcal forward offerings like ‘Poema Otomí’, composed of mezcal, ginger and lemon juice and ‘Na’Ha’ with mezcal, passion fruit, guava, lime juice and avocado leaf bitters. Both cocktails will go hand in hand with the unbeatable 360-degree views of San Miguel de Allende.
The agreement that Marriott International has just signed will see the debut of Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Executive Apartments brands in Suzhou, China…
“Under the ‘Brand + Destination’ development strategy — matching destinations with brand debuts and entries, we are delighted to announce the new signings with Suzhou Chunji Real Estate Development,” said Gavin Yu, Chief Development Officer, Greater China, Marriott International. “The dual-branded properties will cater to the growing guest demand for differentiated experiences.”
The two complex properties, planned to open at the end of 2024 and in the middle of 2025, respectively, will join the 15 other hotels that sit under the Marriott umbrella in Suzhou, across eight brands, including W Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Renaissance Hotels, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton, Element by Westin, Courtyard by Marriott, and Fairfield by Marriott.
Suzhou is home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, and Humble Administrator’s Garden. All are located in close proximity to China Central Place, Suzhou, a newly built, mixed-use development that will bring together hotels, residences, retail, and offices. The development, of which the two new properties will serve as key components, is conveniently situated within walking distance to the Shilu Subway Station.
Image credit: Marriott International
The Ritz-Carlton, Suzhou is expected to open in December 2024, setting a new benchmark in the luxury hospitality sector featuring the brand’s renowned service. Designed by Remedios Studio, an internationally acclaimed interior design firm, the hotel plans to feature 190 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites. The hotel is set to offer a range of dining options including a specialty restaurant with an open kitchen, a Chinese restaurant, a destination bar, and a lobby lounge. Plans for recreational amenities will include an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, and signature Ritz-Carlton Spa with four treatment rooms. In addition, the hotel is expected to offer 735 square metres of well-equipped conference and event facilities, including a 508-square-metre ballroom.
Set to open in June 2025, Marriott Executive Apartments Suzhou aims to meet travellers’ long-stay lodging needs by providing an elevated serviced apartment experience. The new property is anticipated to shelter 270 modern residential apartments – offering space, ambience, and the privacy of residential living, enabling a comfortable stay away from home. It is slated to feature spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with separate sleeping, living, and working areas. Additional planned facilities include a 31-square-metre meeting room, as well as the Residents Lounge, a cosy space that serves breakfast and evening cocktails, allowing guests to work, socialise and unwind.
LedsC4 unveils new decorative lighting innovations
The new designs from LedsC4 offer greater design customisation with options for a limitless creative experience…
New look, new lights – LedsC4 is launching its new catalogue to coincide with its change of visual identity, a creative project that bears the mark of the Mucho studio with artistic direction from interior designer Isern Serra. The collection opens a new door for designers to create uniqueness in every setting, unlocked by diverse materials and with a multidimensional vision, from walls to ceilings, to autonomous and portable designs.
Image credit: LedsC4
Image credit: LedsC4
Levels consists of three blown-glass bodies of different sizes that can be combined, providing a huge range of options. The colour palette features three colours, and each measurement has a different transparency (70, 50 or 30 per cent opacity, in colours amber, green or smoked). The luminaire is a creation by Nahtrang Studio and is based on a simple design that can be easily integrated into a great number of settings, whether contract or housing projects. The four designs – pendant, ceiling, table and floor lamp – are available in three sizes and three different finishes.
Image credit: LedsC4
The Geometric collection, designed by Benedito Design, emerged as an extension of the Circular collection by LedsC4. This is an elegant, subtle profile with more options for shapes and geometries. A wider range with straight sections and angles that make it possible to create new square, triangular and rectangular shapes. It offers a wide range of compositional possibilities, making it possible to achieve truly unique effects both in residential and in contract settings — offices, hotels, retail, equipment.
Image credit: LedsC4
Tubs Modular is the most decorative facet of the Tubs collection and now offers more solutions for architects and interior designers to explore the bounds of their own creativity or that of their clients. Thanks to the virtual configurator developed by LedsC4, it is possible to create without limits and fine tune the final shape and style that best fits each project. New tubes, tracks, connectors and decorative accessories in different shapes — spherical, cylindrical or tubular — in transparent glass, opal glass or honeycomb panel. Tubs is a design by Nahtrang Studio.
Image credit: LedsC4
Spark is a design by Joel Karlsson that highlights the simplicity and versatility of a Nordic design. Karlsson was inspired by the most primitive concept to ignite light, the spark. From there, he worked on different aspects and compositions that play in the space, until coming up with three volumes of high-quality blown glass in different sizes. These three volumes create textures and compositions on walls and ceilings. Individual options or standard combinations with an understated black profile creating the perfect nexus. The measurements of the glass volumes come in different heights and diameters.
Portobello is a standout within portable lamps for its functional design, its lightness thanks to its plastic body and, most notably, its customisation possibilities. It comes in two standard colours, but with the door open to full customisation to the customer’s liking. It is durable for use in outdoor spaces, although being a multifunctional design it is also perfectly suited to indoor settings. This luminaire is a design by Nahtrang Studio that is inspired by Portobello mushrooms, hence not only its name but also its structure with a base and ‘hat’. Other noteworthy features include its nine hours of autonomy at 100 per cent intensity, built-in USB charging input that blends in seamlessly with the harmony of its design and shape, as well as the possibility of adjusting it with three touches for dimming options.
Image credit: LedsC4
The success of good design also lies in simplicity and Bloom is a minimalist wall light featuring an opal white blown-glass shade crowning a black profile that lends the final composition elegance and uniqueness. It is also possible to rotate it until in a horizontal position. Nahtrang Studio was inspired by a flower blooming to create this graceful luminaire — hence its name — like a chalice bringing beauty and luminosity. It is suitable as a decorative wall light in all types of rooms, including bathrooms, thanks to its IP44 rating.
Designed by Francesc Vilaró, the Noway Pole is possibly the most elegant version of the Noway family. The sophisticated new floor lamp has a pole pendant to compete with the most cherished classics. Featuring a painstaking attention to detail with its monochrome cable and adjustment clip, the design improves the height adjustment options of this type of standing luminaire thanks to the small optional adjustment clip on the pole itself.
LedsC4 is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Duravit focuses on sustainable and durable materials
Duravit is constantly researching innovative and ecological materials to help reduce CO2 emissions to enable durable and sustainable products to be manufactured. We take a look below the surface of things to find out just how this is done…
With responsibility to the environment, employees and future generations always at the forefront of its designs and bathroom innovations, Duravit walks us through the materials and products that address the concerns of sustainability and durability in the realm of bathroom design.
Ceramic sanitary products are unquestionably among the most durable and robust of all, being easy to care for, resistant, scratch-proof, and heat-proof. The use of natural raw materials in the manufacturing processes includes clay, kaolin, quartz, and feldspar, all of which are available globally. This means that Duravit’s international manufacturing sites can source and process the basic materials from their own regions. The shorter transport routes reduce CO2 emissions, whilst guaranteeing secure, stable and local sourcing of raw materials.
Image credit: Duravit
The DuraCeram material used by Duravit is testament to how high design standards and sustainability can be combined. Conventional bathroom ceramic has a wall thickness of 12 to 14 mm, but DuraCeram offers a thinner wall without sacrificing strength. The delicate design of the washbasins means they are 28 per cent lighter, further reducing the consumption of raw materials. DuraCeram has enabled Duravit to save an average of around 60 tonnes of raw materials each year since 2016.
Image credit: Duravit
DuroCast Nature is another brand innovation that sees Duravit take a pioneering role in recyclable materials, as the mineral material is made from polyurethane mixed with marble powder and sealed with a gelcoat surface. This composition gives the material excellent properties making it robust, UV-resistant, easy to clean, with maximum anti-slip properties on the matt surfaces. It is perfect to use in the bathroom, which is why Duravit has developed Sustano, its first recyclable shower tray. Thanks to a low weight, Sustano shower trays are lighter to transport, which in turn helps reduce CO2 emissions, and at the end of their useful life, the DuroCast Nature shower trays can be returned to Duravit or a local recycling centre. In keeping with the life-cycle principle they can then be made into new shower trays, or processed for other industrial purposes.
Image credit: Duravit
The bathroom is a challenging place for wood as a raw material as temperature fluctuations and the prevalence of moisture place a great strain on the material. Because of this, the bathroom furniture made by Duravit attaches great importance to surface treatment, as ultimately, a sealed surface is crucial for bathroom furniture to prevent moisture from getting into the wood. A high quality finish ensures the products durability. Quality is a key factor in the process and is integrated at every step, from the moment the raw materials are selected through to delivery to the Schenkenzell site where Duravit’s bathroom furniture is manufactured. The production process here is PEFC-certified and this quality seal ensures sustainable forestry.
Duravit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Six Senses Rome is preparing to open its doors onto the Piazza di San Marcello. With interiors by Patricia Urquiola, it is a clear case of modernity meets classicism in the heart of the city…
Slated to open in March, Six Senses Rome will be the first Six Senses property to open in Italy. The hotel will shelter 95 distinct guestrooms and suites, a spa, restaurant, events terrace, outdoor courtyard garden and rooftop terrace with a 360-degree view of the city and its monuments. Located in the Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, originally built in the 18th century, the interior design is by Patricia Urquiola, who, mindful of the building’s authentic heritage, has created a design that sensitively fuses a contemporary vision of hospitality behind the UNESCO listed façade.
Image credit: Six Senses
On entering the Palazzo, the lobby represents all the elements of Urquiola’s unique design vision. Guests are greeted in the grand, spacious space adorned with plants, complete with show-shopping travertine fixtures, whilst the space is magnified by the five main arched portals. Under the striking, centre-piece chandelier, lies the table sculpture with classical features. The base of the table is a sculpture by contemporary artist Paolo Giordano representing Janus, the god of all beginnings, with two faces. Janus is the ancient Roman god who looked into the past and future. Placed at the hotel’s entrance, the sculpture looks towards the historic Piazza di San Marcello, and to the future, the hotel’s gallery. The gallery’s artwork is a symbol of the Six Senses project, celebrating the past with its classicism meeting the innovation of the future.
Image credit: Six Senses
The ground floor is dedicated to the BIVIUM restaurant and bar, which has been designed to replicate a Roman ‘piazza’. Here lies further references to Latin classicism within the floor mosaics which take their cue from a 2nd century B.C. mosaic preserved in the Vatican Museums. The mosaic celebrates the ancient tradition during the banquets of Imperial Rome where uneaten food, such as fruit, fish bones, chicken bones, and shells, were left on the floor. These remembrances of dinner leftovers create a decorative theme of the restaurant floors and celebrate the beauty of nature, the poetry of conviviality and the pleasure of dining.
Image credit: Six Senses
Located on the first floor, Six Senses Spa and Roman baths will play an integral role as a sanctuary of wellness for guests enjoying the city’s sights, nights and delights. With its calming atmosphere and contemporary design, the spa will house a range of treatment rooms, a fitness centre and relaxation areas. The spa design features recurring depictions of the Apollo and Daphne myth which tells how Eros had caught Apollo with one of his arrows, making him fall madly in love with the nymph Daphne, who was finally transformed into Laurel. References to the mythology run through the design with representations of Laurel within the Roman mosaic medallion in the spa, in the retail area, and in the treatment rooms. On the walls of the wet area, a bas-relief portrays the nymph’s transformation into laurel tree, while the artwork portrays hands transforming into flowers and leaves.
Image credit: Six Senses
The central floors house the guestrooms and suites, many with notably high ceilings and each with its own key feature, staying true to how Six Senses likes to keep things original. The guestrooms combine contemporary design alongside traditional features with the use of traditional cocciopesto plaster and Travertine limestone. The patterns and the graphic design elements combine with suspended plants and natural light, focusing on well-being and sustainability through the introduction of biophilic elements. The rooms feature diptychs by South Korean artist T-Yong Chung. These works represent a modern look at classical Roman statues. T-Yong does a formal alteration of the images he produces, creating a sense of incompleteness and disconnection from reality.
Image credit: Six Senses
The crowning glory of the property is the large rooftop terrace with panoramic views, complete with an organic fruit, vegetable and herb garden, creating a secret garden escape unlike any other in the heart of Rome. The rooftop terrace and restaurant caters to all-day tastes from Ashtanga at sunrise to an Italian-style aperitivo at sundown, all while having the historical centre of Rome at your feet.
There is an overwhelmingly positive vibe coming out of Australia. With this in mind, we caught up with our Asia Pacific industry barometer, Xander Okhuizen, Founder of Modieus, who has his finger firmly on the Asia Pacific industry pulse and shares his thoughts on ‘Aussie positivity’…
With Modieus rolling out the carpets in key hotel and hospitality projects across Australia, the brand has a sixth sense when it comes to industry developments and shifts in the marketplace. In January, JP Morgan reported that business leaders across Australia are cautiously optimistic about the economy and according to their 2023 Business Leaders Outlook survey, almost 60 per cent have a positive outlook about the national economy. Alongside this, JLL Hotels and Hospitality Australian Operator Sentiment Survey in October 2022 reported hotel operators are optimistic for the year ahead. But with unemployment at an all-time low, there are concerns over labour shortages.
“I am seeing Aussie positivity every day,” agrees Xander Okhuizen, Founder, Modieus. “I am relieved that China has finally opened its borders. International students are returning to Australian campuses en masse, as face to face learning starts on March 1. Melbourne Airport is hiring additional 2,000 staff to deal with influx in tourists.”
Image credit: Modieus
Education is one of Australia’s largest exports, and early indicators reveal that this could be a blockbuster year, possibly even eclipsing the 2019 record of $40 billion in export revenue, resulting in education being Australia’s third largest export. “Indian, Sri Lankan and Chinese students are back,” continued Okhuizen. “They need accommodation, they will spend money on food, but they also do a lot of jobs Aussies do not like to do, such as working in petrol stations and housekeeping roles. Backpackers are also returning, which is important as they support a lot of agricultural jobs such as fruit picking. Commodities are booming and I see inflation has peaked at 7.4 per cent and is dropping.”
It is true that Australia’s labour market is arguably operating at levels beyond full capacity with an unemployment rate of 3.4 per cent. This unique situation has not been seen for decades, where there is almost a job available for every person that is looking for one. The tight labour market conditions are helping wage growth to pick up. Okhuizen reports that all hotels in Melbourne are fully booked for F1 races starting on April 2, so we asked him to share a couple of the company’s latest projects.
Image credit: voco Melbourne
Modieus supplied the newly opened voco Melbourne Central hotel. The carpets and rugs are as stunning as the spectacular views from the guestrooms. The hotel is moments away from Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central Station, and the Emporium with a fuss-free check-in in the sky lobby on level six. A perfect place to relax, socialise and enjoy yourself.
Image credit: voco Melbourne
Image credit: voco Melbourne
The carpets in the reimagined and revitalised iconic The Royce Hotel – which is set to open this spring – are another Modieus project. Inspired by the golden age of hotels, it is a luxury escape where opulence is expected, indulgence encouraged and the fabulous celebrated. Once Melbourne’s original luxury automobile showroom and now a boutique hotel, the building’s indulgent historical origins are on full display. From the grand marble-tiled staircase in the lounge, to the splashes of chrome, this is a new era of glamour for The Royce.
Image credit: voco Melbourne”The world is open again,” reflected Okhuizen. “Japan is busy, Dubai is very busy, airports are busy – I see a lot of positivity. I agree not in Europe yet, but the rest of the world is picking up, so as an international business I am grateful for that. And back home, there is genuine ‘Aussie Positivity’, we are expanding our team further in Queensland and putting in more resource in NSW.”
It is wonderful to see hospitality thriving, as Australia as appears to be it is in its own microclimate. The global economic landscape however was less positive at the end of 2022 than it was at the beginning of the year. Although the high degree of optimism that the global economy would bounce back strongly after a tough couple of years has now been displaced by high inflation, tightening monetary policy, rising energy costs and sharply declining consumer confidence, there remain pockets of positivity, of which it would appear, Australia is one.
Modieus is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Traditional British bathroom brand, Burlington, has added two new colours to its hero collection, Bespoke by Burlington…
Bespoke by Burlington is a unique edit of hand-decorated and coloured ceramics. Offering the next level of customisation in bathroom design, it draws inspiration from fashion, nature, and famous eras of design. The iconic collection provides a twist on traditional bathroom design, replacing classic white with covetable colours, floral patterns, and unique personalisation.
Taking its cue from the decorated and coloured ceramics of bygone eras, the range includes intricate hand-illustrated patterns and designs, along with a trademark colour palette that references the past, while still making a strong contemporary statement. The Art Deco, Floral, Seascape and Cityscape collections, along with the bold and captivating shades of the Confetti Pink, Alaska Blue and Moon Grey ceramics offer designers the opportunity to deliver truly unique projects, and the addition of two new colours broadens Burlington’s portfolio whilst remaining true to its Edwardian roots.
Image credit: Burlington
Image credit: Burlington
Two new ceramic colours will join the Bespoke by Burlington collection, Enchanted Blue and Cosmic Green. Enchanted Blue reimagines Clair De Lune Blue, a colour celebrated in luxe 1930s bathrooms. It is a soft powder blue ceramic that delivers style and serenity to any space. Cosmic Green draws inspiration from the fashionable mint green bathrooms of the 1950s, expressing charm and versatility, and complementing a range of bathroom styles and designs.
Both Enchanted Blue and Cosmic Green are available across a range of Burlington’s bestselling Edwardian basins, as well as a comprehensive collection of WCs. Each piece is made to order by skilled craft workers in Staffordshire, England, using the finest materials.
Burlington is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
An icon in the making: inside Soho House Manchester
Soho House has spilled the tea – its first Northern house, Soho House Manchester, will be located within the iconic old Granada Studios in the heart of the city. But that’s not all – here’s what else we know…
Opening this year, Soho House Manchester will mark the group’s first steps into the Northern hospitality landscape. The new house, expected to open this year, will include everything (and more) members have come to expect, including a rooftop pool, a luxury fitness suite, a diner-style restaurant, event space and workspaces.
Image credit: Soho House
The city’s rich music and arts scene, as well as its thriving community of creative industries, has made Manchester one of the most desired hospitality hotspots in the UK. In 2022, it was reported by Business Traveller that there are approximately 7,800 new hotel rooms in the pipeline across Greater Manchester over the next five years.
With location playing a major role in the Soho House’s success – it currently has seven properties in London alone – the group decided that Manchester’s latest private members’ club should be located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Spinningfields, which is already home to some of the city’s finest and most-popular restaurants and bars. The building itself that will shelter the new house is the former Granada TV studios, which has been converted into a mixed-use destination.
Image credit: Soho House
The signature interior design scheme – luxury, moody and residential – will compliment and make nods to the history and heritage of the architecture. From the drawings that have been released, the public areas will be adorned with natural stone and layered with sumptuous furniture items, statement lighting and indoor plants.
In true Soho House style, many of details surrounding the hub in Manchester are still under lock and key. However, it has been confirmed that the venue will takeover three floors at the top of the warehouse-style building, two of which will comprise of the members’ club, overlooking a rooftop pool and outdoor terrace. On the first floor, an extensive members’ gym will include a free weights area, boxing zone, studio space, steam, sauna and an outdoor terrace.
So far, two F&B outlets have been mentioned, including the brand’s in-house Italian, Cecconi’s, and Mollie’s Motel & Diner, which will operate next door.
Manchester will be Mollie’s most ambitious launch to date. Mollie’s Manchester will offer carefully designed accommodation boasting upwards of 130 rooms, from £110 for a double room per night, including a large apartment, a selection of large suites and studios, bunk rooms and family rooms. There will be a 150-plus cover diner-style restaurant, large cocktail bar with live music and private event spaces, lounge bar and deli, private workspace and an outdoor heated terrace, across seven floors. The top three floors of the building will boast Manchester’s very own Soho House, swimming pool and club.
Image caption: Room inside Mollie’s Motel & Diner in Oxfordshire. | Image credit: Soho House
Manchester’s arrival as well as the opening of Soho House Brighton last year are clear indications that Soho House continues to be committed into hotel development outside of London. The group, which has properties in more than 38 locations across the globe is about to expand further in territories, such as Miami, Bangkok and Mexico City.
Fairfield by Marriott unlocks rural Japan with seven new openings
The Fairfield by Marriott ‘Michi-no-Eki’ project aims to facilitate access to many of Japan’s off-the-beaten-path attractions, offering a comforting hotel experience along the country’s expressways and the latest openings unlock access to picturesque volcanic landscapes and historic gems of Japan’s southern regions…
Fairmont by Marriott has announced that it will open seven new properties by the end of the year. The anticipated openings will swell the ranks of the existing portfolio of 22 Fairfield by Marriott properties in Japan. The new hotels will be located along national roadside rest areas in the prefectures of Hyogo, Kagoshima, Okayama, Saga, Kumamoto, and Fukuoka in the southern region of Japan, where travellers can discover hidden cultural and historical gems.
“We are thrilled to expand the brand in Asia with seven new Fairfield hotels expected to open in Japan this year,” said Diane Mayer, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, Classic Select Brands, Marriott International. “Fairfield is celebrated with a unique legacy in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio and we look forward to delivering the promise of warm hospitality and inviting experiences for guests who are discovering up-and-coming destinations across Japan.”
Fairfield by Marriott was created on the principles of warmth, comfort and simplicity. The brand was inspired by the Fairfield Farm at the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in the U.S. for its breath-taking natural sights and sounds, a restorative place that represents simplicity, balance and a comfortable way of life. The calm aesthetics, warm colour palettes and straightforward design philosophy uses a combination of natural materials and tones to represent the connection between the outdoors and indoors, paying tribute to the brand’s origins in the Fairfield Farm. Guestrooms range in size from 21 to 25 square metres and feature complimentary Wi-Fi and a space-saving shower booth.
Image credit: Marriott International
“The Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki project is aimed at creating a footprint of hotels that stretch from Japan’s snowy northernmost regions to its southern prefectures, where travellers can stop and get a good night’s rest as they explore the many historical and cultural attractions, culinary experiences, and natural sites across each region,” said Masahiro Taguchi, Project Director of Fairfield by Marriott’s Michi-no-Eki portfolio. “Guests can look forward to a pleasant and effortless experience every time they check in at a Fairfield hotel.”
The first to complete in this pipeline, Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu shelters 88 guestrooms and is located next to Michi-no-Eki Yoka Tajimanokura in Yabu city, in Japan’s southwestern Hyogo Prefecture. The area is home to the picturesque rice fields of Bekku no Tanada and the beautiful Tendaki Falls, set against the backdrop of the highest mountain in Hyogo, Mount Hyonosen.
Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Awaji Higashiura, with 87 guestrooms is slated to open in the summer, is located at the charming Awaji Islandwhic is connected to the main island of Honshu by the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Visitors can also enjoy one of Japan’s best beaches, Ura Kenmin Sun Beach, as well as the picturesque Awaji Hanasajiki Park.
Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Tarumizu with 95 guestrooms, will be in Tarumizu city in Kagoshima at the southernmost part of Kyushu Island. Kagoshima city is known as ‘Naples of the East’ for its location on a bay facing the famous Sakurajima volcano. Accessible by ferry from Kagoshima is the island of Yakushima, where the ancient cedar forests and natural landscapes inspired the Studio Ghibli animated film ‘Princess Mononoke.’
A further 78 guestrooms will be developed in Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Tsuyama, with an opening expected in Q2 of this year. Located in Okayama, Tsuyama is a town full of history and culture known for the 17th century Tsuyama Castle, one of Japan’s three historic hilltop castles. Guests staying at Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Tsuyama can catch Tsuyama’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival every spring in Kakuzan Park, home to about 5,000 cherry blossom trees.
Fairfield by Marriott Saga Ureshino Onsen will welcome guests to Ureshino Onsen, adding 84 guestrooms to the portfolio in the southwestern Saga Prefecture. Its natural hot spring onsens and bathhouses invite visitors to relax and unwind in soothing alkaline waters. The hot spring waters is also used to make delicious local specialties such as hot tofu, and for preparing green teas.
Fairfield by Marriott Fukuoka Ukiha, with 51 guestrooms, will be located close to Chikugo Plain, an important farming region in Japan. The rural landscapes are home to rice fields and fruit farms, along with ancient ruins, temples, castles, sake breweries and hot spring onsens. In Ukiha, guests can pick fruits and sample sweets and desserts made with locally grown fruit. Another must-visit in the area is the Ukiha Inari Shrine at the foot of the Mino mountain range. Walk through 90 stunning vermilion torii gates that lead a path to the shrine.
Finally, scheduled to open in Q3, Fairfield by Marriott Kumamoto Aso will complete the portfolio, offering an additional 93 guestrooms, located at Kumamoto of southern Japan in the city of Aso within one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas. The area is part of a fabulous landscape of mountains and valleys, with breathtaking sights of the Aso-Nakadake crater and its dynamic volcanic plumes, as well as the Kusasenri-ga-hama plain.
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has announced a return to Turtle Creek Dallas with its fifth standalone residential development. Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek, pays tribute to the brand’s birthplace with a design that embraces the destination’s unique history and natural beauty…
Turtle Creek, Dallas is where the Rosewood story began. A peaceful, walkable neighbourhood surrounded by grand parks and close to Dallas’s most celebrated sites, it’s not only one of the most coveted residential communities in the country, but also home to the brand’s first property, the iconic Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. Now, the luxury lifestyle brand returns with a landmark new offering, Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek, a standalone residential development that will set a new standard for high-rise living in Dallas’s metropolitan landscape.
The new 17-storey tower, which combines Beaux-arts inspired elegance with a wealth of outstanding amenities, will comprise approximately 46 residences offering effortless luxury in a setting that’s perfectly appointed for experiencing everything Dallas has to offer. Developed by One Turtle Creek to reflect the best of this dynamic city, the property is scheduled for completion in early 2025.
“Given the symbolic significance Dallas holds for us at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, we are thrilled to be bringing our residential concept to this market,” said Brad Berry, Vice President of Global Residential Development at Rosewood Hotel Group. “Planting the Rosewood Residences flag in the same neighbourhood as our very first hotel is a great moment for us as we continue to grow our footprint. But, of course, Turtle Creek is a special setting in its own right, and I think these one-of-a-kind residences embrace the area’s natural beauty, rich history and incredible location, and provide residents with an unrivalled quality of life in Dallas.”
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek will reflect Rosewood’s ‘A Sense of Place’ philosophy by embracing Turtle Creek’s beautiful setting and history in its architecture and design. The building, masterminded by Chicago-based architect Lucien Legrange, offers a contemporary spin on the Beaux-arts inspired American architecture of the early 20th century, welcoming residents and their guests at its base with an elegant arched entryway before soaring upwards to embrace the sky with its asymmetric summit. Balancing the artful with the approachable, the tower will showcase Legrange’s sophisticated style and singular approach to craftsmanship, dimension and detail.
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Ranging from approximately 185 to 6oo square metres, with the option to combine units for an even more spacious abode, each light-filled residence will make the most of the surrounding area through distinctive architecture detailing. Of note will be the ceiling-height windows, stretching up to three and a half metres tall, that offer immersive city or park views. Interior schemes from renowned designer Dan Fink will continue to draw upon the colours, tones and quality of light along Turtle Creek’s nature-filled waterway to create harmonious living spaces that complement the building’s striking neoclassical sensibility. Fink’s canvas will further include the building’s many shared spaces, which will balance luxurious materials with a mix of feminine and masculine tones to create a harmony between the classical and the modern.
Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek has been conceived with the highest standards of enriched living in mind. Its wealth of exclusive amenities includes a rooftop oasis complete with an infinity pool and lounge, each boasting spectacular views of the Dallas skyline, a landscaped garden for intimate gatherings and events, and a fitness centre, library, and private dining room spaces. The building will further feature a first floor lounge, full time concierge, and valet. Pet friendly offerings, meanwhile, include a dedicated dog park, pet spa, and garden. As hospitality is a defining factor of the Rosewood experience, residents will also benefit from round the clock support from a dedicated Rosewood Residential Team. This group of experts with deep knowledge of the area, will manage all aspects of the Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek experience to provide residents with a wide range of additional services.
Kaldewei will be exhibiting at the ISH in Frankfurt next month, with a focus on revolutionary innovations and sustainable bathroom solutions…
After a four year break, Kaldewei will be making its presence felt at the trade fair with inspired collaborations with renowned designers while presenting solutions for exceptional bathrooms that are sensual as well as comfortable and user-friendly. The new Kaldewei shower solutions in particular promise to cause quite a stir among trade visitors.
Image credit: Kaldewei
As a specialist in sustainable steel enamel, new surfaces and colours for trend-setting bathrooms will be on display. All guests will be invited to participate in a survey about the most beautiful designs and to vote for their personal favourites. The ISH innovations are rounded off by ingenious installation solutions that make it even easier for tradespeople to install Kaldewei products.
At the Kaldewei stand visitors will also be able to immerse themselves in another topic that has an equally high social and economic relevance and is one of the top topics at ISH 2023 – Sustainability. The current solutions from the Limited Edition nature protect will be presented, which are made of CO2 reduced steel and are an essential element of the Luxstainability concept. In addition, Kaldewei will present information on new initiatives for an environment worth living in, which help to avoid plastic wherever possible. Here, together with WWF Germany, the company is involved in the project ‘Reusable against plastic waste’ with the aim of doing without plastics and disposable packaging by means of suitable reusable systems and thereby avoiding plastic waste.
Kaldewei is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Inspired by ancient Japanese floor mats, Tatami is the 3D cork wall tile from Granorte that brings a unique surface texture…
Available in Midnight, Natural and Light, Tatami is a three dimensional wall tile made from 90 per cent recycled natural cork. Created by family-owned Portuguese cork innovator Granorte, the wall tile is ideal for creating a cosy and comfortable feeling that has a connection to a Japanese aesthetic, while also being suitable for commercial environments such as hotels and offices.
The cork used for Tatami is sourced from the post-industrial waste of wine stopper production. Originally harvested from the bark of cork trees within protected forests, the material is natural and renewable. Ground up and turned into Tatami tiles, it’s a material with unique properties. Thermally efficient with good acoustics, as well as resilient, cork is an excellent choice for interiors looking towards sustainability as a key criterion.
“Cork is an incredibly versatile natural material with many applications,” explained Paulo Rocha, Granorte. “With Tatami, we’ve created another way to use the material in commercial projects. Its strong Japanese signature is timely and brings restful calm, while cork’s natural appeal adds a timeless look to walls.”
Each Tatami tile is finished with CORKGUARD, Granorte’s water-based finish that adds a protective layer for easy cleaning, and which features Microban to inhibit the growth of bacteria. With no formaldehyde, PVC, softeners or heavy metals, Tatami is GreenGuard GOLD and AgBB certified. It also passes Air Label Score with A+ (very low emissions).
Granorte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Four Seasons unveils new Private Retreats is Los Cabos
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas has opened the doors on its ultra-luxury Private Retreats collection located within the exclusive resort community of Costa Palmas on the East Cape of Los Cabos. We stepped inside to take a look and admire the view…
Four Seasons Private Retreats offers more than 750 of the world’s finest luxury vacation homes. The Los Cabos Private Retreats collection offers two to six-bedroom contemporary residences that seamlessly integrate indoor-outdoor living with flowing spaces, elemental design and native landscaping. The collection offers a wide array of accommodations for up to 18 guests, each with private pools and expansive entertainment space.
The project is located within Costa Palmas, a luxury beachfront resort community located on the East Cape of the Baja Peninsula. Thoughtfully and sensitively designed and situated along a two-and-a-half mile stretch of swimmable beach, Costa Palmas introduces an elemental form of luxury hospitality set among organic farms on an international marina – Baja’s first and only port of call for superyachts. Designed to take advantage of its picturesque location, Costa Palmas Residences are designed and managed by lifelong hoteliers with a focus on design forward properties with a high level of personalised service to each guest and owner living alongside an energetic destination to set sail on adventures unique to the East Cape and Sea of Cortez.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
A distinct departure from the busy marina of Cabo San Lucas, guests of Four Seasons have direct access to world-class sailing, fishing and cruising yachts up to 76 metres from the convenience of the resort’s ‘backyard’. The property offers a fleet of boats ranging from an eight metre centre console to a 20-metre luxury cruising yacht. From direct access to Cabo Pulmo, considered to be one of the best diving and snorkelling sites in the world, to nightly sunset cruises and guided sport and spearfishing adventures, Four Seasons is the only luxury resort in the market with seamless, private marina access.
“The East Cape of Baja sets the stage for luxury living at its finest – and then some,” said Borja Manchado, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas. “Our residences provide guests with the best of both worlds, the privacy of renting a home along with the services and amenities that Four Seasons is known for. Not only do the residences in our Private Retreats collection offer extraordinary architecture, design and service, they offer what is perhaps the greatest luxury of all – unprecedented exclusivity and premier access to the wonders of Mexico.”
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The Oceanfront Six-Bedroom Villa is a six-bedroom, six full bathroom unit from Guerin Glass Architects includes one powder room in addition to one staff bedroom and bathroom with a configuration of five king beds and two queen beds. The villa boasts the very best of beachfront living with a chef’s kitchen, thoughtful design elements, and a heated pool and whirlpool, in addition to full access to Four Seasons and Costa Palmas amenities. The architecture plays with rigid and organic forms to build a dramatic entry sequence with 180 degree views of the coastline, nearby estuary and mountain landscape. The gallery entryway leads to an airy and light-filled living space, the home’s central common area. An architectural focal point, a floor-to-ceiling curved glass wall, anchors the residence.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Additional properties range from five to two bedroom units and include the Oasis Five-Bedroom Villa and the Prime Ocean View Four-Bedroom Residence. The five-bedroom, six-full-bathroom units feature multi-level luxury living with a private infinity pool surrounded by Costa Palmas Golf Club and a natural estuary. This residence is located in a private neighbourhood within the Resort, still only a short golf cart ride to Four Seasons and the beach. The Prime Ocean View Four-Bedroom Residence is a four bedroom, five full bathroom unit offering floor-to-ceiling windows, open to ocean breezes and unparalleled ocean and sunrise views. Just steps from the dock, this private retreat is perfect for a private yacht experience.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The Prime Ocean View Three Bedroom Residence combines indoor and outdoor living space with three-bedroom, four bathroom unit with panoramic view of the Sea of Cortez. The residence features private marina access, a private terrace pool, and an outdoor dining area. The Three Bedroom Beachfront Presidential Villa are stand-alone units located on top of the beach with three private plunge pools for each bedroom and a large infinity family pool that melts into the Sea of Cortez. The Prime Ocean View Two-Bedroom Residence offers two bedroom, three full bathroom units located on the first and second floors. Residences feature the trademark uninterrupted Sea of Cortez views, private terraces, plunge pools and backdoor access to the Costa Palmas private marina.
All the Private Retreats include access to a personalised butler, a private chef upon request and all Four Seasons services and programmes.
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
In conversation with: Marcos Cain, Founder of Stickman Tribe
Award-winning design studio Stickman Tribe is known for approaching design challenges creatively while connecting to the unique customs and heritage of each new development site. With the studios’ work within the new W Dubai Mina Seyahi receiving a lot of attention, writer Pauline Brettell caught up with Principal and Founder Marcos Cain to find out a little more about the process behind the design…
Stickman Tribe design studio works from the starting point that culture is omnipresent in nearly everything that surrounds us, from language and music to architecture and design. When designing new spaces, weaving local culture into that design creates strong connections to people and history. It not only allows it to seamlessly blend into the surrounding ecosystem, but creates a unique visual focal point of storytelling that preserves local history for future generations to enjoy. As Founder and Principal, Marcos Cain along with his tribe, has built an impressive portfolio of projects and clients while weaving these design stories.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
Pauline Brettell: Let’s start at the very beginning – ‘Stickman Tribe’ is a great name… can you tell us the story behind it?
Marcos Cain: From the outset, the intent was to create a sense of curiosity and not sound overly corporate or typical. The name came up during the studio ideation process. I recall drawing a stickman on a piece of paper and flipping it over to my business partner at the time. The idea of a stickman conveys versatility. The stickman can be either man or woman, bare, ready to dress. So, in context, it’s like a mannequin ready to be characterised, not dissimilar to a blank canvas. Stickman then evolved to Stickman Tribe to reflect the concept of who we are and how we collaborate. I’d like to think we have evolved further, where the characters are our projects, and we illustrate them as totems to our craft.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
PB: You talk about concept-driven spaces and integrating local culture into design. Can you expand on this in relation to the design process?
MC: At Stickman Tribe, we have no preconceived ideas, and storytelling is an important aspect of the design process. However, prior to that, we build on our creative intelligence, and by defining our craft through collaborative workshops and desktop research, we often reveal hidden opportunities that capture the brief or, sometimes, define the brief.
We look for inspiration and relevance, both operationally and aesthetically. It’s not just a pretty picture. As we build on the creative layers and the operational efficiencies, the story begins to unravel like chapters within a book. Researching the location and its history is a prerequisite in the Stickman Tribe design methodology. The knowledge is intrinsically woven into the design concept to create a memorable and authentic concept that is specific to the project, location, culture, and brief.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
PB: Do you have a standout project or design element you have worked on over the years?
MC: We put our heart and soul into all our projects, so there is no favourite as such. Every project is a landmark venture and clearly expressed in our eclectic portfolio, filled with notable spaces that are unique and distinctive. We pride ourselves on authenticity, creating bespoke signatures for every project we embellish. As the creative lead on every project since conception, I’m careful to ensure that we are unpredictable, while maintaining a sense of whimsical consistency, operational practicality, and successful delivery.
PB: Do you find a tension between working for some of the larger brands and your own ethos with a focus on ‘authenticity’ and ‘no pre-packaged solutions’?
MC: On most occasions we are engaged for that sensibility. Our clients are at the heart of everything we do, and we always appreciate their trust, patience, and unified commitment to originality. With their support, we continue to push the boundaries with a shared vision. Challenges can be met with passionate logic and financial modesty. It’s not always a Cinderella story, but with optimism and a concerning hand, we do our utmost to guide and nurture the best possible outcome.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
PB: Do you find there is a move away from cookie-cutter brand solutions – even with the big hospitality brands?
MC: As hospitality specialists delivering bespoke design solutions, we find that there has always been a demand for unique spaces in the industry. Longevity design is a key element of focus for Stickman Tribe, which has earned an industry reputation for creating concept-driven spaces. The tribe aims to ensure that concepts, brought to life through bespoke, high-quality design, not only stand the test of time but evolve with the surroundings and improve the guest experience. As is testimony from our clients, Stickman Tribe has consistently delivered projects that boost tourism and attract an upscale clientele. That being said, some concepts’ success warrants a cookie cutter approach, which serves a purpose on repeat, and we have generated fit out guidelines for various roll outs, acting as the brand custodians from conception.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
PB: W Hotel Mina Seyahi is a recent project that is certainly having its moment in the sun – can you explain a little more about the story behind the design?
MC: The overarching concept and design narrative for W Hotel Mina Seyahi was developed by Stickman Tribe. The design concept reflects and captures the essence of the vibrant history of Dubai, as well as its culture and landscape. Growing from a village living from fishing, pearl diving, and boat building, Dubai emerged and started providing ac-accommodation and sustenance for traders who would pass through on their way to sell gold, spices, and textiles. Gradually, Dubai expanded into a business centre where East meets West, inviting like-minded travellers to become part of a significant, unfolded story.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
Dubai is a truly multicultural home to eccentric freethinkers, accommodating mostly expats. Spoiled with the hybridity of influences, the cosmopolitan city is characterised by a dynamic, changing face that juxtaposes many prejudices and evokes the city’s defining double act. A strong social community is shaped by interesting, courageous, and ambitious individuals who like to break down barriers, and is reflected in the metropolis’ excessive and vibrant way of life. The design of W Hotel Mina Seyahi reflects these eccentricities.
In the Metropolis, like-minded travellers create new bonds in inner exclusive circles, continuously evolving the public gathering of the age-old Al Halqa. The metropolis is a mix of flavours with a prominent juxtaposition of new and old Dubai – a magical chaos, from fortune-tellers to the Saharan viper and menageries to poets, storytellers and performers, the city evokes the pervasive mix of spiritual and sensual. Also named ‘The City of Gold’, encompassing a literal meaning for traders in the precious metal, the nickname reflects Dubai’s stunning growth from a small Gulf port to a world-famous business and leisure crossroads. Between sources in Africa and consumers in the rising economies of China and India, the geographical location of Dubai has played an important factor in becoming the regional gold capital. Next to gold, fresh stocks of spices and textiles arrive daily, transported by Dhow from countries such as Pakistan, India, and Iran. The narrow passages of the old souqs are filled with aromatic scents and passionate conversation. It is a bold environment that is perfectly in line with Dubai’s multiple, ever-changing personas.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
By walking through the W Hotel Mina Seyahi, you can see a reference to all these elements. As soon as guests enter the main doors, they are greeted with crystal pages floating in the air. A depiction of Al Hakawati or a storyteller’s book, the installation symbolises the stories being shared within the hotel. Towards the right, lies the reception desk and the waiting area. One of the main design elements in this space includes a flying carpet in the lobby’s waiting area. Located in the halqa-inspired waiting area, the flying carpet appears to burst into crystals. The lobby alludes to mythical snake charmers with a basket inspired back feature wall and snakeskin inspired reception desks. Also, a mosaic-tiled path resembling snakeskin leads guests to the check-in desks.
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe
The rest of the lobby space, which is towards the left of the entrance, is designed as ‘The Gold Souk’. A contemporary take of an oryx sculpture, made of black and brass steel wire, forms the central design element. Gold trinkets hang from its antlers. The space features warm hues and gold accents often associated with these traditional markets. Another design element includes a beaded feature wall. Each bead features a name of a story from the1001 Arabian Nights. In the Arabian Leopard -inspired lobby bar, guests are enveloped in a sense of fantasy while enjoying a cocktail or a meal.
PB: Do you see any new trends emerging in the arena of hotel and hospitality design as we head into 2023?
MC: We find that there is an increased focus, and demand, on sustainability. Designers are looking at using naturally produced materials in a way that can easily be repurposed for the future. There is also an influx of new materials that serve as a sustainable alternative to what has been in use previously. For instance, bioplastics, which is plastic made from plants or other biological material.
The future of hospitality is becoming integrated communities, where they break the institution and enter the fabric of society, like Airbnb which has identified another market, or the eco luxury and boutique experience. Home-stay vibes resonate with the consumer and provide a level of authenticity and localism. What’s emerging is a different form of hospitality—that which is layering into society, removing the boundaries of a vertical or horizontal stack, and entering a more local boutique experience of hidden gems, take Ryokan as an example.
PB: And finally, can you share the exciting new projects in the pipeline?
MC: Stickman Tribe has a lot of exciting developments on the horizon, and we aim to go bigger and bolder with each one. Together with the Dubai, Shanghai and newly opened Australia studios, we will continue crafting unique, experience-led hospitality designs in the new year.
We have an upcoming projects with Anse La Mouche, Hilton Canopy, Seychelles – Stickman Tribe has a unique and authentic understanding of Hilton branded properties, and we are honoured to be part of Canopy’s first Seychelles project. Situated on the long-curved bay in the South-West of the island Mahe, the quiet haven is overflowing with natural serenity. Our full scope design took inspiration from all aspects of the electric culture of Creole, paired with the island’s unique and rich flora and fauna. The full scope included F&B outlets, a kid’s club, hotel public areas, a spa & gym, guest rooms & suites as well as the residences.
The studio is working on the upcoming LXR Hotels & Resort on the private Al Nawras Island in Abu Dhabi. The project will mark the entry of the LXR Hotels & Resort brand into Abu Dhabi. The striking resort is set among lush greenery and will place a strong emphasis on wellness and recreation.
The new Mandarin Oriental Hotel in the Maldives is another pipeline project and is slated to open in 2025. Comprising 120 stand-alone villas, the resort will occupy three private islands on Bolidhuffaru Reef in South Male Atoll. In addition to the villas, the resort will be home to six dining outlets, including three specialty restaurants and a sunset bar.
Stickman Tribe was engaged to take on the F&B outlets for the SO/ Maldives by Accor, Crossroads resort. The socially vibrant destination located on an exclusive island in the exotic South Malé Atoll will bring a fresh sense of avant-garde style and sophistication while reflecting the local spirit of the Maldives.
And of course, the iconic Conrad Hilton hotel is set to open in the coming months in the heart of the Malaysian capital. Stickman Tribe was tapped to design the F&B outlets for the hotel. The property will include an Origami restaurant, the MOD all-day dining restaurant, the hotel’s contemporary three-meal epicure, and refined, whimsical Chinese restaurant Li Yuan.
Dornbracht and Alape in harmony inside C. Bechstein flagship store
Creating a spatial experience involving all the senses, Vaia fittings from Dornbracht and Aqua dish basins from Alape have been integrated into the design of the C. Bechstein flagship store in Düsseldorf…
Experiencing music, seeing notes and feeling sounds – these were the high standards demanded from the design of the new flagship store of C. Bechstein, a premium manufacturer of upright and grand pianos, in the best inner-city location in Düsseldorf. A challenge that was boldly accepted by designer Nik Schweiger in his brilliantly visualised concept of tradition and innovation. This requirement was also met by the Dornbracht Vaia fitting created by Sieger Design and the Alape Aqua dish basin with its changing colours, which are installed in the bathrooms.
Image credit: Gerd Harder / C. Bechstein
Before you even step inside, it is already evident from the façade that the design of the store was inspired by the shape of a concert grand piano. An imposing glass arch resembling the contour of the instrument guides you inside the building, where the materials and ambience are fully in keeping with the C. Bechstein promise of quality. Showroom and concert space, alcoves for consultations, areas for private experiences, and a lounge are arranged over two levels in an area covering 700 square metres. Flexible partitions divide the space into zones as required, allowing it to be used and experienced in different scenarios.
It may look random, but it is a mixture between instrument making and mathematical principles. The design is based on what is known as the Voronoi diagram, a system of complex space allocation is used in architecture to design triangulated surfaces. The model for the three-dimensional ceiling structure is inspired by the cast iron element, the supporting component in a piano, to which the strings are attached. The piano lacquer that gives the instruments their familiar finish is used as the starting point for other mirrored surfaces within the room.
Image credit: Gerd Harder / C. Bechstein
The exceptional composition of materials in the washrooms blends harmoniously into the overall concept of the store. “Just like in music, Dornbracht’s Vaia fitting epitomises the symbiosis of classical and modern, of traditional and contemporary elements of style,” said Schweiger. “It represents a balanced design language that combines the spirit of a classic fitting with a form that is delicately ornamental. Alape’s Aqua dish basin combines pure materiality and delicate lightness. With a slender form made from three mm thick glazed steel and the extra-deep colouring provided by the Deep Green nuance, the basin sits enthroned on its base board, creating a special ambiance in conjunction with the fittings, the image of a mountain landscape on the walls, and the rounded mirrors.”
Image credit: Gerd Harder / C. Bechstein
The visualisation of sounds and waves brings the space to life. Gliding panels based on so-called Chladni figures – patterns produced on a plate sprinkled with sand when it vibrates – emerge as a design element. Made from felt, they absorb the higher-frequency sounds and provide the spatial and acoustic privacy required for consultations. This also turns the flagship store into a versatile concert space.
The understanding of quality that C. Bechstein represents has been properly thought out, so the vibration pattern motif extends to all the details of the space, from the illuminated ceiling and ornamental art of the glass walls to the wooden wall and gliding panels, to the door handles. The oasis-like atmosphere produced by the luxurious climbing and hanging monstera plants under seven daylight domes is a marked contrast to this rigorous approach.
The showroom is ultimately about the visualisation of sounds and waves bringing the space to life. Gliding panels based on Chladni figures – patterns produced on a plate sprinkled with sand when it vibrates – emerge as a design element. Made from felt, they absorb the higher-frequency sounds and provide the spatial and acoustic privacy required for consultations. This also turns the flagship store into a versatile and impressive concert space.
Dornbracht is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
RAK’s new bathroom mirror collections are the fairest of them all
No bathroom design is complete without a mirror, and RAK Ceramics ensures that including this essential accessory is an effortless part of the process with several new additions to its collection…
Bathroom mirrors need to have a functionality beyond a mere reflection and have a key role to play in bathroom design as a whole. Lighting can be integrated into the mirror as both focussed and ambient. Storage can also be an element, ensuring that both aesthetic and practical considerations are enhanced. RAK Ceramics have considered all these details with the recent additions to its bathroom mirror collection.
In a choice of stylish finishes to combine seamlessly with any décor, the new RAK-Art and RAK-Picture mirrors come with Chrome, Matt Black, Brushed Nickel and Brushed Gold. This enables them to be chosen to match the bathroom’s brassware, extending the sale and ensuring retailers can value up. This also gives designers the benefit of choices to ensure that the mirror elevates the design and brings more to the table than practical considerations.
Image credit: RAK
Image credit: RAK
Also new to the RAK Ceramics mirrors collection is RAK-Ornate, available in the same choice of finishes and with the same technological features. The RAK-Ornate mirror has an integrated shelf for handy storage of bathroom essentials, making it the perfect addition to a master ensuite for a hotel-inspired look.
Mirrors are impactful to a bathroom design and have the power to inject personality into the space in a matter of minutes. The Rak Ceramics mirror collection throw choices into the mix shifting the mirror from the purely practical to a key player in defining the space.
RAK Ceramics is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Inside Hotel Ziggy in the heart of LA’s Sunset Strip
In a destination where luxury, glamour and celebrity reign, Hotel Ziggy has taken up residence in the heart of the Sunset Strip as a tribute to the rebellious spirit of the West Hollywood music scene, pushing boundaries and celebrating differences…
Hotel Ziggy embraces differences and challenges conformity as a place that encourages guests and locals to come hang out and ‘just be who you are’. The unpretentious design influenced by grit and rock ‘n’ roll features a modern counter-culture spin. Located next to Mondrian Los Angeles, Hotel Ziggy is the last standing rebel on the block.
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
Fusing cocktail lounge, pizza joint, music venue and lobby, the hotel invites guests to check in at a sociable and engaging bar lined with hundreds of vinyl albums. A record player behind the front desk fills the communal space with music spanning every progressive genre. A retractable glass garage door partitions one end of the lobby, creating a versatile music venue called ‘Backbeat’, which supports local musicians and invites them to come and share their sound in a new space to rise above the noise. Hotel Ziggy boasts the largest saltwater pool in West Hollywood, which is another platform to democratise music with live sets performed by up-and-coming DJs.
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
Layers of decoupaged walls and ceilings celebrate musicians of past and present. A collection of memorabilia includes framed legal documents highlighting decades of lawsuits between musicians, producers and streamers with the intent of asking the controversial question, ‘Who really owns the music’? Hotel Ziggy’s goal is to trigger lively conversations and in doing so, connect people. Its position is clear for all to hear: Free the music!
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
“We created Ziggy to provoke stimulating and meaningful conversations with the intent to spark curiosity and playfully challenge perspectives,” said Jon Bortz, Chief Executive Officer at Pebblebrook Hotels. “What better location than the Sunset Strip to celebrate the rebellious spirit of norm-breaking musicians who have changed how we live? Hotel Ziggy is located right down the street from the former sites of two world-famous music destinations: Tower Records and House of Blues. As these and other icons are now gone, a legacy here needs to be remembered. We push boundaries with our hotels, and we certainly did that with Ziggy.”
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
Conceptualized by the international award-winning design team of Dawson Design Associates (DDA), every element of the space is designed to honour and support the rebellious and independent attitude of musicians’ fight to be heard. Powerful street murals wrap the front exterior of the building, the courtyard surrounding the pool, and the main lobby spaces, together expressing the vitality and rebelliousness of the music scene. A comfortable and informal mix of modern and vintage furniture sits on top of rustic hardwood floors and worn oriental area rugs, creating a space designed to chill.
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
“It was vital that this hotel didn’t take itself too seriously,” said Andrea Sheehan, Founding Principle and Art Director at DDA. “We kept things simple so the art could speak for itself. We stripped away all previous attempts to make this quirky building look modern. Instead, we exposed its blemishes and embraced the awkward structure for what it was – authentic, just like our guests and the musicians we are celebrating.”
Image credit: Hotel Ziggy
In alignment with its ‘free the music’ mantra, Hotel Ziggy offers guests access to a Shred Shed that includes electric and acoustic guitars, amps, records, record players, Walkmans and backpacks to use while finding inspiration in LA or sharing creativity with others. All are welcome to borrow, experiment, and share in the ‘free the music’ movement.
In the playful spirit of LA’s first iconic record store and precursor to the original Tower Records, Licorice Pizza, a casual dining concept named B-side Pizza fronts Sunset Boulevard. The pizza joint harkens back to mid-century carhops with an old school pick-up window that allows locals to order to-go with concierge service and style. A custom neon-wrapped 9-inch vinyl album solidifies the retro theme.
The art of craft: art inspired by Ghanaian culture
Heart Beats and States, is a collection coming soon by Amma Gyan from Amanartis, that has been inspired by the rich history and craft of weaving that stems from the Ashanti people in Ghana…
Textile artist Amma Gyan from Amanartis has a story to share with the design community. It’s one about colour, texture, fashion and materials and is told through the upcoming Heart Beats and States art collection. “As a child my art looked like handmade miniature clothes, this turned into still life drawings and photography in my teens and early twenties,” says Gyan when asked about what inspired the design of the pieces. “Throughout it all was a love of textiles.”
Colour, pattern, texture – a mischievous sense of excitement would takeover Gyan’s senses when her mother would return home with sacks of remnant fabrics, gathered from the factory she worked in, when items were still made in London – she was a dressmaker in Ghana before her family moved to the UK. If being a creature of your environment is to be believed, then Gyan’s path was, perhaps, always going to be around working with fabrics. “I began creating wall hangings almost 10 years ago, inspired by the same exuberating excitement felt as a child – the detail in fabric, from the soft iridescent frayed edge of Dupion Silk, to the etherial quality of Tulle – this was my medium.,” she said. “Creating wall hangings as a form of art, also provided a moment of stillness and calm, each twist and turn determined by the moment, the subconscious thoughts and distractions that often showed up in the tension of the piece. A story could be told by the simple yet considered attention to detail placed when combining different fabrics.”
In recent years, Gyan has taken to researching her Ghanaian heritage; the rich history of weaving that stems from the Ashanti people, her ancestral tribe, seemed to be deep within her – a connection unrealised until it appeared in her creative expression. Bold colours and geometric shapes formed a language that was literally used to tell a story. A sequence of rows and lines conveyed the tribe, their status and their leader. “Holding on to this tradition, my creations are a way of drawing with the fabric, creating lines and waves that connect with the heart and a moment in time,” she added.
A visually impactful and abstract way of interpreting emotion through fabric and sculpture is the focus of Gyan’s current work, culminating in a new exhibition planned for spring 2024. Creating art that depicts the subtle sensibilities of our mood through the combination of fabrics and mixed mediums is, as she puts it, “an exciting project that opens up the topic of how our emotions are represented.”
Heart Beats and States, expected to be available from Spring 2024, has been born out of that vision. “It looked like a pile of rags,” she added, “but what I saw was a palette, a series of emotions in the form of colour and texture.”
Amanartis is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Ken Hu, President of CCD, on the language of hotel design
Editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with Ken Hu, President and Principal Partner at CCD, who for more than 30 years has been putting culture and history first in order to nail down descriptive design narratives in hotel design…
Whatever the tool used, whether it is art, architecture, materials or – in most cases – all of the above, designers who manage to consistently capture meaningful sense of place in hotel design are the individuals who spend time researching, exploring and in some cases living in the local culture to breathe new life and energy into the spaces that are being transformed. For Ken Hu, President and Principal Partner at CCD, understanding the landscape of an area, before going in and adding elements that sensitively challenge conventional design models, is the only approach when it comes to interior design. “I first get to know the culture, history, and geography of the project,” he told Hotel Designs. “Different styles and forms are presented according to the local cultural characteristics of the project. In my opinion, design is a circular process, which should not be restricted by style, but let the style form naturally.”
“I hope that contemporary young designers pay attention to the differences of each project, deeply study the design function, and carefully do the design work well.” – Ken Hu, President & Principal Partner, CCD.
With more than 30 years’ experience – more than 22 of those being in hospitality design – Hu has seen many shifts in the hospitality arena. One of the most obvious themes that Hu has noticed is how cultures have been merge through design and architecture. Looking back, and when offering advice to the next generation, he would like the scales somewhat rebalanced between the translation of eastern and western influence in hotel design. “Our modern life is borrowed from Western society,” the designer explained. “Therefore, Western creativity has a complete system and occupies a leading position in the design field. But Eastern design also has Eastern wisdom. How to integrate eastern wisdom into the Western system is what we want to do.”
With this in mind, I thought it would be a good place to start my interview with the designer.
Hamish Kilburn: Can you give me an example of a project where you used eastern references in a western project?
Ken Hu: In the design of Diaoyutai Hotel Hangzhou, I did a lot of research and experimentation in order to subtly integrate the taste of Hangzhou with the characteristics of the Hotel. We injected some bright colours, such as bright yellow, to reflect the grandeur of the East.
I encouraged our teams to innovate and break the imagination when designing DongFengYun Hotel Mi’Le – MGallery and 50% Cloud Artists Lounge. The final work is stunning, full of ethnic customs and contemporary art.
HK: You joined CCD in 2000, a ‘turn of the page’ for the hotel design industry. How did the studio feel back then?
KH: My old classmate Joe Cheng gave me many different inspirations. In the past, western design has a complete system and occupies a leading position in the design field. But Eastern design also has Eastern wisdom. We no longer fellow the old path of Western design, and added Eastern wisdom and culture to the design. Therefore, under the deep cooperation with Joe Cheng, the concept to ’embody eastern charm with western technique’ was born.
Image caption: A different perspective over Paris from Sofitel Foshan Louvre Hotel. | Image credit: CCD
HK: In that time, can you identify your most memorable projects?
KH: Sofitel Foshan Louvre Hotel is the most memorable project in my design career, which I worked on for seven years. It blended into the Lingnan garden, oyster shell wall, fragrant cloud yarn, Manchurian window, and other folk craft details, carved out the classics of southern Guangdong.
HK: Let’s talk about the present. Can you talk us through the design narrative of your most recent project, W Changsha?
KH: There is a Changsha star in the sky, and the city of Changsha is also called ‘Star City’. The interior design is inspired by that. The arrival experience has been designed to magnify the universe by 300 times, with cosmic elements such as galaxies, planets and meteorites, all embedded in the design.
The lobby is designed with ‘Star of the Universe’ as the design concept to stimulate the imagination of the universe. The stars were deconstructed and reorganised to form the ‘Avenue of Stars’. Everyone here is a star in the future. The brave heroes who opened up the historical era are looking up and chasing the unreached places beyond the horizon.
Image caption: W Changsha is a futuristic and cosmic look at hotel design. | Image credit: CCD
In the design of RUNWAY Bar, we used artistic thinking to endow the starry sky with beauty, courage and sustenance. The blooming starlight ceiling, with fantasy, splendid and mysterious visual expression, injects hopeful and unconstrained imagination into the space.
The design of the restaurants are based on an artistic journey through the galaxy. ZETA Explorer will take you through time and space to experience a different artistic journey.
The interior scheme inside the guestrooms, meanwhile, is based on the ‘ideal star city’ as the concept, returning to the current demand of home feeling. The rooms are warm and comfortable.
HK: What is your hope for the next 20-plus years for this industry?
KH: In my opinion, design is a circular process, which should not be restricted by style, but let the style form naturally. I hope that contemporary young designers pay attention to the differences of each project, deeply study the design function, and carefully do the design work well. I hope that Eastern designers will have the opportunity to play their strengths, rather than being monopolised by Western designers. I hope more Chinese design works can shine on the world stage.
HK: What architect or designer do you admire most?
KH: The designers I admire most are Academician Mo Bozhi and Leoh Ming Pei. Different from the simple style of modernism, they had added Chinese traditional elements into the western modernism style. Their works are eclectic and quite distinctive.
Image caption: DongFeng Yun Hotel Mi’Le – MGallery, where architecture is art. | Image credit: CCD
HK: In your company’s profile, it says that “CCD has always been the icon in the hospitality design field”, how would you explain that? What is the secret to success in hotel and hospitality design (we heard you have more than 1,000 employees). How did you manage a large team?
KH: CCD is not a leader but a runner in the field of hotel design. There are many excellent designers and design works in the world, and they are interpreting design from different perspectives. Each has its own advantages and characteristics. CCD shows the difference of Chinese design to the world with Oriental wisdom and hospitality.
The hotel is a microcosm of social life. We must fully understand life and pay attention to the needs of everyone. Only in this way can we produce good hotel design works.
CCD has a good management system, which can mobilise the enthusiasm and creativity of every designer. This is also the way for CCD to maintain design vitality. In response to the diversified needs of the market, CCD has successively launched sub-brands FED, UCD, WUWU ART, and technology brand XIZHAO.
FED designs for boutique projects and chain hotels standardisation customisation. UCD designs public spaces and corporate headquarters. WUWU ART provides art consulting services. XIZHAO creates design data platform. Therefore, CCD’s products and services are connected across borders and customised flexibly.
Image captions: The public areas inside Sofitel Foshan Louvre Hotel are not what you would expect from a Parisian hotel. | Image credit: CCD
HK: What are the biggest shifts you’ve witnessed within the hospitality industry in China over the past year?
KH: Covid–19 has changed the way people lived and traveled. Short trips are becoming more popular, and hotels become destinations for people to relax. In the future, hotel design will no longer be large-scale and luxurious, but will change to more life-oriented and refined.
Preview: New year, new stages at Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam 2023
‘Expect the unexpected’ is the line from Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam this year, which takes place March 14 – 15 at the RAI Amsterdam. With more than 200 exhibitors, along with industry leaders who will highlight the latest developments from across the hotel industry, Hotel Designs will be there with a major role, on and off the Innovation Stage, as a proud media partner…
The Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam (IHA) has set itself the ambitious agenda of exploring generational intelligence, sustainable design and sensory experiences. To facilitate discussion and debate, stages have quite literally been redesigned and reshaped to ensure guests leave feeling supported, inspired, and ready to make essential changes to keep your hotel ahead of the curve.
On the Hotel Business Stage in partnership with RoomRaccoon and designed by Riviera Maison, will be presentations and panel discussions outlining business-led solutions to grow and develop hotel offerings. The Hotel Innovation Stage in partnership with HotelPartner, is where experts and innovators will discuss and highlight the latest trends set to impact the hotel sector through inspirational TEDx style sessions. The Social Business Space in partnership with Swiss Sense, remains a dedicated area to learn, network and share insights with like-minded hoteliers and industry leaders.
During the two days, the extensive seminar programme will be presented by an array of industry experts, including Hotel Design’s very own Hamish Kilburn who will be hosting one of the most anticipated panel discussions on a topic that will explore fashion’s role in hospitality design while promising something audience members won’t be expecting over on the Innovation Stage. Body language – reimaging hospitality design will include visionaries Nicholas Oakwell, Founder, NO Uniform, Robert Spijkers Suwarni, Manager Operations, OGER Corporate Fashion Statements and Sofie Rockland, Founder, By Rockland to understand how fashion is becoming a vital tool to extend a design narrative when telling a brand’s story.
The potential for some mischief aside, the line-up will be covering a myriad of compelling topics, from multi-generational talent, branding masterclasses, European hotel market forecasts and trend tours. Seminar highlights include, People First – lessons from another industry, The expectations of the evolving traveller, presented by Google, Generational intelligence, unpacking all talents of all generations, Destination gastronomy: re-designing and re-thinking your F&B offering.
On the second day, Kilburn will return to stage to deliver a TEDx style session on hotel design disruptors, which is expected to look at what makes a hotel exceptional on the global hospitality map. From creating and nurturing robust and memorable spaces that reflect a unique brand identity, to injecting quirky design details that excite and make sense. The session will challenge the pre-conceptions around what a ‘disruptor’ is in today’s world, while sharing tips on how designers and brands can stand out without having to inflate their ego.
Elsewhere, the Circular Lab has been designed to showcase a collection of inspiring start-ups ready to present eco-friendly innovations and sustainable design solutions. The HR Quarter and the Energy Saving Quarter are also freshly added to the shows key features. These show sections have been created to demonstrate tangible and cost-effective solutions to today’s two most pressing challenges – HR & growing energy costs. Here you can find pioneering suppliers and experts who can help a hotel meet its sustainability and recruitment goals.
When the shift comes in for a late night opening, get ready for an extended evening of unique experiences, networking opportunities, celebratory drinks, and live music. And, guests attending the show will also get the chance to see the winners announced for the inaugural Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam Awards
Hotel Designs is attending Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam as a proud media partner of the show.
Main image credit: Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam
Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll, a new destination from Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon portfolio is a collection of sustainable destinations, resorts, spas, and skincare lines. It has recently announced the summer opening of its newest nature-driven development, Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll…
Debuting in the Ásgarður Valley, at the edge of a remote mountain range deep in Iceland’s central highlands, the multi-faceted Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll from the Blue Lagoon Hotel group, will be the first of its kind in this untouched, adventure-driven paradise. The year-round destination will feature the Highland Base Hotel, complete with rooms, suites, and luxury lodges as well as a series of Highland Base Huts designed for private or shared accommodations, the Highland Base Camp, the 80 seat Highland Base Restaurant and Lounge and the Highland Base Baths.
Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll.
“Kerlingarfjöll has been beloved by Icelanders for decades, and we’re pleased to introduce the destination in an entirely new way,” said Grímur Sæmundsen, Founder & CEO of Blue Lagoon Iceland. “Full of adventure—from the journey to the experiences while there—Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll will be unmatched for those looking to explore the remote, central highlands of Iceland.”
Ideated and developed by the design teams at Blue Lagoon Iceland, Basalt Architects, and Design Group Italia, the property is being constructed to exist in harmony with nature. The development process has been conducted in accordance with the standards developed by BREEAM—the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for building—and the cosy, minimalist interior designs produce a sense of place, warmth, and comfort felt throughout the entire complex.
Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll
In addition to syncing with nature, the design caters to a wide range of travellers and will be comprised of three distinct accommodations types. The Highland Base Hotel is composed of multiple structures encompassing 46 guestrooms, two suites, and six luxurious lodges. The 46 guestrooms range in size from 18 square metres to 30 square metres and are designed for everyone from families to solo travellers. The two Highland Suites are 44 square metres and feature a terrace with a private, geothermal hot tub and breathtaking views of the mountains. The six Highland Lodges are luxurious, stand-alone, private accommodations.
The Highland Base Huts provide a range of seasonal accommodations in A-frame buildings including bunk beds with shared facilities as well as private huts designed for families or small groups travelling together. Getting even closer to nature, the Highland Base Camp is a seasonal, riverside campsite located at the base of Kerlingarfjöll mountain range with access to the same communal facilities used by the guests staying in the huts.
Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll
Covering almost 100 square kilometres, Kerlingarfjöll, a protected nature reserve, is a circular mountain range that formed over 10,000 years ago with a series of subglacial volcanic eruptions. The range includes peaks reaching more than 1,500 kilometres, and panoramic vistas punctuated by the grand glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, making it an adventure lover’s dream. For guests the selection of seasonal activities includes hiking the vast network of trails, ranging from one kilometre to 50 kilometres, access to a fleet of electric mountain bikes to traverse the raw and colourful mountain scape, backcountry and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing through the geothermal valleys and exploring the incredible panoramas via snowmobiles.
Getting the year off to a flying start, Edmund Bell showcased its comprehensive range of fabrics at the brands 12th Heimtextil exhibition in Frankfurt, previewing not one, but four brand new fabrics made from recycled materials…
Edmund Bell joined the global textile industry at Heimtextil earlier this year with its full range of fabrics and accessories for the commercial, institutional and domestic interiors markets including its comprehensive range of flame retardant decorative blackout, dimout, sheer, woven, upholstery and print fabric. Placed in centre stage were the recycled fabric ranges that have become a core part of the company ethos.
“The impact that our business and our products have on the environment is extremely important to us and we are committed to working towards a sustainable future,” said Fiona Napier, Sales Director, Edmund Bell. “Part of that includes producing fabrics that are made using recycled materials, and also working alongside various associations and commitments to continue to improve our sustainability initiatives across the entire business.”
Image credit: Edmund Bell
RESET is the first blackout fabric made from recycled materials by Edmund Bell and is also an industry first! Welcoming new materials into the world and infusing the dimensions of texture and structure, RESET represents that soft tactile wool look. Offering timeless appeal, it is sure to work effortlessly in any contract environment. With a super soft handle, the face fabric is made from 100 per cent recycled polyester (57 per cent overall recycled after coating).
Laid back and casual, DUO is a smart double-sided strié effect dimout made from 32 per cent recycled inherent FR polyester and 68 per cent inherent FR polyester. Lucky to be characterised by a texture on both sides; expect the unexpected with the use of elegant, recycled yarns creating a very stylish two-tone simplicity.
Humans use around 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute and only 56 per cent are recycled. LINK and SWAY are made using inherent FR recycled polyester REPREVE yarns – the world’s leading brand of recycled performance fibre. REPREVE high-quality fibres are made from 100 per cent recycled materials, including post-consumer plastic bottles and pre-consumer waste. Using recycled instead of virgin polyester produces fewer carbon emissions and gives plastic bottles a second life, keeping them out of oceans and landfills.
Image credit: Edmund Bell
Image credit: Edmund Bell
LINK, with its sculptured grid like structure and a super modernist architectural look, is made using 31 per cent recycled Repreve yarns (made from recycled plastic bottles) and so truly fulfils a sustainable message meeting all our strict testing protocols as well as being 100 per cent FR. Extra usable width at 320cm is a bonus as well.
SWAY, with its natural linen look and fluid movement, has exceptional drape quality and is woven with a super slub profile yarn, capturing a very timeless atmospheric character. It is made from 100 per cent recycled FR yarns, so purposeful in today’s sustainable world.
“After a three-year wait, we were eager to be back at Heimtextil and extremely excited to showcase the new products and services we’ve been working on for the last three years, including four new recycled fabric options,” said Adam Wilde, Group Head of Marketing. “For 2023, we refreshed the look of the stand to make it feel more open and included a striking recycled and sustainable installation at the front showing the new recycled ranges.”
Image credit: Edmund Bell
The recycled fabrics are however part of a bigger picture. As well as The Climate Pledge, Edmund Bell is excited to have partnered with Ecologi – an environmental company with a platform for real climate action. Ecologi facilitate the funding of carbon offset projects and tree planting in locations such as Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya and more locations around the world. Planting trees is one of the best tools we have in removing carbon pollution from our atmosphere, helping to tackle the climate crisis. For this reason, Edmund Bell pledged to plant a tree for every business card received in a specially designed box (made from recycled cardboard) at Heimtextil as part of its journey towards becoming carbon neutral by 2040.
Edmund Bell is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Domes Resorts, Greece’s leading luxury lifestyle hospitality brand and one of the fastest growing in the Mediterranean, has announced new hotel openings and growth plans for 2023, starting with its inaugural launch on the island of Milos…
Opening its doors later in the year as Domes White Coast Milos, Domes is to operate the luxury 30-key hotel, currently branded as Small Luxury Hotels of the World, located in a waterfront nature preserve on the island’s northern coast. Each suite of this adults-only property boasts its own private-infinity pool, uninterrupted sea and sunset views over the Myrtoan Sea, and access to three sandy beaches just a few steps away. Architecturally inspired by the destination’s white rock formations, Domes White Coast Milos encapsulates a calm haven with luxurious simplicity, subtle interiors and neutral tones, enabling guests to disconnect and soak up the surrounding natural environment.
Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves
“We are immensely excited about our newfound collaboration with Invel Real Estate and Prodea Investments on this first of many more exciting projects to come in the Cyclades Greek Islands,” said Dr. George P. Spanos, CEO of Domes. “Our vision is to evolve this unique asset into the leading private-pool hotel in the Aegean, with the expansion occurring in two phases over the next two years and will reach the total number of 130 suites. This will enable us to strengthen our footprint in the Cyclades and solidify our alliance with Invel and Prodea.”
Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves
This news follows the group’s recent expansion at the jewel in the crown Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Corfu. Designed by Kristina Zanic and architecturally styled by Makridis & Associates, the 7,000sqm extension welcomed 69 new guestrooms and suites, a new spa, pool, gym, restaurant and loft bar last season. The new areas continue Domes Miramare’s modernist aesthetic in a minimalist, contemporary style. The façade has been entirely reinvented with clean archways inspired by Corfu Old Town’s heritage buildings, accompanied by intentionally low-key and minimal interiors to frame the remarkable views of the sea and neighbouring five century old olive grove.
Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves
Across the Mediterranean to southern Portugal, Domes Lake Algarve near Vilamoura is currently undergoing a comparable renovation and joins the prestigious Autograph Collection hotels, becoming part of Marriott International. The family-friendly hotel, which spearheaded Domes’ growth outside of Greece last year, will reopen this spring.
Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves
The chic refurbishment is designed to embrace the natural surroundings and uplifting climate, while guestrooms and public spaces will feature fresh designs inspired by its surrounding gardens and lake. The hotel will also welcome an adults-only pool for calm downtime whilst children enjoy the original large swimming pool and salt-water lake.
From luxury hotels and fine-dining restaurants to beach clubs and wellness retreats, Domes Resorts has become a leading lifestyle hospitality brand in the Mediterranean with remarkable plans and growth ahead. Further new openings will be soon announced in popular Greek destinations including the peninsula of Halkidiki, Mykonos, Santorini and the Athenian Riviera, whilst the brand also plans to expand even further across Europe.
Hyperion Tiles reveals highlights from its latest mosaics collection, showcasing the design trend which continues to gather pace and make design strong statements in luxury and boutique hotel bathrooms and wellness spaces…
First appearing in Mesopotamia, mosaic tiles have been around for thousands of years and there is no sign of a slowdown in their popularity. The range of size, colour, pattern and shape of bathroom mosaic tiles available from Hyperion Tiles allows designers to unleash their creativity. Aesthetics aside, these tiles are also versatile, practical durable, hygienic and low-maintenance. Mosaics work brilliantly with other materials, such as Italian porcelain tiles and they can be used on a variety of surfaces, including walls and floors.
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
“Mosaic tiles are so versatile in so many ways and they can be used on walls and floors,” said Richard Skeoch, Director, Hyperion Tiles.”Made from small pieces of coloured glass, ceramics, stone or even metal, these designs come in sheet form for practical use and can feature in awkward spaces or around pipes and sanitaryware and we offer a huge selection to choose form in all sorts of colours, shapes, sizes and textures.”
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
“Mosaic tiles are also perfectly suited to floors,” added Skeoch, “just make sure you check their slip rating, and whether they can withstand the weight of the people who will walk on them, with your tile specialist first.”
Ideal for bathrooms, mosaic tiles are non-porous and therefore highly resistant to mould and mildew. Interior designers can use them on a single wall to create a feature, or all four walls for a stronger statement. The mosaics can be used to create accents or borders and uses can vary greatly from a splashback or framing a mirror to showcasing recessed shelving or zoning the bathing area.
Hyperion Tiles has extensive collections of bespoke floor and wall tiles in a variety of patterns, colours, shapes and sizes, including an extensive mosaics collection along with the technical expertise available to offer expert advice to designers, specifiers and architects.
Hyperion Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Social consciousness and innovative use of materials and lighting were the key themes amplified among the finalists of the Surface Design Awards 2023. Editor Hamish Kilburn was there to capture the winners across the 13 categories…
The final day of Surface Design Show kicked off with the industry gathering at Business Design Centre London for this year’s edition of Surface Design Awards, which delivered yet again in ‘celebrating design excellence around the world’. True to form, the event set a benchmark for global architectural design, receiving well over 130 entries from 12 countries. From the dozens of projects that were entered, a total of forty made the shortlist across the eleven initial categories. The winners of the categories were announced today during a breakfast ceremony this morning, the final day of the 2023 Surface Design Show.
The quality of this year’s entries led to a Surface Design Show first, with the decision to crown not one but two Supreme Winners: Glade of Light by BCA Landscape, won the Landscape & Public Realm category and the Winner of the Commercial Building Exterior category was MONC by Nina + Co with Smile Plastics.
Glade of Light is a living memorial to those who lost their lives in the May 2017 terror attack at Manchester Arena and is a space for reflection and remembrance. The abstract design is an emotional response to the ineffability of sorrow and loss. It’s a special place where people can briefly pause time, find a place of quiet and stillness in their busy lives, providing a space to reflect and linger a while.
Image credit: MONC
MONC is a retailer selling sustainable eyewear and its debut store in Marylebone, London was designed with circularity in mind. Almost everything brought into the building was entirely bio-based or recycled. The furniture within the store is expertly built to last but can also be disassembled for re-use, recycling or return to the earth as nourishment.
The differences of the two outstanding projects, a landscaped living memorial and a retail interior proved challenging for the judges, with strong opinions divided. After a long debate it was decided that the only fair decision that they could make was to award the Supreme Award to both. The judges said of Glade of Light, ‘It is a special place, which creates a moment and makes you feel safe’ whilst MONC was praised by the judges for ‘its powerful design with all the wow factor and beauty, yet still retaining a fantastic sustainability focus, something that we could all learn from’.
Image credit: Studio AVT Architects
Other winners of the categories all had a strong sustainability message and stood out within their respective categories. The Commercial Building Exterior category was awarded to Design District Building D2 by Mole Architects, a two-toned compact and angular building which contributes to the vibrancy of the Design District in Greenwich. Knitted Eaves by Studio AVT Architects Pvt, was highly commended within this category.
One of the Supreme Winners, MONC by Nina + Co with Smile Plastics, also took the award in the Commercial Building Interior category. This project not only prioritised the reuse of regenerative materials, but they also created products with multiple lifecycles in mind, making disassembly easy by limiting the use of adhesives. This project stood out as a fantastic example of circular design.
Image credit: Andre Kong Studio / Luke O’Donovan
Andre Kong Studio’s Stepped Loft won the category of Housing Exterior. An extension of a Victorian terraced house in south east London, this project features a series of stepped brick volumes, extruded to create a host of new rooms. The design asserts presence to the new level in a contemporary way, whilst still being sympathetic to the colours and materials of the existing house.
This year the award for Housing Interior was shared between Wiltshire Farmhouse, by Emil Eve Architects and Southwark Brick House by Satish Jassal Architects. The Wiltshire Farmhouse scheme demonstrated how a farmhouse kitchen was transformed using terracotta tiles both inside and out, which brings warmth to the new extension. The other winner in this category, Southwark Brick House, by Satish Jassal Architects, is a new-build which impressed the judges with its reuse of existing materials from the garage and the selection of other materials for their longevity.
Image credit: Satish Jassal Architects
In the Light & Surface Exterior, The Yards St Martin’s Courtyard Terrace by Brimelow McSweeney Architects was highly commended, with the winner named as Knitted Eaves by Studio AVT Architects Pvt. This project uses unique and natural designs to create a pattern which has its own solidarity, yet works together in a combination depicting the process of hand-weaving and textile production.
For the Light & Surface Interior category, Sky Lantern House by Proctor & Shaw Architects took the prize. This whole house refurbishment and extension project looked to the rhythm of traditional dormers on an existing roofscape to inspire the radical transformation of a London home. Expressed externally as an assemblage of stacked luminous boxes, the rear extension evokes the ethereal quality of a floating ‘sky lantern’ at night.
Image credit: Coffey Architects
Image credit: Nissen Richards Studio
The Digi-Tech Factory by Coffey Architects won the Public Building Exterior category. Coffey Architects threw a delicate white mesh over a practical teaching block to give it a light, enigmatic and joyful touch. The external screen of white powder-coated aluminium mesh or corrugated aluminium unifies the building’s form and modulates the interior and exterior environments. In short, this is a building of beautiful lightness and air. The Sutton Hoo visitor experience by Nissen Richards Studio was highly commended.
The Public Building Interior category award was given to Jiva Spa and Wellness Centre by Emil Eve Architects. Located in the Victorian cellars of the luxury Taj Hotel, the unique interior of this new wellness centre in London has been designed to complement the philosophy of Jiva’s traditional Indian treatments and their local partner Temple Spa.
Supreme Winner Glade of Light, by BCA Landscape, also won the award for Landscape + Public Realm. A contemporary memorial landscape with an emotional power and honesty, it has become a significant place in the heart of Manchester for the personal and communal process of remembrance, grieving and healing.
The Temporary Structure category award was also shared between two practices. A Cautionary Bench/Mark by Andre Kong Studio was one of the recipients. This structure was built from reclaimed materials and is sat on two levels. The lower bench invites passers-by to sit and reflect, with the higher-level looming 2.6m above, predicting the water level expected during a severe tidal storm in 2030. Sharing the spoils is the River Book by Atelier YokYok. This a volumetric interpretation of the geography and the history of Jiaxing, a city in the northern Zhejiang province in China. Its design results in dancing swirls, enticing visitors to come closer.
Introduced last year, The Architectural Photography award was won by Sanaa Aftab for their image of the National Museum of Qatar, ‘A Deserts Rose’.
As the industry immerses itself in the latest materials for the built environment, the projects across the board in this years entries afforded both new insights and inspiration into sustainable and innovative design.
Hotel Designs’ is proud to be a Surface Design Show media partner
One of the highlights at this years Surface Design Show, Stone Tapestry was designed by Squire & Partners to highlight the versatility of natural stone through surface finish and texture, celebrating stones from the British Isles…
Squire & Partners was invited by collaborators Stone Federation for the third year running to design an explorative natural stone showcase, which sits at the centre of the show’s Stone Gallery. In line with the Surface Design Show’s theme of ‘shaping communities’, this year the installation has focussed on exploring some of the natural stones that have helped shape and create towns and cities across the UK and Europe. The design of the installation gives visitors a unique opportunity to explore the materials and be inspired to utilise the sustainable and aesthetic benefits of using natural stone.
Image credit: James Balston
Image credit: James Balston
The bespoke LEMA-designed table has been reused from previous years and fitted with a reinvigorated array of stones from Britannicus Stone, SolidNature, Albion Stone and Burlington Stone. Samples have been finished by SolidNature in several different ways, from polished and sand-blasted to leathered and ‘pillowed’, to demonstrate the beauty and versatility of natural stone. ‘Exploring the Stone Tapestry’ talks have been taking place around the table during the show, exploring the concept behind the installation and the materials and methods used to create it.
Hotel Designs’ is proud to be a Surface Design Show media partner
Meet The Brit List Awards winner who scooped Best in Tech Award
To kickstart our video series in collaboration with GROHE X on the winners from The Brit List Awards 2022, Editor Hamish Kilburn meets with Alexander Marjanovic to understand how ReardonSmith Architects’ innovative thinking to design a new air purification system for The Beaumont Hotel in London led the studio clinching hold of Best in Tech Award…
ReardonSmith Architects is familiar with being under the spotlight on the global hospitality stage. The architecture firm has just completed its first stage of design renovation inside The Dorchester while it is working on creating the new Rosewood address in London, sheltered inside the former American Embassy building. But its recent accolade was awarded to the studio for its innovative thinking behind the scenes. Design Director Alexander Marjanovic created a new air purification system for The Beaumont Hotel, with the aim to improve wellbeing and the overall quality of the air in the interior spaces.
The new advanced air-purifying, bioclimatic GmbH DBD technology was presented to the hotel’s owners, who, in turn, had the vision to apply it throughout the property. The final result is a cutting-edge technology solution in accordance with the highest health standards, building regulations, and sound engineering practices, in line with the latest recommendations for the prevention of Covid-19 transmission.
It may have been influenced by the pandemic, but the technology was utilised to provide a plethora of wellbeing solutions. In addition to the tech reducing viruses and bacteria in the air and on surfaces, it also increases productivity and psychological health, helps in relieving symptoms of allergies and eliminates the static electricity issue throughout the internal environment.
Applications / nominations for The Brit List Awards 2023 will open in the Summer. The process to apply is free for all designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers alike. This is one of three videos that Hotel Designs will launch in association with GROHE, Broadcasting Partner of The Brit List Awards, to amplify a handful of the winners from last year’s campaign.
Miniview: Hotel Sin Nombre – a bohemian haven for history and art in Oaxaca
Located in one of the best known destinations in Mexico, Hotel Sin Nombre has managed to effortlessly combine elements of colonial architecture with art and contemporary design to offer an experience of comfort and minimalist sophistication…
Among the columns, arches and flagstone floors of the 17th century colonial mansion which houses Hotel Sin Nombre, there is an avant-garde spirit that has been put together with curated touches of artisanal sophistication. Arabic references that invite relaxation and sensory delight sit comfortably among handmade rugs, delicate cushions and details that highlight Oaxaca’s artisan traditions.
Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre / Lexus Gallegos
The contemporary design and minimalist elegance are the work of the architect João Boto Caeiro, who is responsible for the methodical and respectful restoration of the original structure, rooted in principles of sustainability and conservation of traditional skills, including ancient processes for preparing paint from charcoal, lime and ground clay.
Image credit: Hans Valor
The vaulted ceilings, central staircase and walls were all treated as canvases for the work of the Oaxacan master craftsmen, as well as to frame works by visual artists such as the photographer Alberto “Negro” Ibáñez, present in black-and-white images of nudes in the rooms and public areas; works by painter and sculptor Carlito Dalceggio, whose talent is expressed in two interventions; the work of Dr. Lakra exhibited in the Cantinita; and three metal sculptures by Portuguese sculptor Fulvio Capurso installed on the terrace, their silhouettes outlined against the horizon.
Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre
Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre
At Hotel Sin Nombre the spaces present an ethereal sobriety emphasized by a harmonious play of light and shadow, appreciated in all 18 guestrooms, which have also been meticulously decorated with furniture in tropical hardwoods from certified sawmills, antiques, and snow-white bedding that contrasts with the hand-embroidered textiles.
Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre
The comfort of a home away from home is the promise for those who stay and choose to let time slip away unhurriedly surrounded by its design features and details. The glass dome, the ironwork from the early 20th century, and the Bibliotekita – a unique hideaway with an infinity mirror ceiling and a red neon light that invites you to unleash your creativity with its collection of literary works on various themes.
Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre
The terrace is another defining point in this design, with the swimming pool with sunset views across the illuminated domes of Santo Domingo and the cathedral. Guests can kick back and enjoy panoramic vistas that extend as far as Monte Albán and San Felipe on the horizon.
Image Credit: Hotel Sin Nombre
The culinary offering sheltered within the property is spread across three distinct concepts, each with its own personality. The Restaurant Sin Nombre is an avant-garde fusion between the gastronomic traditions of different communities from the region, with recipes prepared using seasonal and organic ingredients. Respecting the harvest cycles, the menu is renewed every three months to offer authentic mouthfuls of tradition and flavours of the fields. In the Cantinita, the hotels’ mixology bar, the specialty is the unique elixirs prepared there together with a selection of snacks. Finally, the Terraza Sin Nombre presents a menu of meat and fish combined with vegetable ingredients in original recipes.
With the bathroom increasingly becoming an extension of our living space, Duravit has identified several trends that are both shaping the bathroom and impacting on its design…
The bathroom is no longer merely a place for a daily care and health routine. It has become a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In the same way that the kitchen has converged with the living room, the bathroom is now becoming an extension of the bedroom. Room boundaries are becoming more fluid as the washing area and bathtub can be creatively located in the centre of the bedroom, with only the toilet being physically separated.
Such floating spaces work because sanitary objects are now designed and installed in a similar fashion to furniture – as decorative standalone features crafted from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and stone with a look and feel that creates a feeling of sanctuary.
Image credit: Duravit
Contemporary bathrooms are being designed in a homely style with sanitary objects and bathroom furniture, being entwined with soft furnishings, lamps, textiles, and accessories. Specific shapes and materials combine with calming earth tones specifically to create a cosy ambiance, enhanced with plants bringing a touch of outdoors indoors. Inspiration from nature in interior design are hallmarks of Scandinavian design and Japanese aesthetics. The Zencha bathroom collection from Duravit brings these two concepts into harmony. Designer Sebastian Herkner crafted the sanitary objects and bathroom furniture from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and textured glass. Whilst the modular storage furniture with its delicate edges and shadow gaps exudes a slightly more austere look, with the freestanding bathtub giving the impression of a large bowl that culminates in a graceful edge with a gentle outward curve.
Image credit: Duravit
Duravit’s White Tulip bathroom collection features organic forms combined with furniture in natural solid wood surfaces and high-gloss or satin-matt lacquers to create harmony and softness in the interior. Designed by Philippe Starck, the forms of the sanitary objects, faucets, and furniture are reminiscent of the silhouette of a tulip in bloom.
Inspiration from nature is a trend that is here to stay in interior design. As a material, wood surfaces are appealing to the touch with aesthetic and tactile qualities that make it suited to a natural furnishing style like no other material. Wood is also an established feature of the bathroom. In D-Neo, Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly has created a complete bathroom range that offers no fuss vanity units and semi-tall cabinets in a range of oak and walnut furniture finishes.
Image credit: Duravit
Increasing numbers of manufacturers now offer sanitary objects, and furniture smaller sizes so that bathrooms with compact measurements can easily be transformed into living spaces. Bathrooms in large cities are often only a few square meters in size. Mirrored cabinets, storage furniture, and washbasins with storage space also play their part in maintaining order in the bathroom. Free surfaces can accommodate eye-catching decorative pieces such as jewellery boxes, vases and bowls.
Thinking and acting in a sustainable manner has always been important at Duravit and as such it offers a range of bathroom solutions that consume less water than conventional ones or are made from sustainable materials. Sustano is the first ever recyclable shower tray to be marketed from the German manufacturer. Made from the sustainable mineral material DuroCast Nature, it not only has a high surface hardness and density, but the shower trays can either be returned to the manufacturer or a local recycling centre after the end of their useful life.
Image credit: Duravit
The minimalist Tulum faucet range by Philippe Starck saves energy and water because it is equipped with a FreshStart function. In the central position, this only produces cold water to start with. The flow rate limited by the MinusFlow function additionally helps save this precious resource. In parallel to its existing sustainable product range, Duravit has embedded the goal to be climate-neutral by 2045 in its company targets.
Image credit: Duravit
Since the pandemic more attention has been paid to hygiene, especially in the bathroom. Thorough cleanliness is ensured by easy-to-clean surfaces such as ceramics or DuroCast Nature. Toilets in the White Tulip range from Philippe Starck are equipped with the innovative HygieneFlush technology which cleans the entire inside of the toilet. The ceramic glaze HygieneGlaze ensures that approximately 90 percent of bacteria have been eliminated within six minutes, rising to approx. 99.9 percent after 24 hours. The Soleil by Starck bathroom series, toilet has a slightly protruding, delicate lid. This design feature means the lid is easily griped without touching the seat or ceramic.
Duravit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
In conversation with: Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, CEO of Naumi Hotels
Naumi Hotels is a family-owned business that has a refreshing approach to hospitality – the design and sustainability-led hotel group is giving the industry a serious shake-up with husband and wife duo Arshiya and Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala leading the way…
Having recently opened the doors on the seventh property in its portfolio, Naumi Wellington was quickly listed as one of New Zealand’s hottest new hotel openings. We caught up with Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, Naumi CEO to find out a little more about what it is that sets the brand apart in the competitive APAC hotel market.
Hotel Designs: Naumi is credited with developing ‘a whole new design’ of New Zealand hotels. Can you tell us what changes the brand has brought to the design table?
Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala: The design of every Naumi hotel is built behind a story of architectural and artistic concept brought to life by modern and cutting-edge design visions. Wherever our hotels are situated – whether that be New Zealand, Australia, Singapore or the UK, the vision of the property begins with its location, the history of the building and the surrounding community. The aspect that makes each hotel quintessentially Naumi is that it is anchored in the spirit of the location. Each property represents a definitive hospitality style fuelled by the desire to be whimsical, experiential, and innovative. An important factor of Naumi’s design process is breathing new life into an existing interesting property, rather than building from scratch – the essence of sustainable design: repurposing what is already there. Our most recent opening, Naumi Wellington, was originally one of many People’s Palace hotels that were built by the Salvation Army in the late 19th and early 20th century. It has been a delight repurposing the Edwardian-era building for the contemporary traveller. It is important for us to work with local designers and suppliers to support the local design and artistic community while creating an experience that is eclectic, bold, and colourful.
Image credit: Naumi Wellington
HD: Naumi talks about its take on modern luxury – what do you think are the new luxuries?
GJ: The Naumi guest is the epitome of modern luxury: those that prioritise high quality, well-designed spaces and features without paying above and beyond for them. Modern luxury is putting purpose and quality as the primary factors when making aesthetic and practical decisions. For example, it’s a given that all our hotels provide technology that a modern traveller is used to, like smart TV’s, USB cable points and easy access to fast Wi-Fi. It amazes me how often these tiny but significant details are missed in hotel rooms. I think the way dining experiences have changed reflect this too. Modern luxury is about being able to enjoy affordable world class cuisine that has been localised with fresh ingredients grown in the environs of a destination, innovative flavours, working with a close-knit community of growers and suppliers. Lola Rouge, our Wellington restaurant, and bar is an example of this. Our award-winning Executive Chef Kiran Ghate combines a stunning range of local ingredients, colour, flavour, and texture to reflect the Asian influences of Lola Rouge.
Image credit: Naumi
HD: Sustainability is a key issue in the hospitality industry and clearly one being addressed by Naumi – can you tell us a bit more about how this is being done in real terms?
GJ: People are at the centre of Naumi’s DNA, and we are supporting communities in the countries where we operate and where we’re from. Naumi’s goal is to help break the cycle of poverty in marginalised communities. We work on issues of food insecurity, hoping to provide children with an equal chance to a better childhood, where they can focus on their education and an increased quality of life. To date, we have partnered with KidsCan in New Zealand to provide 125 hot meals daily to children in low decile schools in New Zealand and we have supported the nutrition of 100,000 children in India and have fed 13,000 children from food insecure backgrounds in Singapore. In addition in Singapore, we have set up educational grant programs with institutions to provide financial support to women pursuing their undergraduate studies.
Through unique product placements in our hotel rooms, we have supported women with opportunities to up skill and create unique products for Naumi. One of the projects we are rolling out are our new lightweight bathrobes, made from waste sari offcuts by women in India. Previously, we have created our Hope Tote Bags that guests can use at all our hotels and then purchase, with 100 per cent of the profit going towards food insecure children. Working with marginalised women communities is fundamental to us. It helps us create products that are one of a kind while providing better opportunities for them.
It’s also important to say that sustainability is an ongoing process as we learn and strive to be better every year. Technology is continuously improving and that enables us to be increasingly sustainable and effective in how we operate. The key cards used in our hotels are now made of recycled wood and our amenity pouches are eco-friendly and biodegradable. One of the biggest challenges hotel groups face is land waste, to mitigate this we have eliminated all single use plastic at our hotels and restaurants. We are now also learning about and sourcing real solutions to keep land waste to a minimum. We must keep the momentum going to continuously strive to be better, which is key!
Image credit: Naumi
HD: With plans to expand into Europe, do you feel that the brand will need to make changes when moving into Europe – or is it more about introducing the Naumi hotel flavour to the European palette?
GJ: Our approach will be the same – find a building with an incredible history and design aspect and create a Naumi hotel for that place and space defined by its bold and colourful design. Working with local designers helps set the mood and tone to make sure that every project is different while maintaining the feel of a Naumi hotel.
HD: The design of every Naumi hotel is built on a story of architectural and artistic concept – how do you approach the design of a new property – do you use in-house designers, local designers etc?
GJ: For our New Zealand properties (two in Wellington, two in Queenstown and one in Auckland), we have worked with an incredible interior design firm called Material Creative, who are renowned for their unexpected design and for sourcing and working with local designers and creatives. We start with a seed of an idea that we take to Material Creative and then allow the brief to bloom and take form in collaboration. We plan to take this approach with all our properties. It’s been great working with up-and-coming Kiwi brands with our Naumi Wellington opening including Made of Tomorrow who have designed the bedroom’s unique bedside tables, coffee tables, and mirrors. One of my favourite artwork pieces is a sustainably designed kina, inspired by the spiky and plump sea urchin’s endemic to New Zealand, designed by local artist, Andi Regan, made from cable ties dyed in a multitude of colours. Collaboration with fellow designers allows real magic to happen and that’s what we’re about!
Image credit: Naumi
Image credit: Naumi
HD: Have there been any significant lessons learned during the journey and has the model changed or adapted with experience?
GJ: We were always clear that we never wanted to apply a cookie cutter approach to our hotels. Each Naumi has to be a unique and exciting experience. I always want each of the hotels to be different but with a shared DNA. Covid was a huge learning curve for us where we had to transition into various models. Some of our hotels were part of the isolation and quarantine facilities, and some had become long-term serviced apartments of sorts. I think one thing that I learned is fluidity in all of this. The model must serve the need of the hour and we need to be flexible and nimble to adjust to macro issues.
HD: Do you have a favourite property in your portfolio?
GJ: I think that is always my newest property because of the amount of work we all have poured into it, and it is great to see it in completion. From a sketch and concept to a final reality is very rewarding!
HD: Your dream destination for the Naumi vision?
GJ: I think there are so many cool interesting places where Naumi would be able to make a mark. I would be very interested to open hotels in Europe – Amsterdam, London, Manchester, Brussels. I am also looking at Dubai and Thailand as interesting markets. Watch this space…
HD: Finally, next steps – what’s in the Naumi pipeline?
GJ: As of now we are renovating Naumi Sydney and getting ready for its launch which I am looking forward to. It’s great for our guests to have properties in both Australia and New Zealand to stay in when they’re exploring the APAC region. We are on the lookout for new properties in Australia and New Zealand as well as newer markets.
Workspace Design Show: a closer look at the design talks
Returning to London’s Business Design Centre on February 27-28, the Workspace Design Show builds on the theme ‘Destination Workplace: Places Where People Want to Be’. Here is a little more about what to expect in the talks, interviews and discussions…
To cover the ever-changing world of workplace strategy and design, there will be four different talks programmes running through the show: The Workspace Design Talks, Sustainability Works, The Occupiers Forum – The View from HQ and The Finishes & Interiors Sector Conference.
The Workspace Design Talks will feature the latest trends, challenges and success stories in workplace design and strategy from our country’s leading architects, designers, developers and occupiers from the likes of Gensler, MCM, KKS Savills, Foster + Partners, Squire & Partners, Grimshaw, Lloyds Banking and more. One of the panel discussions, ‘Finding common ground: when hospitality, workplace and residential design collide’ will be chaired by Hotel Designs’ editor Hamish Kilburn, featuring Conran & Partners, Squire & Partners, and Jacobs.
Image credit: Gensler
In a series of talks, interviews and discussions, the Sustainability Works programme will bring together a selection of key figures behind the workplace market’s leading sustainable initiatives, projects and product developments. Curated by Mick Jordan and the Works editorial team, the latest thought leadership on sustainable design will come from the likes of Perkins&Will, M Moser Associates, BDP, Scott Brownrigg, BDG and tp bennett.
Workspace Design Show will also be hosting the Occupiers Forum – ‘The view from HQ’, providing the audience with the chance to listen to the Occupiers’ perspectives on the future of workplaces in these fast changing times. Among the speakers from occupiers are HMRC, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Oracle, Standard Chartered, BT, CBRE and Unilever.
Image credit: Workspace Design Show
Image credit: BDP
Gensler, the worldwide integrated architecture, design, planning, and consulting firm will be designing the show entrance, with the theme ‘Destination Workplace Rebirth’. It’s about fresh perspectives to enable new ways of working and create unique and tailored destinations for people, hence the overarching theme of rebirth.
International furniture specialist, The Furniture Practice will curate this year’s Design Talks Lounge in collaboration with multidisciplinary studio Acrylicize. The main stage space will bring together key pieces from leading furniture manufacturers, including Moroso, Andreu World, Arper, Fredericia and Vitra, alongside an immersive installation celebrating material innovation within furniture and interiors.
WDS has a brand new addition, ‘Change by Design’, lounge space concept for the Workspace Design Show, carefully curated by BDP. It is a discussion piece surrounding the current climate crisis, and questions the impact of workplace design on the natural environment. It represents a problem-solving approach that showcases the use of recycled, reused and bio materials in design projects helping to shape a low-carbon future.
Image credit: Workspace Design Show
The WDS Party returns this year on the evening of February 27, taking place on the show floor, featuring a stunning bar designed by M Moser Associates. The REVIVAL designed by M Moser will be a place to inspire, restore and recharge the show visitors throughout the day. The concept for this bar is inspired by their mission to reduce waste and repurpose discarded materials. The goal is to give these items a new lease of life and spark curiosity and conversation. The space which aims to take you from a state of flux to stasis.
Leading fabrics brand, Kvadrat will be running the mood board contest this year. This opportunity offers all show visitors the chance to come along, be creative, inventive and design outside the box. All entries will be judged by some of the industries most experienced creatives, with incredible prizes to be won.
Hotel Designs is proud to return in 2023 as an official media partner for Workspace Design Show. Editor Hamish Kilburn will be on the main stage on February 27 at 15:20 to moderate a discussion on when workspace hospitality and residential design collide.
Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort, the sanctuary synonymous with Mykonian luxury, has announced its latest addition for guests seeking an ultimate retreat. We stepped inside the 945 square metre villa to have a sneak peek….
The Mykonos Grand shelters 96 guestrooms and suites including luxurious suites with private pools and is now also home to an impressive private villa. The hotel worked in partnership with the award-winning team of interior designer, Maria Vafiadis, Founder of MKV Design, and landscape designer, Philip Jaffa, Founder of Scape Design, to create this unique residence where family gatherings or groups of friends can celebrate life and the joy of the natural world as they take in the extraordinary views over the Aegean Sea towards the sacred island of Delos, birthplace of the mythological god of light, Apollo.
Image credit: John Athimaritis
Indoors, the villa comprises four bedrooms, lounge, dining area and gym; above, there is a magnificent rooftop terrace where pool, lounging, dining and a choice of sitting areas combine to make another collection of outdoor rooms and al fresco experiences. The villa has its own arrival courtyard and car parking space. From here, guests progress into an inner courtyard that provides a wonderful, breeze free retreat, from where a staircase leads directly to the rooftop. Both courtyards are surrounded by punctured walls allowing dappled light to penetrate and the enchantment to begin.
“We wanted guests to truly experience the natural beauty of the Aegean Sea and the romance of the distant islands so creating a seamless link to the breathtaking scenery was paramount to our design approach,” said Philip Jaffa, Founder of Scape Design. “It’s very easy for a guest whilst relaxing on this roof space, to feel like they are living in a dreamscape, a haven dedicated to their own desires.”
Image credit: John Athimaritis
Upon entering the villa, guests are greeted by a striking work of art created by emerging Greek artist, Nano and by interiors that are pure and elegant. Architectural features reflect traditional Cycladic forms and the colour palette of white and numerous shades of blue belongs symbiotically with the island and its natural world. Curvaceous and elliptical shapes in the furniture, mirrors, wall tiles and accessories provide a contemporary take on the architectural language of Mykonos while timber elements add warmth.
Image credit: John Athimaritis
The interiors reflect the design language of the progressive refurbishments undertaken across the resort in recent years but elevate and add to these with personal touches by the designers, including a curated collection of accessories which emphasises the residential feel of the villa.
Since the rest of the hotel accommodation sits behind the villa, residents of the villa have virtually uninterrupted views from their guestrooms offering an intimate and privileged connection with the Aegean Sea. There is a master bedroom, complete with a built-in sunken bathtub from where guests can indulge in romantic contemplation of sea and sunlight, and three further ensuite bedrooms, two of which feature a walk-in steam cabin. Each guestroom is similarly designed with little superficial adornment, instead allowing nature to create the magic as shafts of sunlight play on the walls and sheer curtains wave in the breeze.
Image credit: John Athimaritis
The open plan living area, which flows from kitchen to dining area and finally the lounge, spills onto the verandah. When night-time falls, the living area can be closed down into a cosy space where contemporary task and feature lighting takes over, complemented by lanterns and the flames of a fire. Dionyssos Greek marble, polished plaster and a natural chalk-like paint were used throughout.
Image credit: John Athimaritis
“The design of the villa is about a symbiosis of indoor and outdoor living,” said Maria Vafiadis, Founder MKV Design. “It is a celebration of the unique location both in terms of views and our reinterpretation of traditional Cycladic architecture. Throughout the design there is a crisp contrast between white and blue, and a continuous play of organic shapes with linear geometric forms.”
Image credit: John Athimaritis
The experience of the rooftop is almost a world unto itself where different levels offer retreat from, or exposure to, the natural world. Guests enter into a stylishly furnished sitting and dining area under the shade of a white pergola sufficient to make even the hottest afternoon enjoyable. From here, steps lead to the 45 square metre heated pool and an infinity edge water channel that navigates the far end of the terrace, seamlessly connecting guests to the sea and the far horizon. In the centre of the terrace and looking directly out to sea, large loungers provide a tranquil place to sunbathe during the day. The west of the terrace is a very special place to be for picture-perfect views of the setting sun, relaxing on lounge seating as the flickering flames of a sunken firepit add drama against the darkening skies.
Since the villa sits within the resort, villa guests have access to all the resort’s facilities, including the award-winning Althea Spa Retreat, concierge services, a private chef and the safety provided by the resort’s security team.
12 studios ‘named’ as architects on The Line in Saudi Arabia
According to multiple sources, 12 studios have been named as working on the controversial project, The Line, in Saudi Arabia. Here’s what we know…
Ever since we first dropped the news of a futuristic 106-mile, mirrored metropolis to emerge in Saudi Arabia, named The Line, the demand to know more among the design and architecture community has been off the scale. Lines have been drawn over how ethical and sustainable the ambitious – some would argue controversial – engineering and architectural project will be. Questions have been raised over the oil-rich country’s track record with human rights and many are wondering how the development can be sustainable given the size of the build – roughly the size of Belgium – and the materials required for the project.
Since drone footage was revealed on social media, though, any trepidation as to whether The Line was just another make-belief concept was wiped away. From what we can see, construction has started and it looks like progress is being made on the project that is due for completion in 2030. And now, making the project even more real, the architecture studios involved have apparently been named.
Image credit: Neom
Developed by Neom, The Line’s mirrored-wall city will cost a reported $500 Billion to design, and it will create 380,000 jobs. While on the outside The Line will reflect dessert landscape, inside the urban city is expected to contain residential, hospitality, and leisure spaces as well as vertical gardens and educational buildings. Each building will be stacked and layered in an arranged that the visionaries behind its concept are calling ‘Zero Gravity Urbanism’.
Within the space of just 200 metres, the city in-between two perfectly parallel mirrored walls, is said to house nine million people. The structure, reaching 500 metres tall and stretching more than 106 miles, if built, will become the 12th tallest – and by far the longest – building in the world. So who will be responsible for designing it?
It is unclear, at present, which studio will be responsible for what. And given that all are refusing to comment, this information is going to, if ever, be revealed at later stages of the build. For now, the design and architecture community continue to question the development’s social impact on Saudi Arabia and its people, while also being intrigued, dare we say inspired, by the forward-thinking approach from Neom.
Brown Hotels unveils the new design-centric Isla Brown Chania
Brown Hotels has announced the opening of a second property under its new line of Isla Brown luxury design resorts. Set to open in May, the group continues to expand its five-star offering with the arrival of Isla Brown Chania…
Located on the coastline of northern Crete featuring panoramic views that sweep across the Mediterranean Sea, Isla Brown Chania is set to invigorate the Cretan hospitality scene with its contemporary design aesthetic, elevated F&B concepts and state-of-the-art facilities, as the international hotel group continues to develop its portfolio of luxury resorts. A brand known for its quirky, design-driven boutique urban properties, Brown Hotels’ expanded into beach-side resorts in 2022 with the opening of Isla Brown Corinthia, a 166-room five-star resort on Greece’s Saronic Gulf, swiftly followed by the launch of two additional four-star resorts on Evia island: Brown Beach Eretria and Brown Beach Chalkida.
Image credit: Brown Hotels
Isla Brown Chania’s design presents a clean and organic concept harmoniously reflecting the vast nature that surrounds it. Designed by Greek architectural firm Liakos Associates Architects, the new resort champions the use of natural materials with a refined interior decorated in earthy, neutral tones. The property features 148 spacious guestrooms and suites, unique restaurant concepts, an outdoor bar and lounge area, three swimming pools and a spa and wellness centre.
Image credit: Brown Hotels
“At Brown Hotels, we’re passionate about hospitality in all its aspects and the stories behind each and every one of our 50 hotels from the high-spirited, urban hotels, to sophisticated design resorts,” said Leon Avigad, Founder of Brown Hotels. “Isla Brown Chania will continue to raise the standards for the Crete hospitality scene with its stylish and luxurious design, led by the famous Liakos Associates Architects, complete with all the signature Brown Hotels’ experiences.”
Maximising the use of natural materials, the guestrooms have an organic aesthetic of earthy tones, decorated in cream, taupe and brown shades, with plush green velvet and marble furnishings, natural wood fixtures and upscale gold accents. Following suit, the main areas of the hotel are decorated in the same warm, earthy tones, with natural wood fixtures and furnishings and deluxe gold detailing. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow for streams of natural light to illuminate the space, whilst connecting the inside with the out, drawing the eye across the Mediterranean Sea.
Image credit: Brown Hotels
The property shelters two guestroom types and four suite varieties to suit the needs of every traveller. Guests will be able to choose from a ‘Deluxe Garden’ or ‘Deluxe Sea’ guestroom view, or opt for one of the more spacious suites, including a ‘Junior Family’ suite, ‘Deluxe Garden View’ suite with shared pool, ‘Grand Suite’ with private pool, or ‘Honeymoon Suite’ with private splash pool. All rooms and suites at Isla Brown Chania will feature balconies, and will be equipped with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, flat HD TVs, bathrobes, slippers and luxury bathroom amenities.
Image credit: Brown Hotels
Utilising its prime location, Isla Brown Chania will boast an impressive outdoor terrace that meets the water’s edge, with a swimming pool, lounge area, and spacious bar. Gastronomy promises to be a highlight at the hotel, with the resort offering three unique restaurant concepts for an exemplary dining experience. Guests will be presented with an a la carte menu and the famous Brown Hotels breakfast buffet, a main restaurant serving contemporary, fresh dishes, in addition to a more traditional style taverna offering Greek culinary classics.
The wellness centre at Isla Brown Chania will invite guests to step into a sanctuary of calm and enjoy a selection of quality spa treatments, whilst making use of its hammam, sauna and on-site gym. In 2024, Isla Brown Chania will add an additional 30 suites with private splash pools as the resort continues to enhance its offering.
In conversation with: Jeremy Grove on sustainability beyond the buzzword
CUBE recently released its original documentary, Sustainability: A Broken Record, exploring sustainability within architecture, manufacturing and design. Following the release, we sat down with Jeremy Grove, Managing Director and Head of Design at Sibley Grove to dive deeper into this topic and learn how we can move forwards from the broken record that we’re stuck on right now…
The documentary explores how we manage the relationship between people and our planet, unearths the secrets for a more substantial impact and discovers how powerful decisions can move us forward towards a nourishing future. In his role as Head of Design at Sibley Grove, Jeremy Grove is a driving force behind the company ethos that architects and interior designers can and should be vehicles for positive change. Having articulated this position clearly through the making of the documentary, we continued the conversation.
Image credit: CUBE
Hotel Designs: Sustainability is a real buzzword across the industry and being sustainable has arguably become a ‘trend’. What are the challenges that come as a result of that?
Jeremy Grove: I’d say that sustainability has been a buzzword, and it was a trend. I feel as though it’s already moved on and become less relevant, partly because today, people associate it with greenwash and guilt.
We’ve transitioned to an environment where we’re talking about waste, carbon, circularity, and issues such as resource depletion and biodiversity.
These are far more valuable to talk about as they’re measurable and actionable, but they’re just as at danger of becoming trends and that’s definitely an issue. Trends are transient and for these situations, we need permanent solutions.
HD: In the documentary, you describe us living in a world built on consumerism and waste, without truly understanding the consequences of our actions. How do we tackle that problem and create solutions that work?
JG: The first step is acknowledging that we have a system in place which, essentially, is about generating wealth through generating waste.
A lot of designers design products today with disregard for the future. The solutions lie in circular design practices, design for disassembly and refurbishment, and taking greater responsibility for how we source our products and materials.
From a design point of view, it’s about knowing a lot about a little and becoming specialists, rather than knowing a little about a lot.
Image credit: CUBE
HD: You talk about sustainability being misleading, with products often being marketed as being sustainable, while using materials that cannot be recycled and which must then be sent to landfill. How can consumers be aware of this when making buying decisions?
JG: Often, it’s just greenwash – plain and simple. But a lot of the time, it is good intentions executed poorly, or a general lack of understanding. Until you’ve tried something, you don’t really know if it works.
Part of this is understanding more about materials. We talk about hybrid materials, which is where two materials that are of good quality and are fully recyclable are combined to form a hybrid, which is then unrecyclable. Those are the products where I understand the intention. It’s a good try, but really, we need to do better.
The good products lie in closed-loop cycles. In the documentary, we use the example of a tile which is infinitely recyclable. The factory generates zero waste and these tiles will be recycled and made back into tiles; breaking the cycle of landfill.
HD: You refer to sustainability as being ‘less bad’. What does that mean, and how can we strive to be less bad?
JG: Historically, sustainability has been about limiting impact; reducing waste, reducing carbon, buying less and driving less. The problem with that is when you have a global economy built on linear consumption, you’re dealing with a fundamentally flawed system. All you can really be in that model is ‘less bad’.
We need to be using materials appropriately, sourcing them from the right places, and not constantly digging up materials, using them and then burying them again.
Michael Braungart talks about transitioning to a way of thinking that is focused on positive impact. That means keeping valuable materials in use, creating healthy spaces, eradicating exploited labour markets, supporting forestry schemes and avoiding trends.
HD: How important is it that, as businesses, we’re taking responsibility, looking at ourselves, and allowing others to critique what we’re doing?
JG: I think it’s integral. To solve problems, we have to focus on process.
A large part of our work is shifting mentality away from solution-driven design and towards process-led design. You don’t start with a solution and tinker at the edges. You start from, ‘what am I trying to achieve?’, ‘what does that look like?’, ‘what are the appropriate materials?’.
It’s important to accept critique and act on it, but also to actively challenge things when you know they’re not right. These problems can only be solved collaboratively, and we’ve got to be aligned along the way.
HD: You talk about growing up on a farm, not having a lot of money and having to be resourceful. How has that inspired your work?
JG: As a profession, farming has to react and respond to nature. Nature dictates whether you have a good year or a bad year, but a lot of professions operate outside of that. They either fight against nature or they deny its existence.
This creates a culture of consumption with a lack of awareness of the consequences. That’s a big inspiration for how we approach design, and consider our impact on things like deforestation and climate change.
In regards to income, anyone who has experienced periods with less money, or who has felt that not everything is attainable, can use that as a positive influence and to know what their motivations are.
When we’re designing Five-star hotels, we consider how we make it accessible to everyone, and how we ensure it’s inclusive. When we’re creating spaces, everyone’s experience should be fantastic. It’s easy to lose sight of your background, but it’s very valuable to refer back to.
Image credit: CUBE
HD: How do we move forwards from the broken record that we’re stuck on right now?
JG:I think we have to release the shackles of sustainability and move on. Sustainability, as a term, has served its purpose and has got us to where we are now, but it’s a catch-all word.
We need to focus on measurable outcomes, positive impact and something which I touched on in the documentary, the idea of holistic beauty; redefining what we think of as aesthetic.
Something which is made using exploited labour isn’t beautiful, and something which damages the environment isn’t beautiful. I think the younger generations are far more mindful of that.
HD: What has the response been to the documentary?
JG: Much of the response has been around how the documentary focuses on positive messages.
I often see frustration from people who want to make an impact and want to do things better. Designers, especially, feel as though the systems and structures they work with are the opposite of where they want to be, but they have no power to influence that.
People can now see small steps that they can take to get their own house in order. They’re watching the documentary and thinking, ‘what can I do?’, but also, ‘how can I benefit from supporting and collaborating with other people?’.
The documentary is very solution-based and I think that’s so important. It’s easy to spot problems and be cynical, but it’s far harder to see solutions.
Combining technology with stylish design, KEUCO has developed the IXMO Sensor series of touchless taps in response to increasing concerns about both hygiene and sustainability…
The design of the IXMO Sensor series of touchless taps by KEUCO includes a number of additional benefits that ensure the product is easy to clean and with a reduced flow rate, making it more sustainable. Flow rate is set at 5 l/p/m but is adjustable, with a flow time of one second to a maximum of ten seconds until switch-off, enabling economical and resource-saving water consumption. The water temperature is adjusted via a small lever on the back of the free-standing fitting model. If permanent temperature control is not desired, especially in public areas, the adjustment pin can be removed after the initial setting and a special blanking plug fitted to cover the access. For the wall-mounted fitting, the temperature is adjusted in the under-sink box, under the washbasin.
Image credit: KEUCO
The IXMO Sensor taps are extremely versatile and can be combined with a wide range of washbasin styles. They are available in chrome plated or matt black, as either a freestanding or wall mounted variant. They have dual feed fittings but suitable for use as single feed with blended water delivered from a TMV.
The taps have a ‘cleaning stop’ function, by covering the sensor for several seconds it prevents the tap from flowing for 180s enabling the product and surrounding basin, mirror, other surface areas to be cleaned effectively. All the mixers have a range of programmable functionality including cleaning stop, automatic flushing, adjustable detection zone and adjustable run-on time following use. The functions can be set manually or via an app. when fitted in combination with the IXMO Bluetooth receiver. this is optional and is only possible to install with the mains powered fittings.
Both the surface and wall mounted options can be mains powered, but the free-standing option is the only model which can be supplied as both battery or mains powered. The battery is a 6V CRP2 lithium-ion type which has an approx. lifespan of 3 years or 200,000 uses. The battery housing is to be fixed to the wall underneath the basin and is easy to source and replace. This combination of intelligent technology and elegant design make these taps perfect for a variety of locations within the hospitality, hotel and even health care sector.
KEUCO is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Cabin fever at The Bolder – luxury cabins hovering over the fjords
The Bolder has become one of Norway’s most remarkable places to stay and the three new cabins designed by architect firm Snøhetta are now ready to offer guests an experience of nature that is far beyond the ordinary…
The moment you open the door to the lodge, the eye is drawn to the enormous panoramic window looking out towards the Lysefjord – like a landscape taken straight out of a painting. The high ceilings blur the boundaries between the lodge and the sky and with only air below, the cabin and its guests are literally hovering high above the fjord. The view from The Bolder Starlodge is picture perfect and the bolder just got even bolder.
Image credit: The Bolder
The first two lodges, called The Bolder Skylodge, have been a massive success. What developed from the slightly wild brainchild of printer and founder Tom B. Norland soon became known as one of the most remarkable places to stay in Norway. The meeting between unique architecture and nature was the starting point for further developing the project of The Bolder.
“The new Starlodges build on the experience we gained from the first two lodges we built,” said Norland. “They are 40 per cent larger, have an even higher standard, and are more at one with nature in terms of their location and the choice of materials.”
Image credit: The Bolder
The eye for detail, quality and nature is what inspired the Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta to take on The Bolder project. Creativity, and a shared interest in and respect for the nature, meant the collaboration quickly came to fruition.
‘It’s not often we get to work on projects on such a small scale as this one, but it’s been a very important and exciting project for us,” said Frank Denis Foray, Project Manager at Snøhetta for The Bolder Starlodge. “It’s been challenging, but in a positive way. We normally try to find clients who have a vision and leave room for the creative process. What excited us about this project was the commitment to quality, luxury, and the desire to create something in harmony with nature.”
Image credit: The Bolder
The cabins work with rather than against nature, leaving almost no footprint. The architects at Snøhetta rented a motorhome for several days in order to really get a sense of the place and devise a project that respects the landscape and shows consideration for mother nature.
‘We saw a unique possibility with the network of paths and the landscape and wanted to make the smallest possible footprint in what we did and we had to remain mindful of this throughout the process,” continued Foray. “The idea was to convey a sense of buildings standing free in the nature and for guests to feel alone in nature. At the same time, we wanted to use elements from the landscape in the design and let the mountain blend into the foundations and the rough style of the timber.”
The foundation on which the cabins ‘float’ uses rock from the granite mountain on which it rests. The timber is from the same type of trees that surround the lodges, and the choice of interior materials creates a sense of being sheltered, that shows respect for the landscape in which the lodges are situated. The lodges are lofty and the light creates a unique sense of space.
Image credit: The Bolder / E. Heier
Image credit: The Bolder / E. Heier
The details of the furniture and the interior of The Bolder Starlodge is equally something out of the ordinary, with meticulous quality in every last detail. Everything has been carefully considered, from the choice of kitchen knives to the type of wood used for the furniture. The interior has been mindfully curated with brands that include Vipp, Expo Nova and Eikund. When you sit in the chair on the first floor and rest your legs on the small pouffe, you feel like you never want to get up again. The unique comfort combined with the atmosphere in the room is designed to let your mind wander.
Image credit: The Bolder / Elin Engelsvoll
“The intention behind the lodges is to allow guests to also enjoy the beautiful nature around the lodges, ” said Foray. “What’s important is that the experience lasts for twenty-four hours, that it’s a place where you can enjoy high standards while living in and with nature. That’s the feeling we were going for and which I hope we’ve achieved.”
When the founder and designers at Snøhetta describe the lodges as being ‘in harmony with nature’, it doesn’t just mean that the buildings have a unique connection to the landscape, that the choice of materials is well considered, or that the buildings leave a minimal footprint in the landscape. Staying a night or two in the small lodges promises a rare experience of nature, and the opportunity to experience Norwegian fjord landscapes in a whole new way.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco – harnessing the creativity of the city
The newly reimagined Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SoMa, designed by the multi-faceted, bi-coastal interior design firm BHDM Design, has been created to celebrate community, art and sustainability with a defined palette throughout the hotel…
Hyatt Regency SoMa ,akes a strong design statement with layers of different textures and art mediums while providing a pleasing atmosphere perfect for business and leisure travellers alike with spaces that seamlessly transition from day to night activities. The neutral grey and cream colour palette with luxurious wood finishes throughout serves as a backdrop for the bespoke art that is the focal point of the hotel’s sleek and polished design. In partnership with the Academy of Art University of San Francisco through a scholarship program, Hyatt SoMa is adorned with art by local students and alumni – photography, paintings, sculptures, and mixed media enhance each space of the hotel and offer a unique sense of community.
Image credit: Reid Rolls
Image credit: Reid Rolls
In addition to being artistically driven, the redesign of Hyatt SoMa is the first Hyatt hotel designed and furnished in alignment with Hyatt Hotel’s World of Care environmental, social, and governance (ESG) program. BHDM Design collaborated with MindClick and 20 of its top-rated vendors to source sustainable materials from fabrics, flooring, tables, and wall coverings. A majority of these elements are recycled and renewable – being free of toxins that improve indoor air quality. The materials were also produced in facilities that are actively measuring and reducing carbon emissions.
Image credit: Reid Rolls
“This was a pilot project for Highgate Hotels to use a platform called MindClick,” said Dan Mazzarini, BHDM Design’s Principal and Creative Director. “We worked with vendors who are eco-conscious throughout the entire process of making their individual pieces. We also used timeless materials such as a new terrazzo floor that has no grout and will stand the test of time even through future renovation and all the millwork was done locally in order to cut down on emissions. The public areas of the hotel had the highest MindClick ratings with the guest rooms following right behind!”
Image credit: Reid Rolls
Image credit: Reid Rolls
The hotels’ bold textures and patterns are a culmination of the ‘architectural grid’ narrative of the property, carrying a theme throughout with custom cross-hatch carpeting and terrazzo flooring. BHDM Design’s meticulous approach to reinventing this hotel resulted in an amalgamation of artistic and architectural components rooted in sustainability.
Sneak peek: what to expect from Bulgari Hotel Tokyo
Bulgari Hotels & Resorts has announced that The Bulgari Hotel Tokyo will be opening its doors in April. The new hotel will be the eighth gem of the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection, bringing the Bulgari Italian contemporary style and glamour to the capital of Japan…
Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is the latest creation in the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection which comprises properties in Milan, Bali, London, Beijing, Dubai, Shanghai, Paris, as well as a pipeline that includes upcoming openings in Rome, Maldives and Miami and Los Angeles.
Occupying the 40th to the 45th floor of the Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, a ultra-skyscraper in the Yaesu 2-Chome North District, the hotel overlooks the quiet premises, fascinating history and natural environment of the Imperial Palace, and offers stunning views of the city, including Mount Fuji on the horizon. Named after the 17th century Dutch adventurer Jan Joosten van Lodensteyn, known in Japanese as Yayōsu, the Yaesu district has recently flourished becoming one of the most attractive areas of the city for both luxury and business stays. Located within walking distance to the iconic red brick Tokyo Station and the financial districts of Nihombashi and Marunouchi, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is perfectly placed amidst the best attractions in town and the vibrant shopping area of Ginza.
Like all the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo interior design has been entrusted to the Italian architecture and interior design practice ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, who conveyed Bulgari’s core values of contemporary design, magnificent craftsmanship and artistic detail to create efficient living spaces reflecting the essence of the Italian most sophisticated style. All the interiors have been created with the same attention to details and precision of a Bulgari jewel, enhancing all the characteristic codes of the establishments developed by the Rome-based jewellery house.
Image caption: Bulgari Suite Milan | Image credit: Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
The hotel’s 98 exquisitely furnished guestrooms and suites – using outstanding Italian luxury residential furniture brands like Maxalto, Flexform and B&B Italia – include the exceptional Bulgari Suite, with some of the best views over the city. Measuring 400 square metres – and offering guests modern Italian design with touches of Japanese tradition, coupled with cutting-edge technology – Bulgari Suite is one of the largest suites in Tokyo and can be further extended by connecting it with an adjoining suite.
In true Bulgari Hotels & Resorts style, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is home to a variety of signature-dining options. Uniqueness and ultra-exclusive surroundings are at the heart of the one-of a-kind culinary journey available at Sushi Hōseki, the Japanese concept already present at Bulgari Resort Dubai. With only eight seats overlooking a private Japanese rock garden – featuring iconic cultural references such as the pine tree and the ishi-dōrō, the stone lantern – the restaurant will be helmed by the Japanese Chef Kenji Gyoten, awarded three Michelin Stars at Sushi Gyoten and will offer a memorable gastronomic treat with the finest ingredients from Japan. Following the fine cultural Japanese traditions, the chef will perform Omakase, a discovery concept meaning “I leave it to you”, where he selects the dishes to create a tailor-made experience. The restaurant design’s exquisitely modern and minimal interiors feature a counter made by a single piece of hinoki wood as per the ancient Japanese tradition.
The Italian Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, helmed by chef Niko Romito, one of the world’s most celebrated chefs with three Michelin stars for his Reale restaurant in Abruzzo, presents a carefully canon of contemporary Italian cooking in a seductive restaurant overlooking the city lights and welcoming up to 80 guests. Located on the way to the restaurant, the Lounge – with its plush armchairs and a cosy fireplace – will soon be the most desirable place to gather.
Just in front of the Japanese restaurant stands Bulgari Dolci boutique, where guests can enjoy both the renowned Bulgari ‘chocolate gem’ delicious creations and a selection of traditional Italian pastries from the La Pasticceria – Niko Romito menu.
Image caption: Bulgari Hotel Paris | Image credit: Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
On the 45th floor of the tower, guests will find the iconic Bulgari Bar. Here they can sip signature beverages indoor, where a quintessential handmade mosaic representing a ‘garden of wonders’ frames the counter, or while soaking up the magical dusk on the two half-covered outdoor terraces, with sweeping views of the city on both sides of the bar and an array of citrus plants such as yuzu and lemon, reminiscent of the Japanese and Italian traditions coexisting throughout the Hotel. When the weather allows it, the terrace offers an incredible view on the snow-capped Mount Fuji, the icon of Japan, which also inspired the “Mount Fuji” vintage brooch in gold and mother of pearl, created in 1972 by Bulgari to celebrate the long lasting connection with the country and now becoming a recurring symbol of the Hotel.
Image caption: Bulgari Hotel Paris | Image credit: Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
Whether guests are looking to host corporate events, intimate family gatherings or lavish weddings, the hotel is not only a location to vacation, but the ideal events destination. Two dramatic Bulgari Ballrooms, measuring 180 square metres each with triple-height ceilings, located on the 40th floor and separated by a glass niche hosting a secular pine tree, can be customised for large scale events up to 100 guests each and offer state- of-the-art technology. With stunning city views, these locations are fit for bespoke special occasions and business events alike. On the same level of the two ballrooms, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo hosts its Wedding Salon for guests who choose to celebrate their ceremony in a Bulgari style. A Bulgari Wedding Planner will take care of all necessary coordination to ensure an exquisite day. A glamorous 110 square meter Terrace Room close to the Wedding salon and featuring a geometric pattern wall inspired by the diamond cut design, can be set up as a Chapel for a truly unique experience.
The 1000 square metre Bulgari Spa on the 40th floor adds a further luxurious touch to the guest experience with nine treatment rooms, including a spa suite and two double treatment rooms, and a 25-meter indoor pool with full view on the skyline through its magnificent floor to ceiling windows. Augustinus Bader’s wellness treatments and line of products will be available at Spa where the guests will enjoy the ultimate wellbeing experience, immersing in innovative treatments, therapies and grooming for both men and women, in addition to thermal and bathing experiences. Moreover, a state-of-the-art fitness centre offers WORKSHOP GYMNASIUM signature bespoke training method: a results-driven approach that redefines the very concept of well-being.
James Latham, is a long-time supplier for Rycotewood College, one of the country’s leading institutions for vocational training for furniture design and making. When the college approached the company to be involved as a partner for its 2022 student competition, the company was delighted to donate the materials designed to test the students creativity…
In support of nurturing the next generation of designers, surface manufacturer James Latham collaborated with Rycotewood Collage when the institution launched its student design competition.
At the heart of the campaign’s aims were colour and curve, inspired by guest mentor Fred Baier. To provide an extra level of challenge, James Latham suggested the students work with unfamiliar materials, using the resources available at Rycotewood, under strict timings. Once the overarching theme of ‘storage’ was agreed, James Latham approached three of its premium supplier partners to get involved: HIMACS, UPM and Valchromat. All globally popular options for furniture applications, they were delighted to participate.
Following a 10-week entry period, in which 12 Rycotewood degree students participated, judging took place during the end of year celebratory show and the winning and commended entries were announced.
“Solid Surface was a totally new material for me and I was immediately impressed at how it can be worked in a similar way as bent, laminated wood, but hold a far better shape, with more consistent surface definition,” said Yuchen Liu, joint Winner, when commenting on working with HIMACS. “I knew it had to become the centrepiece of my project.”
Liu’s cool and contemporary bar cabinet design is a true celebration of HIMACS, using its bright orange tone complemented with stained European oak to create a visually arresting piece of furniture. What made his piece stand out for the judges was the originality in its use of HIMACS, and the way in which he had formed the surface to create a seamless s-shaped curve. This feature ran across the top of the cabinet before cascading down its side and tapering off to create a multi-level effect.
Image credit: James Latham / Rycotewood College
Image credit: James Latham / Rycotewood College
Luke Rawlinson was the competition’s other winner, using UPM’s Grada2000 Birch Plywood to breath-taking effect in an elegant, biophilic-themed storage cabinet. Taking advantage of the material’s thermoformability, he adopted an innovative approach to the design by accentuating Grada2000’s signature ability to curve and stay curved. Light and modern, the sustainable credentials of the material were further enhanced with, curved shelving and ribbing on each side of the central storage unit, creating a pleasant visual contrast. Furthermore, the ribbed side act as a trellis from which creeping plant life can prosper, enhancing the natural theme Rawlinson intended.
Image credit: James Latham / Rycotewood College
Catherine Warsi was also singled-out for her clever and creative use of Valchromat, discovering the versatility of this popular engineered panel when aiming to create an ambitious spherical storage unit. Seeking a through-colour surface, but realising the tools available on-site would limit her opportunity to work with HIMACS, Valchromat’s blue-hued board provided the perfect solution to this challenge. “The structural composition of Valchromat makes it easy to shape, meaning I was able to achieve the stepped spherical shape I wanted using the equipment available at Rycotewood,2 said Warsi. “Furthermore, the product came in an amazing range of colours, which fired my imagination.
The competition tested the mettle and imagination of the students who delivered incredible results under considerable time pressure and James Latham’s provision of a variety of different materials encouraged them to think outside the box and discover the advantages and potential of a completely new range of products.
James Latham is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: James Latham / Rycotewood College
Inside the hotel that is said to redefine luxury in Doha
After the long-anticipated launch Raffles &Fairmont Doha are open and moving the dial for luxury in the region. We stepped inside to take a look…
The two hotels are housed within Lusail’s iconic Katara Towers. Setting itself apart from its global peers, Fairmont Doha will surprise guests with its grandeur from the moment they step through the doors. Taking centre place in the lobby is a 56.5 metre high crystal chandelier –the world’s tallest weighing over half a tonne and complete with 4,807 bulbs and glass parts.
In addition, The Fairmont Doha shelters 270 guestrooms, 92 suites, four themed suites and one presidential suite, all inspired by the interiors of luxury mega yachts. With gold mosaic wall tiling, the rooms present an outstanding visual spectacle with rounded and curved walls.
Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
The hotel has a strong focus on fitness, recovery from sports injuries, physiotherapy and nutrition with the help of international well-being gurus. It is the largest gym in Qatar and is home to the countries biggest indoor climbing wall and multiple spinning studios. Fairmont offers guests clinical well-being programmes with an ability to diagnose and assess for a highly developed programme to improve sports performance, prevent injury, enable rest and recovery and deliver personalised nutrition.
Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Doha also offers guests one-on-one personal coaching with master athletes including co-founder of PILLAR Wellbeing Harry Jameson. PILLAR will provide the highest quality one-to-one training for guests covering all disciplines within fitness, sports and conditioning as well as offering complimentary fitness classes such as yoga, boxing and pilates.
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
On a slightly different note, the highlights at Raffles Doha include an ‘in-suite scent library’, where guests will have the option to choose which scents are diffused across the suite during their stay. this has been done in partnership with French perfume house Compoz, and is the first hotel in the world to offer guests this luxury experience for the senses.
One of the most exclusive experiences housed within the hotel is the The Blue Cigar Lounge which houses a secret library where some of the most prized classics will be available for guests to read, including some first edition classics such as a rare two-volume copy of The Iliad and The Odyssey in Greek and Latin from 1707.
Raffles is also home to Alba by Enrico Crippa, three-star Michelin chef, which is the first international opening of a Crippa restaurant.
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Wellness at Raffles is primarily focused towards providing an ultra-luxury spa experience. To go even further in the way of indulgence, the individual beauty, fitness and hydro suites are designed and equipped like elegant mini-spas within the spas. Set across 2,100 square metres, the Raffles spa includes nine suites – one Fitness Suite, three Spa Suites and five Experience Suites. The Spa Suites are connected with either a fitness or beauty studio and are designed for two guests to undergo treatments in the privacy of the suite. Spa Experience Suites meanwhile incorporate a sauna, hammam, outdoor pool and relaxation space along with a treatment space for two. Spa Experience Suites can be reserved entirely for a family to exclusively enjoy all hydrothermal facilities.
Raffles Doha spa works in partner with some of the most respected names in scientific skincare and advanced beauty – Dr Burgener, Subtle Energies, marocMaroc – to produce immediate and long-lasting results. The Dr. Burgener Haute Couture treatment addresses personalised skincare and analysis for heavy metals and trace elements. Well-being programmes can last between four hours to six days, addressing anti-ageing and regeneration, detox and immunity-building as well as slimming and contouring needs.
Heythrop Park, the stunning Grade II listed hotel set within 440 acres of parkland located in the idyllic Cotswolds, has re-opened following a monumental renovation. With the project spearheaded by DesignLSM, we stepped inside to have a look…
Following an extensive year-long transformation with DesignSLM at the helm Heythrop Park has opened its doors. The design brief involved developing both a strategic and creative position, evolving and expanding Warner Leisure’s F&B offer as well as repositioning and redesigning the property with a pre-dominant focus on three key principles – relaxation, exploration and entertainment – enhancing the overall guest experience.
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
The refurbishment has bridged the gap between the 18th century charming manor house and the contemporary extension, creating an engaging aesthetic that runs through the whole estate including The Orangery, six lounges, three restaurants, two bars, a ballroom and a state-of-the-art theatre – all of which were under the design remit of the creative agency. With the property originally built for the 1st Duke of Shrewsbury in 1706-1711, the transformation has been inspired by the previous owners and inhabitants of the estate, including taking influence from exciting adventures such as the Duke’s Grand Tour. Each space boasts its own unique design identity, encouraging a journey of discovery and exploration for guests.
“Projects like this don’t come around very often, and to be a part of one on such a vast scale has been an incredibly exciting for both myself and the DesignLSM team,” said Holly Hallam, Managing Direction at DesignLSM. “We’ve taken great care in respecting Heythrop Park’s historical roots, whilst bringing it forward into a new era of enjoyment and adventure for guests, for many years to come.”
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
Retaining the beautiful architecture whilst bringing the estate into the future for today’s modern traveller was a key design directive. Careful consideration was, therefore, given to ensure the building’s stories were conveyed through intricate design features. The Churchill, Bladon and Blenheim rooms – a tasteful trio of lounges set within the listed house – have been influenced by the Duke’s modes of travel across Europe and the new cultures he would have experienced. Taking a more quintessential approach to the spaces, the seating is inspired by the detailing of those found in traditional train carriages with warm and opulent velvets and contrasting piping, whilst an original oil painting depicting movement, bespoke prints and dressing items convey the obscure and exotic, all subtly joining together to tell a story.
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
Located within the extension, The Market Kitchen, the largest of the three restaurants, takes its design cues from the traditional kitchen garden. Inspired by a working pantry, a calming colour palette is balanced with citrus-patterned upholstered chairs and floral wallpaper adding bursts of colour to the room. Dressing details layer the space – particularly the main server framed by hanging utensils and copper cook ware – all creating a bright and refreshing restaurant for guests to enjoy their dining experience within. Meanwhile, the Brassey Bar conveys the history of another former owner of the estate, Thomas Brassey who created most of the world’s railways within the 19th Century. His love of engineering is illustrated through industrial forms, patterns and materials such as dramatic beamed structures, metal detailing, intricately patterned tiling and bespoke artwork and dressing.
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
Taking a contrasting approach to the classic aesthetic of the wider hotel, the Warwick Wing Theatre adds a striking contemporary touch of glamour and decadence to the hotel’s evening offering, with live music and cinematic performances on stage for the guest’s entertainment. The atmospheric space is brought to life with dazzling arched lights that emit a warm glow throughout the room, whilst the theatrical ‘Show Time’ neon feature lights ignite a sense of excitement of what is yet to come.
Image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
The neighbouring Late Bar and Lounge plays with opulent fabrics, delicate patterns, dazzling lights and rich tones creating a perfect backdrop for a more dynamic evening ambience, providing guests with a luxurious space to relax and unwind for the night.
Navigating a project of such importance and grandeur, DesignLSM have shown creativity and vision, with Heythrop Park sitting as a testament to the beauty of design.
Main image credit: Heythrop Park / Stevie Campbell
In conversation with: Charlie North, VP of Interior Design, Ennismore
Editor Hamish Kilburn catches up with Charlie North, Vice President of Interior Design at Ennismore, to discuss branding, longevity and why the company has launched AIME Studios…
It’s a typical winter morning in London. Not that you could tell the time of day by looking at the pearl-grey sky that has swallowed up the architecture. I am on my way to the Ennismore headquarters, not the first time in my career. It’s a buzzing hub, aptly located in the same building as one of its hero projects, The Hoxton Southwark, that shelters creative thinkers; some of the industry’s best storytellers.
I glance down at my phone to read a press release that’s just pinged through. It reads: “Ennismore announces AIME Studios – an award-winning team of interior and graphic designers”. That’s the thing about Ennismore, it’s a proactive company; always looking ahead. On the surface, it is a doer not a thinker. Although, when you scratch beneath the various brands the group has managed to scoop up or conceive over the years – 12 to be precise – you start to see the result of careful thought that has gone into its strategy to make Ennismore the fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, and perhaps the most diverse.
In an instant, my neatly written draft questions for Charlie North, the group’s Vice President of Interior Design, have become irrelevant, like a fashion moment slipping away. And I am forced to ad-lib, which feels rather exciting and appropriately more human.
Image credit: The Hoxton / Ennismore
Ennismore is somewhat of a pioneer on the hospitality landscape. Throughout more than a decade of success, the company has been extremely transparent on how it has achieved its status and respect in the industry. Make no mistake, it is the people from the inside that amplify Ennismore’s forward-thinking vision. Key to making blue-sky concepts tactile realities are the design team, led by North who has more than 16 years’ experience in interior design, having worked for David Collins Studio and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio in the past before his career evolved into what it is today.
Image credit: The Hoxton / Ennismore
“When it comes to interior design, we naturally gravitate to rich and layered spaces, which are well-curated through artwork and accessories,” North tells me. “The newly launched AIME Studios is about bringing together different disciplines.” I am told that it is made up of 30 strong interior and graphic designers responsible for creating brands and spaces including Gleneagles, The Hoxton, SO/, TRIBE and Working From_.
“We never walk away from projects when they finish, we live with them.” – Charlie North, VP of Interior Design, Ennismore.
AIME Studios replaces what was formally Ennismore Design Studios. “It differentiates itself from other design studios as it has a vested interest in the brands we work on and prioritises the longevity of its designs,” North points out. “Always with the guest experience front of mind, it is a fully integrated creative studio that uniquely covers brand, graphics and interior design, which together tell authentic stories through every guest touchpoint.”
Being in-house team, and working with outside studios, many would argue that Ennismore has the best of both world. “We work closely with Ennismore’s F&B studio, Carte Blanched, to produce well-thought-out restaurants and bars,” the designer adds. “We have strong working relationships with operational teams and years of brand related experience. We never walk away from projects when they finish, we live with them, so it’s important to us that our designs will stand the test of time, both functionally and aesthetically.”
Image credit: TRIBE / Ennismore
Since 2017, AIME Studios has worked across 22 properties, designing a staggering 2,865 hotel rooms, 30 restaurants and bars and 17 meeting and event spaces, and counting! With each opening, the industry has bore witness to brands, not just the ones that Ennismore touches, but also other brands it inadvertently influences, become more human-centric. And the softening of lines, I believe, starts in the lobby, where first impressions are made. “As we create lifestyle hotels, our lobbies have always been a space to encourage interaction and engage with the local community – a place where people are welcome to relax and make themselves at home,” North explains. “This is especially so in The Hoxton, which is always designed to feel homey and understated, and focuses on the way the guests feel in the space.”
Image credit: The Hoxton / Ennismore
If I was to pick a brand that would represent AIME Studios and the Ennismore coolness, it would be Hoxton, because of its laidback, almost boundless public areas and its overall refined look and feel – it doesn’t try too hard; it’s confident but not arrogant. The Hoxton is probably the brand that most people associate Ennismore with, but North and his team have worked across a plethora of hotels from Gleneagles to Tribe and every Hoxton in between. So, what is the designer’s approach when he starts a project – is it always the same, I wonder? “When we design a city hotel like a Hoxton, we do a detailed research process focussed on the local area,” he explains. “We cover everything from significant historical use of the property and the district, neighbouring properties and also the local community, upcoming artists and brands that could collaborate with The Hoxton brand.”
Image credit: TRIBE / The Hoxton
The team that make up AIME Studios, over the years, have proven itself to be diverse in design, creating many layers suitable for each brand – the designers have been able to breathe life into both new-builds and heritage buildings alike. There is no greater example of this than Gleneagles. “The brand has a long history so any design decisions are made with the knowledge they will impact the story of the next century,” North says about the design approach for Gleneagles.
Through design, the team have sensitively and cleverly brought each building into a new era – done through intuitive space-planning and ever-so-subtly breaking conventional boundaries when it comes to materials and lighting. “Whatever the project, our designs are based on an in depth analysis of the brand we’re working on, and the location we’re in,” North adds.
Image credit: Gleneagles / Ennismore
The most recent addition to the Gleneagles clan, of course, is its wee townhouse in the heart of Edinburgh. “Our mission was creating a space that felt like an extension of The Gleneagles Hotel, which was built in the 1920s,” North recalls. “When conferring with the brand team responsible for shaping the future of Gleneagles, we all agreed to refresh the interior design, modernise the paint schemes, simplify the fabric selections and embrace contemporary nods to lift a beautiful building of the past, into the present day. We kept subtle references in shapes of custom-made furniture and joinery details, but we contrasted these with fresher fabrics to sit alongside a very contemporary selection of artwork. The artwork is curated specifically to focus on current active Scottish artists. As a result, we have a building that represents the best of the history and the future of Scotland.”
Image credit: Gleneagles Townhouse / Ennismore
Given Ennismore’s position in the industry, as both owner and designer, it has got a unique opportunity to make a difference, ethically do the right thing and redefine trends. As I look around the hotel design scene, one cannot ignore certain trends and movements happening in the wake of bold moves from lifestyle brands. The private members model being introduced in a lot of lifestyle hotels is an interesting conversation that was, perhaps, allowed to evolve now that there is a wider embracing of working remotely.
“The hospitality world has adapted to provide spaces to work and play and sleep,” explains North. “Members clubs have always been an important blend of socialising and networking, a place for important meetings and greetings, so it makes perfect sense to incorporate a third dimension through accommodation. Gleneagles Townhouse has shown that a private members club can also be a hotel which welcomes the public. By creating additional members only spaces, it’s an additional perk for the guests who want to amplify their experience.”
Image credit: Working From_ / Ennismore
As a mega brand, Ennismore has conquered by authentically growing and recognising worthwhile and meaningful hotel development opportunities. So, what’s next? “Plenty,” North says with a quiet confidence. “This year we’ll be finishing The Hoxton, Charlottenburg, The Hoxton, Brussels, along with Working From_Brussels, and The Hoxton Edinburgh. We’re also working on an exciting project in the Middle East which is currently under wraps!” If any group can layer conscious hospitality while ushering in a refined take on luxury in the region, my safe bet is on AIME Studios and Ennismore.
International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF), returns to Berlin on May 15-17 2023 under the headline theme, fortune favours the bold, providing a stage for world-class experts in hospitality investment to deliver insight and forge valuable connections…
Positioning itself as the event for hospitality innovators and game-changers to help steer industry towards success, IHIF returns following the success of 2022. Last year’s event was attended by 2,400 forward-thinking hospitality professionals, including investors, owners and developers. The forum plans to build on this, moving from strength to strength with another inspirational billing of more than 200 guest speakers, who will focus on bold movements within the market being the key to a successful trading year.
Confirmed headline speakers include Keith Barr, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts; Sébastian Bazin, Chairman and Chief Executive of AccorHotels; Christophe Beauvilain, Managing Partner, Pygmalion Capital; Anna Cohen, Fund Manager, Extendam; Dr Peter Ebertz, Managing Director | Head of Hotels, Art-Invest Real Estate Management; Ruslan Husry, CEO & Owner, HR Group; Ufi Ibrahim, CEO, Energy & Environment Alliance; Jeffrey O, CEO, St. Justine Hotels and Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Global CEO, JLL | Hotels & Hospitality.
“One sector with real potential in 2023 is limited service hotels,” said Joe Stather, VP Market Lead, Operational Real Estate at Questex, commenting on the opportunities for the hotel industry this year. “More investors are looking at this sector relative to full service hotels. The index score in the Investor Sentiment Index was 61.9 for limited service compared to 45.2 for full service hotels. The reason could be that the cost base is typically leaner and these businesses are not exposed to some of the operational cost headwinds that full service hotels are, so mitigating what they’re expecting from a demand, revenue and profitability point of view within their investment strategy.”
As well as offering a plethora of insightful talks and discussions, IHIF 2023 also provides multiple opportunities to network, including a welcome reception for delegates new to the forum.
Created for the market by the market, based on delegate feedback and Advisory Board recommendations, the IHIF programme promises challenging and thought-provoking sessions with specific areas of focus for each day.
Tuesday May 16 – Assessing the Macro-Environment and Travel & Hospitality Trends:
Focusing on the challenges faced by the industry in the current economy, the day will shine a spotlight on managing the impact of structural forces and current trends. In addition to this the afternoon’s Big Interview will see a leaders’ perspective, sharing their insights into setting clears ESG goals to meet shareholders’ needs.
Wednesday May 17 – Partnerships & Performance and Looking Forward to Future Growth:
The insightful programme looks to analyse the value of partnerships and how aligning growth strategies can build long-term success including talks on efficiency, productivity and profitability. Later in day discussions between a panel of innovators, trailblazers and entrepreneurs will explore the increase of asset output as well as a keynote from Andrew Cosgrove, global business insights leader, EY, which will see the forums final talk discuss getting ahead of the future consumer.
Belmond announces a makeover for Splendido – the grande dame of Liguria
Belmond has announced the renovation of Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino. The property is an emblem of Portofino’s allure since the 1950s and the hotel will undergo a multi-phase renovation by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio…
Following the refurbishments of Spendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino in 2021 and Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya, slated to reopen in May 2023, Belmond will be embarking on a comprehensive renovation of Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino with the first phase complete in June 2023.
Image credit: Belmond
“Splendido is a true icon and so our approach to the renovation project was similar to that of a portrait painter,” said Martin Brudnizki, founder of Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. ” We are creating a design centered on the building and one that is as much a restoration, as a rejuvenation.”
Taking place over several years, the team will undertake a meticulous restoration of the former 16th century Benedictine monastery, honouring the history of the building, while sensitively injecting contemporary relevance. Over the course of each summer reopening, the hotel will unveil brand new spaces, with the first reveal taking place in June 2023. This will include a renovated pool area and new intimate, family villa dining experience at The Pool Grill restaurant, as well as the complete redesign of the Baronessa Suite.
Inspired by the noble Palazzos of the region, the elevated accommodation offering will blend the rich tradition and storytelling of the Italian Riviera, with contemporary comfort and elegance.
VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in February 2023
Editor Hamish Kilburn takes a look at the design-savvy hotels opening this February that are expected to arrive and steal the show…
Following Hotel Designs’ special feature last month, where we explored the hottest hotels opening throughout 2023, it’s time to kickstart our VIP arrivals series that will run throughout the year taking a monthly glance at the hotels appearing on the global hotel design scene.
To launch our in-depth hotel development editorial series, February will not be short of new and spectacular hospitality hotspots, with openings coming in thick and fast from Paris, Morocco, Thailand, London, Switzerland and more.
Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai
Image credit: Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai
Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai will be located between the ancient city of Chiang Mai and the famous Vipassana meditation centre, the Wat (temple) Umong Forest, surrounded by vast and awe-inspiringly beautiful natural countryside.
Sheltering 44 guestrooms and suites, a swimming pool, bar and lounge area, restaurant, spa and wellness centre, the hotel tastefully combines traditional Thai design with modern facilities, with each villa being crafted from traditional teak wood, manifesting a sustainable design concept whilst celebrating the essence of rejuvenation.
With innovative holistic wellness at its core, Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai will offer the discerning traveller an extensive menu of wellness retreats with tailormade programs to help guests reach their individual health goals. The in-house doctor, nurse and ‘master healer’ at Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai will be on-hand to assist guests in achieving optimum wellness and balance in life, through holistic approaches encompassing diet and nutrition, mental wellbeing, physical fitness and medical guidance.
Maison Delano Paris
Image credit: Accor/Ennismore
Poised in the heart of the fashion district, located at 4 rue d’Anjou, the Delano brand’s debut property in Paris, Maison Delano Paris, will be sheltered in a former 18th century private mansion. The Paired-back Parisian design of the 55-key hotel, imagined by Ennismore Design Studio, has helped to transform the grand building into a charming and chic boutique hotel, which will make its entrance onto the European hotel scene in February.
Art’otel Battersea, London
Image credit: art’otel
A new hospitality experience – one that fuses together art, architecture and design – is about to arrive in London. Introducing art’otel Battersea, which promises a vibrant, surreal and playful hotel experience, complete with bold colours, original hospitality concepts and unique art currated by signature artist, Jaime Hayon.
Aside from sophisticated guestrooms, the hotel will also feature JOIA, its signature restaurant on the 15th floor, which will frame unparalleled views over the former powerstation and London skyline. What’s more, the hotel will be home to a heated rooftop pool, giving guests a 360-degree perspective over the city below.
Six Senses Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels, Resorts & Spas
Six Senses is on top of the world right now – quite literally, in fact, with its new hotel and spa located in the Swiss Alps. Six Senses Crans-Montana is a ‘playground’, as the brand puts it, where ‘vitality meets serenity’. The ski-in, ski-out hotel will shelter 78 chalet-style Terrace Rooms and one- and three-bedroom suites, as well as a spa that will blend high-tech biohacking with high-touch therapies.
The opening is just another ripple in the brand’s aggressive hotel development strategy, which follows the arrival of Six Senses Ibiza. But there’s more to come. The luxury brand is not taking its foot off the gas with other hotels expected to emerge soon in New York, Loire Valley, Rome, Austria, Iceland and London. Not to mention what is arguably its most challenging project to date; creating a new far-remote, carbon-neutral wellness destination in Norway,Six Senses Svart, that we are hoping will open in 2024.
Caravan Dakhla by Habitas, Morocco
Image credit: Habitas
From one environmentally and socially conscious brand to another, Habitas is a hospitality on a mission having just opened its second property in Morocco. The 24-key Caravan Dakhla is focused on reconnecting with nature through the pursuit of adventure. Habitas’ newest home will embrace its locality offering guests immersive experiences both in and out of the water bringing a unique vibe to the region through its key pillars of adventure, music, wellness, food, art & culture and learning.
Le Grand Mazarin, Paris
Image credit: Le Grand Mazarin
I’m sorry, but we are not quite done with Paris yet in this round-up. Ever since the small yet mighty hotel group, Maison Periente, unveiled its Haute Couture-style hotel in the French Alps, Le Coucou, designed by Pierre Yovanovitch, we have taken an unhealthy interest in the brand’s next steps. And thank goodness we did, because there is somewhat of a statement about to arrive on the Parisian hospitality scene and it’s going by the name of Le Grand Mazarin.
Unexpected and endearing, the 61-key boutique hotel will be a place that reflects the values of Maisons Pariente, through an original hotel story with an exceptional location – a location which is part of the canvas of the cultural history of the capital. Le Marais has crossed the centuries to become the epicentre of new trends. A lively and avant-garde district, sparkling with creativity, vibrant by day and by night, the district represents the art of living joyfully. Taking its lead from the location, inspired and elegant, the décor is imagined by the Swedish interior designer Martin Brudnizki.
Hotel Vermelho, Melides, Portugal
Image credit: Vermelho Hotel
We thought we would round-off this round-up with something to look forward to. This spring, Christian Louboutin will open Hotel Vermelho in Melides, which, according to Vogue, is the fashion designer long-considered ‘creative respite’. The 13-key luxury boutique hotel, which will be a home for the culturally inquisitive and inexhaustibly curious, has been sensitively carved around the building’s detailed architecture. The interiors inside, as you can imagine, will be scattered with art and antique furniture, and full of bold personality, while the rooms will be aptly muted to create a sense of place and calm.
VIP Arrivals is a dedicated editorial series, that drops monthly, to explore the hottest hotels opening around the globe. Please contact the editorial desk if there is a hotel that you think should be on our radar for future features.
Main image credit: Six Senses Hotels, Resorts & Spas
Feel is a new collection of glass mosaics from TREND. Made from recycled molten glass, the range takes mosaics to a whole new level by playing with the senses and adding texture…
The distinctive style of TREND solid glass mosaics have unique light-reflecting qualities and depth of colour that add a bespoke finish to any surface and project. The Feel range is able to add sustainability into the designer mix, utilising up to 78 per cent post-consumer material in production. The subtly striated finish has a silky-smooth appearance with the subtlest of textures evident to the touch and the interrupted surface creates a sense of movement as the light hits different angles within, adding extra depth and intrigue.
Image credit: TREND Group
One of the key benefits of Feel is its semi-transparent surface, which has a silky texture that enhances brightness and differentiates it from TREND’s Vitreo collection. Additionally, Feel has been tested to resist chemicals, thermal shock, water, and freezing, ensuring it maintains its technical characteristics. The tiles can be used in a variety of applications, including on floors and vertical surfaces, both indoors and outdoors. It can also be used in contact with water, making it suitable for shower trays and swimming pools. Additionally, the mosaic’s small tile size and frequent joints make it inherently slip-resistant. It’s worth noting that, while the mosaic is waterproof, waterproofing of the foundation substrate may be required for swimming pools and other similar applications.
TREND Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Vergo is a textured and trend-led bathroom furniture collection from Crosswater that is guaranteed to make a statement…
When it comes to designing a bathroom, functional yet aesthetic storage solutions that complement the overall design vision is key. The addition of a furniture console or vanity unit can transform the look and feel of the bathroom space, while still fulfilling all the prerequisite practical requirements. The Vergo range from Crosswater does just that – it is a collection of functional furniture that doesn’t compromise on style. What sets it apart is the cross-hatched surface design that is a feature across the range with each drawer unit given the tactile cross-hatched surface treatment.
Image credit: Crosswater
Image credit: Crosswater
The design of the drawer front and storage is ample and easy to access, thanks to its full extension drawer runners. The wall-hung design helps free up floor space, creating the illusion of a bigger bathroom, making Vergo the perfect addition to small bathrooms.
The Vergo Single Drawer Unit is available in three sizes and in three contemporary colour finishes, Sage Green, Matt Black, and Matt White. The unit partners with a choice of four built-in basins for a streamlined look, or several countertop basins for additional luxury.
Crosswater is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Examples of natural hotel lighting by Dernier & Hamlyn
Trends in bespoke lighting come and go, however according to Dernier & Hamlyn, a recurring requirement from the designers its team works with is for lighting that references the environs of place…
It is becoming increasingly important for designers to reference a sense of place, from the hotel lobby right through to the details in the guestrooms. It can be as simple as a suggestion of the outside landscape by utilising materials that echo what is naturally there. At the Dorchester Collection’s Coworth Park Hotel in Ascot, Dernier & Hamlyn was tasked with creating light fittings as part of the design narrative of connecting with the surrounding landscape and gardens. This included a fantastic ceiling light for the hotel’s main reception area. Formed by hand by its craftsmen, the fitting was modelled from brass sheets to empathise with the essence of nature’s finest woodland images. This spirit is continued in the table lamps that they produced for the bedrooms and public areas, all subtly taking notes from nature to produce a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary lighting design.
Image credit: Dernier & Hamlyn
At The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Buckinghamshire originally built for the third Duke of Marlborough in 1756, the design intent was to restore this majestic building to its former glory, protecting its listed building status and resurrecting its place in British history. The timeless luxury interiors encompass modern sensibilities and aspirations with an understated aesthetic and reference the grandeur of a very distinctive British heritage.
Lighting required similar high quality, attention to detail and a deep appreciation of Britishness and what that means. The statement chandelier that highlights the impactful entrance of The Langley’s reception comprises 221 curved arms made in solid brass and hand finished in antique brass in Dernier & Hamlyn’s London factory. Each arm has been fitted with a handmade glass spear, each hand cut to form facets to either side to provide playful reference to the hotel’s setting as a former royal hunting ground.
Image credit: Dernier & Hamlyn / Adam Lynk
The fantastic chandelier made in Dernier & Hamlyn’s factory that adorns the hotel’s Drawing Room comprises hundreds of metres of swags of differing lengths, embellished with individually positioned hand cut crystal balls, fixed to a brass frame almost two metres high exuding luxury for this special part of the hotel. While the chandelier manufactured for the hotel’s private dining room is made of antique brass which has been fitted by hand with some 824 solid glass rods to express an undulating organic flow. Dernier & Hamlyn also made lighting for the hotel’s main bedrooms which was inspired by foliage in the hotel’s grounds and surrounding countryside with antique bronze leaves and porcelain English rosebuds.
Dernier & Hamlyn is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Chalet-chic: designing high-end luxury digs in the French Alps
Editor Hamish Kilburn checked in to Chalet Inoko, high in the French Alps, to understand how owner and designer Jeanne Roesch-Degoy created a luxurious yet unpretentious alpine retreat in the heart of Val d’Isère, one of Europe’s most raved-about ski resorts…
Over decades, since opening its first ski season in 1932, Val d’Isère has become known as one of the world’s finest trick-of-all-trades winter destinations. With high-altitude skiing conditions – it has more than 60 per cent of its slopes sitting above 2,200 metres – a plethora of one-off and slightly unusual activities on offer paired with a fabulous après ski scene, life in Val is fast-moving.
On the surface, the ski resort in the French Alps attracts extreme adrenaline junkies with a need for speed. But it’s not just reserved for those wanting to drop down to confront La Face de Bellevarde – an infamous black-rated piste that has an eye-watering gradient of up to 71 per cent. Away from the more than 186 miles of marked ski runs that all differ in steepness and difficulty, the family friendly mountain-side destination is all about one-off adventures, which can come in the form of ice floating, moonbiking, paragliding off the edge of the mountain or even checking out the original Le Folie Douce – where partying and watching live cabaret performances and DJ sets on the slopes is an afternoon occurrence.
For all these reasons, and more, Val d’Isère, like Tignes, Meribel and Val Thoren, is constantly being ranked among the best snow-sure ski resorts in Europe. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the area entices around four million visitors each year. And with all sought-after places where, naturally, the demand for luxury is high, the local hotel and hospitality scene has to work hard.
Away from the slopes, in the middle of valley – still 1,850 metres above sea level – Val d’Isère is a flourishing hospitality arena, with 25,800 rooms in total, and counting. In amongst the hundreds of hotels, self-catered digs, private chalets and thriving bars is Chalet Inoko, a striking luxury pad, available to book through Purple Ski, that provides an elevated yet blissful alpine experience.
“We wanted a special place to shield our family, very near to the centre of the village but yet in a wild place, in the middle of the mountain, at the end of a road.” – Jeanne Roesch-Degoy.
Image caption: Each of the six bedrooms inside the chalet have their own personality. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Image caption: The master bedroom has been designed with playful faux fur headboards and lighting. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Less 007-chic and more home-from-home, Inoko has its own style that is told through its design and connection with nature. The chalet, located just above the central ‘Petit Alaska’ area, arguably boasts ideal views over the valley and the surrounding forest – best seen, in my opinion, at dusk under a purple sky, framed inside as well as out through unexpected windows carved into into the architecture of the building to allow natural light to flood the space.
For Jeanne Roesch-Degoy, the owner and designer, the concept for the chalet was to create a ‘vibe’ that felt warm and comfortable in the mountains; a “safe haven at the edge of the forest,” she described. “We created it in 2017, right when our daughter was born. We wanted a special place to shield our family, very near to the centre of the village but yet in a wild place, in the middle of the mountain, at the end of a road.”
Image cation: The light bright living area sits under a six-metre-tall ceiling. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Chalet Inoko shelters just six individually designed suites that have been cleverly crafted to enhance the property’s unique take on alpine living. The walls and floors are aptly cladded in wood, creating a hearty and inviting feeling. Roesch-Degoy has used art, artefacts, materials (in some places faux fur) and texture in the design scheme to create points of difference in each space, giving each area and suite its own clearly defined character.
In addition to each room’s decorative nature, Roesch Degoy put emphasis in room configuration to ensure that the space is practical as well as utilised. The bathrooms, for example, have been deconstructed and are almost connected into the bedrooms themselves. Tucked away in a corner, the powerful walk-in showers, specified by GROHE, with grey industrial-like tiles and modest vanity areas, complete with stone basins, are a luxury extension of the bedroom.
Image caption: There is a cohesive design narrative between the bedrooms and the bathrooms inside the chalet. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Meanwhile, the Villeroy & Boch W/Cs in each suite are positioned in private rooms, discreetly concealed around the corner from the bed. By doing this, the designer has created free-flowing spaces that feel inviting and non-intuitive in their design.
While the suites are indeed cosy, the real, and I believe intended, piste-de-resistance is located upstairs in the chalet’s welcoming lounge and dining area. With a ceiling that stretches six-metres tall, the open-plan living areas are the lungs of the property, and reflect a twisted nod to traditional alpine interior design and architecture.
“This piece is pretty controversial among our friends; but to be honest, I fell in love with [this photograph] the first time I saw it.” – Jeanne Roesch-Degoy.
Centered in-between four deer heads that are marvellously displayed on the wooden walls, and framed by two haute-couture-style pendants on either side that are netted to look like clouds, hangs a blown-up, high-fashion photograph depicting a moody model draped in contemporary, slightly gothic, clothing. It’s a masterpiece that effortlessly commands the room, while proficiently juxtaposing the mountain views of snow-covered fir trees in the French Alps.
Image caption: The artwork that commands the dining and living areas was found by the owner in an antique shop. | Image credit: Purple Ski
The story behind the artwork that the designer found in an antique shop near Biarritz, is as impressive as the effect is has over the chalet’s interiors. “This piece is pretty controversial among our friends; but to be honest, I fell in love with [this photograph] the first time I saw it,” the designer explained. “I designed the living room and dining room area to integrate this piece of art – it brings a disruptive vibe to the total Chalet look.” The artwork in this area of the chalet is an example of how something so simple, in this case aptly injecting a voguish accent into the design, can completely transform the entire room.
Aside from the art, the lighting design also has a haute couture look and feel. “I wanted some pendants and chandeliers to occupy the huge space,” the designer recalled. “But at the same time, I wanted them to breathe, like the air, so you wouldn’t notice them too much. That’s how I came up with the cloud idea, and the large yet light chandelier in the living room.” The chandelier, which spreads across the double-height room, has been designed like the various neutral lampshades are almost floating in the air, which only works because of the vast space that the chandelier softly fills.
Image caption: Hidden away in its own nook, the chalet’s cinema room is a cosy escape. | Image credit: Purple Ski
In such a large property, with many nooks and crannies to explore, the design is not overbearing or imposing. Instead, through clever references to nature and sensitive architecture, the chalet feels almost part of the mountain. Outside on the terrace, complete with a large sunken hot tub, features a generous seating area with firepit that reminds you that you are in the heart of the French Alps.
Image caption: The hot tub on the outside terrace offers an unparalleled vantage point over the valley. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Image caption: The outdoor fireplace, opposite the hot tub, is a serene area of the chalet. | Image credit: Purple Ski
The wellness setting continues as you walk downstairs. Past a fully equipped cinema room, the chalet channels you into the spa area, which has been designed to transport guests into a peaceful setting that has everything one would need to recover from a day on the slopes, including a narrow heated indoor pool, a sauna, a private massage room and a chic relaxation area.
Image caption: The chalet’s swimming pool and sauna is located in the basement of the chalet, and almost channels guests into a new mindset as they enter. | Image credit: Purple Ski
Complete with everything one would need from a luxury experience in the mountain, Chalet Inoko is a modern, stylish way to experience Val d’Isère and capture its natural beauty through a luxury lens. Its carefully curated, yet homely interior design scheme – inside an architectural shell that has been constructed to sensitively blend into the low-level development style of the town below – answers to the buzzing hospitality scene in the French Alps with character, class and effortless charm.
7 interior design trends set to shape our spaces in 2023
When it comes to interior design trends for 2023, the year is, according to Interior Designer Benji Lewis, “all about bold colours, 70’s glamour and an opportunity to introduce personal style and vigour to a space.” We thought we would take a look at how these trends will translate into the hospitality arena…
Benji Lewis is an established British interior designer whose extensive experience working on residential and commercial properties has included spaces from studios to town and country houses, listed properties and commercial spaces. Responding to social changes and picking up on trends has allowed him to pivot his business model into the realm of virtual consultation with Zoom that Room. He has drawn on all this experience to give us some interior design trends and touchpoints for 2023, which we have sensitively taken and married against shining hotel design examples.
“Deep jewel colours – amethyst, blue, jade and lapis for example – used in an immaculately tailored fashion are looking good.” – Benji Lewis.
In the hospitality arena, the use of jewel colours and rich textures always gets our attention when picking out emerging interior design trends. The team at David Collins Studio embraced these hues in Corinthia London’s new cocktail bar, Velvet. The furniture, upholstered in shades of red and royal blue, and deep velvet curtains, provide a glamorous feel, alongside convex mirrors and lavish lighting.
Image credit: Alex Upton
Bergman Design House used these colours to make a strong statement in hotels like The Other House, and venues like Bagheera, where guests are greeted with a sumptuous cocktail lounge in hues of gold, deep red, teal and imperial purple.
“Pattern is contained to include just a simple geometric or stripe.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: J.K. Place Paris
Integral to strong design is getting that balance between layers of colour and pattern – we all have our tipping point from the austere approach of minimalist through to exuberant maximalists. The key to successful use of pattern in the hospitality arena where design has to appeal to a broad cross section of guests, is as Lewis suggests, a curated approach to pattern. The interiors of J.K. Place Paris illustrate the point perfectly as pattern traverses design both in fabrics, floors and accessories but is consistently part of a bigger design picture and importantly, is never overpowering.
“Mid-century eclectica is going to be strong, but used in a chic paired-back fashion in a blend of textures rather than anything cluttered. For example, a lacquered sideboard with a statement ceramic lamp, with linen shade, and a single good piece of glass will pack way more of a punch rather than multiple baubles and trinkets.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: The Quoin / Matthew Williams
The in-house design firm Method Studios makes full use of layering mid-century design with other elements to create a full story of its location in The Quoin. The building’s existing natural materials were emphasised by layering in modern handmade décor with the clean lines of modern Shaker-influenced furniture, and an overall subdued, earthy colour palette influenced by original Victorian-era paints dating back to 1820.
With an increasing interest in the repurposing of buildings within the hospitality industry – think less interior design trends and more socially doing the right thing – a lot of the structures fall into the realm of mid-century modern, making a clear case for these design elements to be incorporated without resorting to pastiche.
“Glamour is back in all its ‘70s smokey-glass fashion – think low seated lounge sofas, with built-in acrylic end tables, sumptuous leafy woven fabrics in mid-brown shades with forest green and gold.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: The Ned NoMad
Glamour is unquestionably back! And if you were in any doubt, a quick run through some Hotel Designs’ posts from Manhattan to Madrid will illustrate the point. From bespoke bars, retro cocktails, and low slung sofas – hotels are clamouring for the top podium in the smoky glass stakes as the importance of creating both moments in time as well as beautifully designed spaces with stories becomes as important as the contents of the cocktail shaker. Aside from the ’70s inspired glamour of it all, those hues of green and brown in this trend forecast also play right into the biophilic mood of the moment.
“Lighting is one [element] that we just want to get better and better at. Blend wall lighting with a statement table lamp, consider a wash of light being cast over the floor with skirting height recessed wall lights, but absolutely do not think a single pendant light (however beautiful) will cut the mustard on its own when it comes to providing a strong ambient feel to your space, because it won’t.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: Mel Yates
Take this statement about lighting interior design trends and multiply it by 10 when it comes to hotel and hospitality design. From the practical to the playful, lighting has a role to play in every corner of the room. Guestroom lighting has to be thought through and impeccable, as well as intuitive and easy to use. In the public areas it can increase guests sense of wellbeing, entice guests in though a sense of the dramatic, redefine a space and curate a design. Lighting can quite literally be all things to all people in the hotel environment.
The design team at Taylor Howes Design harnessed the forces of lighting in the design for Chateau Denmark to create drama and extend the narrative of the property from the moment you step through the doors. collaborating with Northern Lights on this project, every element was carefully considered and layered. “Our aim was to craft lighting solutions from scratch that would not only create the right ambience and illumination, but that would also form an integral part of the storytelling,” said Kevin Swart, Sales Director, Northern Lights.
In contrast, and with more of an emphasis on maximising natural lighting and less of a penchant for the dramatic, Buckle Street Studios by Locke illustrates the point that clever and layered lighting is not confined to the realm of the dark and moody interior. Layered and focussed lighting is used throughout the design to both highlight the design and to soften its edges.
“We’ve all got the memo about upcycling, it’s now hardwired into our thinking and certainly won’t be on the wane in 2023.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: room2
No discussion on upcycling and sustainability can be had without mentioning room2 Chiswick. Having claimed the spot as ‘the worlds first net-zero hometel’, and after winning Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2023, it has set the bar high. From fabrics to flooring, materials have been mindfully chosen to promote reuse, such as soft bedroom throws from Slow Down Studio, which are made from 80 per cent recycled cotton, and carpets constructed using recycled fishing nets which line the corridors. Architects, designers and manufacturers are all responding to consumer demands as well as challenging us and the overriding feeling is that the (recycled) surface has only been scratched.
“Look at incorporating architectural detail like panelling in your room schemes, referencing the Savoir office in Emily in Paris, have it painted in the same colour as the walls so the whole room blends as one.” – Benji Lewis.
Image credit: GuestHouse
Luckily you don’t have to be Emily, or go to Paris, to appreciate the impact of colour-on-colour architectural details. A wander around the boutique space of No1 York should be enough to convince you of the appeal of colour saturation and architectural details. Hotels like The Other House have also skilfully incorporated this into the design to add detail and layers of interest and as a useful tool when crossing between period details and contemporary design.
As with all interior design trends, they are there to guide and inspire rather than dictate. At a time when the boundaries between work and play, home and hospitality, are being increasingly blurred it is interesting to see trends crossover and become reimagined in spaces that are by necessity designed with both longevity and curb appeal in mind. Scrolling through these references, it is clear that hotel design has moved far beyond the beige of neutral mass appeal and is in fact setting trends rather than following them.
Sneak peek: inside the reimagined Hotel Indigo in Nashville
Studio 11 Design has completed its latest Nashville design endeavour with the newly renovated Hotel Indigo at the Countrypolitan Downtown Nashville with a design that reflects both its country music roots and the contemporary arts…
Studio 11 Design’s striking reimagination of the public spaces in Hotel Indigo seamlessly preserves the structure’s singular pre-war details while modernising it for today’s traveller in celebration of the organic relationship between art, design and music. Converted from an old bank building, the boutique property was originally designed to reflect its storied past.
“This is our second project in Nashville and I am so proud of the work Studio 11 Design’s team did to transform this boutique hotel,” said Kellie Sirna, principal of Studio 11 Design. “Greer May, Associate Principal of Studio 11 Design was a crucial part of the team as the lead designer and project manager for the Hotel Indigo from beginning to end.”
Image credit: Jordan Powers
Nashville is known as Music City, but over the years has developed a flourishing art scene. Reflective of this, Studio 11 Design collaborated with acclaimed musician Chris Coleman, who has been quietly building momentum and recognition for his burgeoning art career. Coleman first became involved in the art world while using the creative outlet as a form of therapy. Upon realising his artistic talents were not limited to the stage he began to more seriously explore his talent in the visual arts. With the encouragement and support of his singer-songwriter wife Holly Williams, he began developing his second calling as an artist.
“The icing on the cake in this project was having the opportunity to collaborate with the multi-talented Chris Coleman on the focal artwork in Hotel Indigo’s central lounge area,” said Sirna.”Chris signifies country music royalty in Nashville and I could not think of a more perfect artist to capture the spirit of Printers Alley and the countrypolitan music genre.”
Image credit: Jordan Powers
The musical genre countrypolitan emerged in the 70’s from the smooth sound of lush string instruments, or what is typically known as ‘The Nashville Sound’ as it is a category of music developed to help country artists cross over into the pop market. Coleman went into his studio and opted to create a custom artwork on a large piece of glass rather than canvas as he wanted the piece to interact with the dynamic lighting in the space and glass allows the art to play with the light.
“The piece is a whimsical depiction of a man casually standing next to a woman at a bar,” explained Coleman. “It is a snapshot look into the country music scene with a lot of drinking and smoking. The team at Studio 11 Design gave me a lot of artistic freedom and space to create. It was a dream collaboration. The firm understood my artistic process and allowed the story to unfold.”
Image credit: Jordan Powers
The location and history of the neighbourhood was an integral part of Studio 11 Design’s overarching vision for Hotel Indigo and Hotel Indigo’s new lobby and additional common spaces pay homage to the building’s roots and location. The name ‘Printers Alley’ was coined from the late 1800’s when the newspaper publishing and printing industries took off. Cafes, saloons, gambling parlours and speakeasies started popping up as industry took hold in the area, making it more populated and traversed. Printers Alley has an exuberant history and Studio 11 Design leaned into this contextual industrial aesthetic through the use of opulent lighting and extravagant accents that are seen in velvet jewel tone textures and plush rugs. The colour palette is retro-inspired, featuring deep clementine, mustard, peacock green and plums set into a backdrop of warm woods, rich tones and welcoming neutrals.
Accor, an established market leader in Europe, has made significant strides in expanding to the East of the continent as it continues to drive market leadership in the region…
Last year saw Accor signing 47 properties in Eastern Europe and the ‘New East’ – the latter including South Caucasus countries Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as Central Asia, notably Kazakhstan on the threshold of Europe and Asia, and Uzbekistan. Romania saw the most signings for Accor in these regions during the year with eight new properties, followed by seven in Uzbekistan, six in Hungary, five in Poland and four in Georgia, with total signings across these regions accounting for a total of 5,476 rooms.
Image credit: Accor
“Countries in Eastern Europe and those on the threshold of Europe and Asia continue to provide a fast-growth market for hotel development,” said Camil Yazbeck, Global Chief Development Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy at Accor. “They are seeing a rise in tourist numbers, with strong domestic and intra-regional travel demand, and provide value for money alternatives for those travelling from further afield.”
Accor drove a 60 per cent growth in the South Caucasus and Central Asia area, signing 15 new projects under six hotel brands adding more than 2,100 rooms to its existing portfolio of 24 hotels in these regions. The region proved fertile ground for Accor’s premium brands in particular, with 17 signings including seven Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts and four Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts. Mercure also performed well in the midscale segment, with 12 signings; and ibis Styles was the fastest growing economy brand in the East, with seven new signings.
Conversion opportunities continued to be a growth driver, with an equal number of new build and conversion projects signed, underpinning the company’s strong focus on environmental, social and governance. Accor’s’ strong growth in these countries is indicative of their burgeoning tourism markets and the popularity of international brands in the region.
Atlantis The Royal: a hotel with an extraordinary design story
It was, without question, the world’s most elaborate hotel opening party of the decade, but what is the architecture and design narrative of Atlantis The Royal? Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Ever since the first sketches of Atlantis The Royal first emerged, it was clear that the peculiar structure that would sit at the edge of The Jumeriah Palm – neighbouring the iconic Atlantis, The Palm – would be an aggressive contender among the flurry of hotels – past and present – that shape the skyline of Dubai.
In addition to creating a bang, with its famous three-day opening party attended by the world’s media, fireworks and A-lister celebrities with Beyonce stealing the show with a private performance, the hotel has opened as an architecture and design marvel. And here’s why, which, like all great masterpieces on the global hotel design stage, starts with an exceptional team.
Image credit: Kerzner International
With a deluxe cluster of design and architecture visionaries including globally renowned master architects Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, award-winning hospitality interior designers G.A Group on the hotel and famed interior designer, Sybille de Margerie on the residential and and the innovative water feature creators WET Design, the resort that stands nearly 500 metres wide and almost as tall as the Eiffel Tower, offers the next level of elevated luxury.
To create this feat in architecture, the hotel required 90,000 square metres of glass (the equivalent to 10 FIFA football pitches), 220,000 cubic metres of concrete, 5,500 tonnes of structural steel and 150,000 square metres of marble.
The structure of Atlantis The Royal rethinks the conventional concept of the ‘iconic tower’ and its role in the skyline of the rapidly growing city. Rather than focus on form only, the building centres on extending the idea of indoor-outdoor living. This idea is transcended vertically into a 500-metre-long, 178-metre-tall mega structure, operating as a permeable screen porous to people, light, and air.
The hotel was conceptualised as the ‘deconstruction’ of the traditional sculptural towers associated with Dubai, taking the form of a stack of individual blocks, each offering a bespoke private experience off of a single core. The individual series of blocks enhances the convenience of luxury and amenities for residents and guests, in what seemingly feels like a smaller and more intimate setting. The gaps between become outdoor courts, naturally ventilated and shaded, with incredible views over Dubai and the Gulf.
Image credit: Kerner International
“There was almost a performance goal to our brief; an expectation ‘to blow the client out of the water’ and create a show- stopper of a building that would deliver a unique set of experiences,” explained James von Klemperer, President and Design Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. “The building has a lot to do with entertainment. It’s not just a quiet place to go and relax and eat fine food—it’s about experiencing something you never imagined could be. The architecture sets this up really strongly with its vertical piling up of outdoor experiences in the pools and outside spaces.”
The curved façade and porous hollows within Atlantis The Royal were created in response to where the building sits. Positioned on the outer crescent of The Palm, this location allows the building to have two different types of waterfront views: towards the Arabian Gulf or the sheltered lagoon of the Palm Island and the Dubai skyline. The structure enables guests to take advantage of the views on both sides, many times from the same room or location.
“Rather than create another piece of ‘iconic architecture,’ we sought to create a series of ‘iconic experiences’ through the design of a building that, by being split into pieces, forms multiple gardens in the sky,” added Elie Gamburg, Design Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. “This makes it possible to have all of the indoor-outdoor living experiences we expect in a beach-side villa raised in the air and creates a place where one can swim underwater in a transparent pool with views over the skyline of Dubai, thirty-four stories in the sky.”
The building’s two terraced towers step down towards one another to meet through the 90 metre by 33-metre-wide sky bridge, which features dramatic views of the Gulf and Dubai skyline. The 1,350-metre bridge was lifted into place at a rate of six – seven metres/hour by eight hydraulic jacks via a strand jacking method and took 10 hours in total. This arch is a defining element of the Atlantis brand and has been reinterpreted for Atlantis The Royal. Atop of the arch is The Royal Mansion signature suite and the skybridge, a 90-metre-long pool deck, flanked by restaurants and lounges as well as an event space.
“This was an amazingly daring feat of engineering! It is going to be a very entertaining place to go, but at the same time, it is also a very serious piece of architecture,” explained von Klemperer. “It has a longevity about it. And we hope this building will help take the city beyond the transitory, into something that feels more rooted, longer lasting – and timeless.”
Due to the prescience of sunshades and the depths of the terraces, most of the resort glass is fully shaded during the summer, and for much of the day during spring and fall. This allows the usage of clear glass whilst still achieving energy efficiency. In addition, the water across all of the fountains and water features is recycled on a continuous loop.
Inside, the design scheme, created by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and G.A Group, centres on the notion of water and water-based moments throughout the property, rather than the ocean, as can be found at the building’s neighbour, Atlantis, The Palm. The original design brief was inspired by the oldest inhabitants of the Arabian desert, the Bedouins. Known for their resourcefulness and hospitality, the tribes would traverse thousands of miles across the sand dunes using water wells, which were the lifeblood of the desert, to navigate. The precious commodity of water is constantly celebrated throughout the property, with water features, sculptures and moments peppered throughout to guide guests on their discovery of the resort.
Image credit: Kerzner International
Examples of this can be seen in lobby sculpture Droplets, which represents the first drop of rain in a dry desert, to the Deluge water elevators, which invites guests to quite literally walk-through water to reach the next part of the resort. Cloud burst light fixtures feature at each elevator bank and hundreds of raindrop shaped light pendants delicately stud the lobby ceilings.
The theme of each guestroom and suite continues the connection with water but in a more refined and abstract way. From the soft lines of the sofa, to the undulating blues and turquoise of the carpet, guests are gently enveloped by the water theme. Each room category moves through this water theme to become more dramatic, the higher up the building guests go. From the gentle blues of the Seascape room, to the shimmering pearls of a Horizon Penthouse, all the way up to the dramatic hues of orange and red coral coloured walls of the Panoramic Penthouse.
Image credit: Kerzner International
Unlike many resorts, the lighting design of Atlantis The Royal, by Light Touch PLD, was created as part of the overall architectural concept, helping to technically refine the design, in keeping with the vision of the resort. Designed to create fluidity and depth across the property, the lighting is an integral part of the guest experience and impacts how the building can be seen on the Dubai Skyline, all the way through to what guests see when they look out from their balconies at night.
Notable highlights include the underwater lighting across the resort’s pools change from day to dusk and dark. As night falls sparkling fibres become brighter until all pools will glitter as guests look over their balconies. In addition, light projections are used across the resort to create moving ‘art moments’, from aquariums complete with underwater LED screens to projection mapped bars at Cloud 22. Within each Sky Court, light is projected onto the underside of the court (roof) to create a truly immersive experience at night. The replicates the shimmering water from the pools below.
Image credit: Kerzner International
SKS Studio and 40NORTH were the visionaries behind the exterior design of the entire resort, from conception. The Sky Courts feature suites with resort landscaping and stunning acrylic pools 46 storeys in the air. The brief to the design duo was to extend the guest experience found inside the property to the exterior and to celebrate the iconic architecture on a scale that feels comfortable for the guest.
“Atlantis The Royal is not a check-off box project, but rather a push-yourself-beyond-what-anyone-could-possibly-imagine-under-tight-time-restraints project,” said Sean Simms, President, SKS Studio. “We’re thinking ahead to what will be cutting-edge in two to three years. One idea spurs an even better one, so changes are made, but one change affects 10 more down the line. Things happen in the field that evolve the landscape architecture design, yet we’re careful to hold on to the original vision as well. Atlantis The Royal is built for those who can travel anywhere in the world, and they chose this property.”
Image credit: Kerzner International
The result is a contemporary look and feel, that responds to the building, and its curved façade. This shape is mirrored in everything from the lines of the pool to the trunks of the luscious date palms, dotted across the landscape. The detailing is notable, from the knife edge planters surrounding the pools to the pixelated diamond texture tiles along the walkways.
Image credit: Kerzner International
Atlantis The Royal, which shelters no less than 795 guestrooms and suites, 44 swimming pools and 17 restaurants and bars, including the world’s first Nobu by the Beach, has made a bold statement in design, architecture and hospitality. It’s anyone’s guess as to which hotel in the future will come close to the level of ambition, engineering and design, but one thing is for certain: Atlantis The Royal has ensured that Dubai remains extremely relevant in this new chapter of luxury hospitality.
Creating Muir Halifax – a hotel steeped in maritime culture
The capital of Nova Scotia, Halifax, was screaming out for a hotel that answered to its landscape. On Travel By Design, a podcast by Marriott Bonvoy Traveller, host Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs, spoke to interior designer Alessandro Munge and art consultant Grace Zeppili, to unpick the raw design narrative of Muir Halifax…
Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia in Canada, is a city built on one of the largest natural harbours in the world. The Atlantic-facing destination has a distinct lack of luxury hotels. Instead, it’s a place that has a strong local community that has formed around a robust maritime history. With that authentic charm, though, comes a demand to explore, and it was necessary for the city to welcome a luxury hotel that sensitively reflected the environment and character of the city around it.
Cue the arrival of Muir Halifax, Autograph Collection, which was painstakingly designed by Studio Munge with the aim to honour and integrate the city as a maritime jewel. Everything about the hotel, including its location that is seamlessly nestled into the Queen’s Marque waterfront district, has been carefully and meticulously thought of. The architecture, for instance, is full of texture and natural materials that have been inspired by the local topography – think sandstone, granite and Muntz metal.
Image credit: Marriott International
The story of how such a hotel has been created is vast, so in order to dive into exactly how the design and art narratives married together, I was able to speak to both designer, Alessandro Munge, and art consultant, Grace Zeppili, on Travel By Design, a podcast brought to you by Marriott Bonvoy Traveller.
Like most hotel designers, Munge was set on creating an apt first impression for guests first experiencing the hotel; to create a feeling that was less and ostentatious, but more authentically rooted to the natural materials of the destination. “There’s use of granite and walnut and beautiful fabrics, and even the rugs have beautiful textures underneath your feet,” Munge explained. “You have your shoes on, you can actually feel it. So your sensories just take off!”
In the dark-toned, minimalist lobby of Muir Halifax, the artwork behind the reception desk feels effortless – almost as if it is blending into the surfaces. But it also introduces the guests to the motif of colours that they will experience throughout the hotel. “That particular piece was commissioned by Allison Baker,” Zeppili said. “And she works with hand-dyed fibres. And you could see the finished project is this beautiful scene of an ocean and the water hitting the rocks.
“But more so than that, it looks a lot more three-dimensional because of the way she knotted every piece and, and the, the way she stitched every piece of rope and tapestry in there. She worked with our interior designers and understood the colours that were going to be present in the rooms and throughout the space. So she hand-dyed all the colours herself. And then hand-wove that particular tapestry.”
In addition to tapestries, Zeppili commissioned a variety of styles, techniques and artists in order to help the artwork filter outside of the frame when aptly elevating the design’s sense of place. In the hotel’s speakeasy bar, she decided to use the use of photography. “There’s a very-well-known photographer, Thaddeus Holloway,” she added. “He photographed the Sable Island series, which is unheard of. It’s very difficult to get to Sable Island. You need a special permit. And he was one of the few photographers allowed on that island. And it’s where horses run wild. And it’s, there’s about six horizontal, large-scale photographs that sit over the seating areas, and they just really give you a sense of place with that island. You understand that you’re seeing things that no one else will get a chance to see. And these horses running wild are so free. and you feel free in that room, as well. We were very lucky to, to get access to those photographs.”
In the guestrooms and suites, the design scheme is layered with materials that define the hotel’s location. To amplify a luxurious finish, Munge surfaces the walls and floors in oak wooden panels. Here, the designer explains the need for ‘subtle’ over ‘sheen’, to add an extremely soft feel to the space.
Image caption: Muir Halifax, designed by Studio Munge. | Image credit: Marriott International
Image credit: Marriott International
Juxtaposing the softness – and to again be true to the destination’s rawness – the bathrooms have been made out of locally sourced granite, inspired by the historical properties and their architecture in Halifax. “We were very careful in the specifications that all of the granites had a very tactile feel to it,” said Munge. “So if you have bare feet in the floors, they’re not only heated, but you could actually feel the textures of the granite. And nothing is polished. Everything was super-honed. You felt the granite, you felt the wood, you understood where it came from.”
Muir Halifax, developed by The Armour Group, was opened in 2021. Its precise and timeless design and architecture qualities ensure its life as a hub for travellers and locals alike will continue for years to come. The hotel’s design manages to shelter a refined hospitality experience that is warm, welcoming and aptly Nova Scotia.
Newmors’ trends for 2023 – from grounded tones to colourful exuberance
Newmor has built a reputation for its visually inspiring trends forecast, so with this in mind we caught up with Rose Campbell, head of design and marketing to find out more about her seven trend predications for 2023…
From futuristic to vintage, sophisticated to playful, there really is something for everyone in Newmor’s 2023 trends forecast as each trend has been interpreted into a series of palettes. “This forecast comes after a year of many challenges we have faced as a society,” said Rose Campbell, Head of Design and Marketing. “Our trends forecast addresses a desire for security, nurture and for finding moments of joy. We’ve used the core colours from each trend to create a series of palettes, to show how the trend would work in different commercial environments.”
Newmor sets the scene with Terra Firma, a very grounded and reassuring trend. It is reflective of the natural world, so is nurturing – the warm tones are not only uplifting, the nature-inspired palette is also very practical and versatile. “There are several transitional hues that make an appearance in each of our other trends,” discussed Campbell. “Colours include tan, oxblood, sage, terracotta, rust, brown, and olive.”
Designs that fall into this trend include the new Tanner collection, a realistic leather design, their award-winning Sanctuary collection, which is inspired by the natural world, as well as tactile textured designs seen in Zenith II and Acacia.
Image credit: Newmor
As the name suggests, the Royal Flush trend is both polished and sophisticated. The inky blue palette is lifted by gold, brass, and marble with white highlights. The designs that best link to this trend range from the structured geometrics found in Art Deco Concrete Tiles to the interictally drawn botanical bouquets of Bloomin Marvellous, and damasks in Newmor’s aptly named Kensington collection.
“This androgynous trend sees the burnished distressed metallic effects of the Sorrento and Jakar designs sit alongside the delicate laced metallics in the Mantelito collection,” explained Campbell.
Image credit: Newmor
There is no doubt that the world needs a dose of the Walking In Sunshine moodboard. The joyous palette of warm bright golds and rich amber hues are enhanced by the sun-drenched nudes. This trend is optimistic and cheerful and the designs which have been selected reflect this and more. From the witty Tern design created by design duo the Patternistas, to the larger than life Argyle mural by artist Leigh Bagley and the beautiful Alacha Ikat stripe by Ptolemy Mann.
“Promoting the UK’s design talent is really important to Newmor,” said Campbell. “I love working in collaboration with artists and designers as it is a true celebration of design.”
Image credit: Newmor
Image credit: Newmor
From Walking on Sunshine, Newmor take us to their Dark Matter trend. It encapsulates the elegance of liquid metal, creating a super moody ambience with hues of ebony, pewter, brown and rust. Structured geometric patterns from their Quadra and Landscape Geo designs, work with the organic flow of World Revolves designed by Augustus Kotei. “The colour palette and textured design influences in this trend are captivating,” said Campbell. “I wanted to reflect a sense of intrigue and intimacy.”
Meta-Morphasis builds on Newmor’s 2022 Metaverse trend. This trend promotes wellness, selfcare. The almost translucent ethereal colour palette is easy to use across all types of commercial interiors. “I wanted to harness the positive impact of technology, so whilst this trend is futuristic it is also soft and accessible,” explained Campbell. “There is an array of designs that fit into this trend. From the inky hand painted tiles in our Water Colours collection to the calming clouds in Nimbus in our Sanctuary collection.”
Image credit: Newmor
Vintage Find is an eclectic melting pot, which honours enduring patterns we have loved through generations. Newmor’s latest designer collection John Morris, is tribute to British heritage design but delivered with a twist. This flair and flamboyance can also be seen in their Trompe-l’œil Menagerie, where birds and botanical motifs adorn a panelled effect, to bring us a sense of fun and grandeur. The colour palette has an artisanal influence with duck eggs blues, greens and mauves, which pair comfortably in Newmor’s tartans and tweed designs.
Image credit: Newmor
The final flourish in the 2023 trend forecast, Dopamine Rush, leaves us happy, satisfied and motivated. With hints of the Barbie core trend, this palette is uplifting and delivers a natural high. Designs are simply fabulous, as the distinctive patterns from artist Lois O’Hara, and design duo the Patterinstas drench our walls with colour. Here we also find Newmor’s fun splattered Get Arty, a Pollock inspired paint design, created in Campbells garden.
Newmor is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Workspace Design Show announces an inspiring speaker line-up
Workspace Design Show returns for the second time, unveiling an exciting speaker line-up as part of its 2023 edition. Taking place once again at London’s Business Design Centre, the show brings together the UK’s workplace interiors community to explore the experience of tomorrow’s workspaces…
The Workspace Design Show will take place in February, with this year’s theme being Destination Workplace: Places Where People Want To Be. With one of the highlights from the inaugural 2022 edition being the show’s talks programme, which was well received by the workplace design community, this has been built on going forward.
Confirmed speakers for 2023 hail from a raft of stakeholder groups, from developers to architects and their blue-chip clients. These include architects and designers such as Collin Burry, Design Principal with Gensler; Christos Passas, Director, Zaha Hadid Architects, Katrina Kostic Samen, Director and Head of Workplace Strategy & Design, KKS Savills, and Grant Kanik, Partner, Foster + Partners. Other industry professionals speaking include Kate Smith, Executive Director, Head of Workplace Strategy at CBRE, Scott Rominger, Creative Director at WeWork, Kael Gillam, Principal Lighting Designer at Hoare Lea and June Koh, Total Workplace, Partner, Workplace Strategy Lead EMEA, Cushman & Wakefield.
Image credit: Workspace Design Show
International furniture specialist The Furniture Practice are curating the Talks Lounge once again this year, as well as collaborating with architectural firm BDP on the newly added talks space. The spaces are set to feature iconic brands including Vitra, Fredericia, Arper, Andreu World, and Moroso amongst others. Panel sessions will include the likes of Ed Hoban, Associate Director and Head of Workplace at The Furniture Practice, as well as Matt Davies, Director of Sustainability.
In a series of talks, interviews and discussions, the Sustainability Works programme will bring together a selection of key figures behind the workplace market’s leading sustainable initiatives, projects and product developments. Confirmed speakers include Natalie Smith, Principal, Perkins&Will, Georgia Elliott-Smith, Managing Director at Element 4 and UN Special Junior Envoy for Youth and the Environment. Curated by Mick Jordan and the Works editorial team, it is a response to sustainability’s place at the top of the workplace agenda.
Workspace Design Show will also be hosting the Occupiers Forum – ‘The view from HQ’. Among the speakers from corporate organisations are Anita Glenn, Head of Workplace Design, AstraZeneca, Michelle Harwood, EMEA Real Estate Director, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Ash Kaur, Workplace Design Lead for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Oracle, and Suzan Dixon, Head of Workplace Europe & Americas, Standard Chartered. This gives visitors the opportunity to hear perspectives from current senior workplace end users, exploring the present and future demands of high-profile firms.
The Finishes and Interiors Sector Conference (FIS) will take place over both days of Workspace Design Show too. The first day will focus on the compliance and the fit-out process: creating the best possible environments to put the wow factor into buildings, while the second day will focus around creating destination workspaces: places where people want to be. Among those presenting their thought leadership are Jamesina Sainsbury, Director of Consultancy, MCM, Andrew Parkin, Partner – Global Head of Acoustics, Cundall, Vidhi Sharma, Creative Director, Future Workspaces Group.
The complete speaking programme at Workspace Design Show will cover a range of unmissable topics around workplace design and strategy featuring speakers with a diverse range of perspectives.
Hotel Designs is proud to return in 2023 as an official media partner for Workspace Design Show. Editor Hamish Kilburn will be on the main stage on February 27 at 15:20 to moderate a discussion on when workspace hospitality and residential design collide.
Sparcstudio an independent, creative design studio specialising in spa and wellness design for over 15 years in the spa, wellness, fitness, hotel, and resort sectors has announced its key trends in spa design for 2023. Creative Director, Beverley Bayes talks us through the trends…
It’s an incredibly exciting time in the world of spa design. Hoteliers, developers, and the general public are much more spa savvy and want to enjoy the benefits that spa can bring, with a great focus on improving physical and mental health and wellbeing. For operators and owners, this not only raises the profile of the business and places it the forefront of innovation, enhancing facilities with considered, sustainable design is good business sense and correctly done can significantly improve revenue and return on investment.
Sustainability in spas has been firmly in the spotlight for some years, but it is now that we are seeing the true innovation in terms of sustainable materials and finishes that are available. It’s akin to the effect that the introduction of LED lighting has had in spa/interior design.
Image credit: Sparcstudio
Last year more than any other we were excited to discover a range of UK based companies producing a wealth of sustainably sourced and innovative products. Many of these sustainable materials also have health and comfort benefits, including reducing noise, providing thermal insulation, and are non-toxic or boast low VOC’s emissions. Increasingly, clients recognise the need to create sustainable environments, and this is also important to discerning customers who are also demanding this approach.
Examples of beautiful and sustainable materials that we are currently specifying include clay based wall renders which is natural and non-toxic, with low VOCs emissions and no synthetic, concrete or lime additives and made from readily available, naturally abundant materials. Countertop surfaces formed from waste plaster and wood chips and eco paint ranges with low VOC’s are also on on the list. Hemp fibre building products produced on a farm outside of Cambridge is presenting some exciting alternatives.
Cork flooring in the form of a refined plank type product utilising waste cork from cork forests and bottling plants in the Western Europe that have the added benefit of thermal insulation and noise reduction, while improving air quality. Natural linen looking textiles and rugs that are made from recycled plastic bottles but are highly durable are also perfect for spa use. We are also endeavouring to specify a lot less laminate and are instead opting for solid timbers, and reclaimed English ash, salvaged from tree felling resulting from Ash Die back disease in the UK.
Image credit: Sparcstudio
Image credit: Sparcstudio
Whilst connection to nature will continue to be a central theme for spas, as witnessed by the huge rise in spa gardens and forest bathing, we are also anticipating a rise in the design of truly ‘immersive’ spa interior spaces and experiences.
Advances in technology, many as result of video art installations in galleries, will see the use of back and front projected imagery to floors, ceilings and walls. When this is combined with heat or hydro pools, a yoga studio or spin class it can create a totally unique environment. This can be witnessed at QC Terme Milano ‘secret spa’, which has multiple immersive experience rooms including a ‘rain room’ with rain showers, immersive video skyscape of stormy skies located around a submerged hydro pool.
Virtual reality experiences are also on the rise where guests can take a guided meditation in a beautiful landscape as part of a spa experience. Relax VR transports clients using virtual reality by catering to three of their five senses – sight (visual scenery), sound (music) and smell (essential oil scents). Combining Relax VR with a treatment that caters to touch, such as a foot soak or hand massage, and adding an element of taste, such as a coconut water, creates a full multi-sensory experience.
Examples of more ‘physical’ immersive spaces can be experienced within the Aqua Sana Forest spas created by Sparcstudio, where guests can gaze out over panoramic views of the forest canopy in the Treetop Sauna, or listen to the trickling water in Longleat’s Forest Cavern or gaze up at the magical changing sky as it phases from dusk to dawn to daylight in the Forest Meditation room.
Intuitive design for wellness tech
With the growth of technology in spas, including the recent rise in Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy and cryotherapy machines, careful consideration needs to be given to the design of the spa to accommodate large equipment like this. Physically, they take a lot of floor space, but more importantly spas need to ensure that these facilities remain a luxury experience in keeping with other elements of the spa.
Firstly, the space needs to be sized to be large enough for guest comfort. We would also look to create a totally immersive environment for the equipment to integrate them into the overall experience. For high ticket treatments such as these, the experience must be elegant and luxurious.
Image credit: Sparcstudio
This type of immersive environment can be experienced at Cottonmill Spa Sopwell House. The deep relax room houses six multi-sensory AlphaSphere by Sha loungers. The undulating up lit sheers surround the perimeter of the room, cocoon each bed and create an immersive dynamic space, enhances the guest experience, whilst maximising the substantial investment that has been made in specialist equipment such as this.
Inspired by ancient traditions of Greek Roman and Ottoman empires, the ‘Modern bath house’ spa concept is also set to be a strong trend for 2023 and beyond. Olympia Bath House in Melbourne is due to launch later this year and is set to offer ‘Thermotherapy and immersive experiences that inspire a sense of slow and social connection.’ This is taking urban wellness to another level.
The social aspect of the modern Bath House is a key element of this model and is reflected in the membership packages, which encourage greater usage than a traditional spa and typically much longer opening hours too. For example, the Aire Ancient Baths in London’s Covent Garden opening hours are 8am to 11pm.
Image credit: Sparcstudio
These Bath houses can also bring spa to the sometimes ‘spa deprived’ Urbanites – The AIRE Experience always takes place in restored brick vaulted subterranean historical buildings in the centre of cities and with atmospheric candle lit pools and thermal experiences. Modern Bath houses encourage ‘slow’ spa experiences and are about reconnecting and escaping from technology.
Sparcstudio has identified these trends playing out in their bespoke design approach to all elements of every project, including pools, thermal experiences, treatment zones, luxury changing rooms, relaxation spaces and café restaurants, fitness areas, and Spa suites as well as accommodation. The studio always aims to create a unique product with a real ‘sense of place’, individuality and luxury and an elevated guest journey and experience.
The wait is over. London’s iconic The Dorchester debuts its new look with an immaculate new ground floor following a year of master renovations. This first stage of unveiling is just the beginning as the luxury hotel on Park Lane steps out to redefine the West End while celebrating its iconic heritage…
For the first time in a year, the famous revolving doors have reopened, as the first phase of the property’s head-to-toe renovation completes. Starting with the façade which has been a prominent landmark of London for over nine decades, new lighting rejuvenates the new exterior, creating a welcoming glow across Park Lane. Guests arrive onto an enhanced forecourt, featuring a beautiful green granite underfoot and a landscaped, verdant garden area located underneath the renowned plane tree. The arrival experience extends into an open lobby, flooded with natural light and bookended by two imposing artworks.
Image credit: The Dorchester / Mark Read
Image credit: Mark Read
The first phase of the property’s head-to-toe renovation includes the entire forecourt, entrance, lobby, The Promenade and Artists’ Bar designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, while the legendary and glamorous James Bond-inspired Vesper Bar (formerly The Bar at The Dorchester) has been transformed by Martin Brudnizki. Rooms and suites are slated to debut this March.
Image credit: The Dorchester
The Vesper Bar, named for the hotel’s many connections with 007 throughout the years, is where guests encounter a space with movie star looks and a supporting cast of talented bartenders ready to curate evenings of mature fun. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, the bar’s new interior is inspired by the spirit and elegance of the roaring 30’s, a time when manners were still important and yet mayhem was celebrated. Ornate design runs throughout the bar, including a 1930s Palladium leaf ceiling paired with a series of Cecil Beaton original drawings and celebrity photographs married with Rosie Emmerson pieces.
Image credit: The Dorchester
The Promenade remains the heart and soul of the hotel and captures the imagination as you move beyond the lobby and into the setting for vibrant dining experiences. An original collection of contemporary artworks by British artists are on display throughout The Promenade. The uniquely individual pieces all offer a new take on nature and have been created to evoke the sensation of strolling through a perfectly curated and cultivated British landscape.
The interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon encompass the hotel’s charming eccentricities whilst bringing a fresh elixir of colours inspired by the British landscape. Flanked by striking pillars along the depth of the space, delicate white and soft sage green ceilings are finished with gold leaf accents. The furnishings complete the drama of the space with cornered blue sofas and flavescent yellow and deep pink chairs sitting neatly around dark oak wood tables. And of course, no part of The Dorchester would be complete without a signature statement carpet to anchor the vibrant interiors.
Image credit: The Dorchester
As part of the first phase of this comprehensive transformation the hotel has unveiled its new Artists’ Bar. A new destination for Londoners in the heart of Mayfair, Artists’ Bar will be a glamorous and sparkling area for fun evenings of champagne, seafood and entertainment. The interior shines at every angle from the bar’s own Lalique crystal designs and Liberace’s legendary mirrored piano, which has been meticulously restored to take pride of place. Cocktails, served tableside on bespoke trolleys to create a touch of theatre, will reflect the carefully curated collection of artwork that adorns the walls.
Image credit: The Dorchester
An original collection of artworks by artists working in Britain will be proudly displayed throughout Artists’ Bar. The pieces, uniquely individual and crossing a range of media and techniques, are a celebration of London, mixing nature with urban landscapes, whilst portraying The Dorchester’s impact on the city and the famous figures associated with the hotel. Six signature cocktails presented at Artists’ Bar take inspiration from the spectacular artwork with ingredients mirroring the references and influences that each artist used to create their work.
Image credit: The Dorchester
Image credit: The Dorchester
Highlights of the collection include Ann Carrington’s work inspired by the Queen Elizabeth II postage stamp, creating a large scale silhouette of the late Queen using only mother of pearl buttons, painstakingly individually sewn by hand. At the opposite end of the bar, Ewan Eason has created an aerial view city map of the Hyde Park area of London, rendered entirely in gold leaf, with The Dorchester at its centre.
Image credit: The Dorchester
Located towards the end of The Promenade, the design and details of Artists’ Bar have been imagined by Pierre-Yves Rochon. From the moment guests arrive they will be captivated by the dramatic mirrored ceiling, flanked by striking pillars along the length of the destination bar. The design encompasses The Dorchester’s charming eccentricities, with pastel blue seating dotted along the bar, circling a grand crystal chandelier and again, anchored by the patterned carpets that swirl under foot.
Through a new lens: how Belmond writes local art histories
Working alongside Belmond, international art agency Artiq firmly believes in the power of art outside the traditional gallery space and its unique potential to convey local stories in ways that connect with global audiences…
According to a recent report by Bloomberg, art and design are more important than ever to the post pandemic traveller. This doesn’t come as a surprise – after being confined to our homes for such a long time, the past few years have left us all searching for new experiences while having reinforced our appreciation for beautiful spaces. That, combined with art’s rise as an asset class, is compelling more guests to look at the art in hotels much like their wine menu; it’s a judgement of taste.
Hotel group Belmond has been working with Artiq to further connect with its locations and is fully embracing the power of art in this process as its global properties are taking on characteristics of cultural hubs, offering art not only as a luxury asset but as a means for their guests to learn about local histories and connect with local communities through a different lens, tapping into each destination’s essence and beauty.
Image credit: Belmond
Taormina is a small town located on Sicily’s east coast. With spectacular views of both the Mediterranean sea and Mount Etna, it is an exclusive destination for visitors looking to immerse themselves in its rich history while enjoying the pleasures of this first-class Ionian sea resort which is home to two Belmond properties.
Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina, was the first hotel to be built in the town, opening its door to guests in 1873. Perched high on a hill with stunning views of the valley below, the hotel is located next to the ancient Greek theatre of Taormina, one of the world’s best-known and most admired amphitheatres, built in the 3rd century BC and later transformed by the Romans to make room for games and gladiatorial battles.
Image credit: Belmond / Artiq
Today, Grand Hotel Timeo combines old-world grandeur with a cosmopolitan spirit. Thanks to the generous cooperation of Vista Mare and Gallerie Karsten Greve, Artiq procured a collection of photographic works by the iconic Mimmo Jodice. A contemporary of Andy Warhol and Joseph Beuys, Jodice is an Italian avant-garde photographer who, since the 1970s, has pushed the discourse of Italian fine art photography. He has exhibited at the Guggenheim in New York and Louvre Museum in Paris and he is collected by leading art institutions and museums across the globe, such as the San Francisco and Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art and Milan’s Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea.
Belmond has now joined them as a collector of Jodice, with a selection of photographs depicting Roman sculptures in a mythical yet intimate way on display in the grand entrance hall. The installation tells the story not only of Italy’s fascinating ancient period in Taormina and the Mediterranean but also of Italy’s modern art history.
Image credit: Artiq
Image credit: Artiq
Down towards the coastline, Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare, has been enchanting guests since the 1950s. The beach residence, located right on the seafront, oozes old-world glamour and is quintessentially Sicilian. Artiq worked alongside the internationally acclaimed Eric Egan of L’Artigianato and the Belmond team to procure a fully bespoke art collection, highlighting emerging talent from the local area, resulting in an art collection that echoes the history and traditions of the region through a contemporary lens.
Taormina-based painter Alessandro Florio started his career as a tattoo artist but expanded his practice to include works on canvas. Nine original works by Alessandro were commissioned for the restaurant and lounge area. This body of work draws inspiration from eclectic sources, ranging from the art of the Renaissance and the Middle Ages, combining visual symbols and cultural references between Sicily and the Arab heritage in a playful, sometimes irreverent way.
Image credit: Alessandro Florio
Image credit: Belmond / Artiq
By collecting from the past and the present, Belmond is preparing for the future. Established and emerging artists are presented side by side, ensuring the brand stays timeless yet relevant. And by shining a spotlight on emerging talent locally at this time will, in the future, tell the story of Sicily’s creative scene in the early 21st century in the same way that Jodice’s works are reminiscent of the modern era. It also opens up new funding routes to the arts as artists are being paid to show their work in new spaces and given platforms to engage with new audiences.
Collecting art is to write the history of a particular time and place. By collecting diverse art with local relevance, Belmond is forging a connection between its brand, its locations, and its guests, ensuring the opportunity for future generations to learn about their location’s artistic legacies.
Artiq is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Artiq / Alessandro Florio at Villa Sant’Andrea
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