Hotel Designs

    NEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR HOTELIERS, DESIGNERS AND INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS
    Man sipping drink at the memebers club at The Other House

    HIX preview: behind the curtain of hotel members’ clubs

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    HIX preview: behind the curtain of hotel members’ clubs

    As part of the HIX Talks programme, Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs, will moderate a panel exploring the rise of hotel members clubs. Ahead of the event’s return on November 17 – 18, Kristofer Thomas, Head of Content at HIX, explores how these clubs can facilitate the growth of organic hotel communities by leveraging membership models and experiential design…

    Man sipping drink at the memebers club at The Other House

    Be it on a global or local scale, the driving force behind modern hospitality is a sense of community. Today’s guests want to feel like they are part of something, not just temporary strangers passing through, and operators are increasingly recognising the need to facilitate organic connections between people and the hospitality spaces that welcome them. It is this connection, after all, that turns a one-off stay into a repeated customer, and long-term loyalty can ultimately produce both commercial and cultural currency.

    Likewise, extending a hotel’s reach beyond four walls has become a necessity for those seeking to stand out in an ever-crowded sector, and in the wake of the pandemic’s disruption, there has emerged a gap in the market for a space that operates between work, play and life. The rise of communal facilities that reconsider short-term shelter as places of community makes perfect sense then, and the surge of members clubs within hotels might just be the ideal platform for this resonant third space.

    Pool outside at Sir Joan Hotel Ibiza

    Image credit: Sir Hotel Joan, Ibiza

    Indeed, if the colossal entertainment, media and technology markets are anything to go by, the future of brands is built on subscription and membership models. Products that can be accessed from anywhere, encourage repeat usage with constantly updated programming, connect users either in-person or through digital forums, and allow subscribers to self-curate these assets to an extent, all eschew the purely transactional in favour of something more consistent, engaging and meaningful.

    The hotel sector is no different. Hotel members’ clubs that allow guests to engage with the property beyond the limits of a physical stay are the foundations of this surge, but the cultivation of consistent guest communities who regularly engage with both each other and the clubs themselves is perhaps the most important factor.

    “The hotel sector is evolving as the demands of guests have changed,” says Naomi Heaton, CEO of The Other House South Kensington, who will be speaking as part of the Hotel Designs moderated panel Members Only at HIX 2022. “We have seen people wanting to live like a local, rather than being treated as a transient hotel guest, and we have seen greater value being put on placemaking, new experiences and spaces which offer flexibility.

    “Members’ clubs create a sense of community that guests can readily engage with,” she adds. “They offer a place to work, socialise or relax in and are embedded into local culture through shared values and events, bringing together other local members who live and work in the area.”

    But this model is not solely the domain of local neighbourhood clubs. Indeed, scaling up a member’s club to encompass experiences around the world can allow guests to stay loyal and engaged even whilst travelling. Opened last year at Barcelona’s Sir Victor, The Cover is Sircle Collection’s first foray into the members club market, and features a private club and gym, co-working space, library, podcast studio and event spaces for use by members. Crucially, however, are plans to roll out additional clubs in Amsterdam, Berlin and Vienna, as well as the ability of members to access all locations.

    Sir Victor in Barcelona - rooftop

    Image credit: Sir Victor Hotel, Barcelona

    Indeed, if guests have access to a wide network of these clubs they might never need to stray beyond the brand’s remit. Similarly, even when venturing far away from their known locale they will be able to find something familiar. For the influx of travelling digital nomads and newly minted laptop entrepreneurs, this networked approach will likely come to form a key resource. Representing Sircle Collection and The Cover at HIX will be Myriel Walter, the brand’s Global Director of Culture & Membership, who will share the journey of The Cover from inception to launch, and how the group curates cohesive communities under the banner of hospitality experience.

    Experience, however, can only carry a club so far, and it is the job of designers to both give this community form and differentiate the club portion sufficiently from the wider hotel. Members, after all, will not wish to pay extra for access and programming alone, and if there is no difference between the property and its exclusive inner circle, then the subscription fee may face scrutiny. Spatial variety – as in locating the club element away from the main offer – is a start, and some sort of visual signifier in the vein of FF&E that is exclusive or bespoke to the club can set this tone.

    The suite in The Other House South Kensington

    Image credit: The Other House South Kensington

    But perhaps exclusivity is not always the ideal state for these environments. Yes, the presence of a membership model implies some degree of privacy and a restrictive door policy, but bridging the club with the wider hotel via design could be mutually beneficial to both elements. With a continuous aesthetic bridging the two sections, standard guests are given a taste of what they will gain with a subscription without feeling second rate, whilst paying members are made to feel like they are part of a community as opposed to a clique.

    “We wanted to create flow and cohesion between all rooms and looked at the project as a whole rather than separate parts,” explains Natalia Miyar, the designer behind London’s The Twenty Two and the third member of the Members Only panel. “There are a lot of signature touches which you can see across the whole hotel, this is what brings the design together as a coherent style statement… I think guests and potential members are more discerning with each that year that passes; people want to see the newest thing and the latest trend, and an interior designer’s challenge is keeping ahead of them whilst creating something timeless that will last.”

    Blue walls and sandy furniture inside The Twenty Two dining room

    Image credit: The Twenty Two

    In a market where genuine community is key, and consumers are seeking more personal resonance than a simple one-off transaction, the longevity of members club is an enticing prospect. It’s no surprise that major brands have invested so prominently in the launch of their own clubs, but the next step for this movement will be to find a means to develop these facilities organically and at larger scales without sacrificing the intimacy guests sign up for.

    Want to hear what’s next for the hotel members club movement, and how can designers, operators, investors and suppliers can best prepare to work within this model? Come along to Members Only: Behind The Curtain of Hotel Members Clubs (17 November, 13:00pm) at HIX 2022 for the full story. Hotel Designs will be on Stand A63 throughout the show. 

    Main image credit: The Other House South Kensington

    industrial bedside lighting by Northern Lights in guestroom at chateau Denmark

    Case study: Northern Lights illuminate the Chateau Denmark narrative

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    Case study: Northern Lights illuminate the Chateau Denmark narrative

    In its latest string of impressive interior projects, award-winning London-based design firm Taylor Howes appointed Northern Lights to bring to life their unique vision for the new hospitality concept, Chateau Denmark, introducing a note of ‘polished punk’ to Soho…

    industrial bedside lighting by Northern Lights in guestroom at chateau Denmark

    Northern Lights, shortlisted for The Brit List Awards Best in British Product Design, continue to develop impressive and often complex lighting installations for high-profile projects and luxury brands, and the collaboration with Taylor Howes on the Chateau Denmark project is a case in point. The in-house team of designers and master artisans in the Northern Lights studio work with a variety of luxury raw materials, with decades of experience in metal fabrication, glass techniques and custom finishes. All of which have been expertly utilised to create unique lighting pieces for the project, designed to cut through the darkness and highlight some of the unconventional and striking interior elements on show.

    Through distinct narratives, Taylor Howes’ unique design intent is best described as a symbolic journey through Denmark Street’s prolific rock ‘n’ roll days. Vintage Gothic captures a particular charm and presents dramatic intrigue, while Timeless Grandeur offers an opulent and indulgent Victorian-era aesthetic. Modern Psychedelia brings 60s and 70s London to life through texture, finishes and striking palettes.

    “It was important for us to truly understand the vision and narrative threads behind the expressive concepts. 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. “Lighting is such a crucial part of the overall design picture; it has the power to really immerse guests in the design by adding to the sensory experience. We see each project we undertake as journey of collaboration, design, craftsmanship and adventure, and Chateau Denmark was certainly no exception. It was fantastic working with the team at Taylor Howes to bring this unique vision to life through bespoke lighting solutions.”

    To realise the vision for the unique destination, Northern Lights worked to conceptualise a collection of bespoke industrial and decorative lighting to complement and elevate the different design narratives. The design team and master artisans were involved at every stage to advise on materials, techniques and processes required to meet the goals of the brief. Once the various solutions and designs presented to the team were approved, technical drawings were created with detailed information for each process required for the manufacturing stage.

    The Townhouse Apartments incorporate show-stopping Victorian-inspired baths to complement the immersive cherry-red backdrop of the interior, all haloed by light brass & glass shard industrial pendants. Toughened glass ‘shard’ panels were delicately infused with a smoke colouration, designed to softly diffuse the light to retain the dark, evocative atmosphere. Laser-cut ‘meat hooks’ were consciously used to secure the brass chain links draped between the pendants.

    detail of winged wall sconce light designed by Northern Lights for Chateau Denmark

    Image credit: Chateau Denmark / Michael Franke

    Located either side of the beds in the Superior Session Rooms are industrial blackened steel pipework wall lights, each fitted with decorative stop taps for true authenticity. An exposed filament bulb provides a bright aura that shines warmly against the dark walnut panelling.

    Detailed Victorian-inspired wall sconces illuminate either side of the elaborate Willis & Gambier four-poster beds in the Flitcroft Apartments, highlighting the intricate hand carvings and the dark wood panelling on the walls behind. Evoking an industrial aesthetic through skilful ageing of the metal, the old English brass finish works to highlight every intricacy of the hand-modelled wing-shaped casting. The winged fixture is held in place by a cast brass wall plate, chosen for its ability to blend beautifully with the dark walnut panelling behind.

    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: Chateau Denmark / Michael Franke

    Rosewood hotel that is tented on a hill top

    VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in October 2022

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in October 2022

    With Autumn well and truly fallen, Editor Hamish Kilburn shares his pick of the hottest hotel openings expected to make the most meaningful noise in October…

    Rosewood hotel that is tented on a hill top

    A wise man, James E. Faust, once said that ‘a rebirth out of spiritual adversity causes us to become new creatures’, and I think the same can be said for hotel openings for the destination they sit in. I have experienced this myself – design hotels really do have the power to change the look (and feel) of a destination. As we usher in a new month, the team at Hotel Designs have meticulously identified this month’s hotel openings that we expect will make the biggest impact, both locally and globally, designed in order to sensitively reflect destination, personality and timeless style.

    Rosewood Luang Prabang

    tented luxury guestroom at Rosewood Luang Prabang

    Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    Seen as a significant addition to the Group’s Asian portfolio, Rosewood Luang Prabang is the brand’s first property featuring luxury tented accommodations, and it is hidden in the lush green jungle that surrounds the historic royal settlement of the ancient Laotian capital. Bordered by a riverbank, the resort offers 23 spacious accommodations including four deluxe rooms, four specialty suites, three riverside villas, six pool villas and six luxury tents, which include their own private dining areas and wrap-around decks.

    Lao tradition and French colonial style are sensitively woven throughout the design and architecture, including the use of indigenous materials and locally inspired artwork. Dining options consist of The Great House and the Elephant Bridge Bar. Meanwhile, Sense, A Rosewood Spa, draws on locally harvested botanicals to create Laotian therapies designed to cleanse, replenish and balance the body, mind and soul. Seated next to a natural waterfall on a large open space behind The Great House, the oval shaped pool is the focal point of the property, where guests can relax on sun beds under tented cabanas.

    Pendry Washington DC

    Worlds away from the last Pendry property we checked in to, a striking new waterfront destination on in Washington harbour is about to arrive. Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf is being described as a ‘timeless testament to our nation’s classic style and grace’. Layered with a European-inspired sensibility and Pendry’s signature offering of modern-day hospitality, the ‘polished playground’ takes the city’s rich history and redefines it for a new era. Where substance is rooted in style.

    The hotel features 131 beautifully appointed guestrooms, including 38 spacious suites, each imbued with a warm, residential-inspired aesthetic that feels comfortable and classic, while also inspiring with incredible detail and design-centric touches throughout.

    In addition, Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf is home to three signature dining destinations welcoming hotel guests and locals alike. From all-day fare to evenings at Bar Pendry to the panoramic cityscape views from the Pool Terrace, each space is a stunning standout for food, drinks and just the right amount of revelry.

    Habitas Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

    Habitas Santa Teresa render

    Image credit: Habitas Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

    Given the fact that the destination is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet – with around half a million species (estimated five per cent of the species on earth) inhabiting there – Costa Rica continues to be protected and developed sensitively in order to amplify and preserve the country’s unique relationship with nature. Cue the arrival of Habitas Santa Teresa, Costa Rica that’s location is its answer to keeping things ‘local’. Positioned on the Atlantic coast, the hotel’s style is that of a surfer by morning and a jungle explorer by afternoon.

    The hotel has been built with the environment in mind, using local materials and up-keeping the native flora and fauna, while also creating a luxury experience for guests checking in.

     Sun Street Hotel London

    Destination bar at Sun Street Lopndon

    Image credit: Sun Street Hotel / Bespoke Hotels

    Multi-award-winning hotel brand Bespoke Hotels is adding to its already impressive portfolio with the launch of Sun Street Hotel this month, a brand new five-star property in the heart of London. Situated on the borderline of Shoreditch, the boutique hotel pairs a sensitively restored Georgian terrace with eclectic interiors that evoke timeless sophistication and acknowledge the old and new of the two contrasting areas of the capital.

    The core aesthetic of Sun Street Hotel is elegance personified, with extravagantly beautiful décor and finishes. Internationally renowned interior design firm, Bowler James Brindley have expertly designed 41 guest rooms, including seven suites, where guests can choose to spend the night in either Georgian or modern styled suites. Creating the perfect blend of luxury and comfort, all bedrooms have king-size beds, Oxford pillows, illy coffee-machines, air-conditioning, twice-daily maid service and Penhaligon toiletries.

    The Tampa EDITION

    EDITION Tampa guestroom in white and wood with garden view

    Image credit: EDITION Tampa / Marriott International

    Technically, this hotel creaked open its doors last month when it soft opened, but given the statement it is about to make on the Tampa hotel scene, we couldn’t help ourselves and had to include this luxury address in this month’s mix of VIP arrivals. Cementing the city’s coming of age, and its position as a gateway to southern Florida, Water Street Tampa, a $3.5 billion urban mixed use development, shelters the newly unveiled The Tampa EDITION.

    “Not often have I had the opportunity to work on a project that will completely transform the very centre and heartbeat of a great city like Tampa, and make it even greater,” said Ian Schrager, the visionary pioneer of the boutique hotel concept and the EDITION creator. “I call it urban expansion, rather than urban renewal, and it serves as a model for how cities will transform and evolve the future. The scale of it is mind-boggling and we’re very happy to be right here and a part of it.”

    Bulgari Hotel Roma

    Bulgari hotel rome

    Image credit: Bulgari Hotels

    The decision to debut in the capital of Italy was one that was described as a ‘full circle moment’ for the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, but also a significant one, opening a hotel an iconic destination that is rooted in the luxury brand’s heritage.

    The Bulgari Hotel Roma is strategically located in the central Piazza Augusto Imperatore. This is in the very heart of the Campo Marzio neighbourhood, a stone’s throw from Via del Corso and Via del Babuino, the iconic Spanish Steps and the signature Bulgari flagship on Via Condotti. Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel was in charge of both the architectural project and the interior design of the hotel, which counts more than 100 rooms, most of them suites. In addition, the studio has designed the prestigious ‘Il Ristorante’ curated by Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito and ‘The Bvlgari Bar’, both located on the top floor to guarantee an unparalleled view of the Eternal City.

    If you know of a design hotel opening its doors in Autumn or Winter this year that you believe deserves to be featured in our VIP Arrivals series, then please email the editorial desk.

    Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    render of the new Vesper Bar in The Dorchester

    Sneak peek: The Dorchester’s new Vesper Bar

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    Sneak peek: The Dorchester’s new Vesper Bar

    Charged with transforming the legendary cocktail institution The Bar at The Dorchester, designer Martin Brudnizki has been inspired by the spirit and elegance of the roaring thirties…

    render of the new Vesper Bar in The Dorchester

    Having recently released the first images of  its extensive renovation, The Dorchester is drip-feeding us design inspiration with these images, and an announcement that the new Vesper Bar will be launching this December ahead of the first phase completion of the hotel’s comprehensive transformation. At Vesper Bar guests will encounter a bar with movie star looks and a supporting cast of talented bartenders ready to curate evenings of mature fun. The cocktail menu will showcase both timeless and signature cocktails inspired by The Dorchester, curated by award-winning drinks connoisseur and head bartender Lucia Montanelli.

    seating at the bar in the new Vesper Bar at The Dorchester

    Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    The bar’s new interior celebrates a time when manners were still important and yet mayhem was celebrated. The new layout allows for a dedicated Park Lane entrance and an outside terrace with views towards Hyde Park. Ornate design runs throughout the bar, including a 1930’s Palladium leaf ceiling creating a warm effect as Martini hour transitions into the evening. An upper area of the bar and cosy ‘snug’ provide more privacy without compromising on the atmosphere.

    A series of Cecil Beaton pieces will adorn the bar walls to honour a long-standing connection between the celebrated photographer/designer and the hotel, and to remind guests of this glamorous decade. Some of Beaton’s original drawings and celebrity photography will be brought together with work by contemporary artists, such as Rosie Emmerson, who were inspired by both Beaton and the energy of that time.

    gold and blue interior with comfortable seating and low lighting in the vesper bar at The Dorchester

    Image credit: Dorchester Collection

    The name, Vesper Bar, honours The Dorchester’s many connections with James Bond throughout the years. Bond author, Ian Fleming, who invented the Vesper Martini, stayed and dined at The Dorchester in the 1940s and throughout his life until he died in 1964 and when William Boyd continued the Bond series with the novel ‘Solo’, Bond wakes up in a suite at The Dorchester on his 45th birthday. During the 60s and 70s the production company for the James Bond films, EON, had an office at the hotel and throughout the decades The Dorchester has hosted many press junkets for the films and welcomed all six James Bonds, 14 Bond Girls, four M’s and nine Bond villains as guests of the hotel.

    The Dorchester will be ready to reveal its new interiors as of December 2022. The hotel remains open for guests throughout the renovation.

    Main image credit: Dorchester Collection

    view from the Silent Yachts cockpit

    Product watch: a look at Kaldewei’s solar bathroom solution

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    Product watch: a look at Kaldewei’s solar bathroom solution

    Kaldewei is bringing its luxstainability concept from the sanitary mainland to the seven seas for the first time, equipping the solar-powered catamarans of SILENT YACHTS with sustainable Miena washbowls…

    view from the Silent Yachts cockpit

    The collaboration between the German bathroom manufacturer and the shipbuilding company is sustainable in the truest sense of the word, as both share high standards when it comes to ecologically responsible products. The vessels from SILENT-YACHTS are solar powered and electric which gives them the ability to cruise and operate with zero emission. With Kaldewei and SILENT-YACHTS, you have two partners who both consistently place sustainability and CO2 savings at the focus of their actions.

    For Kaldewei, luxstainability means nothing less than the combination of individual luxury and sustainability. The production of products using C02-reduced bluemint Steel, marks a forward-looking strategy within the entire Kaldewei production. From the company’s point of view, both aspects are decisive factors for contemporary bathroom design, and which is now being used for the first time in modern shipbuilding.

    “We believe that when it comes to yachting, sustainability goes beyond the solar-electric powertrain,” said designer Juliana Miguel, Creative Lead at SILENT-YACHTS. “We know that it takes a comprehensive approach in all areas for our passion really to work hand in hand with nature. For this reason, we base our approach on three pillars: Design, material and operations”.

    The design team is enthusiastic about steel enamel and the modern lines of the Kaldewei washbasins. With its slender design, Miena skilfully adds accents to every bathroom, even on the high seas, and turns the bathroom into a place of retreat and an area of wellbeing. The recyclable and durable steel enamel material makes the washbowls an easy-care, durable jewel that can withstand constant use or particularly salty air.

    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.

    Main image credit: Kaldewei

    swimming pool at claridges spa London by Andre Fu Studio

    André Fu designs first Spa for Claridge’s

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    André Fu designs first Spa for Claridge’s

    In a groundbreaking project that has seen teams of experts excavate five floors into London clay in order to pave the way for the next 200 years of Claridge’s life, the legendary Mayfair hotel announces the opening of its first ever Spa, and we stepped inside for a closer look…

    swimming pool at claridges spa London by Andre Fu Studio

    Situated three floors down, Claridge’s Spa has been created as a haven of wellness and tranquillity featuring a swimming pool, steam rooms, sauna and seven treatments rooms – a sensorial space that evokes wellness and spirituality. Hong Kong based interior architect André Fu has designed the 7,000 square foot spa which promises to offer the ultimate sanctuary in the heart of Mayfair. Fu, who has collaborated extensively with Maybourne Hotel Group on other projects, was invited to bring his highly personal vision for a new wellness experience within this iconic London hotel.

    “Wellness is the focus of the design of Claridge’s Spa,” said designer Fu. “This demonstrates a more general societal trend towards looking after the wellbeing of ourselves and the environment. The notion of ‘luxury’ is also evolving to become more holistic, incorporating concepts of wellness. For me, this is all about creating an escape that celebrates mindfulness, and is pure and balanced.”

    circular entrance to the claridges spa

    Image credit: Claridges

    Set within the context of the hotel’s Art Deco history, the spa has been designed to evoke the spirituality of the East. Inspiration for this approach came from Fu’s own experiences visiting traditional Japanese temples and Zen gardens in Kyoto. However, rather than imitating these particular aesthetic traditions, Fu has imagined a unique contemporary experience that promotes a genuine sense of mindfulness and balance, drawing heavily on Asian design influences. As with many of Fu’s other projects, this design conveys a purity of form as well as a strong feeling of intimacy and warmth.

    the treatment room at Claridges spa with zen inspiration by andre Fu

    Image credit: Claridges

    The spa’s architecture invites guests to experience a series of highly articulated spaces that play with proportions and, more importantly, light and shade to create an immersive experience. Each vista is carefully considered with windows that subtly frame each view. The use of natural elements – solid French limestone, natural oak and water – emphasises the sense of authenticity that is at the foundation of Fu’s personal aesthetics.

    On entering the foyer, guests are greeted by a full-height cast glass screen crafted by Irish artisan Eoin Turner. The texture of the glass evokes the silhouette of bamboo grove or reed beds, guiding them into the rotunda – a meditative, dimly lit cylindrical space that features a suspended Japanese glass artwork by Victoire Bourgois. Falling water trickles down the installation, creating a multisensory atmosphere with relaxing sound and visual elements.

    Guests then enter another circular space adorned with a solid limestone counter, alongside a ceiling illuminated by a halo of light glowing from above. The spatial tour continues through a 12-metre long tunnel with a slanted wall on one side, embellished with a grid of strong shadows cast across the ceiling. On the other side is a linear glass opening that looks onto the indoor pool. This visual connection to water, light and shadow creates the impression of a subterranean micro-climate. The corridor leads to a series of private changing pods, each complete with private showers and amenities.

    limestone clad pillars around the pool in the Claridges spa

    Image credit: Claridges

    The main pool area is the spa’s central hub. Minimalist in spirit, two rows of limestone-clad columns and a magnificent, multi-vaulted ceiling frame the pool. Set back from the water, personal cabanas offer private spaces to unwind. A Scarpa-inspired feature low wall also appears to cut into the pool, with a mini waterfall projecting out from one side.

    Another installation of interlocking oak posts adorns the threshold marking the entrance to the treatment area. Inspired by the silhouette of bamboo forestry, the spaces are suffused with a sense of calm and meditation. Bonsai trees are also featured extensively in the connecting passageway to accentuate the sense of nature throughout the spa.

    The ultimate urban retreat can be found in each of the seven private treatment salons. Lined in full height oak panelling that conceals all equipment, each treatment chamber is deliberately pure to allow a rejuvenation of the mind and body.

    Main image credit: Claridges

    The Inclusive Hotel Room concept by Cocoon & Bauer for The Independent Hotel Show

    Exclusive: a preview of The Inclusive Hotel Room at Independent Hotel Show

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    Exclusive: a preview of The Inclusive Hotel Room at Independent Hotel Show

    A key feature of the upcoming Independent Hotel Show will be The Inclusive Hotel Room, an immersive showcase of concepts and materials designed to welcome each and every guest equally. Peter Turner, Managing Director of design studio Cocoon & Bauer, gives us a sneak preview of the room’s design ahead of the show…

    The Inclusive Hotel Room concept by Cocoon & Bauer for The Independent Hotel Show

    The mission statement of The Inclusive Hotel Room at the Independent Hotel Show, conceived and designed by Cocoon & Bauer, is to showcase how thoughtful, intelligent design can prevent sensory overwhelm and create truly welcoming, inclusive and sustainable spaces for guests. Some hoteliers might think that the word inclusivity is at odds with the concept of quality, high-end design – a compromise for the sake of practicality – but Peter Turner argues that designing for neurodiversity in guests employs many of the same subconscious cues used in every aspect of hospitality design.

    “Small, barely noticeable touches can make a huge difference to how someone with a condition such as ADHD, Dyspraxia or Autism experiences a space,” explained Turner. “Changing the colour of the floor from the bed to the rest of the room, for example, can help with spatial awareness, while clear partitions between areas of the room can clearly signpost their function, for example a hair-drying station. You can put these ideas in place and drip feed them in and they won’t affect the overall look and feel.”

    The Inclusive Hotel Room will demonstrate a number of these deceptively simple concepts, including the use of solid colours to reduce the visual overwhelm of a space and incorporating biophilic design for a natural, calming ambience. The focus on inclusivity ties into the larger trend of wellbeing in the hotel sector, which has been an increasingly important part of hotel design and customer experience following the pandemic. Everything from lighting to materials to sound-scaping to food & drink play a unique role in the guest’s experience of a hotel, and the room is by far the epicentre of the trend.

    Like many contemporary design projects, sustainability was a key consideration for the Cocoon & Bauer team as they planned The Inclusive Hotel Room. All of the materials used are either recycled or will be recycled or reused post event and the supplier partners, from F&B to toiletries to bedding to furniture, are businesses that put sustainability concerns front and centre.

    To learn more about everything on offer at Independent Hotel Show 2022,  head to the IHS website.

    Main image credit: Independent Hotel Show

    Glade Hut - a traditional shepherds hut accomodation at Tawney Hill hotel

    Hypnos adds new layer of luxury in Staffordshire hotel

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    Hypnos adds new layer of luxury in Staffordshire hotel

    Hypnos’ long-running commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and creating truly sustainable sleep, make it the perfect partner for The Tawney Hotel in rural Staffordshire, offering guests choices that from a hillside treehouse to a designer shepherds hut…

    Glade Hut - a traditional shepherds hut accomodation at Tawney Hill hotel

    Located in the heart of rural Staffordshire, The Tawny Hotel provides an experience like no other. Set within the 70-acre grounds of the wonderfully restored wild garden of Consall Hall Estate, guests can discover woodland, stroll through lakeside gardens, find peace in secluded fells and delight in enchanting follies.

    The hotel launched in 2021 with 55 immaculately designed Shepherds Huts, Treehouses, Boathouses, Retreats and the Lookout. Six Hillside Treehouse were added in May 2022, with a further eight new Retreats  to open during the course of the year. Each accommodation has been inspired by its surroundings and features sympathetic design aesthetics, accented by luxurious touches that intertwine with the natural environment.

    “A good night’s sleep is central to every guest experience, and whilst comfort will always be key to delivering this, we are thrilled that wellbeing and sustainability are increasingly influencing consumer choice and how they view their experience,” said Carolyn Mitchell, Sales and Marketing Director, Hypnos Contract Beds. “As a family owned business, we believe it is essential we leave a lasting legacy for future generations, so are delighted to support The Tawny to deliver comfort with integrity”.

    The Lookout guestroom at Tawney Hill with views over the hills from the bed and the bath

    Image credit: Hypnos / The Tawny Hotel

    The Lookout, maximises the extraordinary view across the lakes and valley of the estate and can accommodate between two-six guests, offering accessible access as well as a freestanding bathtub and private deck with an outdoor spa bath and shower. The joyful, nature-inspired Treehouses are lofty and playful and look out across the rolling landscape. They can house up to six and play host to a freestanding Barcelona bathtub, private deck and outdoor spa bath.

    “The Tawny is the UK’s first deconstructed hotel,” said Josh Chadwick, The Tawny General Manager. “We’ve taken all the best bits from a traditional luxury hotel experience and combined them with your own private space, a country escape to call your own for the duration of your stay. Our guests want to relax in nature’s embrace but don’t want to compromise on their well-deserved creature comforts. A great night’s sleep is fundamental to our guests’ wellbeing and choosing a bed of exceptional quality was never up for debate.”

    luxury treehouse accomodation with a freestanding bath and Hypnos mattress on the bed

    Image credit: Hypnos / The Tawney Hotel

    Considered design is present throughout the project, the cabins have been discretely and sensitively placed in harmony with the rolling landscape and with care given to ensure the ecology of this very special estate continues to thrive. The project aims to be an exemplary showcase of responsible and sustainable tourism and this shines through all elements, be it the wood cladding used on the cabin exteriors, the foundations engineered to not harm the tree roots.

    Hypnos is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Hypnos / James Andrew

    plunge pool and cityscape at Rosewood Thara House Bangkok

    A look at Rosewood’s Southeast Asia pipeline

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    A look at Rosewood’s Southeast Asia pipeline

    Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is adding to its global portfolio of luxury properties as it re-emerges in Southeast Asia with newly re-opened properties and refreshed programming. Here’s what we know…

    plunge pool and cityscape at Rosewood Thara House Bangkok

    Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, has announced the re-opening of Rosewood Bangkok in Thailand and Rosewood Luang Prabang in Laos as well as key updates for Thailand property Rosewood Phuket and Rosewood Phnom Penh in Cambodia. With a collection of eight hotels and resorts in Asia, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has robust plans to grow their presence in the region, having already announced nine future openings. With the recent re-opening of the destination to international travellers, the brand continues to focus on building unique and thoughtful programming for guests, with a focus on sustainability, wellness and food and beverage initiatives.

    luxury hilltop tented accomodation by rosewood

    Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    “We are thrilled to share the latest news around Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ Southeast Asia properties and look forward to welcoming back international travellers to these discerning destinations as travel returns in a larger way,” said Hoss Vetry, vice president of operations, APAC of Rosewood Hotel Group. “The re-openings of Rosewood Bangkok and Rosewood Luang Prabang, coupled with exciting programming updates at Rosewood Phuket and Rosewood Phnom Penh, mark the brand’s continued establishment in the region.”

    bedroom in Thara House overlooking the city of Bangkok

    Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    Making a strong statement, Rosewood Bangkok has re-opened its doors, unveiling 17 new guestrooms, wellness studios, signature suites, and ‘houses’ that represent first-of-their-kind superlatives in the capital. The new houses feature expansive high-rise outdoor terraces with private plunge pools, state-of-the art wellness facilities and uninterrupted views of the metropolitan skyline and lush nearby parks from floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel’s largest accommodations are the luxury residence-style houses: Nara House, Thara House and the Bannakarn House.

    living room in Thara House Bangkok with art on the walls and views over the city

    Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    The design of Nara House is inspired by an apartment loft of a worldly art collector and showcases a collection of voluptuous sculptures as well as contemporary paintings produced by up-and-coming Thai artists, including a large piece specially commissioned by art authority S.A.C. Subhashok The Arts Centre. Situated on the 23rd floor, the 208 square meter Thara House follows the same design cues as Nara House but offers even more living space and an airy ambiance, with a palette of silver and jade green. Both Nara and Thara Houses can be combined with a Premier Suite to expand these spacious accommodations into two-bedroom residences. The pinnacle of Rosewood Bangkok luxury living situated on the hotel’s top floor, Bannakarn House was inspired by a mid-century modern Mad Men lifestyle of the 1950s and 60s. It features a sumptuous lounge area, seductive alabaster cocktail bar, grand 10-seat dining table, and a full chef’s kitchen complete with a wine cooler, full-sized refrigerator, and Gaggenau appliances. Decked out with ornate mouldings and artisanal accents by local craftspersons, Bannakarn House also features a commissioned figurative oil painting on canvas by Bangkok artist Amnaj Wachirasut, a separate powder room, spacious walk-in closet, and an outdoor terrace with sunbeds and a plunge pool. Bannakarn House residents have exclusive access to their own dedicated VIP elevator accessed through a private entrance.

    tented luxury guestroom at Rosewood Luang Prabang

    Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    Slated to re-open in October, 2022, Rosewood Luang Prabang, the brand’s first property featuring luxury tented accommodations, is hidden in the lush green jungle that surrounds the historic royal settlement of the ancient Laotian capital. Bordered by a riverbank, the resort offers 23 spacious accommodations including four deluxe rooms, four specialty suites, three riverside villas, six pool villas and six luxury tents, which include their own private dining areas and wrap-around decks. Lao tradition and French colonial style are sensitively woven throughout the design and architecture, including the use of indigenous materials and locally inspired artwork. Dining options consist of The Great House, a relaxed colonially influenced bistro featuring the best of local Laotian flavours, and the Elephant Bridge Bar, serving classic cocktails with a twist, made using local herbs and spices grown in the resort’s organic garden, as well as traditional Laotian bar snacks. Sense, A Rosewood Spa, draws on locally harvested botanicals to create Laotian therapies designed to cleanse, replenish and balance the body, mind and soul. Seated next to a natural waterfall on a large open space behind The Great House, the oval shaped pool is the focal point of the property, where guests can relax on sun beds under tented cabanas.

    view from suite at Rosewood Phuket looking across private pool

    Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    Rosewood Phuket, a 600-meter beachfront property at Emerald Bay and featuring Asaya, an integrative wellness concept, will debut an array of new programming, touching on wellness, food and beverage, and sustainability. Asaya’s new seasonal program ‘Fall into Wellness’, is available to both guests and locals, and offers a half-day experience dedicated to assisting participants in discovering their personal path to wellness. This program will begin with a 45-minute health and wellness consultation to determine the body’s essential wants and needs, followed by a comprehensive selection of treatments based on five different modalities to enrich the mind, body and soul: physical, emotional, fitness, skin and nutrition. The programme will end with a two-course meal tailored to individuals’ dietary preferences.

    Ocean House with green planted roof at rosewood Hotels & Resorts Phuket

    Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    With sustainability at the heart of the brand’s values, the resort has launched their Rosewood Explorers Kids Club with Movement, Culture and Sustainability as the three main pillars. Yoga classes invite children to learn about health, wellness and meditation, while the Garden Explorers program teaches young guests about the health benefits of herbs and vegetables grown on property. After learning, the Rosewood Explorers will pick from the garden to make their own green juice or plant-based lunch. As a part of the Eco Discovery Walk, children will learn about the resort’s sustainable practices and the ways people can reduce their carbon footprint. They will also understand the importance of clean and purified water, solar energy, sustainable building materials and how to harvest rainwater when they’re back at home.

    Sora bar and restaurant in the Rosewood Phnom Penh

    Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    Focussing on F&B offerings, Rosewood Phnom Penh, Rosewood’s Cambodian property located in the heart of Phnom Penh, is excited to bring several new food and beverage initiatives to life. The property recently solidified its reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s leading cocktail destinations through the unveiling of their Rosewood Bar Series in collaboration with The World’s 50 Best Bars. Hosted by Sora Sky Bar, the series invites guests to connect with one respected mixologist per month and has already hosted veteran bartender Hayden Lambert of Melbourne’s Above Board; Nikos Bakoulis, who helms top-ranked Greek bar, The Clumsies; famed Italian bartender Benjamin Fabio Cavagna of Milan’s 1930; industry legend Benjamin Padrón of Licorería Limantour (No. 6) in Mexico City; and Lukas Kaufmann from the Singapore’s famous 28 HongKong Street. Later this year Rosewood Phnom Penh will welcome head bartender Giacomo Giannotti from world renowned Paradiso, Barcelona’s atmospheric speakeasy bar, currently ranked third on the World’s 50 Best Bars.

    Main image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    Vermeer ceiling light by Franklite in a grey and white bedroom

    Franklite prepares for 50th anniversary

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    Franklite prepares for 50th anniversary

    Franklite is gearing up to celebrate a prestigious milestone with next year marking its 50th year in the design, manufacture and distribution of high-quality decorative lighting…

    Vermeer ceiling light by Franklite in a grey and white bedroom

    Over the years Franklite has manufactured exquisite products for the retail, commercial and hospitality markets along with a diverse range of bespoke project designs, and its latest catalogue – Catalogue 26 – offers hundreds of ranges that cater for both contemporary and classic design styles.

    Image credit: Franklite

    Launched this year is the Bubbles range, available in chrome finish with oval-shaped smoked glasses or brushed brass finish with iridescent glasses. The unique shape of the opal glasses along with the matt black and gold finish of the Vermeer makes this range quite contemporary. The single fitting is supplied with an adjustable cable and can be used as a pendant or wall bracket.

    The Philly chandelier by Franklite

    Image credit: Franklite

    The Philly is a popular, classic range which is now available in white brushed gold and black brushed silver finishes. This range of ironwork fittings include two, three and five lights. The three and five light fittings are supplied with chain suspensions which can be converted to a flush fitting suitable for low ceilings.

    An achievement such as a 50th anniversary is the result of a strong work ethic, experience and company longevity all whilst continuing to manufacture decorative lighting that balance optimal performance with beautiful aesthetics. In the upcoming months Franklite will begin working on its next catalogue which will include numerous new product ranges.

    Franklite is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips. 

    Main image credit: Franklite

    clash of the tartans wallcovering by Newmor

    Newmor unveils new AW/22 collections

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    Newmor unveils new AW/22 collections

    Autumn sees Newmor unrolling exciting new products and collections in both its wallpaper and WallArt ranges, promising to continue its vision to celebrate pattern and design…

    clash of the tartans wallcovering by Newmor

    With plans to launch a series of new designs in two phases, Newmor has added to its Designer collection with a collaboration with John Morris Wallpaper, and an exciting new product range, WallArt, as well as re-introducing their APEX collection. With plans to share more new collections in October, the spotlight is firmly on surface decoration to add depth and interest to an interior.

    Heron Sent wallpaper design in vintage style bathroom

    Image credit: Newmor

    John Morris Wallpaper, is the latest addition to the Newmor Designer collection, and is a vibrant celebration of British heritage. Drawing on over 50 years of design archives and traditional manufacturing techniques, John Morris has reimagined some classic designs for the modern era with bold colours, scale and drama. It’s great British heritage, with a contemporary twist!

    Building on the success of the range,  Newmor have added a new WallArt service to their product offer. Specifiers can now order Newmor Designer and Newmor Custom designs as canvases, framed artwork and mounted prints. From geometric prints and botanical designs to scenes from nature and site-specific photography, the sky is the limit.

    Newmor Giona wallcovering in green with wicker chair

    Image credit: Newmor

    Some designs are simply worth repeating, and the APEX collection of heavyweight wallcoverings manufactured with precision gravure printing using water-based eco-friendly inks continue to be a firm designer favourite. The range features bold patterns, extended colour palettes, custom embosses, complex textures, and just the right amount of shine.

    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.

    Main image credit: Newmor

    restaurant in The Quid a hotel by voco Venice Mestre

    The Quid – a new lifestyle address in Venice

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    The Quid – a new lifestyle address in Venice

    The new voco Venice Mestre, The Quid, is a project developed by interior design firm THDP which skilfully blends materials to create the perfect mix of natural elements to form a dialogue between the interior and exterior. The result is a welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable…

    restaurant in The Quid a hotel by voco Venice Mestre

    The design narrative developed by TDHP for this hotel has been built from the most common perception of Mestre, which is all about being a hub for business and travel. Mestre is known to be a connective location, bridging the prestigious Venetian seaside with the rich countryside of Veneto. An iconic and social location thus becomes the inspiration for the voco experience.

    The guest experience begins with a grounding arrival in the reception and bar areas and flows into the cosy and calming guestrooms. The hotel has been designed as a comfortable space with a relaxed atmosphere and includes new food & beverage offering, making it playful and lively whilst still being suited to corporate guests, with characteristics that are reminiscent of the voco Milan-Fiere. The lobby with game area has been transformed into a fluid space, connected to the restaurant where guests can freely interact – it is not a transit corridor, but a social space where they can relax, enjoy a drink and a game of pool together.

    wood surfaces and green chairs , plants in the lobby of voco Venice Mestre The Quid

    Image credit: Janos Grapov

    The reception and bar design are a continuation of the surrounding green gardens and lands with an outdoors indoors concept, while the guestrooms encapsulate an aerial view of the laguna illuminated by the sunsets of Venice. Taking inspiration from the unique landscape, the colour palette is a nautical blend of blues. The hotels eight floors shelter 128 Standard and Premium guestrooms, some with inclusive private fitness equipment. The functional design of the rooms makes them ideal for business travellers with a focus on large spaces, comfortable beds and soft linens, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and spacious showers. Guests can also make use of the 24-hour hotel gym to stay active on their travels.

    guestrooms designed by THDP using white and grey and wood

    Image credit: Janos Grapov

    The impressive new Food & Beverage outlets are the jewels of the refurbishment with a fully refurbished restaurant offering high-quality dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients; and the lobby bar ‘Ludico drinks, food & play’ interconnected with the gaming area and dedicated to amusement and socialising with friends or colleagues. The bar design boasts a decorative gantry adorned with contemporary Venetian glass objects, and a rear wall cladded with beautiful glossy green tiles and backlit bottle display shelves – transforming it into the heart of the hotel and an enticing space even from the street outside. The main dining restaurant extends outside into the lounge garden and the design is a true representation of indoor and outdoor area fusion. The restaurant finishes are implicative of an outdoor space: with large scale terrazzo flooring; wood fence screens; large blue tiling and an abundance of plants.

    dark blue chairs and warm wood in Ludico Bar in The Quid hotel

    Image credit: Janos Grapov

    The Congress Centre includes five meeting spaces, with seating capacities ranging from 10 to 170. The soundproofed rooms enjoy plenty of natural light and are designed to be modular, with endless configuration possibilities to meet the needs of any event. There is also an enhanced breakout space and a section of the bar can be used during intensive meetings.

    The hotel is green in many ways beyond the plants, and THDP has introduced the use of ecological materials in the interior design, along with the prioritisation of sustainability by the operator HNH Hospitality. The IHG Green Engage program works to cut waste, water and energy consumption and reduce plastic to a minimum, replacing single-use plastic vessels with glass or paper alternatives. LED lighting is implemented throughout the hotel and monthly utilities checks are carried out to minimise waste. To reduce packaging waste, courtesy sets have been replaced with bulk dispensers in both the guestrooms and the public areas. Pillows and duvets are made from recycled PET bottles, and guests have the choice of ecological daily room cleaning. The hotel can also be easily reached by public transport and offers electric car charging stations and rental bikes to use in the city.

    Main image credit: Janos Grapov

    DESIGN POD Lean Luxury

    Reasons to listen to the latest episode of DESIGN POD on ‘lean luxury’

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    Reasons to listen to the latest episode of DESIGN POD on ‘lean luxury’

    Other than hearing Editor Hamish Kilburn, host of DESIGN POD, and special guest Matthew Balon, Head of Design at Ruby Hotels, share a hilarious first-encounter anecdote, there are many reasons to listen in to the latest episode of the podcast all around the hotel design and hospitality concept of ‘lean luxury’…

    DESIGN POD Lean Luxury

    ‘Lean luxury’. What does that even mean? Well, we are not talking about removing the bed frame, or doing away with decent lighting. In fact, lean luxury, as defined by Matthew Balon, Head of Design at Ruby Hotels, is about offering something meaningful, such as “a great bed, a great shower and a great bar.” The interior designer, who was this week’s special guest on DESIGN POD explains in the episode how these edits reflect on the guest experience. “By leaving off some of the other services, it also allows us to cut costs,” he says, “we are able to pass on those services to the guests, which means that we are able to offer a high level of the services we do offer.”

    In addition to what happens sheltered under the roof of the hotel, for Balon and the team at Ruby Hotels, location is key. “For ruby, it is really important to have a great location in the city, which is vital because we don’t offer dine-in restaurants,” Balon adds. “We want our guests to walk onto the street from the hotel and to be ‘in the neighbourhood’.”

    By implementing such a defined design and hospitality concept, there is the risk of spaces feeling clinical. To combat this, the hotel brand evolves creating hotels within historic buildings. This is where Balon and his team come into their own. “We will accept a lot of strange layouts that other brands may stay clear of – we have had round and even triangluar room layouts,” he says. “When it comes to designing and adding new elements that are driven by the story we are telling in each location, a lot of this happens in the public areas, and it is a lot of fun to dive in there and hit it hard with those elements.”

    With a lean organisational structure and concentration on the essentials, Ruby Hotels, succeeds in creating a contemporary, affordable form of luxury for modern, cost and style-conscious customers. Founded in 2013, the Group already operates thirteen Ruby hotels, with a further 22 hotels under construction or in the planning phase. Ruby is expanding into Asia with the joint venture Ruby Asia, founded in 2018. Ruby also offers Ruby Workspaces in Munich, Hamburg and Dusseldorf.

    Main image credit: Ruby Hotels

    lighting design by Ago Lighting at Design London 2022

    Exclusive round-up: London Design Festival 2022

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    Exclusive round-up: London Design Festival 2022

    London Design Festival 2022 was a week of events, exhibitions and installations as the entire city provided a platform for designers and creative businesses to showcase their work. With festival programme in hand, the Hotel Designs team divided and conquered to ensure that they got to see and experience (almost) everything the event had to offer…

    lighting design by Ago Lighting at Design London 2022

    We started off our London Design Festival (LDF) agenda with at the historic heart of all things design – the V&A. As the official festival hub, the museum was the perfect place to pick up a programme, refuel with a swift espresso, and hit the design trail. Aside from the exhibitions within, the central gardens were host to a series of performances – the one that caught our eye was an immersive glass-blowing exhibition with artist Omar Arbel’s iridescent and fragile sculpture taking centre stage. During the mesmerising performance, copper and glass objects sourced from flea markets and vintage stores were returned to their raw materials, and used to create a series of new vessels. A very visual interpretation of the conversation of circularity that ran through the week.

    Continuing the journey through the design and fabrication process, was the installation titled The Art of Nature at Hart Shoreditch. Inspired by the natural world, The Art of Nature brought a new perspective to fabric design by transforming silhouettes found in nature to create distinctive woven designs. The hotel commissioned Yasmine Faress, founder and director of Atelier Roc, to design customised cushions, rugs and tapestries for the hotel’s suites and lobby, which will remain as permanent pieces and an integral part of the hotel design. The hotel showcases an interior design which celebrates its Shoreditch location as a centre for craftspeople and makers, and the installation in collaboration with Atelier Roc underscores the concept.

    The Art of Nature installation at Hart Shoreditch. by Atelier Roc

    Image credit: Hart Shoreditch / Atelier Roc

    With several districts around and about town putting on their designer shoes for the week, visitors were spoilt for choice. Not to be left out of the party, Clerkenwell studios and showrooms participated in the Clerkenwell Design Trail inviting visitors to explore new designs, product launches, installations and showrooms. From high-end furniture to lighting, kitchen and bathroom brands to material manufacturers; following those pink flags through Clerkenwell is always a journey of discovery and interior inspiration. The Morgan showroom, showcasing the curvy new Bilbao Collection got our attention and enticed us in, before heading off to the Atlas Concorde showroom for an exclusive Hotel Designs roundtable event exploring ideas around nature and surface design; a discussion that was fuelled by Atlas Concorde’s Boost Natural collection – but more about that later!

    the Morgan showroom in London with furniture and graphic artwork

    Image credit: London Design Festival / Morgan London

    Moving from one end of the city to the other and getting our step count up, next on the list was Magazine London. It’s refreshing and apt for a major design destination within the festival to take place on the outskirts of the capital; soaking up all that is creative, new and different in a neighbourhood that is bursting at the seams with creativity and diverse thinking. Magazine London, with its spectacular vista over Canary Wharf, was indeed, the perfect setting for Design London, which made its triumphant (and colourful) return following its debut inside the venue last year.

    Having caught our eye at Clerkenwell Design Week, the bright and organic logo on the façade was the work of Brighton-based artist Lois O’Hara whose installation explored movement in design and the positive impact colour has on people and places.

    the facade of Design London with design by Lois O'Hara

    Image credit: Design London / Sam Frost

    The thread holding each pavilion of the show together was, to the surprise of nobody, sustainability and conscious design – whether that was the impressive Adidas installation highlighting ocean plastic in design or furniture, and lighting brands flexing their muscles with their own eco credentials and unique craftsmanship. Tasked to unapologetically put conscious creativity under the spotlight this year, and to challenge the design community’s pace to transform its methods, Editor Hamish Kilburn took this conversation to a new level on the Saturday. On the main stage, he moderated one of the stand-out panel discussions of the week. Joined by the founding members from Interior Design Declares, the panel discussion cut through the noise and realistically explored what designers can do in order to operate within a circular economy.

    chairs on exhibition at Material Matters with green background

    Image credit: Fora Form

    The new kid on the design block this year – arriving with passion and meaning – was Material Matters, which took place across five floors of the iconic Bargehouse at Oxo Tower Wharf. The show, which was a massive hit with the audience of designers and architects who we spoke to, was an exciting and exhilarating exhibition that was teeming with designers, makers and manufacturers all exploring and pushing boundaries around the value of materials. Looking critically at waste and the need for circularity in design, this event was clearly just the start of a conversation which has an exciting future ahead of it.

    Planted design event at Kings Cross London

    Image credit: Planted

    Finally, ending on a bright and biophilic note, was Planted, which put down roots in Kings Cross. With the aim of presenting us with ‘cleaner, greener, healthier spaces’, this event was based on, and explored the concept of biophilic design while connecting and showcasing brands, businesses and people seeking to restore nature’s balance and turn the tide on climate change.

    What made this event particularly noteworthy, aside from the content and conversations it presented, is that it is the first zero-waste design show and is currently actively working towards B-Corp certification – which does feel like both a positive note on which to end this round-up and a fitting challenge to the design and event industry!

    Main image credit: Design London / Sam Frost

    curved mosaic wall by TREND Group for W Dubai The Palm Hotel

    TREND takes curve appeal to W Dubai The Palm

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    TREND takes curve appeal to W Dubai The Palm

    The TREND Group has applied colourful creativity to the designer curves of the W Dubai The Palm Hotel, transforming the blank canvas of the walls into organic surfaces that catch and hold the light…

    curved mosaic wall by TREND Group for W Dubai The Palm Hotel

    In a city full of architectural wonders, the W Dubai The Palm Hotel sits like a crown jewel on the Palm Jumeirah, one of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks. Since its opening in 2018, the hotel’s dramatic design elements have become a talking point, with their disruptive and distinctive flair. In order to create a design which could mirror both the curves of The Palm Jumeirah, and the beaches and desert beyond, the hotel features a host of curved walls that defy convention. In order to bring these to life, the hotel design team reached out to the TREND group to source wall covering surfaces which could transform this vision into reality.

    The artistry of the glass mosaics has always been at the heart of TREND offerings, and are made using the same artisanal methods developed by master craftsmen at Venice’s Orsoni in 1888. With more than 3,500 colours in the collection, designers are provide with almost endless possibilities to create a bespoke, high-end look. As all pieces are hand-cut there is a natural asymmetry to any wall covering, allowing artists and designers to accentuate curved feature walls such as those at the W Dubai The Palm Hotel. This irregularity creates interesting effects on any surface, especially when done on a grand scale.

    Due to the impressive variety of colour within the TREND range, the group was also able to create a number of bespoke features, including several striking, multi-hued designs for the interior of tunnels linking key areas of the hotel. Abstract shapes and vivid colouring evokes the shifting light of the desert in one, while another is imbued with a bright, foliage effect to seamlessly blend the natural and modern.

    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. 

    Main image credit: TREND Group

    Marriott International Signs Agreement with Bain Capital Credit and Omnam Group to Bring EDITION Hotels Brand to Italy’s Lake Como

    Marriott to take EDITION lakeside in Como

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    Marriott to take EDITION lakeside in Como

    Marriott International has signed an agreement with Bain Capital Credit and Omnam Group to take the EDITION Hotels brand to Italy’s Lake Como. The Lake Como EDITION is slated to open in 2025 – here’s what we know…

    Marriott International Signs Agreement with Bain Capital Credit and Omnam Group to Bring EDITION Hotels Brand to Italy’s Lake Como

    The Lake Como EDITION plans to open in 2025 with 145 luxurious guestrooms, including two penthouse suites, a lively lobby bar, a floating pool, and multiple restaurants and bars overlooking Lake Como with breathtaking views of the Bellagio mountains. The property is a 19th century building located on the western shore of the prestigious Lake Como, a short drive from Central Milan. It will be converted into a luxury lifestyle destination that brings new life to Lake Como while honouring the intimate history of the building and its rich heritage.

    “We are excited to work with Bain Capital Credit and Omnam Group to introduce the EDITION Hotels brand to one of Italy’s most beautiful destinations,” said Josh Fluhr, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, EDITION Hotels, Marriott International. “Today’s signing demonstrates guests continued demand for luxury accommodations and experiences.”

    Lilac Bar in EDITION Tampa with greenery and pendant lighting

    Image credit: EDITION Tampa / Marriott International

    EDITION Hotels is the collaboration between hotel visionary and cultural icon Ian Schrager and Marriott International. The commitment to uncompromising quality, true originality and impeccable modern service continue to challenge traditional perceptions of luxury and entrench the brand’s position as an industry leader. Every EDITION hotel is unique, reflecting the social and cultural milieu of the time and place of its creation.

    “We look forward to bringing the Omnam flair to this unique location and celebrating the natural beauty of Lake Como,” said David Zisser, CEO, Omnam. “This is Omnam’s fourth development in Italy and as always, our team strives to create new experiences while remaining true to the special heritage of our surroundings. Our goal is to create sophisticated luxury that invites everyone to experience and enjoy. Together with Bain Capital Credit, we are excited to team up once again with Marriott International and to bring this vision to life.”

    Each new property is individually developed in collaboration with one of the world’s most eminent designers chosen specifically for that location and introduces original food and beverage concepts from internationally renowned chefs. The end result offers the best of dining and entertainment, modern luxury services and amenities encompassed in the  ‘all under one roof’ philosophy.  The Lake Como EDITION is expected to further enhance Marriott International’s footprint across Europe where it currently has a portfolio of over 719 properties across 25 brands. EDITION Hotels currently operates 14 properties in locations around the globe including New York, West Hollywood, London, Reykjavik, Madrid, Tokyo, and Shanghai.

    Main image credit: Marriott International

    master oak by Unilin in five natural wood colourways

    Masterful oak surfaces from Unilin

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    Masterful oak surfaces from Unilin

    With Master Oak, Unilin Panels has created a decorative surface that looks and feels just like oak, adding definition and detail and textures that go deeper than ever before to make the panels a true interpretation of nature…

    master oak by Unilin in five natural wood colourways

    At the heart of this innovative product, giving Master Oak its impressive feel, lies Unilin Timber Touch Technology. Regular HPL and melamine-faced panels only have around three or four depth levels which limits how much texture can be applied the surface. The new press plate behind Unilin Timber Touch Technology allows for 64 different depth levels for 20 times more texture than regular surfaces. This is what gives the product the touch of real oak – from rough to smooth and everywhere in-between – the technology is also responsible for its uniquely matt finish with almost absent shine levels for a natural ‘unfinished’ effect.

    It is not just the surface of Master Oak that is extraordinary; Unilin’s digital printing technology is also unique in the industry. A patented coating applied to the digital paper ensures that Master Oak has more colour-play and depth, as well as better sharpness and contrast. The end result is a decorative surface that looks exactly like oak. This print technology also allows for the largest pattern in the industry. Master Oak has an extra-large pattern of 5.8 square metres, which means an authentic look and fewer repeats.

    As well as the durability and value advantages of using decorative surfaces over genuine materials, Master Oak is also a sustainable alternative. Unilin Panels uses 100 per cent recovered wood for Master Oak melamine-faced products. Recovered wood is rescued from incineration – a mix of wood waste from sawmills or wood-processing and from post-consumer wood such as old furniture. Master Oak chipboard panels use 90per cent post-consumer wood.

    Using 100 per cent recovered wood in the making of Master Oak is made possible by the industry’s most advanced sorting and cleaning process. An ultra-modern machine sorts the post-consumer wood, using a mix of processes including magnets, wind sifters and centrifuges to remove impurities. Developing the technology over the past six years and through using wood that would otherwise have been incinerated, Unilin Panels gives continued life to more than 1,000,000 tonnes of wood every year.

    Master Oak compromises on nothing for its authentic look. It remains just as easy to look after and just as durable as any other Unilin HPL or melamine surface. Compared to real oak, Master Oak is three times as scratch-resistant, more colourfast and more stain proof. It can be used on everything from desktops to shelves, doors, hotel furniture, storage, cupboards, partitions and more. Thanks to its excellent performance characteristics, the finish is also easy to clean and needs no specialist or ongoing maintenance.

    Each of Master Oak’s six looks has been created by the in-house design team. Looking towards global trends and exploring how natural wood finishes are used in commercial interiors, they have put together a range of authentic oak looks that are versatile and usable in real world applications. Master Oak Elegant black and Master Oak Everest white are exclusively available in coloured in core high pressure laminate (HPL). This special construction ensures that the edges are the same colour as the Master Oak finish. Ideal for furniture and cabinetry construction, coloured in core leaves a smart edge.

    Master Oak is a product suited to a broad range of interior applications. Everywhere from retail, cafés and bars, hotel and offices to schools and hospitals can enjoy the comforting and relaxing look of natural oak.

    Unilin Panels is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Unilin Panels

    Hotel Designs editor Hamish Kilburn in conversation with CTD Tiles specifiaction manager Paul Sewell in the CTD Architectural Tiles showroom

    In the showroom with CTD Architectural Tiles

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    In the showroom with CTD Architectural Tiles

    Hotel Designs was invited to take an exclusive tour of RAK Ceramic’s impressive Design Hub in London, and was given the low down from leading commercial tile supplier CTD Architectural Tiles on the new tile collections available for the hotel and hospitality sectors. Paul Sewell, Specification Manager, CTD Architectural Tiles, was there to welcome Editor Hamish Kilburn…

    Hotel Designs editor Hamish Kilburn in conversation with CTD Tiles specifiaction manager Paul Sewell in the CTD Architectural Tiles showroom

    “At CTD Architectural Tiles, we believe the specification of commercial tiles should be a tactile experience so that designers can not only see the colours but feel the textures,” Paul Sewell, Specification Manager, told Editor Hamish Kilburn. “This really gives a much better sense of how the product will suit a space. Samples are obviously important, but when there is a chance to see beautiful tiles up close and in situ, as demonstrated by the impressive Design Hub of our supply chain partner RAK Ceramics, the specification experience really comes to life.”

    RAK Ceramics is one of the largest independent ceramics factories in the world, with the capacity to produce 123 million square meters of tiles per year. Over the years, CTD Architectural Tiles has developed a strong relationship with RAK Ceramics, not only holding significant stock of the manufacturer’s tiles in the UK but also working closely together to deliver on projects in London and the rest of the UK.

    looking at CTD Architectural Tiles samples in the RAK showroom London

    Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles

    Some of the most sensory new products available are those that can be used safely in wet areas such as around swimming pools or in shower rooms, but that still offer a pleasant feel when walked on barefoot. RAK Ceramic’s new Lapideus range is a perfect example. This new range of stone effect tiles incorporates ‘Barefoot Plus’ technology, a special coating which delivers enhanced slip resistance in wet conditions. These tiles have a pleasant feel and a special roughness which is barely perceptible to the touch, making them ideal for areas where safety and comfort are paramount.

    Sewell describes another impressive innovation from RAK Ceramics. “The development of its Klima technology is very exciting,” Sewell explains. “It can be applied to many of its core tile ranges. This is a new generation ceramic that, thanks to special materials, is able to absorb and repel heat according to individual needs. In the hotel sector, we see this technology being particularly effective when specifying tiles for around exterior swimming pools, as they will remain cool to walk on with bare feet, even on the hottest days.”

    CTD Architectural Tiles in RAK showroom

    Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles

    With safety a top priority in all areas of a hotel, not just those that are likely to become wet, both manufacturers like RAK Ceramics and suppliers like CTD Architectural Tiles understand the importance of being able to offer specifiers a number of solutions that combine aesthetics with practicality. Here, tile collections that offer exceptional slip resistance are vital and there are many examples on display at RAK Ceramic’s Design Hub and held in stock by CTD Architectural Tiles. “A great example is Imperial, a timeless collection of porcelain tiles that is available in five complementary colours and three different size formats,” adds Sewell. “Not only ideally suited for us in wet rooms and bathrooms thanks to its high slip resistance, Imperial tiles can be used throughout front of house and communal areas to offer a classically charming yet cost-effective solution.”

    And then there is the versatile Paleo, a range inspired by the natural beauty of stone and available in a selection of calming shades, also offers a high slip resistance and can be used to great effect in many areas of a hotel to create a simple yet sophisticated finish.

    Hamish Kilburn and Paul Sewell looking at samples in the RAK showroom

    Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles

    Certain tiles transformed through the use of light to create different stunning effects. “Luce is a beautiful marble and onyx translucent tile which can be backlit to create a soft glow and a powerful style statement,” Sewell says. “Whether used as a feature in a bar or restaurant, to create an attractive focal point front of house or as a luxurious addition to a bedroom, Luce really showcases how commercial tiles can be used to create bespoke interior design schemes.”

    Other designs simply need to be seen to be appreciated, and there are many stunning tiles on display at RAK Ceramic’s Design Hub. Maximus Mega Slabs, for example, which are shown in many settings and really demonstrate how they can be successfully incorporated into hotel designs. “One of my personal favourite designs within this range is the striking Calacatta Nero,” admits Sewell. “When you chose a marble effect tile like this, you benefit from the timeless beauty of one of the finest materials in nature, combined with all the advantages of porcelain tiles such as performance, durability and ease of laying and maintenance.”

    Metamorphosi range of tiles by inspired by nature

    Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles

    Being able to actually see the tiles in situ and therefore more accurately visualise them in your own project is really beneficial to the specification process, particularly when the tiles, like the Maximus collection, are available in a variety of finishes such as marble, concrete, metal, stone, wood and unicolour finishes. There’s a striking book match display within the Design Hub, which is a great place to start your design journey.

    Another tile design that really takes your breath away when you see it in situ is the fantastic Metamorphosi range. Inspired by nature and reminiscent of the intricate and detailed patterns found in Art Deco style wallcoverings, this range is truly spectacular and incredibly eye-catching. Available in a choice of colours and designs, the decorative geometric and floral patterns of this range can create a real feature wall and are great for bespoke designs and boutique hotels.

    Between RAK Ceramics’ manufacturing expertise and CTD Architectural Tiles’ specification and technical knowledge, we can help specifiers and designers working in the hotel and hospitality sector from the initial planning stages to installation on site. And with such inspirational venues as RAK Ceramics’ Design Hub available to host meetings and design consultations, the specification process can become much more interactive, bespoke and above all, enjoyable.

    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.

    Main image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles

    room2 York render of architecture

    room2 to open three more net-zero hotels

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    room2 to open three more net-zero hotels

    Real estate investor and developer Lamington Group has announced plans to open three new net zero room2 hometels in York, Glasgow and Manchester in 2024, 2025 and 2026 respectively…

    room2 York render of architecture

    Emerging over the last year to prove that it is a true pioneer of net-zero hotel design and hospitality, with the opening of room2 Chiswick, Lamington Group has just unveiled an exciting pipeline of sustainable properties, worth £100m investment. This strategic move reflects the group’s commitment to only build and operate to whole life net zero standards for new properties developed after the launch of the group’s net zero roadmap in September 2021.

    “Lamington Group strives to push the boundaries of net zero in the hospitality industry,” said Robert Godwin, Managing Director at Lamington Group. “The opening of new net zero properties in York, Glasgow and Manchester is a realisation of the group’s vision to expand across the country and reach 5,000 keys by 2030. At the heart of each property remains our commitment to social values, community engagement and collaboration and the promotion of sustainable values to educate guests on the importance of the sustainability agenda.”

    room2 currently has three operational locations, in Southampton, Hammersmith and room2 Chiswick, which opened in December 2021 marking the world’s first fully whole life net zero hotel. room2 Belfast is also due to open in spring 2023. Hometels combine the best elements from Airbnb, serviced apartments and boutique hotels in an offering designed to appeal to modern corporate and leisure guests seeking flexible accommodation.

    room2 York will welcome guests from September 2024 with 116 rooms inside the city’s castle walls. Working with developers North Star, the hometel will introduce a modern take on the destination’s medieval heritage.

    room2 Glasgow is due to open in the first quarter of 2025 and will offer a central location in the city’s financial district overlooking the River Clyde. Working with Mosaic planning architects, developer One Clyde Ltd in collaboration with West One Capital and planning consultant Iceni, the 134-bedroom property will be a part new build, part refurbishment of a traditional building.

    room2 Manchester is set to become the tallest of the brand’s hometels to date when it opens in Q1 2026. The 180 rooms will span 22 floors and offer a range of studios as well as introducing one and two-bedroom apartments, a first for room2 hometels. Located centrally, within easy walking distance of the city’s Piccadilly station, the property will aim to seamlessly blend old and new and is the result of a joint venture between Lamington Group and North Star/ Country Large.

    arts and crafts inspired bedroom design at room2 Chiswick

    Image credit: Kaldewei / room2 Chiswick

    All three new hometels will offer ground floor restaurant and bar spaces for guests and locals as well as work and meeting spaces, gyms and laundry rooms. All new openings will also include room2’s innovative features such as 24-hour stays as standard, mattress selection and kitchens in most rooms. The brand will continue to champion local craftspeople and designers and use both innovate technology and recycled and reclaimed materials to create homely environments that are sustainable without sacrificing on style, convenience, or comfort.

    Main image credit: Lamington Group

    lighting by LEDS C4 in art gallery

    Innovative lighting solutions from LEDS C4

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    Innovative lighting solutions from LEDS C4

    From the opening of a lighting laboratory for artists in Barcelona, to an impressive interior installation in Manchester that becomes art, we take a closer look at some of the innovative LEDS C4 lighting solutions…

    lighting by LEDS C4 in art gallery

    With LEDS C4, lighting is about a whole lot more than flicking a switch, it can makes a statement, and it can alter a space. The lighting installation in The Angel Gardens, does both. The Angel Gardens apartments are located in one of the newest areas of Manchester and they’ve been designed with the aim of establishing a new way of sharing the spaces we live in. The building was constructed in the area of the former Shudehill Mill owned by Richard Arkwright, the first steam-operated mill in Manchester, built in 1782. All of the building’s interior is inspired by the history emanating from every corner of this place. Choosing the Candle collection to light up its spaces was no accident: this collection was selected given its similitude with old cotton looms. These light fixtures are excellent choices based on their delicate appearance and their ability to generate warm, natural settings.

    lighting installation by LEDS C4 at angel Gardens Manchester

    Image credit: LEDS C4 / Edit Photo

    The lighting laboratory in Vic, promoted by Miquel Boada, founder of the distributor Boada, was built in collaboration with LEDS C4 which, in addition to providing products, also offered advice during the design of the facility. The laboratory opened its doors in February this year, inviting four prestigious artists (all specialising in sculpting and acrylic painting) from the region to experiment with the impact of lighting on their work.

    Thanks to an innovative installation of Atom spotlights that was specially designed for the occasion, using LED Tunable White and Casambi built into the luminaire, and the development of a specific application to assure easy handling through a tablet, the colour temperature and light intensity can be easily adjusted to suit the work and the colours or finishes to be highlighted. The installation’s control possibilities are endless, enabling the user to select a full range of tones from 2700K to 6500K, as well as adjusting light intensity. The system allows different settings to be created depending on the artists and works, ensuring a visit to the space is truly experiential.

    LEDS C4 is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: LEDS C4 / Edit Photo

    Arte Textura range of wallcoverings - Cuadro

    Product watch: Textura by Arte

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    Product watch: Textura by Arte

    From woven grasses to braided leaves and even leather; the most beautiful textures found in nature are also showcased to striking effect on the wall in the Textura range from Arte…

    Arte Textura range of wallcoverings - Cuadro

    Enhancing the collection, the textures of nature are complemented by the textures of rough or very finely woven linen and brilliant silk. The colour palette of this vinyl collection ranges from timeless, soft hues to striking colour tones.

    The Cuadro wallpaper design is a patchwork of irregular rectangles, with imperfections that give the pattern added charm. The design is based on coarsely woven linen, and is available in seven colourways.

    Alma & Campo are two designs with the authentic look of soft, luxurious leather, complete with all its natural nuances and irregularities. Handstitched leather details contribute to the realistic appearance of this sophisticated wallpaper. Alma is available in five colourways while Campo is available in seven colourways.

    The design Aspero has a more outspoken, thicker weave, but undeniably retains the authentic linen structure. A lively effect is achieved by combining subtle shades of colour. When used on the wall, it instantly creates a warm, cosy feeling.

    The single-colour Puro has a slightly glossy finish. The woven grass structure with light colour nuances brings the tropics to mind. The somewhat rougher base lends this pattern a natural touch.

    The tiled wickerwork seen in the design Pandan, is inspired by the tropical plant of the same name. The fibres of this plant are cut into strips and woven diagonally. The clean, diagonal lines appear less abstract thanks to the natural look and feel.

    table and chairs with Pandan wallcovering by Arte

    Image credit: Arte

    The Weave design is based on braided leather. The braided leather relief creates a very realistic impression of leather strips. Weave is available in 5 colourways.

    The inspiration for the design Nongo comes from traditionally woven baskets from Zimbabwe, called nongo. The natural look of this plain pattern in combination with the fine wickerwork lends texture to the wall. Nongo is available in 10 colourways.

    Walls of woven grass inspired Marsh, and the wallcovering almost make you feel like you’re spending the night in a lodge on the savannah. The structure has been realistically recreated, subtly bringing a real element of nature into your home. Marsh is available in 11 colourways.

    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.

    Main image credit: Arte

    Bathroom Brands Group bathroom

    Panel discussion: texture, colour and materials in bathroom design

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    Panel discussion: texture, colour and materials in bathroom design

    With the aim to define how bathrooms are evolving, Hotel Designs, in association with Bathroom Brands Group, invited Sarah Dabbs, Associate at Spaceinvader Design, Sasha Stupar, Associate Director at EPR Architects and Sarah Wakefield, Creative Director at Jolie Studio to explore texture, colour and materials in the bathroom…

    Bathroom Brands Group bathroom

    There are many factors that go into ensuring modern hotel bathrooms are beyond simply practical spaces. Texture, colour and materials are among them. In recent years, manufacturers, such as Bathroom Brands Group, have been able to utilise technology in order to give necessary attention to detail at an affordable price. Whether its coloured basins (on the outside) in the Artist collection by Crosswater or adding period drama in a boutique hotel with the Riviera collection by Burlington, or simply following the trends with Britton, all innovations born under the Bathroom Brands Group come from design, quality and performance.

    To celebrate the group’s ‘full bathroom solutions,’ as carved out by Stephen Ewer, the group’s CEO, in a recently published interview, Hotel Designs welcomed leading designers to the Materials Source Studio in the heart of Manchester, to explore how texture, colour and materials are changing the look and feel of bathrooms in 2022 and beyond.

    Before diving into the conversation, we first needed to establish the mega trend that is ‘wellness’. Sasha Stupar, Associate Director at EPR Architects, took the opportunity to explain what is perhaps fuelling this movement. “There is such a focus at the moment on escapism; travellers want to almost run away from their busy lives, and the bathroom is the perfect space to set this tranquil environment, using water as a tool for relaxation,” she said. “Bathrooms have been slowly evolving over the years, and this, I believe, has been driven by the demand for a home-from-from feeling when people check into a hotel and experience the bathroom.”

    blue marbled surfaces and square fittings in the bathroom at The Tribe

    Image caption: Bathrooms inside Tribe Malta. | Image credit: SpaceInvader

    One example of a brand that dramatically took on the role to evolve hotel experiences from formal to laidback was Soho House. Sarah Wakefield, a former Senior Interior Designer at Soho House who is now the Creative Director of the progressive studio Jolie Studio, was at the forefront of pairing things back to reveal something more than a beautiful bathroom. “I think there’s really something in blurring the boundaries,” she said. “Take a hotel room, for example, the bathroom was just behind a door in the corner, whereas now we are seeing more glazed panels where you can see into the bathroom and in general there is much more a cohesive narrative between bedroom and bathroom.” This mixed with sensory design, and understanding how the space feels as well as looks has created more of a spa-like experience for guests.

    Speaking of the modern spa scene, which is unquestionably setting new standards in wellness and forcing bathrooms to work harder in order to cater to modern traveller demands. Sarah Dabbs, Associate at SpaceInvader, believes that expectations for bathrooms to shelter personality have increased. “And this is in all luxury and lifestyle hotels, regardless of geography,” she said. “Even hotels in the city, for example, are expected to feature a pleasant and relaxing bathroom experience.”

    Moving the conversation along, Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs, addressed the panel to ask whether anything, in their experience, is missing. “It seems to me that bathroom brands have really listened to the demand that has been amplified and have worked extremely hard over the last decade to offer what we now see, with more variety than ever before,” he said. “From where I sit, it’s difficult to see what is perhaps missing.” Responding, Stupar mentioned that we are offered so much. “It’s that innovation,” she said, “that really drives the design for us. It’s very difficult to say what’s missing, but I do think there is something interesting in sensory experiences.”

    Bedroom Visual of Wilde hotel in Chester

    Image credit: Render of Suite inside Wildes Hotel in Chester. | Image credit: SpaceInvader

    When it comes to luxury and spa-like experiences, there is perhaps one hotel project, currently on the boards, that we’re expecting to house striking and modern bathrooms that offer spa-like experiences while also aptly giving a nod to the building’s storied architecture. “Working as the architects on Raffles London, inside the Old War Office, has been really interesting to see how designers are collaborating with designers internationally,” Stupar added.

    While exploring the root of innovative bathroom design, it was only right to steer into different sectors to understand how wellness has amplified design. Dabb offered a wider perspective on this. “We see cross-learning across all the projects we work on, particularly in commercial and hospitality. Offices are certainly trying to look and feel more like a hotel lobby, for example,” she said. “When it comes to bathrooms in office settings, these standards have risen drastically recently with the bathrooms and wellness spaces providing a key role in many workspaces. I think where it is most interesting is when considering accessible design – and providing a design scheme that is user friendly for all but also stylish. I think hotels can really learn from workspace design.”

    Bath in suite inside suite inside Soho Farmhouse

    Image caption: Bath inside suite at Soho Farmhouse. | Image credit: Soho House

    To get to the heart of the conversation, Kilburn continued to explore materials, and more specifically consciously sourced materials in bathroom design. With a lot of focus being placed on sustainability – and the topic being rather subjective in certain instances as to what materials are believed to have positive ESG qualities and which are not – the debate is not a fair one without considering longevity and durability. “The Rosewood London is a good example when discussing what is sustainable in terms of longevity” added Stupar. “We really managed to preserve the original features. Although refurbishments are difficult to achieve, it is probably what we are best known for now as an architecture firm. This all comes down to how progressive the client is, though. We are constantly challenging ourselves to discover new, innovative materials and products that help us to convince clients to choose sustainable alternatives. We all need to be on board together.”

    Marble bathrooms inside Rosewood London

    Image caption: The iconic bathrooms inside the suites at Rosewood London. | Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    With the topic around materials being one that is about discovery, Dabbs added that the role of a designer with a topic like ESG was also about challenging perceptions. “We associate marble with luxury, but I think now luxury is about being consciously aware. The market in the luxury sector is massively leading towards working with suppliers that have solid sustainable credentials,” she said. “Today, we are even looking at materials, such as laminates, which we would never have put forward before, because they are made from organic compounds.

    For Wakefield, while agreeing with the other designers, it was also about always considering the overall design scheme when making any conscious decisions. “There are so many products out there, we really are spoiled for choice,” she said, “but if you are using an existing material and you have to work with that colour and that finish, then that challenges you as an interior designer, which I find fascinating, to achieve a really bespoke outcome.”

    Adding texture to the overall hospitality experience is without question the main role of any hotel bathroom, outside of function. To stretch our designers into thinking about more than colours, texture and materials, Kilburn finished by asking how hotel designers can use the bathroom to further amplify the brand’s DNA in an unconventional way. “For us, certainly, we pay attention to the brand but also the location,” explained Dabbs. “All of the local context, the colours and textures around, can add richness to the bathroom in more subtle ways.”

    Speaking honestly, Stupar added her personal experience. “I find brands very complicated,” she admitted. “I enjoy, as a designer, creating a brand – and we have done this on several projects. Working on a very established brand can sometimes be difficult because there are very limited opportunities to add something new in terms of specification. Saying that, I do think from the brands we work with there is more acceptance on bringing in textures, materials and colour.”

    Bathroom Brands 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.

    Main image credit: Bathroom Brands Group

    white and stone bathroom with Dornbracht Rain shower

    The authentic feel of rain in the bathroom

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    The authentic feel of rain in the bathroom

    The innovative rain shower from Dornbracht gives designers and users a refreshing range of options for the bathroom, along with the secret of the Dornbracht raindrops: they fall without pressure, the huge droplets landing gently on the body are as light as a feather and practically weightless…

    white and stone bathroom with Dornbracht Rain shower

    The focus of the rain shower from Dornbracht is directly on the water experience, the sensation of natural rainfall that is created by drops of water falling onto the skin. The time when you simply took a shower is gone – we all expect a lot more from our bathrooms, and water experiences play an essential role in this. Dornbracht has spent time studying forms of water presentation and how they influence well-being, and has been instrumental in developing the technology around the natural rainfall experience.

    black and wood finish bathroom with rain shower by dornbracht

    Image credit: Dornbracht

    Years of knowledge are incorporated into the new rain showers in the latest development, with the two flow modes firmly focusing the product benefits on relaxation and cleansing. The compact and powerful jet from the shower head makes cleansing and hair rinsing easier, while the rain shower’s real Dornbracht raindrops provide relaxation.

    The new rain showers are also available with lighting: they have two integrated light sources, which can be selected independently using conventional, Zigbee-compatible controllers. They can be voice-controlled via Alexa or Philips Hue, for example. Ambience lighting and spotlights enhance the impression of space and the water experience.

    Dornbracht rain shower with integrated lighting

    Image credit: Dornbracht

    Uniquely, the installed, new rain shower heads lie perfectly flush with the ceiling, and with no obvious screw fastenings, the design is seamlessly integrated into the architecture. Installation follows the ‘plug & play’ principle and is made simple by the separation of concealed rough parts and exposed trim parts into sets.

    “This addition to the range is true to our ‘Leading Designs for Architecture’ claim, not just in the perfect product design and variety of solutions, but also for the exceptional water experience and as a result, enhanced product benefits,” said Stefan Gesing, CEO of Dornbracht AG & Co. KG.

    Eight versions of the new rain showers are available, with choices including round or square, surface-mounted or integrated into the ceiling, and with or without lighting. The shower is available in eleven finishes to match the Dornbracht design series: Polished chrome, Chrome matt, Platinum, Platinum matt, Dark Platinum matt, Brushed Durabrass, Black matt and White matt. There are also the new finishes: Champagne and Brushed Champagne, and Dark Chrome.

    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.

    Main image credit: Dornbracht

    Leaflike greenery frames the architecture at The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

    Leaflike adds green notes to the grandeur of The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

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    Leaflike adds green notes to the grandeur of The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

    The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel combines elegant history with modern comfort and inviting décor, and Leaflike adds to the grand romanticism of the venue with a selection of designer floor standing planting displays in the bar area and restaurant…

    Leaflike greenery frames the architecture at The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

    After years of devoted restoration, the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is being hailed as London’s most romantic building. Its glorious Gothic Revival metalwork, gold leaf ceilings, hand-stencilled wall designs and a jaw-dropping grand staircase are as dazzling as the day the hotel in 1873. The floral displays and planting by Leaflike contribute to the period feel of the architecture, adding  a Victorian sense of the exotic with plants ranging from Kentia and Areca Palm to Cordyline and Fern, along with some statement trailing Ivy. This is all completed with a selection of planters in various colours including green and yellow, with slate top dressing.

    Leaflike planting in restaurant of St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

    Image credit: Leaflike

    “Working with a grand venue in such a location, it really brings home how we help customers to achieve their bespoke design requirements,” said Brandon Abernethie, Head of Design, Leaflike

    Leaflike and The St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel share a commitment to sustainable goals. The hotel has achieved its Green Key Award, a programme linked to the Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 addressed by the United Nations.
    The hotel has also partnered with schemes such as Forest Carbon, a business that develops nature-based climate projects in the UK, to help protect the UK’s peatlands. With Leaflike committed to plant a tree for every sustainable element in a project, this was a winning partnership.

    palm trees by Leaflike at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

    Image credit: Leaflike

    When it comes to dressing a hotel with floristry, Leaflike provides several options. Fresh displays, artificial, preserved, or a combination of all three. As the quality of faux displays become increasingly advanced, lifelike floral displays are a great option to add layers to hotel design.

    The addition of Leaflike faux planting comes with a range of benefits. Compared to the live alternative, maintenance is minimal, and the duty of daily watering and regular upkeep no longer exists. All that is required is a quick brush off of any dust as part of a routine interior cleaning routine. With no need for feeding, pruning or pest control artificial plants are great for a no-hassle option of greenery. Going for faux also provides the freedom to position plant displays in inaccessible areas or places where traditional live plants may not survive.

    Quality is another key consideration when exploring faux flower displays. With an abundance of poor-quality displays in the past now relegated to history, artificial planting has come a long way! Artificial flowers can be 100 per cent UV stabilised meaning they will never fade in areas with long periods of sunshine. This makes them very long-lasting and all that is required is a light dusting to keep them looking fresh all year round. In addition to this, artificial displays are often fire rated making them not only a quality option but a safe one too.

    As well as being available in a range of colours and sizes, artificial plants will last and look great anywhere as they have no special requirements. They can be placed in bright sunlight or dark corners, cold or warm areas or even hang them upside down and make them talk with your venue. With artificial plants it allows for additional flare and creativity because design schemes can be created that are not possible with live plants.

    A downfall of going for the real deal when it comes to flowers is that sometimes real flowers, whilst striking, can be a nuisance for those with pollen allergies. However, artificial floral arrangements are free from pollen and fragrances, making them particularly ideal for hotels where footfall is high. If you’re a hotel owner or somebody who is in charge of the general maintenance of a hotel, this is another potential problem you can remove from your list!

    Although artificial plants aren’t able to filter impurities from the air like real plants, they still have a very positive effect on mood and morale. This is because just looking at plants and pictures of natural landscapes can improve mood, concentration, and productivity levels. And, at the risk of stating the obvious, artificial plants will last for a long time because they never die or fail. This allows for venues to select their preferred style of floral and plant displays and have them available all year-round through every season despite the changing weather conditions.

    Last but not least, artificial plants can be very cost effective in the long-term. If you love plants and flowers but don’t want the cost of replacing or maintaining them in future years, consider the benefits of artificial plants. Depending on which financial option you select to purchase your artificial planting scheme you can reap some of the benefits of biophilic design without the hassle. Artificial flowers and plants are always a great way to incorporate natural elements, enhancing the guest experience and adding the finishing design layers to a hotel space to make it memorable.

    Leaflike is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Leaflike

    dark bathroom interior with Inhale glass splashback by Red dog Glass Design

    Product watch: Inhale by Red Dog Glass Design

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    Product watch: Inhale by Red Dog Glass Design

    Red Dog Glass Design breathes fresh ideas into the world of surface design with the launch of Inhale, the latest design in a range of inspired glass panels focussing on the restorative power of the breath…

    dark bathroom interior with Inhale glass splashback by Red dog Glass Design

    Based on the original artwork of company founder Sally Coulden, the Inhale range of glass panels is an observation on the expansiveness of the landscape, particularly from the summits of the brooding British hills. It’s the deep breath we take as we drink in a view for the first time, and the space created within our lungs as we draw nature in. Inhale is the sense of calm created as the inward breath restores and rebalances us.

    “Framing infinity is a key theme throughout my work,” said Coulden from her Bristol-based studio where she paints. “I grew up in the wilds of Norfolk in a creative household, so noticing and documenting my environment has always been a part of my life. Using abstract strokes, I can communicate more than just how a place looks, I can also communicate how it feels to be in that place.”

    Inhale glass splashback by Red Dog glass Design behind grey ceramic basin

    Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design

    “Red Dog Glass Design glass panels and splashbacks are perfect for the hospitality industry” said Nicola Arnold, Business Manager, Red Dog Glass Design. “Our pieces are highly practical, being easy to clean and exceptionally hard-wearing. But it’s not all about function, with a piece of Red Dog glass, interior designers have the opportunity to bring something unique to the table, something that adds more to the visitor experience. All of our designs tell a story, and all of our pieces are designed to create visual impact,” continued Arnold. “Whether that is in the rooms themselves, or public areas such a lobbies and restaurants, a piece of Red Dog glass will elevate any space into something extraordinary.”

    Inhale glass by Red Dog Glass Design makes a surface statement on a reception panel

    Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design

    The bold brushstrokes of Inhale focus on the power of the breath, the simple act of mindful breathing to regulate the parasympathetic nervous system. When we breathe deeply, we naturally self-soothe. And when we breath mindfully in nature the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, combined with being outside, has immense benefits. And as individuals, we’re beginning to understand more about the importance of taking these moments of mindfulness post-pandemic. Research is now showing that how we breathe, combined with immersion in nature, can positively impact our immune system, our heart rate, and our stress levels.

    Inhale is about design that allows for that immersion in nature to transfer onto surfaces that surround us. the designs are available in bespoke sizes based on the needs of the client and the space. A range of off-the-shelf sizes are available for bulk use throughout bathrooms and washrooms.

    Red Dog Glass Design 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: Red Dog Glass Design

    view across the lobby of Prague Marriott

    Inside the newly designed Prague Marriott

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    Inside the newly designed Prague Marriott

    twenty2degrees Design Partnership has recently completed an extensive refurbishment of the Prague Marriott, weaving references to Czech Cubism into its renewed interiors – we stepped inside for a closer look…

    view across the lobby of Prague Marriott

    Handled in phases from 2018, the project which began as an upgrade of the existing conference spaces to bring them in line with Marriott brand standards, grew significantly in scale with the addition of a substantial building adjacent to the property. This proved to be the catalyst for a much-enlarged ambition and the issue of connectivity between the two buildings became the stimulus for re-thinking the ground floor lobby and public areas, paving the way for a comprehensive Marriott Great Room experience.

    twenty2 degrees’ proposal to remove the staircase which had previously dominated the ground floor was key to unlocking the area, opening-up views through the entire space from the street and, inside, decluttering both the floor area and the volume that soars up to an arched glazed ceiling. At a stroke, a Great Room became possible – a large flowing space where working, meeting, eating and drinking are possible in almost any area of the guest’s choosing. By day, this Great Room is now filled with natural light; during the evening, the experience changes as daylight recedes and artificial lighting creates a moodier ambience.

    marriott prague lobby view to reception

    Image credit: Marriott International

    “While enhancing Prague Marriott’s alignment with Marriott brand standards, we have designed a hotel that is layered with a distinctive aesthetic belonging to Prague and delivered a hotel that stands out for its high-quality materials and finishes,” said Nick Stoupas, Founder & Managing Director of twenty2degrees. “Our instinct is always to design original interiors infused with a sense of place while also creating spaces that will serve the test of time.”

    The arrival lobby establishes the design language: a distinctive aesthetic that speaks of Prague and its Cubist movement of the early 20th Century, in particular Frantisek Kupka, pioneer of Orphic Cubism. It is his use of geometric shapes and blocks of bold colour as well as his style of brushwork that are abstracted or directly referenced in carpet patterns, tiles, table-tops and artwork. The interiors are further distinguished by the introduction of beautiful, high-quality materials.

    view across the Great Room in Marriott Prague

    Image credit: Marriott International

    In reception, sculptural Iceberg Marble reception desks are set against a backdrop of full-height murals composed of scored tiles – a custom-designed interpretation of Marriott’s ‘Integrated Art’ concept. Natural stone slabs on the floors contrast with refined timber panelling that exudes warmth and elegance. Furniture in the lounge conforms to Marriott’s requirement for a residential style while boldly toned cushions, carpets and artwork are a lively counterpoint in this large space. Another Great Room standard, the ‘Disruptive Table’, is transposed into a striking piece clad in timber and Carrara marble. Composed of sliding doors, a back bar, integrated sink and heating and cooling facilities, the table is a social hub that morphs from coffee ‘grab n go’ to a food counter and to a cocktail bar.

    Throughout the Great Room, areas are delineated by open angular screens that offer connection between the zones while also creating a degree of separation. The Artisan Bar and Kitchen is located at the far end of the Great Room and is accessible at any time of day, enabling this area to be used for co-working, drinking or dining by both hotel guests and neighbourhood visitors drawn in by the glow of the bar which can now be seen all the way from the street.

    Bar in Marriott Prague placed in centre of lobby

    Image credit: Marriott International

    The guestrooms are streamlined and contemporary and their colour palette is largely neutral. Dark timber floors and deep timber-clad window recesses add a residential ambience to the space. Bathrooms are clad in marble and vanities are finished in marble and timber.

    The conference and meeting space area is accessed by the new staircase – an architectural statement, once again juxtaposing marble and timber with attenuated black metal in a sophisticated combination – as well as by lifts from a dedicated reception. The conferences spaces begin with the first-floor balcony and pre-function area which, thanks to the removal of the old staircase, affords a panoramic view of the Great Room below.

    conference room in Marriott Prague with meeting table and informal seting against wood clad walls

    Image credit: Marriott International

    Flexibility is a key theme throughout. The large pre-function area features a specially designed marble table with integrated extensions to expand it into a buffet counter. High tables offer connectivity and the credenzas which serve as reception desks can easily become sideboards for different occasions. There are plenty of nooks furnished and equipped with TVs to provide for separate hives of activity, as well as library nooks for quiet working. There is also a wide range of meeting rooms from formal boardrooms to informal lounges furnished with ‘writable, walls and stools that can easily be re-grouped around coffee tables. Translucent glazed doors to several of the meeting rooms can be totally opened-up to the pre-function area.

    Main image credit: Marriott International

    EDITION Tampa guestroom in white with views over Tampa at sunset

    First look: inside The Tampa EDITION – a jewel in the crown

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    First look: inside The Tampa EDITION – a jewel in the crown

    The creative force behind the Tampa EDITION reads like a who’s who of hospitality design. The hotel and residences have been masterminded and created by Ian Schrager in collaboration with Marriott International, and designed, concepted and programmed by ISC Design Studio, in partnership with Morris Adjmi Architects, Nichols Architects, Bonetti Kozerski Architects, and Roman and Williams. Labelled the ‘jewel in the crown of Water Street Tampa’, we stepped inside for a closer look…

    EDITION Tampa guestroom in white with views over Tampa at sunset

    The city of Tampa has always flown very quietly and confidently under the radar, but with a growing reputation as a culinary hotspot, with world-class shopping, a collection of great museums and very progressive nightlife scene, Tampa’s time has come. The arrival of The Tampa EDITION, slated to open in October, further boosts the city’s rise and cements the EDITION brand’s knack for landing in the right place at the right time.

    Cementing the city’s coming of age, and its position as a gateway to southern Florida, is the unveiling of Water Street Tampa, a $3.5 billion urban mixed use development expansion project led by Strategic Property Partners, a partnership between Cascade Investment LLC and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik.

    “Not often have I had the opportunity to work on a project that will completely transform the very centre and heartbeat of a great city like Tampa, and make it even greater,” said Ian Schrager, the visionary pioneer of the boutique hotel concept and the EDITION creator. “I call it urban expansion, rather than urban renewal, and it serves as a model for how cities will transform and evolve the future. The scale of it is mind-boggling and we’re very happy to be right here and a part of it.”

    Reminiscent of Stockholm and other very liveable European and Scandinavian harbour cities that combine the best of a metropolitan city with living by the sea and being close to water, when complete, the Water Street Tampa neighbourhood will double the footprint of downtown Tampa. At the heart of this transformative project, The Tampa EDITION sets a new standard as the city’s first five-star experience, revealing an unparalleled level of sophistication, originality and design alongside the personal, intimate, and individual experience that the EDITION brand is known for.

    The hotel remains firmly rooted in the EDITION brand’s strong sense of refined simplicity and style. “The design is simple and pure. There isn’t anything superfluous or gratuitous, nor a wasted gesture,” said Schrager.

    EDITION Tampa guestroom in white and wood with garden view

    Image credit: EDITION Tampa / Nikolas Koenig

    Spread over 26 stories, there are 172 guestrooms and 38 private residences, a rooftop terrace with a pool, expansive spa and wellness facility, fitness centre, and seven bars and restaurants including a signature offering from Michelin-starred chef John Fraser. The hotel seamlessly blends the energy of a major metropolitan city with a warm-weather resort sensibility.

    From the outside, The Tampa EDITION is a striking addition to the Water Street Tampa neighbourhood, its combination of industrial elements, art deco-inspired curves and lush greenery seamlessly blending into the neighbourhood’s organic, wellness-focused ethos. Defined by a vertical tower which houses the residences, with wrap-around balconies that update the traditional idea of a Florida room, an outdoor garden in the sky, the building is anchored by the lower nine floors, which comprises the hotel’s guest rooms and public spaces.

    white interior of hotel lobby EDITION Tampa

    Image credit: EDITION Tampa / Nikolas Koenig

    The hotel’s main entrance leads to a dynamic open-flow lobby with soaring 20-foot-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that shed natural light onto the elegant interiors anchored by a dramatic white marble sculptural staircase. Here, a mixture of open-pore travertine, walnut wood and a jungle of live greenery comes together in the Lobby Bar to create a warm, natural backdrop for striking features such as a large-scale stainless steel Anish Kapoor-inspired lilac orb art piece, a custom-designed travertine pool table, and intimately grouped furniture – from Christian Liaigre reading lights to Jean-Michel Frank-style chairs – that sit atop champagne-coloured rugs.

    Lilac Bar in EDITION Tampa with greenery and pendant lighting

    Image credit: EDITION Tampa / Nikolas Koenig

    Flanking this space is a scalloped American Black Walnut bar, with cognac leather stools, which then flows into Lilac, the signature fine dining Mediterranean restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef and California native, John Fraser. Open from Tuesday to Saturday, the dining room’s walnut flooring and the warm glow from the pendant globes create an elevated, convivial space focused around an eight-seat Christian Liaigre chef’s counter in sandblasted walnut and a lively open kitchen. Taking its cues from Fraser’s Greek heritage, the cuisine at Lilac highlights locally sourced and seasonal ingredients showcasing unique flavours and techniques through an Eastern Mediterranean lens.

    “It is always an honour to collaborate with the EDITION. We share a similar culture and are both keen on offering modern luxury and high quality,” said Fraser. ” Ian Schrager is a genius at providing the stage and setting the spirit and tone. We are grateful to him and the hotel’s ownership for continuously investing in the best. Through great hospitality, architecture, and design, we strive for our guests to feel as if they have arrived at a sanctuary where they never have to leave. We look forward to being a part of Ian’s vision through our food and beverage offerings – with something for everyone during all parts of the day”.

    Unfolding like a four-act theatrical piece, the hotel comprises a series of spaces and experiences each adding up to a total more than the sum of its individual parts. The second floor – accessed via the sculptural staircase – introduces a variety of dramatic and distinctive spaces that work together or separately. Evoking old Hollywood glamour, Punch Room, is a cosy, muted space accented with rich jewel-toned shades of emerald and sapphire. The Arts Club combines a trio of spaces that come together in a glamorous offering that has elevated Tampa’s entertainment scene. Start your evening in the Lounge, with a cocktail against a seductive backdrop of ebonized wood, black damask velvet sofas, black leather banquettes and – just for fun – a specially commissioned photobooth in black lacquer with a gold interior. From there, the Verde Antico marble bar noir, with its luminescent yellow velvet stools in the bar area, is the perfect precursor before an evening of entertainment in the finale, Arts Club Cabaret.

    white interior of guestroom in EDITION Tampa

    Image credit: EDITION Tampa / Nikolas Koenig

    Sandwiched between the second level and the ninth floor rooftop, are the 172 guestrooms and suites. Each room is an understated haven with marble bathrooms and a curved American Black Walnut entrance that leads to a light white oak space embellished with photography by the late New York-based fashion and portrait photographer, Rodney Smith, and custom Jean-Michel Frank-inspired furniture alongside the sensuous curves of a white lacquer Cherner Chair. There are five Garden Terrace rooms on the third floor, the one-bedroom Penthouse – with a media room, open-plan living and dining room, pantry and expansive walk-in wardrobe and bathroom – is on a light-filled corner of the eighth floor, while each guestroom either looks out onto the city, or has views of the boat-filled Garrison Channel.

    white on white design with gold and wood accents in bathroom of EDITION Tampa

    Image credit: EDITION Tampa / Nikolas Koenig

    On the second floor and the mezzanine level above, is the 250-guest private event space and a series of meeting rooms – including two studios and a boardroom – which all come complete with top technology, including electronically controlled black-out blinds and light filtering window treatments, retractable walls to accommodate events of all sizes, and a thoughtful interior design scheme of white oak and travertine details, resulting in a bright, modern and airy offering.

    The design of the wellness facility, also on level two, is just as fresh. The reception area – with its curved white oak and marble-topped desk and gold leaf accent wall behind – is flanked on either side by arches, which lead to a relaxation area in shades of white, and six treatment rooms. The spa’s concept is inspired by wellness and sustainability and offers a menu of treatments from Biologique Recherche Skinlab facials to the EDITION Signature Massage.

    Main image credit: EDITION Tampa / Nikolas Koenig

    Sustano recyclable shower tray from Duravit

    Sustano by Duravit – recyclable & sustainable

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    Sustano by Duravit – recyclable & sustainable

    Sustano is Duravit’s first recyclable DuraSolid Nature shower tray. The shower tray features a flat, rimless design for installation flush with the floor, and is available in a wide range of dimensions and colours, enabling a unique and creative bathroom design offering…

    Sustano recyclable shower tray from Duravit

    Sustano represents the launch of Duravit’s new and innovative material DuraSolid Nature for the bathroom. The first recyclable mineral material, DuraSolid Nature brings together a host of outstanding qualities including low weight, adaptability, and ease of cutting on the construction site, its robust, easy to clean, pleasant to touch, with UV-resistance, and anti-slip properties in the matt surface versions.

    Ease of installation, makes it ideal for renovation projects where every millimetre matters in the installation of shower trays. With their extremely low installation height of just 30 mm, the self-supporting shower trays enable flush-mounted installation even in renovation projects with a low floor height. Alternatively, they can be installed in floor mounted or semi-recessed applications. Sustano offers previously unheard-of flexibility: 100 mm can be removed from each side of each shower tray, even on the construction site, making it simple to modify when necessary. The low weight makes the trays easy to handle on the construction site, allowing them to be installed by one person.

    walk in shower with sustano shower tray by Duravit

    Image credit: Duravit

    Robust, easy to clean, and sophisticated, Sustano shower trays have high surface hardness and density, making them comparatively impervious to damage and soiling. A soft cloth with warm water or standard cleaning agent is all that is needed for cleaning. The pore free surface creates a sophisticated finish and a pleasantly warm, appealing feeling on the skin. The versions in matt colours feature a velvety surface, with a somewhat smoother surface feel with the glossy colours. The flat, easy-to-clean outlet cover with a lattice structure in the same colour as the shower tray integrates into the trays unobtrusively, in both visual and tactile terms. The cover is also optionally available in stainless steel. The material’s special surface texture means that Sustano shower trays with a matt surface attain anti-slip class C with no additional coating. This is the highest classification for wet (barefoot) areas, like shower rooms, and thus guarantees maximum safety.

    The 1200 x 1200 mm flush-mounted Sustano model is also suitable for accessible bathroom planning and can be utilized with a wheelchair.
    Versatile design options means that it can be installed flush with the floor, semi-recessed, or on the floor tiles depending on structural factors and personal preference. The flush-mounted application is particularly impressive, as it lends itself to a seamless spaciousness.

    The elegant, calm design language of the shower tray is perfectly attuned to the contemporary bathroom. Featuring 21 sizes, the ideal solution can be found for almost any new-build or renovation project. With five attractive matt colours – White Matt, Matt Crème, Matt Light Gray, Matt Greige, and Matt Dark Gray as well as a glossy White, Sustano offers a range of options to match the colour scheme of any bathroom.

    Duravit is continually mindful of the responsibility it bears when it comes to the environment, and is committed to treating resources with respect and supplying products that are especially long-lasting and sustainable.

    “We live and breathe sustainability along our value-creation chain, with a clear focus on the four dimensions of water, resources, climate, and social commitment. Our actions – in all strategic areas – are being reviewed and optimized from the perspective of sustainability,” said CEO Stephan Tahy.

    Thanks to their low weight, Sustano shower trays are lighter to transport, thereby contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Even more important is the material’s durability and recyclability following the usage phase. After the end of their useful life, Sustano shower can be returned either to Duravit or to a local recycling centre to keep within the life-cycle principle. The recycled materials can be reused to manufacture new shower trays or can be applied to industrial use.

    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.

    Main image credit: Duravit

    Duraply supplied by Lathams fro Project Malachi provides shelter for homeless in London

    James Latham and Garnica support Salvation Army’s Project Malachi

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    James Latham and Garnica support Salvation Army’s Project Malachi

    Project Malachi in London is The Salvation Army’s latest homeless accommodation initiative, and the first of its kind to target rough sleepers who have No Recourse to Public Funds. James Latham Ltd and Garnica Plywood have stepped up to support this landmark homeless accommodation with the provision of Duraply for the project’s external requirements…

    Duraply supplied by Lathams fro Project Malachi provides shelter for homeless in London

    While volunteering for the Salvation Army, trainee architect George Fisher noticed a need for some outdoor social spaces for the residents to relax, connect and enjoy being outside. Out of this need came Project Malachi – a pop-up hostel consisting of 42 units, creating a welcoming, friendly and safe refuge for those needing to use its accommodation and services.

    Timeframes around the project were tight, so building with agility was crucial. This led to the project’s lead designer, Fisher, collaborating with U-Build, a pioneering contractor dedicated to simplifying construction processes through sustainable, volumetric and modular construction methods. Alongside Project Malachi’s homeless residents, U-build and George Fisher developed a pioneering flatpack outdoor social space concept.

    flatpack design for Project Malachi for homeless in London using Duraply from Lathams

    Image credit: Lathams / Project Malachi

    Significantly, the use of U-build’s innovative volumetric construction system rapidly accelerated the design and build process, This meant each individual structure could be easily and conveniently built, even if those volunteering to construct the shelters had little construction experience. Importantly, it kept the process inclusive for homeless residents wanting to contribute to the design and build of the structures.

    To meet the demands of the spec, ensuring there was no compromise on performance yet keeping costs to a minimum, choosing the right materials was crucial. Despite being easy to assemble and install, Fisher and U-Build had to ensure the durability of the social structures so they could be used and enjoyed by the community for years to come. This meant selecting products that not only looked visually appealing but could also withstand the elements, atmospheric urban pollution and constant occupancy.

    building materials from Lathams for flatpack shelter build in London

    Image credit: Lathams / Project Malachi

    Fisher had worked with leading materials distributor, James Latham Ltd (Lathams), on a previous Salvation Army project and was keen to do so once again. The Lathams team came on board to offer free support and consultancy for Project Malachi, as well as advice on a material solution that could meet the brief. Whilst it was agreed that plywood would provide the best option for the structure, making an immediate choice on brand proved trickier. However, a discussion between Lathams and premium, sustainable plywood brand Garnica during the specification phase proved fruitful. On hearing about the initiative, and the challenge, the supplier was keen to be involved, and agreed to support the product cost of the materials needed. This has resulted in the donation a significant amount of external grade plywood required for the construction of the new outdoor structures, particularly 150m2 of Garnica’s high-performance poplar Duraply.

    “The project required highly-resistant but easy-to-work and cost-effective materials to ensure maximum value from the charity’s investment,” said Stuart Devoil, Lathams’ Group Head of Marketing. “Garnica is the perfect solution, embodying all these attributes and more. Seeing these units complete and the space open for occupancy is fantastic and it was a great privilege to be involved in an activity that will enrich and enhance the community.”

    Excellent value, exceptionally attractive and with an external warranty of 15 years, Garnica Duraply perfectly dovetailed with the project’s requirements.Its durability, achieved through its proprietary production and treatment techniques, makes it suitable for outdoor use, even in the most demanding conditions, being able to withstand moisture, insect, and fungal damage.

    Entirely composed of sustainable plantation Poplar wood, Duraply’s lightness, surface quality, and ease of machining made it the ideal choice. Simple to fabricate offsite and install on-site, the construction phase of the project was fast-paced, with all shelters assembled and installed within three days. During this time, Fisher led local volunteers and hostel residents in the assembly of the flat pack structures. Despite varying levels of confidence and experience they worked together as a team to get the structures built to a high-quality finish.

    Project Malachi’s new outdoor seating areas have achieved a friendly, communal atmosphere and a safe space for the residents to relax and socialise.

    Lathams 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: Lathams /Project Malachi

    green Bilbao chair by Tim Rundle for Morgan

    Morgan launches Bilbao by Tim Rundle

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    Morgan launches Bilbao by Tim Rundle

    Morgan, British furniture designer and manufacturer, has unveiled its latest collection to coincide with London Design Week . Designed by Tim Rundle, Bilbao is a contemporary and curvaceous tub chair, offering a generous sitting space amongst plump, pebble-like cushions…

    green Bilbao chair by Tim Rundle for Morgan

    Industrial Designer Tim Rundle, in collaboration with Morgan Studio sought to create a chair with a solid, yet sensuous presence, being fully upholstered and planted on the ground. Through its luxurious soft forms, Bilbao evokes a retreat-like atmosphere in commercial spaces, including hospitality, cruise and workplaces. The chair combines crisp defined edges with gentle, organic surfaces, reminiscent of the Frank-Gehry designed museum in the Northern Spanish city after which it is named. This marks Morgan’s second collaboration with Rundle, having launched their first collection, Rakino, together in 2019.

    Morgan’s production team pushed the boundaries of the upholstery process to create Bilbao. While the forms of the chair are ones normally associated with highly industrial techniques, the team achieved the soft organic shapes in cut foam, a considerably more hand-made process, which provides greater control.

    “I have a strong interest in how historical furniture typologies evolve over time, and this sits well with Morgan’s collections, which encompass both classic and contemporary aesthetics,” said Rundle. “While Rakino captured the evolution of a chair type born from mid-twentieth century Scandinavia, Bilbao pays homage to 1920’s Central Europe. In designing furniture, we acknowledge that we are evolving existing typologies. However, we always ensure our new pieces are fully contemporary in their attitude, with a reductive approach to detailing and strong consideration of mass production.”

    To celebrate both the 30th anniversary of Morgan, and the 20th of London Design Festival, the studio will be hosting a ‘Celebration of Design Excellence’ in its Clerkenwell showroom, where you will be able to view the Bilbao collection alongside the ‘Offcuts’ art installation by British artist Olly Fathers plus lighting by Bert Frank.

    Morgan 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: Morgan

    wood panelling and oil paintings above the fireplace in the commons club bar in Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

    How the design of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh came to life

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    How the design of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh came to life

    Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the first Virgin Hotels property outside the USA, designed by architecture and interior design studio Ica, has recently opened its doors. The Ica team’s heritage know-how, combined with their creative talent and hospitality expertise, led to a design that was able to unlock the viability of this challenging city-centre site…

    wood panelling and oil paintings above the fireplace in the commons club bar in Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

    In an area of the capital renowned for its varied topography, picturesque medieval streets, closes and wynds and diverse architectural character, Ica’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 structural design developed by the studio 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. Ica’s design, together with Shoreditch-based design studio Four-by-Two, provides for dramatic public spaces, rooftop gardens and cosy bedrooms, creating a bold contrast between old and new, light and dark, modern and traditional.

    modern light fitting contrasts with traditional panelling on staircase of Virgin Edinburgh

    Image credit: Virgin Hotels

    In working with existing buildings, every project has its inherent quirks and there are always challenges. However, the key to a successful refurbishment is careful planning, creativity, and lateral thinking. Ica have mastered the art of ‘expecting the unexpected’ and are 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.

    An intricate design solution for the new build exterior façade was embraced, creating layers and depth. Skilled at working within the existing topography and with local Planning and Historic Environment Scotland guidance, Ica’s exploration of potential design solutions, along with a detailed understanding of the local Old Town character produced a bold, yet sympathetic design, which allows the new hotel to blend seamlessly into Edinburgh’s distinct topography and roofscape. Sandstone was used to allow the new build elements to sit harmoniously with neighbouring buildings, while showing glimpses of modern detailing in the stonework, gables, windows, and rooflines. Balconies were partially hidden, wrapped in glazing with a printed sandstone image, allowing light into the rooms, while presenting a discreet stone outer skin to the street.

    glass rotunda a seen from below in the atrium of the Virgin hotel Edinburgh

    Image credit: Virgin Hotels

    The interior, however, is anything but hidden. Collaborating with the Virgin Team, Ica’s interior designers brought the brand’s playful concepts to life, designing for Edinburgh’s past and future and creating joy in the unique spaces that the Virgin brand offers within both the listed and new build elements of the building. The existing grandeur of the exterior extends into the interior design to enhance the features of the listed buildings while anchoring everything in the signature Virgin experience. Original features were retained – a beautiful domed glass rotunda with authentic decorative cornicing captures the eye as you arrive at the atrium, a modern take on a classic library and beautiful timber panelling is retained and extended within the ground floor public bars and restaurants.

    stonework and velvet in eclectic mix in commons club restaurant in virgin hotel edinburgh

    Image credit: Virgin Hotels

    In combining the old with the new, more contemporary design features were sprinkled throughout the hotel to inspire wonder and awe: a glass-panelled corridor leading to the reception area, a very modern ‘scarlet lounge’ sitting within a very traditional corniced room and the exposed stone in the Commons Club restaurant combined with eclectic lighting and artwork bring a playfulness to the public spaces.

    “Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is our first hotel outside the US so it had to be special,” said Teddy Mayer, Vice President Creative Director, Virgin Hotels. “We’re thrilled with the design Ica delivered. Edinburgh’s character and Virgin’s signature brand are strikingly reflected in both the interiors and exteriors”.

    bed and textiles in neutral tones in junior suite with pops of virgin hotel red in the fridge

    Image credit: Virgin Hotels

    Sheltering 222 guestrooms, the luxury Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites are combined with a variety of bars, restaurants, and private dining spaces at street level enlivening both Victoria Street and Cowgate and opening out onto re-established closes, a semi-public external courtyard and a stylish new rooftop garden sanctuary, showcasing unobstructed views of Edinburgh Castle and Greyfriars Kirkyard. The Chambers themselves combine sophisticated neutral tones and pops of bright red colour, faithful to Virgin’s signature brand.

    wooden table and low lighting in Commons Club kitchen

    Image credit: Virgin Hotels

    The brand’s flagship Commons Club restaurant and bar, a show kitchen, and Funny Library all opened as part of the first phase launch. The second phase will see the opening of Greyfriars Hall – a 19th-century church repurposed as a special event venue, Eve – all-day dining and late-night entertainment space at Cowgate and a roof terrace garden with dramatic views over Edinburgh Castle and across the Old Town.

    For the team at Ica, the new Virgin Hotel 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 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: Virgin Hotels

    LUX better hands rubbing against a surface

    Design & wellbeing: how to stimulate wellness through touch

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    Design & wellbeing: how to stimulate wellness through touch

    In the second article in an exclusive ‘wellness series’ with Hotel Designs, interior designer Wren Loucks, CEO and Creative Director of Be-kin, explores the role of touch and tactility when creating more meaningful and textured hospitality spaces…

    LUX better hands rubbing against a surface

    When I walk into a space, as well as opening my ears, I like to run my hands over the walls and countertops, to rub the curtain fabric, slip my finger over the contours of objects, and take off my shoes – I prefer to walk barefoot inside, so I can take in each nuance of the floor.

    In doing so, I have a sensory rich experience. I learn more about my own sensory preferences, such as how certain materials make me feel – connecting physically to environments is also grounding.

    Choosing, Upholstery, Fabric, Color, And, Texture, From, Various, Colorful, Samples

    Image credit: Be-kin

    “Our own fingertips are among nature’s most sensitive touch organs. They allow us to weld tools with fine precision, to read patterns of raised dots when our vision is impaired, and to control screens with taps, swipes, and touches. Their sensitivity depends on mechanoreceptors—cells that respond to light tactile stimulation.” (An Immense World, by Ed Yong).

    How the brain reacts to touch

    When we touch something, it sends sensorial information to a region of the brain called the somatosensory cortex. It then connects the information to other regions of the brain, to process the sensory information. For those with visual impairments, this information is particularly important – tactile paving, braille and the use of different materials can help immensely with wayfinding.

    Human brain in body with highlighted postcentral gyrus, 3D illustration. It is located in the lateral parietal lobe, the primary somatosensory cortex, and is responsible for the sense of touch

    Image credit: Be-kin

    Touch is an incredible source of intelligence. Therefore, I feel upset when I hear of design studios converting their sample libraries into digital libraries. Think about what information is lost when we deprive our senses of tactile information. The argument for a digital sample library is often that the studio has too many samples to keep, and that its better for the environment not to have physical samples—so then why not be more intentional about what materials you work with? Have stricter procurement strategies. Have less, but create richer, multi-sensorial design experiences.

    G&G Shoreditch inside One Hundred Shoreditch

    Image credit: The art inside One Hundred Shoreditch has been designed so that vistors can touch the sand-like grains. | Image credit: Lore Group

    Designing spaces to touch

    I love creating spaces with a variety of different textures, which align to my clients’ preferences.

    I think about:

    • Rough vs. soft materials (e.g., hessian vs. silk)
    • Cool vs. warming materials (e.g., concrete vs. wool)
    • Raised vs. smooth (e.g. tadelakt vs. lacquered walls)

    Indoor plants are another wonderful way to introduce texture and can be incredibly supportive to mental wellbeing. Caressing plants can help manage PTSD and anxiety.

    Describing a military veteran who shares how touching plants helped him manage PTSD, Samantha Walton wrote in Everybody Needs Beauty: In Search of the Nature Cure: “His own hands shake as he demonstrates a technique that he found helpful for coping with dissociative episodes. Holding a leaf between his fingers, he traces its web of veins, holding It up to the light to see the delicate matrix of green and yellow revealed by the sun,” she said. “It is an exercise in paying attention, in becoming conscious of life beyond our own that carries on its processes of creation and destruction regardless, an in his most desperate states he found it both comforting and captivating.”

    Blind man reading book written in Braille, closeup

    Image credit: Be-kin

    As our world speeds up through new technologies, AI, and more pressure to be engaged with the metaverse, more than ever do we need to create sensory rich, tactile environments, to ground us and help offset anxiety.  Each one of us will have our own tactile preferences, which are built up over a lifetime of memories and associations with different materials. Your wardrobe and the type of bed linen you buy, is a good clue into your instinctive preferences. Spend time exploring this, remain curious, and have fun with it.

    Main image credit: Be-kin

    organic gold wine rack wall by Corbello Loxstone against green plant print wallpaper

    Product watch: cover your walls with wine

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    Product watch: cover your walls with wine

    Corbello Loxstone has ventured out the box, creating bespoke wine pegs and combining a wine storage solution with the creativity and finish of a feature wall…

    organic gold wine rack wall by Corbello Loxstone against green plant print wallpaper

    The subject of wallcoverings can conjure up an exhaustless list from paint colours, wallpaper patterns and prints, wood textures and panelling through to luxuriously tactile surfaces such as leather and velvet – but Corbello Loxstone have taken a fresh look at wall covering as a storage solution.

    The Corbello Loxstone wine pegs, or pins, provide a designer option that typically occupies minimal space, while effectively and beautifully displaying a wine collection of any size. A wine wall gives a dedicated storage space to your wine collection while transforming it into a stunning and beautiful focal point.

    a feature wine peg wall by Corbello Loxstone

    Image credit: Corbello Loxstone

    With the design world continually evolving and changing, with designers striving for a new and unique idea, wine pins allow creativity to combine with practicality along with a limitless application of design. Let those creative juices flow, as the flexibility of wine pins allows you to diversify and rethink the way you organize and showcase a wine collection. Wine pins create instant impact on a wall, drawing the eye and can be integrated into a room incorporating factors such as spacing, lighting, mirrors and other design considerations. They can be used to brighten up a small wall space or as a main feature on a large wall. Wall-mounted wine storage can be seamlessly incorporated with existing décor or added to spaces between current storage cabinets.

    geometric wine display on wall using corbello loxstone wine pegs

    Image credit: Corbello Loxstone

    As space is not an issue with wine pegs, this allows for a flexibility when incorporating wine storage into an interior scheme. It can be incorporated into a room, or used to divide spaces and rooms. Use the installation as a focal point in an entrance or lobby, as a creative storage solution. Call it a wine wall, a wine room, a wine space, a wine cellar, a wine display, a wine cabinet or whatever you like, use wine pegs, wine racks or wine holders, there is just one rule: it should be a beautiful showcase for a cherished wine collection.

    Corbello Loxstone 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: Corbello Loxstone

    portrait Scott Lee principal at SB Architects

    In conversation with: Scott Lee, President & Principal, SB Architects

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    In conversation with: Scott Lee, President & Principal, SB Architects

    SB Architects has announced its merger with international brands 10 Design and Egis. We caught up with Scott Lee, President and Principal of SB Architects to find out more about the merger and the path forward…

    portrait Scott Lee principal at SB Architects

    A full-service global architecture firm, SB Architects is a name that has become synonymous with international hotel and hospitality design for almost 60 years. With impressive pipelines, and a list of clients and projects that reads like a luxury hotel bucket list, from immersive escapes in Costa Rica, to ambitious snow clad ski resorts in North America, the firm has now taken a decisive step into a future, that is all about collaboration, and strengthening an already impressive global offering.

    aerial view of Conrad Punta de Mital resort by SB Architects

    Image credit: SB Architects

    Hotel Designs: What prompted the merger? Why now?

    Scott Lee: Over the last 20 years, SB Architects has done an incredible job at expanding the brand – with multiple offices, across multiple countries – but this merger offered us the opportunity to grow at a scale that would take us a long time to achieve organically. With Egis and 10 Design, the potential to accomplish our goals, and evolve SB Architects has been accelerated. We can expand, increase the quantity and quality of our design, and successfully compete on a global stage with the large-scale, big players in the design world.

    HD: What sort of opportunities does the merger present to SB Architects for its next phase of growth?

    SL: So many opportunities – more resources, more support, and ultimately, growth.

    10 Design has excellent design talent across its various global offices and a complimentary portfolio of award-winning work. In terms of growth, we’re instantly becoming part of a team of over 280 incredibly talented people, and without the merger, that’s not something we could achieve organically any time soon. With a global footprint, 10 Design currently has a solid presence in regions where we’ve had some success, but no huge surge, such as Asia and the Middle East. It’s been incremental, as opposed to exponential, but this merger provides us with the opportunity to soar.

    10 Design is an exceptional firm, with a coveted portfolio, but, if we look at this on a human level, the reason this opportunity was attractive to us at face value was the people. They’re great people. When we first began this process, we were vetting the tangible aspects, of course, but also the intangibles. I flew to Paris to meet the team and knew it would be a short conversation if it wasn’t a good fit, but instantly, we could imagine ourselves working side-by-side with the team.

    Dorado Beach designed by SB Architects

    Image credit: SB Architects

    HD: Why have you chosen to merge over a succession plan?

    SL: We approached our transition from an organic viewpoint, making our best, homegrown talent, owners. Each owner was folded into the conversation regarding a merger, and it was discussed as a team prior to making any final decisions. This merger was supported 100% by our entire ownership team, which made it much more meaningful and allowed us to present the next chapter of SB Architects to the wider team with full support. Merging has, and will, allow us to increase our talent, our reach, and our portfolio. It was the absolute best decision for SB Architects.

    HD: Will SB Architects grow into other markets with Egis?

    SL: We will look for opportunities to bring our hospitality expertise to projects that make sense as we continue to develop a synergistic relationship with all practices under the Egis Group. We’ve become part of Egis specifically to help build its premium architecture line. Hospitality is our sweet spot and moving too far away from that will only dilute our brand and confuse the market and our clients.

    HD: Is there a hospitality synergy between SB and 10 Design?

    SL: There are, 10 Design has designed and delivered numerous large-scale mixed-use projects, which comprise hospitality as well as other development components including retail, entertainment, office, and more, across Asia and the Middle East. With SB Architects’ in-depth market knowledge in the US, we can bring 10 Design’s expertise into the region and collaborate jointly on mixed-use hotel opportunities. Likewise, with 10 Design’s strong presence in Asia and the Middle East, they can reciprocate by opening doors for SB Architects to get into the hospitality sector in those regions.

    HD: Will the leadership change? What are the opportunities for the next generation of leaders in SB Architects?

    SL: No, the leadership team will remain the same. I will remain the President, and we will still have the same Principals, Associate Principals, and senior team members. The only difference is that there is more opportunity for growth in the larger collective of firms.

    Opportunity-wise, there is so much room for growth now, not just in their careers, but geographically. We’re now part of a bigger firm, with multiple offices across the globe, in regions where we may not have had a chance to fully explore. It opens the prospect of travel for our team. If they wanted to go and work from Edinburgh, Singapore, or Hong Kong, they can, and they can do it whilst staying with us and continuing their career.

    HD: Will SB Architects retain its presence as a hospitality design leader?

    SL: Yes, we will absolutely retain our presence as a hospitality design leader, but now, that presence will be enhanced. I know this because we chose to merge as SB Architects was on a steep uphill trajectory, we were already on the rise in terms of market penetration, global presence, and recognition, and that will continue with the merger acting as an accelerant.

    Calistoga Ranch, design by SB Architects

    Image credit: SB Architects

    HD: How does this affect current goals, projects, and partnerships?

    SL: It actually helped solidify our goals. During the due diligence process, Egis and 10 Design asked us some hard questions, and we took a hard look at our goals, taking time to define and refine, and we found that the answers to the questions around growth and expansion, aligned perfectly with theirs.

    When thinking about current projects and partnerships, we’re still doing exactly what we were doing a few months ago, the only difference is, now, we’re doing it with the support of a larger company. Our partnerships and client base are still the same. Coincidentally, a lot of our contacts are familiar with 10 Design and the fantastic reputation they hold in the industry.

    HD: Moving forward with the merger is there anything else to add in conclusion?

    SL: Yes, this merger is different from others that have happened in the industry. We’ve taken a deliberate, people-first approach to reassure our employees, clients, and collaborators, that the firm’s talent, culture, identity, and core values remain intact. We were lucky to be approached by a firm with similar principles. Egis and 10 Design are forward-thinking, people-first organizations that focus on acquiring and merging with bespoke brands and helping them grow, whilst maintaining their character, culture, and identity. They want us to stay bespoke because they understand that it’s one of the big reasons our clients come to us, and ultimately, why we’re successful.

    Finally, we’ve interacted with so many incredible people and companies across the globe during this process, with whom we’re thrilled to start collaborating regularly, particularly WWP (Weston Williamson + Partners); Director of Architecture Line at Egis, David Pringle; CEO of 10 Design, Ross Milne; Design Principal at 10 Design, Ted Givens; Deputy CEO – Sustainable Cities at Egis, Mickael Pinto; Executive Director Buildings at Egis, Thomas Salvant, and, CEO of Egis, Laurent Germain who is personally very passionate about us as a firm – where we’ve been, and most importantly, where we’re going!

    Main image credit: SB Architects

    Lutton rechargeable lamp by Northern Lights in Chucs St John's Wood

    Product watch: portable illumination by Northern Lights

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    Product watch: portable illumination by Northern Lights

    The Helios range of portable, rechargeable table lamps – shortlisted for The Brit List Awards 2022 in the Best in British Product Design category – presents a flexible lighting design solution within Northern Lights’ Signature Collection…

    Lutton rechargeable lamp by Northern Lights in Chucs St John's Wood

    The inspired lighting range, Helios by Northern Lights, challenges conventional ways in which spaces are typically illuminated, offering a unique solution that meets the growing demands in hospitality for flexible and adaptable guest experiences. The portable functionality facilitates a move beyond the traditional constraints of socket and electrical point locations, giving ultimate freedom in lamp positioning for maximum impact. It creates room for greater experimentation and allows interior designers and hoteliers to light unconventional and even awkward spaces with ease, to build ambience in the most creative of ways. The result is a lighting solution that can fluidly develop over time as the needs of both guests and spaces shift and change.

    The wire-free cordless design creates a sleek, uncompromised aesthetic. Each of the six designs feature either a brass base that can be finished in any of Northern Lights’ bespoke brass patinas, or opulent ivory alabaster. Shades range from solid old English brass domes and veined natural alabaster materials, to linen and pleated cotton drums in a variety of simple, elegant colours to complement any interior. An additional benefit to hotel staff is that shades can be removed quickly and effortlessly to access the rechargeable component within. The rechargeable mechanism remains hidden to maintain aesthetic integrity for a flawless, seamless finish.

    Ebury table lamp in Helios range by Northern Lights

    Image credit: Northern Lights

    With its deco-style influence, the Ebury combines turned and spun brass with richly veined ivory alabaster. With its brass dome shade, the Ebury design also benefits from IP44 rating making it suitable for outdoor use. This multi-function creates a fluid indoor-outdoor design connection between spaces; something that’s becoming increasingly important to design briefs and demonstrated by the rising demand for biophilic guest experiences.

    In another application, the beautiful and elegantly understated Lutton lamp is made from Italian cut brass pieces. The metal base can be finished in a number of unique brass patinas, including Light Antique and Old English Brass through to Rich Bronze. A 7-inch empire shade sits atop, available in Ivory Cotton Pleat, Oyster Linen or Glaze Sandstone.

    Cleremont mood light in Helios range by Northern Lights

    Image credit: Northern Lights

    The hybrid flexible lighting solutions combine next-generation rechargeable LED technology with luxury materials and British artisan craftsmanship. Lighting can be adjusted via remote control operation, with two brightness modes plus flicker mode for interchangeable ambience.

    LEDs require less watts to generate a high lumen output, turning up to 70% of electricity used into light rather than heat. This prevents fading and heat damage to both the shade and the surrounding décor, whilst giving better output efficiency and are considered a more sustainable choice. The removable LED component charges in 8-10 hours via modular charging trays that can be connected for volume charging. Each charge produces up to 12 hrs of illumination on full brightness and 26 hours on half brightness mode.

    The rechargeable LED technology within the Helios range can also be applied to a variety of bespoke lighting designs, giving interior designers and architects limitless design capabilities within any hospitality project. Through 35 years of lighting design and manufacturing expertise, Northern Lights focus on solutions that drive industry-shaping innovations, without compromising on luxury design principles. By uniquely blending rechargeable LED technology and smart multi-function control with custom metal finishes and artisanal craftsmanship, they’ve developed a game-changing range in the luminaire industry.

    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

    view across Madrid from roof terrace suite at Thompson Madrid

    Thompson opens its doors in Madrid

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    Thompson opens its doors in Madrid

    The opening of the first Thompson Hotels branded property in Spain marks a significant milestone for Hyatt as it continues to grow its luxury and lifestyle portfolio. We stepped inside Thompson Madrid to have a closer look…

    view across Madrid from roof terrace suite at Thompson Madrid

    The highly anticipated Thompson Madrid, the first Thompson Hotels branded property in Spain, has opened its doors, setting an inspiring new standard for modern luxury stays in the city. The 175 key hotel is a celebration of thoughtfully curated style and global sophistication with an authentic Madrilenian flair, delivering an exciting destination for travellers looking to immerse themselves within the vibrant Spanish capital.

    Featuring three signature dining venues, well-appointed spaces with curated design elements and architecture evocative of Madrid’s unique heritage, Thompson Madrid has embraced the identity of its location. Guests are invited to experience all that the city has to offer through creative spaces, unapologetically bold interiors and elevated gastronomy.

    Located on Calle De La Montera, which connects the city’s famed main square, Puerta del Sol, to the theatres, cinemas, and boutiques of the lively Gran Via Street, Thompson Madrid is housed in two historic buildings and is a dynamic and refined home base for guests to explore the authentic character of the city. The buzzing neighbourhoods of Malasaña, Chueca, and Madrid’s historic city centre are within walking distance of the hotel, and a diverse selection of galleries, museums, culinary delights, and cultural landmarks are on every corner.

    “We are excited to welcome guests to Thompson Madrid and invite them to immerse themselves into the culture of the city, which can be found inside and outside the walls of the hotel,” said Carlos Erburu Zazpe, General Manager, Thompson Madrid. “Inspired by Madrid’s nearby ‘Kilometre Zero’, which marks the spot all distances in Spain are measured from, all journeys start in Madrid and all authentic Madrilenian experiences for our guests begin in Thompson Madrid.”

    freestanding black bath in the guestroom at Thompson Madrid

    Hyatt Hotels / Thompson Madrid

    The hotel’s rich design is reflective of traditional architecture found across Madrid while embodying Thompson Hotels’ recognizable sense of a contemporary, elevated residence. Madrid-based López y Tena, LYTA Interior Design & Arquitecture Studio created interiors that echo the sights, sounds and flavours of the city. Leather, marble and wood accents are elegantly layered to contribute to the sense of timeless design, integrated with ultramodern and sophisticated amenities. The result is a refined escape that remains rooted in its surroundings.

    Evocative and warm details run throughout the hotel’s guestrooms and suites, where floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces invite guests to absorb the city’s ambience. A signature penthouse suite encompasses two stories and offers stylish and spacious living and dining areas, a bespoke bar and an expansive and enviable private balcony that boasts panoramic views of Madrid.

    As an artistic epicentre, Thompson Madrid honours the transformative energy of its local culture. ‘Con la cultura por Montera’ the hotel’s motto, celebrates the dynamic impact that design, music, art, fashion and gastronomy have on Madrid, affirming Calle De La Montera as the heart of the city’s creative community. With this motto in mind and leaning into the Thompson Hotel’s Culture Lives Here platform that celebrates the brand’s passion for elevating noteworthy creatives, the hotel is collaborating with exciting culture shifters to express their meaningful impact on Madrid’s culture.

    Artist Nicolás Villamizar, known locally as ‘Ä’, is renowned for his organic and avant-garde compositions that are inspired by Renaissance paintings. He will be creating exclusive pieces of artwork for Thompson Madrid inspired by the city and the hotel including pieces of art adorned across the property, as well as a limited-edition map given to guests at check in, reinforcing the message that culture lives within Thompson Madrid’s walls.

    Additionally, fourth generation Chef Nino Redruello serves as the property’s culinary culture shifter, bringing the perfect combination of traditional Spanish offerings with an innovative twist to Thompson Madrid. Through Chef Nino, the property will deliver the art of gastronomy, reflecting a daring and unconventional experience through dishes including sour soup with grilled crab and zucchini, sole with black garlic menier and mushrooms and baked quail in bread crust.

    OTEYZA, the local contemporary sartorial couture brand that is deeply rooted in Madrid´s cultural and fashion community, will extend the Culture Lives Here platform into Europe by bringing their Spanish craftsmanship to Thompson Madrid. This joint effort will bring the modern Madrileño spirit to life from within the property as a selected number of their one-of-a-kind hand-made pieces specially designed for the hotel will be displayed in key areas of the hotel.

    Thompson Madrid’s three signature dining venues all celebrate the passionate heritage of the city’s gastronomy. The hotel’s all-day bakery and bistro, located at street level and open to guests and visitors, The Omar, merges mid-century modernism with industrial open plan spaces, inviting guests to sample artisanal patisserie and seasonal, light bites. While taking in a unique view of Madrid’s landscape from above, guests can discover authentic cuisine and carefully crafted cocktails at Thompson Madrid Rooftop. Alongside the panoramic city views, guests can also enjoy the ambience and beauty of the nearby infinity pool.

    Lobby inside Thompson Madrid

    Image credit: Hyatt Hotels / Thompson Madrid

    When the fiesta spirit takes over, guests, visitants and tourists can follow the whispers to a hidden speakeasy style bar, Hijos de Tomás, which is planned to open this fall. This upscale and intentionally intimate drinking den offers an inventive cocktail menu and live piano music to ease visitors into the evening.

    In addition, the hotel shelters  six individual event venues. Each space is designed to encourage creative thinking and connection, featuring contemporary, locally influenced interiors evoking the inspiring spirit of Madrid. With capacity for up to 321 guests, delicious food and beverage and state-of-the-art tech amenities, the hotel’s collection of venues is an exciting option for any kind of event, from social gatherings to a bustling business function.

    The hotel rooftop provides guests with a place to unwind and lounge in or around the glittering outdoor infinity pool that features a hydromassage system, set against a backdrop of Madrid’s unrivalled skyline. An open-air courtyard, hilltop residential-style bar and destination day club provide further opulent spaces from which guests can soak up the atmosphere, alongside a 24-hour boutique fitness centre that incorporates the latest, cutting-edge equipment.

    As well as providing the expected amenities of luxury hotel living, Thompson Madrid is positioned as a cultural institution and offers guests exclusive access to experiences across the city, including tours, art exhibitions and concerts.

    Main image credit: Hyatt Hotels / Thompson Madrid

    velvet seating, wood and foliage in the atrium on The Ned Nomad

    First look: inside The Ned NoMad in Manhattan

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    First look: inside The Ned NoMad in Manhattan

    As the first Ned to open in North America, Soho House Design collaborated with Stonehill Taylor on the interior design and architecture of the members’ club and hotel, The Ned NoMad. Influenced by the sensation of the Swinging 50s and 60s glamour, the inspiration of the design comes through the space. We stepped inside the beautiful Beaux-Arts building to have a closer look..

    velvet seating, wood and foliage in the atrium on The Ned Nomad

    The Ned NoMad’s design concept was broken down into three pillars. Originally erected in 1903, the Johnston Building serves as the first pillar. The building was female-owned, which was rare during this time period, and boasts a beautiful limestone façade, a glamorous and expensive finish for the 1900s. A second pillar is the building being a storefront and office for an array of different disciplines in the 1920s, from construction, power, and electrical to publishers, textiles, and embroidery. The Golden Age of Music is the third design pillar, dating back to the 1920’s glamour and the Tin Pan Alley era of music, drawing on a wealth of different periods in time, and combining various cultures, sounds and styles, continuing to evolve into the 1950s and 1960s.

    Architecture and Interior Design firm Stonehill Taylor have a history with this building having previously converted the Johnston Building, from offices and wholesale shops to the famed NoMad Hotel in 2012. To honour the historic property that was built in 1903, original architectural features and details are prominent and serve as decorative elements that inform the interior design. To brighten up the spaces and provide visual continuity, new lighting was incorporated as well as several new custom-made mosaic floors.

    mosaic floors, artwork and chandeliers in the hotel reception of The Ned NoMad

    Image credit: The Ned NoMad

    The reception area celebrates the space’s original and intricate ceiling features while blending the Beaux-Arts style with a classic feel. Paying homage to the building’s past, the design team kept the original flooring in the reception area. This space is decorated with vintage pieces, and the embossed leather pattern on the reception desk is reminiscent of the Manhattan street grid. Rich oak panelling with burl inserts contrast against polished plaster on the walls and ceiling. Inspired by the natural world and William Morris’s Arts and crafts, the space has been designed with chandelier lighting featuring glass shaped like leaves. The sheer café curtains create a sense of mystery from the outside, while William Morris designs hang in drapery, adding an element of playfulness against the darker timber panelling.

    velvet seating and contemporary art in the snug in The Ned NoMad

    Image credit: The Ned NoMad

    Located on the first floor adjacent to the hotel’s reception is the Ned’s Club Downstairs, a members-only place to eat, drink, socialise and relax. As members make their way to the Atrium, they are pulled in by a striking monochromatic mosaic floor, boasting a strong woven design
    inspired by Art Deco pattern-work. Wood panelling continues from the reception area and features bronze antique mirrored inserts, reflecting light and creating a shimmering, glamorous central club space. Centered around a stage underneath the Atrium, members can enjoy live entertainment in the lounge every night. A smaller section of the club, known as ‘The Snug’, features a custom wall mural, reminiscent of the New York City sunset colours, and surrounds a fireplace sourced from a French chateau.

    wood panelling and mirrors in Little Ned bar

    Image credit: The Ned NoMad

    As an original and beloved NoMad Hotel feature, the design team kept the NoMad Hotel’s Elephant Bar, stripping back the old dark panelling and replacing it with a lighter grey-blue polished plaster wall finish. Ned’s Club areas include the Club Bar, which is adjacent to the lounge, and the Library, a much loved feature of the original NoMad, a members-only quiet workspace by day and bustling bar by night. Completely transforming the space, the original floor has been stained darker creating a richer base, and the original dark timber shelving has been refreshed with an iconic sage green paint, reflective of the Ned’s signature green hue. The original LED lighting has been removed and
    replaced with modern table lamps, first edition books of which many came from the library collection at The NoMad, and accessories to style the shelves. Furniture styles throughout the space reflect pieces from London’s Ned with shimmering marbled velvets and rich, deep oak
    furniture pieces and vintage rugs that create a perfect ambiance for working and socialising.

    Neds Club dining room with

    Image credit: The Ned NoMad

    Inspired by the “Mad Men”-era, Ned’s Club Dining Room, a members-only restaurant adjacent to the lounge, features a slightly toned-down version of the Ned aesthetic and a Don Draper-style environment for socialising all day and night. The dining room has a glamorous 1960’s feel with dark finishes and curved coffers, reminiscent of Italian design. Panels of stained glass, with luscious hanging ivy and jasmine, are inspired by the restored storefront and pull in the city skyline. Green fluted leather dining chairs are beautifully accompanied by dark floral banquettes
    and burl wood tables, lit by oversized Murano glass pendants. The members’ restaurant is designed with lush, floral upholstery fabrics that are residential in feel, and wrap the perimeter seating in the space. The ceiling has been designed with mid-century form and fabric panels to
    soften the room. Striking grand crystal pendants hang from the ceiling while sheer café curtains provide privacy from 28th street and are held up with aged brass custom made curtain poles. For a moodier and dramatic feel, the central columns are wrapped in hexagonal panelling.

    bar top lighting below the mezzanine level in the Little Ned Bar - The Ned NoMad

    Image credit: The Ned NoMad

    Little Ned, a small bar space, features a first floor that is accessible to members and hotel guests, while the mezzanine level is for members only. The design team kept the existing floor that resembles the reception area. Little Ned has 1920s style booth seating with upholstery details
    carried over from the Ned London, finished in William Morris design and rich ‘Ned green’ velvet piping. Soho House Design and Stonehill Taylor added touches of new upholstery, fresh and more vibrant colour tones, and slightly more contemporary case goods to connect with the Ned NoMad’s aesthetic. The mezzanine upstairs boasts views of the Empire State Building and is equipped with Art Deco vintage furniture pieces.

    red panelled walls and piano in the The Magic Room at The Ned

    Image credit: The Ned NoMad

    On the second floor is one of the club’s most striking spaces: the Magic Room, an intimate,  members-only events space. The interiors play off of Art Deco 1920’s cabaret clubs with a stage and windows looking out to 28th Street on tin pan alley, bringing music back to this street during
    the shows. This room is now painted a striking red colour with an eye-catching marbled wallcovering paired with cosy club chairs. Sitting at the back of the room is the bar, designed with solid stone, silk lampshades and antique brass framework. Attached is an outdoor terrace for
    further seating with petite Murano glass lanterns overhead. Ned’s Club Upstairs includes a rooftop lounge and an outdoor terrace designed with a colour palette inspired by the New York City sunset, providing a lighter feel from the deeper spaces and colours of the lower Club floors. The interior spaces blend together pink polished plaster walls with rich golden upholstery tones, florals, mosaics, rich burl woods and Breccia Capria stone. Transitioning outside to the main roof terrace, the area is designed with a classic check stone floor. The fresh golden florals contrast against richer plum tones, cast iron, and stone tables. An array of largescale beautiful greenery in traditional, aged plant pots beautifully ties the space together. The roof includes a mix of seating for eating and drinking while looking out to the striking views of the city
    skyline. There is also an exclusive private dining space in the Cupola, the main feature of the Johnston Building, standing above the exterior as a beacon with a grand vintage chandelier.

    a yellow velvet couch and palm trees in the rooftop bar

    Image credit: The Ned NoMad

    Situated on the first floor to the left of the main entrance and open to the public is Manhattan’s first Cecconi’s restaurant, a sister restaurant to the Dumbo, Brooklyn location. Inspired by the restaurant’s signature style stripe, the design team created a custom floor with a mix of multicoloured Italian, palladiana style terrazzo insets, flanked with hand-chipped black mosaic, which pays homage to the original Johnston Building mosaic floors. The overall design concept is inspired by traditional Italian Trattorias, resulting in a light neutral gloss stepped ceiling and a gloss burl wood bar front. As guests enter the restaurant, they are welcomed by an aged iron Crittal style glass wall, reminiscent of an Italian villa garden. Upholstery styles are similar to the Ned London’s Millie’s banquettes and are mixed with classic Cecconi’s dining chairs. Striped linen columns are set against navy velvet banquettes, golden-yellow leather chairs, and a polished burl timber bar. This space also features wood-paneled walls, panels of stained-glass inspired by an old storefront, and a custom-designed curtain in William Morris fabric.

    Main image credit: The Ned NoMad

    DESIGN POD Sue Timney and The Water Tower in Kennington

    Why listen to the latest DESIGN POD episode on British design?

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    Why listen to the latest DESIGN POD episode on British design?

    That’s right, episode 22 of DESIGN POD, the podcast for all design and architecture enthusiasts, is all about understanding the fabrics – the DNA – of British design, with interior designer Sue Timney joining the sofa as a special guest. Editor Hamish Kilburn, host of the podcast, explains why you need to listen…

    DESIGN POD Sue Timney and The Water Tower in Kennington

    DESIGN POD is a design and architecture podcast that is all about adding context. Episode 22, sponsored by Minotti London, is no exception. With the aim to explore why Britain is a major design hub, we invited the legendary interior designer Sue Timney to understand how by going against the grain, and not being afraid to be on the extreme end of creativity, she was able to make a statement in the interior design arena on a global scale.

    “Let’s not forget the ’60s, because we broke out big time!” – Sue Timney speaking on DESIGN POD.

    In the latest episode of DESIGN POD, Timney sits back and reflects on the key moments in her career; the pivotal events and projects that allowed her to subtly and not to subtly showcase her style as a designer. The episode was about exploring why British design had such a strong position on the global design scene, but it became so much more than that. Together, we explored diversity, signature styles, boundless creativity, brand identity, designing with empathy and taking graffiti-style risks.

    Timney’s interior design studio, more than 30 years in perfecting, specialises in creating one-off interiors within unique architecture settings – an element that leading British designers and architects have always enjoyed most. This work combines residential and commercial projects that sensitively reference aspects of historical and contemporary design, resulting in uniquely accessible spaces. The Water Tower in Kennington, which was featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs in 2013, was a huge restoration and was a prime example of this creatively mentality. “I remember on the first day after saying yes, I was handed a credit card” she said laughing on the podcast. “I was told that there was no limit on the card, and that was terrifying to me. It was my nightmare, and I just became even more prudent than I would normally be to account for myself.”

    Like all true creatives, though, the designer has not been pigeon-holed into designing spaces. Timney, who recently became a judge for The Brit List Awards 2022, has also journeyed into the design and fashion arena. Following commissions from retail giants such as Marks & Spenser and House of Fraser, Kilburn wanted to understand what had to evolve in her creative process to design commercial items on a mass scale over the private and personal spaces she was accustomed to. “I had to think much more across the board [with these projects] rather than considering just what would appeal to one or a few people,” Timney explained on the podcast. “It was a different approach, and it was the perfect time for me because I was very secure in what my brand was, and it was refreshing to think about a new way to put my style across.”

    DESIGN POD will drop its next episode on September 19, which will welcome Matthew Balon, Head of Design at Ruby Hotels to explore the concept of ‘lean luxury’.

    Main image credit: Sue Timney/Hotel Designs/DESIGN POD

    art collection in The Other House upcycled by Bergman Interiors

    Bold brushstrokes: the art inside The Other House, South Kensington

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    Bold brushstrokes: the art inside The Other House, South Kensington

    Bergman Design House, the design studio behind the interiors of South Kensington’s hottest new address, The Other House, has created and curated a bespoke update of over 100 existing 18th century oil paintings, combining bold, bright colours and a sense of humour, breathing new life into the pieces while creating a cohesive scheme in every room…

    art collection in The Other House upcycled by Bergman Interiors

    The interior design narrative by Bergman Design House for The Other House draws on the local culture of South Kensington – a unique area brimming with art, design and tradition. The spirit of whimsy and English eccentricity was the starting point for property – guided by beguiling gardens, interesting architecture, the language of arches and the nearby Gloucester Road tube station. Framing the concept is the property’s truly unique art collection, the creation of Bergman co-founder and artist Marie Soliman, the works are a bespoke update of over 100 existing 18th century oil paintings.

    “I was honoured to be asked by Naomi Heaton founder of The Other House to create this very special collection as an extension of our interior design work for The Other House,” said Soliman, Bergman Design House. “Mirroring the property itself – which is a modern city oasis within a storied Georgian building – we opted for a handpicked selection by Melinda Ashton Turner of discarded 18th century oil paintings as a basis for the collection. The vision was to give these old treasures a very 21st century update through a rich and colourful paint ‘upcycle’ before blending them into each room scheme… and giving them a second chance at life!”

    The collection of over 100 original artworks which have become part of the design signature of the hotel, was carefully selected by Melinda Ashton Turner over several months across the UK and France’s many auctions, markets and antique shops to meet the brief. The updated pieces now proudly hang across The Other House, with highlights include a distinguished-looking gentleman in gold dollar-sign chains and a still life floral arrangement featuring a rainbow of geometric new stems.

    “Capturing the spirit of whimsy seen throughout our interiors, Marie’s imaginative upcycling of these vintage oil paintings, is completely in-tune with The Other House’s cool, eccentric, flamboyant aesthetic. They also perfectly reflect our firm commitment to sustainability. We are delighted with the result, as are our residents,” commented Naomi Heaton, CEO and Founder of The Other House.

    upcycled art in gold frames on a red wall in The Other House South Kensington

    Image credit: The Other House / Bergman Design

    The Other House concept, shaped through a residential lens rather than from a conventional hotel approach, brings a unique perspective to the hospitality sector. Created for those looking for flexibility and style and who embrace responsibility and slow travel, The Other House has established signature and sustainable vernacular spaces designed by Bergman Design House, in collaboration with founder Naomi Heaton, which convey elegance and authenticity that move away from a decade-defining aesthetic. The experience for guests focuses on ‘approachable luxury’ bringing the magic of London inside. The result? A voyage of discovery, a world that is fantastical and flamboyant, but relaxing and comforting in equal measure.

    Hotel Designs has loved being along for the ride on the design journey that has culminated in the opening of a bold statement by The Other House South Kensington and Bergman Design House – you can watch Part 1 of The Making of the Other House HERE, our exclusive concept-to-completion video series that takes you behind the scenes. Part 2, our second and final episode will be going live this autumn, so watch this space…

    Main image credit: The Other House / Bergman Design House

    new guestroom design by Sparcstudio for Sopwell House Hotel

    Sopwell House gets a further ‘sparc’ of creativity

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    Sopwell House gets a further ‘sparc’ of creativity

    Sparcstudio, an independent, creative design studio with a reputation for excellence in the spa, wellness, hotel and resort sectors, has developed a new design concept for guestrooms in the mansion house at Sopwell House. We stepped inside to get a cheeky look…

    new guestroom design by Sparcstudio for Sopwell House Hotel

    Following on from its design for the Sopwell House Mews Suites – an earlier for the design studio – Sparcstudio was enlisted for a new project, to create a fresh, wellness-inspired room category marketed as the ‘Chic’. Inspired by the natural themes and palette that Sparcstudio developed for the Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, the team has incorporated bespoke furniture and features stunning panelling and lighting all designed with comfort in mind.

    The brief was to create rooms with a contemporary glamorous country house feel that were both welcoming and restoring. The soft palette features a bright fresh feel with a lighting scheme designed to ensure that the rooms are still cosy on a winter’s night. Bespoke seating furniture is soft and curvaceous and includes lounge a chaise lounge with mohair cushions in pastel hues. This design note is also reflected in the backlit upholstered headboard.

    bespoke chaise lounge, headboard and lighting by Sparcstudio for Sopwell House

    Image credit: Sopwell House Hotel / Sparcstudio

    The furniture includes fluted timber detailing and contemporary panelling on the feature headboard and wardrobes. Sparcstudio commissioned bespoke lighting for each of the rooms which was manufactured by Northern Lights. The rooms also boast concealed LED fittings which softly illuminate the customised vintage tree mural wall coverings.

    “We are proud to continue our close partnership with the team at Sopwell House,” said Beverley Bays,  Co-Founder & Creative Director, Sparcstudio. “Having successfully completed projects in the Mews Suites and the Cottonmill Spa, it was natural for us to infuse this style into the new bedroom category. We developed this bedroom concept with the aim of creating a relaxed tranquil atmosphere that is all about comfort. Soft lighting and bespoke furniture create an element of contemporary luxury, which can offer cosy comfort on a cold winter’s evening.”

    furniture with fluted detail and bespoke panelling by Sparcstudio in guestroom at Sopwell House

    Image credit: Sopwell House Hotel / Sparcstudio

    “When we decided we wanted to create luxurious bedrooms within our historic mansion house there was only ever one design company we would possibly use, and we love their work,” said Rafi Bejerano, FIH MI, Owner, Sopwell House. “Sparcstudio have worked with us very successfully with the creation of the Mews Suites followed by the multi-award winning Cottonmill Spa. Perhaps just as importantly their attention to detail, patience and ability to understand our market and customers is as valuable. This was a complicated refurbishment with most bedrooms requiring bespoke design and creative use of space and furniture, and we are delighted with the results – as are our guests.”

    Known for delivering a number of award-winning creative projects over the past decade, the team of designers and architects at Sparcstudio offer a personalised, tailored service from conceptual design and space planning through to detailed design, specification, and on-site consultancy. With projects in the UK, Europe and around the world, the studio has a reputation for attention to detail and operational knowledge all of which is made visible in the guestroom designs and bespoke details in Sopewell House.

    Main image credit: Sopwell House Hotel / Sparcstudio

    proposed design for the parlour in Locke Kensington

    edyn announces sixth Locke in London

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    edyn announces sixth Locke in London

    edyn, the hybrid hospitality pioneer which has shaken up the extended stay sector, has announced the expansion of its lifestyle brand Locke with the acquisition of the NH hotel in London’s exclusive Kensington and Chelsea district. The hotel is being designed by London-based architects and designers Atelier Ochre, alongside interior design specialists House of Dré…

    proposed design for the parlour in Locke Kensington

    With conversion due to complete in June 2023, the property will be edyn’s sixth Locke in London, joining Kingsland Locke, Buckle Street Studios by Locke, Locke at Broken Wharf, Leman Locke, and Bermonds Locke. The acquisition adds further momentum to edyn’s growth in Europe, with new properties under development in Berlin, Zurich, Lisbon, and most recently in Munich with the opening of Wunderlocke in the city’s Sendling district.

    The aparthotel will shelter 121 apartments, ranging from studios to one- and two-bed open-plan living spaces. The lobby and common areas will be complemented by a bar, restaurant, co-working space, meeting areas, and private gardens. Prominently situated on the historic Cromwell Road, the hotel is in a neighbourhood rich with cultural diversions and is within walking distance of some of London’s most famous museums, including the Design Museum, the Victoria & Albert, and the Natural History Museum.

    guestroom design render for Locke Kensington by edyn

    Image credit: Locke Kensington

    “I’m very proud to announce edyn’s first acquisition in West London, underlining our commitment to our dynamic home market as we continue to build our presence across the city and broader Europe with all of our brands,” said Stephen McCall, CEO, edyn. “London remains one of Europe’s most desirable destinations, with demand for hotels in June hitting its highest level in almost three years.Locke’s innovative hybrid model, which blends apartment living with high concept design and a range of immersive cultural experiences, has proven its appeal across Europe and this acquisition marks the latest chapter in the brand’s growth story. edyn is perfectly placed to capture the growing demand for this type of hospitality, which has been fuelled by the post-pandemic recovery in travel demand, rising sustainability concerns, and a greater emphasis on the experiential aspects of travel. We are excited for the future and for our continued growth.”

    The mandate for both the architects and designers, Atelier Ochre and House of Dré, is to create beautiful, authentic, and liveable spaces for both hotel guests and the local community. Drawing inspiration from the iconic art deco style of Derry & Tom’s Department store and the golden age of Kensington, the design channels a glamorous mid-century aesthetic complete with ample green spaces and a carefully sequenced guest journey, with a contemporary approach which reflects the wants and needs of modern travellers.

    Main image credit: Locke Kensington

    seating and fireplace in the Scandic Helsinki Hub Coworking Lounge

    The latest from Scandic in downtown Helsinki

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    The latest from Scandic in downtown Helsinki

    Scandic Helsinki Hub has opened its doors in the Finnish capital. Located in downtown Helsinki, the hotel is housed in an impressive 1920s printing house that has been transformed into a large 352 guestroom hotel…

    seating and fireplace in the Scandic Helsinki Hub Coworking Lounge

    Scandic Helsinki Hub is strategically located at the crossroads of downtown Helsinki and the charming Helsinki south district. Vestiges of the former printing house have been elegantly preserved in the design by Franz Design throughout the building, and guests can choose accommodations that offer a variety of special features and unique experiences, including rooms with a private terrace overlooking the hotel courtyard and junior suites with large corner windows. Along with unique loft-style rooms, the hotel features inspiring event, meeting and coworking spaces along with a trattoria and bars.

    Image credit: Scandic Hotels

    “We are delighted to open a new hotel during a period when we’re seeing good development in the Helsinki region where activity levels have returned at our hotels,” said Aki Käyhkö, Head of Scandic Hotels Finland.”Scandic Helsinki Hub is a splendid addition to our existing hotel portfolio in the capital as both domestic and intra-Nordic leisure and business travellers are back in our hotels.”

    Scandic Helsinki Hub offers flexible meeting, event and coworking spaces. For larger gatherings, there is also a multi-level space with a 16 meter LED wall for larger, more extravagant happenings. The hotel’s restaurant, Trattoria II Centro, features Italian cuisine along with a selection of vegan dishes made with authentic Italian ingredients. Guests can enjoy these delights on the hotel’s atmospheric glassed-in terrace or at the bar that opens onto the courtyard.

    guestroom in the Scandic Helsinki Hub with view over the park

    Image credit: Scandic Hotels

    “We want to be a hub where people from all around the world can meet and spark new ideas,” said Outi Hanhijärvi, General Manager of Scandic Helsinki Hub. “We’re opening with a close to 100-strong international team and I’m extremely excited to welcome guests from all over to this fantastic hotel and extraordinary building.”

    As at all Scandic hotels, sustainability is a central part of Scandic Helsinki Hub. The hotel is ecolabeled according to the Nordic Swan Ecolabel’s new, tough criteria where, among other things, ecolabeled products and chemicals and 100 per cent renewable electricity, the absence of single-use disposables, reduced water consumption, a climate-friendly menu and reduced food waste formed the basis for certification.
    The principles of sustainable development have been the starting point for the hotel’s entire planning process. Many of the original elements have been preserved in the building and recycled materials such as plastic bottles and textile waste for furniture and carpets have been prioritized during procurement.

    Main image credit: Scandic Hotels

    aerial view of Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah

    Hilton opens its 600th property – Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah

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    Hilton opens its 600th property – Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah

    Hilton takes it’s flagship brand to Dubai’s world-famous island destination, opening its 600th property which joins 33 other properties in the UAE, Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, on Palm West Beach…

    aerial view of Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah

    Located on the popular Palm West Beach, the new Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, featuring 608 guestrooms and suites along with ten enticing culinary concepts, is poised to become one of the top leisure and events destinations in Dubai. Its island location makes it the perfect escape for couples, families, friends and solo travellers looking to enjoy sunset views, a temperature-controlled pool, event spaces, a tranquil spa and more.

    “Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah opens as an iconic addition to the world-famous palm shaped island and promises guests an exceptional beachfront resort experience as well as outstanding dining options,” said Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President, Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, Hilton. “We are delighted to bring our flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand to this prominent location on the Palm Jumeirah, adding to the choices Hilton offers for an incredible stay in Dubai, the world’s leading visitor destination.”

    Pool and sunbeds at the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah

    Image credit: Hilton Hotels & Resorts

    The hotel is home to several new dining concepts unique to the property including Zing Beach Bar which offers refreshing craft drinks and a wide selection of light bites at the water’s edge, and the cool, calm and connected SocialBee which features a delightful menu designed around locally-sourced honey. Mowsem, the hotel’s all-day dining destination, serves an exciting array of global cuisine, whilst Australian Jones the Grocer, located on the beach and already a favourite among residents, is the perfect breakfast spot for fresh and delicious artisan food.

    Launching later this year, Factory by McGettigan’s will become the ultimate neighbourhood hangout with its Irish charm, delicious artful drinks, sharing plates, and an ever-changing line up of live entertainment. Also on the F&B front, CLAW BBQ will dial up the Southern hospitality with mouth watering must-have grills, seafood, shakes and retro arcade games in a fun and vibrant setting. The renowned Trader Vic’s and Tahitian Village will launch just as the good weather returns and will serve up simmering plates of island-style cuisine alongside delicious and popular Mai Tais.

    Opening later this year, Barfly by Buddha Bar will be located on the 13th floor of the property, offering sunset views of the sea, Bluewaters Island, the glittering Dubai Marina skyline and the Palm Jumeirah. This restaurant, bar and lounge will boast an exquisite dining and drinking experience, set to a soundtrack of uplifting music mixed by talented DJs.

    Aside from the culinary experiences, the property offers one of the longest pools in Dubai, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and the award-winning eforea Spa that provides comprehensive relaxation experiences, eight well-appointed treatment rooms, a dedicated spa suite and a Moroccan Hammam for individuals and groups. For young guests, the Pirates Kids Club has an indoor and outdoor area, and a dedicated kid’s pool. The hotel will also feature a pristine private beach with breathtaking city views, daybeds and a range of watersports activities.

    Additionally, the property has several meeting and event spaces designed for all occasions, including the outdoor Ocean Terrace that can cater for up to 800 people – perfect for weddings and large events.

    “Across the world, Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties are located in sought-after destinations for guests who know that where they stay matters – and Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah is no exception,” said Leonard Gooz, Global Brand Head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “With its prime location on the spectacular Palm Jumeirah, the hotel provides guests with the ultimate vacation where they can enjoy beachside living, Hilton’s world-renowned hospitality and a memorable stay.”

    Hilton Hotels & Resorts marks its continued global growth by reaching its 600th property with the recent openings of Hilton Dubai Palm and Hilton Hiroshima. In addition to the latest milestone openings, the brand recently grew its all-inclusive footprint with the opening of Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort and Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort. Hilton Hotels & Resorts also debuted the largest hotel in Asia Pacific with the opening of Hilton Singapore Orchard and made its highly anticipated entry in the Maldives with Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa.

    Main image credit: Hilton Hotels & Resorts

    lobby design InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta

    InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta – a redesign in Southern style

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    InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta – a redesign in Southern style

    As the first major renovation since the InterContinental Atlanta’s inception in 2004, the property’s redesign by KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group was inspired by the pillars of Atlanta’s Southern roots – the state symbols of the peach, honeybee, and Cherokee rose – with stately architecture of the classic manor house woven throughout…

    lobby design InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta

    The sophisticated design of the 422 guestroom InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta invites a new chapter of luxury by elevating the hotel guest experience, while maintaining the warm Southern hospitality for which the property has long been known. The newly renovated great hall on the ground floor features iconic rose marble floors, memorable light fixtures, and oversized windows to capture the natural light coming in from the private outdoor garden. A carefully balanced combination of traditional meets contemporary, the space draws guests in with upholstery in tones of rose and red and lush plantings against a white setting, while a custom ceiling fixture showcases hundreds of hand-blown crystals.

    orange and pink seating in the hotel lobby of InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta

    Image credit: InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta / Mike Schwartz

    Large-scale abstract paintings by local mixed-media artist Niki Zarrabi adorn the walls, creating a mesmerising focal point. The check-in parlour is a beautiful complement to the lobby, featuring a quartzite countertop and a rose-and-grey toned rug as well as soft, white-coloured walls and stone flooring. When designing the ballrooms and meeting spaces, KTGY SDDG incorporated themes of elegance, culture, and serenity. Gray textured birds-of-paradise wallpaper accents the pre-function space, complemented by brass lanterns, large mirrors and custom floral displays that serve as added décor elements. Drawing inspiration from the locale’s southern roots and the honeybee state symbol, these public spaces offer a refined aesthetic with poetic purple wallcoverings and custom carpeting featuring a pattern that mimics the flight of a honeybee.

    The Club Lounge offers the contrast of ebony wood flooring against crisp white walls, in addition to eye-catching green accents throughout the space. Large rugs, inspired by the texturing of natural stone, decorate the floor with garden-like, flowing shapes in shades of green, grey, and charcoal.

    guestroom with statement bed

    Image credit: InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta / Mike Schwartz

    The Signature Suites are designed around the concept of the archetypal Southern Belle while the Presidential Suite reflects characteristics of the Southern Gentlemen. Rooms range from a Deluxe Room all the way to the Presidential Suite with five luxe options in between. Upon entering the suites, guests discover a space flanked by art and mirrors as well as an upgraded bathroom vanity, new flooring, custom living room and dining furniture as well as lighting.

    bathroom with artwork in the InterContinental Atlanta

    Image credit: InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta / Mike Schwartz

    The Signature Suites feature a soft palette of crisp whites, touches of warm taupe and a signature pop of jewelled emerald velvet, while the Presidential Suite is characterized by darker accent metals, wood texture and stone throughout with honey-toned finished floors, an upgraded fireplace and iron canopy bed.

    The state-of-the-art InterContinental Buckhead takes pride in its luxury progressive features while maintaining a classic hospitality approach for both business and leisure travellers alike.

    Main image credit: InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta / Mike Schwartz

    Robert Godwin, Managing Director, Lamington Group speaking passionately about truly sustainable buildings. | Image credit: Simon Callaghan Photography

    AHC 2022 puts levelling up on the agenda

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    AHC 2022 puts levelling up on the agenda

    The Annual Hotel Conference (AHC), one of the leading events for the UK hospitality investment industry, will be at Manchester Central Convention Complex on October 3rd and 4th, where the agenda is set to explore the concept of hotels as a catalyst for stimulating inbound investment in the UK…

    Robert Godwin, Managing Director, Lamington Group speaking passionately about truly sustainable buildings. | Image credit: Simon Callaghan Photography

    The conference plans to unite the public sector, hotel developers and investors to explore opportunities for all, and will investigate the direct and indirect economic and social benefits of hotels and the opportunities they present for local authorities and hotel investors.

    Real estate investors, when responding to Questex’s Q2 Investor Intentions Index, said they understood the opportunities and had a greater amount of capital to deploy in the hotel sector. However, increased building costs meant they were moving away from development in towns and cities that could benefit. In some regions, local authorities are now taking an interventionist role, partnering with private sector specialists to support the delivery of new hotel stock on a standalone basis of as part of a mixed-use scheme.

    As the Government’s Levelling-up agenda moves forward, there are increasing opportunities for both hotel developers and local authorities to boost communities through hotel creation. “Hotels are seen as a real symbol of urban generation and can have a really positive impact on promoting a destination and showing it’s open for business, attracting office occupiers and new residents, and of course tourists, whilst being able to hire locally and provide jobs, sourcing locally,” said Joe Stather, Market Lead for Questex’s Operational Real Estate portfolio, including the AHC. “That’s where the AHC plays a key role in terms of educating local authorities, in particular, in unlocking opportunities and bringing hotels, and their users, to those town and cities which have aspirations to build their domestic and international profile as we emerge from the pandemic.”

    The subject will be discussed in the session Levelling Up: Maximising the Social and Economic Impact of the Hotel Sector. An expert panel, including Jon Day, Operational Manager Tourism and Investment, Cardiff Council and Matt Walton, Senior Director Development, UK & Ireland, IHG Hotels & Resorts, will share their experience on the role of hotels as a catalyst for stimulating inbound investment and look at the type of hotel development for maximum impact.

    Those looking to find out how the public sector can partner with the private sector to deliver new hotel stock should attend How to Fill the Hotel Development Viability Gap? The session will feature Graham Dodd, Managing Director, Development UK & Ireland, Hilton, who has worked with local authorities to deliver a number of successful hotel schemes in the UK; Andy Townsend, CEO, Legacy Hotels & Resorts, who is operating the new Liverpool City Council-owned Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village and Iain Robinson of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council which owns Hampton by Hilton Stockton-on-Tees.

    Throughout the two days, sessions, featuring more than 90 industry-leading speakers and delivered as keynotes, panel discussions and one-to-ones, will cover pertinent topics across four stages – Vision, Collaboration, Innovation and Transformation – under the broad theme ‘Charting the Course’.

    Main image credit: AHC / Simon Callaghan Photography

    outdoor seating at Habitas Caravan Agafay overlooking pool

    Habitas prepares to set up camp in Morocco

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    Habitas prepares to set up camp in Morocco

    Rooted in the concepts of play, imagination and connection and inspired by Burning Man, Caravan Agafay marks the first of four Habitas properties due to open in Morocco. Here’s what we know…

    outdoor seating at Habitas Caravan Agafay overlooking pool

    Habitas, the rapidly growing global eco-hospitality group, will launch Caravan Agafay this Autumn, marking the group’s first presence in Morocco, and its second on the African continent. A stones throw from downtown Marrakech, Caravan Agafay will embrace nomadic Bedouin culture and traditions around communal living to create an immersive glamping experience for travellers seeking adventure, discovery, and human connection.

    camels and tents at Caravan Agafay Habitas in Morocco

    Image credit: Habitas

    Located in the Agafay Desert, known for its stark and expansive setting, and with the Atlas Mountains as a dramatic backdrop,  Caravan Agafay will span five hectares and feature 20 stylish Moroccan canvas wall tents, all drawing on local design traditions. A gourmet restaurant using locally sourced food products, two swimming pools, a horse and camel stable, outdoor cinema, yoga/wellness centre, and Habitas’ signature agora communal gathering spaces, will complete the offering.

    True to brand, Caravan Agafay is all about maximising the experience with minimal impact on the surroundings. The design takes inspiration directly from the Atlas Mountain and desert environment, and guests can fill their days and nights with horseback riding, camel trekking, desert survival skills, intimate music experiences, yoga and stargazing. Additional programming includes visits to local Berber communities supported by Habitas RISE, Habitas’ impact arm.

    Main image credit: Habitas

    dark green tiles and Kaldewei products in the bathroom at room2 Chiswick

    Kaldewei adds ‘luxstainability’ to the bathrooms in room2 Chiswick

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    Kaldewei adds ‘luxstainability’ to the bathrooms in room2 Chiswick

    Sharing a similar mindset and ethos, bathroom manufacturer Kaldewei was the perfect fit to work alongside the Lamington Group on the sustainable and eco-friendly room2 Chiswick hometel…

    dark green tiles and Kaldewei products in the bathroom at room2 Chiswick

    room2 Chiswick is the world’s first hotel that accounts for its entire carbon footprint making it ‘whole life net zero’. Alongside the sustainable and energy efficiency aspects, the hometel takes its design inspiration from the Arts & Crafts movement and rebellion against the homogenization of design. room2 Chiswick offers guests something that feels real, a space that ditches plastic veneers in favour of stonewashed linen, reclaimed timber, natural recyclable products, and handmade touches crafted by local artisans. Every facet of the hotel, from the furniture, fixtures, fittings, and carpets, have been selected because of the sustainability, attitude towards the environment and carbon footprint.

    The rooms are both quirky and stylish, functional yet friendly, a mixture of hand-crafted combined with state-of-the-art energy saving elements. There are 86 bespoke guestrooms and the ensuite in each is fitted with Kaldewei’s Cayonoplan shower surface plus waste system with matching cover. The Alpine white surface works perfectly with the elegantly designed bathrooms. The finish is extremely durable and can only be scratched by a diamond and stains can be easily removed.

     

    With a mutual focus on the environment, Kaldewei was the perfect partner for the room2 bathroom design – all Kaldewei products are manufactured from 100 per cent recyclable steel enamel, and last year the company took another step towards becoming a carbon neutral business; when it started manufacturing with bluemint Steel, a balance-oriented CO2-reduced steel which will lessen emissions by 70 percent.

    Kaldewei also has a long-term commitment with the WWF working with them in Vietnam on a project designed to prevent large amounts of plastic from entering the seas via rivers and canals in the Mekong Delta every year. room2 Chiswick was created with a similar mindset and ethos, embracing sympathetic technology to achieve pioneering energy efficiencies, some of which has been developed in house. Kaldewei has an extensive portfolio of over 600 durable award-winning steel enamel bathroom solutions, delivering the perfect sustainable material choice for any bathroom design with its versatile and flexible solutions. This combined with its commitment to sustainability made it the ideal bathroom solution for room2 Chiswick.

    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.

    Main image credit: Kaldewei / room2 Chiswick

    Ideal Standard achieves RoSPA Gold achievement level following Order of Distinction Award win

    Ideal Standard achieves RoSPA Gold achievement level

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    Ideal Standard achieves RoSPA Gold achievement level

    Ideal Standard, provider of innovative, design-driven bathroom solutions, is celebrating the win of its eighteenth RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Occupational Health & Safety Gold award and receiving RosPA’s prestigious Order of Distinction…

    Ideal Standard achieves RoSPA Gold achievement level following Order of Distinction Award win

    Organisations receiving a RoSPA Award are recognised as being world-leaders in health and safety practice. Every year, nearly 2,000 entrants vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in what is the UK’s longest-running H&S industry awards, and The Order of Distinction is awarded to companies gaining RoSPA’s Gold Achievement Standard level for more than 15 consecutive years.

    “This is a fantastic and well-deserved accomplishment,”said Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director.”All our award entrants demonstrate their unwavering commitment and passion for keeping people safe at work. By receiving this recognition Ideal Standard join like-minded businesses and organisations worldwide, who represent the very best in their approach to health and safety. I would like to add my personal thanks for all the work that it has taken to secure this well-deserved award-congratulations to all those involved, who champion and drive up Health and Safety standards every day.”

    bathroom in grey and white with Ideal Standard fittings

    Image credit: Ideal Standard

    “This incredible result is only possible with the commitment, teamwork and involvement of everyone,” commented Mike Kelly, HR Director at Ideal Standard UK. “We have achieved the Order of Distinction once again for our continued efforts to maintain the high standards of the Gold level over consecutive years, something we all should, and must, be proud of. This RoSPA Award is a great recognition and confirmation of our continued improvement by an independent organisation – well done to everyone involved.”

    Ideal Standard is a world leading manufacturer of high-quality residential, commercial and healthcare bathroom solutions. Headquartered in Brussels, Ideal Standard operates at nine manufacturing sites, serving over 100 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The bathroom manufacturer works exclusively with renowned Italian design studio Palomba Serafini Associati to combine expertly crafted, design-led products with high-performance technologies to lead the industry in aesthetics and performance.

    Ideal Standard is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Ideal Standard

    Designs sitting on sofas on rooftop of Ham Yard Hotel for roundtable discussion

    Roundtable: wellness & sensory experience in hospitality design

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    Roundtable: wellness & sensory experience in hospitality design

    For Hotel Designs’ latest roundtable, in association with GROHE, Editor Hamish Kilburn welcomed renowned designers onto the rooftop of Ham Yard Hotel to explore wellness hospitality in 2022 and beyond…

    Designs sitting on sofas on rooftop of Ham Yard Hotel for roundtable discussion

    Interior designers, architects and hoteliers have, for years, aimed to call out ‘well-washing’ in hotel design and hospitality. With the demand for wellness to be injected in, more or less, all touchpoints of a hotel experience – from the spa down to sensory design in public areas and the bathroom – the topic has been difficult to define in recent years.

    In order to make sense of the free-flowing subject, Hotel Designs, in association with GROHE X, brought together experts from the hotel design and hospitality landscape to explore the latest technology, materials and finishes in order to create a more holistic setting.

    On the panel: 

    • Kirstin King, Senior Project Designer, Muza Lab
    • Beverley Bayes, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Sparcstudio
    • Joey Goei-Jones, Senior Design Manager, IHG – premium brands
    • Eric Jafari, Chief Development Officer/Creative Director, edyn
    • Yi-Zhen Jones, Associate, Twenty2Degrees

    Starting off the conversation, Kilburn asked the designers how the buzzword of ‘experience’ was shaping design decisions in their own projects. Kirstin King, Former Design Director at Bergman Design House and now Senior Project Designer at Muza Lab, explained designs role when setting a scene. “In any design that we create, we’ve always tried to incorporate the wellness aspect of the interiors,” she said,” because the trends have moved towards the home-from-from [look and feel].” King went on to explain that design now is moving deeper into wellbeing properties, such as materials, finishes, colours, and so on.

    Closing in on what is a fairly broad topic, when discussing wellness in tomorrow’s hotel scene, sensory design became a key area of interest for the panel. Yi-Zhen Jones, Associate, Twenty2Degrees, believed it was a subtle way to inject sense of place. “It’s not something people necessarily notice,” she said. “it adds something unique; something they [guests] wouldn’t get anywhere else, and you get that sense of locality.”

    Adding context when it came to wellness under hotel brands, Joey Goei-Jones, Former Design Director at GDC Interiors who has recently become Senior Design Manager, IHG – premium brands, believed that wellness can be used to amplify more than just a look. “Some brands, for example, will have music as a core pillar, ” she explained. “So, when you walk in you are hit with an experience. This works for certain brands. Others, especially in the luxury sector, have their own scent.”

    It’s all well and good injecting sensory characteristics into a hotel project, but when it comes to brands, often cost and budget dictates how far designers and operators can go. Offering his perspective on this topic, Eric Jafari, Chief Development Officer, edyn, explained where the line should be drawn, which, in his words, meant questioning how meaningful the experience is for the end consumer.

    Filtering the conversation back into the spa territory, Beverley Bayes, Director, Sparcstudio, discussed how this multi-dimensional element in hospitality has helped to elevate holistic spa design and experiences. “Smell is so important,” she said. “As a spa designer, I would go as far to say that [properties] should undertake an aroma audit of their unit, because it’s such a flaw to design a beautiful spa without that element.”

    You can watch the full panel discussion over on the GROHE X platform. 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.

    Main image credit: GROHE

    artist Yinka Ilori outside the Bulgari hotel in London holding napkins designed for afternoon tea collaboration

    Afternoon tea with Yinka Ilori and Bulgari

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    Afternoon tea with Yinka Ilori and Bulgari

    Celebrating its 1oth year in London, contemporary Italian hotel Bulgari London, has commissioned the London-based British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori to reimagine the afternoon tea stand as a sculptural work of art…

    artist Yinka Ilori outside the Bulgari hotel in London holding napkins designed for afternoon tea collaboration

    Following the unveiling of The Bulgari Lounge’s recently refreshed interiors for the anniversary year, Bulgari Hotel London in Knightsbridge has launched a collaboration with acclaimed multidisciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori. The launch of the Yinka Ilori X Bulgari Hotel London Afternoon Tea on September 16 coincides with the opening of Ilori’s first institutional show at the Design Museum as the city prepares to celebrate London Design Festival and Frieze Art Fairs.

    colourful and patterned napkins designed for Bulgari London afternoon tea by artist Yinka Ilori

    Image credit: Bulgari London

    “We were drawn to Yinka for his obsession with colour, the distinctly optimistic spirit of his bold and contemporary work, and its celebration of the diversity of the capital,” said Kostas Sfaltos, General Manager, Bulgari London. “That celebration of colour draws a parallel with Bulgari’s heritage as the master of coloured gems, and the colourful design changes we have made to Bulgari Hotel London over the past year.”

    “I am extremely excited to have worked with Bulgari Hotel London for its momentous 10th anniversary,” commented Ilori.”My designs for this collaboration celebrate London’s cultural mosaic and the joy of coming together over food. The tea stands are based on the geometry of the sphere and the meeting of different cultures, and I hope people will gather at the hotel and enjoy a vibrant and colourful dining experience through the afternoon tea.”

    portrait of artist Yinka Ilori with napkin gift box designed for bulgari london

    Image credit: Bulgari London

    Ilori’s playful designs enliven the public realm using his signature combination of colour and pattern, and his window façade of geometric designs and bold visual style at Bulgari Hotel London will be instantly recognisable. Specially designed afternoon tea stands – based on stacked and interlocking spheres – will take centre stage. An artwork created for the occasion will recur as a motif across the hotel, from a vibrant takeover of the building’s facade, to the linen napkins on the tables which will also be available to purchase as a limited edition gift set. Afternoon tea pastries inspired by Yinka’s anniversary design for the hotel are created in collaboration with the artist by award-winning Italian pastry chef and chocolatier-in-residence, Gianluca Fusto.

    Main image credit: Bulgari London

    Holly Hallam DESIGN POD

    Have you heard? DESIGN POD episode 21 is live!

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
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    Have you heard? DESIGN POD episode 21 is live!

    Holly Hallam, the Managing Director for Design LSM, was Editor Hamish Kilburn’s special guest this week on DESIGN POD, the podcast for all design and architecture enthusiasts that is sponsored by Minotti London. The topic? Exploring a new era of lifestyle in design and hospitality. Listen to the full episode below…

    Holly Hallam DESIGN POD

    Up next in series three of DESIGN POD is all about lifestyle in design and hospitality. Many elements in hotel design and indeed hospitality are subjective: colour schemes, what is and what isn’t sustainable and what makes a hotel experience exceptional. What is absolute is the fact that modern traveller demands are bridging the gap between luxury and lifestyle. As well as being aesthetic on the eye, hospitality establishments in 2022 (and beyond), have to shelter more; a personality. Therefore, the need for a 360-degree design approach – understanding the branding, the strategy and the design scheme in one – has never been more important than it is today.

    Based in Brighton, Design LSM has been responsible for creating stunning design for 36 years. In the last seven years, though, since Holly Hallam took the reigns as Managing Director equipped with a concrete background in marketing and brand strategy, the studio was really able to flex its muscles and help to truly transform businesses into leading brands to excite their audience. Offering strategy, branding, interior design and architecture, the studio has worked with brands such as The Alchemist, Gaucho, Curio by Hilton and Kiss The Hippo.

    In episode 21 of DESIGN POD, sponsored by Minotti London, Hallam joined Editor Hamish Kilburn on the sofa to discuss a new era of lifestyle. Throughout the interview, which naturally led from a previous episode where Kilburn and designer Jo Littlefair explored ‘a new era of luxury‘, Hallam highlighted key projects that she believed helped to pivot lifestyle in design and hospitality into a new lane.

    Episode 22 of DESIGN POD, with special guest interior designer Sue Timney, will be released on September 12.

    Main image credit: Hotel Designs/DESIGN POD

    London Design Festival LDF22 20 year logo

    Preview: London Design Festival 2022 – what to look forward to

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    Preview: London Design Festival 2022 – what to look forward to

    As well as London Design Festival celebrating and promoting London as the design capital of the world, it has its own reason to be proud this year as it has been serving the global design community for 20 years. In that time, it has earned the reputation as a key calendar moment and a citywide celebration of London’s autumn creative season. We spent some time perusing the programme to highlight a few of the installations, events and exhibitions that are at the top of our LDF ‘to-do’ list…

    London Design Festival LDF22 20 year logo

    Staying true to its mantra of being a truly democratic design event, the 2022 edition of London Design Festival will once again shine a bold new light on the city through its programme of installations; museum exhibits; the Design Districts that highlight clusters of creative activity across the capital; and the Global Design Forum, the Festival’s thought leadership programme, which will bring together creative leaders to exchange ideas and solutions for some of the most pressing issues of our time.

    For Sir John Sorrell CBE, London Design Festival Chairman, this year is a year to reflect as well as to look ahead, while celebrating what it takes to be different in the design arena. “We consciously founded the London Design Festival to be public spirited,” he said. “Different from other design events, we not only aim to support designers by helping them showcase their work and generate business, but importantly to create an understanding and appreciation for the creative industries by as wide an audience as possible.”

    showroom with chairs at Design London

    Image credit: Design London, Magazine London

    With an almost overwhelming list of events and venues, where do you start? Design District is London’s new permanent home for the creative industries seems like a good place to launch the week. Set on Greenwich Peninsula, the venue comprises of 16 buildings by eight world-leading architects within the most ambitious urban development in the history of London’s creative industries.

    Staying in the area, Design London returns to North Greenwich for its second edition, following its debut in 2021, as the destination for contemporary design where architects and interior designers can source cutting-edge furniture, kitchens and bathrooms, lighting and architectural fittings all under one roof.

    Swing by St Giles Square. Commissioned on the occasion of London Design Festival’s 20th anniversary, Swivel is an installation which aims to bring colour and interactivity to St Giles Square, a vibrant new public space beside Tottenham Court Road. This area is a place of transition, and the installation will animate the environment, demonstrating the power of design to bring people together and providing visitors with an opportunity to connect, reflect, and enjoy.

    It would be remiss of visitors to LDF not to spend some time at the V&A. London Design Festival at the V&A is a unique collaboration between the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance, and LDF. Now entering the 13th year together as the official Festival Hub, the collaboration will see iconic spaces within the museum transformed by an extraordinary collection of specially specially-commissioned installations and displays by international contemporary designers.

    One of these installations, The Lebanese House: saving a home, saving a city, is an installation at the V&A installed for London Festival of Architecture by Annabel Karim Kassar that explores the reconstruction of Beirut after the 2020 explosion.

    The Lebanese House exhibition at LDF Victoria and Albert ~Museum

    Image credit: London Design Festival / Victoria and Albert Museum

    Step INTO SIGHT at Cromwell Place – a life-sized media platform, which plays on sensorial effects that transform simple boundary surfaces into an infinite vista through shifting light, colour and sound. Stepping into the installation unleashes a unique response; as audiences venture further inside, they will become more aware of unexpected visual and audio dimensions that continuously evolve through their interactions. This project aims to capture and discover new insights regarding the coexistence of physical and meta realities.

    Into Sight installation by Sony Design at LDF2022

    Image credit: London Design Festival

    With a comprehensive range of debates, discussions and conversations, every subject under the design umbrella will have its place in the sun – even if we are talking September in London! Aside from spending our time traversing London to absorb all the week has to offer, Hotel Designs will be hosting three of these conversations during the course of the week.

    On the September 19, we will be in the Atlas Concorde showroom where we will lead a discussion exploring ideas of ‘Nature versus Nurture in Surface Design’.

    Putting an immersive spin on the activities, on the September 22, Hotel Designs will be in the Hansgrohe The Water Studio for an exclusive Wellness Set led by designer Wren Louks, the founder of Be-kin. This will be an exciting watercolour art experience for interior designers as away to stimulate creativity during LDF.

    Rounding off the week, On September 24, from 13:00 – 14:00, Editor Hamish Kilburn will chair a panel discussion with Interior Design Declares, with the aim to establish how the design community can collectively create spaces more consciously.

    So, get yourself a programme and put on those walking shoes!

    Main image credit: London Design Week 

    view from bathroom clad in marble tiles from Hyperion Tiles across to bedroom

    Hyperion Tiles makes a splash in the bathroom

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    Hyperion Tiles makes a splash in the bathroom

    Striking a pose in the bathroom, Hyperion Tiles embraces the trend for statement tiles with collections featuring leading designer brands, Ca’ Pietra, Minoli Tiles, Grespania, Siminetti and Bert & May…

    view from bathroom clad in marble tiles from Hyperion Tiles across to bedroom

    With bathrooms getting an upgrade and self-care is serious business, what was once a place to get clean is transforming into a retreat, a place in which to relax and unwind in a tranquil spa-style atmosphere. to facilitate this transformation, Hyperion Tiles holds an impressive portfolio of tiles in a variety of patterns, colours, shapes and sizes, which are available to update any space, from a hotel bathroom to a personal spa. The extensive tile collection will provides designers with a multitude of design options, from the ceiling, to a splashback, or a statement backdrop for the shower.

    “Bathrooms everywhere are getting an upgrade as we are taking self-care more seriously than ever,” said Richard Skeoch, Director, Hyperion Tiles. “One of the best ways in which to transform this room into a bathing haven is with wall tiles”.

    The new Jungle Hexagon wall and floor tiles, designed by artist Clarissa Hulse in collaboration with Ca’ Pietra are perfect for making a statement across multiple surfaces. Available in a palette of Jungle Green, Midnight Blue and Spring Leaf Green, it adds pattern, shape and colour. On a more monochromatic note, Celosia Calacata from the Marmorea series of wall tiles by Grespania is a textured tile made from high-quality marble, and adds surface interest as a more subtle subtext.

    “You no longer need to update an entire bathroom if you’re looking for a cost-effective solution, which will evoke a spa-style atmosphere for your hotel guests. Simply keep your existing sanitaryware and add decorative wall tiles, which will instantly lift the décor.” added Skeoch.

    grey porcelain tiles with pattern on bathroom floor and wall with green accents

    Image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    The Venti Boost Cold Mix porcelain stoneware tiles by Minoli replicate traditional encaustic tiles, and add subtle movement and shading to wall and floor surfaces. In addition to porcelain solutions, Hyperion Tiles works with an extensive range of textures and colours specialising in providing bespoke wall and flooring solutions including stone and mosaic tiles, engineered wood flooring, bamboo, luxury vinyl and luxury wall panels.

    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.

    Main image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    inflatable birthday sculpture by Jack Irving for Mondrian Shoreditch

    Mondrian Shoreditch celebrates first birthday in the most Jack Irving of ways

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    Mondrian Shoreditch celebrates first birthday in the most Jack Irving of ways

    Fashion designer Jack Irving, who famously dressed Lady Gaga in that urchin dress, was commissioned to create giant rocket sculpture for the milestone anniversary of the hotel…

    inflatable birthday sculpture by Jack Irving for Mondrian Shoreditch

    Mondrian Shoreditch, situated in the heart of London’s creative and cultural hub, has collaborated with fashion designer-come-artist, Jack Irving, to unveil a striking inflatable sculpture on the façade of the hotel. Irving has designed an abstract inflatable rocket, Futura, measuring 12m wide x 8m high, in a bronze mirror nylon finish to covers the entire front façade  – conceptualised to ‘blast Mondrian into the future’, the piece empowers the positive drive towards reaching higher ambitions and the futuristic bronze form shows Irving’s own artistic impression of a space rocket blasting off.

    “I wanted to create a sculpture that represents the future of Mondrian, that both draws people in and celebrates the playfulness of the brand,” commented Irving. “I’m really proud of Futura and the message that it signifies.”

    designer Jack Irving stands in front of Mondrian Shoreditch with inflatable sculpture on facade

    Image credit: Mondrian Shoreditch / Jeff Moore

    Irving is perhaps best known for his work with Lady Gaga, who is a longstanding fan and has worn many of his pieces – the most famous of which is the Sea Urchin Showgirl inflatable dress, not to mention the three outfits featured in her acclaimed Netflix documentary. Inside the hotel will be two pieces from Jack’s archive which have also been worn by Lady Gaga and Paris Hilton. The two holographic dresses will be displayed in the lobby’s Infinity Room for guests to view.

    “We’re so excited to be working with Jack on this collaboration. We knew we wanted to unveil something out-of-the-ordinary and special for our first anniversary,” said David Lockhart, Mondrian Shoreditch General Manager .”For us, the birthday rocket sculpture encapsulates all that we have achieved in the last year after opening in the midst of the pandemic, and demonstrates our positive attitude for the future. We endeavour to work with local talent where we can, and are so pleased that Jack has been the one to bring our vision to life so brilliantly.”

    Jack Irving’s Lady Gaga Dress in the lobby at Mondrian Shoreditch

    Image credit: Jeff Moore

    The rocket was officially installed on 31st August, and is located on the hotel’s canopy rooftop on Curtain Road, where it will stay for two months across London Fashion Week and London Design Festival. Hotel guests, diners and East London locals are encouraged to take part in the celebrations using the hashtag #MondrianBirthdayBlast.

    This October will also mark the first anniversary of refreshed members’ club, The Curtain Club. Representing a collective of forward-thinking, diverse and driven individuals, The Curtain Club offers a relaxed co-working space, wellness & fitness and unique social spaces that blurs the lines between work and fun, and business and culture. Its curated calendar of events span music, wellness, art, film and fashion.

    chandelier and artwork in the curtain club Mondrian Shoreditch

    Image credit: Mondrian Shoreditch / Niall Clutton

    As a leading lifestyle brand, Mondrian recognises the cultural vibrancy of a place and elevates it – intertwining guest offerings with local highlights, bringing the essence of East London to the hotel and vice versa. Since its opening a year ago, Mondrian Shoreditch has sought to collaborate with local personalities and artistic pop ups, and will continue to do so into the future.

    Main image credit: Mondrian Shoreditch / Jeff Moore

    black and gold Kohler taps with marble surface and textured tile wall

    Kohler – adding bold textures in the bathroom

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    Kohler – adding bold textures in the bathroom

    With the spotlight sharply focussed on the bathroom, bespoke design adding textural layers can be taken to new level when underpinned by the wide range of colours, materials and finishes available from Kohler…

    black and gold Kohler taps with marble surface and textured tile wall

    As a leader in brassware design and development, Kohler prides itself on creating pieces which will enrich and enable an architect or interior designers’ vision through a huge spectrum of colour, finish, pattern and function.

    “The uniformity which was once so popular in bathroom design is making way for a more varied approach, where a mixture of finishes and colours creates a rich highlight to a complementary design.” explained Lun Cheak Tan, Kohler VP of Industrial Design.

    Kohler shower head matte black against wall and floor in marble and stone layered textures

    Image credit: Kohler

    “Our collection of brassware speaks to this demand for spaces which are personalised, perhaps even unique to a project,” continued Tan. “Whether a luxurious walk-shower with myriad hand showers, body jets and shower heads to fully immerse the user or a bathroom suite with complementary brassware which can soothe and refresh, we support the desire to elevate the everyday and immerse the senses.”

    Kohler offers an element of personalisation to specifiers across its brassware ranges, with recent launches such as Statement, Anthem and Occasion already configured across a broad colour and finish spectrum.

    Kohler is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Kohler 

    Shortlist The Brit List Awards 2022

    The Brit List Awards 2022: shortlist announced

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    The Brit List Awards 2022: shortlist announced

    The shortlist for The Brit List Awards 2022 has been announced, with more than 140 individuals and projects – the most finalists in the campaign’s history – selected across nine categories. The winners will be unveiled in spectacular style at the awards ceremony, which takes place on November 2 inside London’s famous cabaret venue, PROUD Embankment…

    Shortlist The Brit List Awards 2022

    From metaverse metropolis’ to new statement hotel brand arrivals – and awe-inspiring design projects and products in between – the entries that flooded in for The Brit List Awards 2022 were nothing short of exceptional. For half a decade now, The Brit List Awards has been about celebrating and championing the people behind the studios and hotels who are simply taking hotel design and hospitality to new heights and, in short, changing the game.

    The finalists listed below have been invited to attend The Brit List Awards’ annual award ceremony*, taking place on November 2 at PROUD Embankment, which, following last year’s antics, is expected to be a night full of celebration, and may contain a few surprise elements for good measure. At the event, as well as the nine individual winners being announced, The Brit List 2022, a publication that will profile the top 25 designers, architects and hoteliers, will also be unveiled.

    Without further a due, here is the shortlist for The Brit List Awards 2022:

    Interior Designer of the Year

    Name

    Studio

    Alex Bauman-Lyons

    edyn

    Alex Holloway

    Holloway Li

    Alexander Evangelou

    Alexander Waterworth

    Charlie North

    Ennismore

    Colin Carswell

    Bell & Swift Ltd

    Constantina Tsoutsikou

    Studio LOST

    Craig McKie

    Bell & Swift Ltd

    David Mason

    Scott Brownrigg

    German Mendoza

    Wimberly Interiors

    Jacu Strauss

    Lore Group

    Jane Landino

    Taylor Howes Designs

    Jennifer Williams

    Mon Interiors

    John Williams

    Spaceinvader

    Karen Howes

    Taylor Howes Designs

    Lauren Hughes-Glass

    Ica Studio

    Lewis Taylor

    David Collins Studio

    Lottie Suckling

    Taylor Howes Designs

    Marie Soliman

    Bergman Design House

    Mark Bithrey

    B3 Designers

    Martin Goddard

    Goddard Littlefair

    Mustafa Afsaroglu

    Taner’s Sons

    Na Li

    Holloway Li

    Neil Andrew

    Perkins&Will

    Nick Hickson

    THDP

    Oliver Redfern

    Squid Inc

    Robert Angell

    Robert Angell

    Rona McDonald

    Ica Studio

    Rose Murray

    These White Walls

    Terry McGinnity

    G.A Design

    Theresa Obermoser

    Theresa Obermoser

    Tim Griffin

    Wellbrook Hospitality

    Tina Norden

    Conran & Partners

    Toni Black

    Blacksheep Design

    Wren Loucks

    Be-kin

    Architect of the Year

    Name

    Studio

    Alexandra Birmpili

    Kappa planning Ltd

    Alistair Shepherd

    Falconer Chester Hall

    Catarina Pina-Bartrum

    LDS Architects

    Cathryn Crisp

    Randell Design Group

    Chris Fegan

    Ica Studio

    David Chipperfield

    David Chipperfield Architects

    Davide Bertacca

    Woods Bagot

    Ed Murray

    Dexter Moren Associates

    Geoff Hull

    EPR Architects

    Helen Taylor

    Caudwell

    James Dilley

    Jestico + Whiles

    James Soane

    Project Orange

    Jen Samuel

    3DReid

    Jennifer De Vere-Hopkins

    Jestico + Whiles

    Julie Humphryes

    Archer Humphryes Architects

    Kerry Acheson

    Ica Studio

    Laurence Pinn

    Tate+Co

    Lee Sze Wei

    Translation Architecture

    Lorraine Stoutt Griffith

    Twelve Architects

    Luke Fox

    Foster + Partners

    Martin Dobbs

    Bright Space Architects

    Matthew Salter

    HGP Architects

    Metehan Apak

    Dawson Design Associates

    Murray Levinson

    Squire & Partners

    Patrik Schumacher

    Zaha Hadid Architects

    Paul Wells

    Dexter Moren Associates

    Richard Collings

    SB Architects

    Richard Holland

    Holland Harvey Architects

    Richard Woolsgrove

    PLP Architecture

    Rob Gibbs

    Synergy Architects

    Ross Stewart

    Ica Studio

    Tony Kho

    Trehearne Architects

    Hotelier of the Year

    Name

    Hotel

    Anne Golden

    Pan Pacific Hotel London

    Conor O’Leary

    Gleneagles

    David Taylor

    Lore Group

    Edward Workman

    The Newt in Somerset

    Elli Jafari

    The Standard London

    Franck Arnold

    The Savoy

    Gareth Banner

    The Ned

    Giovanni Valentini

    The Fellows House Cambridge Curio Collection by Hilton

    Grace Leo

    The Relais Retreats

    Guillaume Marly

    Hotel Café Royal

    Hector Ross

    The Signet Collection

    Hubert Viriot

    YOTEL

    Jacqui Griffiths

    Stock Exchange Manchester

    James Clarke

    Hilton Bankside London

    Javier Beneyto

    COMO Metropolitan London & COMO The Halkin

    Kurt Macher

    Shangri-La The Shard, London

    Lina Zakzeckyte

    Hart Shorditch

    Marie-Paule Nowlis

    Sofitel London St James

    Michael Bonsor

    Rosewood London

    Patina Farnham

    Novotel, Ibis and Ibis Budget Southampton

    Paul Bayliss

    Hotel Brooklyn

    Paul Rafferty

    The Mayfair Townhouse

    Philip Steiner

    Residence Inn & Moxy Slough Hotel

    Ray Goertz

    The Prince Akatoki London

    Robert Godwin

    Room2 Chiswick

    Robin Hutson

    The PIG Hotels

    Simon Mahon

    The Grand York

    Stuart Geddes

    The Lanesborough

    Zoe Jenkins

    Coworth Park

    Best in British Product Design

    Company

    Product/project

    Chelsom

    LED Eye

    Chelsom

    Decorative Touchless Switching

    Splinterworks

    Stiletto

    Vanessa Konig

    The Lazy Daisy

    Northern Lights

    Helios Rechargeable Lamps

    Newmor Wallcoverings

    Bali, Hessian and Newmor Custom, Sanctuary Collection

    Morgan

    Lugano designed by Rock Galpin

    Gresham

    Relo

    Hamilton Litestat

    Bespoke Design & Production – Thornbury Castle Hotel

    Hamilton Litestat

    Linea Tetra CFX

    BOBO1325

    Surface Pattern Designs

    Red Dog Glass Design

    Abstract art glass panels

    Daval Furniture

    Renzo

    Frank Allart & Company

    Precision Collection – Starburst / Spiral

    ARCFORM

    LOOM

    Elisa

    Modular mixer shower range

    Perrin & Rowe

    Langbourn Collection

    PillEmpty State

    Inari

    Cameron Design House

    Paradise Row

    Harwood Arms Cutery Pouch

    Frances Bildner

    Art

    Corbello Loxstone

    Metallum Tribus

    Andra Munro Design

    Lux Progressio

    Best in Tech Award

    Company

    Product/project

    Chelsom

    Decorative Touchless Switching

    Zetter Hotel Group

    Tech Stack

    Beaumont Hotel/ReardonSmith Architects

    Indoor Air Purification

    James Latham

    Digital Showroom

    Hamilton Litestat

    Bespoke Design & Production – Thornbury Castle Hotel

    Luume Limited

    Gatsby Fire Table

    The Eco Award

    Company

    Product/project

    THE SOHO LIGHTING COMPANY

    The Ocean Collection

    Room2

    Net zero by 2030

    The Monkey Puzzle Tree

    All Tomorrow’s Futures textured linen blend fabric

    Abode

    Abode Swich Wood

    Kelda Showers

    Bubble Spa

    Silentnight Group Hospitality

    Silentnight Group Hospitality

    Zennio

    Zennio Hospitality Systems

    GROHE / LIXIL

    Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold Level range

    YOTEL

    YOTEL Amsterdam

    South Lodge

    The Spa at South Lodge

    Perkins&Wills London

    Living Design

    Rising Star Award

    Name

    Company/Studio/University

    Kendal Schutt

    S C H U T T

    Charlotte Lach

    Taner’s Sons

    Hannah Ramplee

    Chilworth Manor Hotel

    Angelcho Shtrbevski

    Moxy & Residence Inn Slough

    Anu Sarkar

    The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton

    Sami Qassab

    The Mayfair Townhouse

    Solomia Bogusz

    Gensler / University College London, The Bartlett School of Architecture

    Matthew Gibbs

    YOTEL

    International Award

    Name/Brand

    Company

    Buruj Hotel

    DLR Group Middle East

    Clint Nagata

    BLINK Design Group

    INODA+SVEJE

    INODA+SVEJE

    Jese Medina Suarez

    Campbell House

    Kelly Wearstler

    Kelly Wearstler

    Mario Ferrarini

    Mario Ferrarini

    Nichola Palmer

    Wilderness DumaTau

    Rafael Berkowitz

    Campbell House

    Sebastian Herkner

    Sebastian Herkner

    There is no shortlist for the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry, which will be the final award presented at the exclusive ceremony.

    How to attend The Brit List Awards 2022 – the awards ceremony 

    All designers, architects and hoteliers that have been shortlisted will receive an email asking them to confirm their complimentary ticket to attend the awards ceremony on November 2 at PROUD Embankment. Outside of the shortlist, designers, architects, hoteliers and developers can purchase tickets here (£20 + VAT per ticket if purchased before September 19)*. Suppliers, and anyone else wishing to attend, can click here to purchase their tickets (£99 + VAT per ticket if purchased before September 19)*.

    Sponsors and partners

     

    *Shortlisted designers, architects and hoteliers will receive a complimentary ticket to attend The Brit List Awards 2022. Complimentary tickets will be issued W/C September 12. Shortlisted suppliers will be required to purchase a ticket in order to attend the awards ceremony.

    **After September 19, tickets for designers, architects and hoteliers will inflate to £30 + VAT per ticket. For suppliers, tickets will inflate to £150 +VAT per ticket. There are limited number of tickets on sale, which will be issued out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

    Main image credit: The Brit List Awards 2021/Hotel Designs

    Aman New York Garden terrace bar

    In conversation with: architect Jean-Michel Gathy on designing Aman New York

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    In conversation with: architect Jean-Michel Gathy on designing Aman New York

    Architectural and interior design firm, Denniston, under the supervision and leadership of Jean-Michel Gathy, is responsible for the design statement encased in the newly opened Aman New York. Situated in the architecturally significant landmark of the Crown Building, Gathy has embedded the peace promised by Aman’s Sanskrit-derived name in the heart of Manhattan along with with his own unmistakable design DNA…

    Aman New York Garden terrace bar

    Aman New York is located at the prestigious address of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street and has undergone a vast transformation to become Manhattan’s newest destination for unmatched luxury, sheltering 83 elegant guestrooms and suites, three social dining venues, a world-class spa, and an exclusive collection of 22 private homes representing the first urban Aman Residences.

    Following true to the Aman DNA of understated elegance, offering sublime privacy, unparalleled service, and relaxed elegance, Jean-Michel Gathy has integrated aesthetics from East and West and curated  the palpable tranquillity with the brand’s Asian roots.

    “Everything included in the Aman DNA is about being understated,” shares Gathy. “We did not fully bring minimalism to Aman New York but sincerely respected the Aman DNA in which we associated the energy that New York City requires.”

    “Peacefulness is the ethos of Aman. What makes Aman New York peaceful is the high level of attention given to the acoustic treatment within the building, enhanced further by layers of panelling and material as well as the incorporation of the fireplace to create a quiet environment within the guestrooms. There is a strong sense of partnership in the design of the Crown Building and the layout of the interiors, they are geometrically conceptualized, powerful and simple. The muted colours, simplicity of materials and the overall harmony create the feeling of peacefulness throughout. We are dealing with a composition and not a juxtaposition of elements.”

    fireplace and seating in neutral tones in guestroom at Aman New York

    Image credit: Aman New York

    Aman New York has honed its offering with its transformative influence on mind, body and spirit through harmoniously designed environments transporting guests out of their everyday lives. With Gathy’s signature use of Asian characteristics, the design transformation presents the balancing and subtle juxtaposition of many contrasts – old and new, East and West, natural and manmade.

    wooden table and natural light in the corner suite of Aman New York

    Image credit: Aman New York

    The arrival experience sets the tone for an aesthetic journey which complements the powerful statement of the building’s gilded splendour. The double-height atrium with multilayers of the textured ceiling and wall panels dressed in natural fabrics in muted tones hints at the brand’s Asian heritage while imbuing spaces with the meditative beauty and inimitable tranquillity of nature with the flower arrangements inspired by Japan’s classical Ikebana, celebrating the unceasing heartbeat of Manhattan.

    Every suite offers a functioning fireplace, a first in New York City, while bathrooms are opulent and oversized with oval soaking bathtubs, marble rain showers and double vanities. Large windows offer dynamic views, and the use of organic, natural materials brings a sense of balance and harmony reminiscent of Aman resorts of the East. Oak, walnut, and aromatic cinnamon woods add lustre to finishes, floors, doors, and custom furnishings while bronze, brass, and stainless and blackened steel contribute gleaming warmth and edgy allure. Inspired by the airy architecture of Aman’s properties in Southeast Asia, pairs of bespoke double-pivot doors have been created to form bespoke central partitions, allowing guests to transform the atmosphere, creating a lofty open-plan layout or intimate private spaces.

    garden terrace with screens and firepit at Aman New York

    Image credit: Aman New York

    The crowning glory of Aman New York is its broad selection of exciting social venues, the verdant 14th-floor spacious 7000 square foot wraparound Garden Terrace offers year-round dining, a rarity in one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The Garden Terrace is flanked with water features adding a soft and soothing touch, and fire pits creating a sense of drama and energy. Restaurants include Arva, Aman’s convivial Italian restaurant, and Nama, Aman’s interpretation of Japan’s “WASHOKU” dining tradition, which features a Japanese Hinoki wood counter for omakase-style fine dining.

    “Aman New York has included all the facilities that you would want right at your door,” commented Gathy. “The travellers can go down to the city streets and are in the epicentre of the city, but when you want to come back and relax, you have your own sanctuary. The venue we have designed is extremely well located, in the middle of the action, but still remaining a peaceful retreat.”

    Respecting the Crown Building’s storied heritage, the opening of Aman New York marks a new era for hospitality and is the culmination of a monumental transformation of the iconic Crown Building in Manhattan. This 100-year-old Beaux-Arts building has undergone a remarkable restoration and transcendent design by Jean-Michel Gathy, carefully reimagining urban design for the epic conversion in order to transport guests away from the frenetic pace of the city to the inimitable tranquillity of Aman.

    Main image credit: Aman New York

    rolls of wallcoverings in blues and metallics from Newmor

    Newmor Wallcoverings: solutions for every surface

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    Newmor Wallcoverings: solutions for every surface

    From large scale bespoke murals to feature and coordinating walls, Newmor has a stocked or custom printed wallcovering for every interior. We walk though a few of the surfaces reaching new heights with a Newmor print…

    rolls of wallcoverings in blues and metallics from Newmor

    With staycations on the rise in the UK, the pressure is on for hotel designs to stand out from the crowd and deliver the difference. Based in Wales, family owned Newmor is perfectly placed to design, manufacture and deliver, ensuring that the staycation boom gets covered from floor to wall. With a range of wallcoverings suitable for high traffic areas, delivering a washable surface that is can also be resistant to chlorine releasing agents, there is no excuse for any holiday destination surface to be left untouched.

    focus waterfall wallpaper design wallcovering by Newmor in hotel swimming pool area

    Image credit: Newmor

    With a new digital facility giving the company a designer edge, Newmor has developed Tufftex, a unique vinyl with an exceptionally high surface resistance to wear. This means the wallcoverings are more durable, and once installed, can keep surfaces looking fresh for up to 15 years. Existing designs can be manufactured in bespoke colourways, company-branded wallcoverings, large-scale murals, site specific imagery or interior designers can work with the in-house design department to create something completely unique. All the Newmor Designer and Newmor Custom collections can be recoloured, rescaled and customised. These designs can be printed onto a wide selection of bases, including colours, textures, metallics and window films.

    beach scene wallcovering by Newmor with boat in hotel lobby

    Image credit: Newmor

    More recently, Newmor have partnered with Halbmond Carpets, and are now able to supply carpets and rugs in a wide variety of materials, backings and specifications. There are hundreds of designs to choose from alongside a custom printing service utilising the latest high definition, total pile penetration technology.

    With a brand vision to celebrate pattern and design in commercial installations globally, whilst reducing life cycle cost and impact on the environment, the selection of surface coverings from Newmor provide inspiration and solutions to enhance and add value to a design project.

    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.

    Main image credit: Newmor

    eclectic colour and pattern in Le Grand Mazarin Paris

    Sneak peek: Introducing Maisons Pariente’s flamboyant Parisian address

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    Sneak peek: Introducing Maisons Pariente’s flamboyant Parisian address

    Le Grand Mazarin in Paris, will be the fourth hotel to be added to the Maisons Pariente collection of luxury boutique hotels in France. With interiors by designer Martin Brudnizki, the hotel begins its original and eclectic story in Le Marais, a neighbourhood beloved by Parisians and travellers from around the world…

    eclectic colour and pattern in Le Grand Mazarin Paris

    The latest addition to the Maisons Pariente little black book of addresses is just a stone’s throw from the Hôtel de Ville and the Seine, and expands the collection and offers guests a luxurious and serene setting in the heart of Paris. Le Grand Mazarin is both unexpected and endearing, 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. Le Grand Mazarin revisits French classicism with a breath of refined modernity. In the 61 guestrooms, including 11 suites, the design plays with discrepancies in a virtuous way to create a grandiose universe that is both whimsical and deliciously warm.

    interior designer of La Grand Mazarin Martin Brudnizki

    Image credit: Maisons Pariente

    “I love the concept of the literary salon of yesteryear and this was one of the main sources of inspiration when designing Le Grand Mazarin,” explained Brudnizki.”We wanted the hotel to feel as though it has always been a part of Le Marais’ landscape so we sought inspiration from the great houses of the aristocratic era, where figures from literature, art and music gathered in sumptuous residences, exchanging ideas and thoughts. Our concept of Le Grand Mazarin was to reignite this ambience for the modern day, where guests feel as though they have arrived home and have the freedom to express themselves.”

    Everything has been brought together to make Le Grand Mazarin the essential destination for a unique Parisian experience, at any time of day: a delightful restaurant, a surprising bar where each evening is a new experience, an extraordinary swimming pool, and excellent service that is always attentive yet discreet.

    guestroom at Le Grand Mazarin with blue accents and layers of pattern

    Image credit: Maisons Pariente

    “Le Grand Mazarin is a hotel that is above all for Parisians, a place where they can meet. It’s a real bias that you won’t find anywhere else,” said Leslie Kouhana, President, and Kimberley Cohen, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Maisons Pariente. “It will be the first urban hotel in our collection to embody our DNA, the Maisons Pariente spirit of simple, warm hotel luxury and sincere, generous service. We imagined Le Grand Mazarin as a place to live with multiple influences, a place to meet and share, a showcase of elegance where refinement sublimates the mix of styles and eras with fun.”

    The Maisons Pariente portfolio has been making its mark on the boutique hotel landscape in France with an impressive roll out from Crillon le Brave in Provence to more recently Le Coucou in Méribel. Located in extraordinary places, each hotel is designed as an elegant private house and reveals a unique and arty personality, in perfect harmony with its environment. and with Le Grand Mazarin, the spirit of Maisons Pariente is embodied in a modern vision of Parisian luxury.

    Main image credit: Maisons Pariente

    water saving Twistflush toilet from Villeroy & Boch

    More power, less water with the TwistFlush from Villeroy & Boch

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    More power, less water with the TwistFlush from Villeroy & Boch

    The revolutionary TwistFlush toilet flushing system from Villeroy & Boch combines exceptionally clean and hygienic flush performance with extremely efficient use of water. Here’s the secret behind the system…

    water saving Twistflush toilet from Villeroy & Boch

    A sustainable lifestyle includes the conscious use of resources. A TwistFlush toilet that saves precious water every time it is used, can play an important role in this. The innovative technology uses the physical force of a controlled water vortex, which flushes almost all of the inside of the toilet bowl while carrying waste away. Simply put, water is used much more efficiently, saving this precious resource every time the flush is activated.

    water saving flushing system by Villeroy & Boch

    Image credit: Villero & Boch

    The TwistFlush toilet requires only 4.5 litres for a large flush and a mere 3 litres for a small one. And as the flush is so powerful, one flush is usually sufficient. Moreover, the patent-pending flushing technology far exceeds standard requirements, with the controlled water vortex generating a very strong pull in a conic bowl. It reaches almost all of the inside of the toilet bowl while well and truly carrying waste away. The controlled vortex power deploys the flushing water exactly where it is needed. This reliably prevents spray and significantly reduces the formation of aerosols. Another advantage putting the TwistFlush ahead of the pack, is that it is significantly quieter than a standard flush.

    Aside from providing solutions around sustainability, the toilet is practically brushless and easy to clean. The system thoroughly flushes the entire inner pan, and the smartly designed bowl with its steep and super smooth walls makes it difficult for dirt to stick. In addition, thanks to the sophisticated rimless shape making it easy to clean, the CeramicPlus and AntiBac materials reduce bacterial growth.

    The Universo TwistFlush toilet model coordinates with all collections thanks to a timeless design that blends harmoniously in any bathroom. The slim sandwich-look toilet seat comes with all modern comfort features including SoftClosing and QuickRelease. The TwistFlush toilet from the Subway 3.0 series offers the same features and coordinates perfectly with the linear design of the successful series thanks to its delicately encircling toilet seat.

    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.

    Main image credit: Villeroy & Boch

    sunbeds and swimming pool at Brown Beach Eretria by Brown Hotels

    VIP arrivals: hottest hotels opening in September 2022

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    VIP arrivals: hottest hotels opening in September 2022

    From luxury brands to barefoot on the beach, this months VIP openings covers it all. The creativity on the design front also spans the spectrum, from the Art Deco inspired grandeur of the restoration project that has culminated in Sommerro in Oslo, to the bold primary colours of Radio Hotel in uptown Manhattan, showcasing as always the energy and diversity of the hotel design landscape…

    sunbeds and swimming pool at Brown Beach Eretria by Brown Hotels

    As seasons change and, depending on which side of the equator you find yourself, days are becoming noticeably shorter or tantalisingly longer, the year rolls on,  gathering momentum – as do the hotel openings which show no sign of slowing down. In this VIP opening for September we list a few that have caught our eye from all corners of the globe with incredible locations and inspiring designs.

    Sommerro, Oslo

     

    Sommerro Hotel bar and seating

    Image credit: Sommerro / Francisco Nogueira

    Nordic Hotels & Resorts is bringing one of Oslo’s most iconic buildings back to life as Sommerro. With panoramic views of the Norwegian capital, Sommerro is housed in the former headquarters of Oslo Lysverker, the city’s original electrical company, and will be a modern tribute to Norwegian cultural heritage, with a strong focus on eco-conscious experiences. A community in its own right, the 231-key, art-deco hotel, complete with 56 branded residences, will shelter four restaurants and three bars, meeting and event spaces with capacity for up to 150 people, a 100-seat gilded theatre, a gym and wellness space, and the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, sauna, and terrace.

    Radio Hotel

    guestroom at Radio Hotel New York with bright primary blue bathroom

    Image credit: Radio Hotel

    Radio Hotel is opening as the first-ever full-service boutique hotel in Upper Manhattan’s Washington Heights. The hotel is the central anchor of the mixed-use development, which includes a restaurant, dedicated event space, office and retail space, an activated courtyard, and a rooftop lounge with 360° panoramic views of downtown Manhattan.

    Finding inspiration in existing architectural patterns found throughout the neighbourhood and adopting the vibrant colours of local storefronts, Architects MVRDV and Stonehill Taylor designed Radio Hotel and Tower to resemble a vertically built Washington Heights, creating the Lego-like structure of whimsical and colourful ‘blocks’ of green, yellow, blue, orange and magenta, which are echoed in the interior design.

    Radisson RED Gdansk

    orange seating and art and design details in Radisson RED Gdansk

    Image credit: Radisson Hotels

    Radisson RED Gdańsk, the first Radisson RED property in Poland has opened its doors, taking Radisson Hotel Group’s portfolio in Poland to 22 properties in operation and under development. The hotel is part of the redevelopment of Granary Island, situated in the centre of the Pomeranian capital on the Baltic Sea, and is housed in a reconstructed port warehouse right by the Motława River. During its reconstruction, the original walls were retained, giving the building a truly unique loft-style look. The interiors are designed in an eclectic, playful style with surprising decorative elements that play on the building’s history and location.

    Brown Beach Eretria and Brown Beach Chalkida

    blue and white striped sunloungers with parasols around the pool at Brown Beach Eretria

    Image credit: Brown Hotels

    Known for its quirky, design-driven collection of boutique urban properties, Brown Hotels expanded into beach-side offerings earlier this summer with the launch of its inaugural resort, Isla Brown Corinthia. With the opening of Brown Beach Eretria and Brown Beach Chalkida the brand is introducing a hospitality concept new to the group, presenting four-star, beach-front resorts both complete with swimming pools, a bar and restaurant, wellness centre, spa and events space. Brown Beach Eretria and Brown Beach Chalkida are the first to launch under the new sub-brand.

    Selina Tulum Downtown

    guestroom at Selina Tulum Downtown

    Image credit: Selina

    Slated to open end of September, the newest member of the Selina portfolio, Selina Tulum Downtown, is located on the Caribbean coastline of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. With over 163 location in the portfolio Selina epitomises the new generation of experiential travel. Delivering more than a place to stay, alongside the beautifully designed guestrooms at the new Tulum location, the hotel will also shelter a co-working space, pool, wellness area and spa, a bar & restaurant, and a nightclub. The brand ethos is to ‘provides guests with beautiful places to stay, travel, and work abroad indefinitely’, tapping directly into the zeitgeist of the decade.

    citizenM Miami Brickell

    lobby at citizenM Miami Brickell with seating and lighting installation

    Image credit: citizenM

    It has been a busy year on the Miami hospitality scene, and citizenM is not a brand to be left out of the party. The new citizenM Miami Brickell is located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Backyard, which just won Architizer’s A+ Award for Architecture and Urban Transformation, and is the perfect backdrop for the latest offering of ‘affordable luxury’. The hotel will shelter 252 guestrooms, along with a 24/7 kitchen that feeds hungry arrivals from all time zones, and eight societyM meeting rooms.

    Waldorf Astoria Kuwait

    deluxe guestroom with views over the city in the Waldorf Astoria Kuwait

    Image credit: Hilton Hotels

    Finally, ending on a luxurious note, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has made its debut in Kuwait this month with the opening of the highly anticipated Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, which is, true to brand, a refined haven blending timeless elegance with modern sensibility and sincere service, situated in the heart of Kuwait City. The hotel shelters 200 contemporary deluxe rooms and suites with panoramic views of the vibrant city skyline, providing guests with a transformative journey of the senses, from exquisite dining venues and beautiful event spaces to the awe-inspiring Waldorf Astoria Spa.

    Main image credit: Brown Hotels

    Aquatio Cave Bathroom

    Bathroom goals: timeless design inside Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & SPA

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    Bathroom goals: timeless design inside Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & SPA

    The interior design scheme of Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & SPA, initiated by Architect Simone Micheli, called upon bathroom brand GROHE to create wellness spaces that were compliant with local environment standards while staying true to its treasured history…

    Aquatio Cave Bathroom

    Nestled in cave dwellings of the mountains of Matera sits the Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & SPA, which has been designed taking inspiration from its surrounding area and its deep steeped history with the natural environment. Bathroom and kitchen fittings manufacturer GROHE was immensely proud to the be exclusive partner of bathroom brassware for the project, aligning in the themes of water, sustainability, and timeless design.

    Image credit: GROHE

    First opened in 2018, the 35-key hotel has been built up in the mountains, and structurally traces the ancient caves tuff stone, providing a unique stay of natural beauty and wellness. With its integrated spa, and origins of an area being derived from a single drop of the water, the project focuses hugely on water and the benefits and importance of the natural resource, which closely aligns with GROHE’s own ethos of ‘Pure Freude an Wasser’ (Pure joy of water).

    Throughout the project GROHE’s Essence brassware was selected as the exclusive bathroom fitting range, providing an organic silhouette and premium functionality, further complimenting the interior and exterior of the development.

    “Since the post-pandemic reopening of hotels and hospitality establishments, wellness has taken centre stage,” said Nick Brown, Leader, Hospitality UK, LIXL EMENA. “Spa breaks, relaxing retreats and getaways in natural environments have been popular, with escapism back on everyone’s agenda. When travellers visit a destination as unique as this they want to be indulged by their surroundings. Our Essence collection was specified as part of this project thanks to its natural timeless aesthetic that works harmoniously within the interior, alongside GROHE’s proud commitment to preserving our natural resource, particularly when it comes to water.”

    Specified in GROHE’s StarLight Chrome finish, the fittings provide a timeless design thanks to their modern- minimalistic aesthetic, along with sustainable credentials, aligning perfectly with the projects core ethos. The GROHE Essence range took design inspiration from natural forms, resulting in a naturally curved, slim profile, while GROHE’s integrated technology providing resource saving characteristics with a reduced water flow.

    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.

    Main image credit: GROHE

    Suite at Emporium Plovdiv MGallery Hotel Collection with striking light feature and luxe interiors

    First in: checking in to The Emporium Plovdiv – MGallery

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    First in: checking in to The Emporium Plovdiv – MGallery

    Taking a cultural dive into the 8,000-year-old city, Editor Hamish Kilburn arrived in Plovdiv to explore the contemporary yet sensitive design narrative inside The Emporium Plovdiv – MGallery…

    Suite at Emporium Plovdiv MGallery Hotel Collection with striking light feature and luxe interiors

    Built on seven hills in the southern central region of Bulgaria, Plovdiv is as ancient as cities come – its architecture and design tells many narratives, from the (cobbled) Street of Craft in the Old Town where prominent masters of traditional Bulgarian crafts such as weavers, potters and woodcarvers still work today to the impressive Ancient Roman Theatre. According to nine sources, Plovdiv is the oldest continually inhabited city in Europe.

    The bones of the city may be, by definition, ancient, but the soul of Plovdiv – its heart and warm personality – is very much ageless, with vibrancy around every corner.

    Nestled in the heart of the city, a new hotel, designed by Sundukovy Sisters (S+S), has arrived to take the narrative of the city forward. Sheltered inside a former department store, the 61-key boutique hotel, The Emporium Plovdiv – MGallery, is “a tribute to the city, its people, architecture and culture,” and has become the brand’s flagship property in Plovdiv.

    The lobby, designed around the fire Emporium Plovdiv MGallery Hotel Collection

    Image credit: Accor

    “The opening of this astonishing hotel is the beginning of the beautiful adventure of creating unforgettable moments for our guests travelling to Plovdiv from all over the world,” said Paweł Pańczak, General Manager, The Emporium Plovdiv – MGallery. “With the unique ambiance of the boutique MGallery brand taking hospitality to the higher level we encourage everyone to relax, admire some of the world’s oldest, golden treasures of the region and create stories that stay in memories forever.

    Earning its rights to be considered a protagonist, budget was not spared on the design and operations of the hotel, which is evident immediately upon arrival as guests enter the building on the lower level to be greeted by a warm, open and inviting contemporary space, filled with textured interiors that feel, well, considered – the contemporary faux fireplace feels like the centre point of the design. Around it, an integrated lighting scheme in the ceiling as well as the stairs, together with accented modern furniture and a large contemporary fireplace, allow the space to feel apty multi-layered. Meanwhile, adding a sprinkle of personality and playfulness to the space, an indoor swing hangs in the corner, on a platform, next to the bar.

    A lounge area in the lobby - Emporium Plovdiv MGallery Hotel Collection

    Image credit: Accor

    When moving through the public areas, past the Möet Champagne bar, the atmosphere evolves as guests transition from inside to out and into the courtyard, where an island of furniture on top of a striking water feature becomes the focus. “This courtyard is so much more than just a nice area to sit and relax in the public areas,” said Irina and Olga Sundukovy. “Prior to this area, the guestrooms lacked ‘a view’ seeing as many of them face inwards around this void in the building.” The new courtyard effortlessly blurs the boundaries between indoors and out.

    The courtyard that features living walls, and island and a water feature

    Image credit: Accor

    The public areas are indeed impressive, but the real asset of the hotel, in my opinion, is the intuitive design of the guestrooms and suites, which have been worked into the existing architecture shell of the building. Here, the rooms are not as you would expect. The shower, for example, is in the middle to the layout, I imagine to save space. Despite the shower therefore being in the centre of the room, the designers have ensured that privacy has not been sacrificed with the glass to the shower being mirrored.

    A suite inside MGallery Plovdiv, with bathroom area in the centre of the room

    Image credit: Accor

    The other detail, which suggests this hotel had a healthy budget and an investor who understood the ingredients needed to operate a successful hotel equipped for modern travels, is the technology, which so seamlessly and effortlessly connects the guests with the room. “The owner of the hotel really understood our design direction,” the designer twins added. “This allowed us to take the latest technology and merge this within the design scheme, with the aim to simply elevate the guest experience.”

    Keeping tech under control, the touch-sensitive panels are simple to use and allow guests to command various lighting settings. Taking things a step further than conventional, even elements like the bedside lamp have been reimagined with that, in this case, being a spot from the ceiling.

    Courtyard from suite at MGallery Plovdiv

    Image credit: Accor

    With the F&B experience yet to be unveiled, MGallery has made its mark in the city of Plovdiv, with thanks to the owner’s creative vision and the interior design flair of Sundukovy Sisters (S+S). It is true what they say, a hotel really has the power to capture a city’s soul. For MGallery, which has more than 100 properties worldwide – a brand that has built a reputation for telling unique narratives, Plovdiv is a key destination that will help craft Accor’s perception while expanding its portfolio in places you perhaps would not expect.

    Main image credit: Accor

    New York Marriott Marquis Broadway Lounge-view over Times square New York

    An icon reinvented: New York Marriott Marquis renovated & reimagined

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    An icon reinvented: New York Marriott Marquis renovated & reimagined

    The celebrated Times Square Hotel New York Marriott Marquis, the Marriott signature flag, has completed its multi-million dollar renovation, reclaiming its revolving crown at the epicentre of Times Square…

    New York Marriott Marquis Broadway Lounge-view over Times square New York

    Opened in 1985 amid the rejuvenation of Times Square, New York Marriott Marquis’ vibrant location provided inspiration for architecture and interior design firms at conception, and continued to provide the narrative for Stonehill Taylor, which oversaw the redesign of the hotel’s public and event spaces, and Sawyer & Company, which led the design of the guestrooms and suites. Both firms drew from the 360 degrees of billboard lights experienced by visitors to Times Square. In addition, Stonehill Taylor centered the hotel’s renovation design concept on the theme of ‘Kaleidoscope of Energy’.

    “The reflections, flow of energy, and vivacity that encapsulate Times Square were central references for this project,” said Sara Duffy, Principal at Stonehill Taylor. “We fed off the spirit of the hotel’s surroundings while simultaneously constructing a comfortable, rejuvenating stay for guests. The end result was a design that perfectly balances elegant playfulness and interactive experiences with flexible and varied seating, strategically open yet distinctive zones, and an artful New York theme that carries throughout the hotel.”

    reflections from Times Square billboards at outdoor terrace and seating at the New York Marriott Marquis

    Image credit: Marriott International

    On arrival to the eighth-floor lobby, visitors will find a reoriented space designed for a seamless and energising arrival experience. The hotel’s reception desks have been moved from the south side to the north side of the hotel, opening the northernmost wall to natural light with installed prismatic waved glass, and adding to the whimsical motifs throughout the space. Reception desks are now separated by archways made of playful wood panelling, and a lit acrylic 3-D sculpture by Parachilna sits on a plinth along with Kaleidoscope-inspired New York City artwork by Kalisher.

    Each of the hotel’s 1,971 spacious guestrooms have been completely updated with a modern, thoughtful design complemented by locally inspired accents to draw in the energy of the city. New features include mounted, high-definition televisions; expanded closets, deluxe walk-in showers with spa-like lighting, and ultra-comfortable platform beds. The plethora of storage and sizable floor space sets these rooms apart from standard city accommodations, and a calm, neutral colour palette joined by bright accents centres guests among the hotel’s iconic views. Additionally, through the first-of-its-kind, longstanding global partnership with Marriott Hotels and TED, guests will continue to have access to thoughtfully curated in-room TED content to enjoy during their stay.

    seating and bed in neutral shades in suite at New York Marriott Marquis

    Image credit: Marriott International

    In addition to the hotel’s redesign, New York Marriott Marquis has now partnered with the renowned Union Square Hospitality Group and Union Square Events on the food and beverage concepts at three updated restaurants, as well as the catering for hotel events. Featuring spectacular, two-story wall-to-ceiling windows overlooking Times Square and the Great White Way’s dazzling lights, Broadway Lounge offers an unmatched experience in the centre of it all. A small taste of a big New York experience, the restaurant’s menu centres around bold flavours and features wood fired pizzas, gourmet snacks, and handcrafted cocktails. To either side of Broadway Lounge is Perch, the venue’s intimate outdoor terrace where guests can soak in the energy of Times Square.

    tables set for dinner in the Broadway Lounge overlooking Times Square New York

    Image credit: Marriott International

    Tucked away under the ninth floor is Revel & Rye Bar and Restaurant. Reminiscent of an old school whiskey bar, Revel & Rye provides a sophisticated atmosphere for guests to indulge in over 20 wines by the glass, an extensive American whiskey list, and a New York themed dining menu. Inspired by theatre marquees, the bar is fitted with linear piped lighting that flows from the bar back onto a metallic gold ceiling, creating an ambient and cosy atmosphere. The bright lights of Times Square have also been brought indoors with two large LED ‘billboards’ positioned on either side of the restaurant, inviting guests to gather to watch the latest sporting events, movies, and more.

    seating and lighting in the Revel and Rye bar

    Image credit: Marriott International

    The hotel also features an expansive Atrium Greatroom lobby – a stylish hub of the hotel that serves as a great social gathering place for both day and night. The contemporary décor and layout provide guests with a space to relax, collaborate with colleagues or grab a night cap.

    On the hotel’s ninth floor, The Terrace – a dramatic open event space under a soaring atrium, connecting the Marquis Ballroom to the Jolson, Cantor, and Barrymore Rooms – was expanded to serve as an additional functional event space, complete with streetlamp-inspired lighting. Meeting spaces and pre-function event spaces on floors three through seven, including the Broadway Ballroom and Marquis Theatre foyer, feature newly designed carpets and wall coverings. Milliken carpet patterns are reminiscent of overlapping starbursts and kaleidoscopes, tying the hotel’s theme together neatly. The largest ballroom stage in the city, The Broadway Ballroom, now also has a state-of the-art sound system, which extends to the balconies and wings, providing smooth continuous audio with exceptional sound quality.

    Main image credit: Marriott International

    brick walls and metal stairs loft style decor at Radisson RED Gdansk

    Radisson RED arrives in Poland

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    Radisson RED arrives in Poland

    Radisson RED Gdańsk, the first Radisson RED property in Poland has opened its doors, taking Radisson Hotel Group’s portfolio in Poland to 22 properties in operation and under development. We stepped inside to take a look…

    brick walls and metal stairs loft style decor at Radisson RED Gdansk

    Radisson RED Gdańsk is part of the redevelopment of Granary Island, situated in the centre of the Pomeranian capital on the Baltic Sea. The hotel is housed in a reconstructed port warehouse right by the Motława River. During its reconstruction, the original walls were retained, giving the building a truly unique loft-style look. The property enjoys a prime location at the northern end of Granary Island and is connected to the main city by a newly installed footbridge.

    brick and glass walls in the guestroom at Radisson RED Gdansk

    Image credit: Radisson Hotels

    The hotel consists of 30 guestrooms and suites, some of which have a mezzanine level featuring an extra bed, as well as four one- and two-bedroom suites of up to 50 square metres. The rooms offer magnificent views of the Motława and the city with the famous Gdańsk Crane. The interiors are designed in an eclectic, playful style with surprising decorative elements that play on the building’s history and location. The property is home to the Whiskey in the Jar steakhouse as well as a grab-and-go station located in the lobby. Guests of Radisson RED enjoy access to the public areas and amenities of Radisson Hotel & Suites Gdańsk, including its restaurant and bar, as well as its fitness and wellness area, located a mere 200m from Radisson RED Gdańsk.

    orange seating and art and design details in Radisson RED Gdansk

    Image credit: Radisson Hotels

    “This new property is a unique place, full of energy, design, and style,” said Maciej Głownia, General Manager, Radisson RED Gdańsk. “We look forward to welcoming guests and introducing them to Granary Island’s rich, interesting history and the vibrant atmosphere of Radisson RED’s fashionable urban life.”

    Radisson RED Gdańsk is Radisson Hotel Group’s fourth property in the Tri-city metropolitan area, joining Radisson Hotel & Suites Gdańsk also on Granary Island, Radisson Blu Hotel, Gdańsk on the city’s well-known Long Market and Radisson Blu Hotel, Sopot.

    Main image credit: Radisson Hotels

    Waldorf Astoria Kuwait lobby with central sculptural clock feature

    Waldorf Astoria makes its debut in Kuwait

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    Waldorf Astoria makes its debut in Kuwait

    Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of the highly anticipated Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, a refined haven blending timeless elegance with modern sensibility and sincere service, situated in the heart of Kuwait City…

    Waldorf Astoria Kuwait lobby with central sculptural clock feature

    The new Waldorf Astoria Kuwait shelters 200 contemporary deluxe rooms and suites with panoramic views of the vibrant city skyline, providing guests with a transformative journey of the senses, from exquisite dining venues and beautiful event spaces to the awe-inspiring Waldorf Astoria Spa. Connected to The Avenues, the country’s largest retail, entertainment, and luxury lifestyle destination, the property’s prime location offers guests convenient access to some of the best local attractions such as the Kuwait Opera House, and Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre.

    “We are very excited to be expanding our portfolio in Kuwait to include the iconic Waldorf Astoria, which brings an elevated luxury guest experience to the country,” said Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President, Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, Hilton. “Waldorf Astoria Kuwait is Hilton’s third property in the country and brings a trusted brand to a community of discerning travellers who expect the highest levels of service. We look forward to welcoming guests to this outstanding property, which will no doubt be one of Kuwait’s most prestigious landmarks.”

    deluxe guestroom with views over the city in the Waldorf Astoria Kuwait

    Image credit: Hilton Hotels

    On arriving at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait guests step into a place where stories begin, with interiors reflecting a grand yet intimate sense of place, including traditional brand elements such as the iconic Waldorf Astoria Clock which was adapted to reflect Kuwait’s cultural heritage, as well as The Library and Peacock Alley.

    “We see the hotel stay as an opportunity to connect deeply with a destination and its people. And the team that brings the Waldorf Astoria Kuwait experience to life exemplifies this sentiment beautifully, poised to be the centrepiece of luxury hospitality in the market and welcoming travellers into a diverse, culturally significant location,” said Dino Michael, Senior Vice President and Global Head, Luxury Brands, Hilton. “As Waldorf Astoria continues to grow in dynamic markets around the world, we welcome new and loyal travellers to experience the legendary appeal of our iconic brand.”

    From artistic masterpieces inspired by the legacy of Kuwait, plush fabrics, marble accents and an opulent colour selection of champagne, gold and silver, to the stunning sculptural staircase that serves as the lobby centrepiece, each design element is meticulously curated to convey a strong sense of arrival while also providing the comfort of a private home.

    blue decor and chairs in the Peacock Alley cafe at the Waldorf Astoria Kuwait

    Image credit: Hilton Hotels

    In tune with the Waldorf Astoria legacy of food and beverage excellence, the hotel offers a diverse range of dining options, from fine dining and romantic cabana dinners to poolside refreshments. Opening this autumn, ROKA, the award-winning Japanese robatayaki restaurant, brings the finest dining experience to Waldorf Astoria Kuwait. ROKA is a meeting place where food and drinks are shared with friends and loved ones around the Robata (‘ro’) grill, and where heat, warmth, and an all-embracing energy surround (‘ka’). This modern Japanese cuisine concept originates from Japan’s northern coastal waters where the fishermen would cook fish on boats with different charcoals and share the food with one another using their oars. The property’s signature restaurant, AVA, delivers a tasteful and ambient experience with authentic Mediterranean flair, featuring the freshest seasonal ingredients. Inspired by a relaxed coastal lifestyle, the dishes at AVA are light and fresh, showcasing the best cuisine from across the French Riviera, the south of Italy, and the Greek islands. Touting extraordinary views of the luxury wing of The Avenues, and a menu that is sure to entice the taste buds, AVA sets the tone for an unforgettable culinary journey.

    The iconic Parisian-influenced Peacock Alley is an ideal venue for both sophisticated and informal gatherings where guests can enjoy specialty coffees and fresh meals, indulge in chocolates and macaroons, or delight in Waldorf Astoria’s signature Afternoon Tea. Paying homage to the original Waldorf Astoria in New York, the elaborately adorned Peacock Alley continues to be a place to see and be seen.

    seating above lobby area in the Ava restaurant Waldorf Astoria Kuwait

    Image credit: Hilton Hotels

    Those looking to soak up the sun or take a dip in the glittering pool will find their calling at OXIO Pool and Lounge, where guests can enjoy lighter fare and refreshing treats during the daytime hours. At night, the venue transforms into Kubbar Poolside Restaurant, named after Kuwait’s Kober Island and offering pristine levant cuisine against a vibrant backdrop of lush greenery. Whether it’s a romantic cabana dinner or a gathering with friends and loved ones, Kubbar promises to offer a gastronomic experience infused with mouth-watering Middle Eastern flavours.

    Launching later this fall, the expansive 13,560 square foot Waldorf Astoria Spa offers as its jewel the Private Suite, complete with an arrival lounge, well-appointed bathroom, steam room hammam, jacuzzi and double treatment zone, providing the ultimate escape for the discerning wellness guest. Those looking to enhance their fitness routine can do so at the 24-hour Technogym-equipped Fitness Centre, including a Fitness Studio offering a range of adrenaline-boosting workout sessions.

    Main image credit: Hilton Hotels

    Hyperion tiles make a statement with wall tiles in hotel lobby

    Hyperion Tiles – setting the tone in surface design

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    Hyperion Tiles – setting the tone in surface design

    Shifting the boundaries in hotel design, Hyperion Tiles climb the walls to create sophisticated surfaces and statements to inspire and entice…

    Hyperion tiles make a statement with wall tiles in hotel lobby

    Stepping through the hotel door, first impressions are quickly made based on design and décor. The tone is set, and the colour, texture and pattern on the walls plays an integral part as the book is most definitely judged by its cover. Choosing the right design needs to be considered and often bold, combining style with a plethora of practical considerations such as durability and affordability. Hyperion Tiles explores some of the options available for designers to create the a statement wall covering solution for every space.

    textured wall tiles from Hyperion tiles on the wall in reception area

    Image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    With the first visual chance to impress beginning at reception, creating a welcoming atmosphere is paramount. Using a combination of a textured tile and subtle colour is one option to present a hotel entrance in a sophisticated way. Textured tiles will instantly add depth to an overall scheme, and can also be used to define different zones. Create a statement backdrop to the check in process, or frame an entrance to the lift before transporting guests to their private retreats. Choosing a clever selection of wall coverings can both direct guests as well as giving a suggestion of what lies beyond.

    3D wallpanels make a statement in hotel guestroom

    Image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    Wallcoverings in the guestroom can provide more than a design statement, but can also impact on acoustics. Tiles allow designers the opportunity to play with texture and finish while 3D wall panels shift the design into a stylish and contemporary frame. Panels and tiles can provide a broad range of design options that are both practical and hard wearing as well as being easy to clean, all of which is key in the hospitality arena. Alternative wallcoverings in the guestroom are a means of injecting warmth and character into the design aesthetic of the guestroom, ensuring the experience is a memorable one.

    3D wallpanels make a statement in hotel guestroom

    Image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    Moving from the bed to the bath, a luxury hotel bathroom is the perfect place for striking design elements. Luxury tile styles and surfaces marry perfectly with more practical elements, being easy to clean and maintain. Think opulent designs, such as marble or marble-effect tiles, which can make a small space feel more opulent, while wall panels can be used to define areas in a bathroom design. An interplay of contrasting wall ideas, some of which can tie into the floor for a more seamless finish, can elevate the bathroom from functional to fabulous.

    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.

    Main image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    Alape Arkta bathroom furniture by Dornbrecht

    Alape sets the stage in the bathroom

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    Alape sets the stage in the bathroom

    Combining minimalism with comfort and functionality, Alape incorporates this high standard into bathroom furnishings with its new Arkta range, focusing on the entire wash place from the basin to high-quality furniture solutions…

    Alape Arkta bathroom furniture by Dornbrecht

    The bathroom as a place of retreat is becoming increasingly important in a fast-paced world. Additionally, values such as naturalness, durability, and the desire for individuality are also high on the agenda. Under the headline ‘Your personal wash place’, Alape, the specialist for high-quality washstands is raising the bathroom benchmark and setting the stage for sense and sensuality. Creating modular furniture with high design standards, the manufacturer remains true to its attitude towards well-defined designs with timeless aesthetics. The Arkta collection is all about exclusive materials, with a balanced design, smart details, and the sustainable use of resources all hallmarks for the products in the range. Derived from the Nordic style of living which combines minimalism with comfort and functionality, a diverse range of furniture has been created that expresses personality and blends harmoniously into different styles of living, thanks to its purist design and diverse customisation options.

    With a clear design, precise workmanship, and a perfect symbiosis with the Alape basins, Arkta also impresses with huge planning possibilities. The variable widths of between 800mm and 1600mm, two heights, and different materials for countertops and furniture surfaces all bring design into play. In addition, you have the choice of two washbasins in three colours and four design handles in coordinated finishes however, the furniture can also be used without a handle for a purist look. Five high-quality and easy-care countertops can be perfectly matched to the furniture modules with their natural characteristics. Here, the solid and vibrant materials made of mineral material, quartz, and ceramic in an elegant design combined with the furniture elements, produce a harmonious yet stylish effect. The real wood veneer furniture exudes naturalness and comfort, while the matt white lacquered colours and three harmonious tones in silk grey, quartz grey, and turquoise grey give the furniture a pleasant texture and harmony. The precisely mitred surround frame on the front of the furniture is an expressive design detail and gives the design a sensual touch.

    a green bathroom with the natural finishes of the alape arkta furniture range

    Image credit: Dornbracht / Alape

    Ensuring that sustainability is always in focus, responsible and sustainable materials are the focus of the Arkta furniture range. The selected surfaces are certified and meet the highest quality and sustainability standards such as the NEOLITH ceramic worktops that are made of 100% natural raw materials and are fully recyclable. The wood selected for the furniture modules also comes from certified, sustainably managed forests, thus supporting an environmentally conscious lifestyle.

    Thanks to the wide choice of surface and handle variations, very different wash places with their very own style are created in combination with functional interior layouts, additional cabinet elements, as well as matching mirror and storage solutions. They’re all created with great attention to detail and skilled craftsmanship, and manufactured to suit individual design requirements and room dimensions, providing the perfect solution for every bathroom style.

    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.

    Main image credit: Dornbracht / Alape

    Ivaylo Lefterov Svart DESIGN POD

    Listen now: ‘energy-positive hotels’ is the theme for ep. 20 of DESIGN POD

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    Listen now: ‘energy-positive hotels’ is the theme for ep. 20 of DESIGN POD

    Listen up. The latest episode of DESIGN POD has dropped, and in it Editor Hamish Kilburn speaks to Ivaylo Lefterov to understand the challenges and opportunities behind developing the world’s first energy-positive hotel, which will sit under a spectacular glacier in Norway…

    Ivaylo Lefterov Svart DESIGN POD

    Episode 20 of DESIGN POD, the podcast for all architecture and design enthusiasts, is all about looking ahead while also embracing the latest technology available to allow hotel experts to design a more conscious hospitality landscape, with holistic wellness and wellbeing at the core.

    Ever since Hotel Designs heard the first whispers of Svart – and its ambitious aims – the editorial team have been engaged and excited to follow the development, which in 2024, is slated to become the world’s first energy-positive hotel. The 94-key hotel, which will be operated by Six Senses Hotels and Resorts, is going to break new boundaries on the global hotel design and hospitality scene. And the man pulling together all element to ensure it hits all the right notes is Ivaylo Lefterov, who caught up with me recently to discuss how the project is coming along.

    Designed structurally by Snøhetta, Six Senses Svart will combine a futuristic design, led by interior design studio, Space Copenhagen, and technological innovation with earthy, organic materials that will use the latest embedded energy.

    Collage of Svart Six Senses Hotel Norway Hotel Designs

    Image credit: Svart/Six Senses Hotels & Resorts

    The hotel, which will be poised on poles above the crystal-clear waters of the Holandsfjorden fjord, at the base of a glacier, aims to raise awareness of the possibilities of regenerative travel and the importance of the polar region, in partnership with the local community.

    Innate to this project, and an integral part of its DNA, is the commitment not to compromise the fragile and pristine glacial surroundings or the property’s beauty and quality. The major design pillars of Six Senses Svart are environment and nature, sustainability, technological innovation, wellness and mindfulness, which have been integrated in tandem because they all directly impact each other.

    Main image credit: Hotel Designs/DESIGN POD

    guestroom at Brown Beach by Brown Hotels Eretria

    Brown Hotels takes ‘Brown Beach’ to Greece

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    Brown Hotels takes ‘Brown Beach’ to Greece

    International hotel collection Brown Hotels has announced the opening of two new properties from its new four-star line of resorts: Brown Beach Eretria and Brown Beach Chalkida. The new ‘Brown Beach’ branded resorts are the first to launch under the new sub-brand. Here’s what we know…

    guestroom at Brown Beach by Brown Hotels Eretria

    Known for its quirky, design-driven collection of boutique urban properties, Brown Hotels expanded into beach-side offerings earlier this summer with the launch of its inaugural resort, Isla Brown Corinthia. Brown Beach Eretria and Brown Beach Chalkida introduce a hospitality concept new to the group, presenting four-star, beach-front resorts both complete with swimming pools, a bar and restaurant, wellness centre, spa and events space. Located on the increasingly popular Evia Island, just a one hour drive from Athens, the new Brown Beach resorts present the perfect getaway for international travellers and local Athenians alike, with Brown Beach Eretria providing additional leisure facilities and on-site entertainment, operating as the first all-inclusive resort by Brown Hotels.

    blue and white striped sunloungers with parasols around the pool at Brown Beach Eretria

    Image credit: Brown Hotels

    “Evia island is one of the largest and closest islands to Athens, yet still remains relatively unknown,” said Leon Avigad, Founder, Brown Hotels. “Being so closely located to Athens, accessible by a one hour car drive, and with such a beautiful coastline, we saw an opportunity to invest in this untapped destination as domestic and international tourism continues to rise. The new Brown Beach resorts usher in a new hospitality offering to the Brown Hotels collection, and we’re excited to be diversifying and connecting with new audiences as the group expands.”

    With a clean and minimalistic design aesthetic, the rooms at Brown Beach Eretria feature a calming colour palette of neutral hues with ochre and marine blue accents, natural materials and refined furnishings, for an atmosphere that encourages the ultimate tranquillity. Boasting 175 spacious rooms, guests can choose from the various configurations to suit their preference. All rooms at Brown Beach Eretria offer spacious balconies, complimentary high-speed WiFi, bathrobes and slippers and luxury bathroom amenities.

    Brown Beach Chalkida presents the perfect weekend getaway, located on the Agios Minas beach at the entry point to Evia island, less than an hour’s drive from Athens. With picturesque sea views, 119 stylish guestrooms, swimming pool and pool bar, restaurant, tennis courts, gym, spa and wellness centre and events space, Brown Beach Chalkida is ideal for both couples and families looking for an easy-to-reach, beach-front retreat. Offering ‘Sea View’, ‘Garden View’ or ‘Pool View’ rooms, each room benefits from a balcony and is fitted out with complimentary high-speed WiFi, bathrobes and slippers and luxury bathroom amenities. Cultivating the “Brown Beach” aesthetic, the hotel’s interiors mimic those of Brown Beach Eretria, with similarly decorated stylish rooms boasting a neutral colour palette, clean lines and natural wood furnishings.

    reed ceiling and ochre furniture in the poolside restaurant at Brown Beach chalkida by Brown Hotels

    Image credit: Brown Hotels

    Brown Hotels, which operates 20 hotels in Israel and one property in Croatia, expanded into Greece in 2020 with its inaugural property Brown Acropol, a retro-style 165-room-and-suite hotel located on Athens’ Omonia Square. since then it has consistently built on its portfolio in Greece to include a range of properties, including Villa Brown Ermou, a cosy 51-room boutique property with Greco-French influences nestled in the picturesque Plaka neighbourhood of Athens, and DAVE Red Athens, an 87-room hotel with an industrial style interior design. Brown Hotels seeks to spread the success of its devotion to service, design, creativity and style with the acquisition of further properties, totalling at 40 hotels across Greece by 2024.

    Main image credit: Brown Hotels

    aerial view of Hilton Burau Bay Resort Langkawi

    Hilton’s flagship brand to debut in Langkawi

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    Hilton’s flagship brand to debut in Langkawi

    Hilton has announced the signing of an agreement with Tradewinds Corporation Berhad to expand Hilton’s flagship brand in Malaysia with Hilton Burau Bay Resort Langkawi. The resort marks Tradewinds Corporation Berhad’s fourth property with Hilton – here’s what we know…

    aerial view of Hilton Burau Bay Resort Langkawi

    Scheduled to open in 2024, the 251 guestroom resort will be Hilton’s second property in Langkawi, complementing The Nautilus Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, slated to open in 2023. The resort will also join Hilton’s established portfolio of hotels in Malaysia, where it currently operates 13 properties across three brands, with another nine in the pipeline.

    “Langkawi is a tropical paradise famed for its natural beauty – home to South East Asia’s first UNESCO World Geopark and a popular upscale destination for international and domestic travellers alike,”said Guy Phillips, Senior Vice President, Development, Asia and Australasia, Hilton. “We are delighted to expand our long-standing partnership with Tradewinds Corporation Berhad and bring Hilton’s flagship brand and world-class hospitality to Langkawi.”

    Nestled in Burau Bay along Langkawi’s western coastline, the resort boasts stunning, unobstructed views of the Straits of Malacca, and enjoys a 600 meter beachfront with white sands and clear waters. It is surrounded by untouched coastal rainforests, and overlooks the majestic Gunung Mat Cincang, Seratosa Island, and Burau Island.

    “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Hilton through the upcoming debut of Hilton Burau Bay Resort Langkawi. The resort marks our fourth collaboration with Hilton, underscoring the strong synergies between our companies,” said Muhammad Zainal Ashikin, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Tradewinds Corporation Berhad.” We are confident that Hilton Burau Bay Resort Langkawi will be a fine addition to this popular leisure destination and will be well-received by locals and international visitors alike.”

    Hilton Burau Bay Resort Langkawi will feature an executive lounge and five dining concepts including an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant and a pool bar. Guests can look forward to unwinding at the award-winning eforea spa, indoor and outdoor pools, or enjoy a workout at the fitness centre, basketball and tennis courts. For guests looking to host social events and celebrations, the resort also offers an events space spanning approximately 800 square meters, and a ballroom of approximately 400 square meters.

    Main image credit: Hilton International

    W Costa Navarino with w brand sculpture

    Miniview: authenticity meets modernity at W Costa Navarino

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    Miniview: authenticity meets modernity at W Costa Navarino

    W Costa Navarino, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 hotel brands, has recently opened its doors overlooking the protected and historic Bay of Navarino, and in true W style it is set to introduce a place that fosters creativity, individuality, and freedom of expression…

    W Costa Navarino with w brand sculpture

    With architectural design led by renowned Greek architects Tombazis and Associates, W Costa Navarino takes inspiration from the region’s traditional architecture with cobbled paths, monolithic building and stone towers creating the feeling of a Greek coastal village. Using local materials, Costa Navarino’s dedication to sustainable practices is reflected in the hotel’s timeless design, unified within indigenous greenery and planted roofs overlooking the sea.

    All guestroom, suite, and villa interiors celebrate the heritage of Greek artisans with a palette of neutral tones which are occasionally met with pops of colour. Infused with the unexpected, thoughtful design elements of W Hotels, the interior design across the resort including the public areas and the culinary square – Platía – was led by London-based and globally focused studio MKV Design. Modern yet refined interpretations of traditional craftsmanship can be seen through the lighting and flooring, referencing the time-honoured Greek basket weavers and leather chairs that offer a contemporary interpretation of regional saddler’s art.

    The W lounge at W Costa Navarino with bar and seating using local and natural materials

    Image credit: Marriott International / W Costa Navarino

    “Set against the unparalleled beauty of the Mediterranean, we are thrilled to introduce W Hotels to Greece with the opening of W Costa Navarino,” said Benoit Racle, Vice President, Brand Management, W Hotels Worldwide. “From upcycling materials to a bioclimatic design, W Costa Navarino features sophisticated architecture that leans into the broader sustainability efforts of the coastal enclave, presenting international travelers and local tastemakers an opportunity to capture the energy of Mediterranean culture. World-class dining and immersive programming celebrate authentic Mediterranean culture, promising an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience at W Costa Navarino.”

    The unique architectural design of the destination beach club Parelía as well as the Platía, were designed by Tombazis and Athens-based K-Studio, with the latter also leading interiors at Parelía. The interior design at the sunset restaurant and bar, Between was created by Interior Design Laboratorium. Inspired by the local area and Greek heritage, the custom-designed W totem was crafted with reclaimed wood collected from old fishing boats, representing the notion of seafaring.

    stone walls and olive trees at W Costa Navarino - Parelia Beach Club

    Image credit: Marriott International / W Costa Navarino

    Setting the tone as a music and artistic hub, the passionate personality of W Hotels comes to life through the artistic and musical edge across the lush grounds. With its original music programming, guests can enjoy a diverse, genre-defying programme including funky house, hot disco, afro-house, tribal and neo-soul. The Escape is set to host international and local DJs and musicians each season such as Alex Nude and Valeron & Band, to complement its roster of resident DJs including Ukrainian Rie Kiriiaka, Greek-Colombian DJ Montana Cruz and Greece’s own Vasilis Georgakopoulos.

    True to brand, W Costa Navarino ignites curiosity with contemporary art throughout the hotel, intended to provoke conversation among guests. The artwork curation is led by visual artist and curator Poka-Yio and a team of young artists by the Athens School of Fine Arts LAB12. It is closely linked to notions of inclusiveness and culture, aiming to have a deeper purpose and act as a means to explore and escape, surprise and challenge and ultimately contribute to what W Costa Navarino represents – a different hospitality experience.

    black basket chairs and a white bench at W Costa Navarino Beachfront Villa Pool

    Image credit: Marriott International / W Costa Navarino

    The resort shelters a number of culinary points, ensuring that – whatever the mood and whatever the hour – guests will have something that promises to please the palate. W Lounge, at the heart of the Escape, offers a globally inspired menu alongside a range of palate cleansing spritzers, aperitifs and locally inspired, eco-conscious cocktails. Platía is a playful spin on the traditional Greek food market and is a destination for breakfast, daytime coffees, or a relaxed group dinner in the evening. The space evokes the informal buzz and energy of a marketplace with four separate “grab & go” outlets. The Café celebrates coffee culture with daily ground coffee selection and a roastery serving all specialty varieties, in addition to fresh juices and snacks throughout the day, while the Cookery presents an open-style kitchen for morning breakfast and plays host to visiting chefs and pop-up concepts.

    With a menu concept based on raw food, Between will offer cocktails and light dinner bites that celebrate the purity of flavour and aroma found in the natural form of ingredients – including oysters, clams, and premium caviar. Accompanied by live DJ sets and a cocktail menu focused on seasonality and simplicity, the aptly named Between will be the ideal setting for sipping a craft cocktail as the sun dips below the horizon.

    sunset over the pool at the WET deck at W Costa Navarino

    Image credit: Marriott International / W Costa Navarino

    “W Costa Navarino celebrates a unique blend of energies immersed in a naturally beautiful setting. The new vibrant resort combines traditional elements from the Messinian culture with the unmistakable character and unique vibe for which W Hotels are known,” said Nassos Papazoglou, General Manager, W Costa Navarino. “From the thoughtfully refined and locally inspired design, with a strong focus on art to, diverse and energetic programming, W Costa Navarino is ready to make a mark in the Mediterranean hospitality scene.”

    The destination beach club is set to be the social hot spot of W Costa Navarino. Its name Parelía’s combines the Greek word ‘parea’, meaning friends socializing, with ‘paralia’, meaning beach. With DJs playing a mix of genres from Electro House to NuJazz and Fusion and live music throughout the day, Parelía naturally evolves from a casual beach mood for swimming and unwinding, to a high-energy venue for late night fun, dancing and partying by the sea.

    The WET Deck features a breath-taking infinity pool with views across the crystalline Ionian Sea and beyond, along with plenty of space to relax in the sun after a swim. The AWAY Spa offers an extensive menu of treatments to balance guests’ energy while FIT gym has a 25-meter outdoor heated swimming pool and the latest gym equipment for guests wanting to maintain their fitness routine at leisure.

    Main image credit: Marriott International / W Costa Navarino

    The Forum Events Interior Design & Architecture Summit – June 30th @ Hilton London Canary Wharf. Picture: DANNY LOO

    Hotel Summit & Tech in Hospitality Summit 2022 unveil speaker line-up

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    Hotel Summit & Tech in Hospitality Summit 2022 unveil speaker line-up

    With just over a month to go until hoteliers and suppliers will attend Hotel Summit and Tech in Hospitality Summit, Editor Hamish Kilburn takes a look at the speaker line-up, which includes panel discussions and talks on sustainability, technology and diversity… 

    The Forum Events Interior Design & Architecture Summit – June 30th @ Hilton London Canary Wharf. Picture: DANNY LOO

    With just under five weeks to go until Hotel Summit and Tech in Hospitality Summit officially get underway, the line-up of speakers, which Hotel Designs has secured as part of its on-going partnership with the events, has been announced.

    Owned by Forum Events, Hotel Summit, which for more than two decades has been bringing together senior hospitality professionals with key-industry suppliers, will take place between September 26 – 27 at Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre, London Heathrow. The event, which is free to attend for qualified hotel buyers, will consists of pre-arranged, one-to-one meetings, a carefully curated seminar programme and a networking dinner with entertainment.

    After recognising the rise in demand for tech-driven hospitality, Forum Events has strengthened its hospitality and design portfolio by launching a summit specifically catered towards technology. Tech in Hospitality Summit will make its debut on September 27 at Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre, London Heathrow.

    The sister events, both closely linked, will not only share the same venue, but also the same talks programme, which has been designed to tackle relevant and ever-evolving topics, such as ESG and greenwashing; diversity and inclusion, efficient marketing and sensitively injecting technology.

    The line-up is as follows:

    SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

    08:45 – 09:30 (opening presentation)
    Opening presentation: Net-zero hospitality in 2022 & beyond

    Scratching away at the greenwashing veneer, Hotel Designs aims to put sustainability and ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) at the forefront of Hotel Summit, which will start with an exclusive panel discussion that will explore how recent research, development and a conscious mindset is allowing hotels to lay down innovative initiatives to achieve a net-zero business model – and it starts with design.

    09:45 – 10:30 (seminar)
    Back to front inclusion

    Presented by Sheryl Miller, Founder, Reboot Global, this session will explore how to create an inclusive culture that values difference, turns your customers into fans and gives you a competitive edge in customer service. The session will cover navigating the evolving diversity of global travellers, how cognitive bias can derail a positive customer experience, how a ‘be yourself’ workplace empowers colleagues to respond to unique guest needs and practical strategies to make colleagues feel valued through everyday interactions.

    Miller is a Chartered Accountant by background. She qualified with EY and worked in a variety of commercial finance roles before moving into organisational change, leading large scale transformation in companies such as National Grid and Tesco. In 2018 she wrote the book, ‘Smashing Stereotypes: How To Get Ahead When You’re The Only _____ In The Room’. This led to extensive research into the science of individual performance in the workplace for people from different backgrounds.

    She provides Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training, consultancy and C-suite coaching to businesses who are looking for fresh perspectives on how to create the right environments for high performance. She also holds a number of Non Executive Director roles for organisations including the NHS, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and is Head of Mentoring for the London Chapter of PWN Global (Professional Women’s Network).

    17:00 – 17:45 (seminar)
    Recession marketing plan: the 7 key areas to focus your limited spend

    Former hotelier and digital marketing expert, Adam Hamadache, CEO, DHM, will present a talk on effective and efficient marketing strategies. As recession looms, and energy prices soar, marketing budgets will be scrutinised, reduced or even slashed. Stopping all marketing activity is well known to be a false economy as we learnt during the pandemic. Hamadache will share his advice on what hotels should do with their limited marketing resources in 2023. His presentation aims to provide a set of guiding principles to help hotels continue to grow bookings and recruit staff with a reduced budget.

    SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

    08:45 – 09:20 (Panel discussion)
    Sensitively injecting tech in hotel design & hospitality

    With tech in hospitality and design being one of the key pillars of Hotel Summit and Tech in Hospitality Summit, Editor Hamish Kilburn interview Naomi Heaton who is the developer of the new hospitality brand The Other House to understand how the brand – from design to service – is meaningfully injecting and embracing technology.

    Hotel Summit session 4

    09:30 – 10:30 (Seminar)
    “How hospitality technology has changed and what does the future look like?”

    The two-day programme will end with a talk from Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA. The pandemic saw an influx of new technologies some of which have been adopted into ‘normal’ life, others have been dumped! In this final session, Pendlebury will explore what the future looks like regarding technology in hospitality?

    Tech in Hospitality Summit seminar 2Sounds great! How do I attend either summits?

    If you are a supplier (tech or otherwise) to the hospitality industry looking to meet top hotel professionals, contact Ashley Dawson at a.dawson@forumevents.co.uk– or click here to book your place.

    If you are a hotelier and would like to attend either Summit for free, please contact Kerry Naumburger at k.naumburger@forumevents.co.uk – or click here to book your place.

    Main image credit: Hotel Designs/Interior Design & Architecture Summit

    TOLEDO by Sekers

    Product watch: Toledo & Varna by Sekers

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    Product watch: Toledo & Varna by Sekers

    Hotel Designs takes a look at two of Sekers’ latest collections, Toledo and Varna…

    TOLEDO by Sekers

    Sekers has recently announced the launch of Toledo, a lush polyester velvet that incorporates FibreGuard anti-stain technology and Varna, which is a versatile collection featuring two opulent velvet upholstery fabrics; Columbia and Odessa.

    Toledo proves suitable for contract upholstery and accessories. Also, this collection boasts a subtle printed texture and soft lustre providing a modern edge. Moreover, the anti-stain finish makes it even more relevant for the hotel and contract market, where durability is key. In short, Toledo resists tough stains.

    Image caption: Varna by Sekers. | Image credit: Sekers

    Image caption: Varna by Sekers. | Image credit: Sekers

    Varna, meanwhile, is all about opulence with its two velvets. Odessa isa. bold tie-dye print that is reminiscent of the water’s edge on the shore of the Black Sea. Its colour is its value, with it being easy to pair with the contemporary plain, Columbia, which is a sumptuous-cotton-look velvet with a luxurious soft touch. The collection is available in 30 colourways and is supplied with crib 5 flame retardant backing with a strong Martindale abrasion performance.

    Sekers is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image caption: Toledo by Sekers. | Image credit: Sekers

    The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali

    The Laguna Nusa Dua – reimagined & relaunched

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    The Laguna Nusa Dua – reimagined & relaunched

    The Laguna, A Luxury Collection property by Marriott International in Nusa Dua, has been completely renovated, showcasing a design inspired by its beautiful tropical surroundings with echoes of the local traditions of Balinese culture…

    The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali

    Nestled on Bali’s pristine white sand beach of Nusa Dua, The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, having just emerged from a full-scale transformational renovation, encapsulates the best of Bali. Boasting seven lagoon pools, 287 guestrooms, suites and luxury villas, the resort has its own temple and award-winning restaurants and bars. Step outside of the resort, and guests will find the nearby Nusa Dua beach, the renowned Uluwatu Temple and the Garuda Wisnu Kencana cultural park.

    The new design of the rooms is inspired by the collective stories and traditions of Bali, as well as nautical influences from the resort’s seven lagoons. The Laguna has incorporated the Balinese ‘sulaman’ embroidered headboard as the rooms’ central design feature, choosing colours and materials that echo the art, while the story of the lagoon and the nautical experiences around it are also celebrated with rope and leather detailing and a bespoke selection of lamps and shiplap walls. Woven keben baskets, typically used to carry offerings at temples, and low-rise dulang tables that carry colourful spreads of local tropical fruits feature alongside specially commissioned artwork pays tribute to the island’s arts and crafts. The rooms all offer unique advantages such as private balconies, immediate access to pools, private pools and large living spaces.

    spa gazebo in the gardens of The Laguna Nusa dua

    Image credit: The Laguna / Marriott International

    Surrounded by azure pools and leafy tropical greenery, the award-winning spa features indoor treatment rooms, two treatment gazebos overlooking the Indian Ocean, along with a private relaxation lounge with steam and sauna facilities. In perfect harmony with seven crystalline lagoon pools, lush tropical gardens and pristine beach, the resort’s design and ambiance ties in with its surroundings of water, nature and indigenous culture, encouraging relaxation and rejuvenation of mind, body and spirit.

    Main image credit: The Laguna / Marriott International

    Harlequin Colour3 collection Manzara design in sunset shades

    Harlequin embarks on voyage of discovery

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    Harlequin embarks on voyage of discovery

    Following on from the success of Harlequin Colour 1 and Colour 2, Harlequin Colour 3 embarks on a voyage of discovery, charting the cultural aesthetics and regional techniques found along the Silk Road. We went along for the ride…

    Harlequin Colour3 collection Manzara design in sunset shades

    The Harlequin design journey begins with the glowing midnight colours of China’s lantern lit streets and the gently meandering rivers in the same glorious turquoise shades as Uzbekistan’s mosaic clad architecture. In ‘Journey of Discovery’, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon sit alongside the Tower of Babel, surrounded by geishas, goddesses and emperors, snow leopards, giant pandas and the mythical Chinese dragon. Like a map of the Silk Road, this wallpaper charts a voyage of discovery in a remarkable and ornate piece of hand painted cartography.Together with nine further wallpaper designs, that are all suitable for contract settings, this collection includes the sights, experiences and some inspired interpretations of the ancient trading route.

    The perfect partner to Journey of Discovery, ‘Shiruku’ is a wonderful colour coordinating wallpaper. Representative of a traditional Uzbekistani silk, its ikat style is printed on beautiful nonwoven paper, with a gentle emboss that retains the same woven texture as the original archive document. Combining an organic hand with architectural influences, ‘Dawning’ is an ideal choice for modern spaces. Inspired by the cover of a tiny Japanese book housed in the Harlequin archive and a Silk Road sunrise, its diffusion of colour welcomes in the new day. In a gorgeous set of chalky colours, Dawning’s slightly geometric pattern is almost like refracted light.

    With a strong architectural look, ‘Blocks’ is a large scale checkerboard wallpaper influenced by a traditional artisan weave. Layers of 3D shapes build to make a bold geometric pattern in a choice of three colourways. For a harmonious aesthetic, ‘Manzara’s’ beautiful, large scale ombre with a relaxed, tonal movement and ethereal feel creates an atmospheric wallpaper panel that resembles painted parchment. Providing a stunning backdrop to all styles of interior, it’s the perfect choice for wrapping large spaces.

    “Harlequin Colour 3 builds on from Colour 1 and 2, combining new and existing designs to create a global traveller feel,” explained Claire Greenfield, Head of Design, Harlequin. “We have some beautiful ethnic and Asian inspired patterns that slot together like pieces of a jigsaw, with a richness of colour contrasting with a handcrafted aesthetic. We’ve chosen our favourite Silk Road treasures, whether local crafts, compositions or colours and applied them to a gorgeous range of wallpapers to create a collection that sings of adventure.”

    Harlequin Colours 3 Flourish styled outdoors with sunloungers and cushions

    Image credit: Sanderson Design Group / Harlequin

    Continuing to champion individuality, Harlequin’s designs and colourways have been carefully edited into one of four signature ‘looks’. Named Rewild, Retreat, Renew and Reflect, each look enables designers to discover how their customers can #OWNTHEROOM in a way that matches their interior style, while providing a sense of well-being with products suitable for the hospitality environment.

    Sanderson Design Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Harlequin

    Harrison Spinks Farm

    Harrison Spinks’ path to becoming leaders in luxury sustainable comfort

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    Harrison Spinks’ path to becoming leaders in luxury sustainable comfort

    The plot around bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks becoming leaders in sustainability thickens. Here is how the brand that was born on a farm, near Leeds 180 years ago, is making a difference…

    Harrison Spinks Farm

    Fifth generation family business Harrison Spinks secures its position as industry leaders in luxury sustainable comfort with a partnership with a sustainability consultancy and the appointment of a non-executive director. This follows news in April that they have become the largest industrial hemp grower in the UK, with the acquisition of an additional 80 acres of farmland in North Yorkshire to allow the company to produce in excess of 1,000 tonnes of hemp annually.

    A 180 year old business; the company has three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, Innovation and International Trade, was the first in their industry to hold a Carbon Neutral Plus accreditation and the first in the sector to partner with British Wool on their Traceable Wool Scheme.

    The bed manufacturer has started working with management consultancy Project Rome to support in the development of their sustainability road map, in addition to appointing leading sustainability and social responsibility advisor Dr Louise Ellis as non-executive director to redefine their plans to include an emphasis on people, community and sustainable, circular manufacture. Dr Louise Ellis has more than 25 years’ experience of leading organisations to make a difference and strive for environmental and social equity.

    Image credit: The Signature Collection by Harrison Spinks

    Image credit: The Signature Collection by Harrison Spinks

    Harrison Spinks’ expansion into new North Yorkshire farmland supports the business’s growth and sustainability plans, increasing its hemp production. Spanning 80 acres the farmland will be used to increase the company’s industrial hemp production, becoming the largest industrial hemp producer in the UK.

    Harrison Spinks Handcrafting copy

    Image credit: Harrison Spinks

    A key component in the brand’s mattresses, known for its fresh, gentle and absorbent properties, is the fibre that makes for the perfect mattress filling. Known for its environmental benefits, hemp absorbs more CO2 per hectare in its growth cycle than any other forest or commercial crop. This allows the company to continue to produce luxury mattresses in the most environmentally responsible way possible.

    Harrison Spinks strives to use recycled components and grow or manufacture as much as of their own sustainable materials as possible on their farms and at their headquarters.

    Believing comfort and sustainability go hand in hand with goals to be world leader in both and to leave the world in a better place for future generations.

    > Since you’re here, why not read Hotel Designs’ visit of the brand’s factory and farm?

    Harrison Spinks 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: Harrison Spinks

    Duravit D Neo range in Hotel Fritz

    In conversation with: Toni ElKadi on maximising the hotel bathroom experience

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    In conversation with: Toni ElKadi on maximising the hotel bathroom experience

    With the bathroom playing an increasingly important role when it comes
    to selecting a hotel, a high-quality, contemporary design is key. Toni ElKadi, Head of Global Project Business Duravit, spoke to us about upgrading the hotel experience, while looking at how to maximise customer satisfaction via design…

    Duravit D Neo range in Hotel Fritz

    Whether in a three-star city hotel or a five-star luxury resort, comfortable, spacious bathrooms with perfect hygiene solutions are a solid foundation for satisfied hotel guests. With the spotlight firmly focussed on wellness and spa experiences, the pressure is on for the bathroom to deliver. We caught up with Toni Elkadi, who in his role in Global Project Business at Duravit, works with hotels across the globe, to discuss all things bathroom and design.

    Hotel Designs: Mr. ElKadi, at Duravit you oversee Global Project Business, part of which involves interfacing with renowned hotel operators from around the world. How important is the bathroom within the interior design of a hotel?

    Toni ElKadi: In an era of online booking portals, positive guest reviews are more important than ever for hoteliers. We need to see the bathroom as being a key factor in customer satisfaction and enhancing the quality of the guests’ stay. Guests are more susceptible to the bathroom than other areas of the hotel, no other space is as intimate for the guest as the bathroom.

    HD: What are your recommendations to hoteliers for their interior bathroom concept in terms of design and colour? Are there any materials that hoteliers should avoid?

    TEK: It’s not about avoiding a specific material, but rather selecting high-quality materials that meet the needs of both the environment and the guest. Rectangular bathroom furniture with open space is recommended for smaller areas, as they can increase the usability of the room. Use authentic, natural colours for furniture. This creates a relaxed environment and helps the guests feel comfortable and can enhance the overall experience of a stay, as the guests enjoy the tranquillity of the bathroom.

    Zencha freestanding bath by duravit

    Image credit: Duravit

    For 5-star hotels and resorts, comfort, design and materials play a decisive role, especially for bathtubs. The innovative DuraSolid is a material with a unique look and feel. Duravit’s freestanding bathtubs such as Zencha, Luv or Cape Cod can be rectangle, round, oval or even square and entice guests to enjoy a unique bathing experience. With its all-encompassing product portfolio, Duravit provides designers and operators with inspiration and a wide variety of design concepts – whether modern, traditional, or contemporary.

    HD: Which surfaces are best suited for the sanitary equipment in hotel bathrooms? What makes them suitable for this environment?

    TEK: The quality of the product is the deciding factor, in addition to the attention to detail in terms of design. Duravit offers highly developed products made especially for wet and damp environments. As an example, I’d like to mention our innovative matt lacquer surfaces as these are scratch-resistant and are easy to care for. Several coats of a special water-based lacquer are applied by hand, producing a surface of an extraordinary quality with innovative properties. The anti-fingerprint coating makes fingerprints disappear, the surfaces have a pleasant feel, and they are easy to clean.

    Duravit Starck collection in guestroom at Palais Wunderlich

    Image credit: Duravit / Michael Gregonowits

    HD: Cleaning and cleanliness also play a central role in the hotel business – can you elaborate a bit on this?

    TEK: Exactly, a further aspect is of course hygiene. The hotel bathroom is a place that needs to guarantee the utmost in cleanliness and hygiene. That’s why the right equipment is essential and why the hygienic qualities of the products need to be considered, such as the Duravit Rimless technology. The open rim design promotes hygiene thanks to a powerful water flow and represents a cost-effective solution for the housekeeping team – the overall cleaning time can be reduced, and efficiency guaranteed.

    HD: What role does sustainability play in hotel bathrooms?

    TEK: Alongside design, sustainability is naturally a key principle in decision-making. All Duravit furniture is manufactured at our plant in the Black Forest and is PEFC-certified, meaning it is made from wood products from sustainably managed forests. Water consumption is also a key factor. This can also be reduced by the optimum flushing of toilets. The innovative HygieneFlush flushing technology provides a powerful flushing flow. Independent tests show that this new flushing technique optimally cleans the entire inner surface of the toilet. Similarly, the focus of the development of the Duravit faucets is on creating sustainable and durable products. Durable products are characterised by timelessly modern design, high user-friendliness, and intelligent functions. All washbasin faucets are limited to 5 l/min, and the MinusFlow option even reduces this to 3.5 l/min. This can save energy and costs, especially with large projects in the hotel area.

    HD: And finally, how can technology in the bathroom enhance the guest experience?

    TEK: As the world becomes ever more digital, innovative products that enhance the user’s comfort are finding their way into the bathroom. This is the product of a customer-focused research and development process that combines technology, functionality, and design in a meaningful way. An example of this is the shower toilet.  With shower toilets, hotels can offer their guests a comfortable experience with optimum hygiene – because nothing is as purifying as water. SensoWash is a by-word for contemporary, gentle, and flawless hygiene. The SensoWash Starck shower-toilet is iconic and minimalistic in equal measure. Light is another important topic for designers and operators. With the use of Duravit mirrors, the light atmosphere in the bathroom can be covered for any structural conditions – whether in terms of mood, ambience, experience, design or technology. Finally, sensor basin mixers: touchless faucets offer a hygienic and smart solution for public areas.

    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.

    Main image credit: Duravit

    Akaryn Group Aleenta Chiang Mai Resort & Spa

    Akaryn Group takes Aleenta to Chiang Mai

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    Akaryn Group takes Aleenta to Chiang Mai

    Following the success of the Aleenta Resorts & Spas in Phuket and Hua Hin, the luxury boutique hotel group in Asia, AKARYN Hotel Group has announced that it will open its third property under the Aleenta Resort brand of luxury boutique resorts with Aleenta Chiang Mai Resort & Spa slated to open in Q1 of 2023…

    Akaryn Group Aleenta Chiang Mai Resort & Spa

    Aleenta, which means ‘a rewarding life’, has served as the hotel collection’s manifesto since its launch in 2006 with the inaugural Aleenta Hua Hin Resort & Spa. Committed to offering a five-star experience, Aleenta Resorts are focussed on spacious suite accommodations, premium design, exceptional F&B, first class facilities and holistic retreat programmes for ultimate wellness uniting the mind, body and spirit. Situated between the ancient city of Chiang Mai and the region’s lush countryside, Aleenta Chiang Mai will be geared towards the health-conscious traveller seeking  complete relaxation, holistic rebalancing and an authentic Thai hospitality experience.

    guestroom with teak wooden finishes at Aleenta Chiang Mai Resort & Spa

    Image credit: AKARYN Hotel Group

    “After a fruitful few years with the success of the first two Aleenta Resorts, we’re excited to be launching Aleenta Chiang Mai along with the addition of the holistic medical programmes, elevating the resort’s wellness offering to an unrivalled level in the region,” said Anchalika Kijkanakorn, Managing Director, AKARYN Hotel Group. “Continuing to strive for excellence, the Aleenta Resort brand will welcome additional properties over the next few years, expanding beyond the borders of Thailand.”

    Sheltering an intimate 44 guestrooms, Aleenta Chiang Mai will boast a combination of 32 spacious guestrooms all with private terraces, and one-and-two-bedroom pool villas. The highlight of the hotel is a four bedroom teak wood villa, made from antique golden teak that was collected by the owner, restored, and carefully reassembled into a new structure, inviting guests for a traditional Thai living experience finished with contemporary comforts and a private swimming pool. Tastefully merging traditional Thai design with modern facilities, each villa will be crafted from recovered, traditional teak wood, manifesting a sustainable design concept whilst celebrating the essence of rejuvenation. With a clean and contemporary aesthetic, the façade of the hotel will marry well with the state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, and when it comes to the hotel’s interiors, guests can expect to be welcomed by a soothing palette of neutral hues, natural materials and sophisticated furnishings for an atmosphere that encourages the ultimate tranquillity.

    teak villa with private pool at Aleenta Chiang Mai Resort

    Image credit: AKARYN Hotel Group

    With a mission to provide the very best in innovative holistic medical wellness, having recently been awarded its medical licensing, Aleenta Chiang Mai will offer wellness retreats with tailor-made programs to help clients reach their individual goals. With an in-house doctor, nurse and “master healer”, the resort will assist its guests in achieving optimum wellness and balance in life, through holistic approaches encompassing diet and nutrition, mental wellbeing, physical fitness and medical guidance, all set in an idyllic and tranquil environment.

    Elevated gastronomy will be a priority, with the utmost importance given to curating a menu offering nutritious and delicious dishes. Advocating that diet and nutrition is a key component to health and wellbeing, the F&B programme at Aleenta Chiang Mai will boast a creative menu of Thai dishes with a contemporary twist, using the best local ingredients. For those attending health retreats, nutritionists will be on hand to devise tailor-made diet plans to support guests though achieving their health goals.

    In addition, the hotel’s facilities will include an outdoor swimming pool with lounge area and bar, an all-day-dining restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and a fine-dining menu in the evening, library bar serving cocktails and drinks in the evening, Ayurah Wellness centre offering a full-service spa and a meeting room/event space for up to 40 people, with a workshop and multipurpose area.

    Main image credit: AKARYN Hotel Group

    The importance of colour – an artist’s perspective

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    The importance of colour – an artist’s perspective

    With colour being the vibrant thread that runs through the work of artist Frances Bildner, she is a strong advocate of the transformative power of art in any environment. We caught up with her to ask the simple but loaded question – what’s so important about colour…?

    There is no doubt that colour plays a major role in our daily lives and, more importantly, influences and impacts on our mental health and general feeling of wellbeing. Much has been spoken about mental health recently – mental health and illness have been a taboo subject for years, especially in the United Kingdom, but with recent events still hovering on the horizon, it is now talked about continually.

    Environment is extremely important for good mental health. Consider grey drab walls and their effect on a person who may be mentally fragile. It could exacerbate their already depressed mood. The opposite of that holds true as well, and bright colours in hotel lobbies and bedrooms add a great deal, not only to the hotels brand image, but it also makes the hotel a welcoming and friendly place to go.

    The most effective way of injecting colour into a commercial or hospitality space is, in my opinion, through art. Apart from the art making its own statement, it also creates an environment that allows customers to feel comfortable and inspired.

    Looking at colours specifically, there has been a lot of research on what different colours bring to the table. If used intelligently, colours can both enhance and direct an experience – the colours and art you would put in a spa for example would be different from those in a restaurant. Blues and greens add a calm atmosphere, reds and pinks stimulate passion, adventure, and energy. Purple has been shown to boost creativity and productivity, while shades of yellow stimulate appetite.

    Apart from enhancing the customers experience, consciously curated colour can assist hotels in their business and interactions with clients. Having happy customers who have reacted positively to their environment is advantageous to everyone. And colour can make this happen.

    The importance of colour has long been recognized by interior designers and architects. Bright and even subtle colour eliminates the institutional feel of places like hotels. In hospitals unfortunately they still don’t use enough colour or good paintings to help patients and lift the mood. The corridors and rooms still retain the grey monotony which must have a negative effect on patients. Happily, hotels are recognising the importance of colour and original art, using both to bring happy customers in and to have them return.

    It is important to remember that we are both visual and auditory beings. Light comes in through our eyes and is translated into signals in our brains which tell us whether we should approach and remain in an area or whether the lack of light warns us and makes us move away. Colour influences us in how we respond to everything around us. It can affect how we feel, think, how we interact with others and even whether we buy a certain item or have a drink or a meal. It is all subtle and subliminal, but it affects us all. As Picasso once said “Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions” .

    The concept of colour psychology  has become a huge topic in marketing, art, design and even business psychology. It is important to remember that peoples feelings about colour are often deeply personal and rooted in individual cultures. White has been seen in western countries to represent purity, while in eastern countries white may be seen as mourning. Different colours appeal differently to individuals, and can  have varied cultural associations collectively.

    Several ancient cultures like the Chinese and Egyptians practiced chromotherapy, sometimes called light therapy, to heal. It is still used today as a holistic or alternative treatment. Colours and emotions are closely interlinked, so designers can take this on board, and choose colour specifically to get the results they are looking for.

    Hotel guests today make their choices based on what kind of experience they envision for themselves. Colour evokes an emotion which can be attached to an experience. People can, we are told, make subconscious evaluations about their environment in as little as ninety seconds. So is colour an important aspect of hotel design? It would appear to be a vital element for everyone, from clients through to staff. Without it a drab unfriendly environment is the result.

    In my opinion, yes, colour is important and no hotel should be without bursts of colour provided by good art!

    Frances Bildner Expressive Arts 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: Frances Bildner Expressive Arts

    evening view across swimming pool to guestrooms at Danae Suites Santorini

    Monterock International opens its second Santorini property

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    Monterock International opens its second Santorini property

    Monterock International (MRI), a global private equity holding company, has announced its launch of Danae Suites Santorini, the firm’s third Greece-based, and second Santorini-specific hospitality investment this year  – preceded by the opening of Nobu Hotel Santorini and N Hotel Mykonos…

    evening view across swimming pool to guestrooms at Danae Suites Santorini

    Santorinis’ newest kid on the block, the boutique hotel, Danae Suites, is located in the serene and scenic village of Finikia and is just a short drive from the vibrant coastal town of Oia. The property is surrounded by steep cobbled alleys where travellers can explore the authentic architecture of the cave houses,  and traditional local tavernas which are available for experiencing the  regional cuisine and most importantly, one of Santorini’s best local, organic vineyards, whereby guests can indulge in a session of wine tasting. Monterock have undertaken a rigorous development of this property over a period of several years, expanding the hotel to approximately 6,500 square meter plot area sheltering 23 guestrooms.

    guestroom in natural materials of Santorini at the Danae Suites Santorini

    Image credit: Danae Suites Santorini

    Taking inspiration from, and complementing its environment, Danae Suites pays homage to Finikia’s architectural traditions, with all its suites in Cycladic themed surroundings with pastoral sunsets and sea views. The property’s room sizes range from 25 to 40 square metres, and includes six Regular Cave and five Deluxe Cave Suites, four Junior Suites with alfresco jacuzzis, three Honeymoon Suites with alfresco jacuzzis, and finally five Exclusive Executives Suites with adjoining private plunge pools, and full sea views.

    whitewashed walls and natural textures in the bathroom at Danae Suites Santorini

    Image credit: Danae Suites Santorini

    The hotel is centered around its vast infinity pool which boasts a breath-taking panoramic view, particularly at sunset hour. The infinity pool is accommodated with a pool bar where guests can enjoy local cuisine and native ingredients within their all-day dining and snack menus. Danae’s breakfast area is located indoors, under the pool deck where patrons can enjoy the fresh and succulent dishes, which are all accompanied by the unparalleled Greek hospitality, which is the core ethos of Danae Suites.

    Main image credit: Danae Suites Santorini

    The Brit List Awards ceremony

    The Brit List Awards 2022 – early bird tickets now on sale!

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    The Brit List Awards 2022 – early bird tickets now on sale!

    Come (back) to the cabaret, old chum! We are preparing a performance of a lifetime. That’s right, The Brit List Awards 2022 will return in style to London’s iconic cabaret venue, PROUD Embankment, on November 2! What’s more, early bird tickets have just gone on sale (but hurry as there is limited time and limited spaces available)…

    The Brit List Awards ceremony

    It’s getting to that time of the year again – shake the glitter out of your pockets from last year and shine your shoes – in preparation for The Brit List Awards 2022! Now that applications/nominations have closed, we are steering our attention towards the climax of the campaign; the award ceremony, which this year takes place on November 2 at PROUD Embankment – and we would love to see you all there!

    To make sure you all do indeed ‘come to the cabaret’, we have just released our ‘early bird’ tickets, which, if purchased by September 18, will allow designers, architects, hoteliers and developers to attend  for just £20 + VAT per ticket – click here to secure. For suppliers and anyone else who does not qualify as a designer, architect, hotelier or developer, tickets purchased before September 18 are priced at £99 + VAT – click here to secure.

    But hurry! We have limited tickets available for The Brit List Awards 2022 (last year was a sold-out affair). After September 18, remaining tickets for designers, architects, hoteliers and developers will be available £30 + VAT. For anyone else wishing to attend, tickets will be priced at £150 + VAT.

    Angled view of trophy for The Brit List

    Image credit: Sans Souci

    PROUD Embankment is a majestic two-storied venue that is designed to host a spectacular array of shows and events. Complete with sumptuous otherworldly interiors, the venue will transform on November 3 as a playground for respected designers, architects and hospitality experts as The Brit List Awards 2022 comes to a close with the awards ceremony.

    Founded by the club owner and entrepreneur Alex Proud himself, the PROUD group started in 1998 with galleries. Since then, it has grown exponentially to become one of Europe’s leading photographic galleries and cabaret venues. From the historic and decadent feel, to its immersive interior design details, PROUD Embankment is truly spectacular with a sense magic in the atmosphere, complimented soon with a sprinkle of Hotel Designs glamour.

    The Brit List Awards 2022 is Britain’s most meaningful design and hospitality awards ceremony. In addition to the individual awards up for grabs, the top 25 entries in the interior design, architecture and hospitality categories will be profiled in the prestigious The Brit List, Hotel Designs’ annual publication that references the top 75 most influential individuals in British design, architecture and hospitality.

    The shortlist for The Brit List Awards 2022 will be available shortly ahead of the winners being announced at the awards ceremony. We hope you can join us at the cabaret in celebration of a year full of design statements and hospitality milestones.

    Main image credit: Hotel Designs

    Grohe cradle to cradle fittings in kitchen with water and lemons

    GROHE further commits to greener design scene

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    GROHE further commits to greener design scene

    In an important step towards greener buildings, GROHE is disclosing the ecological impact of its products with the release of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), and have committed to rolling this out for more than 600 products by the end of October…

    Grohe cradle to cradle fittings in kitchen with water and lemons

    As carbon emissions from buildings and construction constitute almost 40 per cent of global carbon emissions, knowledge of a building’s environmental impact is becoming key to enable the construction industry to work towards the necessary green transformation. Accordingly, a number of countries have already established national lifecycle carbon limits for new or public buildings. Some require carbon reporting as a minimum standard, while others have generally enacted more stringent requirements for new construction projects.

    Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are considered by the European Commission as a suitable means of evaluating the sustainability of a building since the materials and products used in it significantly determine a building’s impact on the environment. In order to provide its customers with transparency regarding the ecological footprint of its products, GROHE will release EPDs for 18 product groups that cover more than 600 single products by the end of October. The first batch, already published, includes basin and kitchen mixers, thermostats, and shower rail sets. A second wave will follow by the end of October 2022 and will comprise special fittings, hand showers, installation systems and flush plates.

    “To preserve our planet, we need to change the way we create our built environment,” said Jonas Brennwald, Leader, LIXIL EMENA. “We welcome EPD as the industry’s ‘new normal’ to foster the transformation towards low environmental impact and low energy consumption projects. They are the prerequisite for sustainable, future-ready building concepts.”

    GROHE sensor activated tap mounted on white washbasin

    Image credit: GROHE

    “With the launch of EPDs for a wide range of our portfolio, we offer our customers easy orientation and transparent comparison options with regard to the life cycle assessment of our products,” continued Brennwald. “On this basis, they can make informed statements about the environmental impact of buildings, which is often a cornerstone for sustainability certifications such as DGNB, LEED or BREEAM, or even a prerequisite for new building permits in many European cities. With increasing pressure on the construction industry to make buildings ever more sustainable, information of this kind will be a selection criterion for products in the future, on a level with price, design or quality.”

    GROHE bathroom with bath and shower and wooden furniture

    Image credit: GROHE

    “We also looked at the usage phase, which has sometimes been neglected by the industry in the past,” explained Tomas Kvillström, Leader, Commercial Regulation, LIXIL EMENA. “The long use phase of our products is the main driver for water and energy consumption and therefore a crucial piece of information for building management companies and hotel operators in particular. However, this knowledge is not only elementary for our customers, but also a good benchmark for us to further increase the sustainability of our value chain and products.”

    Today, the focus for sustainable product requirements is primarily on Global Warming Potential. Through the collection and validation of EPD-relevant data, GROHE is striving to develop increasingly low-emission product strategies in the long term while continuously improving its own carbon footprint. Potential for improvement could be identified, for example, in aspects such as sourcing materials closer to the plant or strengthening GROHE’s approach to green transportation.  All fittings plants and German distribution centres have switched to green energy. The collected EPD data shows CO2 peaks and can therefore support the goal of further avoiding and reducing emissions, and also in turn minimize the share of compensation to be paid. As a brand in the LIXIL portfolio, which is a Japanese manufacturer of pioneering water and housing products, GROHE’s efforts contribute to the corporation’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

    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.

    Main image credit: GROHE

    Nobu hotels los cabos

    Nobu Hospitality celebrates 30th hotel milestone

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    Nobu Hospitality celebrates 30th hotel milestone

    Nobu Hospitality, has announced the launch of a Nobu Hotel, Restaurant, and Residences in the chic beach destination of Tulum, Mexico. This is a significant milestone for Nobu Hospitality, marking the brand’s 30th hotel globally and the sixth hotel and fourth residential project between Nobu Hospitality and RCD Hotels. Here’s what we know…

    Nobu hotels los cabos

    With powder-soft, white sand beaches, coastal Mayan ruins, and one of the world’s largest barrier reefs, Tulum is an idyllic location for adventurous sunseekers. Tucked away in the charming Riviera Maya, Nobu Hotel Tulum will feature 200 guestrooms and suites including 12 villas, a beachfront Nobu restaurant, expansive meeting space with stunning outdoor venues for weddings and special events, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and spa, and 50 stylish beachside residences.

    “We are extremely proud to have achieved our 30th hotel milestone in just nine years and honoured to share the vision of our hotel owning partners and thankful for the passion of our Nobu colleagues around the world,” said Trevor Horwell, Chief Executive Officer Nobu Hospitality. “Formidable partnerships at their heart need complete and mutual trust, alignment of values and a shared vision; through establishing strong and special relationships with key industry leaders and groups around the world our growth has been catapulted to 30 hotels. One of these groups, RCD Hotels, were born out of the same family values and spirit of entrepreneurship as Nobu Hospitality, and today RCD has grown into a hotel owning powerhouse including six Nobu Hotels Residences whilst maintaining their core values. It is a special privilege to be partnering with RCD again and on this exciting new project as the Nobu Hotel and Residences Tulum.”

    Guestroom Nobu Santorini

    Image credit: Nobu Hospitality / Nobu Santorini

    “It’s incredible to celebrate major milestones and it’s amazing to see the Nobu Hotels brand expand its multi-property footprint together with us in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the US,” added Mr. Roberto Chapur, President of RCD Hotels. “Congratulations to everyone who helped get us here and we are confident that our relationship will continue to thrive for years to come. With our growing portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts, RCD is grateful for the support of our partners and patrons throughout the years and we are here today because of you.”

    This is a significant milestone for Nobu Hospitality, marking the brand’s 30th hotel globally and the sixth hotel and fourth residential project between Nobu Hospitality and RCD Hotels. The growing partnership between Nobu Hospitality and RCD Hotels was cemented in 2016 with the opening of Nobu Hotel Miami Beach, followed by Nobu Hotels in Los Cabos, Chicago, and pipeline openings in Punta Cana, Orlando, and now Tulum.

    Main image credit: Nobu Hospitality / Nobu Los Cabos

    Image of INODA+SVEJE in front of pink background and the DESIGN POD logo

    LISTEN NOW: Ep 19 of DESIGN POD explores unconventional design details

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    LISTEN NOW: Ep 19 of DESIGN POD explores unconventional design details

    The dynamic design duo from INODA + SVEJE sit on the DESIGN POD sofa with Editor Hamish Kilburn to discuss the inspiration behind the three new product designs that they created for the Minotti 2022 Collection, as well as sharing the secrets behind working with your life partner…

    Image of INODA+SVEJE in front of pink background and the DESIGN POD logo

    Kicking off series 3 of DESIGN POD, in exclusive interview, Editor Hamish Kilburn speaks to Nils Sveje and Kyoko Inoda, Co-Founders of INODA+SVEJE, which was one of few protagonist studios behind the 2022 collection by Minotti.

    INODA+SVEJE was founded in 2000 in Copenhagen and is now, since 2003, situated in Milan. Together, working as a team of two – expanding beyond that would disrupt each designer’s harmony (their words, not mine) – they have developed a sensitive approach applied to both the design process and the resulting form and aesthetics.

    Listen here:

    The pair joined the podcast sofa just one week after Milan Design Week to record the episode where we discussed how their latest products – Yoko, Lars and Sendai – went down with the design and architecture community when they launched during the show as well as exploring the design duo’s unique approach to product design.

    In addition to discussing the collection in detail – from concept to unveiling of the products – the interview explores the merging of two cultures – Japan and Denmark, which geographically are far apart but in terms of style have similar respect for minimalism.

    DESIGN POD is the contemporary podcast for all architecture and design enthusiasts. Series 3 of DESIGN POD is produced by Mel Yates and is hosted by Hamish Kilburn. The next episode to drop will feature Ivaylo Lefterov to understand how he is developing the world’s first energy-positive hotel. 

    Main image credit: DESIGN POD/Hotel Designs

    Canvass bathroom furniture collection by Crosswater

    Product watch: Canvass from Crosswater

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    Product watch: Canvass from Crosswater

    Inspired by America’s mid-century modern design movement, Crosswater has launched Canvass, a new furniture collection that balances traditional design elements with modern craftsmanship to offer highly functional and stylish bathroom solutions…

    Canvass bathroom furniture collection by Crosswater

    The Canvass collection features classic silhouettes, calming palettes, and hard-wearing materials that work together to provide a timeless and durable solution that compliments both traditional and contemporary bathroom designs. The collection comprises a wall hung countertop unit that can be paired with coordinating height adjustable legs for a floor standing option. The Double Drawer Unit is available in four sizes, and four flawless finishes, which include Sage Green, Deep Indigo Blue, Storm Grey Matt, and White Gloss. Crosswater has included a choice of three different handles, modern, knurled, and classic, available in a range of different finishes for a uniquely customisable offering.

    Canvass features soft closing, push to open drawers and, for those that want optimum functionality and extra storage, an optional internal drawer. The Double Drawer Unit features a Carrara Marble Effect Worktop that pairs beautifully with Crosswater’s wide range of countertop basins, including Circus, Navona, and Castellon. Available fully assembled for a quick and easy install, the Double Drawer Unit is crafted from sustainable sources and finished with a matt lacquered finish to protect the wood from bacteria, fingerprints, discolouration, and fading. The worktop is easy to clean, highly heat resistant, and impenetrable to dust, dirt, and bacteria.

    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.

    Main image credit: Crosswater

    Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Cairo Capital at Madinaty

    Four Seasons announces Egyptian expansion

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    Four Seasons announces Egyptian expansion

    Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, in partnership with real estate development corporation Talaat Moustafa Group, has announced its plans for an extensive portfolio expansion in Egypt with the addition of new hotels, residential offerings and significant property enhancements…

    Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Cairo Capital at Madinaty

    Building on the long-term partnership with Talaat Moustafa Group, Four Seasons is set to expand its Egyptian collection with a new hotel and residential community in New Cairo Capital, a new hotel in Luxor and additional Private Residences in Sharm El Sheikh as part of its multi-million-dollar expansion. These latest residential additions, will take the Four Seasons Private Residences portfolio to over 300, across multiple markets in Egypt. Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Cairo Capital at Madinaty and Four Seasons Hotel Luxor will be introduced in Egypt through this upcoming phase of strategic growth, further building upon the latest multi-million dollar property enhancements at Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Sharm El Sheikh, which doubled the offerings of the existing property.

    “Egypt is an important destination in Four Seasons history, as it marked our brand’s entry into the Middle East 22 years ago. Our continued expansion illustrates our ongoing commitment to the region, and all that it has to offer for luxury travellers and homeowners,” said Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management. “TMG has long been an integral development partner for our projects in Cairo at Nile Plaza, Alexandria at San Stefano and Sharm El Sheikh. We are thrilled to continue our exceptional work together, providing guests and residents in Egypt with unmatched luxury experiences through our collection of new hotel and residential offerings.”

    Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Cairo Capital at Madinaty

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Located in the heart of the capital’s new evolution, New Cairo Capital is a global destination that stands entirely on its own.  Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Cairo Capital at Madinaty is anticipated to open in 2025 and will be set within the extraordinary Madinaty development on 185 hectares (460 acres) of verdant parkland. Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Cairo Capital at Madinaty will be a captivating destination for those who wish to visit the ancient metropolis of Cairo and effortlessly explore the modern extension of the iconic capital city. The Hotel will feature 346 guestrooms and suites, while the Private Residences will be comprised of 107 villas and 80 luxury residences. The villas will range from 721 to 1,847 square metres, with six configurations featuring a contemporary design, floor-to-ceiling windows, rooftop gardens, limestone finishings and private pools, all reminiscent of majestic Egyptian palaces, while luxury residences will range from 221 to 670 square metres with five configurations.

    Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Cairo Capital at Madinaty will be designed by the legendary Pierre Yves-Rochon, who has also worked on Four Seasons properties in Paris, Megève, Bahrain Bay, Doha, Florence. The Hotel and Private Residences will feature a standalone spa and fitness facility. Across several private treatment rooms, an extensive array of tennis and multi-sport courts, guided group classes, and state-of-the-art fitness equipment, visitors will be treated to an intentional space that has been designed for the art of wellbeing. Setting the stage for remarkable events, the hotel’s ballroom features striking vaulted ceilings and generous outdoor event lawn space to accommodate occasions big and small. Off property, the dynamic destination will offer guests, residents and their families easy access to additional gourmet restaurants, world-class golf courses, exceptional retail outlets, private schools and a full suite of attractions for all to enjoy in New Cairo Capital and Madinaty.

    cream and gold interior and seating in Four Seasons in Egypt

    Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Perched on the Nile River in the south of Egypt, Luxor is one of the country’s most storied destinations and considered to be one of the world’s greatest ancient sites. Best known for its history as the ancient city of Thebes and its breathtaking Karnak and Luxor temple complexes, this impressively historic city acts as an open-air museum with some of Egypt’s finest artefacts on grand display throughout. Set to open in 2025, Four Seasons Hotel Luxor will include 200 guest rooms and suites, each with views of the Nile River, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. The Hotel will be located just south of the highly acclaimed Luxor Temple, which dates back to 1400 BC. After a day of exploring the wonders of Luxor, guests will enjoy several restaurant and bar outlets, a tranquil spa, a fitness facility, multiple pools, and luxury retail. For those visiting for business or to host a special event, the property will feature expansive meeting and event spaces totalling 1,300 square metres .

    WATG Architects, who have helped create Four Seasons experiences in Maui, Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Tianjin and a soon-to-come project in Hanoi will lead the design of the building, with Wimberly Interiors overseeing the interiors.

    restaurant and lanterns at the Four Seasons Hotel Luxor

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

    Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Sharm El Sheikh has introduced a new era of seaside luxury to what has been one of Egypt’s most celebrated resorts since its opening 20 years ago. While the legendary service has remained the same, the property has now doubled in size following an exceptional enhancement project, with new accommodations, restaurants, recreational facilities and meeting spaces for travellers who seek a magical blend of mountains, desert and sea.

    The expansion project includes the addition of 69 Private Residences to the existing collection of 77, giving luxury homeowners the very best of seaside living in Egypt. Overlooking crystal-clear waters and more than one kilometre of private beachfront, residents enjoy the property management and service expertise of Four Seasons dedicated residential team as well as priority access to the amenities and offerings of the newly expanded resort, which include twelve exciting culinary concepts, tennis courts, a golf course, fitness facilities,  along with entry to one of the world’s most renowned dive sites.

    guestroom at Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Sharm El Sheikh

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

    The new residential offerings will be comprised of 25 villas and 44 chalets ranging from 195 to 240 square metres. The two-bedroom ensuite chalets will feature expansive living spaces with sophisticated interiors and private pools. The four-bedroom villas will include sea views, private pools, spacious open-air entertaining setups and will have a total gross area of 710 square metres. With only two in the collection, the five-bedroom villas will be custom designed to the owner’s discretion and occupy expansion plots with uninterrupted views of the Red Sea.

    Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    guestroom with views over the city at Downtown L.A Proper

    Inside Downtown L.A. Proper – a Kelly Wearstler design

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    Inside Downtown L.A. Proper – a Kelly Wearstler design

    The latest addition to the Proper Hospitality portfolio, Downtown L.A Proper has opened its doors to the reimagined landmark building with interiors by designer Kelly Wearstler, blending vintage elements from the property’s historic roots with modern influences to create a hub for local creatives. We stepped inside to have a look…

    guestroom with views over the city at Downtown L.A Proper

    Originally constructed by iconic Los Angeles architects Curlett & Beelman in the 1920s, the property was initially a private club whose members included luminaries such as Cecil B. DeMille, and was subsequently a YWCA in the 1960’s. Fast forward to the 21st Century, and LA-based real estate developer The Kor Group, in partnership with Frank Stork and Channing Henry, have worked closely with architect partner Omgivning and designer Kelly Wearstler with Proper Hotels, to reimagine that storied history with a modern lens, drawing inspiration from Downtown L.A. to layer vestiges from the 1920s with elements of Spanish, Portuguese, Mexican and Moroccan design.

    lobby in Downtown LA Proper with cacti and pattern and texture

    Image credit: Proper Hotels / The Ingalls

    In addition to vintage furniture and rugs, Wearstler employs more than 100 different kinds of hand-painted and custom tiles throughout the property, while site specific murals and installations by local talents such as artists Abel Macias and Ben Medansky, ceramicist Morgan Peck, and Judson Studios stained glass bring further dimension to the public spaces.

    lobby design with bold pattern on the wall and artwork at Downtown L.A Proper

    Image credit:

    Deeply residential in feel, each of the rooms and suites is a canvas for curated pieces and specially designed furnishings with charcoal and mauve tones lending depth and warmth. Nodding to its former life as a YWCA, stand-out accommodations include the 1,430 square foot Proper Basketball Court Suite and 2,777 square foot Proper Pool Suite featuring a full-sized indoor swimming pool accented by a ceramic mural by local artist Ben Medansky.

    indoor swimming pool in Downtown L.A Proper with accented by a ceramic mural by local artist Ben Medansky.

    Image credit: Proper Hotels / The Ingalls

    Also positioning itself as a culinary destination, James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne of The Lucques Group, oversee two (soon to be three) culinary experiences throughout the property. Lobby level restaurant & bar Caldo Verde, is a focal point within the hotel and neighbourhood, showcasing Goin and Styne’s nuanced and warm approach to hospitality. Open for breakfast and dinner, the restaurant draws inspiration from Portuguese and Spanish influences, while finding expression through the lens of Southern California. Boutique, esoteric wines from small producers hailing from Spain, Portugal and California, along with an extensive list of cocktails and non-alcoholic libations make up the property’s thoughtful beverage programme.

    Bar area with wood accents in Caldo Verde restaurant Downtown L.A Proper

    Image credit: Proper Hotels / The Ingalls

    The dynamic bar programme is echoed across Cara Cara, the property’s rooftop restaurant and lounge offering sweeping and unobstructed city views. Goin’s all-day menu is similarly grounded in inspirations from sunny coasts around the world, and is crafted to complement Downtown L.A. Proper’s unrivalled rooftop and poolside experience. Later this winter, Proper Hospitality and Goin and Styne will introduce Dalia, an intimate ground level classic cocktail lounge and bar showcasing small-batch spirits in refined presentations.

    “There is so much inspiration to draw from in each pocket of this historic building that is also reflective of DTLA’s evolution and modern-day awakening,” said Goin and Styne. “We look forward to serving this vibrant neighbourhood where locals and travellers converge, offering culinary experiences that tell the story of our personal histories in Los Angeles, as well as travels abroad.”

    Cara Cara rooftop pool and bar looking over the city of Downtown L.A

    Image credit: Proper Hotels / The Ingalls

    Underscoring Proper Hospitality’s commitment to creating distinct gathering places big and small for all occasions, Downtown L.A. Proper offers more than 14,000 square feet of spaces for meetings, weddings and special events with settings being home to diverse cultural and wellness programming including rooftop yoga and meditation. Guests will also enjoy access to complimentary Linus Bikes, and a 24/7 fitness centre featuring Peloton bikes, Tonal equipment and more.

    Located within the South Park District adjacent to the Fashion District, the property is in close proximity to celebrated cultural venues such as L.A. Live, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Music Centre, MOCA, and The Broad Museum. With its opening, Downtown L.A. Proper is set to be an epicentre of hospitality and cultural experiences within the community.

    Main image credit: Proper Hotels / The Ingalls

    Statement lighting by Northern Lights at the Belmond Cadogen

    Bespoke brilliance from Northern Lights

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    Bespoke brilliance from Northern Lights

    From understated luxe to the avant-garde, Northern Lights have created bespoke luxury lighting for the hospitality sector across a range of impressive projects. We take a closer look at a few of the projects that had us swinging from the chandeliers…

    Statement lighting by Northern Lights at the Belmond Cadogen

    With projects that begin on the drawing board, and get taken right through to installation, Northern Lights create bespoke lighting pieces, handcrafted by a team of skilled artisans in its UK facility. With particular expertise in glass techniques and metal fabrication, along with an extensive range of finishes, the designs utilise the creative capabilities and push the boundaries of manufacturing to create some of the most iconic luxury bespoke lighting on a global scale.​​​​​​​

    The array of different bespoke lighting developed for  The Cadogan, Belmond was designed to reflect the spirit of a grand townhouse. It required scale and impact without overpowering the unique features in the space. The reception chandelier features two large rings with bespoke spun shades finished in off-white with a warm and luxurious gold interior.

    chandelier in the bar at Belmond Cadogen designed by Northern Lights

    Image credit: Belmond Cadogen / Michael Franke

    With strong Art Deco influences, the brief for the opulent bar area in The Cadogan called for a two-tier feature chandelier comprising forty-four crackled glass globes, each housed by individual copper-spun pans. The frame of the extravagant bespoke centrepiece was handcrafted using mirror-polished nickel. The central chandeliers in the restaurant areas feature lead crystal tiers and hand cut oval textured glass on a tiered ring. The opacity and layering of the glass components allow the light to softly radiate through each piece with different intensity as guests move around the room.

    hand blown glass makes up the chandelier over the bar at Mayfair Townhouse

    Image credit: Mayfair Townhouse / Northern Lights

    Northern Lights were appointed to develop deco-inspired lighting installations for the award-winning Mayfair Townhouse project, led by designers Goddard Littlefair. Centre stage in The Dandy Bar sits the impressive overhead lighting feature, luring guests to a truly atmospherically lit space. The bespoke design took inspiration from the form of delicate feathers, akin to flapper outfits made popular in the 1920s. Comprised of over 100 hand-blown glass pieces, each glass segment was pressed into a moulded hand carved tool to make each piece unique. Northern Lights worked with their artisans to develop an application of fine glass ‘flecks’ into each piece. Hand-applied to support the organic design intent and individuality, it created a subtle yet eye-catching twinkling effect integral to the brief. The lighting piece weighed in at over 150 kilograms, spanning over four metres in width.

    chandelier in Oatlands Park Hotel by Northern Lights

    Image credit@ Oatlands Park Hotel / Northern Lights

    The large scale glass and brass finish chandelier, which demands attention in the lobby at Oatlands Park, came with several engineering challenges. The initial mild steel model was three times over the maximum weight allowance. The team at Northern Lights changed the approach, selecting alternative materials and modular slimline designs to maintain the aesthetic design principles but with a much lighter weight, ensuring the integrity and safety of the huge installation. An asymmetric series of rings are dressed in undulating clear fluted glass tubes to ensure as much light bypasses the structure from the skylight above, with brass antiqued tubes to offset the delicacy of the glass. Illuminated entirely with LED, each tier benefits from a uniform glow to accentuate the decorative perimeter tubes and create a warm ambience in the evening.

    contemporary lighting over the dinner table in the private dining room at the Carlton tower Jumeirah

    Image credit: Carlton Tower Jumeirah / Northern Lights

    The brief for the Carlton Tower Jumeirah with designers 1508 London, required a vast quantity of exquisitely crafted bespoke lighting for the numerous public spaces. The artisans at Northern Lights utilised many luxurious materials including porcelain, brass, bronze and cut glass. Upon entrance to the hotel, guests are greeted by fixed cylindrical wall lights, expertly crafted using fine reeded glass and finished in a bronze lacquer. The frosted acrylic tube within enhances the illuminated effect, providing light that perfectly reflects the finish’s surface.
    In the Al Mare private dining room an incredible 1.8 metre-wide brass pendant is fixed centrally above the main dining table, creating a unique focal point. This elegant design features eight brass arms, each complete with slumped porcelain dishes offering an inviting ambience.

    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: Belmond Cadogen / Michael Franke

    Ideal Standard built-in thermostatic shower valves Ceratherm Navigo

    Where design meets performance: Ceratherm Navigo from Ideal Standard

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    Where design meets performance: Ceratherm Navigo from Ideal Standard

    Combining sleek, minimalist design with innovative Navigo technology, Ideal Standard, has expanded its range of built-in thermostatic shower valves with the new Ceratherm Navigo…

    Ideal Standard built-in thermostatic shower valves Ceratherm Navigo

    The new Ceratherm Navigo allows users to precisely adjust water flow and temperature with a smooth push-and-turn movement, or pre-set desired levels for optimum comfort. Available in both square and round variations, the shower mixers have been designed to complement Ideal Standard’s wider offering, featuring a choice of four stylish finishes: chrome, magnetic grey, silver storm and brushed gold. The slim faceplate, which is just 10mm in depth, creates a modern and clean appearance with discreet shower option symbols located on the control knobs. In addition, Ideal Standard’s Singular approach means there are also a number of matching Idealrain shower accessories available, including rain showers, hand sprays, hoses and wall fixations for a complete and integrated end result.

    “The Ceratherm Navigo collection has been expertly designed with industry leading technology on the inside and a sleek design on the outside, said Ashley Smith, Residential Brassware at Ideal Standard International NV at Ideal Standard. “With Ceratherm Navigo, end-users will be able to control and customise temperature and water flow with ease, whilst the minimalist look and variation of finishes make it perfect for any bathroom.”

    As well as being a design-led product, Ceratherm Navigo also features the latest in modern bathroom technology, including an innovative temperature safety feature that automatically adjusts the flow of hot or cold water if pressure spikes or is lost. Meanwhile, the Cool Body technology works like a protective shield, keeping the controls and body cool to the touch despite the interior flow of hot water.

    The thermostatic shower valve is powered by Ideal Standard’s pioneering Firmaflow Therm cartridge. Extremely durable, this ceramic cartridge disc ensures target temperatures are reached quickly and lasts twice as long as the industry standard. The cartridge also saves on energy consumption and helps to limit the amount of water dispensed without compromising on performance.

    Ceratherm Navigo is straightforward to install thanks to Ideal Standard’s improved and re-designed built-in unit, the Easy-Box. Compatible with any Ideal Standard built-in shower mixer, Easy-Box simplifies the installation process and eliminates the need for specific tools.

    Ideal Standard is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Ideal Standard

    Hyperion tiles in brown encaustic tile on floor and wall of a wetroom

    Hyperion Tiles gets handmade and reclaimed with Bert & May

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    Hyperion Tiles gets handmade and reclaimed with Bert & May

    Family-run, independent tiles specialist Hyperion Tiles has joined forces with handmade and reclaimed artisan tiles specialist Bert & May, expanding its comprehensive tile portfolio to include the distinctive colours and patterns in its collection…

    Hyperion tiles in brown encaustic tile on floor and wall of a wetroom

    Hyperion Tiles is renowned for its design-driven portfolio of porcelain, ceramic, stone and mosaic statement wall and floor tiles, and now it includes the complete encaustic cement and reclaimed tile collection from Bert & May. Colour is key in this collection as Bert & May produces a core palette which is derived from natural pigments that are mixed by hand in a vast range of colours and styles to suit every aesthetic. Materials vary, so you can choose from encaustic, glazed and porcelain through to marble, terracotta and terrazzo to suit every residential and commercial project.

    “Our new Bert & May tile collection enable us to provide you with even more opportunities to add individual character to any hotel design,” said Richard Skeoch, Director, Hyperion Tiles. ” From encaustic cement and reclaimed to glazed and terracotta tiles, there are distinctive colour ways, materials, styles and patterns or plains to suit your project. These collections offer all sorts of applications and this versatility is matched by their super-stylish designs.”

    Led by the trend for minimalism and sleek surfaces, a decorative statement tile can be the perfect application for hotel showers and wet rooms. With more attention being focussed on wellness and the bathroom, creating a spa-like showering experience can be the differentiator in a design, and tiling is an integral part of that. With tiles forming the basis of a palette, the Green Alalpardo porcelain tile by Bert & May have been specifically designed for those who want to define their wet room space with a strong graphic statement. In another wetroom application, the Fennel Green Herringbone Honed Marble Tiles contrast beautifully with, while framing the gold finish on the brassware.

    Whether vintage pattern and earthy tones, or contemporary colours and strident statements are your thing, distinctive floor and wall tiles, can create a cohesive look in a shower zone, or wet room. The comprehensive collection at Hyperion Tiles will add the defining difference to a space while maintaining all the practical necessities for a space that needs to work hard and look good.

    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.

    Main image credit: Hyperion Tiles

    James Latham adds ultra-sustainable HONEXT panel to range

    James Latham strengthens its sustainable portfolio

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    James Latham strengthens its sustainable portfolio

    James Latham, one of the UK’s leading and most forward-thinking distributors of timber, panels, and decorative surfaces, has become the only UK distributor of revolutionary Spanish construction panel HONEXT, harnessing its potential to help deliver sustainable and cost-effective design solutions…

    James Latham adds ultra-sustainable HONEXT panel to range

    HONEXT is a game-changing, carbon-neutral, lightweight construction panel, produced from waste fibres and cellulose residue from the paper industry. By upcycling this run-off material, using a proprietary biotech process, the Barcelona-based brand has achieved a fully recyclable, non-toxic board with a circular lifecycle, perfect for specifying to a sustainable brief. Suitable for interior wall and ceiling linings, and other non-loadbearing applications, the introduction of HONEXT represents the latest step in Lathams aim to be the most innovative and sustainable materials distributor in the UK and Ireland.

    “According to the UN Environment Programme, the construction sector was responsible for 38 per cent of all energy-related CO2 emissions in 2019, prompting sustainability to become a non-negotiable in many contemporary design briefs,” commented Nick Widlinski, Panels Director, James Latham. “Specifiers are now having to respond by selecting the lowest carbon materials possible, particularly those manufactured in a circular fashion. HONEXT meets all these needs and goes further. It’s a high-performance interior construction panel that deals with a long-standing waste management problem for the paper industry, which globally generates more than eight million tons of waste annually. It’s also another welcome addition to our ever-expanding portfolio of green panel options, meeting our clients evolving preferences and offering them a greater degree of choice.”

    HONEXT panels from Lathams suspended from the ceiling as accoustic clouds

    Image credit: Lathams

    Unique in its category as Cradle-to-Cradle Silver Certified, the benefits of HONEXT for interior cladding and partitioning go far beyond its upfront sustainable attributes. A high-performance material, it possesses strong thermal conductivity, vapour permeability, and acoustic performance. simply put, the panels are designed to feature better sound absorption properties than traditional building materials, and they are also resistant to moisture and water vapour.

    The panels also promote better indoor air quality, as they contain no added VOCs and are Material Health Silver Certified. From a fabrication perspective, the lightweight construction panel has a fibrous build-up, therefore it’s extremely easy to work with regular woodworking tools. Furthermore, it’s considerably less dense compared to other fibreboard products used for interior applications and its relative lightness eases the installation process.

    All these qualities make it particularly suitable for applications such as retail fit-out, exhibitions, set decoration and staging, as the product can be shaped, painted, bonded, and laminated offering a greater degree of flexibility for architects, designers, specifiers, fabricators and industrials.

    Demand for HONEXT is also growing in the commercial office sector, where its sound absorption capabilities are being realised by fit-out professionals. In a recent workspace project for Spanish construction firm Construcía, HONEXT panels were specified for suspended ‘sound islands’ and ceilings to improve the interior acoustics. In this case,  the product met all the client’s requirements for a cradle-to-cradle certified solution, as well as achieving optimal acoustic levels and a comfortable and pleasant working environment.

    Building on other recent forward-thinking initiatives, including the Carbon Calculator and Digital Showroom, this addition to the brand portfolio is helping its diverse audience of architects, designers and fit-out professionals make the most eco-friendly choice when selecting surfaces

    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 Lathams

    RAK- Valet designed by Patrick Norguet with RAK Ceramics

    Product watch: RAK-Valet, emotion and functionality styled by Patrick Norguet

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    Product watch: RAK-Valet, emotion and functionality styled by Patrick Norguet

    A cluster of visions, drawings, exclusive shapes and a fast-paced rhythm leading to unexpected solutions: this is what the French designer Patrick Norguet brings to each of his new creations. In this collaboration with RAK Ceramics, the results are the contemporary design statement that is RAK-Valet…

    RAK- Valet designed by Patrick Norguet with RAK Ceramics

    The RAK-Valet collection combines the creative genius of designer Norguet together with RAK Ceramic’s characteristic production quality and project completeness. This is a project which explores a new concept of living and a new way to use domestic space, which becomes free of constraints, permeable, osmotic, and innovative. As a collection, RAK-Valet sits comfortably in both a contemporary or a traditional envrionment.

    In his design, Norguet explores the dialogue between light and shadow, between volumes and lines, between elements, forms and materials. A delicate balance that is never disrupted, as each element becomes functional to the user in this ongoing, harmonious exchange. Everything is in the service of the person who experiences the space, everything centres around the dialogue, bearing witness to something magical and unique.

    a contemporary bathroom with views out to sea fitted with RAK-Valet by RAK Ceramics

    Image credit: RAK Ceramics

    The RAK-Valet collection is composed of functional elements – available in matt and glossy finishes – that serve as veritable valets and hand us the objects of our daily wellbeing via functional surfaces and stylistic solutions of great visual impact: decorative forms with slender profiles for the washbasins, top-notch stylistic research for the bathtubs, and elongated lines for the toilet bowls.

    It is a project that comes to meet a need in interior design, leaving out any unnecessary shape or detail while the expression of the real is reduced to its pure, bare form. The collection coordinates well with some of the most successful RAK Ceramics collections, such as their brand-new bathroom fittings and RAK-Joy Uno mirrors. It is rounded off by a rich choice of accessories, such as legs and towel holders made of metal, or the practical but extremely elegant ceramic surfaces also designed by Patrick Norguet.

    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.

    Main image credit: RAK Ceramics

    recycling technology moves Unilin Panels closer to circularity

    Transformational technology moves Unilin Panels closer to circularity

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    Transformational technology moves Unilin Panels closer to circularity

    Osiris is the transformational recycling technology from Unilin Panels that reclaims wood fibre from HDF and MDF and gives it a second life, moving the brand forward on its journey to circular production…

    recycling technology moves Unilin Panels closer to circularity

    MDF and HDF boards are commonly used in furniture and interior design, yet it has been impossible to recover and recycle them for reuse. With Osiris, Unilin Panels is beginning its journey to change this, reclaiming the wood fibres from HDF and MDF in a viable way for reuse in the production of high-quality fibreboards. Over time, Osiris will lock-in 380,000 tons of CO2 per year in the circular production of fibreboards.

    In the initial phase of onboarding Osiris technology, Unilin will use it for internal recycling at its Bazeilles production site, which has a history of cutting-edge production technology. Production capacity will gradually be increased to allow the recycling of externally sourced fibreboards and laminate floors with the goal to replace at least 25 per cent of raw material with recycled fibres by 2030. This patented technology is a world-first and part of a wider investment programme in sustainable technology and initiatives, including a further €160m investment for projects over the next two years.

    said Véronique Hoflack, President of Unilin Panels., says: “Because of the use of adhesives as a binding agent for the wood fibres, no industrially viable method existed to recycle the fibres from fibreboard waste at the end of their product life. That means that the lion’s share is incinerated after use (on average 14 to 20 years),” explained Véronique Hoflack, President of Unilin Panels.“We have now succeeded in developing a new and innovative process to recycle these wood fibres and reuse them for the production of new panel material. For example our decorative Evola panels or Quick-Step laminate floors. This new technology doubles the life of the wood fibres. This longer life will give new trees the chance to grow and, in turn, store CO2. A major step forward towards circularity.”

    Unilin Panels already uses 100 per cent recovered wood for the production of its MDF and HDF. This is wood sourced from waste streams of the timber industry and low-grade timber from sustainable forest management and roadside maintenance. The new Osiris technology will combine with this recovered wood for production that moves closer to being truly circular.

    Unilin Panels is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

    Main image credit: Unilin Panels

    white on white with a view at the honeymoon suite at Radisson Resort Plaza Skiathos

    Sought after Sporades – Radisson opens in Skiathos

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    Sought after Sporades – Radisson opens in Skiathos

    Radisson Hotel Group has opened its latest Greek resort, Radisson Resort Plaza Skiathos, in the Greek Sporades islands on the sought-after island destination of Skiathos, known for its unspoiled natural beauty and exquisite sandy beaches on the blue waters of the Aegean Sea…

    white on white with a view at the honeymoon suite at Radisson Resort Plaza Skiathos

    Radisson Resort Plaza Skiathos is located on the beautiful south coast of the island, overlooking the Aegean Sea and Kanapitsa beach. Skiathos, the westernmost of the Sporades islands, is known for its stunning coastline of more than 60 beaches with soft sand and clear blue waters, as well as sea caves, impressive rock formations, and hiking trails on the tree-covered hills along the north shore made famous as the location for the filming of Mamma Mia. The island’s Byzantine churches and monasteries, Venetian-style Bourtzi fortress, and Papadiamantis House with its typical architecture are important parts of the island’s rich history.

    The resort’s 84 guestrooms and suites are decorated in a modern, minimalist style, and most of them offer views of the hotel pool or the sea. Private balconies or terraces are available in select rooms, and the resort’s biggest suites feature private whirlpools for ultimate privacy and relaxation. The resort is ideally suited for weddings with its own on-site orthodox chapel and versatile outdoor pool area that offers receptions with stunning views.

    white umbrellas and white beanbags poolside at Radisson Skiathos

    Image credit: Radisson Hotels

    The main all-day dining restaurant celebrates Greek and Mediterranean flavours on its lunch and dinner menus. The poolside bar offers breakfast treats and late-night snacks as well as a wide selection of drinks and an extensive wine list. For guests looking to keep up their fitness routine, a well-equipped gym is available.

    “We are excited to offer our guests a fantastic resort experience on the beautiful island of Skiathos, as we continue to expand our Greek resort portfolio,” said Yilmaz Yildirimlar, Area Senior Vice President at Radisson Hotel Group. “Radisson Resort Plaza Skiathos allows guests to switch off and relax surrounded by stunning natural beauty.”

    Radisson Resort Plaza Skiathos is Radisson Hotel Group’s latest island resort to open in the Greek islands, following the opening of Radisson Blu Euphoria Resort, Mykonos earlier this year, and Radisson Blu Zaffron Resort, Santorini, which started to welcome guests in 2021.

    Main image credit: Radisson Hotels

    The Brit List Awards 2022

    5 reasons to apply for The Brit List Awards 2022

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    5 reasons to apply for The Brit List Awards 2022

    With nominations/applications closing on August 19 (this Friday), time is running out if you want to apply/nominate, free-of-charge, for The Brit List Awards 2022 Here are five solid reasons why you should enter one of the nine categories…

    The Brit List Awards 2022

    The Brit List Awards was launched five years ago with the simple aim to identify and celebrate the leading interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain. Since its launch, the awards, like all quality products, has evolved and grown each year.

    > CLICK HERE TO APPLY/NOMINATE.

    Today, it stands proud in the design, architecture and hospitality calendar. But, don’t be put off by the glitz and glamour, as it is still free for all interior designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers alike to enter.

    If you still need persuading to apply for yourself nominate somebody deserving, then here are five other reasons why we believe you should get involved.

    1) You and your studio deserve your projects – on the boards as well as recently completed – to be noticed!

    2) The shortlisted interior designers, architects and hoteliers will be announced in early September and will all receive a complimentary ticket to the awards ceremony, which takes place on November 2 at PROUD Embankment – save the date.

    3) There are many winners! In addition to the nine individual awards that are up for grabs – the winners of which will get their hands on a bespoke trophy designed exclusively by Sans Souci – the top 25 entries in the ‘Interior Designer of the Year’, ‘Architect of the Year’ and ‘Hotelier of the Year’ categories will also be profiled in The Brit List 2022, an annual publication that profiles the leading creatives who are operating in Britain and shaping the future.

    Trophy design for The Brit List Awards 2022

    Image credit: The trophy design for The Brit List Awards 2022, created by Sans Souci

    4) The awards ceremony will be a unique networking opportunity – we expect 500 interior designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and key-industry suppliers in the famous cabaret venue. Put simply, it will be a (wild) party that will shelter and celebrate the true pioneers in the hotel design and hospitality arena.

    5) The application/nomination process is quick and easy – all we ask is for you to list the project(s) you wish to put forward – feel free to include images and renders to support – and then explain why you or your nominee should deserve to win.

    So, there’s no time to delay – and, we believe, there’s also no reason why you wouldn’t want to be part of The Brit List Awards 2022.

    Meet the sponsors:

    Main image credit: The Brit List Awards 2022/Hotel Designs

    guestroom at Barcelo Orient with views over Jakarta

    Barceló opens the doors of The Orient Jakarta

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    Barceló opens the doors of The Orient Jakarta

    Barceló Hotel Group has opened the new Orient Jakarta in the capital of Indonesia. A Royal Hideaway Hotel, it has been designed by architect Bill Bensley with a unique interior design inspired the destinations culture and heritage…

    guestroom at Barcelo Orient with views over Jakarta

    Located in the central business district in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Orient Jakarta will be the first Barceló property in the country, and confirms the hotel chain’s commitment to its expansion in Asia. The group is currently operating a hotel in Sri Lanka and with plans to expand with two new outposts in the Maldives. Housed in a 32-story building, The Orient Jakarta, a Royal Hideaway Hotel will shelter 153 guestrooms, divided into eight categories and spread across twelve floors, all boasting panoramic views of the city.

    Architect, landscaper and interior designer, Bill Bensley, known for his work in the hotel sector and balancing sustainability and conservation with high-end luxury, has put his design stamp across the property. With notable projects in Southeast Asia – Bensley has designed over 200 hotels around the world – his most recent project was to bring The Orient Jakarta to life. The hotel interiors elegantly blend traditional style with avant-garde design. Inspired by the hotel’s surroundings and the island’s ancient history, furnishings, ornaments and antiques exude a spirit of legacy and reflect the richness of Indonesian culture.

    Among its references to local art, the interiors incorporate numerous elements of craftsmanship each with cultural significance. The décor weaves together a narrative that invites guests to discover and experience the island of Java from within, being immersed in its culture. Bensley has intricately imbued the UNESCO cultural heritage of Jakarta into the interior design project, using sculptures, carvings and paintings made by local artisans, recycled wood from ships and handmade batik fabrics.

    Its gastronomic offerings will include the Caspar Restaurante and Lounge, specialising in modern Spanish cuisine cooked in an open kitchen and a Whisky Bar serving cocktails from a private corner of Caspar, giving the feeling of being in a prohibition-style club. The rooftop will be transformed into an urban beach club oasis comprising a restaurant – Café California – two swimming pools, a jacuzzi, a dancefloor, and an infinity pool bar with unrivalled vistas over Jakarta.

    rooftop pool lit up at night looking over Jakarta at The Orient

    Image credit: Barceló Hotel Group

    In addition, the hotel will have a fitness space, which includes a yoga and meditation room, a wellness corner, saunas and a weights training area, among many other facilities. There will be seven meeting rooms and lounges with VIP areas, along with an open terrace for events.

    The Orient Jakarta joins the portfolio of Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels & Resorts – a portfolio which is composed of unique establishments, linked to art and culture, its spirit combines the classic with the modern, reflecting the most extraordinary of each destination. This new addition consolidates the brand’s philosophy – hotels that offer extraordinary and unforgettable experiences, because every trip has a soul and creating special memories is an art.

    Main image credit: Barceló Hotel Group

    panel discussion chaired by Hotel Designs editor Hamish Kilburn at IHS

    Independent Hotel Show launches its seminar programme

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    Independent Hotel Show launches its seminar programme

    Sustainability, staffing and strategies for success will be some of the subjects in the spotlight at the Independent Hotel Show this year, with a range of in-depth discussions covering everything from ESG funding to powerful automations, to what it takes to secure industry accolades …

    panel discussion chaired by Hotel Designs editor Hamish Kilburn at IHS

    Inspiring independent hoteliers and hospitality industry experts are set to take to the stage at the Independent Hotel Show, on 4-5 October at Olympia London, for two packed days of learning and discovery. In addition to the sessions on the Innovation Stage, in partnership with eviivo, and the Hotel Vision stage, in partnership with HotelPartner, guests at the show will also have the opportunity to meet with independent industry experts at the Business Solutions Bar, presented by HOSPA & HMA, and gain confidential advice across tech, marketing and more tailored to their specific business needs.

    The show will kick off with a session delving into an important feature area at the event: The Inclusive Hotel Room. Designed by Cocoon & Bauer, this immersive hotel room will showcase how thoughtful, intelligent design can prevent sensory overwhelm and create truly welcoming, inclusive and sustainable spaces. The session will see Hotel Designs Editor Hamish Kilburn interview Cocoon & Bauer’s Peter Turner on this year’s design, plus Nicholas Sunderland of NSI Design, designer of 2018’s Hotel Room of the Future, will reflect on the evolution of the room’s key themes and ideas four years on.

    Highlights across the two stages include:

    How do we join together as a community to fill the hole in hospitality staffing? Andy Boer of The Edge Hotel School is joined by UKHospitality’s Sandra Kelly, Veryan Palmer of The Headland Cornwall and Greg Fruchenicht of non-profit Saira Hospitality as they look toward the next generation of hospitality professionals and how we can keep them enthused and engaged for years to come.

    Elevating the hotel restaurant. James Stagg, Editor of The Caterer, takes to the stage to moderate this all-star panel of chefs including Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa’s Ricki Weston, Howards House Hotel’s Andy Britton and Rob Jones of Upham Pub Group as they discuss the challenge of creating creative and delicious dishes in the face of supply chain issues, calorie counting menus and sustainability aspirations.

    Hotels are not just a place to lay your head: the future is multifaceted. Independent Hotel Show Ambassador Peter Hancock talks alternative profit avenues, creative additional offerings and the evolution of the hotel business model with Hotel Brooklyn’s Paul Bayliss, Tara Robinson of Eden Hotel Collection and Chris Penn of Birch Community.

    To connect or to disconnect: how should we be designing hotel spaces for the future? Design Insider’s Alys Bryan hosts this session on predicting the needs of the travellers in the years to come, and the importance of tech in the hotel of the future, alongside Design LSM’s Holly Hallam and Nicholas Hickson of THDP.

    “I’m delighted to be part of a live panel at the show this year,” commented Tara Robinson, Eden Hotel Collection. “It’s always an event not to be missed: full of innovation, ideas and inspirational speakers. Plus, the show is totally unique as it’s geared specifically around the boutique hotel market.”

    This year’s event will also see the return of the Social Business Space, sponsored by Planet and designed by Taner’s Sons, where sessions from the main stages will be continued in the form of informal roundtable discussions for hoteliers wishing to explore the issues further and hear from peers in the industry.

    To view the full seminar programme for this year’s event, or to register for your complimentary trade ticket, head to independenthotelshow.co.uk.

    Main image credit: Independent Hotel Show

    Designer Sebastian Herkner in studio discusses the Duravit collaboration

    5 minutes with: Sebastian Herkner, designer of the Zencha collection for Duravit

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    5 minutes with: Sebastian Herkner, designer of the Zencha collection for Duravit

    Sebastian Herkner has always been interested in traditional artisanal trades such as glass-blowing, wood-carving, and basket-weaving, which he combines with new technologies and contemporary design. His collaboration with Duravit takes the form of Zencha; a harmonious bathroom collection inspired by Japanese bathing and tea culture…

    Designer Sebastian Herkner in studio discusses the Duravit collaboration

    It was while studying product design at the University of Art and Design in Offenbach, that Sebastian Herkner started to focus on designing furniture and objects. On completing his studies, Herkner decided to go it alone by opening his own studio in Offenbach in 2007 and since then has seen a rapid rise in the design world. He has a pronounced instinct for colours, materials, and textures, resulting in designs which always have a certain twist – whether artfully woven outdoor furniture, mouth-blown side tables, or handwoven carpets. In collaboration with Duravit, the versatile designer has created the harmonious Zencha bathroom range – sanitary objects with a rounded shape and a graceful, outward-curving edge along with minimalistic storage furniture with a subtle frame inspired by Japanese rituals and culture.

    Zencha freestanding bath by duravit

    Image credit: Duravit

    Hotel Designs: Attention to detail and the desire to imbue the products with additional value are some key facets of your work. How did you apply this approach to the development of the Zencha collection?

    Sebastain Herkner: The Zencha series once again highlights our understanding of authentic materials and the desire to evoke emotions. Inspired by the tea ceremony along with inner reflection and slowing things down, the low-key design, available in three colour worlds, focuses on details such as the delicate, curved washbasin edge. This was inspired in turn by delicate teacups that nestle in the hand. For us it was important to engender an ambience in the bathroom where we can recharge our batteries in the morning and enjoy some ‘me time’ in the evening.

    Duravit Zencha washbasin in black designed by Sebastian Herkner

    Image credit: Duravit

    HD: You talk about ‘authentic materials’. What impact do these have with Zencha?

    SH: For me it’s important to use authentic materials like wood, ceramic, and glass. With this design we also use a textured glass that plays with light and shade, with reflections. I believe that this authenticity is part of the harmony of this bathroom as an overall creation. And I think everyone can interpret Zencha for themselves. As the designer I provide the stage, but everyone chooses how to dance on it themselves.

    HD: How did the design process of the new collection progress?

    SH: We started discussions with Duravit a good three years ago and very quickly agreed on the story we wanted to tell. Working closely with the Hornberg plant for ceramic and Schenkenzell for furniture, we developed the entire collection consisting of washbasins, bathtubs, mirrors, and furniture. This was the first time we had developed a bathroom ceramic series and relied to a large extent on the vast knowledge, willingness, and openness of the employees. It was important for us to project the delicate elegance of the gentle, outwardly curving washbasin edge on to the furniture. The gentle frames of the storage furniture are once again testament to Duravit’s technical excellence.

    a bathroom with natural textures and colours and Zencha furniture by Duravit

    Image credit: Duravit

    HD: How important is it to you to make full use of the design freedom that you have as a designer in your projects?

    SH: As a designer it’s a privilege for a company to give you the freedom and trust to develop a new vision and language for them. Zencha is my interpretation of Duravit and shows how I want a bathroom to be. However, ultimately such a development involves cooperation from both sides.

    HD: In our fast-paced world, the bathroom is also a place of reflection and calm: how do you think this is changing the design of this room in the home?

    SH: In our apartments or houses we have places of communication, such as the kitchen or bathroom, and this also extends to the bedroom, which nowadays is also sometimes used for working. I find that the bathroom is the last place that is limited to its original function: reflection, relaxation, and spending some occasional time alone.

    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.

    Main image credit: Duravit