Hotel Designs

The UK Government is implementing a new environmental scheme to reduce carbon emissions created within the private and public sectors, starting today.Around 20,000 businesses, including 23 hotel organisations in the UK, are believed to be involved in the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, which will force many hotels to get their green act together. Many of the hotels involved will be franchises, such as Best Western, meaning that individual hotels will face the new scheme.The plan is hoped to reduce carbon emissions in the sector by eight per cent.

Large hotels that have half hourly electricity meters will have to participate, otherwise they could face a fine of £5,000, with an additional £500 for each subsequent working day they fail to register. Fines will also be given for inaccurate reporting, with the penalty set at £40 per tonne of carbon dioxide incorrectly reported. These hotel groups must disclose their energy consumption over the coming year and set targets to reduce it for the following year. The Environment Agency will then collect these results and rank the businesses, including hotels, on a table, rewarding the best performing companies.

For each tonne of carbon emissions created, businesses will need to pay £12. Then, depending on where these organisations rank on the table, they will either have their £12 returned to them, plus a monetary incentive if they were high-performing, or minus some cash if they were not.

Environment Agency, head of climate change, Malcolm Fergusson said: “It’s a mandatory requirement that they report it (energy consumption), however we’re not going to come around and knock on everyone’s door. But we will be doing a certain amount of auditing and monitoring. If we find a big hotel chain has failed to register then we’ll be asking questions about that.”

Companies could face a fine if they should register for the scheme but fail to do so. Fergusson said: “The scheme is designed to bring in large organisations… which are significant energy consumers. There’s a big branch of organisations that are responsible for about 10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. If we’re going to meet the tough targets that the country has set itself by cutting emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050, it means everybody has to do their bit.”

Fergusson said hotels will be encouraged to perform well by reducing their carbon emissions because of the ranking table, which will be made public. He suggested that some businesses could use this ranking as a marketing tool. He said “There’ll be a league table and I think that where people come in this table is going to matter. There’s quite a lot of opportunities out there that are cost effective to help organisations to save money and energy and to save the planet all at the same time.”

He said he is so far unsure of hotels’ reactions, but believes it will benefit them in the long run because reducing energy consumption reduces hotels’ bills at the same time. He said some key tips for these hotel groups would be to install better lighting systems, to improve their laundry and cooking usage and to create more efficient insulation systems.

“Obviously the main things to improve on are lighting and cooling. Basic things like keeping these to more realistic levels and making them more occupant-sensitive is going to be important. Also, when it comes to the fabric – making sure bedding is well insulated and that there’s at least double glazing, if not more, on the windows.”

Fergusson said hotels should begin to see results almost immediately. “We believe that the payback times are quite short – often less than a year. Even in the short run it should be quite beneficial.”

Carmen Allan

Rezidor has opened a Park Inn hotel in Dresden, Germany.The hotel has 132 rooms and was formerly a Tulip Inn hotel.

The Park Inn Dresden is situated in Dresden Neustadt near the bank of the river Elbe. Besides 132 guest rooms and suites the property features a restaurant, a lobby bar and a meeting room. It was originally opened in 1997 and fully renovated in 2007.

Dresden is the capital of Saxony, located 170 km south-east of Berlin.

Rezidor, CEO and president, Kurt Ritter said: “This hotel is our third property in Dresden and further strengthens our presence on the local and regional market. We are delighted to once again cooperate with our partner Provent Hotels which belongs to our most important franchisees in Germany.”

A sneak preview of some of what is to come at Glasgow’s iconic Central Hotel has just been released.The Queen Anne style hotel, located in the heart of the city centre is Grade A Listed. It was acquired by the hotel and conference centre group, Principal Hayley, from Real Hotel Group in June 2009 and rebranded the ‘Grand Central Hotel’ in anticipation of it once again becoming Glasgow’s prime destination for conference, banqueting and leisure activities. The hotel will officially re-open in early September 2010.

Working closely with Scottish Heritage, the designers have retained, restored and integrated existing architectural features throughout the hotel. False ceilings, walls and cladding have been removed and in some cases bedroom ceilings now reach heights of 4.9 metres. Cornices have been restored or replaced and original full height windows reinstated along with timber reveal detailing. Each bedroom has been individually designed in response to the unique proportions of the existing architecture. The executive rooms are particularly spacious.

Vibrant palettes of hot pinks and reds on an envelope of taupe have been chosen for the executive and standard bedroom schemes respectively, in response to a brief that demanded a balance of historical sensitivity and contemporary style, vigour, atmosphere and theatre along with the provision of the latest
technology to meet the practical needs and expectations of today’s guests.

The design includes used the repetitious circular details of contemporary lighting fixtures to make reference to the history of the building by subtly recalling the long rows of iron wheels and the proximity to the station next door. A plaid-like bed throw evokes classic locomotive interior upholstery as well as nodding to Scotland’s emblematic tartan and long-standing textile industry. The artwork, set into the bed-head architecture that itself is reminiscent of old panelled carriage interiors with high backed upholstered seating, is composed of a series of juxtaposed and collaged archival photographs and abstracted close-ups of train parts. The long horizontal composition echoes the linear nature of a train journey and the rush of fleeting images flying across the window like a film-strip. All the bedrooms have
100 per cent low energy LED light fittings, pop up desk electrics and mounted plasma TV’s.

As well as 30 additional guestrooms, bringing the total number of keys to 186 including three suites that commemorate some historical greats connected with the hotel – John F Kennedy, John Logie Baird and Robert Rowand Anderson, the eminent Scottish architect who designed the hotel along with Central Station in 1876. The guest will be greeted by a grand entrance and reception and will have access to facilities that include a stunning 600 capacity banqueting room, a range of 20 meeting rooms, a new Tempus Bar and Restaurant, as well as a glittering Champagne Bar oriented to overlook the station platforms.

Interior design practice Charles Leon Associates are responsible for the £20 million pound restoration and refurbishment programme at the hotel.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel in the Old Town in San Diego is due to reopen in June, following a multimillion dollar restoration. The roof tiles have been installed and Soltek Pacific, the general contractor, said that the construction work in 80 per cent complete.

The work is being funded by California State Parks, a California Cultural and Historical Endowment, Delaware North Companies and Old Town Family Hospitality. Contractors involved in the restoration include Heritage Architecture and Planning, ASM Affiliates and IS Architecture.

The hotel is recognised as a historical building in California, as it was built between 1827 and 1829 as San Diego pioneer Juan Bandini’s home. It was made with 50,000 handmade adobe bricks. The house was turned into a hotel in 1869, when a second floor was added to the building.

Whilst restoring the hotel, both archaeologists and architects have attempted to keep the building as historically accurate as possible, by using bricks from the site and salvaging the two fireplaces on the upper level.

The lower level is being preserved and the exterior side wall on the upper floor is still the original 1869 wood.

Old Town Family Hospitality Corporation, president, Chuck Ross said: “Excitement about The Cosmo’s completion is rising. We have meeting planners from across the country as well as San Diego residents calling on a regular basis regarding the status of the building.”

Work is now underway on a new £15m boutique hotel in the heart of Liverpool’s commercial district. The 151-bed, four-star Hotel Indigo is set to open in Chapel Street, near to the historic St Nicholas’ Church in 2011, creating more than 50 full and part time jobs.

A £10m funding package for the project was provided by The Co-operative Bank’s Liverpool Corporate Banking Centre (CBC).

The hotel, owned and operated by north west development group, Sanguine Hospitality, will become only the third Hotel Indigo in the UK.

The Co-operative Bank and Intercontinental Hotels, which owns the Hotel Indigo brand, visited the site last week to officially mark the onset of work by contractor Denizen.

Sanguine Hospitality, managing director, Nick Taplin said: “Merseyside’s tourism economy is worth over £1.4billion and rising. In spite of one of the worst recessions in recent times, the city region continues to grow as a destination of choice for domestic and international visitors. Our level of investment in Hotel Indigo reflects our level of faith in the city and the direction it is taking. We intend to bring something new and creative to Liverpool’s hotel market, giving visitors a real alternative and further strengthening the city’s appeal.\”

Falconer Chester Hall Architects and its associate company, FCH Interiors, were appointed to design the build and interior design of the new hotel.

Falconer Chester Hall Architects, director, Mark Doohan said they took their inspiration from the historic context of the area, adding: “Chapel Street was one of the five key streets of the city, at the centre of the city’s mercantile activity and cotton trade especially, with a concentration of cotton trading and storage houses.

“We wanted to reflect upon this context to fix the scheme in its locality and to tell the story of the city’s growth around the Chapel Street area, driven by the historic links with America and the cotton trade.

“So the facade and, of course, the interior draw their inspiration from cotton’s textures, weaves and colours, echoing a key strand of the hotel’s brand DNA, which is about being refreshingly local and telling intriguing stories.

“Indigo is going to be a landmark development for the city’s historic centre, drawing on its waterfront and maritime heritage in a contemporary but respectful way. We’re delighted to be involved.”

The Hotel Indigo brand began its global roll-out in 2009 with London Paddington and Glasgow.

Sanguine Hospitality is committed to expanding the Hotel Indigo brand across the UK and Hotel Indigo Newcastle will follow Liverpool’s opening in Spring 2011.

Bangkok’s hospitality scene is about to grow with the opening of the AETAS Bangkok, the new high-end hotel located on Sukhumvit Road, Soi Ruamrudee. The hotel offers 214 stylish rooms and suites that range from spacious Superior Rooms to the ultimate Presidential Suite.

The AETAS bangkok provides services and facilities such fine dining, spa treatments, a fitness centre with outside swimming pool, meeting rooms and business services.

The hotel’s location is in the middle of the city’s shopping and diplomatic districs and is adjacent to a park.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is to open the 114-room Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport this month.Situated on the Phoenix-Tempe border, US, the new 22,500sqm hotel is the newest hotel in the Phoenix Airport market and boasts 24 suites and 90 standard rooms.

With nearly 1,000sqm of function space, the hotel will also be available for business meetings and banquets. The property is located only two miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, 3 miles from downtown Tempe and 8 miles from downtown Phoenix.

The hotel is just miles from the University of Phoenix, Honeywell, General Electric, Arizona State University, the Pueblo Grande Ruins, Desert Botanical Gardens and Phoenix Zoo.

Standard Holiday Inn guestroom accommodations feature double, queen or king-sized beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair, cable television, hairdryer, coffee maker, iron and ironing board.

Complimentary wireless high speed Internet access is also available throughout the hotel.

The hotel’s restaurant, Soleil Bistro, features casual American & French food for both breakfast and dinner.

The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver has completely renovated their Royal and Prime Minister suites.Spacious at 1,660 and 1,725 square feet respectively, both suites feature stunning two-storey, floor-to-ceiling views, elegant and inviting décor, giant master suites, high-tech master bathrooms featuring televisions embedded within the vanity mirror and dazzling chandeliers.

The split level suites provide entrances on both the 27th and 28th floors lending a sense of grandeur and opulence while offering additional privacy.

The suites feature a dining area which seats up to 12 guests beneath an impressive chandelier.
With a three-bedroom configuration means there is room to spare should one need to accommodate any extra family members, personal assistants or security.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Azinko Development M.M.C. has signed an agreement for Fairmont to manage a new 347-guest room luxury hotel property in the sparkling coastal city of Baku, Azerbaijan. Fairmont Baku is being developed by Azinko and is located on a prime site next to the Azerbaijan parliament buildings and overlooking the Caspian Sea.

This new iconic complex, the Flame Towers, will incorporate hotel, residential and commercial space and will be linked by centrally located retail and leisure facilities. Opening of the Fairmont Baku is planned for early 2011.

Fairmont, president, Thomas W. Storey said: “This agreement allows Fairmont to establish an unmatched presence among the economic rebirth of an historic and important region. With the acceleration of Baku’s oil and natural gas-rich economy and the growing demand for business and leisure hospitality, we feel Azerbaijan is an ideal fit for the Fairmont portfolio of distinctive properties.”

The extension to the Majestic Barrière hotel in Cannes, France, opened on March 15, after construction work totalling 72m Euros was completed.The five star hotel, situated on the Côte d’Azur, now features 44 new suites and two penthouses, which are next to the water’s edge.

The new extension is 10,000sqm and the new suites and penthouses have joined the 305 existing rooms and suites, all entirely revamped two years ago.

Situated on the 6th and 7th floors, facing the sea, the two penthouse suites – the Christian Dior Suite and Majestic Suite – offer almost 450sqm each and can be connected to form a single apartment of 900sqm.

The Majestic Suite also benefits from a solarium terrace of 150sqm with a swimming pool 11m long. Entirely decorated by Pascal Desprez, the renowned interior designer who has worked with the Lucien Barrière Group for many years, this suite is a subtle blend of luxury and casualness. Brown wood is set off by light, acidulous colours in an effort to recall the spirit, both refined and modern, of the world of yachting.

As for the Christian Dior Suite, it has been entirely designed in the style of 30 Avenue Montaigne. The Majestic Barrière has worked in close collaboration with the Parisian couture house to enable Nathalie Ryan to make this suite the purest possible evocation of French-style luxury.

The hotel now also features two new salons and a boardroom, which is 350sqm in size. There is also a new foyer, 220sqm in size to accommodate breakfasts and cocktail buffets. It was designed by Pascal Desprez.

There are also two new restaurants due to open on April 1, along with a new spa.

YTL Hotels has announced that it has acquired several operating assets plus 462-hectares in Niseko Village including the lease of an additional 155-hectare ski mountain in Hokkaido, Japan.The purchase includes the 506-room Hilton Niseko Village, the 200-room Green Leaf Hotel, two 18-hole championship golf courses, a 23-court tennis complex, the Niseko Village Ski Resort and ski school, along with an equestrian centre.

YTL Hotels and Properties, president, James W. McBride said: “We are excited and very enthusiastic with our expansion plans. As a company with a very strong financial position, YTL Hotels took advantage of the economic downturn investing in the company’s future growth. The locations of these new hotels and resorts were thoughtfully chosen, so we could integrate the local environment and culture seamlessly into our existing collection of properties, bringing out the best of each destination.’

In addition to the Hilton Niseko and the MUSE Hotel De Luxe in Saint-Tropez, YTL has expanded significantly in the last year – truly bringing to life its vision of creating treasured places and treasured moments with the addition of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, China; The Chedi in Phuket, Thailand; and both Pulau Gaya and Pulau Tiga in Borneo. The former is a deluxe rainforest family resort near Mount Kinabalu, while Pulau Tiga s about 48 miles down south. Opening in 2011, both are great destinations for adventure, nature and water enthusiasts.

Part of an extensive range of modern garden furniture these dining chairs are pure, minimalist and architectural in design. From European designer Kris Van Puyvelde this part of the Red Label range is built to a very high quality using aluminium box section and plates.

The optional cushions provide optimum comfort to these luxury garden chairs as well as clean modern design. BOKZ offers a great solution to luxury outdoor living.

Red Label modern garden furniture range includes a wide range of luxury dining tables, dining chairs, easy chairs and footstools and aluminium carver chairs making it an ideal all-weather choice for both private residences and commercial outdoor furniture solutions.

Resorts, spas, restaurants and bars have used Royal Botania extensively throughout the UK and worldwide.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced that in less than 24 months since the implosion of the landmark Sheraton Bal Harbour, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort has completed vertical construction for all three of its 27-storey towers.The new Miami property is scheduled for completion in 2011, the luxury oceanfront resort and residences located directly across from the famous Bal Harbour Shops, has made a significant contribution to the Florida coastline.

Setting a new standard for luxury living in South Florida, current plans for The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort and The Residences at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort include 205 elegantly appointed guest rooms, 270 private residences, 37 hotel condominium suites, a 12,000sq ft Remede Spa, signature oceanfront restaurant, St. Regis wine bar, state-of-the-art meeting and event space, and secluded beachfront access across approximately nine acres of landscaping.

Each residence and guest room boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and the residences feature balconies measuring from 440 to more than 1,380sq ft to provide unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. With interior design by Yabu Pushelburg, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort will offer guests and residents modern sophistication, luxury and bespoke service.

Capture the light-hearted bubbles and fizz of a celebratory champagne toast with Ciré. Irregular dots flow in concentric circles, providing counterpoint to the frothy background of bubbles.The pattern packs drama or recedes to subtle interest depending on which of the 18 beautiful colours are selected. Go playful with cheerful Sari Orange, sumptuous with temple Red, bold with contrasting Fade to Black or understated with pale Veil. Ciré is finished with a wonderful silk embossing that creates a subdued lustre. The wallcovering derives its name from the term Ciré denoting a smooth waxed fabric.

Ciré is a low-VOC fabric-backed vinyl wallcovering made with award-winning Second-Look technology to include a minimum of 20 per cent recycled content. Samples are available from Seltex upon request.

Fashion designer Moschino has opened a hotel in Milan, Italy, following the recent trend for fashion houses to build their own accommodation à la Bulgari and Christian Lacroix. The new hotel, Maison Moschino, is located in an old neoclassical railway station, which opened in 1840 to service the train route from Milan to Monza. The hotel is spread over four floors and features 65 rooms that are all differently styled.

The exterior of the hotel has been left as its original structure but the inside of the hotel has been completely revamped. On the ground floor there is a hall and a bar, which is the first thing the guests see upon entry. The restaurant comes off the hall and extends into a terrace and the spa and gym are on the basement levels.

Rossella Jardini, the creative director for the design of the Moschino hotel, was inspired by a fairy tale theme and has used this surrealism when creating each unique room. She said: “to sleep is perchance to dream, and dreams are fairy tales that we are allowed to experience first-hand, the fables of a fantasy world that we have created. This is an alternate life in which we direct and stage the scripts of our very own play.”

The hotel is located near Corso Como and Corso Garbaldi in the centre of Milan. The train station and underground is a five minute’s walk away.

In 1871 Chicago had its fire. Mrs O’Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern in the barn. The city was built of timber -not just houses but boardwalks, road blocks, fences – and with the weather tinder dry, four square miles went up in flames as the wind blew them on. The fire jumped the branches of the Chicago river, only stopping when it reached Lake Michigan. For architects it was an enormous opportunity in a land already presenting opportunity as its huddled masses expanded, although now, alas, without Mrs O’Leary’s cow.Burnham’s name became famous as the planner of much of new Chicago. He built in 1894 of one of the first steel framed glass curtain walled buildings, now preserved by the city and operated by the Kimpton group. At some 19 floors it is dwarfed by a city that at one stage had the tallest buildings in the world. It was not just upward that the city’s famed architects developed their unique much copied American style however, and one of the architects attracted to Chicago in this boom time, and who grew his own practice on the back of thriving private commissions, was the inventor of the Prairie Style, Frank Lloyd Wright. His predominantly horizontal style was developed in his own house and studio on the prairie edge of the new Chicago, in a suburb called Oak Park.

Burnham and Lloyd Wright were just two of the architects of new Chicago whose influence was to change the world’s cities forever. Their influence was early, profound, and diverse – even revolutionary poets and artists such as Mayakovsky and Tatlin were profoundly moved to want to create an ‘America of the arts’ in revolutionary Russia. In a Europe shortly to be ripped apart by a combination of war and revolution the impact of Chicago arts and design was to be profound. Chicago became a home for refugees from Russia and Germany, including architects and artists from the equally influential Bauhaus such as Gropius, ironically whose buildings are now being demolished by the same City authorities that saved the Burnham building.

As its name suggests, Midas, the new fabric backed vinyl from Dixon Turner, has a highly metallic finish with a subtle creased fabric embossed texture.Suitable for many end uses in the hospitality and leisure markets, this versatile luxurious range, compromising of 21 colours, adds glamour to the already extensive Dixon Turner collection.

Featuring a wide ranging spectrum of colours, Midas incorporates shades of sophisticated deep charcoal, shimmering peacock blue, hot jazzy pink, cool pearl shades, as well as bronze, pewter and antiqued gold. The pale colours shimmer with a pearlescent finish.

Forty per cent of mid-market private equity houses think that valuations in the leisure and hospitality industries will continue to drop over the next 24 months and one third of private equity houses ranked them in the bottom three sectors for attracting investment activity, according to new research among private equity managers by corporate finance advisers at BDO LLP.But there are plenty of enthusiastic investors who are emerging from the recession with a contrarian view. Nearly one in five private equity houses rank hospitality in their top three sectors for enjoying the highest growth in M&A valuations.

Will Baxter, Corporate Finance Director, BDO LLP said, “Private equity are preparing for huge ramp up in investment activity with over 90 per cent saying they need to increase the rate of investments and close more deals. But leisure and hospitality is the Marmite sector. Buyers and investors either love it or hate it. Knowing the right investors to discuss M&A with is essential.”

Baxter continued, “PE managers say the sales of their older investments were unsustainably low in 2009, with most citing delays of between one and two years, but the forecast for the next 18 months heralds a resurgence of exit activity growing by 53 per cent next year and 76 per cent in 2012.

“With high demand for deals now evident and the emergence of a core of enthusiastic investors in the leisure and hospitality space, owners of growing businesses who are quicker to bring their business to market may get a better price because if they beat the rush next year they will get special attention.”

Kettal has included a new range of natural-look fabrics, Natte, in their 2010 catalogue. Natte fabrics have a satiny shine and their finely shaded textures, inspired by Nature, create natural effects that imitate natural fibres, such as cotton and linen.

The play of weave and broken threads give the fabric a true rustic finish.

This fabric has been specially created for the outdoors, with a warm finish and the look of the most noble fabrics.

More than a mere optical illusion, the Natte range gives a sweet, almost sensual touch.

Finally, an integrated pedi/spa massage table built to the quality standards of the most demanding high volume spas and salons.The Clodagh Libra is designed to handle the rigors of a high volume spa/salon and is ready for any type of treatment.

It features a high quality, full-sized Sanijet pedi-spa with its exclusive pipeless technology, this table is designed to convert from a pedispa to a massage table in seconds.

Designed to be hard plumbed underneath or unplumbed with optional pump and hot/cold supply to be used with a sink, it is perfect for new construction or an existing room with a sink.

Price: £5750.00 (ex delivery and VAT)

Features:
• Top: Electric Backrest top with Electric travel adjustment
• Width: 790mm/31”
• Length: 1900mm/75”
• Height Range: 640mm-840mm/25”-33”
• Hydraulic/Electric Lift
• Lifts: 182kg/400lbs
• Table Weight: 136kg/300lbs
• Upholstery: TerraTouch
• Padding: AeroCel Padding (4” thick)

Options:
• UltraTouch upholstery (add £95.00)
• OAKWORKS Wood Stain (add £125)
• Custom wood stain (add £195)
• Adjustable Arm Rests (add 195.00)
• Manicure Arm Rests (add £245.00)
• QuickLock Face Rest (add £75.00)

The lodge which is located on Lake Malawi was designed by the owners and interior designer Abi James who is based in Cape Town.The lodge, was a collaboration with husband and wife James and Suzie Lightfoot, who, along with the interior designer, have decided to use natural surroundings to create unique character.

The stone and teak-framed thatched accommodation includes two family cottages and houses which is ideal for honeymooners.

Kaya Mawa will feature three standard rooms which will have private decks and direct access to the lakes, two family cottages which will sit at the back of the main beach. Each of the family chalets will have a double and a twin/triple room, an interconnecting bathroom and outside relaxation areas.

There will also be three premium suites which will offer lake views and each will have a private pool. Kaya Mawa’s Ndomo Point House will open in June 2010 and will feature four bedrooms with three ensuite bathrooms and will come fully staffed.

Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla, a 208-room upscale business hotel spread over 2.1 acres, is reaching final stages of completion.The hotel, which is part of Intercontinental Hotel Group chain, is located in South Delhi near to the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The property’s general manager, Barun Jolly said: “Most of the construction has already been completed including the lobby, meeting rooms, ball rooms, two restaurants, the French Patisserie, guest rooms and back of the house. Other than these, we will also be launching nine meeting room options that can accommodate 10 to 400 guests at a time.”

Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla, has released renderings and will boast of as high as 60 to 65 per cent guest area to receive natural day light, which is one of the highest among hotels in Delhi. This will reduce the electricity consumption in lighting up lobbies etc. in day time, besides adding a distinct freshness to the hotel premises.

The hotel property formerly known as Club Oceanic Trincomalee, a member of the John Keells Hotels Group is scheduled to reopen in May 2010 with a new and improved ambience as Chaaya Blu Trincomalee.Hotel operations have ceased in order to make way for the complete refurbishment and expansion plan which is currently underway.

Under the watchful eye of architect Channa Daswatte, Club Oceanic Trincomalee is to undergo a transformation which promises a fresh theme and a vibrant new appearance that will enchant its guests. The evocative designs and captivating architecture will blend in with the surroundings of Sri Lanka’s untouched east coast.

The John Keells Hotels Group has set aside a sum of Rs. 450 million for this project which will increase the hotel’s room capacity from 56 to 80. Joining the Chaaya Resorts and Hotels circle, Club Oceanic Trincomalee is to garland its grand reopening with its new name, Chaaya Blu Trincomalee.

Offering his views on the expansion project, Ajit Gunewardene, deputy chairman John Keells Holdings and president of the leisure group said: “Having been involved in Sri Lankan tourism as a group for over 35 years, we are excited and enthused by the emergence of east-coast tourism. We believe that Trincomalee has the potential to become one of the most sought-after destinations in the country and Chaaya Blu Trincomalee with its new retro-chic look will bridge the present deficit for quality 4-star accommodation. This will be a first of many investments in the resort sector in strategic locations around the country.”

Choice Hotels International has opened Cambria Suites hotel in Fort Lauderdale and Dania Beach, Florida, US. The 119-suite Fort Lauderdale hotel is the first Cambria Suites in Florida and is owned by Dan Patel of DP Hotels.

Patel, a local Fort Lauderdale resident, owns a variety of properties and has been in the hospitality industry more than 25 years.

There are 20 Cambria Suites hotels open and nearly 30 under development nationwide.

Every Cambria Suites suite features separate work and living areas with ergonomic chairs, movable desks, luxury linens and Bath and Body Works products. The all-suites hotels offer a 52-inch television in the open, airy two-story lobby, and each suite includes two flat-screen LCD televisions and MP3 jacks. Every suite offers MediaHub plug-and-play technology, allowing guests to connect their laptop, MP3 player, game console, digital camera or CD/DVD player hassle-free.

Free high-speed wired and wireless internet access is available throughout the hotel.

Like all Cambria Suites hotels, the Fort Lauderdale property features Reflect, a dining and gathering area serving a dinner menu, liquor, wine, beer, and a barista bar.

Located in a quiet part of Taipei’s most fashionable district, Da-An, is Hotel Éclat, an eclectic, elegant new boutique art hotel which is the first new luxury hotel to open in the city for many years.The French word “Éclat” literally means “glorious accomplishment and honour”, and this aptly describes this stylish, avant-garde new hotel with lavish furnishings, priceless artworks, eclectic contemporary design and among the most opulent guest room amenities of any hotel anywhere.

A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the 60-room hotel is owned and conceived by Hong Kong entrepreneur George Wong. The hotel features much of his personal art and furniture collection, and even his own personal collections of vintage fine wines and priceless rare Chinese mao tai liquor.

The hotel is designed by Charles Robertson of LKF designers Limited, whose work includes stylish projects such as the ultra cool Le Meridien Cyberport Hotel in Hong Kong, Starworld Hotel & Casino in Macau and Four Seasons Shanghai.

Discreetly scented with bamboo and lotus fragrance, the elegant Éclat Lounge sets the tone and features two original Salvador Dali sculptures worth over several million US$ each, velvet sofas and drapes and vast glass hanging light sculptures in various shades of purple by noted Czech glass artist Jitka Skuhravá, Lasvit.

All 60 guest rooms are luxuriously equipped with state-of-the-art luxury amenities including 42-inch LCD televisions and internet TV keyboards, Bang & Olufsen CD and audio systems, Nespresso coffee machines, Montblanc desk sets and pens, Philippe Starck desk chairs, Riedel glassware and Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries featuring not the usual three but seven different amenities.

A unique glass wall divides the walk in rainforest shower from the living area and can be frosted or defrosted at the touch of a switch, and every room features an original work by Chinese contemporary artist Tang Yuen Hei.

The JW Marriott Marquis Miami will house the largest ballroom in downtown Miami when it opens this summer.Featuring 313 rooms, the hotel will be located in the new Metropolitan Miami development, in the heart of Miami’s Financial District.

It offer 80,000sq ft of event space which will include a junior ballroom, 32 meeting and break out rooms, all accessible to the 20,000sq ft pillar-free Grand Ballroom. This space will be able to cater for up to 1,800 guests.

The ballroom will feature state-of-the-art technology, flexible set-up capabilities, and high-end finishes that include custom Murano glass pendant chandeliers and walls elegantly mixing uses of wood paneling, luxurious fabric, and alabaster.

Ideal for team building exercises, breakout sessions or relaxation, the hotel will feature two entertainment/lifestyle floors with a world-renowned Jim McLean Golf School, one-of-a-kind 10,000-square-foot NBA approved basketball court, tennis court, media room, billiard room, virtual bowling alley, fitness center and full service spa.

Gandia Blasco in conjunction with Barbed presents their new outdoor furniture range, Flat. The range is designed by Mario Ruiz and is available in a new bronze colour along with their characteristic white.

The collection consists of: chaiselounge, side tables, dining chairs, armchairs, three sizes of dining table, benches in different lengths, lounge chairs, two coffee tables, four modular sofas, pouf and stools.

Frames are made from thermo-lacquered aluminium with polyethylene tops. Cushions are made from polyurethane foam with visco elastic and can be upholstered with the new jacquard outdoor fabric, available in six colours. They can also be upholstered in either vinyl(Acualis) or Kvadrat.

Gandia Blasco manufactures high-end contemporary outdoor furniture suitable for any outdoor space including terrace, pool side, beach or garden.

They work extensively with a number of prestigious, professional designers to create a variety of stylish products.

Gandia Blasco’s luxury exterior furniture, fabric and accessories are extraordinary in their design and are engineered to last a lifetime.

During the last decade Megaman has established itself as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The company’s growth has been driven by a combination of innovative technologies, novel designs and a strong commitment to its customers.

Megaman offer a wide range of lamps including candle, golf ball, bulb-shaped CFLs, spotlights for direct replacement of halogen sources, ideal for the hotel and leisure industry.

The company also produces high output fluorescent lamps ideal for exterior flood lighting.

Simon Keen Lighting, part of the Megaman group, is a specialist in the design and manufacture of lighting solutions specifically tailored to the hotel and leisure industry.

The company offers solutions from a design concept through to the supply of co-ordinated lighting suites, front of house spectaculars and one off pieces of individuality.

Detailed CAD drawings can be produced from customers’ ideas, inspirations and samples produced, ensuring a smooth transition from a sketch to the finished product.

Simon Keen Lighting stays ahead of lighting trends, with a huge portfolio of standard products covering period, contemporary and modern lighting to enhance all aspects of a hotel, both interior and exterior.

Whole families of fittings and shades in different sizes and colours can be used to carry a theme seamlessly through an installation.

Having built an enviable reputation for quality, reliability and the highest levels of service, Simon Keen Lighting in conjunction with Megaman can also support your environmental policy and supply fixtures with Megaman’s energy saving compact fluorescent lamps on a large proportion of their lighting ranges.

D-LUX are modern design sun loungers for contemporary outdoor spaces and are available with or without a cushion. Built to a very high quality from aluminium, D-LUX modern garden furniture is a very light weight outdoor furniture solution.

The unusual and unique design comes from European designer Kris Van Puyvelde and combines sleek lines, curves, egonomics and function with optimum comfort.

D-LUX sun loungers are constructed from aluminium plates which are skilfully shaped and welded into beautiful shapes and when used with the stylish cushions designed for the deluxe range offer a great contemporary look with comfort.

D-LUX modern garden furniture range includes outdoor dining tables, contemporary coffee tables, luxury sun loungers, outdoor dining chairs and carver chairs.

With the choice of any RAL colour on this light weight and low maintenance garden furniture, it offers great diversity to private residences as well as commercial furniture contractors and specifiers.

Encompass’ modern furniture ranges are used throught hotels, bistros, spas, resorts and private town and country gardens in the UK and worldwide.

D-LUX contemporary sun lounger is from Royal Botania, in conjunction with Encompass.

Continent Hotels Worldwide has signed a management agreement with the investment company Pacific Management Service, a Russian closed joined company, to open and manage the first Continent Resort in Olginka village-Black Sea Coast, Russia.Scheduled to open in April, the Continent Paradise Resort-Olginka will be Continent Worldwide’s second hotel in Russia and the country’s first completed resort hotel project.

The signing of the Continent Paradise Resort-Olginka, follows the opening of the Continent Sakhalin Resort in Sakhalin Island in August 2009.

Continent Paradise Resort-Olginka is a middle-scale category full service resort hotel and is expected to offer 62 bedrooms, an open air terrace Restaurant for up to 110 people, an indoor swimming pool, sauna, mini bar service and room service.

The newly built hotel will be located approximately 500m from the beach and sea.

Continent Hotels Worldwide, Russian director, Roman Gorobchenko said: “We are continuing to focus development resources in Russia and are delighted to have secured our first Continent branded Resort Hotel in Russia. Continent Worldwide’s growing presence in this market will be proved with the opening of Continent Paradise Resort-Olginka in April 2010. And with further projects in discussion we are excited about expanding our brands in Russia and throughout Eastern Europe.”

HotelDesigns is running another training day for those interested in learning about our web services, using the internet for marketing, Google ad words and social networking such as Twitter.Date: Wednesday 28th April 2010

Place: The Lansdowne Building, 2 Lansdowne Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 2ER

Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm

Cost: £60 (ex VAT) for non-members of the Directory, £30 for Directory members. The cost includes tea, coffee and a buffet lunch

Itinerary:

9.30am: Coffee and introductions

10.00am: MORNING SESSION

1.The Medium is the Message
2.About HotelDesigns and understanding the web. Brief history and introduction to the web and web metrics
3.E-marketing – why and how it has become the most important resource in the marketers tool-kit
4.Building customer relationships and the role of the company website – including:
a.Why password protect?
b.Concepts of retail and wholesale
5.Focus and specialisation and how the web serves them
6.The web as communities
a.Scale and Global versus local thinking.

12.30pm: LUNCH (sandwiches and light snacks)

1.15pm: AFTERNOON SESSION

1.The importance of the voice and repetition
2.Google ad words and generalised web advertising pop-ups, towers and pop unders
3.What is Social Networking?
4.Linkedin
5.Facebook and Twitter – advantages and disadvantages
6.RSS and Google news feeds

4.30pm: Questions and finish

To book a click here to contact Carmen

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Frogmore has secured planning permission to transform 3 & 4 South Place, close to Liverpool Street Station in London EC3, into an 80 bedroom boutique hotel.In November 2009 Frogmore agreed a deal with D&D London to operate a luxury hotel on the site on a 35-year lease basis.

The 22,000sqm boutique property has been designed by Allies and Morrison, while Conran and Partners, owned by D&D London’s majority shareholder Conran Holdings, will design the hotel’s interior.

The hotel will contain 80 luxury bedrooms and suites, private dining and conference facilities, restaurants and bars. These will include a brasserie and bars on the ground floor, and a 7th floor rooftop restaurant and bar with an outdoor terrace overlooking the City skyline.

Demolition of the existing buildings on the site and construction work on the new hotel is scheduled to start later this year, with the property set to be open to the public in summer 2012.

Gerald Eve is Frogmore’s planning consultants for the scheme and Gerard Nolan & Partners advised Frogmore on the transaction.

Frogmore, managing director, Paul White said: “We are delighted that the London Borough of Islington has granted approval for our plans at South Place. The hotel will be just what this location needs and will mark the next stage of regeneration in the area. D&D has the perfect background for this luxury development and securing their commitment on a long term basis is a major coup for Frogmore.”

D&D London, chairman and CEO, Des Gunewardena said: “We are very pleased to be working with Frogmore. I have known Paul White and his team for many years and they completely understand our aspirations for this site. Their efficiency in securing this planning permission has already proved them to be an excellent development partner for us and I’ve every confidence that together we can make a success of it.”

When Häfele present its popular CPD seminar on Architectural Ironmongery one of the most common questions is regarding the limited choice of levers that can be used to comply with BS8300 recommendations, most people assume that this has to be a standard return to door lever, see image 1.According to Häfele, this was never the case. The latest version of BS8300:2009 has much clearer guidance on lever specification and shows 4 examples of type that will meet this criteria.

They key design indicators are:

1. Hand grip zone of at least 95 mm (applies to all types of lever handle)

2. Hand grip zone at least 45 mm from face of door

3. Lever diameter at least 19 mm

4.lock/latch backset at least 54 mm from door edge

A wide range of door levers can be used which allow the architect to meet the requirements of BS8300 and whilst still using attractive designs of door furniture, a few examples from the Häfele range are shown here.

The Sherlock Holmes on Baker Street in London is housed in an imposing Georgian period terrace, with all the design difficulties and charm this brings with it. The hotel was formerly owned and run by Hilton, before becoming a Park Plaza a decade ago. Renamed and themed, the hotel plays on its proximity to the legendary location of Sherlock Holmes fictional home at 221b Baker Street.One of the first changes the new owners made was to move the bar from the back of the ground floor to the front. This is unusual in a hotel but for the Sherlock Holmes it has worked well. The new location for the bar allows guests to be enticed to come in for a drink off the street, generating more revenue for the hotel. Baker Street is the perfect location to do this, as it is busy, and with a terrace out the front being put to use in the summer it makes the option even more attractive. The terrace covered with tables and umbrellas also makes sure guests enter through the hotel’s main door.

Upon entering the hotel there was a small porters desk used to direct guests to the large reception desk at the back of the room. The bar is to the right and considering that it was mid-afternoon on a weekday had a busy cocktail crowd creating a vibrant atmosphere in the room. Towards the back of the room was a contemporary gas-fuelled open fireplace. This provided both heating and a visual element to the room. It also stopped the middle section of the room from being turned into a corridor.

The Sherlock’s Grill restaurant was towards the back of the room past the larger reception desk. Although the restaurant was small in size, it was nicely laid out with little nooks and crannies for guests to hide themselves in. This partitioning also helped to break up the noise that travelled around the restaurant. A wood fired pizza oven was built in behind the bistro’s counter. Beside the restaurant was a lounge, which was separated from the restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows. This created a sense of space and allowed guests to peer into adjoining rooms. Those in the lounge could see the food being served in the bistro, persuading them to go order a meal.

The lounge was decorated in Sherlock Holmes’ memorabilia, or art objects from the Victorian era. The Sherlock Holmes’ decorations were a theme carried on throughout the hotel. Behind the bar there was a large bust of the man himself. Gracing the wall were many artworks related to the fictional character and there were also other semi-related artefacts such as a large wooden camera from Victorian times. Indeed, these pieces were an attractive feature within the building and pipes were even for sale in glass cabinets.

Within the lounge there was another gas fire, where guests could congregate. The fire created a cosy atmosphere and sure enough there was a guest was snoozing in a lounge chair – evidence that the room was in fact comfortable.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts plans to open 14 new hotels this year, throughout the world in countries including Canada and Mexico.Other 2010 openings include The Westin Mumbai Garden City in India, The Westin Nanjing in Shanghai, China, The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino in Messinia, Greece, The Westin Austin at the Domain in Austin, Texas, and The Westin Sendai in Sendai, Japan.

In 2010, Starwood will debut the Westin brand in Peru with The Westin Libertador, Lima and expand the brand’s footprint in Latin and South America with its fifth hotel in Mexico and its first in Mexico City, The Westin Santa Fe. In the next three years, Westin will open two additional hotels in Mexico and its first in Panama.

Starwood, president of global development, Simon Turner said: “The Westin brand has significant new-build opportunities in numerous emerging and fast developing economies. Within more mature markets like North America and Europe, however, we are seeing – and expect to continue to see – more, quality conversion opportunities realized as transaction activity increases. Westin is a high value-add conversion brand, and many owners and investors seek opportunities to enhance a property’s performance by upgrading to the Westin brand. Starwood is taking a pragmatic approach to conversions, but will of course be vigilant in preserving the brand integrity that has been a key driver of its success.”

In keeping with the current trend for natural, organic interiors, heating specialist, Aestus, introduces ‘Cosmos’, a remarkable stone radiator from the company’s popular ‘Cinier’ collection.While the design of ‘Cosmos’ is en-vogue, like all other models from the ‘Cinier’ range, it has been crafted from thousand-year-old Olycale stone, sourced from the Pyrenees. Crushed and moulded to produce a genuinely innovative and heat retaining structure, ‘Cosmos’ boasts a rough, natural texture.

Inspired by the link between heaven and earth, renowned French Designer, Michel Cinier, depicts the notion that one day, the two entities may in fact become one.

A heart- warming addition, ‘Cosmos’ is simple, classic and elegant but moving at the same time. Furthermore, its versatile, uncomplicated design will lend well to a plethora of decors, making it suitable for use in any room within the home, be it office, hallway, kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.

Pictured above in Ochre Brown, ‘Cosmos’ is also available in a number of finishes including white, grey, ivory, yellow and orange. Each piece is individually handcrafted, ensuring a truly beautiful and unique finish every time.

‘Cosmos’ measures 2000mm x 600mm and is suitable for both electric and central heating systems.

Over the past two decades, he has structured more than 300 separate investment transactions with an asset value of more than US$40b. Up until 2004, he was the chief design officer and a director at Starwood Hotel and Resorts Worldwide, building it up into a successful brand. He is now the CEO and chairman of Starwood Capital. Who is he? Hotel expert Barry Sternlicht.Sternlicht founded Starwood Hotels in 1995 and during his reign proved that he knows the hotel business. Sternlicht was in charge of 733 hotels, 231,000 rooms, 120,000 employees and the group was turning over US$5b in revenue. Sternlicht had snapped up hotel brands such as Sheraton and Westin and invented a new chain, the W, as well as turning St Regis into a worldwide luxury chain. But the hotel guru left his successful business with the determination to create another empire that would beat it.

Sternlicht then joined Starwood Capital Group and has since taken over Louvre Hotel Group. Starwood Capital also recently acquired Golden Tulip Hospitality, entering the top ten largest hotel groups in the world. Its ranking knocked Hyatt Hotels down a bar. All this is thanks to Sternlicht and it is quite impressive for someone who hasn’t yet turned 50.

Many were surprised by Sternlicht’s career move to Starwood Capital but he’s proving all his critics wrong. Polo Ralph Lauren, CEO, Hamilton South, once said that Sternlicht was ‘one of the few guys in private equity who understand brand value.’ These words are full of truth – Sternlicht has used, and continues to use, his expertise to create consistency over the brands he forms.

For example, the three star hotel chain Campanile owned by Starwood Capital, has created a brand consistency. Its hotels use similar colours and brandings across the chain. Sternlicht was one of the few to pioneer this brand consistency and it can be seen in Starwood Hotels such as the W Hotels.

Classic Furniture has moved and improved its production facilities.Classic now has a twin site in Audley Avenue, Newport, Shropshire, UK with nearly 10,000sqm of modern offices and showrooms.

The showrooms include Reclaimed Retro’s warehouse showroom and a modern, well equipped 13,000sqm production facility, which reinforces Classic’s in-house semi-manufacturing capabilities.

As part of the opening ceremony of the company’s new facilities, Classic Furniture is inviting those interested to make an appointment to view and share the increased benefits that are now available.

Kettal Landscape, designed by the Kettal Studio, features modern architectural shapes that highlight nature in outdoor settings. Kettal Landscape is a very complete system comprised of totally configurable daybeds and pergolas and personalised aluminium furniture that will look great in any natural setting.

The quality of the new Natte structured fabric, the volume and comfort of the upholstery and the modernity of the proportions give it an elegant look.

Through the use of modern square aluminium structures, voluminous upholstery and structured Natte outdoor fabrics, the Kettal Landscape lounge system reflects the indoor and outdoor spirit.

For more information, please contact PS Interiors through the Kettal page in the Directory.

As New Delhi and India prepare for the start of the 2010 Commonwealth Games later this year, The Leela Group is planning its own opening ceremony. The Leela Palace Kempinski New Delhi will open for business in autumn 2010. The five-star hotel is located in the city’s Central Business District.

Inspired by the style of Edwin Lutyens, the man who designed New Delhi almost 100 years ago, and designed by acclaimed architect John Gerondelis,

The Leela Palace Kempinski New Delhi will combine neo-classical architecture with elements from historical north Indian palaces.

Occupying a three-acre site on the corner of Africa Avenue and Vinay Marg in Chanakyapuri, the new hotel will have 260 rooms. The room catalogue includes: deluxe guestrooms, which will measure over 500 square feet; Royal Suites, which will be up to 1,000 square feet and will have private pools; and an impressive 4,000 square feet Presidential Suite with adjoining deluxe bedroom.

The hotel will boast three speciality restaurants, serving Indian, Italian and Japanese specialities, and there is also an all-day-dining room with ‘live’ kitchen. In addition, guests can enjoy two bars, a 6,500sq ft ESPA spa with nine treatment rooms, a beauty salon, fitness centre and a heated swimming pool on the rooftop terrace.

The hotel will accommodate meetings and incentives through a number of meeting rooms including a 5,500sq ft Grand Ballroom.

The Gansevoort Hotel Group, known for pioneering the rooftop pool, will open its fourth, and most upscale property this summer, with the opening of Gansevoort Park in New York.The 249-room urban resort promises an uptown experience with a downtown vibe, while elevating the rooftop pool to new heights.

Built from the ground up on what had formerly been Marathon bank, the Gansevoort Park will feature generously proportioned guest rooms and suites, many with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows, a heated indoor-outdoor pool; six event spaces; unobstructed views of the Empire State Building; ballroom, a duplex corner retail space and salon and a health and fitness spa.

Architect Stephen B. Jacobs and interior designer Andi Pepper will design the dramatic three-story lobby, guestrooms, penthouse suite and pool area. Manhattan-based ICRAVE is designing Asellina (an Italian trattoria) and the bar.

Gansevoort Park’s design is decidedly contemporary with some classical references and inspiration drawn from a peek-a-boo aesthetic of 1940’s glam. Photographer Deborah Anderson’s sensual art will be integrated throughout the hotel on walls, table tops and in guest rooms.

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Embassy Suites Hotels today announced the opening of the Embassy Suites Palmdale, featuring the brand’s first Design Option III Prototype build in the state of California. The 30th Embassy Suites in the state, the upscale property is located just off Interstate 14, nestled in the Antelope Valley at 39375 5th Street West.

Embassy Suites Palmdale is managed by Sun Development & Management Company of Indianapolis, IN. The property marks Sun Development & Management Company’s first of three Embassy Suites to open in 2010, with others slated to open in Ontario, California, and Elizabeth, New Jersey, in the third quarter of this year. The property is owned by the Palmdale Lodging Associates, LLC.

Embassy Suites Palmdale is an upscale, full-service, all-suites property, featuring 150 suites and nearly 950sqm of meeting space, with banquet space among four separate rooms. The property contains some of the largest rooms of any hotel in Palmdale.

The hotel’s Design Option III prototype allows guests the same comfort and convenience as traditional Embassy Suites properties using a more cost effective, scalable model.

Sixty miles north of Los Angeles in the High Desert region of Los Angeles County, Embassy Suites Palmdale is located near the major aerospace companies in the area including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, NASA and Edwards Air Force base.

A fitness center, equipped with the latest in cardiovascular and weight equipment, as well as a pool are offered to all guests at Embassy Suites Palmdale. Both the King and Double suites boast a desk with an ergonomic chair, 32” flat screen television and mobile furnishings that allow guests to create their own unique living space.

Fourteen Restaurant and Lounge, the hotel’s full-service restaurant, features a modern contemporary design with dark woods, warm stone, sleek metal surfaces and a whimsical color palette.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is celebrating the opening of Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin.The seven-storey addition is located on the banks of the Li River and features many of the city’s firsts and superlatives. These include the city’s largest guestrooms, the largest state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities, the only hotel to have a wedding pagoda and the first hotel to feature indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

The 449-room Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin features the largest rooms in the city starting at 42sqm. There are 17 suites, ranging from an 84sqm Executive Suite to the 210sqm Presidential Suite. The hotel also incorporates Shangri-La’s Horizon Club guestrooms and lounge.

For meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions, the 1,800sqm Grand Ballroom, the largest ballroom in Guilin, is the perfect venue for hosting high-profile events of up to 2,000 people. With six additional private function rooms and a dedicated VIP room, Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin is able to cater to a diverse range of event needs, from small private gatherings to conferences or large social events. In addition, Guilin’s first and only wedding pagoda makes the hotel a much sought after location for weddings.

Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin also features a comprehensive range of recreational facilities including indoor and outdoor pools in addition to tennis courts and a health club.

The company completed a series of successful projects at the end of last year. The projects included supplying furniture for bar, restaurants and rooms.The projects included Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire. The company supplied tables, restaurant chairs and bar stools for the bar and bowling alley.

Center Parcs’s spokesperson, Susie Malcolm Barclay said: “Stylematters were actually identified as a potential supplier by our appointed designer based in Nottingham and I was pleased with the overall service levels throughout the project – the projects were as described, delivery was to schedule and their prices were also competitive.”

Stylematters has now completed two new projects for Center Parcs.

Stylematters also completed a full fixed project of a London members club, Club Alto. The company designed the fixed seating through the Club to fit in with its 1920s theme. It was also asked to fita special feature for Belvadre Vodka.

Near Solihull, Stylematters furnished the new dining area in the Hampton Manor Hotel.

The project was completed within a four week lead-time using tub chairs from Italy mounted on a distinctive spider steel base, the client chose Designer Guild fabrics to add to the effect, and blend in with the traditional feel of the newly constructed dining area.

Hampton Manor said: “It was important that our opening event happened on time, the fact that we were able to view the products being produced in the Stylematters factory helped us with our decision, we have since ordered other items from Stylematters.”

Dernier & Hamlyn has continued its successful partnership with celebrated designer Guy Oliver at The Connaught Hotel with further signature light fittings. The new fittings have been installed to complement its previous support of the hotel’s extensive restoration and refurbishment programme.

Dernier & Hamlyn’s current work at the five star luxury hotel includes a magnificent polished chrome and glass pendant FOR the new ballroom, the first to be built in Mayfair for 80 years.

These fittings combine classic styling with the latest lighting technologies to achieve stunning lighting effects and energy efficiency.

In addition Dernier & Hamlyn produced mid-20th century inspired light fittings designed by Guy Oliver which incorporate classic period geometric shapes and these have been installed in public areas of the hotel.

Guy Oliver said: “Dernier & Hamlyn’s renowned reputation for quality and attention to detail has shone forth again in this latest work at The Connaught. By combining the best in contemporary manufacturing techniques and lighting technology with accurate references to 20th century design, their light fittings are visually beautiful and practical to maintain, both essential requirements at the hotel.”

Carlson Hotels has recently revealed that it is to launch a new global growth standards strategy, introducing consistency across its brands around the world, mainly in the US.Although recently announced, this strategy is not a new method for the hotel group. At the end of 2006, Carlson Hotels said that it was renovating Radisson hotels around the world in order to improve brand consistency. Carlson Hotels spent nearly US$516m in 2005 and 2006 renovating and improving hotels across the Americas, yet it was Europe that provided the brands main growth area thanks to the management drive of Kurt Ritter and the design management of Gordon McKinnon.

Across Europe new Radisson Blu hotels were opened, featuring the brand’s new designs. HotelDesigns reviewed the Radisson Blu’s in Krakow, Poland; Berlin, Germany; Stansted, UK, Cape Town South Africa and Copenhagen Denmark, and recognised the chain’s successful branding across the board.

The branding had been implemented successfully, yet at the same time all of the hotels had their own unique feel. It was this successful implementation that allowed Radisson EMEA franchisee Rezidor to expand rapidly throughout Europe and in 2009 alone the brand opened 22 new Radisson Blu hotels.

Now Rezidor head of design and ‘brand guru’ Gordon McKinnon has transferred over to the US to help implement the new brand standards across the country. McKinnon is the chief branding officer and will work alongside CEO Hubert Joly to improve the Radissons in the US. McKinnon was previously the concept developer at Rezidor working to implement Rezidor CEO’s Kurt Ritter’s style and high brand standards.

The hotel, which is situated in Medina, the ancient city of Marrakesh Medina’s Dar Seven is now an Arteh hotel.The hotel is Ruspoli’s family holiday home, and has been renewed with care the spaces of a typical old building.

The small property is decorated with white, black and shades of cream and brown. These shades aim to soften the environment and are carried through the personalised and distinctive rooms, which feature high ceilings and carefully picked furniture.

Along with the dining room, lounge and reading room, the hotel also boasts a top terrace.

Hilton Worldwide has announced the signing of a multi-year management agreement with Consorcio Hotelero S.A de C.V for a Doubletree by Hilton full-service hotel in Mexico.Construction of the Doubletree by Hilton, Merida is scheduled for the beginning of this month with expected completed in March 2011.

Situated close to the Merida International Airport, the new Doubletree by Hilton will feature 100 guestrooms and suites, with 3,000sq ft of meeting space, a full-service restaurant, bar, fitness centre and pool.

Global head for Doubletree by Hilton hotels, Rob Palleschi said: “This latest Doubletree by Hilton development in Merida, Mexico represents another positive step in our brand’s growth in Latin America and the Caribbean, joining Doubletree by Hilton hotels and resorts now open in Peru, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. With further development plans confirmed in Mexico and Panama, along with 225 additional hotels across the globe, the potential benefits for owners and developers of current and new-build hotels to become affiliated with Hilton Worldwide and the Doubletree by Hilton brand have never been greater.”

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Contra Curtains Ltd is proud to announce its appointment as the soft furnishing supplier to Holiday Inn Reading M4 Jct 10.Meridian Leisure Hotels have appointed Contra to complete all soft furnishings for the 174 bedrooms including executive rooms and suites, and extensive public areas including eight function suites for up to 260 guests.

The hotel will feature contemporary and new brand identity hallmarks including an upgraded lobby with signature scents and sounds, enhanced room decor and improved comfort with new bedding and bathroom amenities.

The hotel will offer a variety of luxuriously appointed bedrooms ranging from standard, executive and family rooms to suites.

Designed by ADS Design in conjunction with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the bedrooms will incorporate the New Generation fabric schemes recently introduced by IHG to the Holiday Inn Brand for implementation across all new Holiday Inn Hotels across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Completion of this project will further develop the long standing and successful relationship that Contra continues to enjoy with IHG and its franchises.

H10 Hotels, one of the leading boutique hotel chains in Spain has opened the doors of its first UK location.The H10 London Waterloo is located on Waterloo Road, and boasts views of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye.

The décor combines avant-garde European functionalism with a very British style. The hotel has been built to the highest levels of quality and comfort, with large windows which flood the hotel with natural light.

Designed the interior designer Pedro Peña, it offers 144 standard rooms, 32 deluxe rooms and the exclusive Waterloo suite.

Each room is equipped with an LCD TV with all major international channels, free Wi-Fi connection, and intelligent temperature control and media hub with iPod and PC connection.

The hotel also features an open-plan bar, the Circus Bar, and the Three O Two restaurant which offers a delicious combination of Mediterranean specialties and international cuisine, with unrivalled views across Waterloo Road.

The H10 London Waterloo’s central location and stylish décor also make it the ideal meeting or conference venue. It has four spacious meeting rooms which can accommodate up to 50 people and are equipped with the latest audio-visual technology.

The opening of the H10 London Waterloo is part of the chain’s expansion into major European cities. The first hotel in Europe outside of Spain, H10 Roma Città, opened in 2008 and the H10 Berlin Ku’Damm is scheduled to launch in the last quarter of 2010.

A bespoke design from Axminster Carpets was commissioned by the QHotels group for its four-star Bridgewood Manor facility in Kent.
Fitted throughout the corridors and lift-lobbies of the contemporary 100 bedroom hotel, the 840sqm of 80 per cent wool, 20 per cent nylon carpet was woven on Axminster Carpets’ Super Eight looms ensuring the perfect combination of precision design, durability and appearance retention.

QHotels, director of group development, Trudi Purtill said: “Our design office had not worked with Axminster Carpets before, but as the group expanded through acquisition of other hotel groups we had inherited some of its products and the quality and longevity of these installations impressed me.

“We started with the selection of a warm colour palette in honey golds and creams with a defining contrast of midnight blue to enhance the oak veneer in the public areas of the hotel. By refining our original choice to five tones we were able to achieve the balance we were looking for and all within the budget we assigned.

“Key to the design success of the carpet was the creation of a broken barcode medium scale pattern that appears to turn 90 degrees, taking the eye off the challenging linearity so prevalent in hotel bedroom corridors. Axminster Carpets’ design studio worked with me and successfully managed to translate my ideas perfectly, producing the approved design with only two hand-trials and four CAD print-outs in record time.”

RJD Interiors is looking forward to fitting out the bedroom furniture for another Holiday Inn Express, this time based in Colchester.Its schedule also includes more Travelodge fit outs across the UK.

The last quarter has seen the professional fitters working on bars, reception areas and bedrooms in Holiday Inns, Express by Holiday Inns, Best Western and Travelodges across the UK.

RJD Interiors has vast experience fitting out bars, reception areas and bedroom furniture in the leisure industry.

It also offers a joinery package which comprises supplying bars, reception counters, bespoke office desks, and more, as well as fitting them.

RJD Interiors also continues to offer a touch-up and repair service for tired looking furniture. It refurbishes elements of damaged furniture, saving the cost of replacing a complete item.

It also offers competitive rates and a professional and efficient service that will ‘freshen’ furniture.

Franklite has released their new catalogue for 2010. The catalogue includes stunning light fittings for all areas from guest rooms to reception.

Inside the catalogue there is also some innovative LED lighting in bright white or colour changing options to highlight any interior or exterior features.

Franklite has recently fully refurbished their showroom at Milton Keynes. All the new ranges for 2010 are available to view and a demonstration can be arranged for their LED products by appointment.

There is also a dedicated contract sales team who are fully experienced in all aspects of hospitality lighting.

Scolaro have launched a new sun shade model with opening and closing systems on the support that allows an easy closing of the parasol without moving the furniture.
It’s the best system on the market that Scolaro has developed considering the functionality of the system and the aesthetics.

The design has paid special attention to make restoring easy for the customer. The parasol is opened and closed with a winding mechanism. It also has a revolving base.

The parasol Galileo is the only item on the market that allows an easy unhooking of the parasol from the support.

The parasol is an important solution if the parasol has to be taken into each evening, during the assembling and disassembling, in case of possible restores.

The dimensions come in 3m by 4m or 3.5m by 3.5m. the fabric is made from acrylic which is waterproof and anti-mould treated. The colours are available on request.

The Generation Companies, a North Carolina-based real estate developer, asset manager and operator of extended-stay hotels is partnering with Lakeshore Hospitality on the new Candlewood Suites Tallahassee, Florida, US. The mid-priced hotel, which opened this month, is owned by Lakeshore Hospitality and managed by Generation.The brand new 114-room hotel provides an amenity package, including free wireless and wired internet service, a desk and executive chair, recliner, bulletin board and fully-equipped kitchens in every room, with appliances including a standard refrigerator and dishwasher, a range and a complete set of utensils.

All suites have at least one 32-inch flat panel LCD television and a DVD player. The Candlewood, a 100 per cent non-smoking hotel that is pet-friendly, also boasts an around-the-clock fitness center, swimming pool, two outdoor gas barbecue grills, business center, meeting room for rent, free guest laundry, free local calls, a complimentary video and CD library, and the Candlewood Cupboard, a 24-hour honor system pantry.

Part of the new range of luminaires from energy saving experts Megaman is Torch, a wall mounted uplighter that provides perfect illumination for a variety of environments.The IP44 rated Torch is designed for use with the company’s compact GX53 range of palm-sized lamps, which have a diameter of 75mm and provide a low profile, energy efficient alternative to halogen lamps.

Megamans GX53 lamps can last around 15 times longer than halogen and have a very low heat output, so they remove the potential problem of hot surfaces associated with halogen.

Additional features of the GX53 include a silicone diffuser encasing the lamp, so if the lamp is damaged any broken glass is contained within the fitting.

Torch is also compatible with Megaman’s new DIMMERABLE 9w lamp which can provide over 10,000 hours of illumination.

Torch is available in two finishes, silver and white and its unique, but simple design makes it ideal for use in corridors and hallways.

Classic Furniture has improved its methods so that the company is now recognised as a green business.The production practices that Classic Furniture uses are all environmentally friendly, ensuring that the processes the company undertakes to refurnish, reclaim and recycle also contribute to benefiting the environment.

The wood Classic Furniture uses comes from sustainable and properly managed sources and the company uses water-based stains which produce only bio-degradable waste. Classic Furniture is also careful when disposing of all its waste products.

Classic Furniture is part of the Green Achiever Scheme and is an Altius Assured Vendor in risk management and commercial viability.

Kettal Landscape, designed by the Kettal Studio, features modern architectural shapes that highlight nature in outdoor settings.Kettal Landscape is a very complete system comprised of totally configurable daybeds and pergolas and personalised aluminium furniture that will look great in any natural setting.

The quality of the new Natte structured fabric, the volume and comfort of the upholstery and the modernity of the proportions give it an elegant look.

The Kettal Landscape daybeds are modern mobile structures that create an area for relaxation in any outdoor space. Available in a wide variety of colours, configurations and accessories, from sun blinds made from outdoor fabrics to aluminium panels.

For more information, please contact PS Interiors through the Kettal page in the Directory.

South Africa’s Jozini Tiger Lodge opens this month offering luxury in the untouched African bush.The carefully designed accommodation, emphasises the natural environment, comprises 60 thatched, spacious double bedrooms strategically designed along the Lebombo range with exceptional and varied catering options.

The lodge is built on the Jozini dam, in Maputoland, northern Kzn and nestles in the world acclaimed Pongola nature reserve. The land is covered in acacia bush, home to a variety of wildlife which includes white rhino, kudu, impala, nyala, wildebeest, zebras, buffalo, elephant and giraffe. The reserve’s various habitats support an estimated twenty five indigenous fish species, mammals, reptiles and amphibia. Rare or endangered animals inhabiting the Pongola Nature Reserve include the honey badger and wild dog. The water is home to hippos and crocodile and this particular area is a world class birdwatching destination.

Designed by Sharon Dupreez, Jozini Tiger Lodge is made for all occasions, from individuals, couples, families, groups, business conferencing, angling parties, as well as bespoke weddings.

The lodge also features a standalone restaurant and a bar. There is a boma for dinner in addition to the restaurant, and the conference facilities accommodate up to 160 delegates.

A wellness centre offering various relaxation treatments, a private lounge, as well as panoramic views overlooking the river, places emphasis on the peace and natural beauty of the African bush.

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Wynn Resorts has joined with Philadelphia Entertainment and Development Partners to become the manager and managing general partner in the casino project slated for the Philadelphia, US waterfront. The agreement is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions including the approval of the Pennsylvania Gaming Board.

Wynn Resorts currently owns and operates Wynn Las Vegas, Encore, and Wynn Macau. Wynn Las Vegas, a luxury hotel and destination casino resort located on the Las Vegas Strip features 2,716 guest rooms and suites, a casino larger than 10,000sqm, 22 food and beverage outlets, an on-site 18-hole golf course, more than 20,000sqm of meeting space, an on-site Ferrari and Maserati dealership, and nearly 7,000sqm of retail space.

Wynn opened Encore, an expansion of Wynn Las Vegas on December 22, 2008. Encore is located immediately adjacent to Wynn Las Vegas and features a 2,034 all-suite hotel, a casino, 12 food and beverage outlets, a night club, a spa and salon, meeting space and upscale retail outlets.

Wynn Macau is a destination casino resort in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and currently features 600 deluxe hotel rooms and suites, a casino, casual and fine dining in five restaurants, retail space, a health club, pool and spa, along with lounges and meeting facilities.

Wynn is completing construction of Encore at Wynn Macau, a further expansion of Wynn Macau which will add a fully-integrated resort hotel to Wynn Macau, planned to include approximately 410 luxury suites and four villas along with restaurants, additional retail space and additional gaming space.

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The Handlery Hotel & Resort in San Diego has reopened for business following a three month multi-million dollar renovation, which upgraded the property and its conference facilitiesThe hotel closed in November 2009 and reopened on 19 February 2010.

The three-star accomodation house 217 guestrooms which have all been upgraded with new custom marble top furniture, carpeting, wall covering, drapery and technology.

The Handlery family built the hotel in 1954 and continues to operate it, having also refursbisged the common areas and event space. This included new carpeting and wall coverings, latest technology and artwork.

The exterior of the hotel was repainted and the pool area was resurfaced to highlight the redesigned landscape.

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The Rezidor Hotel Group has opened its 90th Park Inn hotel and the 26th Park Inn in the UK – the 137-room Park Inn Palace, Southend-on-Sea.Located on the Western Esplanade on the seafront of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, the hotel is housed within a conversion of the ‘Palace’ building.

The hotel is in the tourist area overlooking the Thames Estuary and the world’s longest pier.

Whilst much of the hotel reflects the Park Inn brand, the £25m conversion also incorporates many of the features of the original Palace Hotel, which closed over forty years ago.

The hotel was built in 1901 and opened as the five star Metropole, before several years later changing its name to the Palace Hotel.

During the First and Second World Wars the hotel was used as a military hospital and a Naval Headquarters. In 1952, Laurel and Hardy stayed at the hotel whilst touring Essex and the comedy duo are acknowledged in the new hotel with two adjoining meeting rooms named in their honour.

The six storey hotel has 137 fresh and contemporary guest rooms, including accessible rooms for disabled guests and interconnecting rooms for families.

The rooms are designed to be functional and easy to use and all offer laptop-size safes, air conditioning and flat-screen TV’s showing multiple channels.

Bathrooms have walk-in showers. The room décor reflects both the Park Inn brand with vibrant touches of colour, and the location, with pictures highlighting some of Southend’s well known attractions.

Many of the guest rooms offer sea views and the second and third floor sea-facing rooms have private balconies. The hotel also boasts six west-facing rooms with over-size balconies.

The majority of hotel public areas and meeting spaces are found on the first floor. For business guests, there are six meeting rooms, all with natural daylight.

The large ballroom is divisible and will accommodate up to 280 delegates theatre style and 200 guests for a banquet. In addition, a private dining room offers views over the sea, with a mirrored wall allowing diners seated on both sides to enjoy the scenery.

Also on the first floor is RBG Bar and Grill. RBG, the new restaurant concept recently launched for the Park Inn brand and already open in Park Inn hotels including Manchester, Belfast, Cardiff City Centre and Peterborough, serves gourmet burgers, light bites and a choice of signature dishes from the grill.

Further new Park Inn hotels are currently under development in the UK, with Park Inn Aberdeen due to open in the Summer.

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Last week Club Méditerranée and Melco China Resorts Limited signed an agreement to open the first Club Med ski Resort at MCR’s Sun Mountain Yabuli resort in November 2010.The upmarket resort that will be home to the first Club Med mountain Resort in China, was extensively redeveloped in 2008 and re-opened in early 2009.

It will be aligned with the brand’s standards by November. Club Méditerranée will operate and market the Resort through a ten-year renewable management contract, while MCR will manage all ski-related activities.

Club Med will cover the cost of aligning the resort for a maximum investment of US$3m.

The future 4-Trident Yabuli Resort will be dedicated to families, couples and business seminars. It will comprise 284 rooms, of which 27 are 120sqm suites, 22 are 52sqm deluxe rooms and 235 are 36sqm rooms.

The resort is equipped with a spa, a swimming pool and a fitness room. It also has a large number of conference rooms and will provide supervised activities for children of all ages, from 2 to 18.

Located in Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China, Yabuli is currently the country’s largest ski resort.

Club Med has decided to strengthen its presence in upscale resorts by opening five resorts between 2010 and 2014. The objective for 2015 is to attract 5 per cent to 10 per cent of China’s potential four and five star resort customers, whose numbers are expected to quadruple over the next five years. On this basis, Club Med could have over 200,000 Chinese customers by 2015.

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The Rezidor Hotel Group is to open a Radisson Blu Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey which will feature 194 rooms. is scheduled to welcome the first guests in Q4 2011. The hotel is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of next year.

Ant Yapı, the owner of the new property, is one of the 70 biggest construction companies in the world, based on the ENR results 2009.

Ant Yapı has a reputation all around Turkey and in the Eastern Europe.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul will be a spectacular new-build project on the Asian side of the city – located in the heart of the booming Atasehir district which is home to many international companies (also the Turkish Central Bank will be re-locating in the near future) and upscale residences.

Besides 194 contemporary guest rooms with services such as free high speed internet access, the hotel will offer an all-day-dining restaurant, two bars, 10 function rooms (including a 375sqm ballroom), a large health centre and a parking.

Istanbul – the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents – is the largest city in Turkey with a population of 12.8 million.

Rezidor, President & CEO, Kurt Ritter said: “I’m delighted to add a further property to our expanding portfolio in Turkey. Besides two other Radisson Blu hotels in Istanbul we are managing a Radisson Blu hotel in Ankara as well as a new Radisson Blu resort in Cesme, and control a total of 1,150 rooms.”

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Embassy Suites Hotels thas opened the Embassy Suites Savannah-Airport, the first full service hotel off the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) exit 104.The hotel features Georgia’s first Flying Spoons, Embassy Suites’ new restaurant concept, and the brand’s innovative and cost-effective Design Option III Prototype.

Located at 145 West Mulberry Blvd, the all-suites property is five minutes from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) off 1-95.The hotel is both managed and owned by A&M Hospitalities, LLC of Valdosta, Ga.

The Design Option III prototype offers guests all of the same core amenities traditional Embassy Suites properties are renowned for such as two-room suites, complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, complimentary nightly Manager’s Reception and open-air atrium, but with a more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly design. Guests familiar with the brand will notice the suites offer a side-by-side room layout for a more residential feel.

All of the 162 suites include two flat screen 32” televisions, a desk, ergonomic chair and mobile furnishings. The property features a fitness center, swimming pool, a lobby water feature, and HSIA wireless internet access in the lobby and all guest rooms. A complimentary airport shuttle is available on request.

With nearly 1,500sqm of meeting space, the new hotel features the largest meeting and banquet facility in the area, as well as a full-service bar/lounge in the lobby area.

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. has announced the debut of its renowned Luxury Collection brand in the United Arab Emirates with the addition of Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai.The 45-storey property is located on the Dubai Marina and first opened its doors in 2005.

It is custom-designed to celebrate the essence of Dubai, and blends Arabian décor with contemporary sophistication.

The Grosvenor House features 422 guest rooms, suites and apartment suites, world class cuisine, a state-of-the-art fitness facility and spa. The number of rooms will almost double next when the second, identical tower opens. The addition will add 323 rooms and suites to the property.

For the upcoming Spring /Summer 2010 season Planika has prepared a special offer for hotel and spa interiors. The idea behind it was to enable the hotels to distinguish their offer on this highly competitive market and to introduce the smokeless fire into all commercial spaces.

Planika’s products allow the use of fire, which – in contrast to traditional fireplaces – do not produce smoke, ash nor soot. Fanola® fuel is based on ethanol – an eco friendly liquid.

Safety of both Fanola® biofuel and Planika’s products have been approved by international certifying bodies : TÜV, PZH and OMNI-Test Laboratories Inc.

Planika’s products do not require chimney, therefore are fully mobile and constitute portable elements of any interior. This feature gives countless possibilities of arrangement both in and outdoors.

Dernier & Hamlyn has replicated eleven Georgian Colza style wall bracket light fittings for the recently constructed Howard Theatre at the University of Cambridge’s Downing College. The three arm light fittings were cast in brass and finished with a bronze effect and feature shades with clear inner glass and sandblasted outer glass .

Quinlan and Francis Terry, Roger Barrell said:
“These elaborate Georgian style light fittings were designed to complement the theatre’s architecture. Dernier & Hamlyn’s meticulous manufacturing processes have ensured that the lighting is both a practical and beautiful addition to the Howard Theatre.”

The 160 seat theatre was designed by architects Quinlan and Francis Terry LLP and combines the latest environmentally sustainable technologies, such as ground source heating and rainwater recycling, within the classical styling initiated by the College’s first architect William Wilkins. Its construction was made possible by a £9.2m donation from the Howard Foundation, and completes the Howard Court.

Marshall Hotels & Resorts has added 10 management contracts in 2009, including six previously unannounced properties in the fourth quarter, and that it has prepared its first contract in 2010. The properties include branded and independent, upper-upscale and limited-service hotels and resorts.

The company’s first 2010 contract is for the 118-room Cavalier Inn on the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville. In addition to managing, Marshall will oversee an extensive renovation and upgrade to the property.

Marshall Hotels & Resorts, president and CEO, Michael Marshall said: “We expect that 2010 will be a year of transition as lenders finally stop extending and start foreclosing on properties, which in turn will increase transaction flow and change of ownership and management. We have noticed that a large number of lenders are ramping up their REO departments.”

Marshall added that the 2010 first half will continue to be a challenge for operators. “We think that occupancy is bottoming out, and we intend to raise rates aggressively as demand outpaces supply growth. We continue to focus on operating efficiencies and more targeted sales and marketing efforts. There are still a great number of hotels that don’t know how to operate in this environment, which gives us a strong competitive advantage.”

Two hotels in the company’s management portfolio were sold in 2009. “While we hate to see properties leave, we were gratified that they were sold at substantially higher prices than the value when we took over management.”

Amari, a Thailand hotel management company, has revealed a strategic joint venture partnership with Mandeep S Lamba, previously the Managing Director and Founder of Ten Hotels Pvt Ltd, a hospitality management company headquartered in Gurgaon, New Delhi, to launch Amari India. This new development is in line with Amari’s recently announced plans to position itself as one of the leading Asian hospitality chains with plans to operate 51 properties in the Asia Pacific region by 2018.

The new joint venture brings within Amari’s foothold in India an established and dedicated network of tourism industry resources and a wealth of Indian hospitality expertise.

Mr. Mandeep S Lamba has enjoyed a 25-year hospitality career including tenure as President of Fortune Park Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Ltd, as well as the role of Managing Director for the Indian office of the UK-based financial services and real estate entity, Dawnay Day.

Amari, chief executive officer, Peter Henley said: “We are delighted with this development as it is a perfect launch pad for Amari to position its quality services and value product line.
India is a key source market for Amari’s network of hotels and resorts in Thailand and brand recognition is very strong. Combined with India’s business buoyancy and burgeoning hospitality industry, this provides us with a compelling business rationale to strategically move ahead in this market.”

With the establishment of this joint venture, Amari will actively pursue its expansion in the Indian metro and tier-II cities with a view to securing management contracts for seven hotels and resorts across the Indian subcontinent within the next 5-7 years.

Henley said: “We are confident that Mandeep’s professional expertise and industry insight will ensure that Amari will move forward in India at the right momentum.”

Lamba said: “I am truly delighted with our coming together and look forward to having a formidable presence in India over the next few years. Amari is synonymous with traditional Thai hospitality and have been a force to reckon with in Thailand for more than four decades. I am equally thrilled that under the stellar leadership of Peter Henley, Amari has chosen to make their international debut in India and I am privileged to be a part of this venture.”

The new 79-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson SM Tucson City Centre has welcomed its first guests.The 100 per cent non-smoking hotel features the brand’s new interior design package and offers a variety of guest room styles including standard rooms, studio suites, one bedroom suites and Jacuzzi rooms.

Country Inn & Suites, Tucson City Centre, general manager, David Pavlik said: “Our hotel is the first in Tucson to utilize ‘Greywater Innovations,’ a laundry reuse and recycling capability that consumes less water from not only the city, but the entire county.”

Additional Energy Star amenities, including compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) and equipment make the hotel a geo-friendly property. “This hotel is a wonderful addition to our community. We are confident that this recognized brand and lodging concept will help us grow and prosper in the future,” added Pavlik.

Country Inns & Suites features traditional architecture and a sophisticated residential interior design with the brand’s iconic plank lobby flooring, lobby fireplace and front porch. Each hotel welcomes guests with furnishings that blend rich woods and natural earth tones throughout the hotel.

Working alongside Rare architecture & design, Philip Cowan interiors are to make, supply and install curtains, voiles, roller blinds and bed-end throws for the east London refurbishment. The property will offer a range of hotel bedrooms and apartments along with a unique restaurant ‘Viajante’, bar, leisure facilities and conference & banqueting rooms.

The hotel is situated in Patriots Square, Bethnal Green. Besides being the headquarters of the pre-1965 Metropolitan Borough, this was also, for a time, Tower Hamlets town hall, until the borough quasi-decentralised itself in the 1980s.

The Town Hall Hotel & Apartments is due to open later this month.

The Kimberly Hotel has revealed its new roof top lounge, called Upstairs. The bar is more than 900sqm and has 360 degree views with retactable glass ceilings and walls.The floors are heated and there is a main room that will be kept warm in the winter and will be sunny in the summer.

The Upstairs is designed by the AIA award winning New York design firm De-Spec together with The Kimberly Hotel Group.

By taking the newly built express elevator from the street level one is lifted up to an urban oasis thirty stories above Manhattan.

A multi-faceted mirror reflects the surrounding cityscape at every angle. Lighting designer Brian Orter interprets a fresh spin on old Hollywood-glamour by adding vintage theatrical lights and strings of incandescent bulbs that float overhead releasing an intimate mood.

Upstairs’ furnishings were carefully chosen by renowned houses such as B&B Italia, Knoll and Moooi.

In addition to food, the bar will present various cocktails from classic to more sophisticated ones.

Energy-saving solutions are getting more and more important to provide up to date lighting solutions. The future of the lighting sector, belongs, without a doubt, to the LED technology. Baulmann Leuchten, trendsetter in the future lighting market, recognised this a number of years ago and has consistently further developed its know-how over the years.

Now, Baulmann Leuchten is presenting once again a new family of LED reading lights consisting of a floorlamp and a wall-mounted lamp.

Designed by the famous French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon these LED reading lights have already been used to fit out one of the most prestigious hotels between Nice and Monaco, the Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat.

These LED reading lights are equipped with the latest LED technology, using a special flood-light LED with an excellent colour rendering and a warmwhite colour temperature.

With these new LED reading lights, Baulmann Leuchten, in colaboration with Pierre-Yves Rochon, is applying for the prestigious design award ‘Desig Plus’ which will be awarded during the largest architectural exhibition ‘Light & Building’ in April 2010 in Frankfurt.

Signbox has released new signage called Pasamano, an innovative sign element designed by Esteban Marino.The signage is used by installing it on stair hand-rails, making it an unique form of signage.

Manufactured in a micro sandblasted anodised aluminium, information is available by touch in Braille and tactile, allowing a strong contrast between the matt aluminium and the black background.

Pasamano is delivered with a curved shape, and can fit all hand-rails between 35mm and 55mm diameter.

For wall mounting, pasamano is also available in a flat plate version.

ABode hotels, the boutique hotel group, founded by greetings cards entrepreneur, Andrew Brownsword and Michelin-starred chef, Michael Caines MBE, announces aims to double its property portfolio over the next coming years.The group, which opens its sixth property in Chester in April this year, aims to expand to establish a chain of 15 properties in strategic locations across the UK.

ABode’s mission is to provide contemporary, stylish accommodation with a selection of dining choices to suit all budgets.

Selecting towns and city’s renowned for culture and heritage, ABode is one player that is going against the grain and is expanding through recession.

ABode Hotels, managing director, Nick Halliday said: “We believe that the current economic climate presents opportunities for growth. ABode has been well received to the market and doubling our current portfolio will lead to stronger brand awareness as well as increase our presence in key short break destinations.”

Since opening ABode’s first hotels in Exeter and Glasgow in 2005, the company has secured sites to offer guests contemporary luxury in buildings with individual style.

The Canterbury site opened in 2007 followed by Manchester a year later. In 2009, Baby ABode, a twenty one bedroom townhouse in Chelsea, London was opened to provide a base in the capital.

Founder Andrew Brownsword also believes that climate is right for expansion and seeks to benefit from a downturn in the property costs.

Turnover for the ABode group, including Baby ABode has shown steady growth from £12m in 2007 to a turnover of £16m by the end of 2009 and seen the workforce expand to almost 500 staff.

Future potential sites for the group are identified as Salisbury and Oxford as well as a larger venue in London.

Cliq Designs, the Preston based soft furnishings manufacturer, has played a significant role in helping to create the finished look and feel for the recently completed Scarlet Hotel at Mawgan Porth in Cornwall, UK.The 37 bedroom Scarlet Hotel is a sister hotel to the award winning Bedruthan Steps Hotel, and has been conceived and developed within a vision of becoming Cornwall’s leading luxury eco hotel.

Working in conjunction with Stephan Oberwegner at Max Bentheim Associates, Cliq directors Adam and Paul Bolton carried out a site survey at the pre-completion stage to assess requirements for the development of a sample room.

Cliq Designs produced a complete solution for the test guest room, including curtains, voiles, throws, bed valances, headboards and cushions.

The sample curtains and voiles were made with Ripplefold headings, with the header tape sewn within the face fabric and lining to ensure an equally attractive appearance from both sides – an important factor when guests will spend a lot of time on their balcony.

With the sample exercise completed, Cliq produced all soft furnishings and curtains for the guest rooms and public areas, with each room specification a unique order to accommodate the hotel’s curved layout.

The Cliq fitting team then went back to site to carry out track, curtain and voile fitting over a period of three weeks prior to the opening of the hotel.

Cliq managing director Adam Bolton says that the Scarlet Hotel project underlines the company’s ability to provide a complete package to clients – even where the specification is complex.

Like an architecture that is in keeping with its surroundings, the Kettal Maia collection designed by Patricia Urquiola has a natural lightness and elegance.The design of the artisan braiding, the sturdiness of the aluminium frame and the new Porotex and chenille fabric collection create a combination that oozes energy.

The collection was hailed as one of the most representative designs of our century by Javier Mariscal at Bombay Sapphire.

Available in two plain colours, Chestnut and White, the Kettal Maia collection presents two new colour combinations: bicolour Vieques and tricolour Vieques.

The Swiss furniture manufacturer Girsberger complements its HOME sector with a range of sideboards. ENNA, designed by Stefan Westmeyer.Its appeal lies in first-class workmanship and a distinctive appearance. Different versions of ENNA, which harmonises with a varied assortment of tables, are available.

Clear-cut contours and surfaces characterize ENNA’s appearance. The sideboard owes its quietly regular look to an evenly structured front. U-shaped steel profiles characterize the structure which is similar to that found in architectural designs.

One model of the sideboard is especially attractive and elegant: the version in which Stefan Westmeyer lets the U-shaped profiles emerge into high runner-shaped supports on which the sideboard stands.

Depending on the customer’s requirements, doors, drawers and double drawers are found hidden behind the even structure of the visible front. There are no protrusions or handles, the partitions can be opened with the help of recessed side-grips.

ENNA is made of solid wood, with a choice of oak, ash heartwood, American walnut, beech heartwood or elm, and with a lacquered interior. If required, the sideboard’s front and runners can also be coated in the same colour. Five different versions are available: two different heights (52 cm or 75 cm), two different widths (180 cm or 240 cm), and the model on runner supports (65 cm high and 240 cm wide).

Access Hotels & Resorts has added The Wilshire in Los Angeles to its management portfolio of upscale properties.The company, led by industry experts Tom Baker, Barry Caplan and Mark Lahood, aim to increase the hotel’s profitability and raise the level of service.

Baker said: “We’ve worked to created this partnership between The Wilshire – Los Angeles and Access Hotels & Resorts because we feel this is one of the pre-eminent hotels in central LA.”

The property features 385 deluxe guest rooms and suites, a 2nd floor pool deck which overlooks the Wilshire Boulevard and 12,000sq ft of meeting and event space. It is also located near to attractions such as Hollywood, Universal Studios, Beverly Hills and the Staples Centre.

InterContinental Hotels Group is to open 13 Candlewood Suites hotels in Texas by this summer, growing the Texas portfolio to 50 properties. Candlewood Suites recently opened two properties in San Antonio, US, one in Austin and three in the Houston metro area.

There will be one additional property in San Antonio and two in Houston in the coming months. Demand for these extended-stay properties has led to other hotels soon opening their doors in Abilene, Fort Stockton, Worth and Temple, Texas.

Candlewood Suites hotels feature a combination of studio or one-bedroom suite floor plans with a full kitchen, comfortable recliner, large workspace with desk chair and overhead lighting.

Guest rooms feature amenities, including complimentary high-speed Internet access, free local phone calls, free on-site guest laundry and a 24-hour fitness center. Additionally, guests can visit the free Lending Library, where movies and music will be available for use in guestrooms, which all feature a DVD and CD player.