Case study: Tarkett supplies floors for DoubleTree in Brussels
Recently renovated and refurbished, The DoubleTree by Hilton located in the beautiful centre of Brussels City, worked with Tarkett to create an authentic yet modern ambiance in this Art Deco landmark…
The DoubleTree by Hilton is an eight-storied hotel, situated minutes from the city’s top attractions. The hotel was built in 1910 and is an Art Deco landmark in Brussels, which has been owned and managed by Pandox since 2003. Completely renovated and refurbished in 2021, the hotel has 353 guestrooms and suites. With bold and playful design details characterising the renovation, Tarkett was a clear choice to supply most of the floors for this beautiful luxury hotel. The brand’s expertise in co-creating unique designs and customised sizes ensured that the flooring in this refurbishment project took centre stage.
Image credit: Tarkett
In the public spaces, guests can discover the bespoke, made to measure Art Deco style herringbone floors. The floor has been constructed with luxurious vinyl tiles from Tarkett iD Inspiration collection. The hallway and corridors have been fitted with a statement, customised Axminster carpet using again an Art Deco design.
Working with Tarkett, the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel has contributed to the circular economy by making its used carpet available for recycling, with an impressive 20,690 kilograms equating to approximately 8,200 m2 of carpet being recovered from this project. Off-cuts from the vinyl tiles have also been returned to the factory and reused through the Tarkett ReStart program to ensure the flow of material never stops.
Tarkett is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Kempinski Hotels is extending its footprint in the North American market through a takeover of a luxurious beach hotel in Cancun, Mexico. With a three month transitional period in the pipeline, this is what we know…
White sandy beaches and a crystal-clear ocean await guests in the newest five-star addition to the Kempinski Hotels portfolio – starting from September 2022, Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group will take over a luxurious beach hotel in the Mexican tourist destination of Cancun on the Riviera Maya. With no closure of operations, this well-known property will undergo various improvements and adjustments to the Kempinski brand standards in the coming months and will be named Grand Hotel Cancun. the property will be managed by Kempinski during the transition period, and from end of year 2022 it will be fully operated under Kempinski Hotel Cancun.
“To strengthen the North American territory and to extend our footprint in this crucial market is an outstanding opportunity for Kempinski,” said Bernold Schroeder, Chief Executive Officer of Kempinski Group and Chairman of the Management Board of Kempinski AG. “Cancun is a top vacation destination for guests from The Americas, who also make up a good proportion of our guests in the rest of the world as well as for Europeans. During a three-month transitional period, we will ensure that we implement our Kempinski DNA in the operation of this outstanding beach hotel and that we extend our brand recognition by delivering the impeccable service and quality Kempinski is renowned for.”
Occupying one of the finest beaches in Mexico, the elegant hotel offers 315 guestrooms and 48 suites – all featuring private balconies or terraces with a panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea. Eight dining options including two AAA Five Diamond Award restaurants, an exclusive club lounge, two swimming pools and an oceanfront whirlpool, a spa with relaxation gardens and secluded terraces, a fitness centre with sauna and steam rooms, a tennis centre, private cabanas and lounges on the hotel’s 400 metre stretch of beach, a beauty salon and a kids’ club offer a wide range of facilities to cater for all kinds of guest requests.
For incentive meetings, weddings, galas and conferences as well as events for large groups, abundant indoor and outdoor meeting space can be found around the resort. From a 1,000 square metre ballroom which can be divided to elegant meeting rooms, boardrooms, breakout spaces and outdoor venues by the pool or a beachfront venue for up to 700 guests, there are ample options to elevate events and customise special meetings of all kinds.
The Unbound Collection by Hyatt celebrates the authentic spirit of Santorini
The highly anticipated luxury Magma Resort Santorini has opened, marking the first resort in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt in the Greek Islands, as it invites guests to find inspiration in the island’s rich history…
Designed as a secluded sanctuary nestled amid the hilltops of Vourvoulos, Magma Resort Santorini Hyatt The Unbound Collection, offers a serene Santorini experience with unforgettable views. Striking contemporary design complements the hotel’s breathtaking surroundings of lava sand beaches, sweeping vineyards and the endless blue of the Aegean Sea. A commitment to holistic and spiritual wellness is realised through a subterranean Lava Spa and elite gastronomic experience led by chef Arnaud Bignon of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Spondi Athens. Stylish features including a stunning sun terrace and infinity pool offer mesmerising panoramas of the island’s dramatic coastline, elevating the hotel’s unique atmosphere of relaxed luxury.
“We are delighted to open Magma Resort Santorini and introduce The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand to the many independently minded, luxury travellers looking for an authentic experience of our iconic island,” said Stelios Koutsivitis, President and one of the major shareholders of SWOT Hospitality, management company of Magma Resort Santorini. “We have a deep understanding of the soul of Santorini and what makes it such an extraordinary destination. The Unbound Collection by Hyatt ethos is all about inspiring, thought-provoking experiences and we invite guests to be inspired by a new side of Santorini, uncovering its true spirit with us.”
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Inspired by the traditional Cycladic architecture that Santorini is known for, PEOPLE and Elastic Architects’ eco-conscious design honours the natural elements of the hotel’s landscape. Wood, stone, and volcanic, magma-black tones blend with minimal and sophisticated interiors, meanwhile the hotel architecture follows the curved formations of the lava-made slopes that surround it.
The resort shelters 59 luxurious guestrooms, including 24 suites, finished with cosy verandas, walk-in showers, relaxed living and dining spaces, as well as private pools, all of which provide unrestricted views of the island’s horizon. For the ultimate luxury experience, guests can retreat into the elegant Magma Suite, where they’ll find 828 square feet of space encompassing an expansive living area, king size bedroom, a private terrace and a pool that overlooks the beautiful azure waters of the ocean.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
On a culinary level, Spondi is the hotel’s exclusive dining concept curated by the two-Michelin-starred chef, Arnaud Bignon. Awarded his stars while working as Head Chef of Spondi Athens, Arnaud is one of the youngest chefs to ever hold this distinction. He brings his rare interpretation of local and seasonal ingredients to Magma Resort Santorini, with a signature menu that spotlights the culinary traditions and heritage of the Greek Islands.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Guests can experience holistic and spiritual wellness at the hotel’s state-of-the-art Lava Spa and Wellness Centre. Descend into the subterranean 4,628-square-foot spa, the largest on the island, and uncover its calming, indoor pool and signature treatments designed to revitalise and indulge the senses. For those looking for more intentional movement, the hotel offers a fully equipped, professional fitness centre, as well as a range of activities intended to connect guests to the island’s lush natural environment, including hiking, snorkelling, and sun-drenched yoga classes on the terrace.
For an exceptional private event space, Magma Resort Santorini presents Magma Hall, a 2,454-square-foot venue featuring modern design notes and the latest high-spec technology. Suitable for any event, from intimate social gatherings and romantic weddings to inspiring business receptions, the event space at the hotel can welcome up to 250 guests to create story-worthy experiences in a venue like no other.
The opening of Magma Resort Santorini as part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand signals Hyatt’s continued focus on growing its brands within the Independent Collection in key, desirable global destinations for guests.
Design & wellbeing: how to stimulate wellness through sound
In the first article in an exclusive ‘wellness series’ with Hotel Designs, interior designer Wren Loucks, CEO and Creative Director of Be-kin explores sound’s role when creating more meaningful and textured hospitality spaces…
For example, think about how you feel commuting on a train compared to sitting in a park. You are still you, but the sensorial web around you has changed. The sounds, textures and qualities of light are different—and they evoke a different emotional response.
These sensorial inputs dance and interact with one another, amplifying the effects. But it is also interesting to isolate each one—and explore our relationship with it. This month, I feel inspired to talk to you about sound.
What is sound?
I asked this question to my friend Moshik Kop, a sound designer. He clapped his hands, which made me jump, and described sound as energy, as vibrations, that travel through the air until they reach your ears. The closer you are to the source, the louder the sound will be.
The Oxford Dictionary describes it in a similar way: “Vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person’s or animal’s ear.”
In his book, In an Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us, Young describes how we hear sound: “Your ear consists of three parts—the outer, middle, and inner ears,” he says. “Your outer ear greets incoming sound waves, collecting them with a fleshy flap and sending them down the ear canal. At the end of the canal, they vibrate a thin, taut membrane called the eardrum. Those vibrations are amplified by the three small bones of the middle ear….and transmitted to the inner ear—specifically, into a long fluid-filled tube called cochlea. There, the vibrations are finally detected by a strip of movement-sensitive hair cells, which send signals to the brain. A sound is heard.”
Image credit: Be-kin
All these definitions describe sound in a tangible way. This makes sense to me, because when I listen to music, I feel it somatically through my body—I want to dance, move, run, or sleep. Sound has a physicality to it felt through the vibrations.
If we consider sound through the lens of the biophilic hypothesis, we can see how we are hard-wired to react to sound. Our ancestors relied on it to alert them to danger (e.g., dangerous animals). Our life has depended on it. Thankfully today, for individuals with hearing impairments, new products are being developed to connect them to the information they might otherwise hear through sound—such as pillows that vibrate to signal a fire alarm, tactile surfaces, and the use of hearing loops in public spaces.
“Music is the emotional life of most people.” – Leonard Cohen.
I spend a lot of my time walking and listening to music. Certain songs pull me into the past, evoking nostalgia and giving me the space to process feelings and ideas. Other tracks pull me into the future—daydreaming about new opportunities, imagining new design and art projects. But what if music can pull us right into the present?
Image credit: Unsplash
Sound meets Ai
GetSound.Ai is a weather-reactive soundscape platform, created by Adi Goldstein and Lior Nitzan, who are musicians, producers, and soundscape creators for more than 20 years. They believe passionately in the power of sound to stimulate wellbeing.
What makes GetSound.Ai so special, is that their soundscapes are never the same. They are designed to pull us right into the present moment. The sound is constantly changing, just like the sensorial web we are engaged with, created through AI that takes into consideration your location, the weather conditions and time of day.
We, as designers and people responsible for evolving the hotel design scene into the future, are only just starting to understand how sound can be used to help amplify a feeling in hotel design. Arguably, it requires specialists in this area to make the largest impact, but, at the very least, understanding sound – and realising its beneficial qualities will no-doubt help interior designers to broaden their mindset when envisioning how spaces can come alive, through ‘vibrations in the air’.
Roundtable: balancing design, style and tech in hotel design
High above central London, on a summer-ready rooftop at Hamilton Litestat’s showroom, Hotel Designs’ latest roundtable took place, which dangled technology back into the spotlight. Leading designers gathered to explore how modern hospitality is a balance between design, style and technology…
Not a new topic for Hotel Designs to position under the spotlight – just recently, in a roundtable, we explored digital innovation – technology has been a hot topic in hospitality design for quite some time. Earlier this year we identified several interesting – and somewhat far-fetched – technology trends in hotel design. Despite getting a real forecast as to how tech is helping to fuel evolution, until now we have not yet explored the topic through the eyes of designers, who are faced with modernising spaces, on budget, while adhering to brand standards and working within timeless style parameters.
Putting technology, design and style in the same sentence, Hotel Designs in association with Hamilton Litestat, invited a handful of leading designers to take this conversation forward beyond today’s scene and into the future.
Hamish Kilburn: With what’s on offer in today’s market, can designers afford – with a healthy budget – to create a tech-savvy hotel?
Camilla Turner: Generally, we take things project-by-project and budget-by-budget. Certainly, it’s important at the start of any project to understand what you are and what you’re not willing to compromise on – technology is often on the list.
I am working with a client at the moment in Barcelona and technology is proving to be a key part of the brief. Innovative lighting, which doesn’t come cheap, is a significant element, and luckily the client understands the cost element of quality technology in this instance. This, I feel, makes all the difference.
Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
Claire Smith: At the end of the day, we can design the most incredible spaces, but the reality of projects is that it is client-driven and they decide where they spend their money. Some clients will come forward at the start to say that technology is integral – think all singing, all dancing and everything at a touch of a button – and others believe it’s not that important, but still want the space to be user-friendly and intuitive.
Especially in hotels, technology is also led by demographics and customer experience. For example, technology is really important for millennials, because they were the first generation to grow up in an accessibly digital environment – so it becomes an expectation when they visit somewhere that digital interfaces and tech behind the scenes forms part of that experience. Interestingly, I have found that the GenZ demographic is, on the whole, wanting to detach from digital interfaces and technology dictating the user experience.
Jennifer de-Vere-Hopkins: Technology can be subtle and it can really enhance the overall guest experience. We perceive that the older generation are not clued up when it comes to tech. However, we have recently undertaken research on the demographic of 55+ age bracket, and for that group of people, who have travelled the world perhaps and have good life standards, it is a basic minimum for there to be sound, video and connectivity with their devices. So, it’s just very interesting how our outside perception is not always correct when understanding the behaviours of travellers.
SM: I think that’s the key, moving forward, is for technology to be simple and where possible connect with the guests’ own devices. Certain lifestyle brands, I think, get it so right in areas – like the public spaces, for example – but so wrong in other ways. As soon as you enter the room, you are faced with this pad, and left wondering how to switch the lights on. That, to me, just feels messy and totally wrong. I think that whole idea of an iPad supplied by the hotel is dated, over-complicated and just not in-line with what modern travellers want today.
Image credit: IHG/Hamilton Litestat
Hamish Kilburn: In terms of supply, given the demand, is there more tech that is on offer and accessible in 2022 than in the last five or so years?
Tom Thorogood: There are more options that still allow you to have design aspect to it. It’s positive to see, for example, the detailing that’s now on offer with switches. I agree with Claire. I think brands try to make the experience one that is personalised, but it has the opposite effect when making guests use a device supplied by the hotel to operate the rooms. I think, ultimately, the guest should be given the choice.
Also, technology is led by the brands, which I think clients need to be careful of – if you go too far then you very quickly start losing the authentic feel of the hotel experience.
Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
JVH: I think a lot of time, brand’s challenge the designers. One of our projects, Mandarin Oriental in Lucerne, was due to open this year. The luxury hotel is all about experience and human interaction – and we were surprised when the client wanted us to include two large desks – one reception and one concierge – in the lobby. For us, it initially felt like we were designing a hotel 10 or so years ago. In the last decade, we have been trying to do away with reception desks and having a personal check-in experience. However, the brand wanted to create that statement-like arrival experience, which challenged us to make that feel modern and inviting.
Image credit: Westin London City, designed by Dexter Moren Associates
SM: Many brands have quite, what feel like, old-fashioned brand standards when it comes to technology. Whereas others take a completely different tactic to go as far as even including Amazon Alexa technology into the guest experience. I think now more than ever, especially in the lifestyle sector, technology is really being used to tell the brand’s narrative. The whole idea of a hotel storing data from the guest on their room settings, for example, is interesting, but for many it is a step too far.
HK: We do then stray into the territory of data protection…
TT: I do understand that data-driven experiences are on the cards for hotels – and it will, if used sensitively, make guests’ demand personal with lighting and sound being set to their liking – but I just don’t know how that would work in reality when there is concern around data.
SM: It would be nice if hotels remembered your preferred pillow softness, for example, but I’m not sure about walking into a hotel room and my favourite playlist was on repeat.
Image credit: Mandarin Oriental Lucerne, designed by Jestico + Whiles
HK: What is your biggest bugbear when it comes to technology in hotels?
TT: For me, if the public areas become too tech-led and there are limited people to manage it. We, as designers, are trained to activate spaces. Sometimes, technology can take over these spaces that are designed to feel free-flowing.
CT: I did find this, during the pandemic, when restaurants took away the menus and instead presented people with QR codes. Although, it didn’t change my order, I couldn’t help but notice that there was less conversation around the menu – and, all of a sudden, it gave people the opportunity to stay on the phone, which distorted the social element of the experience.
JVH: I think it comes back to the brand. At a grab-and-go level, I have found the QR code quite useful and work with their target audience. The worst thing is when there’s confusion around whether someone is meant to serve you or not.
HK: Over the last few years, we have been interested to explore sensory design in hospitality. In reality, is this an element that is making noise in 2022?
SM: We work with a global tech company – and sound and smell in their office space is key to their designs. When you walk into their offices, worldwide, the smell is very signature. In the hotel projects I am working on now, it doesn’t seem to be as much of a focus during the design discussions, but I think it’s only a matter of time before it will start to fall into our territory when discussing the whole user experience.
JVH: Absolutely, and I believe this will drive innovation in the future, but only if it is implemented in a way that is seamless around the guest experience.
Hamilton Litestat is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Announcing the first Nobu Hotel, Restaurant, and Residences in Vietnam, situated along Danang’s legendary My Khe beachfront, Nobu is set to command the city’s skyline with an iconic 43-story tower, the tallest building in the city, and will offer a world-class dining and entertainment destination with some of the most spectacular views anywhere in the region…
Crafted as a luxury beachfront urban resort, the Nobu Danang destination in Vietnam will provide a vibrant lifestyle situated in the heart and beachfront of Danang. Guests will find elegantly designed interwoven spaces, realigning the traditional beach hotel with a destination urban resort embracing the needs and desires of guests whether there for vacation, entertainment, or business.
“We are excited to further expand into the Asia Pacific region and bring Nobu to the Vietnam market, a rapidly growing tourist destination, with one of the most beautiful and desirable locations in Danang,” said Trevor Horwell, Chief Executive Officer Nobu Hospitality.” Our partners at VCRE are passionate supporters of the Nobu brand and share our commitment in growing Nobu Hospitality in other destinations in Vietnam. We are confident that the Nobu brand will attract visitors both locally and from around the world to stay and become residents of Nobu Danang which will be crafted as dynamic urban resort.”
Danang is a beach city on the South-Central Coast of Vietnam, flanked by the beautiful Pacific Sea waters to the east and the Annamite Mountain range to the west, known for its sandy beaches and history as a French colonial port. The city is near several UNESCO sites including the Imperial City of Hue, the Old Town of Hoi An, and the My Son ruins.
The hotel will shelter 200 guestrooms, including 18 luxurious suites, expansive meeting and event space ideally suited for weddings and important social events, and a state-of-the-art wellness and fitness facility. In addition, there will be 271 stylish residential units offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations as well as two spectacular, skyline penthouse units, adding to Nobu Hospitality’s growing portfolio of private residences.
The Nobu destination will combine modern, forward-thinking design touches with Nobu’s signature elegance and minimalism and the traditions of Japanese design. Situated below the hotel and residences, the Danang City Centre podium will offer high-end retail shopping, an upscale Chinese restaurant, a modern Vietnamese fine-dining restaurant, and an American steakhouse. A cocktail bar and lounge will be positioned on the rooftop of the building, offering stunning views for sunset drinks and after-hours entertainment in Danang.
Venti20 by Gessi – bringing Art Deco inspiration into the bathroom
With carefully curated retro notes, doing away with nostalgic replicas, the Venti20 Collection by Gessi breathes new life into signature elements the roaring ‘20s are known for – the detailing, the iconic style, the playful essence…
Designed by Spanish interior decorator Lázaro Rosa Violán for Gessi, the Venti20 Collection is characterised by the purity of form and the chromatic beauty of the finishes that intrigues the imagination. The formal details of the design are beautifully nuanced, resulting in an eclectic finish with a distinctly Art Deco vibe. The collection is clearly born in a period, and perhaps more than ever before, we should draw upon our ability to imagine extraordinary things, to dream fantastical dreams, and to renew our pursuit of beauty. Great design has emotional power and an innate ability to instil beauty into everyday objects. Venti20 captures that essence and allows us to rediscover the grace and invigorating spirit of the 1920’s, – drawing inspiration from that remarkable era to bring the ‘spirit of the age’ to the modern world with all its energy, optimism and joy.
Image credit: Gessi
Image credit: Gessi
The collection embodies the enthusiasm for life and future-looking optimism of the era and infuses it into the most private spaces of contemporary living. Venti20 designs are not limited to accessories but include furnishings with the same strong visual identity. Elegantly detailed profiles pair with simple, pure lines to work together as functional works of art. The meticulous workmanship of the handles and the base of the long umbrella spout recall a classic style, reimagined for a new era. The eclectic mix of classic and modern design elements fits neatly into any style, adding a touch of dramatic elegance to the space.
Image credit: Gessi
The design detail of this collection is what sets it apart. The elegance and harmony of the high sink mixer work together to create a design intended as a functional sculpture for bathrooms. This jewel-like object, with its reflective curves and cuts, adds light to the space and perfectly blends into the narrative of the style. The Warm Bronze finish is the perfect embodiment of classic ‘20s style with a dynamic infusion of contemporary energy, perfect for any design space and style. The sleek silhouette of Venti20 is notable for the grooves along its body, adding interest and texture to this jewel-like object.
The bathroom fixtures and accessories in this collection bring into play iconic design elements while the shine of metallic surface treatments to create a chicly coordinated ensemble. With decisive cuts, lavish details and unexpected plays on light, the essence of Venti20 is characterised by both beauty and durability. New forms and original details come together in a classic yet contemporary blend.
Gessi is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Located within an existing single building on the edge of Westfield Stratford City, the new Hyatt Regency, sheltering 225 guestrooms, provides a stylish destination for both business and leisure while the 125 guestroom Hyatt House provides a new ‘home from home’ for those on extended stays. The interior design by Scott Brownrigg mirrors the connectivity of Stratford, with subtle nods to the Victorian Golden Age of train travel. Archways, typical of London’s railway, form entrances to common spaces and inspire bespoke detailing throughout. A rich palette of brass light fittings, marble fixtures and luxury velvet furnishings alongside jewel colours offer a contemporary take on the glamour and travel of the 1920’s.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels / Scott Brownrigg
“We worked closely with M&L Hospitality and the wider design team to create a new destination in Stratford,” said David Mason, Director, Scott Brownrigg. “With a nod to the glamour and elegance of travel, we wanted to connect people back together and design fabulous spaces for work, rest and play.”
Designed to cater for a seamless transition from work to play, a spacious lobby on the third floor features a range of seating arrangements ideal for socialising or for focused work or meetings during the day, and intimate dining and cocktails at night. Bar and dining booths, with fixed seating and contemporary fluted detailing, are an understated nod to a Victorian railway carriage and provide an elegant feature along the perimeter of each space. Guests also enjoy access to meeting space, gym and an open-air terrace.
“The addition of these two hotels will be another exciting step in growing Hyatt’s brand presence in the United Kingdom and in creating a network of hotels across the key commercial and leisure markets in the country,” said Felicity Black Roberts, Vice President of Development Europe, Hyatt.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels / Scott Brownrigg
Both Hyatt hotels provide a peaceful sanctuary to guests, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Hyatt Regency rooms feature fresh interiors, with bold splashes of colours and high quality brass fittings, including bespoke designed ‘pill’ lights and details on the mini bar area. Hyatt House rooms provide modern, apartment-style suites with fully equipped kitchens and flexible workspaces. Where possible, existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing services have been retained and refurbished. Low-lit corridors and different room lighting options help contribute to the peaceful atmosphere.
The refurbishment follows a new management agreement between an affiliate of Hyatt and Stratford City Hotels Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of M&L Hospitality, identifying Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House as the right brands for the location.
The first in a new range, the Ergofocus Holographik model breaks new ground with an astoundingly realistic holographic fire that marries sensory pleasure, technological innovation and the timeless style of FOCUS fireplaces…
For more than 50 years, FOCUS has been disrupting the conventions of traditional wood fireplaces and gas fires. Today, it is blazing the trail of a new era – virtual fire. A fire powered by electricity with a pioneering holographic system coupled with realistic ceramic logs to produce a 3D effect of unprecedented realism. A fire uniquely adapted to today’s world and living spaces. The first FOCUS model to feature this technology, the Ergofocus Holographik, has a hearth that pivots 80 degrees so the fire can be enjoyed from any angle.
Image credit: FOCUS
Whether in a private home or a luxury hotel, this pioneering, fuelless fireplace can be installed anywhere and is operated with a simple touch of a button. Only an electrical supply is required to power it, and the flue is purely decorative, so there are no connection constraints. The flue can be adapted to all ceiling heights. All of these aspects mean the Ergofocus holographik is suitable for any interior, in even the most improbable settings. Its ease of use is specifically designed for contract and retail environments, with just a simple on/off switch on the appliance. No adjustments are necessary. No complicated operating instructions, no need to use the remote control after the initial set-up, no application that would make it difficult for a team to use. The successful combination of simple installation and easy operation, makes it the perfect fireplace for spaces that welcome the public and have strict safety standards such as hotels, restaurants and boutiques.
Image credit: FOCUS
Image credit: FOCUS / David Coppieters
Protecting the environment is a primordial concern for us all. Regulations in this sense are multiplying and becoming stricter, and the traditional fireplace sector is no exception. Standards around the world are increasingly restricting the use of wood and fossil fuel. In parallel, new and renovated buildings are becoming more energy efficient, reducing the need for heating. In this context, the Holographik fireplace is the environmental answer for those who wish to enjoy the pleasure of fire with zero emissions.
FOCUS is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
The opening of Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton, marks the debut of Curio Collection by Hilton in Poland. With a 200‑year‑long legacy in Poland’s cultural capital, the design draws on the musical and cultural traditions of the hotel, combining carefully restored historic features with modern design elements…
Located in the heart of Krakow’s Old Town, the 117 guestroom property is well located within walking distance of the city’s many art and history museums, as well as Wawel Royal Castle, one of the most historically and culturally significant sites in Poland. Krakow’s Old Town is known for its historic churches, interesting museums and Main Market Square, the largest in Europe. With the bustling squares of the Jewish district of Kazimierz and the quiet alleys of the Old Town, the city is a key feature of every tourist’s trip to Poland and Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton provides guests with access to these unique experiences from a location right in the heart of the city.
“Marking the debut of Curio Collection by Hilton in Poland, Hotel Saski Krakow is a stunning addition to our portfolio of over 120 unique hotels and resorts around the world, handpicked for its distinct character,” said Jenna Hackett, Global Brand Head, Canopy by Hilton and Curio and Tapestry Collections by Hilton. “The hotel will open its doors with a rich 200-year history, offering guests an authentic insight into Krakow’s cultural past while providing modern comforts of a boutique hotel. Hotel Saski Krakow joins a growing number of fantastic Curio Collection properties in Europe, including Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort and The Emerald House Lisbon, which opened earlier this year.”
Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton
Hotel Saski Krakow draws on its musical and cultural traditions for the hotel’s design. In cooperation with world-famous Krakow-born photographer Ryszard Horowitz, corridors and rooms are decorated with portraits of musicians and composers such as Louis Armstrong, Krzysztof Penderecki, Aretha Franklin, Czesław Niemen and more. Saska Hall, the historic ballroom in which legendary composers Francis Liszt, Johannes Brahms and Ignacy Paderewski performed, has been reopened with frescos restored by hand. As well as designs referencing the hotel’s history, among the many modern amenities guests have at their disposal are a swimming pool, spa and fitness centre, as well as a business centre.
Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton
The hotel’s elegant Regale Bar & Restaurant offers an authentic Polish venue with a modern, international touch. Dishes are prepared with premium quality local ingredients and served with innovative and delightful touches by Roman Pawlik, one of the most renowned chefs in Krakow. The drinks experience at Regale Bar & Restaurant is elevated by top mixology, signature cocktails such as ‘Saski Mule’ and ‘Hungarian King’, an extensive wine list and local and home-made liquors and vodkas. A bespoke trolley serving tableside cocktails each evening creates a truly special ambience and the further combination of the rich, storied history and musical heritage of the building add to the experience.
Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton joins five hotels in the Hilton portfolio in the city: DoubleTree by Hilton Krakow Hotel & Convention Centre, Hampton by Hilton Krakow, Hampton by Hilton Krakow Airport, Hilton Garden Inn Krakow and Hilton Garden Inn Krakow Airport.
Registration is open for Independent Hotel Show 2022
It’s time to save the date as visitor registration has opened for the Independent Hotel Show. IHS is the only industry event dedicated entirely to the needs of luxury and boutique hoteliers, and returns to Olympia London, running from 4-5 October this year…
The Independent Hotel Show is a comprehensive business event for the luxury, boutique and independent hotel sector. The show presents a carefully curated collection of over 250 exhibitors, showcasing innovative ideas, products and services, all flourishing within this creative and compelling industry. This will be supported by a programme of inspirational and practical seminars to address industry concerns and exciting developments for hoteliers to stay ahead in this fast-changing sector.
“We’re so excited to be launching registration for the 10th edition of the Independent Hotel Show. Over the past decade the show has become a must-attend in the industry calendar and beloved by its community of hotel owners and managers,” said Glenn Wallace, Event Manager for the Independent Hotel Show. “We’re proud of the show’s commitment to the independent and boutique hotel community, which is at the centre of each session in seminar programme and each suppliers chosen to take part in the show, and we can’t wait to celebrate our 10th birthday in style on 4-5 October.”
Returning for this year’s event are the Innovation Stage, in partnership with eviivo, and the Hotel Vision Stage, in partnership with HotelPartner, both packed with talks, discussions and debates aimed squarely at the independent hotel sector. In addition to discussions on how to tackle 2022’s supply chain and recruitment challenges, the seminar programme will provide insightful best practice sessions on topics such as social media marketing, gaining industry accolades and accreditation and expanding a hotel’s offering to drive additional revenue.
“As a small family-owned group of hotels in the Lake District we always make sure the Independent Hotel Show is in our calendar,” commented Daniella Hope, Director at Lake District Hotels Ltd. “It is one of the best places to hear about latest industry ideas, see new products and meet suppliers, and with it being so specific to the boutique hotel industry we find it invaluable. Most importantly we always take home an abundance of inspiration.”
A major feature at this year’s event is The Inclusive Hotel Room, designed by Cocoon & Bauer, an immersive conceptual hotel room showcasing how thoughtful, intelligent design can prevent sensory overwhelm and create truly welcoming, inclusive and sustainable spaces.
Guests at the show will have the opportunity to meet with peers and discuss industry trends and best practice in the Social Business Space, sponsored by Planet Payment and designed by Taner’s Sons, with hosted roundtables covering the latest opportunities and challenges in the hotel sector. Plus, the Business Solutions Bar, presented by HOSPA & HMA, will enable hoteliers to seek out expert, objective advice on solving their business pain points from leading industry experts.
Another returning feature for this year’s event is The Concept Lab, which will showcase true innovation and outside-the-box ideas from up-and-coming suppliers to the hotel sector. The Concept Lab will present a hand-picked collection of the industry’s most forward-thinking independent brands offering unique and exciting solutions to implement in hotels; providing a first look at the possibilities surrounding the future of the hotel experience.
To learn more about everything on offer at Independent Hotel Show 2022, and to register for your complimentary trade ticket, head to the IHS website.
In conversation with: Sally Coulden, Founder of Red Dog Glass Design
Red Dog Glass Design is an independently owned British business, transforming public and private spaces into ‘something extraordinary’ with stunning abstract art glass panels. The mastermind behind the brand is artist Sally Coulden, who Editor Hamish Kilburn recently caught up with…
One thing I have learned in my almost five years editing Hotel Designs is that art, much like creativity, has no limit. The possibilities are indeed endless, and with brands searching for unique ways to amplify their style and image, the door has opened for artists to set new standards. Sally Coulden is very much part of this wave. Her company, Red Dog Glass Design, is combining art with surfaces in the most innovative of ways.
Coulden’s impactful abstract paintings reflect wild British spaces, whether that be expansive skies or infinite horizons. The team at Red Dog Glass Design carefully translate the artist’s original paintings into works of digital art, deconstructing and recreating each piece into a range of bespoke sizes. The artwork is then expertly applied to high-quality glass panels. Durable, practical and of course beautiful, each unique piece can be installed as high-end contemporary art panels or as glass splashbacks, in a range of commercial and residential settings.
Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design
To learn more about the company’s direction, and to try and understand if the artist’s creativity knows no boundaries, I caught up with Coulden in her studio.
Hamish Kilburn: First things first, how would you define your work – is it mainly art or innovative surface design?
Sally Coulden: Red Dog Glass Design products are exceptionally versatile and can be considered to be both art and surface design, depending on how and where the product is used.
The panels [we create] can be used in two ways. Either as stunning contemporary art installations in public spaces, such as hotel lobbies and inside elevators – they look incredible when they’re beautifully hung and lit. Or, looking at it from a surface design angle, because the panels are five times stronger than normal glass, waterproof and heat-resistant, they can just as easily be used as a washbasin or shower splashback in a hotel bathroom.
I originally had the idea of transposing my artwork onto toughened glass panels as a way of making my contemporary art a purposeful and central part of everyday life. Engaging with art should be an integral part of our daily routine and I love working with colours and textures that create an emotional response in the hotel guest, evoking a sense of comfort and wellbeing.
I have a love for expansiveness and non-containment in my work, so I am a great lover of big skies and expansive landscapes. All my work is inspired by our beautiful British outdoors, especially the wild spaces of the coastlines where I grew up.
Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design
HK: How and when was Red Dog Glass Design born – and can you explain the name?
SC: I have always been passionate about making contemporary art accessible. Art should never be something gathering dust on a forgotten wall. I wanted a way of getting art in more places, so that it can be enjoyed more widely by more people.
The company was born in December 2018 with the goal of making beautiful, yet functional (and therefore accessible) art. After a year of research into what else was already out there, we established that we were first to market with the process that we developed around digitally deconstructing my original art into vibrant, exceptionally high-resolution digital works for printing onto glass. The creation of this process sets us apart from any other supplier in the world (as far as we know!)
The Red Dog Glass Design name connects us to our human experience of ‘home’. Tens of thousands of years ago, our ancestors started painting in caves with red pigment. A place of gathering, shelter, warmth and nourishment, red dogs were amongst the earliest symbols decorating these caves, where fires were lit and families lived together in safety. Our ethos at Red Dog takes us back to this most pure version of what home is, to remind us why kitchens always provide such a warm heart in the home and speak to our basic human longings.
“My art emits an energy of its own, and that is something that we use to influence how a hotel’s personality is perceived and communicated.” – Sally Coulden, Founder, Red Dog Glass Design.
HK: How can your products help to enhance a hotel’s personality in the lobby and beyond?
SC: Our work is designed to enrich the customer experience, revealing and connecting us with our emotions. We all know from our own hotel experiences that how we perceive a space is very much influenced by the things around us.
My art emits an energy of its own, and that is something that we use to influence how a hotel’s personality is perceived and communicated. Whether that is using an existing piece of artwork or creating a completely unique commission piece, we work with clients to define the colours and shapes that build the right level of energy to resonate with hospitality industry spaces.
Whether that touchpoint is in a communal space, such as the restaurant or lobby, or the private areas such as bathrooms and bedrooms, Red Dog Glass Design is a premium brand that is all about elevating environments, bringing a wow factor to our indoor spaces.
At a time when consumers expect more from their leisure time, Red Dog Glass Design is the perfect partner to deliver impactful, yet purposeful, visual installations that elevate the customer’s hotel experience.
Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design
HK: Is there anything you cannot replicate, design-wise, in your products?
SC: I am an abstract painter, so if someone was looking for an image that is photorealistic then that’s not my bag!
Other than that, not really. As my paintings are digitally deconstructed and then carefully reconstructed to meet the exact needs of the client, we can create a composition to the size and shape requested by any brief.
As the painting is digitised, we can also work with the colours and, where artistically appropriate, colour match if there are certain brand specific colours the client would like.
We pride ourselves on being extremely agile, creative thinkers and we are always open to a conversation. We haven’t yet had any requests we can’t accommodate, and we love working with brands who have a particular feeling that they’d like to create in their spaces.
We have also started experimenting using textured glass, which can add a very interesting and unique third dimension to the final artwork. We are really excited by innovation and are always looking to experiment with new ideas.
HK: What are the benefits of Red Dog Glass Design products being made in Britain?
SC: We are a British brand and our products are made on demand, at our facilities here in the UK. By manufacturing everything to order, there is zero wastage of materials which is very important to us. Our carbon footprint is minimised with UK based only transportation Our team is based in the UK – supporting the local economy and ensuring easy access to the team for our clients. We are not reliant on extensive supply chains, and we are not impacted by Brexit [thankfully]. Quality is key. We have exceptionally high-quality assurance processes. Each piece is individually signed off by me before shipping.
Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design
HK: Let’s finish off by talking about the emotional connection to art. What is art’s role in creating this connection with wellbeing in hotel design?
SC: Sensory design and emotional responses to art continue to be a massive topic of conversation amongst designers, particularly in the hospitality sector. As we emerge from the pandemic, more than ever consumers are looking for experiences and environments that nurture and nourish the soul.
Where most hotels once served a functional purpose, with the design focused on functionality and mass appeal, we now have the opportunity to create more interesting and intimate spaces that speak to our hearts, not just our heads.
And it’s not just about the customers. As the hospitality industry fights to retain staff and attract new talent, working in an environment that shows personality and warmth is far more attractive to employees than the generic magnolia buildings we have all experienced at some point.
Evoking an emotional response from a work of art lies at the core of everything I create. Colours, forms and textures all trigger memories that exist uniquely in the mind of the viewer. Very often it’s not even directly about my work, it’s a magical combination of the viewer’s own lived experiences that create the internal story-telling, which then results in an emotional (and actually sometimes physical) response.
Carefully curated spaces within a hotel are critical and Red Dog Glass Design panels are a superb way of bringing art into space in a highly functional and practical way. Always start with the end in mind.
Red Dog Glass Design is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Park Hyatt Milano has opened its doors after two years of extensively reimagining its spaces, while staying true to the property’s unmatched, historic character…
A stone’s throw from the Duomo, strategically positioned in the heart of Milano, the exclusive hotel and its recent enhancements provide the perfect backdrop to discover authentic Italian luxury. The 106 guestrooms and 25 suites, as well as the common spaces, have been preserved to reflect the property’s historical identity, while elements of contemporary design combined with classic interiors in a delicate and neutral palette evoke a feeling of understated Milanese elegance.
Sustainability aspects came into play during the restoration of the building’s foundations – while equipping the house with new water pipes and modern air conditioning units as well as focusing on FSC certified materials for many of the refurbishments.
“The reinvented atmosphere of the new Park Hyatt Milano combines well-beloved and unexpected touches to a deeply personal, luxury offering,” said Monique Dekker, area vice president, Hyatt. “Being able to make such an investment during a critical time for the hospitality industry is reassuring and, I know our team in Milan is thrilled to host local and international guests again.”
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
The four Terrace Suites, the Presidential Suite and the Duomo Suite with their unbeatable panoramic terraces each overlook the city skyline. Warm-toned durmast oak parquet and original light travertine marble from Breccia Mdicea quarries reference the neutral colour palette of the Duomo of Milan and are used for the custom furnishings designed by Venetian Uno Contract. In the bathrooms, elegant medici pebbles on the floors and marble vanities combined with hand-blown glass light fixtures represent a traditional interpretation of Italian luxury. Among others, artwork from Stefano Meriggi, Matteo Boato and Luca Brandi adorn the rooms.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Park Hyatt Milano’s common areas have been revisited with great attention to detail. Located next to La Cupola and illuminated by the natural light coming from the nearly 30-foot-high glass dome, the new fine dining restaurant Pellico 3 Milano attracts both travellers and locals. With its unique culinary experience, the menu sources ingredients and taps into the culinary traditions of France, Spain, Greece and Italy to awaken all five senses while respecting each product and its unique seasonality. The bright space, designed by architect Flaviano Capriotti, features a colour palette inspired by the ingredients: warm chestnut brown, urchin yellow, a cool artichoke green with orange and purple tying in pumpkin and saffron. The ceiling and floor reflect the magic of the sky and the productive capacity of the earth, setting the perfect scene for Chef Guido Paternollo’s haute cuisine.
The reopened AQVAM Spa – which features a Turkish bath, multifunctional showers, and a jacuzzi bath adorned with an intricate gold mosaic – offers a selection of treatments utilizing the 111SKIN treatment line. The urban wellness oasis and the gym, equipped with latest generation Technogym equipment, round out the property’s refreshed offering.
Product watch: REVA by KEUCO, connects form & function in the bathroom
REVA, meaning ‘the one which connects’, is an elegant and functional range of accessories from KEUCO. Combining clear geometric aesthetic forms with sensible functionalities, the range does indeed connect all the elements in a creative bathroom design…
Accessories are not always the first components that spring to mind when creating a bathroom, but if missing from the room it is immediately noticed. Bathroom accessories, especially free-standing, are more than just useful items, when thoughtfully and creatively designed they bring style, harmony, and individuality to every bathroom design. The REVA accessories series by KEUCO has been crafted as a clear geometric shape that works with a wide range of furnishing styles and living environments, regardless of fashion trends. They are high-quality with a flawless finish, available with a chrome-plated, or matt black finish which creates a particularly striking finish.
Image credit: KEUCO
Image credit: KEUCO
The range includes a harmonious selection of accessories, which are both elegant and extremely practical such as the lotion dispenser, with its practical single-handed operation and white satin-finish inverted glass for easy filling. It is operated from below, there is no risk of water drops dripping from wet hands onto the surface of the dispenser. Towel holders are available in single and double-arm versions and the toilet paper holder is available with or without a shelf. The REVA toilet brush set with a white satin-finish inverted glass has a removable plastic insert, which is easy to clean, and the toilet brush is always dry due to the drip reservoir.
The shower shelf comes in white or matt black and has a hidden secret – a glass squeegee is invisibly integrated into the design as a details that is both creative and practical. There are two recesses on the side of the shelf, which can be used to hang bathing and showering toiletries. The range includes a grab rail which acts as a sturdy support in the bath or shower.
The towel holder is available in sizes of 600 mm or 800 mm providing towels of any size enough space to dry away from the wall. With characteristic attention to detail, the bath towel rail has a hook on the reverse side – not visible from the front – which can be used to hang items such as a bath sponge. Towels or bathrobes hang securely on the slightly inclined hook and thanks to their solid wall mounting, all KEUCO accessories guarantee comfortable use and durability, along with innovative design details.
KEUCO is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Series three of DESIGN POD – the podcast for all architecture and design enthusiasts – will land this August, with eight engaging episodes ready to drop weekly. Editor Hamish Kilburn, host of DESIGN POD, explains what to look forward to…
It’s official, series three of DESIGN POD, sponsored by Minotti London, will land this August. The podcast for all design and architecture enthusiasts aims to create conversations unlike any other, and provides a unique platform to amplify leading designers, architects and creative experts.
The series, which will contain eight curated episodes, will kickstart with episode 19; an exclusive interview with Nils Sveje and Kyoko Inoda, Co-Founders of INODA+SVEJE, which was one of few protagonist studios behind the 2022 collection by Minotti. The pair joined me on the podcast sofa just one week after Milan Design Week to record the episode where we discussed how their latest products – Yoko, Lars and Sendai – went down with the design and architecture community when they launched during the show as well as exploring the design duo’s unique approach to product design.
Up next, episode 20 will explore a hotel concept that Hotel Designs has been interested in since its early conception. Hot off delivering a Ted talk about creating the world’s first energy-positive hotel, developer and former designer and architect Ivaylo Lefterov, while on a whistle-stop tour, joined me live in the Minotti London showroom to discuss how SVART will break down boundaries when it comes to net-zero architecture, sustainable hospitality and luxury travel.
Episode 21 will feature Holly Hallam, Managing Director of Design LSM, who arrived on the podcast sofa full of energy to explore the topic of ‘a new era of lifestyle’. At the time of recording, Design LSM had completed several lifestyle hospitality projects, including Kiss the Hippo, Jiji in London, and were in the process of working to revamp the iconic Heythrop Park.
In Episode 22, DESIGN POD will be taken over by a legend on the interior design scene. British designer Sue Timney, who recently became a judge for The Brit List Awards 2022, joined me to discuss some of her statement projects and partnerships, including an appearance on Grand Designs as well as working on several high-profile residential projects.
Approaching the podcast from a slightly different angle – catching up with a designer working for a brand instead of a design studio – episode 23 will welcome Matthew Balon, Head of Design at Ruby Hotels, to discover the theme of ‘lean luxury’ in today’s competitive hospitality scene when lifestyle hotels need to not only be all singing and all dancing in terms of offerings but also accessible and affordable.
Spreading our wings outside of the UK, episode 24 will capture a theme that’s relevant outside parameters of design and architecture. ‘Sliding doors’ will be the topic, inspired by the 1998 rom-com featuring Gwyneth Paltrow. The episode will welcome Brian Messana, Co-Founder of Messana O’roke, and will celebrate the upcoming release of the studio’s first monograph, Messana O’Rorke: Building Blocks, with text by Mayer Rus and a foreword by Thomas Phifer, to be published by Rizzoli this October. The episode will highlight moments in Messana’s career and life that pivoted into new chapters of design and architecture.
Continuing in New York City, episode 25 of DESIGN POD will welcome Karen Stonely, Co-Founder of SPAN NY onto the podcast to explore wellness in design. In this episode, Stonely, focusing on case studies that are both loud and quiet, will touch on how each of the studio’s projects sensitively inject meaningful senses of place. In addition, the episode will explore the architect’s definition of wellness in 2022.
Concluding the series in style as well as speed, episode 26 will welcome architect Lorraine Stoutt Griffith, Director, Twelve Architects, to explore the theme of engineering meets design. The episode will put one of Griffith’s current projects called Escapade Silverstone under the spotlight, a space that will, when built, seamlessly merge hospitality and motorsport in an original way – right on the edge of the iconic Silverstone race track, home of the UK Grand Prix.
DESIGN POD, Sponsored by Minotti London, is available to listen to on all major platforms, including (but not limited to) Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Spotify. Look out over on Instagram for the official teaser to drop, which will contain the exact launch date of series three.
The Nueva washbasin by Kaldewei debuts in the Hotel Seegarten
Created by the designer Werner Aisslinger for Kaldewei, The Nueva, with its clearly defined design, sits perfectly in the bathrooms of the Hotel Seegarten…
The Hotel Seegarten in Sundern is an ideal place for an exclusive holiday in Sauerland, Germany. The hotel is owned and run by TV chef Olaf Baumeister, who with his team selected the best partners to create an ambience of hand-picked, contemporary furniture and luxurious interiors. Baumeister chose to use Kaldewei throughout the hotel, giving the bathroom design a high-quality profile, and in addition to 14 Centro Duo bathtubs, the Hotel Seegarten also installed the first Nueva washbowls designed by Werner Aisslinger in its 49 guest bathrooms.
“The special thing about the Hotel Seegarten is that traditionally we select the entire interior from the region: from clay plaster on the walls, to small items like switches and cables, to bathroom objects made of steel enamel,” said hotelier Olaf Baumeister. “This is not only extremely well received by our suppliers, but of course also by our guests, who love the stories behind the products.”
Image credit: Kaldewei
The designer Werner Aisslinger has succeeded in giving the bowls made of Kaldewei’s steel enamel a unique accent. The Nueva captivates with its clear, authentic design, the way the contour is offset adds a calm precision that means it is destined to become a classic. The washbasins are made of recyclable steel enamel and are suitable for luxurious hotel bathrooms and wellness areas as well as for exclusive private spas and public areas. The model is available in all Kaldewei’s sanitary colours as well as the shades of the Coordinated Colours Collection. The design received the Red Dot Award, at the end of June 2022.
Kaldewei is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Soho from Sekers is a versatile, velvet upholstery fabric which features an elegant, decorative cut pile to create a modern stripe…
Sekers has launched Soho, a velvet collection which captures a mature, stylish feel that sits comfortably in a wide range of interior schemes. This durable collection is presented in 16 colourways including on-trend blues, greens and neutrals shades. Each colourway features a fancy effect in the voided ground which combines a number of complementary coloured yarns to form a luxurious textured stripe.
Image credit: Sekers
Image credit: Sekers
Supplied with a crib 5 flame retardant backing and with a high Martindale abrasion performance of 60,000 rubs, Soho is a great choice for upholstery and accessories, also meeting all of the relevant UK, American and IMO standards. Soho is a handsome addition to any interior and is the ideal choice for the marine, hospitality and leisure markets.
Sekers continually inspire with versatile collections suitable for contract and hospitality interiors. From Wabi Sabi drawing inspiration from Japan, to the Deco collection which taking its inspiration from Miami’s Art Deco historic district, the designs are the perfect vehicle to add depth and layers to an interior project.
Sekers is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
To celebrate the 2022 edition of The Tour of France, BORA-Hansgrohe has unveiled The Golden Bike, which is a top-of-the-range racing bike that has been specially coated in hansgrohe FinishPlus Polished Gold – and it will be making its appearance in Clerkenwell, London soon. Our (cycling) editor Hamish Kilburn has more…
The Tour of France started on July 1, 2022 with the premiere stage in Copenhagen, one of the capitals of good design and architecture. To kick off this year’s Tour de France, another design highlight entered into the Danish capital: The Golden Bike, a Specialised S-Works Tarmac SL7, customised in the hansgrohe FinishPlus Polished Gold look.
The bike, a contemporary design icon in its own right, was developed together with various partners in cycling in honour of Matthew Wall’s Olympic Gold Medal. After its debut in Copenhagen, The Golden Bike has continued its tour, and is expected to show up at major cycling events and Hansgrohe WaterStudios over the next few months. After the roadshow, it will be raffled off, and all proceeds raised will benefit Viva con Aqua, an organisation that works to provide access to clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Because clean water is as precious as gold! Tickets for the Racing Bike Raffle are available through the Viprize platform.
By buying a raffle ticket – anyone can enter – one automatically applies to win the Specialised S-Works Tarmac SL7 in Polished Gold Optic.
Hansgrohe is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Ligne Roset & RF Studio collaborate to design new hotel concept for Novotel
Ligne Roset Contract, in collaboration with Belgian designer Ramy Fischler, have been chosen to manufacture a new era of design for hospitality brand Novotel, bringing contemporary furnishing and quality design into the guestroom, with sustainability at the heart of the concept…
Following an intense worldwide design pitch, Novotel has teamed up with four international design teams to introduce the brand’s new vision of modern, 21st century style to the world. One of these four bedroom concepts have been designed by Belgian designer Ramy Fischler, through his design studio RF Studio, based in Paris, and will be manufactured by Ligne Roset Contract which have collaborated with the designer on previous projects.
The winning concepts will be brought to life at Novotel locations around the globe, shifting Novotel from a standardised brand to a hospitality leader in the midscale hotel space. By choosing four distinct concepts, the brand will provide flexibility to its owning and franchisee partners, allowing each to choose and customise an ideal style that best suits the unique character of the destination.
Image credit: ABACA / Thierry Sauvage
With the bespoke manufacturing knowledge of Ligne Roset Contract, sustainability has been considered throughout this bedroom concept. Designed and manufactured to last over a long period of time, removable covers have been used to limit the overconsumption of furniture and to allow for easier future renovations. The furniture items have all been made from PEFC and EUTR certified particleboard, while 100 per cent recycled polyester has been used for the fabrics. The wardrobe, mini bar and stool have also all been made from 100 per cent recycled materials. The occasional and bedside table bases have been made from cork.
Flexibility is a key aspect of the different sleeping arrangements made possible by the daybeds, also manufactured by Ligne Roset Contract. Available in different colour options and for different bedroom orientations, the daybeds provide 18 different guestroom configurations.
The bedroom concept is available in full and partial realisations, with different colour options, in a standard and premium finish which includes additional charging outlets. One of the key features of the concept is the headboard. Available in a standard and premium finish. The premium option has connectivity to the bedside tables providing induction charging.
Luggage racks, a mini bar and the Valmy armchair, also designed by Ramy Fishler and part of the Ligne Roset collection can also be included.
The Ramy Fischler bedroom concept has already been used in Paris and will feature in other Novotel hotels soon.
Linge Roset Contact is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Chicago adds glamour to skyline with The LaSalle Hotel
The design-forward and Art Deco-inspired luxury hotel, The LaSalle Hotel, sits on the top five floors of a historically iconic Chicago landmark from famed architect Daniel Burnham. Let’s take a look inside…
Following our shout-out earlier this summer about the hottest hotel openings – and just in time for the summer rooftop demand – The LaSalle Hotel has opened in Chicago’s financial district. Developed by an affiliate of The Prime Group, Inc, the opulent hotel guests true luxury and ‘uncommon experiences’.
Sitting majestically 21 storeys above street level, the hotel is expected to be the preeminent destination within Chicago’s Financial District.“We are thrilled to offer a luxury experience unlike any other hotel in the loop”, said General Manager Stefan Gruvberger. “Not only does the hotel evoke the elegance and rich history of Chicago’s past, but also puts guests right in the heart of today’s best attractions, making it easy for visitors to make the most of their time at The LaSalle Hotel.”
Image credit: The LaSalle Chicago
The LaSalle Hotel is operated by Aimbridge Hospitality and is the newest addition to Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The hotel is a modern club-like escape that sits on the top five floors of a historically iconic landmark from famed Chicago architect Daniel Burnham. Its central location in the city’s financial district makes it the perfect destination for the sophisticated business traveler, while its plush, spacious guest rooms and luxurious amenities make it an ideal retreat for the leisure traveler looking to be in the middle of all Chicago has to offer.
Designed by DiLeonardo International and Chipman Design Architecture, the hotel’s design evokes the building’s Art Deco roots while exuding the style and sophistication of the surrounding area’s prestige and modern lifestyle. High end finishes, rich wood tones, and classic stone elements were combined to create an elevated yet casual setting.
The property includes a signature restaurant and lounge; 232 luxury suites and oversized guestrooms, featuring elegant furnishings, millwork, cabinetry, and large marble-clad bathrooms; a library retreat and a beautiful solarium adjacent to the hotel lobby; a state-of-the-art fitness center; and over 7,500 sq. feet of ballroom and meeting space. Amenities of note include Beautyrest Black by Simmons beds, Lavazza espresso machines, mini-refrigerators, and 65-inch UHD TVs.
Its 1,684-square-foot Presidential Suite brims with style and sophistication. An elevated stay for the elite, the suite includes an expansive king-size master bedroom with an oversized master bath featuring dual vanities, a separate water closet and shower, plus a porcelain soaking tub imported from Germany. The Presidential Suite also features a separate living room, dining room, private study, powder room, designer kitchen, butler pantry, and ability to connect to an additional king deluxe room.
Image credit: Anthony Tahlier
Named for its location on the 21st floor within The LaSalle Hotel, Grill on 21 is a modern interpretation of the classic American grill created for the sophisticated diner of the 21st century. The restaurant’s conscious approach to service provides an exciting meal that’s fit for a time-efficient business lunch or a leisurely and luxurious dinner for visitors.
The restaurant deftly pays homage to traditional techniques and classic dishes while also taking into account contemporary tastes and lifestyle trends. Innovative dishes like Hearth-Roasted Carrot Wellington appeal to plant-based diners, while steak tasting menus allow guests to indulge in high-quality, locally sourced meats in thoughtful portions.
Edmund Bell fabrics in the frame at NHow Amsterdam RAI Hotel
With cultural influences from all around the world on display through the interior of city landmark NHow Amsterdam RAI Hotel, with collection names like Discovery and Zanzibar, the fabrics from Edmund Bell are a good fit…
Designed by Dutch architects OMA, the iconic NHow Amsterdam RAI Hotel is made up of three overlapping triangles, symbolising the multicultural backdrop that characterises the past, present and future of the city of Amsterdam. Since opening its doors in early 2020, the hotel has positioned itself as a ‘cosmopolitan social hub’ and as a meeting place where contemporary art, design, fine dining and cultural expression echo the multicultural spirit that characterises the city. The 650 guestroom hotel is now a vibrant hub for business travellers, tourists and Amsterdam locals alike, with its location right beside the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre.
Image credit: Edmund Bell
Interior-Consult was asked by the developer to provide design assistance to NH Hotels and the project designers, working on the procurement and project coordination of all furniture, fixtures and equipment. Edmund Bell fabrics were specified throughout the hotel, a concept based on an eclectic mix of vibrant colours, patterns and traditional elements. International symbols such as the mandalas of India, skulls of Mexico and the cherry blossoms of Japan are brought together to create an exciting and striking cultural fusion. The guestrooms are inspired by the cardinal direction the particular room faces – South, East, North, South West, South East and North West, and the fabrics all contribute to this design narrative.
Image credit: Edmund Bell
Edmund Bell’s large colour ranges were the perfect solution for this project, with an average of 28 colours in each of the decorative blackout ranges – an ideal option for hotel bedrooms as they offer complete light exclusion to ensure a perfect night’s sleep. The chosen blackout fabrics in this case were Discovery Damson, Discovery Green Tea, Discovery Indigo and Zanzibar Bordeaux – very colourful indeed! Over 5000 metres of double width fabric was needed for this project. The design included a bespoke plain colour print, using Edmund Bell’s Printlab service. This service allows for bespoke colour matching, which in this case gave the clients something truly unique. The colour was printed onto the chosen base fabric; flame retardant Outback Silk FR offering 100 per cent light exclusion – perfect in a hotel guestroom to ensure a restful night’s sleep.
Edmund Bell is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Edmund Bell / NHow Amsterdam RAI Hotel
Inspiration inside Regent Phu Quoc, designed by BLINK
We take a look at what happens when prime movers in placemaking BLINK Design Studio, team up with the last word in authentic Asian luxury to create the stunningly unique resort experience of Regent Phu Quoc – perfectly timed to open as South East Asia roars back to life…
This is the story of the making of Regent Phu Quoc, the new jewel in the crown of Regent Hotels, which opened its doors earlier this year to a world longing to rediscover the romance of travel and crying out for experiences of beguiling authenticity. It is the story of the ultimate collaboration between a hotel brand that has become the benchmark of timelessly elegant escapes, and BLINK’s design visionaries who live and breathe destinations, immersing themselves in the vernacular and diving deep into local culture, art, craft and design before conjuring up experiences that become a true exploration of time and place.
Image credit: BLINK Design Studio
And it’s the story of the birth of something very special on an island transforming from ‘best-kept secret’ status, to its emergence as the region’s hottest destination. A statement of intent from a brand with an auspicious history, part of the mythical lore and the cultural DNA of the East. Phu Quoc transcends cliché as a true island paradise; a gem of rarest jade reposing in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Fishing villages, pearlers and pepper plantations provide charming glimpses into Vietnamese customs spanning generations, while more than half of the island has been protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2006.
It was against this backdrop that BLINK’s best design brains were summoned to pool their knowledge and inspirations with the vast hotel and resort experience of the Regent brand and its new owner, InterContinental Hotels Group.
Image credit: BLINK Design Group
The goal was to create a luxury resort experience imbued with the soul and culture of Phu Quoc in an enviable location on the island’s most beautiful and longest beach on its western shore. A place where sunlight pervades and the sparkling waters of the gulf enchant from every angle; a tranquil environment for relaxation, swathed in natural textiles and minimalist decor. A place where traditional Vietnamese and modern design merge.
“This is a very special project, from the brand involved to the uniquely beautiful location and a rich local culture full of traditions and artisans, and on to the timing of its launch,” said Clint Nagata, Founder, BLINK Design Studio. “It was right in our wheelhouse in terms of delving into the art of placemaking; going very deep into the cultures, materials and traditions of the vernacular before we even put pen to paper.”
Image credit: BLINK Design Studio
The brief was to create an all-suites and villas luxury beach resort, consisting of Ocean View Suites, Garden Pool Suites and opulent Pool Villas from one to seven bedrooms, private infinity pools and plunge pools, as well as six food and beverage concepts with Regent’s elegant take on the ‘wow factor’ and incorporating the brand’s penchant for storytelling. A grand ballroom and event spaces, a Regent Club, and a cutting-edge spa concept were also required.
“Informing the master plan above all, was making the most of the breathtaking gulf waters and sunset,” said Nagata. “This meant utilising a multi-dimensional approach for every major guest-facing space, deliberately spread horizontally and stacked vertically so that all guests enjoy an optimum view of the natural setting.”
Image credit: BLINK Design Studio
The sense of arrival begins with a processional staircase to the lobby. Guests are greeted with an iconic space, framed with a modern interpretation of Vietnamese roofs and featuring luminous laquerwork with the delicate duck eggshell inlays for which the region is famous.
The initial architectural ideas were steeped in the Vietnamese vernacular. “This is a country with strong local culture and traditional architectural heritage,” explained Nagata. “One of the structural systems commonly found is the wooden truss system, known locally as the Bovi. We have abstracted that feature and developed it into subtle patterns that feature on screens, carpets and accessories.”
One of the key elements in the masterplan is the courtyard-like villas, each with its own infinity pool and plunge pool and layers of privacy and intimacy. This is inspired by another key feature in the Vietnamese vernacular known as Gian Nha.
“A traditional house is often composed of small compartments and courtyards,” said Nagata. “These individual spaces create transition and different experiences within the same house. Our spatial zoning presents a contemporary interpretation of Gian Nha, blurring the boundaries of indoor and outdoor.”
The finished product is suffused with delicate Vietnamese craftsmanship and intricate thought processes. The villas gradually reveal themselves to their inhabitants, presenting moments of joy and little epiphanies. On a practical level, this also allows great flexibility so that spaces can be separated, creating a lock-off unit for different amounts of guests in different types of occasions.
Image credit: BLINK Design Group
Rice Market, Regent Phu Quoc’s all-day dining space, affords a glimpse into the everyday life of the locals. Drawing inspiration from the rice market, the restaurant spills onto the central courtyard, inspired by the vibrant street markets of Vietnam. Ingenious twists on rice mills and water wheels along with burlap rice bag textures offer up eye candy in a relaxed ambiance. OKU is the showpiece fine dining restaurant, a French-Japanese Omakase atelier and salon de boeuf. It sits at the heart of the resort, a celebration of intricate Japanese woodwork, evoking the feel of a Parisian brasserie with a hint of new orientalist.
Meticulous attention to detail pervades, from the cuisine to the interiors. Precision and perfection were BLINK’s watchwords in creating this icon in the making. “Just as an Omakase Chef pays special attention to select ingredients to create a meal as an artistic expression, so too does the woodworker as the precision and perfection of his joinery becomes a work of art,” explains Nagata.
Designed in the tradition of a speakeasy with a secret entrance, the Jade bar is the hidden treasure of Regent Phu Quoc, only revealing itself at dusk. Inspiration was found in the jade-coloured waters of the Gulf, as well as the rich tradition of jade in Vietnamese culture, handed down from mother to daughter as an heirloom. Sophisticated shades of jade and layers of intricacy lend an opulent, old world feel. The arrival experience is purposely concealed during the day.
Image credit: BLINK Design Group
An exclusive Regent Club sits atop the resort’s main tower, overlooking the entire property. The ethereal image of crisp silhouettes against the stunning sunsets of Phu Quoc inspire the design of the rooftop pool area. Gradients of colour at the feature wall, flickers of golden tiles mimic the reflection of the sun against the clear blue waters. In the most private area of the Club, a library inspired by the tropical botanical gardens and local plants offer a sanctuary for guests. The Regent Club is a perfect place to watch sunset with a perfectly crafted Gin and Tonic.
The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon opens its ‘anything but standard’ doors
Top of our VIP arrivals list for august, The Standards Asia flagship has taken up residence inside the iconic King Power Mahanakhon, creating an urban retreat offering world-class design, retail and cultural programming anchored by dynamic food, drink, and after-dark offerings in the Thai capital…
As the latest addition to the King Power Group portfolio, the hotel will leverage the iconic building’s architecture and energy and bring the brand’s signature mix of culture, design, entertainment and hospitality to the city. With 155 rooms and suites and a central location in downtown Bangkok, the property offers the perfect getaway to Old Town, where a wealth of cultural attractions and a dynamic art scene await. To reflect the unmistakable energy of the Thai capital, The Standard’s “anything but standard” ethos is translated into exciting amenities, one-of-a-kind culinary programming at six food and beverage spaces, and meeting venues that break the mould.
Image credit: The Standard
“We are incredibly thrilled about the launch of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon in Thailand,” said Srettha Thavisin, Chairman of Standard International. “This iconic flagship hotel of The Standard represents an extraordinary phenomenon in the hospitality industry not only in Asia, but globally as well. We are confident that The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon will have huge success in delivering the ultimate hotel experience – unlike any other in Thailand.”
To conceptualize the uber-social downtown property, Spanish artist and designer Jaime Hayon and The Standard’s award-winning in-house design team delved into the synergy between the city’s melting pot of cultures and free-form artistic exploration. The resulting social spaces are fresh and intertwined with reinterpretations of cultural cues, such as Marco Brambilla’s video monument to Hollywood dreams and excesses, in the lobby. Titled ‘Heaven’s Gate’, this provocative artwork is the first installment in the ‘Box’ series, a concept inspired by the brand’s first property in Hollywood that showcased an ever-changing roster of art installations.
Image credit: The Standard
Image credit: The Standard
The hotel’s beautifully understated rooms are balanced by bold, glamorous touches such as the softly-lit bar area and retro-style furniture. At 144 square metres, The Bigger Penthouse with its sumptuous upholstery, a full kitchen setup, ensuite bathroom with a giant soaking tub, and indoor plants feels like a stately home where good times reside.
Tucked away in a lush and serene poolscape overlooking the city, The Pool offers poolside service with light dishes, craft cocktails and healthful, plant-based delights in a social setting. Guests also have access to a stylish, 24-hour fitness centre, The Standard Gym, that comes with city views, ample natural light, and state-of-the art equipment from CLMBR and PELOTON, and a variety of signature group classes, including high-intensity endurance training, group outdoor classes and Hollywood aerobics.
Image credit: The Standard
With six distinctive dining, drinking and nightlife venues, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon promises to shake things up in Bangkok’s neighbourhood on the up. The Standard Grill, a spirited American brasserie informed by the brand’s celebrated original at The Standard, High Line in New York’s Meatpacking District, seamlessly transitions from power breakfast to social hotspot at night. While high up on the 76th floor, guests can experience one of the city’s most anticipated restaurant unveilings of the year – a collaboration with multi award-winning chef Francisco ‘Paco’ Ruano. His Mexican-inspired restaurant Ojo draws on Bangkok’s progressive outlook and the venue’s whimsical design, referencing Mexico’s ancient civilizations to deliver flavours never experienced in Thailand or the region, such as aguachile seasonal prawns and bone marrow tortillas, complemented by inventive cocktails and a thoughtful wine list. Bringing together Chef Paco’s culinary prowess, panoramic views, creative beverage program and genre-bending décor, Ojo will sit proudly beside The Standard’s legendary Boom Boom Room in New York City and London’s star attraction Decimo as one of the world’s best rooftop venues.
Image credit: The Standard
For 360-degree views from the 78th floor perch there is Sky Beach, Bangkok’s highest rooftop bar mixing blissed-out ambiance, downtempo beats, and a hard-hitting cocktail selection from one of Thailand’s most celebrated mixologists. Guests can also dine on award-winning Chinese cuisine at Mott 32 Bangkok’s open-air terrace dotted with lush greenery. The famous apple wood roasted Peking duck is not to be missed, as are expertly curated cocktails and authentic Cantonese, Beijing and Szechuan flavors created with the most meticulously sourced ingredients. At Tease, a strikingly graphic, black and white bijoux tea room, the intimate room overflows with whimsy and wonder.
For comfort food with a side of The Standard’s cultural programming, guests can head to The Parlor. The menu offers authentic Thai cuisine, and breakfast is available all day. Cocktails like the Honey Trap and Be Wild, created by Khun ‘Milk’ Thanaworachayakit, The Standard, Bangkok Mahankhon’s beverage manager, complements the atmosphere and delicious food. In addition to an eclectic playlist spotlighting local and global talent, curated by The Standard’s music division, the hotel’s relaxed social hub hosts talks and workshops, including astrology sessions, live performances, and themed bingo nights inspired by the fabled bingo sessions at The Standard, High Line.
Image credit: The Standard
Public spaces at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon immerse guests into the local community as well as introducing them to Bangkok’s vibrant creative scene through the elements of fine art hidden in plain sight. A stunning and vibrant Marc Quinn, ‘Flood Plain of the Tributaries of the Orinocco’, 2018, from King Power’s private collection, enhances the colour and personality at reception. Hidden in plain sight in the corridors leading to the elevator and The Parlor is a breathtaking, original, Joan Miro sculpture, entitled, ‘Personnage’, also from the King Power collection. In the lobby they are greeted by a portrait of a couple, caught in an embrace, embedded in the floor. Overhead, locally handmade rattan lamps create an intricate canopy, while fine objects showcased in the shop are the labour of love of local artists as well as The Standard and its collaborators. Chief Design Officer, Verena Haller and the design team, hand-picked art, antiques and curiosities, creating their version of a shoppable flee market, enhancing both the custom designed and locally sourced furniture, creating meticulously designed and inviting spaces guests never want to leave.
Inside the 106-mile mirrored city concept in Saudi Arabia
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wants to turn a stretch of dessert in Saudi Arabia, roughly the size of Belgium, into a high-tech linear city that will be contained within a mirrored wall. Here’s what we know…
The most recent concept that has been picked up by the world’s media is known as The Line and is part of the Neom development, which, for some, is a step too far. Nonetheless, its unconventional approach to city design has got us thinking about the future, especially as this month Hotel Designs is focusing its editorial gaze on weird and wonderful hotel concepts.
Image credit: Neom
It is being widely reported that it will cost $500 Billion to design the mirrored wall city that will stretch 106 miles into the distance in the northwest of the Gulf country.
While on the outside The Line will reflect dessert landscape, inside the urban city is expected to contain residential, hospitality, and leisure spaces as well as vertical gardens and educational buildings. Each building will be stacked and layered in an arranged that the visionaries behind its concept are calling ‘Zero Gravity Urbanism’.
Image credit: Neom
Within the space of just 200 metres, the city in between two perfectly parallel mirrored walls, is said to house nine million people. The structure, reaching 500 metres tall and stretching over 106 miles, if built, will become the 12th tallest – and by far the longest – building in the world.
“The designs revealed today for the city’s vertically layered communities will challenge the traditional flat, horizontal cities and create a model for nature preservation and enhanced human livability,” said Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Line has been designed, we believe, by US-based studio Morphosis. Its aim is to “tackle the challenges facing humanity in urban life today and will shine a light on alternative ways to live,” added the crown prince.
In addition to funky sci-fi buildings, the plans for The Line will include a transport system that will connect either ends of the city in just 20 minutes.
Neom, which this bold concept is linked to, is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 drive that will ’embody the future of innovation in business, liveability and sustainability’.
In conversation with: Clint Nagata, Founder of BLINK Design Group
The bold designs that have come to characterise the work being delivered off the drawing boards of the BLINK Design Group are being rolled out across the globe, impacting on our understanding and experience of hospitality design – this is in no small measure due to the creative energy of its founder Clint Nagata, who kindly took time out of his very busy and very global schedule to satisfy our curiosity and answer a few questions...
Since setting up his own studio in Bangkok in 2006, Clint Nagata as founder, has been the force behind BLINK which now has three studios and an impressive rollcall of clients and projects, along with more than a few design awards collected along the way. The studios are characterised by a sense of collective creativity, and despite an obviously demanding schedule, Nagata remains an intrinsic part of the process, overseeing every project from concept through to completion.
Before exploring the most recent design to come out of the BLINK studio – the W Dubai Mina Seyahi– we took a few steps back…
Pauline Brettell: Before opening your own studio, you were with WATG in Hawaii – you left to establish BLINK Design Group in 2006. What prompted that move, and made it the right time for you in your design journey to open BLINK?
Clint Nagata: I will be forever grateful for the years at WATG, especially working with my mentor, Don Goo, and ending up becoming the youngest partner in the firm. Despite this, in my mid-thirties I realised that I wanted to create my own firm and relocated to Bangkok, where I founded BLINK. The name is homage to Malcolm Gladwell’s book ‘Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking’ that emphasises the power of first impressions. For me, it is that first impression – when you meet a new client or visit a site – that spurs the entire creative process. Since it launched, BLINK has been focusing solely on luxury lifestyle hotels and resorts, and now is turning to luxury residential designs too.
Image credit: BLINK Design Group
PB: Why did you launch the studio in Thailand?
CN: I was and I am still attracted to the arts, culture and vibrancy of Asia. In Thailand I found many talented, creative designers who are a joy to work with.
PB: What was the first project you completed as BLINK Design Group?
PB: Since opening that first studio in Thailand, you now have offices in Bangkok, Shanghai and Singapore – do the studios work collaboratively or do they focus on their own projects?
CN: Our studios work collaboratively, and we share work across the teams to ensure that each project and client get the most appropriate resources. Currently the teams are working together on several projects across the globe, from Spain to Bora Bora and everywhere in between!
Image credit: BLINK Design Group
PB: The concepts of travel, experience and the journey are all recurring references in your work – can you discuss this a bit more?
CN: At BLINK we are committed to translating our clients’ visions into remarkable pieces of architecture inspired by travel experiences and cultural encounters. The first step of the creative process is listening: we need to understand why our clients choose a specific location, what’s the history behind it, how the local community interprets the place, and how guests could connect with it. We invest a lot of time in this preliminary phase of the process.
We then dive into local traditions in search of ideas that will inform our contemporary projects: we take inspiration from cultural elements, indigenous materials, traditional craftsmanship and local artworks. The result is a design that reflects the intrinsic qualities of a place through the eyes of locals.
Image credit: BLINK Design Studio / Ben Richards
PB: Your design for Roko Kyoto was awarded the Kohler Bold Design Award – can you talk us through this design; its story, its challenges, and how you created that balance between the traditional and the contemporary in the design.
CN: We designed Roku Kyoto – Hilton’s first LXR Hotels & Resorts branded hotel in Asia Pacific – with the discerning traveller in mind, someone who is after what I like to call a ‘sense of place’. We knew that Hilton and the owners were seeking a one-of-a-kind design concept, a resort that would stand out from the crowd while also blending into the landscape. For us, every space is a journey created by people and places: this is why we took inspiration from Kyoto’s rich heritage, organic beauty and Zen philosophy to create something that is both authentic and cutting-edge, elegant and contemporary.
Image credit: BLINK Design Studio / Ben Richards
Nestled at the foot of the Takagamine mountains by the Tenjin River, the hotel is a never-ending exploration of Kyoto’s landscape and the simplicity of Japanese craftsmanship. It features 114 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, a restaurant, a spa, maples and cherry trees gardens, and a heated outdoor pool. We strived to weave the local aesthetic into every aspect of the resort’s interiors, from the lobby and pavilion-style dining area to the wooden tea lounge, the serene wellness centre and all contemporary rooms and suites, which exude a sense of minimalistic grace.
Image credit: BLINK Design Group
PB: Moving on to W Dubai Mina Seyahi – there are very clear references inspired by the locale and culture and crafts – what was the starting point and how did these ideas surface?
CN: The ‘Port of Travellers’ – an ancient copper trade hub where the hotel is located – was our overarching inspiration: we set out from the ground up to imbue W Dubai – Mina Seyahi with the soul of storytelling and the spirit of the souk, a place for people to meet and share stories. The concept translated into guest rooms and suites laden with lavish touches and hints of intrigue, adventure and romance. From treasure-chest-like bedside tables to white leather bed headboards – with ribs and shapes inspired by swooping shape of the traditional Dhow boats – fabrics with motifs drawn from local calligraphy and lights that resemble the Arabian Nights’ ancient lanterns, nods to the Arabic culture are peppered throughout. The element of surprise extends to the walk-in closets, closed with billowing curtains in a gradient of sunset colours, echoing the hues of the bay. Here, we played with the philosophical theme of the secrets behind the veil. The storytelling continues in the bathrooms via a calligraphy motif, with bold black and white colours to echo ink and paper. The bathrooms also feature a seating area, encouraging long bathing rituals, and conversation.
Image credit: BLINK Design Group
PB: What was the biggest challenge in this design?
CN: Cost and time have always been a challenge for designers, and the pandemic exacerbated this especially in Asia. Clients need things designed and built within very challenging timelines and budgets.
PB: Do you have a personal favourite element or space in the W Dubai?
CN: My favourite space in the hotel is the restaurant, Ginger Moon. I love that you feel like you’re at a beach club but you’re still in the city’s vibrant heart. The eclectic interiors connect seamlessly with the terrace and pool, but guests can still find many quieter spaces tucked in between.
QUICKFIRE ROUND
PB: Best hotel to be a guest? CN: Any of the Aman properties PB: Most inspiring hotel design? CN: The Puli, Shanghai PB: Design icon? CN: Geoffrey Bawa PB: Favourite country to work in? CN: Thailand PB: Cake or caviar? CN: Caviar
Image credit: BLINK Design Group
Image credit: BLINK Design Group
PB: On your website, it states: “Currently, we are collaborating with a new era of hospitality entrepreneurs. By sharing their energy and imagination, we are challenging ideas and making spaces that reward each client and reach every guest.” Can you elaborate on this – what are the differences in this ‘new era of hospitality’, and what are the ideas that are being challenged?
CN: When we say a ‘New Era of Hospitality Entrepreneurs’ we refer to our clients who are from HNW families and have now ventured into the hotel business and are looking to define their niche in a rather crowded marketplace. We are enablers in helping these young entrepreneurs tell their story. Our goal is to take them on a creative journey and define a bespoke design that cannot be repeated or duplicated.
In a world where travellers have seen it all and eschew luxury for luxury’s sake, there is a desire for experiences steeped in simplicity, authenticity, sustainability and a perfectly imagined ‘sense of place’. Bringing all of this to life is our mission. We do everything we can to build our hotels in an environmentally respectful way, integrating the surrounding nature with our designs to the point that they’re both reciprocally enhanced.
Image credit: BLINK Design Studio / Ben Richards
PB: If you had to choose one design to be remembered by – which one would it be?
CN:Roku Kyoto. Its design is, in many ways, close in spirit to who I am as a person.
Providing a good night’s sleep is essential to ensure guests have an enjoyable experience, which is why Hypnos Contract Beds, the largest provider of hospitality beds in the UK, has been working with hoteliers for decades to inspire everyone to sleep more sustainably, with no compromise on comfort…
Offering innovatively designed, sustainable, and stylish beds and mattresses, Hypnos Contract Beds is recognised for providing the ultimate in comfort with integrity. Now more than ever, hotel guests are actively making eco-conscious decisions when it comes to travel. There has been a shift in consumer attitudes with research indication that 73 per cent of global hotel visitors today would prefer a sustainable hotel over a traditional one, up from 62 per cent in 2016, and a growing number of guests are willing to pay up to 75 per cent more to stay in a hotel that demonstrates authentic green credentials. With this change, hoteliers are being called upon to demonstrate their sustainability initiatives that meet their hotel guests’ eco-conscious needs.
Image credit: Hypnos
To meet these consumer interests, hoteliers should demonstrate how they have adopted a sustainability-first approach. This needs to be a multi-faceted approach, and could include removing single-use plastics from its hotel, providing locally sourced food in its restaurants, creating greener infrastructure, and importantly, working with ethical suppliers to provide guests with the most sustainable, eco-friendly products possible during their stay. In doing so, hoteliers are considering every step of their sustainability journey along the way; and by working with eco-conscious suppliers and partners, they are bolstering their own eco credentials too.
The new Hospitality Origins Collection by Hypnos represents a new era of sustainable sleep solutions, providing hoteliers with a truly eco-conscious bed for their guests. The fully sustainable collection comprises a choice of luxury, durable mattresses, each of which embodies Hypnos’ commitment to using natural materials. Featuring a comprehensive choice of sustainable fibres with unparalleled traceability credentials, including ethical cotton sourced through the Better Cotton Initiative and 100 per cent British wool from Red Tractor assured farms, each mattress is also fully recyclable, meaning that they will never end up in landfill.
Image credit: Hypnos
The Woolsleepers Pillow Top mattress offers supreme comfort thanks to its luxurious built-in pillow top layer and the 1,000 ReActivePro pocket springs used, which evenly distribute weight across the expanse of the bed, providing optimum support. It also utilises ethically sourced materials of the highest quality, including natural, unbleached cotton. As a result, the bed is truly ethically made meaning hoteliers and eco-conscious guests can rest easy knowing that they’re sleeping on a bed that’s supremely comfortable and offers sustainable luxury too.
This collection also includes the Woolsleepers Elite which comes with a hand-finished pocket sprung mattress, incorporating 11 layers of sustainable comfort. Upholstered in unbleached, naturally fire-retardant woven cotton and viscose ticking, the mattress also benefits from 1,400 ReActivPro pocket springs and 3,000 Adaptiv springs, which evenly distribute weight, and flex to individual body shapes for optimum support and personalised comfort.
The Woolsleepers Classic mattress features five layers of comfort; covered in a breathable sleep surface woven from sustainably sourced, unbleached cotton and viscose to create a luxurious sleeping surface, and with a 100 per cent British wool filling. The 1,000 ReActivePro pocket spring core has been specially engineered to deliver ultimate comfort. This accessible mattress reflects Hypnos’ commitment to providing the hospitality sector with sustainable sleep solutions, enhancing the guest experience.
Hoteliers looking to make their business as sustainable as possible should ensure they are engaged with partners who have genuine sustainable business practises, and products. By working with responsible suppliers like Hypnos Contract Beds, hoteliers can enhance their own sustainability credentials.
Hypnos Contract Beds is continually driving forward its sustainability journey, planning to go beyond carbon neutrality and ensure that the wellbeing of consumers, and caring for the planet, remain at the centre of the business. With a focus on accelerating transparency to create a resilient and ethical supply chain, Hypnos works alongside its certification partners which include Red Tractor, The Woolkeepers, the Better Cotton Initiative, CottonConnect and the Global Recycled Standard.
Whether it’s upgrading hotel amenities to more environmentally friendly options, or investing in sustainable sleep solutions, hoteliers can benefit from taking note of their guests’ desire for genuine green credentials.
Hypnos is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Ensuring a connection to nature is ever present, Leaflike continues the floral experience with its biophilic arrangements in an explosion of blooms and colour in the Fairmont Windsor Park…
Leaflike has extended the quintessential English floral experience, which frames the Fairmont Windsor Park. From the sweeping lawns that surround the hotel to the beautifully landscaped gardens and fountains, the hotel has always been ‘at one with nature’. But now, the hotel has added a ‘secret garden’ café to the hospitality experience, which takes guests into another world.
“The English floral experience complements the venue and helps to carry the customers into another world,” explained the Leaflike Design Team. “It becomes a secret garden; a zen paradise to take you away from every day life.”
Fairmont Windsor Park, is set in the English countryside where history and iconic elegance merge to create an outstanding destination. The floral displays created by Leaflike were done to enhance both the destination and the guest experience. Luxurious hanging foliage forms a colourful boarder around the canopy of the Courtyard Hydrotherapy Vitality Pool. The florals arranged in an informal sequence of purple wisteria, soft pink, deep pink and dark blue Delphiniums with white blossom to complement the pink blossom trailing across the trellis of the poolside. Well placed troughs with white geranium blooms placed along the surrounding pathways, the floral displays are everywhere enhancing the guest experience.
Image credit: Leaflike
“We are very excited about opening our Courtyard Hydrotherapy Vitality Pool later this summer,” said Katarina Nielsen, Marketing and Communications Director, Fairmont Windsor Park. “It is a wonderful addition to our already vast spa and wellness offering and will be the perfect spot this summer to relax under the beautiful canopy by Leaflike. Next door, Greens Café is a welcoming environment serving wellness choices and is also complemented by the lifelike greenery designed by the Leaflike team.”
The trailing plants and flowers by Leaflike for Green’s Café, create a floral border and ceiling hanging in the centre of the space. Adding to the already glamorous ceiling glass structure, the green ivy and foliage, white Orchids and pink Delphiniums, plus red roses and red hydrangea complement the interior seating colour scheme and contrast with the striking black and white flooring design. Covering walls, pillars and archways leading into the private dining area, this is a showstopper of biophilic design, on brand for Fairmont Windsor Park.
The café is well placed outside the Fairmont Spa and Wellness and brings into play the perfect biophilic design for the ambiance of the space. The display creates the desired effect of luxury combined with the feeling of a natural environment to enhance the guest experience.
Leaflike is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Franklite unveils a shell and a diva in its latest lighting collection
With almost 50 years of experience in manufacturing high-quality decorative lighting for the hospitality industry, Franklite continues to provide innovative lighting solutions for any space with designs from the extravagant to the classical…
The lighting requirements within the hotel and hospitality arena are often both functional and focused. Certain areas within hotels have specific lighting requirements and Franklite has numerous product ranges designed and manufactured with hotels in mind.
The Shell is one of the Franklite designs that can provide a strong statement within a hotel or hospitality setting. Its nautical inspired design in matt black is an openwork pendant with a black cable suspension. This exceptional pendant will complement a space with coastal elements and wood tones such as shiplap wall panelling.
The Kasteel range is unique with its twisted metalwork arms. These dark, antique bronze fittings with brushed brass candle tubes consists of two and three light wall brackets along with larger five, eight and 15 light fittings. The four-light fitting is supplied with a chain suspension which can easily be converted to a flush fitting suitable for low ceilings.
Image credit: Franklite
The Diva range is exactly that, extravagant! Chrome finish fittings surrounded by rectangular crystals with a mass display of crystal glass spheres as a base. This magnificent range includes 11, 15 and 20 light fittings and matching wall bracket. When lit, the colour temperature and reflection of the lamps creates very distinctive ambiences. While for a more classic style the Mondrian range is ideal. A range of pewter finish chandeliers and wall bracket designed in the ever popular traditional Flemish style. The chandeliers are available in three, five, eight and 12-light fittings.
Franklite is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Case study: unwind with Hypnos at The Riverside Inn
The Riverside Inn is the perfect location to relax and unwind, and, after a restful nights sleep on a Hypnos mattress, to enjoy exploring the beautiful surrounding hills…
Having been acquired by the UK’s leading pub company and brewer, Greene King in 2020, the Riverside Inn near Shrewsbury has undergone a seven-figure investment to become the latest addition to their Chef & Brewer collection of country pubs. The charming grade II listed Riverside Inn, boasts idyllic views over the River Severn. It is the perfect location to rest and unwind after exploring the medieval town of Shrewsbury or the beautiful surrounding hills.
Image credit: Hypnos / Riverside Inn
General manager at the Riverside Inn, Chris Kendall, said: “There has been such a lot of hard work leading up to the reopening, it just feels absolutely fantastic to be welcoming people again,” said Chris Kendall General Manager, Riverside Inn. “Everyone is amazed at the transformation of the pub, from the beautiful interior to the jaw-dropping gardens and outdoor bar. We have done everything possible to embrace the stunning location we have here, with an extended conservatory giving amazing views over the river, along with the outdoor seating areas too. Guestrooms are inviting and delightfully furnished.”
Image credit: Hypnos / Riverside Inn
Guests can unwind in one of the six stylishly modernised bedrooms. Each room is named after popular walking routes that are nearby and promises fabulous décor and a restful night’s sleep on a gorgeous Beaumont Pillow Top mattress and bed-set from Hypnos .
“Our handmade pocket sprung mattress are designed for a perfect night’s sleep,” said Carolyn Mitchell, Sales and Marketing Director at Hypnos Contract Beds.”As a family owned business, we value our craft and want everyone to sleep sustainably. So, all mattresses are designed to be recycled at end of life. We want every guest to wake up on a Hypnos bed and feel good for the rest of your day”
The Beaumont Pillow Top is no turn, lighter mattress filled with luxury wool and silk, offering a sumptuous sleeping surface whilst regulating body temperature the whole year round. The no-turn specification reduces housekeeping time significantly, so was the ideal specification for this busy boutique country inn.
Hypnos is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Hotel concepts: flights of fancy on the hotel development scene
From designs inspired by the ‘birds and the bees’ – not those ones – right through to the metaverse and beyond, this month we take a look at hotel concepts that are setting trends, responding to change and all the contradictions in between…
After being locked down and earth-bound for so long, it is perhaps not surprising that hotel designs are being inspired by flight – whether in the literal or more metaphorical sense – as design moves both up and out. Up into the trees, and out into the metaverse. In a world that so often seems characterised by extremes, the universe of hospitality can reflect, deflect and direct those extremes, and while some designers are moving into the metaverse, others are getting more focussed and grounded as questions around sustainable and circular design resonate louder.
What is in fact the way forward? Is it a nuclear-powered hotel in the sky, or is that a throwback more appropriate for a James bond villain? Should we be looking to the horizon for design inspiration or keeping our feet firmly on the ground? While this series on hotel concepts usually focusses on the bold and bizarre, I have introduced some smaller, slightly more contained designs into the mix, which, to my mind, embrace larger and brighter concepts than those floating about in the metaverse – but perhaps I have missed the point there?
Architecture reconnected to nature
Image credit: BIG
Earlier this year, we featured the plans by BIG design for BIOSPHERE – this is one concept that has become reality, and you can now book to stay in this suspended bird-nest adorned pod in the trees. Aside from the design, the guiding concept behind this is nature – reconnecting to nature, re-wilding, regenerating – it truly is all going to the birds…
Image credit: Wimberly Interiors
Another concept firmly rooted in the natural world while simultaneously embracing technology, is the Glam Pod design. Designed by Wimberley Interiors, these sustainable 3D printed glampods embrace forward thinking technology, yet are all about creating an immersive experience in nature while offering guests luxurious lifestyle solutions. Envisioned for ultra-remote locations, Glam Pods, inspired by the spiralling coil of a shell, have been designed as a solution for everything from a backyard guest house to an off-the-grid lifestyle.
Contained architecture
Image credit: Ora Ito
Image credit: Ora Ito
Landing back to the bird and flight analogy, designer Ora Ito is no stranger to the virtual world of design, having started his career with virtual products highjacked from top brands that instantly became global icons of the digital revolution. In a collaboration with Accor, the Flying Nest shipping container hotel project was designed as a mobile, temporary hotel offering with low environmental impact at its core. With its bold design, this concept of mobile and sustainable accommodation is in line with AccorHotels’ innovative approach of constantly rethinking tomorrow’s hospitality in response to a strong trend, that of guests expecting to enjoy exclusive and intense yet transitory experiences.
Head in the clouds
Image credit: Atari
From small and contained to infinity and beyond as things move both virtual and into the metaverse. Both citizenM and LEVEN have taken strides into the future and are planting their brand flags in this new territory. With this, suddenly virtual hotels and spaces are no longer the realm of the future, but are with us in the here and now. How and if they will become more integrated into our social spaces will be an interesting design journey. Remaining on the interface between virtual and real time, a new addition to the Las Vegas hotel skyline plans to walk that rope. Atari, a trailblazer in the gaming industry, is pioneering the new concept combining the iconic brand within a hotel destination designed by Gensler, providing guests with a video game-themed destination. Hunger Games here we come!
Need for speed
Image credit: Escapade Living
Turn on your engines. Last year we got excited about Escapde Living’s new hospitality concept at Silverstone, home of the UK Grand Prix. Well, the project, designed by Twelve Architects with interiors of the residences conceptualised by Bergman Design House, has gone up a gear. The trackside luxury retreats, Escapade Silverstone, are being designed to be an abstract representation of a F1 car overtaking. The residences themselves have cantilevered terraces, allowing spectators to get even closer to the racetrack. Light-filled and with high acoustic specifications, each sanctuary will have underfloor heating, comfort cooling and ensuite bathrooms.
Birds and the bees
And finally bringing in the bees to join the birds. Going a little off topic with this, but the perfectly formed little structure, designed by Invisible Studio and sheltered on the estate of The Newt in Somerset, provides both a home for bees, a Beezantium, along with an exhibition centre for guests and visitors. The design is practical for the bees and educational for the visitors, with elements of design whimsy thrown in for good measure.
Image credit: Invisible Studio
The point about the Beezantium is that increasingly there is a move to introspection, and sometimes, it is the little things that count. Should cutting edge design shift from looking beyond our planet for outlandish inspiration to something entirely more grounded? Are the truly exciting designs for the future the ones that can embrace both?
The newly constructed Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, melds contemporary design and legendary service as it makes its mark soaring 50 stories above the dynamic North of Madison Square Park neighbourhood…
Rising 500 feet above New York’s streets, the new Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad hotel and residences, the latest addition to Marriott’s Ritz-Carlton portfolio developed by New York-based Flag Luxury Group, brings the unparalleled service and refined elegance to one of the city’s most vibrant and emerging districts. Staking its claim, it takes its place within the city skyline as one of the tallest buildings in NoMad, the birthplace of American popular music at Tin Pan Alley and today a nexus of art, entertainment, fashion and technology. World-renowned design teams including Rafael Viñoly Architects, Rockwell Group, Lazaro Rosa-Violan Studio, Martin Brudnizki, and SUSSURUS International deliver a bold, contemporary design that pays homage to the hotel’s location in the city’s vibrant Flower District. An impressive art collection by art curator, Culture Corps and Founding Partner Yvonne Force Villareal includes local artists Pat Steir, Ross Bleckner, and Donald Baechler. Seasonal floral installations throughout the hotel create a unique welcome experience for guests visiting the blossoming neighbourhood.
“The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad represents a milestone moment in the evolution of The Ritz-Carlton brand,” said Donna McNamara, Vice President and Global Brand Leader for The Ritz-Carlton. “With an exquisite design that blends the best of the brand and the destination, combined with the finest amenities, culinary offerings, and highly personalised service, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad delivers an experience tailored to today’s luxury guest. I know that travellers and locals alike will enjoy settling into Nubeluz, our rooftop bar, for spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline.”
Image credit: The Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad
The hotel’s 250 guestrooms include 19 suites, with an additional 16 one and two-bedroom penthouse residences. The guest rooms and public spaces all showcase elegant floral expressions such as natural elements and textures that reflect the soft curvature of petals alongside sleek accents and lines, which echo New York City’s verticality and city grid. Inspired by residential-style living, guestrooms feature bespoke furnishings and a neutral colour palette that allow the expansive, light-filled living spaces and stunning city views to take centre stage.
Image credit: The Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad
The 2,100 square foot Ritz-Carlton Suite, located on the hotel’s 37th floor, features breathtaking views of Manhattan, a private wellness room complete with a Peloton bike, separate living and dining areas, media room and 194 square foot walk-in closet, and service entrance. All guestrooms include bathroom amenities by Diptyque, featuring the scent Philosykos – an ode to the fig tree.
Image credit: The Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad
The hotel’s food and beverage partnership is truly unique, with all culinary venues and in-room dining helmed by Michelin-starred chef and global citizen José Andrés. Situated on the ground floor of the hotel, Zaytinya, a play on the Turkish word for olive oil, offers an innovative mezze menu and creative cocktails inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines. Designed by Rockwell Group, the 140-seat restaurant is saturated with a palette of bronze metals and white oak wood, with distinctive pops of blue and soft curves to channel the natural beauty of the Mediterranean.
Image credit: The Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad / Jason Varney
An exciting addition to New York’s nightlife scene, Nubeluz is located on the hotel’s rooftop. It offers sweeping 270-degree views across Manhattan, complemented by an expansive menu of classic and signature cocktails, light bites, and an array of Tablas where guests can build boards of jamon, queso, and embutidos hailing from Andrés’ native Spain. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, the space acts as a glittering jewel box, with interiors that are a modern age reinterpretation of New York’s glamorous past, including a combination of reflective surfaces, indulgent textiles, and modern materiality.
Image credit: The Ritz Carlton New York NoMad / Jason Varney
The Bazaar by José Andrés will make its New York debut in late 2022. This high-end avant-garde dining destination is a wild sensory adventure born of Andrés’ Spanish roots where sophisticated cuisine, artful service, and playful theatrics come together. Each location has its own vision and promises both an inspiring culinary experience and dynamic aesthetic. The Bazaar, designed by Barcelona-based studio Lázaro Rosa-Viola, uses painted and natural wood, texturised glass, ceramic tiling, and drapery to create an atmosphere that is warm and distinct.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad offers a wide range of thoughtfully curated amenities designed to complement a highly personalised guest experience. The hotel also features a 6,800-square foot signature Ritz-Carlton Spa and Fitness Centre, including eight treatment rooms, and separate sauna and steam rooms. Luxury skincare brand Augustinus Bader is bringing its signature facial, The Method, to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, offering a bespoke interpretation with the use of exclusive scents and oils inspired by the New York Flower District. For intimate gatherings, celebrations, or corporate functions, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad also features 10,000-square feet of meeting space, including a vast, private outdoor terrace, with all banquet and catering culinary offerings also overseen by Andrés.
Main image credit: The Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad
Editor checks in: lessons learned in hospitality design since Covid-19
It’s coming up to two and a half years since a deadly virus aggressively brought the hospitality and design industry to its knees. Rules, regulations and guidelines were sharply put in place, but did any of them stick – and have we emerged from the forced hibernation with a wider perspective? Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Now that hospitality has, on the whole, re-opened for business, and the design industry has shown progressive signs of recovery with demand for travel igniting once more, Covid-19 is now considered a dirty word best left in the past. But as we creep past the two-year mark from when the world was placed into a temporary lockdown, which at times felt permanent, and when hard protocols were put in place to protect citizens while drastically limiting international travel, I wonder how many of those changes that were enforced in desperation have remained, and whether, long-term, the industry can perhaps even go as far to benefit from the lessons learned during those bleak times.
“Creativity on the whole in hotel design remains loud, proud and, above all, meaningful.” – Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs.
It was always going to be a challenge for a sector that thrives on human interaction to force boundaries between people to limit free movement. I remember checking in to a hotel during this time, and the building had, well, just lost its pulse. Instead of the lobby feeling warm, inviting and free-flowing – the way they are designed to feel – instead it felt clinical and disjointed – almost like a hospital ward, but without flowers.
Image credit: Pullman Doha West
It’s reassuring to hear from designers and hotel experts, while considering Covid-19’s impact, that the way in which clients and studios are approaching new design concepts and renovations has remained unaffected. Aman New York, Ace Hotel Toronto, Pullman Doha West and Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon – all of which have been identified by the editorial desk here at Hotel Designs as the hottest hotel openings this month – are clear examples of this. Besides excavating space in the public areas for new co-working spaces and cleverly zoning areas in a way that feels cohesive, creativity on the whole in hotel design remains loud, proud and, above all, meaningful.
Image credit: Aman New York
One tries not to cast my mind back to ‘that year’ too often, but when I mentally go back to 2020 [pause for a head-to-toe shiver] the painful memories of organising and hosting an online awards ceremony and too many virtual conferences are gratefully overshadowed. The strongest throwbacks for me were the simply heart-warming stories from people and businesses alike launching wonderful initiatives – Rosewood London, The Dorchester and Stock Exchange Hotel Manchester were just a handful of examples – to purely help those most in need.
While thinking bold and perhaps wider than ever before, I saw hard, perhaps once cold images of hospitality brands melt away. One conversation in particular, with Conor O’Leary, Managing Director of Gleneagles, hit a chord. “We used to have signs asking people to keep off the grass,” he said in one of our virtual roundtables. “We now have pop-up restaurants and bars on the lawn.” It was those ‘ah-ha’ moments that created new connections and allowed brands from all sectors to explore something new.
Image credit: William Jess Laird / Ace Hotels
Image credit: William Jess Laird / Ace Hotels
Speaking of F&B, it seems odd to think, now that restaurants are back to full capacity, that hotels were packaging up their meals in to-go containers to safely bend the strict lockdown measures to still offer past (or future) guests that sprinkle of indulgence in their day-to-day lives. It was a challenging time for all businesses in hospitality, but the innovative solutions – some grand and some small – fed the demands from regulars while at the same time opened the metaphorical doors to new demographics.
I remember having a powerful catch up with John Gardiner, Founder of Matetsi Victoria Falls during this time. He told me that, for the first time in Matetsi’s history, to keep a steady revenue stream flowing during the harshest days of the pandemic, the hotel dropped its prices to target more of a local audience. This, as well as keeping the luxury hotel in operation while keeping the entire workforce in employment, allowed the team to understand the local demands from his hotel. He was able to, in places, evolve his existing premium and personalised hospitality concept into something even more authentic that answered fluently to its location and culture.
Image credit: Matetsi Victoria Falls
If Covid-19 taught the hospitality and hotel design industry anything it was for brands to be unique in their approach – go hard or go home. Consumers were largely empathetic to the brands that tried something new. Today, with the wellness ‘mega trend’ growing by the day – bringing with it a flood of travellers all demanding authentic experiences, which we will explore among other topics in the up-coming new series of DESIGN POD – now is the time to be bold in design and service to offer something unmatched.
From what I am seeing with the hotels that are opening in 2022, as well as those hotel development concepts that are on the boards, we’re changing direction – going off pisté in some instances. After all, hospitality design rarely travels in a straight line.
VIP arrivals: hottest hotels opening in August 2022
Turning up the heat, Editor Hamish Kilburn explores some of the hottest hotels that will be emerging on the hospitality scene this August – including an anything but standard jewel in Bangkok, first-time arrivals in Doha and Greece and an icon making itself known over in New York…
From the balmy climates of Santorini to the concrete jungles of New York and Bangkok – and Formentera, Austin and Qatar in between – this month’s VIP arrivals article is a whistle-stop tour around the world to see how designers and architects have helped hotel brands to enter new territories. Creating a statement, each hotel listed below, we believe, are going to be significant additions to the global hotel design scene – and each property shelters an interesting, unconventional and timeless design scheme that so effortlessly answers its location.
The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon, Bangkok
Image credit: The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon
We start our editorial journey in a city that is known for its ornate shrines, vibrant street life and ever-changing hotel development landscape – welcome to Bangkok, where Standard International is about to call home.
Located in one of the most iconic buildings in the city, The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon will feature 155 keys, inside which guests can find bright and stylish rooms ranging from 40 sqm to a sprawling 144 sqm penthouse. The hotel will also include a terrace pool, fitness centre, meeting rooms, and a dynamic variety of food, drink, and nightlife venues. Put simply, the destination’s spirit of innovation and unconventionality made the Thai capital the perfect locale for the brand’s Asia flagship. We can’t wait to check it out!
Aman New York
Image credit: Aman
After much anticipation, Aman New York is finally set to open in early August. The hotel’s opening is the culmination of a monumental transformation of the iconic Crown Building in Manhattan: a 100-year-old Beaux-Arts building sensitively restored by the legendary Jean-Michel Gathy.
Inside, in addition to paired-back comfortable guestrooms and suites, the hotel has landed its latest wellness flagship concept, which is set across three storeys and includes an indoor swimming pool lined by fire bits and daybeds.
Aman, which now has more than 33 properties spread over 20 countries and is absolutely considered a leader in luxury hospitality, has described the hotel as “a new urban sanctuary with the rebirth of an architectural icon” in the heart of the city.
Teranka, Formentera, Spain
Image credit: Teranka
Image credit: Teranka
The island of Formentera – the smallest of the Balearic islands, which lays just south of Ibiza – is about to welcome its answer to boutique luxury in the form of Teranka. The beachside hotel, with just 35 guestrooms across just three levels, features a laidback yet contemporary feel – think the Balearics the way they used to be.
The hotel will combine sophisticated design with cutting-edge hospitality, connected by sensory experiences. Vert Mer – by acclaimed Andalusian chef Juan Martín – will offer fine dining from French three Michelin starred chef Emmanuel Renaut. Meanwhile, Nobu Formentera, on the hotel’s rooftop, will allow Chef Nobu Matsuhisa to serve up signature dishes.
The Pullman Doha West Bay, Qatar
Image credit: Pullman Hotels & Resorts
Immersive art and vibrant design inspired by the colours of the sand, Pullman Doha West Bay will be feature a light and airy interiors scheme, while the high-end materials in the interior create an impression of understated glamour. The 468-key hotel becomes a stylish addition to the iconic West Bay skyline.
In the expansive hotel, art plays a major role. Upon arrival, guests enter a generous lobby space and are welcomed by an impressive sculptural globe. The piece of art created by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur represents a time, place, and sense of travel and discovery, embodying the spirit of Pullman. As guests walk through the lobby, they will find a stunning collection of playful sculptures complemented by carefully curated decorative artefacts and books. Quirky and bold, these installations add character to the hotel design and enrich the guest experience.
The Loren at Lady Bird Lake, Austin
Image credit: The Loren
Image credit: The Loren
Said to deliver ‘hospitality that is elegantly elevated’, The Loren at Lady Bird Lake will be as much about the adventure outside – including a stunning rooftop pool – as the contemporary design inside.
With the “beautification of everyday living” at its core, the 108-key hotel’s guestrooms offer generous spaces with sophisticated modern furnishings and expansive views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Luxurious bathrooms feature natural stone, walk-in spa shower, plush bathrobes, SFERRA towels, and Malin+Goetz products.
Nobu Hotel Santorini, Greece
Image credit: Nobu Hospitality
Just when we thought Santorini couldn’t get any sexier – or busier with hotels. – along comes Nobu Hotels with the opening of Nobu Hospitality’s first Greek hotel and restaurant. And although this hotel technically opened last month, now that we have the official images, we couldn’t help but add it to the mix of hotels to watch this August.
Providing unparalleled access to the island’s iconic views and rugged coastlines, Nobu Hotel Santorini sits on a clifftop in Imerovigli and houses the country’s first Nobu Restaurant, dual-level infinity pool, fitness facility and 25 five luxurious rooms, suites and pool villas.
Ace Hotel Toronto
Image credit: William Jess Laird / Ace Hotels
Image credit: William Jess Laird / Ace Hotels
Following our exclusive ‘first look’ inside Ace Hotel Toronto, we are finally in a position to celebrate its official opening. The 124-key hotel, designed in collaboration between Shim-Sutcliffe Architects and Atelier Ace, stands as a testament to the quiet but regenerative power that thoughtful architecture and design can have on its environment.
The hotel’s architecture, materials, furnishings, lighting and art were designed to create a place of pride for Torontonians and their guests, and evoke a particularly Canadian expression of place. Entering Ace Hotel Toronto, for example, guests will be greeted by a suspended lobby overlooking St. Andrew’s Playground Park — site of the city’s first patch of green devoted to children’s play.
If you have a story for the editorial desk – or would like to put a property or brand on our radar, please email the editorial desk.
Made by Granorte in Portugal, Corium’s leather finish sits atop of a hybrid cork construction for a floor that not only looks and feels luxurious but that carries all the performance of nature’s wonder material…
Using cork to provide underfoot comfort, thermal insulation and acoustic absorption; Granorte has created a unique luxury floor with the capability to add something very special to interiors. The 100 per cent recycled genuine leather finish is availabe in a range of finishes – the the mock-croc of Veneto, grained Umbria and elegant Lombardia, are each offered in a palette of dark, sophisticated tones.
Granorte uses a 2mm thick piece of recycled leather for Corium and uses cork to enhance performance. A high-density fibreboard core lets Granorte use Uniclic joint for fast and easy glue-free installation. The cork integrated underlay has Microban technology to inhibit the growth of bacteria and the floor is available in two formats – a rectangular tile and plank.
“There’s something unmistakably luxurious about leather,” said Paulo Rocha, Granorte. “Corium captures this feeling beautifully in a floor that has modern performance. Bringing something extra special to homes or heightening a luxury aesthetic in boutique hotels and stores, the floor comes with a five-year commercial warranty for peace of mind.”
The leather surface of Corium is protected with Granorte’s AQUA2K+, a water-based performance coating that enhances wear resistance and makes maintenance easier. GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions, PVC-free, made from 80 per cent recycled materials and with no added formaldehyde; Corium is a luxury flooring option that comes with excellent environmental credentials.
Granorte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Case study: CTD Architectural Tiles makes a statement in Antwerp
Drawing on its extensive experience of working in the UK hotel sector, leading commercial tile supplier CTD Architectural Tiles was chosen to curate a unique tile package for the refurbishment of the Mercure Antwerp City Centre Hotel in Belgium…
Located in the heart of Antwerp’s historic city centre, the Mercure Antwerp City Centre Hotel seamlessly combines the sophistication of a boutique hotel with a quirky style in a nod to the city’s links to fashion. Antwerp is home to some of the oldest and most renowned fashion colleges in the world, and it was important that this hotel refurbishment was equally stylish. Working in collaboration with architects Buckley Grey Yeoman, CTD Architectural Tiles curated a tile package that not only reflected the city’s fashionable history but also offered a durable solution.
The Lisbon collection proved the ideal choice for the hotel’s high traffic bistro and breakfast rooms. The full bodied porcelain tiles are suitable for both floor and wall applications, and the collection is particularly popular for commercial spaces with high footfall thanks not only to its durability, but also its availability in a wide range of sizes and finishes. Shades Light Grey Blue and Light Green were used in this hotel for a finish that combines the aesthetic of a classic European bistro with the natural world to create a cosmopolitan yet relaxing atmosphere.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
CTD Architectural Tiles works with some of the world’s leading tile manufacturers to curate a vast collection of products that not only cater to a variety of aesthetics, but also meet the demands of busy hotel environments. From highly durable porcelain tiles and low-slip floor tiles boasting a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) score of 36 or higher, to ultra-hygienic anti-bacterial tiles which utilise the latest technology to minimise the need for deep cleaning, there’s a tile package to suit every hotel project.
With over 50 years’ experience and a proven track record of creating high performance tile specifications for projects across the hotel, hospitality and leisure sectors, CTD Architectural Tiles can also provide technical support and advice. Furthermore, the company holds an extensive range – one million square metres – of specialist tiles in stock in the UK at all times; ideal for helping to keep a hotel scheme on that all important schedule.
CTD Architectural Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Sekers has launched DECO Collection, a vibrant range of fabrics, featuring six eye-catching designs woven in 100 per cent Trevira CS. Hotel Designs takes a look at them…
Drawing inspiration from Miami’s Art Deco historic district, Deco Collection from Sekers boasts a wide range of colours across five versatile designs which are all suitable for drapery, bedding and accessories as well as a coordinating sheer.
Image credit: Sekers
Image credit: Sekers
From the smooth, straight lines of Cardozo to the angular geometrics which have inspired Celino and the irregular, staggered, linear design of Lummus, this bold collection showcases simple, clean shapes that work well as drapery or cushions and will bring a touch of glamour and flair to any interior. Both Pestana and Raleigh bring a textural element to the collection while Setai, the complementary sheer, presents a colour gradient with a subtle lustre.
Image credit: Sekers
The Deco collection (Cardozo, Celino, Lummus, Pestana, Raleigh, Setai) is suitable for all aspects of the contract market from hotels to cruise ships. Meeting all relevant UK and IMO standards for curtains, accessories and bedding, as well as US standards, this washable collection is the ideal resource for any contract application.
Sekers is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Located in a serene setting between the coast and the mountains, Hilton Mallorca Galatzo blends traditional Mallorcan architecture and contemporary design…
Hilton has opened the doors to Hilton Mallorca Galatzo, set on the coast of the stunning Spanish island of Mallorca with panoramic vistas of the Mediterranean Sea and eye-catching Galatzo mountain. Picturesque pathways meander through 50,000 square metres of tropical gardens, connecting traditional Mallorcan round tower buildings, four diverse bars and restaurants and extensive leisure facilities – all combining to make it a destination in its own right. With a fusion of island architecture and contemporary design, each of the 208 guestrooms feature private balconies to take in the fresh sea air and embrace the Balearic climate.
Image credit: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
The resort will also soon be home to Cotton Club Mallorca, Cotton Lifestyle’s latest destination following its acclaimed Cotton Beach Club Ibiza and Cotton Club Zakynthos.
“Hilton Mallorca Galatzo is a spectacular addition to Hilton’s growing European portfolio and follows other recent resort openings in Santorini and Sardinia,” said Simon Vincent, executive vice president and president, EMEA, Hilton. “Long recognised as one of Europe’s top leisure destinations, Mallorca has an enduring appeal and we are thrilled to partner with Galatzo Inversiones, S.L. to bring Hilton hospitality to the Balearics with the opening of this stunning hotel.”
Image credit: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
The hotel shelters four dining areas, serving up the best of Mediterranean cuisine with gourmet dishes inspired by the island’s historic fishing villages and local flavours. Start the day with breakfast and sweeping sunrise views from La Cocina, then head to Alma Restaurant & Bar for lunch or dinner to discover locally-inspired dining by well-known chef Eduardo Gandia, whilst enjoying lively entertainment. Here you can indulge in local specialities such as Mallorcan squid ‘a la bruta’, or sip on a Herbal Mediterranean digestive cocktail with Gin Mare, olive tonic, an old rosemary infusion and thyme to finish. Those catching sun rays by the pool can enjoy Paradis Pool & Bar, where an extensive wine and cocktail offering includes a Mallorcan Prensal Blanc from the KM.1 eco wine range, and cocktails are prepared with local spirits and seasonal fruit.
Image credit: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
The latest Cotton Lifestyle destination, Cotton Club Mallorca will seat 180 guests in a stylish signature designed restaurant and bar area with a 70 sunbed pool deck surrounding a first-class grand pool. It will be designed and run to the standards of its clubs in Ibiza and Zakynthos, where the brand’s success has been closely tied with its ability to create laid-back luxury living with a stunning style scheme, and provide outstanding service, great food, wine, and music.
The property offers a range of sports and activities. From five clay tennis courts to a full-equipped gym, sauna and steam room as well as a spa with a tailored wellness program, guests will feel rejuvenated in no time. Beautiful meeting and event spaces provide idyllic venues for celebrations or tailored corporate events with eight meeting rooms, a large ballroom and a private terrace.
With a plethora of activities in the resort and surrounding local area, the resort boasts the ultimate “bleisure” destination and the hotel is set to host this year’s World Travel Awards in October, the awarding body’s first ceremony in the Balearic Islands.
First look inside Mandarin Oriental Palace Luzerne
Following a meticulous renovation, Lucerne’s iconic Belle Époque landmark will re-open as Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern in September. Enjoying a commanding location on the shores of Lake Lucerne, the hotel will set a new benchmark for contemporary elegance, legendary service and the finest Swiss hospitality…
Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzerne will be Mandarin Oriental’s second hotel in Switzerland following in the Swiss footsteps of Mandarin Oriental, Geneva. A stone’s throw from the old town and with spectacular views over the Swiss Alps, the reimagining of the hotel is seen as a tribute to the Swiss entrepreneur Franz Josef Bucher who realised his dream of a Mediterranean retreat when he originally built the house in 1906.
Local architects Iwan Bühler Architekten and London-based interior designers Jestico + Whiles were the creative talents responsible for the elaborate renovation. They have delivered a contemporary design, inspired by the legendary beauty of the surrounding Swiss landscapes, while preserving the rich history and heritage of this landmark Belle Époque building.
“Nearly three years after announcing Mandarin Oriental’s arrival in Lucerne, we are getting ready to welcome our first guests to this historic, local monument that has now been transformed,” said General Manager Christian Wildhaber. “The Palace has been deeply rooted in the local community since 1906 and we look forward to welcoming the local community back to their home on the lake. My team and I are looking forward to delighting locals and visitors from all over the world with Mandarin Oriental’s renowned service.”
Image credit: Mandarin Oriental
The hotel shelters 136 elegant and spacious guestrooms including 48 of the city`s largest suites. Inspired by the beauty of the surrounding Swiss landscape combined with the colour palette of the Mediterranean, the designers have succeeded in creating a unique fusion of the hotel’s original grandeur, contemporary elegance and the quality and attention to detail for which Switzerland is renowned.
Highlights include two Panoramic Rooftop Terrace Suites with magnificent 360-degree lake and mountain views, as well as the luxurious Presidential Suite which offers 133 sqm of captivating lifestyle experiences. Most of the guestrooms have private balconies or terraces and all are equipped with luxurious products and amenities and a state of the art sound system.
The hotel will become an epicurean destination within the city, offering four restaurants and bars under the patronage of Michelin star experienced Executive Chef Gilad Peled, which will impress with their variety and quality. MOzern Bar & Brasserie is an ideal all-day-dining meeting point for locals and international visitors, offering Asian cuisine, all-time classics, afternoon tea and exciting cocktails. Overlooking Lake Lucerne, Quai 10 awaits visitors with al fresco dining and outstanding Mediterranean cuisine. Inspired by the beauty of the natural surroundings and focusing on local seasonal highlights, Colonnade offers modern French Haute cuisine. Finally, Mizūmi will feature exclusive and refined Japanese craftsmanship, set in an intimate six-seat dining environment. Both Colonnade and Mizūmi will open in the first quarter of 2023.
SPA Bellefontaine creates a serene and rejuvenating sanctuary with unrivalled face and body treatments provided by this renowned beauty brand. An expansive wellness area offers sauna, steam bath, experiential showers and a relaxation room. In addition, a state of the art Fitness Salon with high-end equipment by Life Fitness is available 24 hours for hotel guests.
With its stunning lakeside location, Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern is the ideal venue for meetings, private celebrations and unforgettable social events. Each of the four newly renovated venues is flooded with natural light and provides the latest technology. Of note is the Salon Alpine, a hidden historical gem with original Belle Époque décor dating back to 1906 and the Edelweiss Ballroom which offers unparalleled lake and garden views.
With a new design inspired by the shapes and colours of the volcanic surroundings, Barceló Hotel Group has announced the reopening of Barceló Tenerife , following a significant investment and transformation process…
Barceló Tenerife is situated in the south of the island, on the seafront next to the San Blas Environmental Reserve. The location has influenced the entire transformation process, ensuring the hotel is seamlessly integrated into the environment. The focus throughout the renovation has been to combine exclusive services and facilities with a total respect for the natural and cultural heritage of the area, integrating Barcelo Tenerife into the landscape while reducing its environmental impact.
Image credit: Barceló Tenerife
The new five-star hotel shelters 331 completely renovated guestrooms all with terraces and many with sea views. An additional 59 of the guestrooms have been upgraded to Royal Level offering exclusive facilities and services. The lounge areas have been remodelled and the gastronomic offering expanded with the creation of two new a la carte restaurants and three bars.
Image credit: Barceló Tenerife
The hotel, which has direct access to the beach, has seven outdoor swimming pools, one of them heated all year round, surrounded by gardens and water fountains, as well as a kids club, a wellness centre, and a fully equipped gym. Barceló Tenerife is ideal for sports fans due to its complete range of sports facilities, which include: tennis courts, a cycling centre, climbing wall, a lake navigable by kayak, as well as two 18-hole golf courses located in the vicinity of the hotel.
Live roundtable: enhancing luxury through digital innovations
Amidst the design laden schedule of Clerkenwell Design Week, Editor Hamish Kilburn, in association with Kohler, found time to sit down at a table with a group of leading designers to discuss the path that technology is – or should be – heading in the realm of wellness and intuitive bathroom design…
Thoughts on technology in the bathroom can usually be divided into two distinct camps; those who embrace it, and those who see the bathroom as a sanctuary, a place to escape technology. But, is there space in hospitality design for a middle ground? Can technology be used in a sensitive and subtle way to enhance the wellness experience, embedded within, rather than added on? Framing the conversation in the Kohler Experience Centre in the heart of London’s Clerkenwell neighbourhood, it felt appropriate to be discussing technology in the bathroom while surrounded by design by a bathroom brand moving sensitively into the digital space.
Lauren Hughes Glass, Associate Interior Designer, ICA Studio
As home bathrooms are getting bigger and more intuitive, the hospitality industry would fall behind if it didn’t identify what a hotel can offer that is more than what we have seen or experienced before. Bathrooms have to work harder, while at the same time look sophisticated and have a design edge, as they are increasingly the hero in the hotel guestroom experience.
As the discussion rolled out, the panel soon reached consensus on the fact that while it is important to give the guest an enhanced experience, it is as important to look carefully at how and where technology is injected into design. A guest experience of technology in the bathroom should be an intuitive one, rather than something that needs to be confronted. “Our lives are already complicated, balancing family, work and social,” said Jo Littlefair, Co-Founder, Goddard Littlefair who took the position that technology needs to assist design rather than dictate to it. “So for me I don’t want to over complicate things, but would love to see a more intuitive experience in the bathroom – technology that actually works, that can be used as much or as little as we want to.”
Image credit: Kohler
What was agreed on by the panel was the importance of technology behind the tiles.; the technology that works to make things more efficient, more sustainable, and in fact easier for the user. With this in the forefront, Henry Reeve, Director of Interior Design, IHG, believed that this conversation really should be about balance. “There is then a need to balance technology with design,” he said. “Everything needs to work together to create the whole package.” Successful technology adds to the experience, sometimes without even being noticed. “Where I see technological advancements as a positive, is when it enhances our ability to be more sustainable without impacting the user experience, added Littlefair. “Products like these allow the designer to focus on a more curated experience.”
Image credit: Kohler
To integrate technology successfully and seamlessly into a design we need to explore it on all levels – it can be quite simple, like underfloor heating, good lighting, a de-mister in the mirror. “We are seeing hotels include subtle add-ons that elevate the experience without leaving guests feeling like they need to be an IT expert to turn on the shower,” said Joseph Troughton, Senior Designer, David Collins Studio. “It is instead about finding solutions that elevate the experience rather than a technology based gimmick that will receive short term interest but will ultimately date and reduce the lifespan of a design, rather than enhance it.”
With debate around levels of technology a user or guest might be comfortable with, it was felt that design should be used to curate the experience and to ensure that the balance between technology and experience is maintained. “Technology should be in the functionality of the bathroom and should make life easier rather than over complicate our already complicated and technology driven lives,” explained Kincaid. “Looking to the future, there is the ambition to be able to personalise technology in the bathroom to simplify, to create an experience that is able to tread the line between invasive and inventive.”
“A hotel is an unfamiliar space, and as a designer it is important not to make a guest feel unintelligent,” said Jane Maciver, Creative Director, BuckleyGrayYeoman. “If it is all too complicated and they have to ask how to turn the shower on, you’ve lost them. Technology works best [in a hotel setting] when it is really seamless, intuitive, and present without even being noticed.”
Image credit: Kohler
With the bathroom increasingly the focal point in the guestroom rather than a practical necessity or add-on, tucked away in wardrobe-like proportions, spaces are getting bigger in response to guest expectations. “Bringing a wellness and a spa experience into the bathroom has become key, and along with this, the luxury of space,” explained Chuck Dedeu, Design Principal, 1508 London. “This has become the ultimate luxury in the bathroom and one which is changing the demands and design specifications of not only bathrooms but the guestroom and suite as a package.”
Of course, with the standard hotel bathrooms larger and given more of an emphasis, this opens up opportunities to take these spaces beyond practical spaces. “Bringing in the wellness aspect is really starting to shift what we can do in the space, and is a great opportunity to take the bathroom to another level,” added Claire Walduck, Senior FF&E Designer, GA Group.
Image caption: The Stillness bath is Kohler’s answer to a premium sensory design experience in the bathroom. | Image credit: Kohler
Technology is and will continue to be integrated into successful bathroom design, but the how and what is a matter of both nuance and opinion. It is about balance. Balance between gimmick versus longevity versus elevation. With longevity increasingly becoming the pivot around which discussions on sustainability hinge, technology needs to be considered to ensure it doesn’t date a design.
While the panellists might have had different ideas of the level of technology they were comfortable with, and there was some hesitation when discussing how far to move in the direction of digitalisation in the bathroom, it was agreed by everyone on the panel that where technology unquestionably has a role to play is in the production of materials and surfaces that are more sustainable in the bathroom.
With the pace that technology is developing, it needs to be considered carefully within the debate on longevity of design. Technology can instantly date a room and does tend to need replacing, which can detract from its design appeal. However, again it was felt that designers need to curating the level of technology. “Clever design can get around a lot of the problems, where you recognise that you have technology that will need replacing, don’t build it in in a way that is not replaceable,” advised Lauren Hughes Glass, Associate Interior Designer, ICA.
Bathrooms are, by design and purpose, used in a very routine way which presents technology with the opportunity of directing and enhancing these everyday routines. For some it is a place where guests can detach from technology, while others are happy to embrace it. It might be the place to catch up with Alexa about your schedule, or the sanctuary to soak away the day in some in Himalayan salt – and a good design should be able to integrate both these roles. How this is integrated into design needs to be a considered and a natural progression rather than something imposed on the user. In short, we need to be smart about how we use technology to ensure that it contributes to the design, experience, and finally longevity.
Kohler have recently launched its new digital showering collections, Statement and Anthem, ensuring that technology in the bathroom is driven by both design and concepts of wellness.
Kohler is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Ideal Standard has been recognised by the international Red Dot Awards for Product Design 2022, collecting four awards for three ranges in Ideal Standard’s design-led Atelier Collections and the new Ceraplan iX mixer…
Every year, the Red Dot awards celebrate products that are aesthetically appealing, functional, smart and innovative – all with outstanding design. The first Ideal Standard product to be recognised by the award is, Joy Neo, Ideal Standard’s most recent addition to Atelier Collections – a classic yet contemporary range of taps. The products’ neoclassical aesthetic perfectly combines extravagance and modesty, while the simple geometric shapes and symmetrical design of these pieces deliver luxurious, understated elegance. Available in two different finishes, a variety of models and two handle styles, Joy Neo encourages creative expression.
Image credit: Ideal Standard
Next to be recognised by the judges was the Linda-X collection – a timeless and elegant range of basins, vessels and a bathtub, celebrating the iconic Linda collection first launched in 1977. The fine, curved lines of the Linda-X range are achieved with Diamatec, an innovative material that pushes the boundaries of ceramics to offer thin, yet extremely strong and durable pieces. The result is a collection that beautifully meets the needs of contemporary living.
Image credit: Ideal Standard
Image credit: Ideal Standard
The Atelier Collections striking Tipo-Z basin was the third product to be awarded. Carefully sculpted as a single, fluent piece of fine ceramic, this unique washbasin features a monolithic silhouette and smooth flowing surfaces, making it an elegant standout feature in any bathroom. All three collections have been designed in partnership with renowned Italian design studio Palomba Serafini Associati.
“We are delighted that Ideal Standard’s design excellence has once again been recognised by Red Dot,” said Jan-Peter Tewes, Joint-CEO at Ideal Standard. “Our Atelier Collections, in particular, are aimed at fostering the process of creation by bringing together high-performance technology and innovative design to enable the realisation of timeless projects.”
Image credit: Ideal Standard
Ideal Standard’s innovative hybrid basin mixers, Ceraplan iX, also won an award – taking the total to four for the brand’s most successful year yet at the Red Dot Awards. The tap’s advanced technology combines the flexibility and control of a single lever basin mixer with the hygiene and water-saving benefits of a touchless tap. Specifically designed to bring no-touch technology to residential homes and the hospitality sector, the Ceraplan iX collection achieves a beautiful balance of innovative technology and stylish design, answering the needs of modern life. The new range was exclusively showcased at this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan and will launch later in 2022.
The award-winning pieces can be easily paired with products from other Ideal Standard ranges to provide a complete solution for any bathroom through the brand’s innovative Singular approach. Developed specifically to simplify the selection process, while also inspiring creativity, Singular streamlines bathroom design for architects, designers, retailers, tradespeople and end-users.
With thousands of entries from across the globe, the Red Dot Award is one of the world’s largest design competitions. Since its inception in 1955, the sought-after distinction Red Dot has been the revered international seal of outstanding design quality.
Ideal Standard is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
The innovative hotel brand YOTEL has announced its first hotel in Japan. Slated to open in 2024 YOTEL Tokyo will be located in Ginza, one of Tokyo’s most desirable and dynamic neighbourhoods. Here’s what we know…
The new YOTEL Tokyo is steps away from Ginza, the city’s most popular dining and shopping destination, featuring flagship stores for many of the world’s best-known brands. The hotel is also only a fifteen-minute walk from Tokyo station, home to the city’s main Shinkansen high-speed rail terminal providing access to most parts of Japan. Sheltering 244 guestrooms, YOTEL Tokyo will showcase the brand’s latest features including the brand’s signature robotic concierge YOBOT, motorised SmartBeds, and fully integrated technologies enabling a complete touchless guest experience from reservation up to check-out.
Image credit: YOTEL
The hotel will also include the brand’s signature versatile and high energy public areas, where guests can eat, drink, work and play as well as a 24/7 fitness centre, a Grab-and-Go cafe where guests can take away locally sourced food and drink options, meeting space and an outdoor terrace to meet, connect and relax.
“Japan’s focus on technology and innovation has been an important source of inspiration for YOTEL ever since our inception,” said Hubert Viriot, CEO of YOTEL. “We are immensely proud and excited to announce our first hotel in Tokyo. A flagship for our group, YOTEL Tokyo will also be a steppingstone to roll out our brand across Japan, a market of strategic importance for YOTEL.”
YOTEL Tokyo is part of the brands wider expansion strategy to expand across key cities in Japan including Sapporo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. The group is also working on opportunities to roll out YOTELAir – the group’s unique transit hotel concept – at key gateway airports and train stations.
Pullman Doha West Bay, the first Pullman in the heart of Doha, is opening the doors on a stylish addition to the iconic West Bay skyline and bringing a contemporary twist to Doha’s diverse hospitality scene…
The upscale Pullman hotel in central Doha is poised to welcome residents, leisure and business travellers with its 468 guestrooms, suites and apartments, innovative culinary concepts, artful touches, flexible meeting spaces and vibrant lifestyle facilities.
“We have been given a wonderful opportunity to open the first Pullman hotel and introduce the brand to Doha ahead of the anticipated World Cup later this year,” said Ehab Barghouth, General Manager, Pullman Doha West Bay. “Featuring a smart and modern design, best-in-class business facilities, reliable service and a balanced approach to work and wellbeing, I am confident Pullman Doha West Bay will become a standout favourite of Doha residents and international visitors alike.”
Image credit: Pullman
Inspired by the colours of the sand, Pullman Doha is filled with light and brightness, and the high-end materials in the interior create an impression of understated glamour. Upon arrival, guests enter a generous lobby space and are welcomed by an impressive sculptural globe. The piece of art created by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur represents a time, place, and sense of travel and discovery, embodying the spirit of Pullman. As guests walk through the lobby, they will find a stunning collection of playful sculptures complemented by carefully curated decorative artefacts and books. Quirky and bold, these installations add character to the hotel design and enrich the guest experience. The art concept will be developed and completed later this year with the launch of the Artist Playground, a dedicated space in the lobby for inspirational art exhibitions by local and international artists.
Image credit: Pullman
Resolutely chic and modern, the 375 guestrooms and suites, which include four Pullman Penthouses, span 47 floors and feature 11 categories. All rooms offer an extensive selection of C.O. Bigelow amenities, a UK handcrafted skincare brand. The guestrooms also feature a pillow and duvet menu for an ultimate good night’s sleep experience – the core of Pullman’s Bedding concept. The hotel also shelters 93 stylish apartments, all fully furnished, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and some available with balconies.
“Our apartments cater for demand in extended stays and serviced living options, combining the luxury of five-star hotel and comfort of your own home,” commented Barghouth, General Manager, Pullman Doha West Bay.
Image credit: Pullman
The hotel offers multiple dining options with fresh, fine cuisine for all palates. Full of light and brightness, Avenue restaurant invites guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This venue is themed around bringing people together through the restaurant’s signature concept – CuisInMotion, which gives diners an opportunity to watch the culinary team in action or hop on a gastronomic journey through four cosmopolitan avenues of the world – Champs Elysees in France, Tsukiji in Japan, Bosphorus in Turkey and Broadway in the US. Food lovers can also enjoy the best flavours of Italy at the internationally renowned BiCE. The restaurant overlooks the city and features an impressive cellar. For something more relaxed, guests can try The Score, a trendy gastro and sports bar that blends a casual settings with contemporary American cuisine. Lastly, located in the heart of the hotel, The Junction makes for a perfect hub to socialize over selection of healthy dishes, sweet and savoury delicacies or linger over classic afternoon tea with a modern twist.
Image credit: Pullman
The Meet/Play concept by Pullman reflects the need of today’s entrepreneurs to combine efficiency and pleasure for a fresh take on the traditional aspects of a meeting. The extensive range of events facilities in Pullman Doha West Bay creates an environment that enables guests to push their limits and unlock potential. All seven meeting rooms are hyper-connected, smartly furnished and offering cutting-edge AV facilities. The ‘Play’ part comes with a ‘chill out’ room right next to the meeting spaces, where delegate can recharge and disconnect over a cup of coffee or play foosball.
Image credit: Pullman
And finally, on a suitably lavish note, the Al Thuraya Ballroom is one of the largest in Qatar and can accommodate up to 700 people. Featuring high ceilings, Arabesque-designed walls, stunning Swarovski chandelier and an expansive private bridal room, the venue sets the perfect stage for dream weddings, milestone celebrations and gala events.
BREAKING: The House Collective to open first hotel outside China
Positioned in Tokyo’s fashionable Shibuya district, the as-yet unnamed luxury hotel – the fifth property in The House Collective portfolio – is expected to be an inspiring and peaceful retreat from the city. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Swire Hotels has announced a collaboration with Tokyu Corporation and Tokyu Department Store (together, Tokyu Group) and L Catterton Real Estate (LCRE) for a new luxuryhotel in Tokyo under The House Collective brand, as part of a prestigious and striking mixed-used development.
Architectural design of the project is being led by Snøhetta, internationally acclaimed Norwegian architecture firm that specialises in creating sustainable spaces that fuse conceptual form with nature.
Set in the fashionable and vibrant neighbourhood of Shibuya, the as-yet unnamed hotel – or House – is due for completion in 2027, and will be the first property to open outside China for The House Collective; a notable milestone for the brand which marks the start of a new phase of expansion.
Image credit: Proloog, Copyright: Snøhetta, Courtesy of: Tokyo Corporation.
The new hotel, designed to meet ambitious sustainability standards, also marks the ongoing commitment of the Swire Group in Japan as the firm had previous businesses dating back more than 150 years with the opening of its office in Yokohama handling imports and exports. The firm gradually built a varied portfolio of businesses, and expanded its network with branch offices in Kobe, Tokyo and Nagoya. In 1959, Cathay Pacific Airways, one of Swire’s aviation businesses, inaugurated a service to Tokyo, making it the first foreign carrier to serve the city. The Swire Group’s marine and aviation businesses are its principal interests in Japan today.
Launched in 2008 with the opening of The Opposite House, The House Collective creates and manages distinctive hotels. Each with its own cultural character and architecture, The Opposite House in Beijing, The Upper House in Hong Kong, The Temple House in Chengdu and The Middle House in Shanghai are created for seasoned travellers who seek originality, style and personalised service in luxury travel. Each House is uniquely imagined and inspired by its location – from Beijing’s prominent art scene, Shanghai’s high fashion style, Chengdu’s tea and tranquility, to the bright lights of Hong Kong – with distinctive design, exceptional culinary experiences, and individualised hospitality to be found at each. By taking a people-first approach, The House Collective creates spaces and stays which are both inspiring and effortless, setting the brand apart and earning the Houses loyal fans world-wide.
For the new House, The House Collective, a member of The Set Collection, will work with acclaimed developers Tokyu Group and LCRE, pooling their established market presence and understanding with The House Collective’s experience in operating world-class luxury hotels, to create a unique and exciting new destination. Standing for modernity, social vibrancy and luxury, the choice of Tokyu Group and LCRE as partners was a natural fit for The House Collective which puts elevated experiences, people, and places at its core.
Image caption: The Middle House, another property in The House Collection portfolio. | Image credit: The House Collective
“Witnessing the growth of The House Collective is an extremely proud moment for us as we look to expand into new cities throughout the Asia Pacific region,” said Toby Smith, Deputy Chairman, Swire Hotels. “We’re delighted to be able to bring our distinctive design and people-first approach in hospitality to Tokyo. Our partners Tokyu Group and LCRE, share our vision of creating a new and vibrant guest experience which, with the opening of our new House will offer world-class hospitality for both locals and visitors to Tokyo.”
Kazuo Takahashi, President and Representative Director of Tokyu Corporation, added: “Swire Hotels’ The House Collective creates elevated luxury experiences with distinctive character and a sense of style. With Swire and The House Collective, we work with one of Asia’s most sophisticated and luxurious hoteliers and are delighted to introduce a new standard of contemporary hospitality to Tokyo”, said Mathieu le Bozec, Managing Partner of L Catterton Real Estate.
The new House will be part of the Shibuya Upper West Project by Tokyu Corporation, Tokyu Department Store and L Catterton Real Estate. This 117,000 square meter (includes Bunkamura) landmark real estate project will bring together a potent combination of luxury and high-quality retail, contemporary luxury hotel, luxury residences, as well as art and cultural experiences to the vibrant Shibuya district for the very first time.
No news yet on the interior design studio who will take on the responsibility of bringing the interiors to life, but our bet is going on André Fu Studio, given the designer’s bond to the brand. Only time will tell…
Main image credit: Proloog, Copyright: Snøhetta, Courtesy of: Tokyo Corporation.
Following a magnificent restoration, Tower Elvira has now opened in Puglia, providing luxury hospitality and bespoke experiences across four uniquely designed suites within an 18th century tower and ancient masseria…
With design and art at the heart of this unique property, owner Steven Riseley employed a team of local architects and specialist artisans to assist in the respectful restoration of the two historic structures and surrounding gardens. Set on St Elia Ridge, the historic lookout tower offers unrivalled views of citrus groves, private parkland, a 40 square metre swimming pool with colonnaded sun loungers and sister residence, Castle Elvira.
Image credit: Castle Elvira / Mark Cocksedge
Image credit: Castle Elvira / Mark Cocksedge
Now home to two stunning guest suites, the tower was originally built in the 18th Century and was thought to have been created as the lookout tower for the Saint Elia Monastery. Star vaulted ceilings, meet supersized Timothy Oulton beds and exquisite design fixtures. The ensuite bathrooms feature powerful rainfall showers with luxury fittings from IB Rubinetti with a sunken bath in the Park Suite and hand carved sandstone bath on the private terrace of the top suite. Whilst the suites are all equipped with modern, state of the art technology and contemporary design details, Riseley has kept these details carefully hidden amongst a mix of antique furnishings and design elements, ensuring the design remains authentic with a contemporary twist. Each of the rooms feature carefully curated art works, including a selection of new pieces by Elvira’s resident artist Harvey B-Brown.
Image credit: Castle Elvira / Mark Cocksedge
The ancient masseria features two beautifully designed en-suite bedrooms sleeping up to five guests. Each suite boasts a private garden with barbeques for an exclusive dining experience. Additionally the suites features a two-person, hand carved, sandstone bathtubs within the private garden, the Agave Suite, or extra-large ensuite, the Pepper Suite. The split level Agave Suite, with its own lounge area with open fireplace, is suitable for up to three guests.
Image credit: Castle Elvira / Mark Cocksedge
Image credit: Castle Elvira / Mark Cocksedge
Tower Elvira’s sister residence, Castle Elvira, accommodates 12 guests in six uniquely designed suites. Castle Elvira is located in the immediate vicinity of the Tower and offers the same luxury across its suites with private salons, luxurious living and dining rooms, an incredible roof terrace, a heated 70 square meter swimming pool, and 37 acres of private parkland and gardens.
Image credit: Castle Elvira / Mark Cocksedge
In a conscious effort to preserve nature in the estate and local area, Riseley has invested in the preservation and potential cure of the estates 500 olive trees, suffering the ravages of formidable Xylella bacterial disease which has hit the entire region, destroying thousands of trees. This remarkable new scientific effort is showing great promise and could potentially save some of Puglia’s most ancient trees. Additionally, the team has put huge efforts into the revival of the 50-tree citrus orchard, with its lemons, limes, and mandarins.
Planning to open its designer doors to coincide with Paris Fashion Week, SO/ Paris is the newest addition to the Ennismore SO/ portfolio. Sitting stylishly on the banks of the Seine, Paris’ new flagship hotel has been infused with art, fashion and charisma for a truly unparalleled experience…
SO/ prides itself on taking travelling in style to a whole new level, and now the glam group has landed in the fashion capital of the world. As part of the newly inaugurated La Félicité Paris, Sully-Morland complex, which has just transformed a former municipal building – the Cité Administrative de Paris – into the capital’s new hospitality hub, the SO/ Paris hotel is housed in a 1966 structure designed by architects Albert Laprade, Pierre-Victoire Fournier and René Fontaine, and features urban arches created by architecture firms David Chipperfield Architects and CALQ.
Image credit: SO/Paris
Image credit: SO/Paris
SO/ Paris features 140 guestrooms and 22 suites, designed by the architectural firm RDAI represented by Denis Montel and Julia Capp. Elegant, warm and vibrant, the guestrooms and suites echo the SO/ spirit of redefining Parisian luxe with style. Filled with life and light, the interior decor is inspired by the origins of the city of Paris itself, a total immersion into contemporary art inspired by our destination’s iconic fashion sense. The très chic Parisian location celebrates a love for the joy of dressing up, where great tailoring meets a backdrop of considered construction and flawless accessorising.
Image credit: SO/Paris
Fashion designer Guillaume Henry, the artistic director of La Maison Patou, has infused his own creative vision into the hotel’s avant-garde design and signature style. The hotel also welcome an iconic guest star: the view. Its panoramic perspective is both romantic and stunning. On the top two floors of the hotel, Bonnie is the hotel’s restaurant, bar, club and smoking room. Design and location combine flawlessly, making it the new place to rendez-vous for memorable Parisian nights. The creative, sensual and sultry allure on show here is the work of interior designer Jordane Arrivetz, founder of the Notoire agency. The interiors are wrapped in masterful works from Studio Other Spaces’ ‘The Seeing City’ by Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann, which like a kaleidoscope of sumptuous mirrors, reflects all of Paris’ beauty.
Image credit: SO/Paris
Image credit: SO/Paris
Leaving no element of luxury unturned, SO/ Paris offers guests the ultimate interlude for a Parisian pause at the Maison CODAGE Spa. On its very Zen-en-Seine programme are an array of healing face and body treatments. The spa features all the essentials for beauty, youth-boosting and fitness treatments as well as access to the Ô Zenhit sports club and its 20-meter long pool.
How Dornbracht added designer touches to Langham Nymphenburg bathrooms
As part of a project to restore its Langham Nymphenburg Residence in Munich, porcelain manufacturer Nymphenburg teamed up with Dornbracht to give each bathroom its own individual character…
Dornbracht’s iconic design and choice of materials and finishes, as well as the quality of its workmanship and production, made it an ideal partner for the porcelain manufacturer when embarking on the design makeover of Langham Nymphenburg. The cooperation came about as a result of the two companies’ membership of the ‘Meisterkreis’, which fosters collaborative projects involving the best talents in terms of creativity and quality across a wide range of industries. With interiors designed by Mang Mauritz Architecture, the timelessness of Dornbracht’s iconic forms were chosen to complement the Nymphenburg design story.
Image credit: Dornbracht
Image credit: Dornbracht
Each of the seven bathrooms in the residence is dedicated to a specific theme and tells its own story: in one room guests are the stars in a circus ring, in another they find themselves in a cloud bath. The carefully selected Dornbracht products reflect the style of the residence’s architecture and give each bathroom its own individual character. The luxurious quality of the furnishings is complemented by Dornbracht’s Tara, Vaia, Meta and CL.1 design series in gold, chrome and matt dark platinum finishes. While Tara complements the safari theme in matt black, Vaia in matt dark platinum blends perfectly into the butterfly setting. The golden Tara emphasises the flair of the Master Suite, which reflects Bavaria’s royal past in detailed depictions of Bavarian castles such as Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau and Herrenchiemsee.
Image credit: Dornbracht
Dornbracht’s designs fit perfectly into the architecture of the residence thanks to their timeless and long-lasting quality that outlasts epochs, styles and trends. At the same time, the clear lines of the Dornbracht icons form a contrast to the opulent, playful interior design of the house. The examples of Tara and CL.1 make a bold design statement and showcase what is the essence of Dornbracht design; uniting different shapes and strong individual character, and allowing them to blend effortlessly into their surroundings.
Dornbracht is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
We step inside Virgin Hotels Glasgow, the second Virgin Hotels to launch in the UK, ahead of its official opening slated for December…
Situated on the banks of River Clyde, is the newest addition to the Virgin portfolio, Virgin Hotels Glasgow. The hotel was developed by Silk Property Group, which selected Twenty First Architects to work on the hotel, while UK based design firm Four-By-Two was tapped to curate the hotel interiors in accordance with Virgin Hotels’ localised approach to design. The firm’s experience in residential and boutique commercial projects made them the perfect choice to create welcoming, comfortable environments, with local touches and historical details.
The hotel will shelter 240 guestrooms – Chambers – spanning across 15 floors, and host four dining and drinking options including the playful and sophisticated Commons Club, Virgin Hotels’ flagship restaurant and bar that acts as a modern-day social club. In addition, the hotel will shelter Highyard, for entertaining, co-working and dining; Funny Library Coffee Shop and the elegant late-night bar, Rocks. With a prime city centre position, the hotel has panoramic views overlooking the River Clyde to the south, and across to the heart of Glasgow in the north, making it an ideal base to explore the city.
Image credit: Virgin Hotels
Bright and airy with warm textiles and locally sourced furnishings, the Chambers guestrooms are a welcoming space to relax after a day exploring the city, featuring Virgin Hotels’ signature layout with two distinct spaces. The Dressing Room includes a full vanity, closet space big enough for two, makeup desk with a well-lit mirror, an extra-large shower with a built-in bench and toiletries by Arran of Scotland. A sliding door or drapery separates it from The Lounge, which features Virgin Hotels patented ergonomically designed bed with a tufted headboard, a red SMEG mini-fridge generously stocked with a curated selection of local products, television and ample outlets for smartphones, laptops, or other devices.
Image credit: Virgin Hotels
“We’re thrilled to share our second hotel in the UK in a completely different city, Glasgow,” said James Bermingham, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Hotels. “Virgin Hotels Glasgow will feature neighbourhood-driven design and various restaurant and bar offerings. We truly believe the hotel will be the ideal hub for visitors wanting to soak up this vibrant city while enjoying authentic experiences. Glasgow showcases fantastic museums and galleries, a thriving music scene, and innovative food and drinks outlets, and we cannot wait to open.”
Virgin Hotels Glasgow will offer a selection of beautifully curated suites. The signature suite, Sir Richard’s Flat, features a retro-luxury design with a personal bar and games table and sumptuous velvet sofa, creating a sociable space within the suite. In a nod to Virgin’s heritage, guests of Sir Richard’s Flat will find musical references throughout, including unique pieces of record-inspired artwork.
Image credit: Virgin Hotels
Image credit: Virgin Hotels
Inspired and named after Richard Branson’s wife, Joan – a proud Glaswegian – Lady B’s Flat will feature floor and wall tiling inspired by alabaster, spreads over 69 square metres and provides guests with a light, airy and soft space with exquisite furniture and a large, curved bath. For guests looking for something a little different, there is also the Moroccan-inspired Kasbah Tamadot Suite. The calming suite features hand carved heritage wood panels, along with a sumptuous bathroom decorated with Moroccan-style tiles – inspired by Virgin Limited Edition’s property in Morocco of the same name.
With both design and technology at the forefront of the Virgin hotel concept, all guestrooms and suites have integrated tech capabilities, which can control lighting, thermostats, TVs, and order room service directly via the mobile app, Lucy. Lucy also gives guests the ability to check in prior to arrival and can be used as an access key to the guestrooms.
Virgin Hotels Glasgow will open in the centre of Glasgow, joining many noteworthy local restaurants, music venues and boutique hotels.
In conversation with: Rose Campbell, Head of Creative Development at Newmor
Rose Campbell joined Newmor five years ago, and in that time she has had a huge impact on their design portfolio. We spent some time with Campbell as she walked and talked us through the design process behind the print…
Newmor has been manufacturing and designing wallcoverings for over half a century. Family owned, they operate in over 70 countries worldwide through a vast international distribution network. With undisputed manufacturing expertise, we thought we would take a closer look at their design credentials in conversation with Campbell.
Image credit: Newmor
Hotel Designs: What has been the highlight for you heading the process of creative development and design at Newmor?
Rose Campbell: Time has flown by, and I have really enjoyed developing a host of new contract specification collections for the hospitality, leisure, retail, and healthcare sectors. As well as manufacturing stocked designs, we also produce custom designed large format digital prints. Our combination of traditional manufacturing alongside cutting-edge new technology, has resulted in the expansion of our commission printing service for brands who also want their designs manufactured in the UK.
HD: Newmor have thousands of textures, colours and patterns in stock – does the design and production team also welcome one-off bespoke projects?
RC: Our in house facility allows us to support any project timescale and budget -from classic woven embosses, tweeds, linens, and silks to contemporary geometrics and metallic effects. All designs can be recoloured, rescaled, and digitally printed onto any of our substrates including textures, metallics and window films.
Image credit: Newmor
HD: You are clearly passionate about design, can you tell us more about your favourite part of product development?
RC: I really value the hands-on time I have in the studio. My favourite part of product development is most definitely the sampling stage. As a designer working in a company that has its own manufacturing facility it gives me the creative freedom to develop new concepts and experiment with effects by changing the embosses, colours etc. Plus, I get to work with a great team of people. Promoting design and British manufacturing is important to us. So, as well as our own studio, we support British design talent through our Newmor Designer collaborations.
The brand vision is to celebrate pattern and design in commercial installations globally, whilst reducing life cycle cost and impact on the environment. With Campbell at the design helm, Newmor continually keep this vision at the forefront while working in collaboration with a vast array of artists and designers to promote British design to an international audience.
Newmor is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Taking design cues from the views and vistas of Australia’s Gold Coast, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) unveils the interiors of Dorsett Gold Coast, located at The Star Gold Coast’s world-class entertainment and leisure destination in Australia…
Drawing inspiration from the beautiful coastline views of Broadbeach Island, the lush vegetation of the hinterland and the calming ocean waves, HBA designers sought to achieve harmony between the interiors of Dorsett Gold Coast and its surrounding environs through a fresh, sophisticated, and relaxing overall design aesthetic. Subtle references to lapping ocean waves and abstracted underwater scenes are woven into the design narrative of the lobby, guest room artwork, and watercolour-like wallcoverings in the public areas to establish a true sense of place.
Image credit: Adam Bruzzone
“Our vision for the design of Dorsett Gold Coast was one of unapologetic playfulness, whimsy and soothing tranquillity yet modern and authentic for the sun-seeking traveller,” said Charlie Mendoza, HBA Atlanta Associate . “We used an interplay of colour, texture and pattern to create a spirited, naturalistic interpretation of the locale with a sense of welcoming invitation from the moment guests walk through the front doors.”
Materiality orchestrates a poetic, multi-sensory experience in the main lobby where a stunning custom chandelier installation serves as a focal point, composed of kinetic lighting and reflective materials that enhance the concept of lapping waves and shimmering light dancing on the ocean’s surface. Curved walls envelop the space in a soft organic manner, emulating the fluidity of the sea. Behind the sculpted marble reception desk, a batten feature wall makes an architectural statement and frames the space. Columns wrapped in veneer wood and furniture in faux metallic leather with 3D stitching offer elements of interest. Rich blues of the surrounding sea and sky are translated into the custom lobby carpets.
Image credit: Adam Bruzzone
Image credit: Adam Bruzzone
Image credit: Adam Bruzzone
The curved lines seen in the lobby are echoed in the bar area where ceiling heights are lowered to create to create a more intimate feel. A wallcovering behind the bar adds a delicate layer of texture in a monochrome hue evocative of the sand. The light installation mimics the shape and scale of the bar top, rounded at the edges as if smoothed by the wind and water.
Image credit: Adam Bruzzone
Upstairs on the 19th floor Executive Lounge, HBA designers took cues from the local flora and fauna to devise a colour palette of turquoise and pink that resonates with the mood of being on holiday. Sun-bleached floor planks and crisp white at the ceiling amplify the natural light that fills the space from the large-scale windows that also serve as a portal to the city’s skyline. Brass screening elements provide intrigue and a level of intimacy without total isolation.
Image credit: Adam Bruzzone
“So much of the detailing in the design of Dorsett Gold Coast was informed by our own journey of discovery in conceiving this project’s visual vocabulary, which lays a foundation for happy memories to be made while on holiday,” said HBA Project Director Anna Mastrodomenico, based in Australia. “This project was truly a global team effort and one reflective of the strength of HBA’s international presence.”
Guest rooms exude an understated elegance, with walls washed in white and soft-spoken pink, to emphasize the glistening Gold Coast views and tropical hinterland vistas. A headboard wall wrapped in faux leather introduces refined texture while soft nods to botanicals are incorporated through bespoke carpet patterns. Custom-designed furnishings, decorative lighting elements and accents of hairline brass create the design layers which work together to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind, memorable stay.
Located on the Gulf of Corinth, with design inspired by Greek mythology, Isla Brown Corinthia is the first of the brand’s new ‘Isla’ collection of design-driven luxury destination resorts…
The creative vision of the team at Elastic Architects, Isla Brown Corinthia is the first property from Brown Hotels’ new line of luxury resorts, and joins the groups growing portfolio of Greek properties as the sixth hotel to open in Greece in the last two years. The hotel raises the bar for Brown Hotels’ hospitality offerings, known for its quirky, design-driven collection of boutique urban properties, and sees the brand expanding into beach-side offerings with the launch of the inaugural resort from the new ‘Isla Brown’ collection.
“After operating a growing collection of boutique, urban hotels for the last 12 years, and following a successful launch into the Greek market, we felt inspired to broaden our horizons and challenge ourselves with the development of a whole new line of full service design resorts,” said Leon Avigad, founder of Brown Hotels. “The beauty of Isla Brown Corinthia is its proximity to Athens, making it a perfect coastal destination for both local holidaymakers and international travellers for vacations or events. Isla Brown Corinthia marks the inaugural design resort by Brown Hotels, with additional “Isla” branded resorts in Crete and Corfu in the pipeline for 2023 – it’s a very exciting time indeed for the group, as we make the transition into the luxury market.”
Isla Brown Corinthia boasts a clean and organic design concept intended to compliment its natural surroundings, all with sweeping views of endless blue across the Saronic Gulf. With 166 stylish guestrooms and suites, two swimming pools, wellness centre, rooftop bar and restaurant, private beach with water sports facilities and an events space, Isla Brown Corinthia is set to be one of Greece’s most accessible and anticipated openings for summer 2022, for both local Athenians and international travellers.
Image credit: Brown Hotels / Pygmalion Karatzas
Image credit: Brown Hotels / Pygmalion Karatzas
The sophisticated design concept champions an organic and light-filled colour palette and strong architectural form, with the intention of the structure to appear as an extension of the surrounding landscape. Inspired by the northern Aegean volcanic arc and the Greek myth of the Giant Typhoeus, who resided beneath ‘Sousaki’; a craterless volcano that has laid dormant for 2.7 million years, Typhoeus was so tall that he rose above the mountains with his head touching the stars. This idea is rooted in the concept of Isla Brown Corinthia, with the hotel’s design intended to embody the volcanic eruption of Typhoeus, harmoniously marrying the earth with the sky through a continuation of the physical form and the vast land and sea that surrounds it. The result is a contemporary structure that manifests clean, smooth lines like pebbles stacked upon each other. Cohesive with the external design, the hotel’s interiors mimic these soft and fluid forms, with a curved line motif and earthy colour palette of stone, white and brown, finished with bronze detailing and tinted mirrored walls.
Image credit: Brown Hotels / Pygmalion Karatzas
Isla Brown Corinthia presents four different room types and two suite varieties to suit the needs of every traveller, and all of the guestrooms offer spacious balconies, with views that stretch across the endless blue of the Saronic Gulf or the mountainous landscape of inland Greece. Each guestroom, regardless of size, features complimentary high-speed WiFi, a Nespresso machine, bathrobes and slippers and luxury bathroom amenities, and the suites are finished with kitchenettes, open closets and dining areas.
Food and beverage is a priority, with the resort offering a variety of restaurants serving different cuisines, for an exemplary gastronomic experience. The hotel will house an intimate cave-bar serving fresh and contemporary dishes, and a more traditional Mediterranean restaurant offering Greek classics. In addition, the hotel will provide its guests with an a la carte menu, and the famous Brown Hotels breakfast buffet. The spacious adult-only roof terrace is a stand-out feature at Isla Brown Corinthia, with unobstructed 360 degree views, sun loungers, jacuzzi baths, a small pool and open-air bar, and as the night draws in, fire pits alight the terrace with a DJ set playing until late.
Image credit: Brown Hotels / Pygmalion Karatzas.
With its own private beach, guests can relax on the pebble bay or take to the water with the benefit of the resort’s fully equipped water sports centre. The wellness centre invites guests to step into a sanctuary of calm, and enjoy a selection of quality spa treatments in the burnt-lava tiled treatment rooms, take advantage of the onsite gym, or the spacious event space that works well as a wedding venue or corporate business setting. Next year, Isla Brown Corinthia will add a 110-bungalow complex complete with a swimming pool and restaurant, located on the Corinthia hillside.
Main image credit: Brown Hotels / Pygmalion Karatzas
Octant Evorá – a luxury wellness hotel crafted into nature
Re-emerging for the summer travel season under a new identity, following the unveiling of Octant Hotels, no one can deny that Octant Evorá answers accurately to its location, while also sheltering idyllic spaces that are suitable for all modern travellers. Editor Hamish Kilburn becomes the ‘first in’ under the new name to exclusively review the boutique wellness hotel…
Evorá, with its harsh, dry climate and mirage-inducing landscape – geographically pinned right in the centre of Portugal – is not the obvious place to expect a luxury hotel. But for Octant Hotels, a newly formed hotel group that sits under the Discovery Hotel Management portfolio that comprises eight properties dotted around the country, the site formally owned and partially built by a famous footballer was the perfect venue to showcase wellness and wellbeing outside already popular hospitality hotspots.
Image credit: Octant Evorá
For Luís Mexia Alves, CEO of Discovery Hotel Management, the arrival of Octant Hotels is aimed very much to “meet the needs of the new generation of tourists” who are emerging globally who seek out authentic, laidback yet luxurious experiences. “With Octant, we hope to connect our guests to the places where each of the hotels are located through warm hospitality, food and wine and unique experiences in an authentic way,” he told Hotel Designs. “We’re thrilled to have finally launched it, especially at such a pivotal time in the recovery of the Portuguese tourism market.”
Each property in the eight territories have a unique stamp within the collection – and Evorá is no exception, which first opened in 2021, with a sharp design and architecture narrative very much dictating how guests should feel immediately upon arrival: at ease, calm and taken care of.
Image credit: Octant Evorá
For guests checking in, seeing nothing on the horizon other than the working estate and vast hills, it’s hard to escape the feeling of complete relaxation – far removed from city life– as Alves explained. “The hotel’s design speaks of the locality and it evokes a sense of true relaxation and immersion into the landscape,” he said. “This is matched with an element of buzz and excitement, created by the communal spaces around the pools, firepits and outdoor bar and immersive nature of the working farm, expansive land to roam and wild gardens.”
The deliberately low-level architecture of the hotel allows the building’s foundation to connect, almost sink, into nature. In fact, this along with the savvy design throughout makes the hotel stylishly accessible to all guests checking in.”The hotel structure blends seamlessly with its setting and we knew it would offer something special to guests looking to visit the region,” added Alves. “Since purchasing the property, we have designed and executed all of the interior spaces and created additional villas for family and group getaways. The hotel lends itself to evolution and we will continue to regenerate the estate as and when it is required.”
Image credit: Octant Evorá
Each area has been designed consciously by Broadway Maylan, with endless nods to Evorá’s unique topography, whether that be the almost real-looking tree in the lobby or the bamboo-like lighting pendants in the restaurant and guestrooms. What guests don’t perhaps see, though, are the solar panels on the rooftops of the buildings, which produce clean energy for many areas of the hotel, including the heated indoor pool in the summer months and the air conditioning.
Image credit: Octant Evorá
The journey through Octant Evora is refined, with a clever lighting scheme, at shin height, allowing the experience between spaces to feel muted yet dramatic – all part of setting the scene – almost transforming guests through two contrasting vibes.
Inside the rooms and suites, guests are immediately hit with a Mediterranean-meets-rural-farm design style, which feels immediately relaxing and well considered – the way guestsrooms should feel these days. With a distinct lack of complicated technology, the colour scheme of shallow-ocean blue mixed with earthy taupe compliments the simple yet effective landscape artwork that hangs above the bed. The rooms on the ground floor feature floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding door that opens onto a private decking with two sun loungers.
Image credit: Octant Evorá
Image credit: Octant Evorá
Beyond this is where private and public areas meet for the first time, as guests can walk onto the mounded garden, towards the two main pools. It’s a clear indication that manicured landscape architecture plays a clear role in the hotel.
Image credit: Octant Evorá
While the guestrooms may be tranquil, Octant Evora’s best kept secret – of which I am about to out – is located at the edge of the property. Past the hotel’s fast-growing herb garden, but not as far as its very own farm, sit four completely separate, adult-only pools, which sit on individual pavilions.
Image credit: Octant Evorá
Next to these, on a separate stage, if you like and decorated with hanging lights, is an area that is reserved for parties, yoga and ‘oxygen sessions’ (you heard me correctly). This specially curated session – new to me – mixes cohesive breathing exercises with yoga and a hint of meditation. In many ways, it’s the perfect experience if, like many guests expected to check in, are looking to detach from the often hectic, always on, world outside.
The other special area of the hotel is located above and beyond the lobby. The hotel’s spa is a ‘treatment’ in itself. With an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and a fully operational gym, this area of the hotel offers all and more that today’s modern traveller desires – and it does so with elegance, thanks to a carefully curated natural design scheme that helps transport its guests into a zen-fused enclave.
Image credit: Octant Evorá
Checking out of Octant Evorá, I am impressed with the raw bones of the place – designed with all travellers in mind. As the hotel settles into its surroundings, and as it gets used to its fresh identity, I can see it flourishing into one of Portugal’s finest. But before I leave, I am intrigued to understand what’s next from this new and disruptive brand. “The Octant brand has only just launched into the Portuguese hotel market and as such, our focus remains on driving brand awareness, delivering warm hospitality and continuing to invest back into the properties with the group,” concluded Alves. “The name Octant is inspired in the octant, also called reflecting quadrant, it is a reflection instrument used primarily in measuring distances for navigation. For us we are not limited to eight, because our inspiration is this instrument, we have hotels all over Portugal, from north to south and Azores, and we intend to grow.”
And so the journey continues, which after all is much more fun and fulfilling than the end destination.
How Leaflike used nature to add design layer inside The Westin London City
The Westin London City has been open a few months now, standing tall as the brand’s debut hotel in the UK. Hotel Designs explores how Leaflike added a new layer of biophilic design through its innovative planting solutions…
The Westin London City opened its doors in February 2022, and by doing so it marked several milestones. Not only was it the brand’s debut property in the UK, but it also opened as Marriott Bonvoy’s 1,000 property in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
For a hotel making such a statement in a brand and group’s history, we therefore expect something special. And the design team at Dexter Moren Associates did not fail to deliver on unveiling a spectacular architectural and design marvel, which sits riverside of the Thames.
Inside, the 222-key hotel combines meaningful wellness with contemporary fluid and sculptural design. Built on the premise that a connection to nature enhances wellbeing, the design is integral and is inspired by the unique location, and shelters a modern residential feel.
From the moment guests walk in through the lobby, for example, there is an instant connection with nature. The brand responsible for this injection of biophilic design was Leaflike, which is known for designing nature-inspired environments in leading hotels, all while supporting a circular economy. “Its great to have Leaflike onboard as our biophilic designer, providing the interior planting to enhance the guest experience,” said Raffaele Ruocco, General Manager, The Westin London City.
Image credit: Leaflike
Throughout the hotel, starting with the residences, the design areas include entrance side tables, lift landing, apartment reception, apartment lounge, console table and terrace. Designer planting displays range from the sustainable Everleaf seasonal changing flowers and foliage display in a vase standing a total of 80cm tall, to interior living planting in grey planters with preserved moss top dressing standing a total of 1.8m tall.
As guests travel through the hotel, the planting can be seen in additional areas including Drive Court and the entrance area. These include living plants in grey and bronze planters with slate top dressing standing at a total of two-metres high. Made with 100 per cent recycled plastic and a CO2 neutral product, the planters can also be recycled. “[It was] a pleasure working with The Westin London City, a fantastic space with perfect interior made it easy for us to contribute the biophilic design to the standard required,” said Brandon Abernethie, Head of Design at Leaflike. “It’s always a special moment seeing a client vision turn to reality.”
Image credit: Leaflike
Image credit: Leaflike
Leaflike maintains the biophilic design and sustainable planting displays throughout all public areas within the venue – the company has even been asked to provide the hotel with Christmas decorations to include trees and displays.
Leaflike is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Product watch: RAK makes a big impression with Metamorfosi
Creating a virtually seamless, durable mural, Metamorfosi from RAK Ceramics is a decorative porcelain surface that will make an eye-catching impression for any interior…
From geometric and floral patterns and lush tropical leaves, to bold and vibrant shades that tap into the trend for block colouring, RAK’s Metamorfosi brings the beauty of nature, in all its boldness, indoors. The large-format surface, available in two sizes – 120x260cm and 120x120cm, is inspired by the colours and shapes found in nature and responds to the interior design trend of biophilic design, transporting elements of the natural world directly onto the walls.
Image credit: RAK Ceramics
Metamorfosi is a highly durable and splash resistant wall cladding, just as porcelain should be, yet visually striking in its appeal, with several design options to choose from.
The collection includes nine colours and 11 designs transferred on to large-format brushed resin porcelain stoneware slabs, to create striking wall decorations that become part of the interior design. The shapes on the ceramic surfaces have a handmade appearance, creating a versatile, contemporary a wallpaper effect.
RAK Ceramics is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Marriott International to add eight hotels in Vietnam
Marriott International has announced a landmark agreement with Vinpearl, as it strengthens its pipeline and presence in Vietnam with the expected addition of more than 2,000 rooms to its existing portfolio…
Marriott International has signed a strategic agreement with Vinpearl, Vietnam’s largest hospitality and leisure chain, to convert and develop 2,200 rooms across eight hotels in Vietnam – significantly expanding its portfolio of world-class hotels and resorts in the country. This collaboration expects to see the debut of the Autograph Collection Hotels brand in the country, while other planned openings will include brands such as Marriott Hotels, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, and Four Points by Sheraton. Of the eight hotels, six are conversions that are expected to be part of Marriott’s system later this year.
“We are thrilled to be working with Vinpearl to accelerate our growth in Vietnam,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International. “With the country’s solid foundation for a resilient economy, and continuous growth of its infrastructure especially in the tourism sector, we are confident this collaboration will enable us to better cater to our guests’ needs.”
Image credit: Vinpearl/Marriott International
Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection is expected to serve as Vietnam’s first Autograph Collection hotel. The lifestyle hotel will join a diverse and dynamic collection of over 260 independent hotels around the globe hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspective on design and hospitality. Currently known as Vinpearl Luxury Landmark 81, the hotel is set high up in a gleaming 461-meter tower on the banks of the Saigon River and is anticipated to feature 223 rooms and suites, three food and beverage outlets, 12 function spaces, a business centre, spa, outdoor pool, and fitness centre.
Danang Marriott Resort & Spa is expected to fly the Marriott Hotels brand flag following the rebranding of Vinpearl Luxury Danang. Nestled on Non Nuoc Beach, close to downtown Danang, the retreat is anticipated to feature 200 rooms and suites, 39 villas with a modern, residential design, and locally-inspired accents, catering to providing guests with enriching experiences alongside its signature spaces and heartfelt service. Design plans call for five different food and beverage outlets, eight event spaces, an infinity pool, a spa, kids club, tennis court and a wealth of water sports, including a dive centre.
Sheraton Long Beach Phu Quoc Resort is situated on the west coast of Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, and is a rapidly emerging tourism hotspot. Rebranded from the existing Vinpearl Phu Quoc Resort, the resort is anticipated to feature 500 modern and residential rooms, suites, and villas, three food and beverage outlets, extensive conference space, three pools, a spa, and a kids club.
Sheraton Hai Phong, currently known as Vinpearl Hotel Imperial, Hai Phong, is expected to become one of the city’s top choices for business and leisure travellers and a hub for conferences and events in the centre of Vietnam’s largest port city. The property is anticipated to feature 362 modern, residential rooms and suites, four food and beverage outlets, a ballroom and four function spaces, a pool, spa and fitness centre.
Sheraton Can Tho expects to be a landmark property in the thriving Mekong Delta city. Currently operating as the Vinpearl Hotel Can Tho, the 262 key hotel is set on the banks of the Can Tho River, surrounded by multiple attractions. Guests can unwind at the restaurant, lobby lounge, terrace café and outdoor swimming pool with pool bar. There is also extensive event space, including a grand ballroom.
Four Points by Sheraton Lang Son is a 21-story hotel in the heart of the charming northern city of Lang Son, offering panoramic views of the surrounding forests and mountains. Currently known as the Vinpearl Hotel Lang Son, it is expected to become the first internationally branded hotel in the city. The hotel is anticipated to feature 127 rooms and suites, four food and beverage venues, a spa and a ballroom, all catering to the needs of today’s everyday traveller through its vintage modern design, stylish comfort, authentic sense of the local, and genuine service.
Two new build hotels are expected to open in 2025 – the Sheraton Vinh and Four Points by Sheraton Ha Giang. Both are located in unique locations promising to attract not only domestic but also international travellers.
As a leading hospitality brand in Vietnam, Vinpearl currently operates 35 hotels and resorts spanning 17 cities and provinces, with a total of more than 18,500 hotel rooms and villas. The cooperation with Marriott International is part of Vinpearl’s strategy to advance and internationalise the brand in the hospitality field. This perfect combination expects to elevate domestic and foreign tourists’ diverse experiences through Vinpearl’s signature local ‘all-in-one’ complexes and world-class standard services by an international prestigious hotel company.
Marriott International currently operates 10 hotels and resorts in Vietnam. The company recently announced its plans to more than quadruple its portfolio in Vietnam with a signed pipeline of 30 hotels, and this announcement brings the company’s pipeline in Vietnam close to 40 hotels.
Naturalmat was founded on one key belief – when it comes to where we sleep, natural is better. We take a look at why you should consider going all-natural…
Whilst a bedroom’s visible design features might seem the most likely to stick in the minds of hotel guests, it is invariably the quality of the mattress they sleep on – and by extension the quality of sleep – that will live longest in the memory. “I had the best night’s sleep in years” is hard to beat when it comes to driving repeat visits and referrals!
Today’s guests expect not only comfort, but provenance, sustainability and a ‘buy well, buy once’ ethos to every element of the guestroom design. Devon-based bed and mattress manufacturer Naturalmat provide all four and have been handmaking natural fibre mattresses for hotels since 2010.
Image credit: Naturalmat
There are a number of reasons that top hotel chains around the world – including Hoxton and Six Senses – furnish their rooms with Naturalmat mattresses. But when it comes down to it, the starting point will always be ‘do they help guests sleep better’?
Natural materials have a number of attributes that make them perfectly suited to where we sleep. Not only do they add a soft, comfortable layer to pocket sprung mattresses, they also provide exceptional temperature regulation and hypoallergenic properties – which all contribute to more settled and comfortable sleep. Hoxton’s open house hotels in London, New York and Paris opt for Naturalmat’s Avon mattress, which combines hand nested pocket springs with the support of natural latex and the temperature control of their signature, certified organic West Country wool.
Image credit: Naturalmat
From food to beauty products, hotel guests are on the lookout for anything that brings them into close contact with chemicals, toxins or any other unappealing substances. Awareness of the importance of organic certifications and natural alternatives has never been higher. Naturalmat was founded over 20 years ago on one key belief – when it comes to where we sleep, natural is better. From the use of organic certified materials, including coconut fibre from organic coconut plantations, to chemical free solutions to the typical fire retardant chemicals used in mattresses, this is still the case two decades on.
Image credit: Naturalmat
Whilst the rest of the industry scrambles to jump on the sustainability bandwagon, Naturalmat have had a planet-friendly approach from day one. All of its beds and mattresses are handmade in Devon in a solar-powered workshop, from materials that are biodegradable or recyclable. It is these factors and more that contributed to the brand winning a coveted Queen’s Award for Sustainability.
You can find out more about the industry leading sustainable approach to mattress making and ambitious future goals in the Naturalmat 2022 Impact Report.
Naturalmat is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Trophy design revealed for The Brit List Awards 2022
Taking the awards campaign up a deserving notch, The Brit List Awards 2022 has announced that Sans Souci has been confirmed as this year’s trophy partner. Before the free applications/nominations process closes, Editor Hamish Kilburn spoke to Jiří Krišica, Head of Design at the lighting brand, to get a sneak peek of the design behind this year’s bespoke trophies…
For five years now (and counting), The Brit List Awards has been a major event in the design, architecture and hospitality calendar. Since opening the floodgates to the free application/nomination process in June, we have on good authority to believe that this year’s awards campaign will be the most successful yet.
To add a further spark this year’s campaign – and to add a bespoke touch to the awards ceremony on November 2 at PROUD Embankment– this year’s nine individual trophies will be designed by lighting design studio Sans Souci.
“The shape of the award is inspired by a room or a model used in architecture.” – Jiří Krišica, Head of Design at Sans Souci.
Ahead of applications/nominations closing, I caught up with the design team to understand more about the concept behind this year’s trophies. “The concept was to come up with something related to the interior design industry, while keeping it contemporary and in line with the event vibe,” said Jiří Krišica, Head of Design at Sans Souci. “The shape of the award is inspired by a room or a model used in architecture. The open door represents openness and welcoming attitude. The overall piece is made from glass and enhanced with Sans Souci Aurum nanocoating. As the final touch the logo and The Brit List Awards branding is incorporated.”
Image credit: Sans Souci
For The Brit List Awards 2022, seamless and meaningful partnerships has been the driving force of the campaign since its launch, and this year’s decision to include a trophy partner in the mix is not only testament to that mission, but it feels like the right time to take the awards up a level or two. “Our studio works with architects and interior designers on regular basis and it feels natural to be part of events and projects such as The Brit List Awards,” added Krišica. “As a lighting brand we are part of the industry and it is a privilege to see the latest trends and novelties and meet with the creative minds behind the best projects in the hospitality industry.
The design of the trophies for The Brit List Awards had to strike the balance between innovative and statement-like. But it also had to aptly reflect San Souci’s style. “The Aurum nanocoating technology is something we have great expertise in,” explained Krišica. “Our in-house nanocoating facility one of the largest in the region. The design is effortless, but with a twist, which is also characteristics for our products and collections. The award was made in the North Bohemian, the region famous for glassmaking as all our products.”
The nine individual trophies will be unveiled at The Brit List Awards 2022 Awards Ceremony, which will take place at PROUD Embankment – London’s famous cabaret venue – on November 2. Tickets have just gone on sale. Suppliers can purchase tickets for £150 + VAT and interior designers, architects, hoteliers and developers can purchase tickets for £30 + VAT.
Taking inspiration from history, Objet by Arte is a collection of decorative wallcoverings bringing colour, texture and three dimensional relief patterns to the wall…
Decorative mouldings have been adorning walls and ceilings in all shapes and styles for centuries. From skirting boards to cornices, wainscoting or wall panels, in stately mansions, imposing palaces or listed buildings – all have been a source of inspiration for the Objet collection by Arte. Adding colour, texture and relief to any interior concept, the wallcoverings are finished in a soft suede look for a luxurious tactile feel. In addition, as these wallcoverings are three dimensional, they have a positive impact on the acoustics in a room.
Image credit: Arte
“Texture and colour have always been at the core of what we do at Arte, with many of our designs pushing the boundaries of what is considered wallpaper,” said Philippe Desart, Managing Director, Arte. “We strive to offer our clients a multitude of options for adding personality and customise their spaces, making each unique. One prevailing feature in everything we do has always been our focus on detail; everything is carefully considered, whether that’s a particular texture, colour or pattern, and these elements are all intricately designed and developed with the best quality in mind. This latest collection ‘Objet’, features suede effect designs. Although pattern free and within a more concise palette of refined colours, the collection is rich in textural detail with a super soft and tactile touch, whilst delivering all the timeless elegance of panelling with a three dimensional embossed effect.”
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
While the Grandeur and Manoir wall panel designs are inspired by the decorative mouldings in mansions and palaces, Cassetta and Pantheon take their inspiration from the classic coffered ceilings and architectural details used by the Romans to lighten the vaulted structures of domes and ceilings. In addition to colour and texture, all the designs in the collection add relief and depth to the wall, and are available in five colourways.
Arte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
With the opening of Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton offers guests a peek into one of the world’s most distinctive island ecosystems with immersive experiences, an ethereal excursions and serene accommodations…
Hilton has announced the opening of the Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton, a boutique estate with 21 villas and deluxe rooms brimming with the charm of an Ecuadorian Hacienda. Set in a secluded 160-hectare estate in the lush Miconia Highland Forests adjacent to Galapagos National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Curio Collection by Hilton’s newest tranquil sanctuary is a haven for serenity and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters.
“Debuting in a destination that organically welcomes travellers to connect with nature, dream and discover, this momentous opening marks the first international hotel brand in the Galapagos Islands, while making Ecuador the Curio Collection by Hilton brand’s 30th country to welcome travellers to its growing portfolio,” said Jenna Hackett, Global Brand Head, Curio and Tapestry Collections by Hilton. “With more than 115 unique hotels and resorts around the world, Curio Collection by Hilton properties provide authentic and curated experiences that are both distinctive and draw inspiration from their local communities. Royal Palm Galapagos brings that vision to life, and we look forward to welcoming travellers to this truly one-of-a-kind hotel.”
Image credit: Curio collection by Hilton
Nestled amid a jaw-dropping panorama and the unspoiled vegetation on the Galápagos Islands, located roughly 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton is designed to respectfully maximize guests’ interactions with the remote and eco-sensitive destination. Sheltered within a valley between two extinct cinder cone volcanoes, the hotel features nine areas of geological interest from craters to lava tunnels and features newly enhanced accommodations, a reception area, restaurants, and a gym. By the end of 2022, guests can expect a new spa and by mid-2023, the hotel plans to introduce a refreshed pool.
Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton
The hotel’s 21 villas and deluxe guestrooms dot the verdant landscape and are adorned with local textiles, earth-toned fixtures and artistic touches, and offer contemporary casual elegance inspired by the natural preserve of the beloved enchanted islands. The eight deluxe guestrooms have spacious bedrooms, dining areas and front porches or terraces to enjoy the expansive garden and nature reserve vistas. Similarly, the eight villas feature a bedroom, bathroom, jacuzzi room, living/dining room and open fireplaces to relish in the scenic views across the estate and Santa Cruz Island. The executive villas are secluded cottages with a private garden, indoor sauna, living room and dining area with an open fireplace. The largest suite on the property is named in honour of British royals and boasts extreme privacy including two bedrooms, a sauna, private garden areas, an open fireplace, a dining area and more.
For an extra immersive experience, guests can camp at the crossroads of comfort and unspoiled wilderness amidst pristine nature. With three different camping sites, the hotel offers a unique way to see the diversity of the Galapagos Islands with its overnight camping programme.
Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton
The gastronomic experience is the heartbeat of the estate with cuisine largely based on fresh products coming from the Highlands of the Galapagos. Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton offers a distinct dining experience featuring island-sourced ingredients, from vegetables and fruits from local producers to grass-fed meat products and sustainably harvested seafood. The hotel’s food and beverage offerings are helmed by two extraordinary sous chefs born and raised in the Galapagos, Patricio Sisa and Rommel Chalen, who bring their vast experience, passion and enjoyment of their local traditions, including traditional Ecuadorian and international flavours to their always evolving menu while transforming the customs of the Galapagos into culinary adventures.
The hotel is home to the destination’s only fine dining restaurant inside a lava tunnel located nearly 60 feet underground. Opening this year, this new culinary journey begins at Muttini, a 30-year-old building decorated with cannons and anchors, with a guided tour through the lava tunnel and finishes at the volcanic vault with a six-course dinner inspired by the homegrown culture and ingredients.
The Royal Palm Restaurant serves delicious international and local cuisine featuring a variety of Galapaguenian recipes with fresh ingredients from its house farm and catch of the day. The 50-seat restaurant combines elegant colonial style and traditional island design with warm mahogany furniture that reflects the glow of the open fire and on warmer nights, guests are encouraged to dine alfresco on the terrace under the equatorial stars. The wine cellar reflects the eclectic nature of the menu and includes an extensive range of some of South America’s best wines.
Home to one of the last remaining natural island ecosystems in the world, the Galapagos Islands are treasured for being the world’s foremost destination for wildlife exploration and encounters. From catching the first glimpse of a Galapagos giant tortoise in its natural habitat as they roam freely in the National Park to snorkelling among the volcanic crevices filled with crystal-clear emerald water, the experiences designed by the hotel offer a unique and local experience. Guests also have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conserve the endangered species that reside on the property such as the Galapagos Crake, Galapagos Short Eared Owl, Scalesia pedunculata, Robesonian Miconia and more.
“Immense opportunities to futureproofing in design,” says GROHE
With an increasingly ageing population, and a growing need to be more sustainable when it comes to project planning and interior designs, there are a number of key considerations for the future when it comes to designing a new bathroom, advises global bathroom and kitchen manufacturer, GROHE…
Futureproofing hotel designs is a crucial design requirement that should be being addressed within discussions on sustainability. Key to this are the needs of our aging population and the increase of multi-generational living. Accessibility and inclusivity are factors that must be considered from the outset of all designs but are particularly of importance for the future of hotels, especially when it comes to the bathroom. An accessible design ensures a hotel can appeal to all potential customers and families of varying ages and capabilities, while giving a consideration to the future. Designing with the future in mind can also prevent further work and updates needing to be carried out at a later date if specifications and clientele change.
Image credit: GROHE
“There is immense opportunity to futureproof buildings and provide inclusive design when designing bathrooms,” said Elina Enqvist-Twomey, Leader, Product Management UK, LIXIL EMENA. “In a hotel where experience and comfort remain pivotal to all customers, there are clever ways to add additional comfort and safety without relinquishing a sense of independence or style.”
Fittings such as state-of-the-art shower toilets, hybrid-functional taps with touchless activation and long-levers and highly specified wetrooms with ease of functionality, allow hoteliers to bring in premium qualities and additional benefits to customers. With these advance fittings, customers enjoy a luxury experience that many would not typically get to enjoy at home, heightening their overall experience, while designers and hoteliers ensure all individuals and needs are catered for.
There’s an impressive array of technology and features which can be considered at the design stage to help hotels provide a premium level of hygiene, and it’s entirely likely that many of these options will be become the standard in due course. By joining the movement early, designers can futureproof spaces while demonstrating understanding of the importance of hygienic, sustainability, and accessibility.
GROHE is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Case study: Hotel Seegarten showcases innovative shower solutions
With the interior design created by Studio Aisslinger, the characteristically clear and ambitious layout conveys a sense of clarity and spaciousness, and fittings from Dornbracht are a key element of the overall concept…
The recent renovation and guestroom refurbishment by Studio Aisslinger for Hotel Seegarten, creates an increased sense of space in the living areas, and bathroom interiors with statement Dornbracht fittings complement the vision. Most of the materials used, such as wood and stone, are untreated. The materials and the choice of products are a clear acknowledgement of the quality to be found in the region with the lighting, furniture and the home accessories all coming exclusively from the Sauerland. Iserlohn-based Dornbracht is practically a neighbour and is represented by fittings and shower solutions from the Meta series, as well as by the Aquamoon wellness shower.
Image credit: Dornbracht
The Seegarten Hotel and Restaurant is a short walk away from the promenade on Germany’s Lake Sorpesee in the Sauerland. With an exclusive location, superb architecture, and famous restaurants, this 4-star accommodation is a haven of well-being for anyone seeking rest and relaxation. Owner and operator Olaf Baumeister took over the traditional house from his parents in 1992. The famous TV chef, who has now been appointed Ambassador of Good Taste for the North Rhine-Westphalia region, has been continually renewing and extending the buildings and interiors ever since.
“I have a passion for superb design, high-quality materials and exceptional surface finishes,” said Baumeister of the collaboration with the manufacturer. “We have found in Dornbracht a partner who more than meets these requirements. I was even more convinced by knowing that the fittings come from Iserlohn.”
Image credit: Dornbracht
The striking monochrome elegance of Meta in black matt makes a statement in the open and functional interior design concept of the new guestroom schemes. All that separates the bathroom area from the rest of the room is a small wall and inclined, light wooden slats. The floor, parts of the wall and the bath surround were covered in distinctive terrazzo natural stone, which is also used for the washstand. Two fittings from the Meta series are mounted behind the white counter-top basins. A concept of maximum reduction, with an almost sculptural appearance makes a confidently stylish statement here. Another Meta is fitted right next to the bath – this time a single-lever wall-mounted mixer. Here too, the monochrome elegance of the black matt fitting contrasts subtly with the warm greys of the natural stone, stabilising its striking pattern and the polished surfaces.
Dornbracht is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
The Brit List Awards 2022: meet the sponsors (so far)
Now that The Brit List Awards 2022 is officially underway – the free application and nomination process closes on August 19 – we thought it was apt for you to meet this year’s sponsors who will help to fuel the campaign to find Britain’s best interior designers, architects, hoteliers and brands beyond what it has achieved in previous years…
The Brit List Awards is always a spectacular evening; full of glitz, glamour and good vibes, as the industry comes together in harmony to celebrate the best in British – and international – hotel design and hospitality.
The Brit List Awards 2021 was, for many, the first industry party since the pandemic
Nick Brown and Ebru Bircan from GROHE
More than 500 designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers attended The Brit List Awards 2021.
Image caption: Editor Hamish Kilburn getting ‘carried away’ (again) with the team at Crosswater.
Much of the focus is on the awards ceremony, which this year will return to the fabulous cabaret venue, PROUD Embankment. The campaign, though, begins long before the indoor sparklers are set off. From June to August 19, designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers alike can enter the completely free application and nomination process.
From there, the judges will take over to whittle down the entries in order to establish this year’s shortlist. The whole process is one of collaboration, and an often forgotten part in these projects are the sponsors who take the whole event and performance up a notch. So let’s meet the talent
Headline Partner: Bathroom Brands Group
Image credit: Crosswater
Image credit: Crosswater
For the last four years, Bathroom Brands Group, under the identity of Crosswater, has been the headline act/partner. In our very recent interview with CEO Stephen Ewer, it was clear that Bathroom Brands Group, with its four distinct brands being Crosswater, Burlington, Britton and Clearwater, is about total bathroom solutions. This year, we can see that the group has focused on adding texture and colour to its portfolio.
Showcase Partner: Schlüter-Systems
Image credit: Schlüter-Systems
Waiting eagerly in the wings as this year’s Showcase Partner, Schlüter-Systems would paint the venue orange if it has its way. If you haven’t noticed already, Schlüter-Systems, with more than 10,000 products, is a market leader in essential accessories for tile and stone. Formed in 1966 by Werner Schlüter, a man who set out to provide practical solutions for bathroom tile installations.
To this day, the company remains a family-owned business with products born out of practical experiences. The headquarters resides in the town of Iserlohn, Germany, with a further eight subsidiaries aiding distribution across more than 20 countries.
Showcase Partner: Hamilton Litestat
Image credit: IHG/Hamilton Litestat
What’s better than a Showcase Partner? Two Showcase Partners! For the fourth consecutive year, Hamilton Litestat, which produces quality wiring accessories and tech solutions, will join us for the campaign.
A British manufacturer, Hamilton Litestat has created an enviable portfolio of decorative switch plate and socket designs to please the hotel interiors fashion industry, as well as smart lighting control and multi-room audio systems designed to enhance the hotel guest experience.
It’s been a few years now since Hotel Designs and NEWH formed a unique media partnership. In that time, following exclusive interviews, unique editorial opportunities and targetted events, NEWH UK Chapter has remained a quality association that delivers its promise to connect the industry bridge the gap between generations in interior design and architecture. A fitting nod to the association’s success, this year, Libby Bull, President of NEWH UK Chapter will be the head just for the Rising Star Award.
Award Partner: Dornbracht
Image credit: Dornbracht
Speaking of the Rising Star Award, please welcome to the stage Dornbracht, which is exclusively sponsoring and supporting the category for this year’s campaign. The bathroom brand, which is known for its innovative products and designs for bathrooms, kitchens and showers that has recently evolved its Tara collection, will make its debut at The Brit List Awards 2022.
Exclusive Trophy Partner: Sans Souci
Image credit: Sans Souci
Image credit: Sans Souci
For the first time in the campaign’s history – and helping to take the whole awards ceremony up a level – The Brit List Awards has announced it is working with Sans Souci to design this year’s contemporary trophies. Each of the nine trophies will be individually designed using technology and manufacturing processes that form the DNA of the luxury lighting studio. More on the trophy design will be announced shortly.
Broadcasting Partner: GROHE
For the second year running, GROHE has come on board to help amplify the noise generated from The Brit List Awards. With the aim to understand the narrative behind each winner, the bathroom brand will stage interviews with a handful of the winners on its GROHE X platform.
Official Videographer: CUBE
We couldn’t mention our Broadcasting Partner without also giving credit to CUBE, which for the third-year running joins us as our official videographers, on the night filming and editing the highlights video as well as for the winners’ interviews. CUBE, which is a bold, innovative and strategic video and animation agency, also works with Hotel Designs on various video content throughout the year.
For years, our Event Partners have arrived with energy and personality and sheer innovation – everything The Brit List Awards stands for. And this year is no exception.
Atlas Concorde, which has just unveiled its first porcelain sink collection in collaboration with architect Mario Ferrarini, and opened its brand-new Clerkenwell Showroom, debuts this year as an Event Partner. The Italian brand, with a strong persona here in Britain, is a benchmark player in the entire ceramic tile industry and one of the most important and solid companies worldwide.
Duravit, which has won several accolades itself this year, including iF DESIGN AWARD and the Red Dot of approval, operates in more than 130 countries worldwide and stands for innovations in the fields of signature design, the intelligent use of technology and premium quality.
With its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, the Hansgrohe Group, based in Schiltach/Southern Germany, enjoys a reputation as a leader in innovation, quality and design within the bath and kitchen industry. With more than 118 years of history, the company is marked by innovations such as the first hand-held shower with multiple spray types, the first pull-out kitchen tap, and the first wall bar to hold a hand-held shower.
ØTHERS, a dual-sensory, ‘welltech’ product that allows spaces to adapt the mood of their environment using scent and sound to functionally influence the guest states of mind, makes its debut this year to The Brit List Awards as an Event Partner.
The experience designed by the brand translates functional scent into its sonic equivalent; a sensory tuning tool controlled via an app for creating the most optimal ambiance for any room desired.
Utopia Projects, which supports the design, supply and aftercare of bathrooms and spas to hotels, public buildings and residential properties nationwide, comes on board this year as an Event Partner. The bathroom design experts at the brand understand the time constraints often faced on a project and searching the market place for the right products is not just time consuming, but costly. With their key industry contacts and wealth of knowledge, the team aims to make life easier for A+D professionals.
Tickets to attend The Brit List Awards 2022, on November 2 at PROUD Embankment are now on sale. If you are an interior designer, architect, hotelier or developer, click here to purchase your tickets. For anyone else wishing to attend, click here to purchase your tickets. The application/nomination process for The Brit List Awards 2022 closes on August 19. Click here to apply.
A decade after its entry to the capital, affordable luxury hotel and lifestyle brand citizenM, continuing with its mission to disrupt the traditional, has opened the doors to its fourth property in central London…
Ten years after the opening of the brand’s first London hotel, citizenM Bankside, which was swiftly followed by Tower of London and Shoreditch locations, industry disruptor citizenM is bringing its hybrid hotel model to a new address on Vauxhall Bridge Road. Intended for business travellers and leisure visitors alike as somewhere to sleep, work, meet and relax, the new hotel neighbours the major transport hubs of the city, offering easy links to work, play and see the sights. Design of both the rooms and public spaces feature the trademark clean lines, modern furniture and bold colours. Both the interior and the exterior are designed by citizenM’s Amsterdam-based collaborator Concrete, teaming up with executive architecture and interior design firm Ica.
“We are excited to open the doors to our latest London property,” said Klaas van Lookeren Campagne, CEO of citizenM Hotels. “With three hotels already operating successfully in the city, this new property offers a fantastic addition to our existing portfolio and confirms our commitment to expand further in London’s most desirable neighbourhoods.”
Image credit: citizenM
As a hybrid hotel, citizenM has introduced its distinctive communal spaces to this new neighbourhood. The Living Room is intended as a home-from-home; a cosy space with corners and nooks for working, lounging, reading and relaxing. In this space, the brand standard of ‘curated chaos’ includes art, books and local artefacts alongside stylish, comfortable furnishings by long-term collaborator Vitra. 24/7 canteenM is positioned in the centre of the building, serving as pit stop for a bite to eat at any time of day, from early breakfasts to midnight snacks; guests can grab a barista-made coffee to takeaway, linger in the Living Room with a glass of wine, order a working lunch with delicious sandwiches and salads, or indulge a sweet tooth. Behind the bar, a wavy iconic bench is placed on a raised platform, connecting with Kings Scholars Passage (KSP). Natural daylight flows into the building from the open windows at the back of the space.
Image credit: citizenM
Since its founding, the brand has placed great importance in supporting and commissioning locally-based artists. A focal part of every property, the in-room art at citizenM London Victoria has been carefully and playfully curated, showcasing London talent that both documents and re-imagines English culture. In his photographic series, Luke Stephenson tracks the story of the 99p ice cream via a road trip around the UK; while Julie Cockburn, who trained as a sculptor at Central Saint Martins and has been exhibited extensively in the UK, Europe and the US, uses found objects and vintage photographs, re-configuring them in colourful and contemporary ways. Lastly, London-based Lorenzo Vitturi brings his colourful compositions of Ridley Road Market in Dalston, Hackney – the fruits and vegetables and the multicultural neighbourhood over the years – to the guestroom walls.
“Unlike a museum or art gallery, the artwork we feature in our hotels is meant to inspire you, yet make you feel included and at home,” explained van Lookeren Campagne, CEO of citizenM Hotels. “In every one of our hotels we like to mix art you recognise with art that keeps you guessing – the kind that stops you in your tracks. We like art that makes you think, without being intimidating.”
Image credit: citizenM
When opening a new hotel, citizenM is always looking for opportunities to bolster and support the local community. With this latest addition to its portfolio, the brand is delighted to be able to do so with a donation to the KSP Community Garden Project. This historic corner of Westminster runs right by the hotel, and thanks to the support of local partners like citizenM, KSP is creating a public potted garden to revitalise an otherwise overlooked space. The launch of citizenM London Victoria is the perfect embodiment of the brand’s intention to provide its luxury accomodation at affordable prices to modern travellers across multiple locations in one of the most visited cities in the world.
Continuing its 50th anniversary celebrations, this month Skopos throws some colourful notes of stripes and waves into the mix…
The first celebratory design for July emerges directly from the Halcyon collection first created in 2011. As a development of the Shangri-la design, Halcyon Dawn is a two-colour design, depicting an abstract, wavy graphic flower. Celebrating a self-indulgent hedonistic vibe, the Halcyon collection brought together a selection of woven, wide-width designs aimed at the hospitality market. Translating this design into a print, the team at Skopos have given the design a linen-look textured background, retained the same impactful scale, and produced Petrol blue and Gooseberry options for transfer onto curtain, bedding and upholstery fabrics.
The second design for July, Foss, started life as a design for digital print, in-house at Skopos. Never previously featuring within a collection, the archive design beautifully emphasises the benefits of digital printing, showing energy and movement with a blurred vertical stripe, with colours in complimentary shades. Foss has been produced in two colourways, picking up elegant tones of cyan and copper in one colourway and green, slates and blue tones in the other, with elegant contrast and reflective values in each combination.
Image credit: Skopos
Designs for July are available on any of our standard print base-cloths, with Halcyon Dawn sampled immediately on our Turin linen-effect base-cloth and Foss stripe sampled on Beau velvet cloth. Both designs are being offered in 2 colourways for immediate order.
Skopos is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Product watch: the Signature Collection by Northern Lights
Combining 35 years of lighting design expertise with cutting edge technology and traditional craftsmanship, the Signature Collection brings to life the materials, finishes and manufacturing techniques Northern Lights are renowned for…
The Northern Lights team of artisans work with an impressive range of materials, most of which are consciously sourced within a 60-mile radius. Hand sculptured and moulded ceramics feature unique textures and rich reactive glazes, whereas luxurious stone offers an organic presence, as does the hand turned raw wooden parts which can be finished in everything from Walnut to Wenge.
The array of glass capabilities is equally as impressive. Free blown and mould blown glass feature in decadent colours such as smoke, rich amber, cognac and anthracite to compliment different design schemes. Whilst fabricated brass, steel and copper are exposed to a wide variety of truly unique finishes, all applied and controlled in-house.
With over 35 years of expertise, Donna Gridley, Head of Creative at Northern Lights is the designer behind the collection. “With a fine art background, my inspirations come from many sources,” explained Gridley. “I am always looking to nature for inspiring textures and colours and architecture for structural elements and detailing. Designs in lighting and furniture from the last 150 years also inspire. I also find textiles and wallpaper patterns can spark an idea.”
Image credit: Northern Lights
The Maldere pendants and wall lights were inspired by a flea market find in France. The alabaster shade adds noteworthy elegance and diffuses the light in a softer way, accentuating the craftwork of the brass and depth of the patina. The Maldere pendant works beautifully in the Mathura restaurant in London.
From dramatic chandeliers and perfectly considered wall lights to cordless rechargeable table lamps that can be moved around both interior and exterior spaces with ease, each piece has been curated to form an exquisite collection of versatile timeless lighting, to transform & elevate any space. This versatility brings to life unlimited visions across endless design schemes, allowing interior designers to transform a variety of spaces effortlessly and within a shorter timeframe. A choice of materials and finishes on selected designs allow for tailored pieces that perfectly fit the design brief.
Image credit: Northern Lights
Image credit: Northern Lights
Amongst the collection highlights, the clay form that is the base of Coper, was inspired by the Ceramic Artist Hans Coper, a leading potter in the 50’s and 60’s. “I sketched some shapes and silhouettes in homage to the beautiful pieces he created before his death at 61 in the early 80’s,” said Gridley. “It is available in several glaze finishes, my favourite being a matt ammonite reactive glaze which complements the strong lines of the design. It is paired with short drums in natural linen colours.”
The Iveston table lamp is another versatile favourite – it has been specified for many projects including the luxury Galaxy yacht by Bergman and the Mansion House Hotel in Edinburgh, by Hamilton Design. This design was a result of looking to mid century influences to create a minimalist yet striking design from brass spinnings and marble and granite bases. The advantage of this design is that the real brass detailing can be patinated in any brass acid finishes from light antique through to oiled bronze to customize the fitting to suit any scheme.
New pieces in this collection will be brought to life and showcased exclusively at HIX in November, emphasizing the ever-evolving design process behind Northern Lights’ Signature Collection and the fluidity of its inspirations.
Northern Lights is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
The Aquatechnica range of complete pool and spa tiling solutions from Parkside, can now be found online, providing the basis for a stand-out design that meets any brief…
The Aquatechnica portfolio is focussed on delivering a total answer from design to installation, and includes everything needed to deliver a tile specification that works hard for a swimming pool project. With pool tank, surround, changing room, wet area, circulation, outdoor and complementary area tiles, profiles, movement joints, adhesives, epoxy grouts, renders, screeds and waterproofing.
Parkside has announced that Aquatechnica can now be found online providing its specialist solutions that meet the demands of technical and competition pools, leisure pools, spas and private luxury homes. Featuring technical collections, as well as supporting wall, floor and outdoor tiles; the Aquatechnica website makes it easy to choose a lane to a specification that will exceed expectations.
The website provides an overview of the wide breadth of solutions available from Aquatechnica, including high-design ceramic and porcelain tiles, specialist competition ranges, mosaics and outdoor tiles that respond to the rise in lido and outdoor facilities. Along with ordering samples of Aquatechnica products, visitors to the website can also download the Aquatechnica Technical Brochure, an essential guide for tiling systems designed to meet the unique demands of swimming pool specifications.
Upholding aesthetics and delivering on cost, the complete Aquatechnica range is available exclusively through Parkside Architectural Tiles and Strata Technical Tiles. By an integrated approach and high levels of UK stock, Aquatechnica delivers a fast-track solution that meets the demands of swimming pools in a multitude of environments.
Parkside is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts announce plans for hotel in Xi’an
Slated to open in 2026, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts have announced plans for the upcoming Four Seasons Hotel Xi’an. Here’s what we know…
Four Seasons Hotel Xi’an, a Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts project with Chinese development firm, Spring Garden Company Limited, a subsidiary of Vanzhong Group, will stand out from the crowd in its proposes setting in an expansive landscape within an otherwise high-rise and bustling metropolitan setting. The hotel will feature 250 luxurious guestrooms and suites as part of a mixed-use development project in Xi’an – a former imperial capital of China and start of the ancient Silk Road. As one of China’s most industrialized cities and now dubbed the “Digital Silk Road” as a result, Xi’an’s impressive plans for growth can be attributed to the concentrated focus on specialized technology by the extensive list of domestic and Fortune 500 companies that have established operations in the city.
“A resort-style hotel set within a thriving city-centre will be the first of its kind for Xi’an and its visitors,” said Wuliang Li, Chairman, Vanzhong Group. “In a city with such a rich history and leading commerce ecosystem, welcoming Four Seasons and their curated luxury hospitality offering to Xi’an will serve to further ignite the bright future that lies ahead.”
Local guests and international travellers alike will enjoy a collection of fine dining options that include two restaurants, a lobby bar and a rooftop bar overlooking Muta Temple Relics Park. Several private dining rooms, two ballrooms as well as flexible meeting and event spaces will be available to suit the needs of gatherings big and small. For those looking to refresh and relax, the hotel will feature a well-appointed spa, salon, indoor and outdoor pools, as well as open-air space dedicated to exercise and Tai chi. An abundance of historic exploration awaits the millions of travellers visiting Xi’an each year, and hotel guests will be able to immerse themselves in the city’s well preserved imperial museums, the majestic ancient city wall and renowned Terracotta Warriors Museum. Four Seasons Hotel Xi’an will be adjacent to Muta Temple Relics Park which is celebrated for the famous Muta Temple that once occupied the land (603 A.D.) during the prosperous Sui and Tang Dynasties. Tang Dynasty Wall Relics Park is also a short walk from the hotel where preserved relics proudly celebrate Tang culture, poems, music and calligraphy throughout.
“Xi’an is a dynamic destination known for its history, culture and incredible growth grounded in the city’s flourishing tourism and technology sectors,” said Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “We are thrilled to continue expanding Four Seasons footprint in China alongside our partners at Vanzhong Group. This exceptional new hotel will offer guests a luxury respite in the bustling city of Xi’an that effortlessly meets the needs of today’s business and leisure travellers.”
Four Seasons Hotel Xi’an will join a growing collection of Four Seasons properties in China, and joins an ambitious pipeline with over 50 projects currently in development worldwide.
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Product watch: online product configurator from Bette
Bathroom product manufacturer, Bette, has added a new online product configurator to its website to make the planning of its baths, washbasins, shower trays and shower floors easy and accurate…
The online configurator has been developed by Bette to make design easier – it allows bathroom designers, installers and end customers to put together a product, add relevant accessories and view it from all sides in 3D in the desired colour. Customers can choose from an enormous variety of bathroom products, dimensions, colours and equipment options using the new configurator, which can be found on each product page of the Bette website. It means that users can configure their product without having to worry about whether the selected features and accessories are appropriate, because the configurator only provides the options that are available and work together.
“The idea was to develop a tool with which bathroom products can be configured easily, accurately and quickly – without a lot of scrolling and without a lot of text,” said Sven Rensinghoff, Head of Marketing & Product Management. “Bathroom planners, installers and end customers can quickly find the perfect product thanks to the intuitive controls. And for Bette, it’s another important building block in the digitalisation of our sales.”
Image credit: Bette
The user is shown which dimensions and colours can be selected, which accessories can be used, whether a Bette frame can be chosen and which sealing and installation systems fit. In the case of multi-part products, such as the BetteLux Shape bathtub, which sits within an exterior frame, the configurator allows the user to choose the colour of the bath and frame individually. Once the configuration process is complete, the user receives a summary, including the final reference number, plus all features and selected accessories. The summary can be downloaded as a PDF, or sent by e-mail as a link, so that it can be shared for example with a retailer or designer. If the link is called up again at a later time, the configuration can also be edited again.
For end customers, the new service means they can share their desired product configuration with their retailer, and this is made even easier as the retailer search facility is directly below the summary. Bathroom planners can tailor products on the screen for discussion with the customer, face to face. Installers can also benefit from the practical tool, as they can view and check possible product combinations. For example, the planning aid ensures that the correct fittings and installation systems are automatically preselected when the height of the finished floor is entered.
Benefits for bathroom designers, installers and end customers have been integrated across the platform making access and installation of Bette’s specialist bathroom products a seamless process.
Bette is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Native, one of the leading UK aparthotel brands with eleven sites across London, Manchester and Scotland has announced Native Edinburgh’s re-opening following a 14-month refurbishment, along with the launch of the city’s hottest speakeasy…
The design for Native Edinburgh’s refurbishment was inspired by ‘The Inventors’ who lived within the city. The famed Scottish inventors include John Logie Baird, inventor of the television, Sir Alexander Fleming who discovered penicillin and won a Nobel Prize, and William Cullen, inventor of the refrigerator. The history of the Scottish inventors surrounds the streets around the property, and the new design aims to highlight this unique history through the décor, artwork and quirky gadgets used decoratively. Running with this theme the half-a-million-pound revamp covers the public spaces and eighty-two apartments comprising of studios, one bed apartments. Additionally, a new cultural programme and a speakeasy bar, Counter, is launching.
Image credit: Native Edinburgh
The chic new interiors combine amber whisky tones with the midnight teal colours of the night sky above the Georgian facades of Edinburgh’s New Town, where the property resides. Rich colours including the bright gold palette is reminiscent of the local area that was originally built to bring wealth back to the burgh of The Whisky Barone. The reimagined heritage-inspired lobby space showcases opulent green hues and botanical themed prints, taking inspiration from the Royal Botanic Gardens – a natural treasure of Scotland. The original Georgian windows allow natural light to flood in over the mid-century style furniture and lighting. The wallpaper in the lobby has been designed by Edinburgh Mairi Helena, known for her vibrant designs inspired by a love for Scotland’s colourful and textual landscapes.
Image credit: Native Edinburgh
Image credit: Native Edinburgh
“Each Native site celebrates the best of its surrounding area and Native Edinburgh’s refurbishment reflects the history of the city, and a focus on local culture to allow guests to plug into the city, whether they’re passing through or staying for longer,” said Olivia Immesi, Managing Director.
Coinciding with the re-opening, Native Edinburgh is launching a new speakeasy bar; Counter. Counter will serve coffee by day and cocktails by night providing an undiscovered destination bar in the heart of city centre for guests and locals.
Image credit: Native Edinburgh
The Counter at Native Edinburgh will also be home to a new bespoke cultural programme: it will host a selection of carefully curated eclectic events, spotlighting local produce in the daytime and homegrown talent at night. Late night summer programming will see the venue host a range of acts from neo-soul jazz nights and vinyl DJs to spoken word poetry. Counter will shine a light on up-and-coming creatives from around the city, including artists, writers, musicians and more.
Combining the freedom and authenticity of a local apartment with the comfort, convenience and premium service of a boutique hotel, Native breathes new life into historic city-centre buildings through thoughtful restoration and refurbishment. Embracing local culture, Native collaborate with local, independent like-minded businesses, designers and artists meaning each site has its own unique personality, creating inspiring, ‘native’ experiences.
Product watch: budget beating multi-purpose panels from Unilin
Unilin Panels, has introduced decorative Compact MDF – a budget-friendly product that brings more than 80 surface designs to the table…
The perfect choice for lockers and changing rooms to furniture subject to intensive use, Compact MDF is the latest decorative surface available from Unilin Panels. With a high-density, moisture-resistant black core, Compact MDF needs no edging tape and can be used in humid environments. It is also ideal for areas subject to intensive use: changing and dressing rooms, toilet areas, kitchen and bathroom furniture, product displays and worktops can all benefit from its excellent scratch- and wear-resistance.
The core of Compact MDF is made from 100 per cent recovered wood. This is wood and wood waste that is no longer usable for someone else, which is used in the production of MDF to save it from incineration. More specifically, the MDF is made from wood originating from residual flows from the wood industry and thinning from sustainable forest management and roadside maintenance.
Image credit: UNILIN Panels
Compact MDF is available in a wide range of looks. From true-to-material Fibromax Compact MR Black and classic wood effects to brushed metals and an extraordinary collection of solid colours, there’s a finish to coordinate with almost any interior. So, whether recreating a sophisticated and welcoming wood for bespoke features in a hotel room, or bright colour coded storage in a primary school or office, Unilin Panels Compact MDF is a great place to start.
Available in different thicknesses, the material is easy to process using standard MDF tools. The wide panel format (2070 x 2800mm) also reduces saw loss and ensures fewer joints. A budget-friendly answer for decorative finishes, Compact MDF is the multi-purpose panel.
Unilin Panels is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Case study: sleek solutions Laufen provided inside Pan Pacific London
Swiss bathroom specialist Laufen has once again partnered with New York based design duo, Yabu Pushelberg to equip the bathrooms and wellness treatment rooms of Pan Pacific, London with stylish design solutions…
The concept behind the spectacular architecture and interior design of the luxurious Pan Pacific, nestled in Bishopsgate Plaza, in the heart of London’s historic centre, diligently honours the brand’s Asian heritage, whilst creating a contemporary structure that flawlessly echoes its London surroundings. Global influential interior designers, Yabu Pushelberg created a stylish, contemporary design aesthetic for the Pan Pacific, London – Pan Pacific Hotel Group’s first European accommodation and flagship hotel.
Image credit: Jack Hardy
The impressively towering exterior of the Pan Pacific is where the journey begins as you enter through the grand double doors. Once inside, it’s tranquil serenity is a parallel to the hustle and bustle of the busy London streets just metres away. This serenity continues through the hotel’s 237 elegant guestrooms, where beautiful Asian influences are apparent in the soft colour palette, wooden panelling and neutral décor, creating a calming atmosphere. The large marble bathrooms feature a luxurious walk-in shower and bathtub, and are completed by contemporary, sleek solutions from the Kartell • LAUFEN collection, including a sleek wall hung WC and stylish basin.
Image credit: Jack Hardy
“We are delighted to once again partner with Yabu Pushelberg, and to be a part of this incredible project,” said Ilker Hussein, Global Projects Corporate Director, Roca Group. “Upon entering the Pan Pacific, its warmth and tranquillity welcome you with open arms, paying homage to its Singaporean heritage. The Laufen products specified effortlessly complement the luxurious quality and contemporary design aesthetic.”
Image credit: Jack Hardy
Created by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba, Kartell • LAUFEN embodies distinctive characteristics: design excellence, innovation, quality and functional efficiency, all interpreted to bring a new dimension to the bathroom. The exquisite collection uses Laufen’s innovative SaphirKeramik to achieve thinner, more defined and extremely robust ceramics, producing impactful, stand out pieces that will stand the test of time.
The hotel’s theme of calm and serenity is continued with the guest wellbeing amenities on offer, incorporating fitness, nutrition, holistic treatments and mindfulness. Guests can relax in the stunning 18.5m infinity pool, steam and sauna rooms and beautifully designed luxury treatment rooms featuring Kartell • LAUFEN washbasins. The Public washroom facilities also feature the Kartell • LAUFEN washbasins and wall hung WCs to complete the project for the Swiss manufacturer.
Laufen is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
In conversation with: Mario Ferrarini, the designer of Dialogo Collection
Mario Ferrarini, an innovative product designer, has worked with some of the biggest names in the arena. His recent collaboration with Atlas Concorde led to the launch of the Dialogo collection. Editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with him during Clerkenwell Design Week to discuss his designs past, present and future in the Atlas Concorde showroom…
A few months ago, we unveiled to the world of design Atlas Concorde’s first foray into porcelain sinks when we published an article that introduced the Dialogo Collection. The product had been developed in partnership with the designer Mario Ferrarini, who has extensive experience in the bathroom furnishing sector. For this project, Ferrarini worked on parallel lines with an extremely calibrated design that carefully assesses thicknesses and cross-sections to create sinks of dimensions that meet the needs of interior design.
Ferrarini, who graduated in Industrial Design at the Polytechnic of Milan, began his design career practicing as a consultant for a number of renowned design studios until, in 2007 he took the step and founded his own studio. His studio works alongside companies to create unusual products that are timeless and transcend passing trends. For him, the partnership with Atlas Concorde was “seamless and made a lot of sense.”
To mark Atlas Concorde’s timely arrival into the Clerkenwell area, Hotel Designs invited a handful of designers to to the new showroom to listen in on our exclusive interview with the designer.
Hamish Kilburn: So, Mario, let’s start by understanding how all this began. What inspired you to launch your own studio in 2007?
Mario Ferrarini: To be honest with you, I was working with a famous design studio at the time. I had just won a design competition, which understandably created an element of tension for a time in the workplace. This prompted me to see what else there was out there. So, I ended up launching Studio Mario Ferrarini.
HK: In the past, you have said that balance is the principle goal of your global concept? How has the meaning of that sentence evolved in the last say five years?
MF: Well, it’s not a focus that I follow like a rule, but rather something that comes as an observation at the end of the process. It’s about the process, you see. And a sense of quiet and balance that comes from the dialogue that is part of the design project. It is about taking the time and understanding the journey – from prototype to completion. I work a lot using sculpturing, which allows me to focus on the details, and when a client likes and understands that process of ‘balance’, well that’s when a project works in my opinion.
HK: You have worked with leading brands, such as Linge Roset, Poltrona Frau, Castelli and more including, recently, Atlas Concorde. How do you approach working with new brands?
MF: At the beginning of my career it was very hard to be taken seriously by some of the companies – in Italy it feels like your age is often more important than your ideas. As a young designer, I was not taken seriously, which is sad but it’s true. I used to spend a lot of time at design fairs in Europe to see, understand and keep contact with companies. You can speak with 10 people, and end up working with one – although those other contacts might come into play in later years. It is vital to create a network and to keep authentic dialogue going as we are no longer in the 1970s when designers are a rarity and companies weren’t flooded with emails, texts, and links – today, there is strong competition so you have to work hard to be heard. And to be a bit older now is also a plus!
HK: In a lot of the conversations we are having at the moment, collaboration seems to be the tool for evolution. Is it easier to collaborate these days than it was when you first started in 2007?
MF: I think the key to successful collaborations comes back to your network. At the starting point of your career you follow competitions, possibly try to share something with a company, do parallel works like renderings. You do what you can to develop a network and out of this collaborations will develop. When I am working on a collaboration I try to really get to know a company, how it works, to feel their vibes, the soul of the factory – it might look wonderful from the outside or in a magazine, but as you get to know the company and its process, it might be totally different. I also think it is important to share skills, as part of the process of collaboration. It can sometimes be difficult starting a collaboration with a new company, but at the same time, once we start to talk and the process between the design and the supplier is a positive one, then one collaboration inevitably leads to others – it all goes back to the process and importance of networking.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A
“The design solution we developed has a simplicity that is underlined by a more complicated process.” – Mario Ferrarini.
HK: Taking a look at the Dialogo collection, where did you start, and can you talk us through the various stages of design?
MF: At the beginning of the pandemic, I received a call from the board of Atlas Concorde asking me to suggest how we could link their ceramic tiles with the world of the bathroom object, to design something with soul. It was interesting to understand their motivation in a period where there was so much uncertainty, and that despite this, they remained committed to the design process without compromise – this was an important point for me as it was clear that this was a focussed team.
The real challenge of the project was developing an understanding of the material, its qualities and the limitations of ceramic. The design solution we developed has a simplicity that is underlined by a more complicated process. The context of the design was based on the bathroom as a temple of quietness and beauty. The design works on suggested boundaries where we take a pause from a frantic life. It was important to make a recognisable washbasin but one that is also unique, and in this case it is the connection with the wall surface, the tiles, that results in an entirely integrated product with a seamless and architectural design profile.
HK: How did your experience, designing industrial products and furniture, help with this project?
MF: Fortunately that experience helped a lot. I started my career in the bathroom area working with Jacuzzi and Antoniolupi, both of which taught me a lot about the technical side of the process while allowing me to develop my own design vision. Bathroom product design is of course very technical, very precise, and you need to know the right dimensions and proportions of, for example a washbasin, to ensure that it not only looks good, but functions correctly as well.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
HK: With so much emphasis on materials, how beneficial has been to work with a surface brand on this sink collection, instead of a bathroom brand?
MF: We had to tread carefully, because this was a first for Atlas Concorde. So, to introduce an entirely new product is always difficult even if it is made with the same material. But happily the end result is a good design and a unique concept developing the connection from the surface tiles to the sink which will complete a bathroom design in a new way, integrating the furniture and the surfaces.
HK: There’s a strong narrative in this sink collection around ‘changing perspectives’, can you elaborate?
MF: The collection is a new chapter for Atlas Concorde – it has been about working with the DNA of the company, its tiles, and then taking it in a new direction, developing new designs and products. This is only a starting point of discovering how to look differently at a product and develop the design process as a more fully coordinated concept.
HD: In the Habitat model, which is reminiscent of a piece of art, how do you ensure vein continuity when cutting the porcelain?
MF: With difficulty! We spent a lot a lot of time working on this and trying to find a workable solution that had to accommodate so many different aspects of design, including the need to avoid waste.
HD: And finally, how do you see this collection evolving?
MF: For the Milano fair we completed the collection by adding furniture to complement the sink design and this takes it to another level. The concept remains true to the design, but is then combined with a base in a selection of colours that connect directly with the sink and tile palette. There are always new ways of developing and evolving the design and integrating it successfully into the bathroom.
The name itself, Dialogo, reflects the ongoing nature of the project – a dialog between materials, both in harmony and in contrast; between different surfaces; between an industrial reality like Atlas Concorde and the world of design.
Atlas Concorde is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Having been revamped and reimagined by Sage Studio, Hotel Per La, located in the iconic former NoMad Hotel site in downtown LA, has opened its doors just in time for the Major League All-Star Weekend in the city…
Under new ownership and management, debuting rooms and a new rooftop concept, with full completion scheduled for September 2022, the 12 story Hotel Per La will feature 241 signature guestrooms, and a variety of public spaces. The 10,000 square feet of versatile event space, along with a new rooftop bar & pool space overlooking the LA skyline have opened, with a new ground-floor café and restaurant preparing to launch this September.
“We are truly honoured to welcome this iconic hotel to the Sage family, as it represents the type of luxury lifestyle property we plan to strategically add to our portfolio in the coming years,” said Walter Isenberg, president and CEO of Sage Hospitality Group. “This hotel marks a new evolution for our organisation as we work to become the undisputed lifestyle hospitality company in the nation.”
Image credit: Hotel Per La / The Ingalls
Located in the Giannini Building, the former Bank of Italy home originally built in 1922, the reimagined property will retain the signature features of the previous hotel, while enhancing the guest experience. HN Capital Partners has collaborated with Sage Studio to revamp and expand the property’s guest offerings. They are introducing new food & beverage concepts that highlight community-driven dining experiences, and working closely with a number of local Los Angeles based creative partners to bring a new hospitality space to the Downtown neighbourhood.
Image credit: Hotel Per La / The Ingalls
Image credit: Hotel Per La / The Ingalls
”HNCP is excited to work with the existing ownership group and Sage to rebrand and relaunch this unique property. Since our founding, we have had a focus on creating unique luxury and service experiences in lifestyle hotels we acquire or develop, with a keen eye on changing consumer preferences. This hotel is directly within that strategy,” said Vipin Nambiar, Founder & Managing Partner of HN Capital Partners. “This acquisition is also special in that we were able to welcome Jeremy Selman to our team as a partner to help execute this investment with me. Jeremy is a true hotelier and has had a long and successful tenure in hospitality. He also has a deep understanding of this hotel and property given his prior role at Sydell. We look forward to welcoming guests to the hotel.”
Sage Hotel Management is a passionate group of accomplished industry veterans who have led the way in defining experiential hospitality while maintaining a reputation as best-in-class operators and consistently delivering results. With a diverse portfolio of nearly 60 hotels across the US, the addition of Hotel Per La to this portfolio is part of a dynamic pipeline for the company.
KCA International’s design vision for JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea
From flying carpets to the blue waters of the Bosporous, KCA International have captured the many facets of Istanbul and its surroundings in the design of the new JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea…
A member of Marriott International, JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea is a five-star hotel, offering a seaside location within the Sea Pearl complex while being close to the city’s cultural, shopping and business district. With 201 guestrooms and suites, the hotel shelters a diverse collection of restaurants and bars, while the hotel’s spa offers luxurious holistic treatments from all over the world. Conceived by interior designer, Khuan Chew of KCA International and her teams in Dubai and in London, the hotel interiors showcase a contemporary look, letting the light of the Marmara Sea flood in while fusing the very best of sophistication, precision, and simplicity, with the warmth of Turkish culture.
Image credit: Marriott International
KCA have chosen a theme of ‘water’ representing the Bosphorus as a source of life, the lifeline of Istanbul through the centuries. It is reflected in the typical Turkish symbolic blue, captured in many of the finishes throughout the hotel. With the city and the hotel being in the centre of civilisation, straddling Asia and Europe, KCA have taken inspiration from both diverse cultures in the various areas within the hotel.
The story of Istanbul is depicted as the guest walks through the entrance Sky Frame that is central to the entire architecture and takes the eye to the end with stunning views to the sea. The ‘flying carpet’ chandelier is a first and is the main focal point in this magnificent space as it drops down to the floor making a strong visual statement.
Image credit: Marriott International
The F&B areas vary vastly, from a chic and contemporary Lebanese offering, to Turkish cuisines, to a very European Bar Lounge. The details are carefully designed to portray a more contemporary 21st Century take on relevant historical classical details, patterns, and motifs. Modern and eclectic dining choices also include a fine dining specialty restaurant, an all-day dining venue, a classical tea lounge, and sea front terraces. Each and every area has a meaning, a story, or a reason for being. For Chew, interior design is always key to a human’s relationship with space and therefore whether they are grand spaces or intimate ones, the attention to detail and scale is of monumental importance with the focus on the guest’s comfort and approval.
Image credit: Marriott International
Turkish hospitality is unique, and the stylishly lavish guestrooms and suites provide generous space and feature balconies either facing the Marmara Sea or the city’s skyline. From the colours to the textures, the entwining influences of both Europe and Asia are present in each space. The Marmara Sea shimmers into view thanks to KCA’s emphasis on natural lighting and a selection of stunning light installations, ensuring guests have a real sense of place each time they return.
The Function areas are again directly inspired by the life of the Bosphorus and connecting seas. It’s a celebration of the fishing tradition with the crystal hanging pendants and bar screens. Reflective metallic wall coverings representative of water and skies work in harmony, supporting and enhancing the scheme.
The Leisure and Spa areas offer a space of peace and tranquillity. The layering of forms is inspired by the travertine terraces of Pamukkale. The interconnecting, abstract tree mosaic in the pool area is representative of the five forests of Istanbul – everywhere in the design the surrounding natural environment is omnipresent.
Ikos Resorts have announced plans to expand its luxury offering with a second property on Corfu Island – Ikos Odisia – slated to open in May 2023 as a sophisticated beachfront escape where architecture and aesthetics blend harmoniously with nature, embodying the brand’s signature luxury essence…
Ikos Resorts has announced the sixth addition to its luxury all-inclusive portfolio, with the opening of Ikos Odisia in Corfu scheduled for Q2 of 2023. The second Ikos to open on the Greek island, Ikos Odisia sits in an iconic location, protected in a secluded bay across from Ikos Dassia. Designed by Nimand Architects, the new Ikos Odisia is gracefully elevated for dramatic views and landscaped vistas across the Ionian Sea.
Surrounded by fragrant woodland, the serene resort boasts 395 guestrooms, suites, bungalows, and villas, each thoughtfully designed for couples and families of all sizes. Sprinkled invitingly across 60 acres and blending harmoniously into the lush natural surroundings, Ikos Odisia will welcome guests to elegant ambience on the water’s edge, combining relaxed beach life with luxury, chic interiors. The five-star property will welcome the outdoors in, taking full advantage of the unspoiled nature surrounding the resort. Those looking for the ultimate Ikos experience can opt for the exclusive Deluxe Collection Suites, in an unrivalled area of the resort with tailored pre-arrival planning via a personal concierge and a range of benefits.
Image credit: Ikos Resorts
Guests at the new Ikos Odisia can look forward to the group’s award winning all-inclusive Infinite Lifestyle concept, bringing next level relaxation to virtually every element of a holiday, with menus created by Michelin-star chefs, signature spa experiences by Anne Semonin Paris and 24-hour room service. Also included as part of their stay, guests can enjoy dining out at select local restaurants, including a tempting option on Vidos Island, only accessible by private boat.
The resort will have five a la carte restaurants, with menus created by Michelin-star chefs offering flavours from Greece, Italy, Peru and Asia, as well as a Mediterranean buffet-style restaurant. Creative signature cocktails and a choice of 300 international and local wines will be served by Ikos sommeliers and expert mixologists at the hotel’s indoor and outdoor bars, which offer a venue for every occasion- from laid-back beach bars to elegant live music settings. Taking full advantage of the resort’s elevated location, Ikos Odisia’s exclusive new dining venue, The View Lounge, welcomes guests to incredible views across the Ionian and will serve cocktails, light snacks, and a full dinner menu celebrating a fusion of Peruvian cuisine.
The resort will offer ten heated outdoor and indoor pools, including kids and adults-only pools, as well as a 420m white sandy beach framed by fragrant pines, citrus groves and olive trees, and overlooking crystal-clear waters. A beach waiter service serving food and beverage and 30 minutes free childcare on the beach for kids over the age of four will also be on offer. Those looking to keep active while on holiday can enjoy the state-of-the-art fitness centre or enjoy the range of sports facilities and activities from tennis to canoeing, mountain biking or windsurfing. The Ikos Spa offers unrivalled views of the Ionian Sea, the ideal backdrop for a luxurious signature treatment, with beauty products by Anne Semonin Paris.
As with all Ikos properties, Ikos Odisia will support the local community to have a positive impact on Corfu island’s economy and the destination overall, one of the most cosmopolitan and attractive destinations in Greece. The resort will collaborate with local suppliers and generate 700 new jobs, with at least half the positions filled by locals. Ikos Odisia will also establish sustainable hotel operations under the Ikos Green programme, including being carbon neutral and implementing zero waste initiatives.
The Edinburgh hotel 329 High Street, combining a rich heritage with a modern-day design is able to achieve its vision with Häfele ironmongery…
Häfele was called upon by Chris Stewart Group, who were overseeing the refurbishment of the Old Town Chambers as a collection of luxury serviced apartments in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, to provide a suite of suitable door ironmongery for the apartments at 329 High Street. The schedule was required to complement both the new, modern apartments added to the hotel and the more traditional reception, bar and restaurant areas.
Having identified a growing need for accommodation that combines the heritage of the city with high-quality, comfortable stays, Old Town Chambers offers exactly that. Each room showcases the building’s fascinating history in a globally-renowned part of the city, teamed with contemporary furnishings and distinctive architecture. The original Old Town Chambers, a listed building from the mid-18th Century, is home to 50 high-quality apartments, accessed via Roxburgh Court, which sits just behind the Royal Mile. In 2021, the owners of the hotel had the opportunity to refurbish the existing building and expand their footprint by taking over an adjoining address – 329 High Street – which would add 24 new high-end apartments to the property across three floors and a mezzanine level, as well as a street-level reception area, bar and restaurant.
Image credit: Häfele
Old Town Chambers is a perfect blend of the old and the new; the 24 apartments added to the building might appear to be the stars of the show with duplexes and mezzanine floors, but equally incredible are the existing rooms and communal areas which have so much heritage, and offer visitors an authentic Edinburgh experience,” said Ken Binnie, Specification Consultant for Häfele Projects.“The ironmongery for the doors of the apartments had to be carefully selected to reflect the rooms’ individual character and modern feel, while the reception, bar and restaurant spaces – which look directly onto the historic Royal Mile – required more traditional hardware, of exceptional quality, to match the aesthetic of the existing building.”
“The attention to detail offered by Häfele Projects was excellent; ironmongery can be a minefield but Ken and the team listened to what we wanted and knew exactly what to apply to the project, “ said Karen Brown, Head of Interiors for Chris Stewart Group, having worked closely with Ken on the 329 High Street project. “There were some intricacies to consider, which were met with experience and a knowledgeable approach. For example, some doors required a lever handle on one side but we were retaining the existing door knob on the other. Getting the two to marry was looking difficult and would’ve been an ongoing maintenance issue for the hotel if not resolve, but Ken suggested connecting them via a spindle which instantly resolved the matter. We were able to meet and discuss our requirements in-depth, explore a huge range of sample and Häfele Projects were more than happy to liaise with the contractor direct to enable us to focus elsewhere. This project has really opened our eyes to what Häfele is capable of, and we’ve been able to consider other project ranges too which we intend to utilise on future developments, like lighting and small appliances.”
Image credit: Häfele
Working closely with Chris Stewart Group and architects ISA, Häfele developed a tailored hardware schedule and specification. For the communal areas of the hotel, specialist Frank Alark handles were selected in a satin nickel finish to complement the traditional style of the space. For the apartments, Häfele’s stainless steel mitred lever handle provided the perfect solution. Furthermore, given the complexity of the requirements, it made sense to utilise Häfele’s Häfele to Order service – which allows customers to order their products cut, labelled and delivered to their exact requirements. This included both phased floor-by-floor and door-by-door packaging to make the installation process as efficient as possible for contractors Thomas Johnstone Ltd.
Häfele is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Stop the press! Chelsom turns 75 this year. To celebrate more than seven decades leading the way in lighting manufacturing, Hotel Designs has launched an editorial series that looks at what the family-owned British company has achieved. In our first article, Editor Hamish Kilburn makes a nod to the milestone moments…
It was good taste, a keen eye for design and detail and a ‘seven days a week’ work ethic that made Reg and Kay Chelsom’s small antique lighting shop, The Golden Age, a huge success in post war Blackpool. Sourcing mostly from Paris flea markets, they restored and sold fabulous antique pieces with Kay’s mother contributing by making exquisite hand-sewn lampshades. The growing reputation for unique lighting pieces attracted clients from all over the North of England, as well as the stars of stage and screen of the day who were performing live at the UK’s famous holiday destination.
Image caption: Shop front of The Golden Age, where the Chelsom story began. | Image credit: Chelsom
In the ’50s, one shop became two and then three, and at the same time the first tentative steps were taken into UK manufacturing. Using small local foundries, original antique pieces were purchased to make moulds for reproduction traditional lighting which was originally sold through the Golden Age shops and later distributed to other retailers throughout the United Kingdom. The fledgling manufacturing company was proud to count Harrods, Fortnum and Mason and John Lewis as three of its earliest customers. High demand required higher levels of production and some of the component manufacturing was moved to Europe where the company, now called RJ Chelsom and Company Limited, was one of the first to import high quality traditional lighting into the UK. Throughout the 1960’s a nationwide distribution network was set up with supply to retailers and interior designers working in the contract market.
Robert Chelsom joined the company in 1971 just as it moved to larger premises, and he became Managing Director in 1976. The following year the original antique shops were finally closed to allow full concentration on the burgeoning manufacturing distribution business. In the early 80s, Robert felt that there was a much greater appreciation of up-to date design and high quality in the contract and hospitality sector than there perhaps was on the high street and so began the transition from retail supply to providing lighting solutions to the contract market. “It was a fantastically exciting time” he told Hotel Designs. “With the growing realisation of just how important good lighting is to any interior design scheme, lighting moved from the bottom of the interior designer’s wish list right towards the top and there was a much greater appreciation of lighting design and function within the industry.”
Image caption: Robert Chelsom in his younger years at Chelsom. | Image credit: Chelsom
1987 saw a move to the company’s current large premises, Heritage House, and the team was strengthened with senior management, particularly on the technical side, to oversee the demise of the incandescent lamp and the innovative moves to energy saving halogen and compact fluorescents. In 1989, the company opened a magnificent trade lighting showroom in London and welcomed many top interior designers to view the ever-changing collections.
By the early 1990s, Chelsom Limited as it was now called was winning hotel projects with many of the UK’s major hotel groups. It was then that the decision was taken to create the first of many industry leading substantial lighting catalogues covering the greatly expanded range. Plans were laid for the launch of the catalogue to be a biennial event and the latest catalogue was always greeted with great enthusiasm by the interior design industry. Landmark projects were won in the UK and for the first time, exports became a substantial part of the company’s turnover. New company Directors were appointed to manage and direct the ongoing company growth. Looking for market diversification, two new company divisions were created- the retail division whose main customers were Marks and Spencer and Laura Ashley and the architectural division, Light Engine, which worked with architects and lighting designers to illuminate the interiors and exteriors of prestigious public buildings.
By 2005, the hospitality side of the client base was becoming so all-consuming that a decision was made to sell the retail and architectural divisions and concentrate 100 per cent on hospitality. In 2006 the current Managing Director Will Chelsom joined the business and spent several years working closely with designers and procurement companies in London before moving North to manage the company from Head Office. The decade saw a successful move into the USA market and the creation of Chelsom Hong Kong Limited to facilitate shipments to Asian markets and to oversee the very stringent QC operation which Chelsom has in the Far East to ensure all componentry coming from that part of the word reaches the very highest Chelsom standards of quality and function. Will very much pioneered a move into the marine industry where the company’s design capabilities and high levels of quality have been much appreciated by the cruise sector. This has been particularly the case with custom lighting where Chelsom have worked hand in hand with specifiers to create some of the cruise market’s most spectacular lighting installations manufactured mostly in the UK.
Image credit: William and Robert Chelsom meeting the late HRH Prince Phillip when Chelsom awarded two Queens Awards for Export. | Image credit: Chelsom
Coming right up to date, Chelsom has recently won two Queens Awards for Export as a result of substantial and continuous overseas sales growth, and last year a prestigious Red Dot Award for product design. Will Chelsom said: “I am extremely proud that I am a fourth-generation family member involved in a business which has thrived on its original principles of design, quality and service. Today we have an extremely high global reputation, exporting to more than 70 countries and it gives me great personal pleasure that we have worked with many of the world’s leading designers and specifiers for so many years and continue to do so. We will maintain our search for creativity in product design; our drive for ever higher levels of quality; our journey towards total sustainability and our passion for product that we love.”
Chelsom is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Nordelaia, a brand-new independent boutique hotel, with interiors by These White Walls, is getting ready to throw open its doors onto the Piedmontese countryside, inviting guests to disconnect and re-connect with themselves, each other, and nature…
Set within five hectares of agricultural land planted with vines that will produce the hotel’s own wines, Nordelaia is the culmination of a careful three-year restoration of the 800-year-old farmhouse steeped in a rich history. Working alongside local architects Tunesi Studio Genova, this historic building has been thoughtfully transformed by by British design studio These White Walls, with the guestrooms and spa sitting alongside a striking new three-tiered building within the grounds which is home to the dining and events space.
“Our design for Nordelaia is centred around wellbeing and escapism,” said Rose Murray, Founder of These White Walls. “The aim being to create a holistic and nurturing environment in which guests can relax, switch off and connect not only with each other, but also with the stunning landscape that surrounds them. We define this design as ‘rustic-luxe’, where rest and reconnection with nature go hand-in-hand with cultivated indulgence.”
Image credit: Nordelaia
Each of the 12 individually designed guestrooms has a distinctive aesthetic that celebrates Italian heritage and local craftsmanship. Ground floor ‘Garden’ rooms have direct access to ornamental gardens and feature textured materials, including rustic woods, natural stone burnished metals and wrought iron. These sit in contrast to the ‘Legacy’ rooms on the second floor that have a more dramatic feel with luxurious materials such as velvet and brass. Tucked away at the top of the building are the cosy and wonderfully private Attico Suites. There are no televisions in guestrooms in an effort to encourage guests to enjoy a digital detox, and various rooms feature Devon & Devon freestanding bathtubs, fourposter beds, private terraces, or a ‘Yours & Mine’ layout, where each guest has their own wardrobe, desk and chair.
Image credit: Nordelaia
Image credit: Nordelaia
Adjacent to the farmhouse are Nordelaia’s two restaurants – a ground floor Bistro for relaxed all-day dining with a focus on Piedmontese ingredients, and L’Orto fine dining restaurant on the second floor for an innovative culinary experience. The food concept by Michelin-starred Chef Andrea Ribaldone and resident Chef Charles Pearce, emphasises home-grown produce from local farmers that evolves with the seasons and is inspired by traditional dishes. L’Orto bar offers a tailored list of wines from the region as well as imaginative cocktails, again using the freshest seasonal ingredients.
“The design for the restaurant is very much a reflection of the layers of the garden that surround it,” said Murray, discussing the design. “The ground floor palette is reminiscent of the rich soils, roots and earthy, deep shades of green, red and black found underfoot. The first floor, in contrast, references the budding and blooming flora of those gardens, with plaster pink walls and peachy gloss tiles and textiles.”
Image credit: Nordelaia
Placing importance on a slower pace of life, the spa at Nordelaia is 450 square metres and set in the vaults of the building with views across the valleys of Montferrat, inviting in the healing powers of nature. The spa has partnered with Comfort Zone to offer relaxing rituals and rejuvenating treatments, and guests can make use of the Turkish hammam, banja, Kneipp pool and a herb room, as well as yoga and gym spaces.
Image credit: Nordelaia
Open year round and with a focus on natural relaxation, Nordelaia has plenty to inspire and explore. Easily accessible from Genoa, Milan and Turin, guests can enjoy countryside walks or cycles in the rolling hills, wine tastings and winery tours at local vineyards, truffle hunting, foraging and cooking classes using local ingredients and traditional techniques. Beyond the hotel, the destination offers ancient castles and picturesque villages, hot sulphur springs – as well as under-the-radar Genoa, with its art, historic centre, fabulous food and the transformed Renzo Piano port.
Resiliencia – an immersive light experience by LEDS C4
LEDS C4 is once again joining the Grec Performing Arts Festival with a new interactive lighting installation. Titled ‘Resiliencia’, the light experience invites the public to reflect on current events in Europe…
Europe is the featured continent of this year’s edition of the Grec Festival, and LEDS C4 invites the public to step into its interactive installation, ‘Resiliencia’, in the gardens of the Teatre Grec in Montjuïc. This immersive lighting experience highlights the immense capacity of new generations to overcome the obstacles and traumatic circumstances that have been suffered recently – such as COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis.
Image credit: LEDS C4
Along the main axis of the garden you can find the ‘digitotems’ – lighting features which have been custom designed and produced by LEDS C4 for this installation. These elements have a two and a half metre high vertical body that blends in with the surroundings. Their function is to create an interactive space, with a feeling of calm with warm white, blue and lilac tones, while allowing the user to interact using a button that will trigger an environment of chaos – with red, black and white moving light – which will conjure up fleeting feelings of instability in the user before calm is restored. On the side paths the chosen colour for the lighting is lilac, representing reflection and the human being’s capacity for empathy. Warm white has been chosen for the restaurant and rest area, offering a sense of security and calmness to the user while creating a haven at the end of the walk through the installation.
Image credit: LEDS C4
“We live in the era of connectivity,” said Carlos Martínez, Head of LEDS C4 Control & Connectivity team. “What better way of representing it in Grec than connecting light with people in a spectacular way.”
“Though our lighting software, in partnership with LEDS C4, we’ve managed to create light based on space and time to express the essence of the project,” said Sebastián Mealla, CEO of ProtoPixel.”The capacity of our software to integrate sensors and interfaces makes it possible for the visitor to interact with the installation in a natural and disruptive way. Light is more than just an element to help us see, it enables us to connect with the space, transmit emotions and improve our daily lives.”
To bring the idea of ‘Resiliencia’ to life, LEDS C4 has worked in collaboration with the Catalan company ProtoPixel, which, through its lighting platform, has been able to deliver the vision and mission of light in this project by co-designing three main light expressions. These light contents have been programmed to be projected on the eighteen digital totems that are strategically distributed along the main walkway of the garden. When a visitor activates the button, the scene is interrupted and the pre-programmed sequence activated.
This is the fourth consecutive edition of the Grec Festival where LEDS C4 has created a lighting installation. This interconnection between light and culture developed by the LEDS C4 lighting project team uses light itself as a tool, modulating it and applying a great deal of technical knowledge to create these ephemeral and interactive statements.
LEDS C4 is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Determined to do more than provide pretty plants, Leaflike is committed to working towards a circular economy on every level – whether though promoting preserved florals, using recycled planters, or creating lifelike green walls, re-cycling and re-using remains a focal point…
The idea behind a circular economy is about the end of life of a product. It is not a new concept as generations gone by have had to adapt to the resources they had available at the time, often through re-using and re-purposing. However it is something that has got lost in the pursuit of the quickest, cheapest and the easiest options, which ultimately may not be sustainable. The mantra ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ needs to inform all our design decisions.
Image credit: Leaflike
Image credit: Leaflike
Leaflike are able to support a circular economy by bringing back products once they have finished their time on display. This applies to green walls as well as the more traditional floral arrangements and seasonal changeover maintenance contracts created for ongoing customers. Whether its preserved florals, recycled planters, lifelike green walls and even moss, the priority is always to reuse and recycle products where possible.
“We work with the best suppliers in the industry to ensure we are aligned in the reduction of carbon emissions,” said Stephen Abernethie, Managing Director, Leaflike.”Using tools to measure fuel consumption, electricity consumption, energy consumed and fertilizer data, their research shows that preserved flowers and plants have less than a third carbon footprint than that of natural flowers, in a cultivated environment.”
A circular economy works towards reduction in waste and pollution, and goes hand in hand with increasing biodiversity. It is about bringing prosperity to business and society in addition to the environment. Regenerative by design meaning natural resources do not become depleted and thus new industries can arise bringing economic growth. The new London Plan, which came into law in March 2021, insists a circular economy statement be submitted along with a whole life carbon assessment as part of the planning process. This aims to reduce waste and pollution and ultimately help achieve the net-zero carbon commitments. If we all embrace this much needed change, it is suggested that circular economy strategies could deliver emission reductions that could limit the expected temperature rise by half.
Leaflike sees working towards a circular economy as being a fundamental part of the brand commitment and responsibility to provide the best advice and products for clients to achieve sustainable goals.
Leaflike is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Having recently made a bold collaborative statement with Kaldewei at Fuorisalone in Milan, we caught up with designer Cristina Celestino to ask her about the shift from wearable to washable design, bathroom trends, and that crucial debate of bath vs shower…
At this year’s Fuorisalone in Milan, Kaldewei celebrated the luxurious and intimate beauty of bathroom culture. The brand teamed up with Vogue Germany for the jointly presented ‘Bathscape’, an installation, designed by Milan designer Cristina Celestino, founder of Attico Design. A private spa, a glamorous relaxation room and an intimate retreat for very personal ‘me time’ moments –today’s bathroom has so many facets, and Celestino built on these concepts in her installation.
For the Milanese designer, the project was a sculptural research into the multifaceted aspects of bathroom furnishings, from aesthetic questions about sensual perception and the luxury of relaxation to aspects of sustainability and resource conservation. ‘Bathscape’ explored how the choices we make in the bathroom can transform these spaces into a very personal home spa. What makes the modern bathroom an oasis where you can recharge your batteries and relax? And how important are ecological and social aspects? Against the backdrop of these complex questions, ‘Bathscape’ created the basis for a highly topical dialogue whilst presents exciting ways to approach contemporary, luxurious bathroom design.
Image credit: Kaldewei
Image credit: Kaldewei
Hotel Designs: Historically you have worked with some of the great fashion houses such as Fendi and Sergio Rossi, so did it come as a surprise to be asked to work with Vogue Germany on a project that included sanitaryware?
Cristina Celestino: I was pleasantly surprised when Vogue got in touch with us: I knew the products of Kaldewei for their intrinsic sustainable quality and aesthetic rigour and Vogue has always been an editorial reference for tips in the field of fashion, with a contemporary look. The three-way collaboration between Kaldewei/Vogue/Celestino has produced a cultured and innovative setting, mixing different skills and cultural aspects.
HD: Kaldewei are one of the leading advocates for sustainability, all their products are 100 per cent recyclable, are you finding that many clients now prefer a sustainable option?
CC: There is a growing awareness of people who choose to use materials, objects and furnishings while respecting ethical and sustainable codes. Having the ability to recycle objects is crucial. Kaldewei has been doing this for a long time and has proven itself as a world leader.
Image credit: Kaldewei
Image credit: Kaldewei
HD: Colour is a key trend in bathrooms now, how do you feel about colour in the bathroom, is this something that you are happy to see extending into sanitaryware?
CC: Colour is part of our interpretation of the world, so inextricably linked to it. We have long been accustomed to identifying sanitary ware with white colour, but this is for obvious reasons purely related to the history of hygiene. Today we can dare new associations, new approaches, under the banner of a contemporary vision of new habits and needs of man/woman.
HD: Do you prefer white bathtubs, washbasins and shower trays or would you mix and match?
I freely move between white and colour, with no specific preferences. The colour is chosen according to the project, the place and the customer and the result differs every time.
HD: How will this ‘mega trend’ around wellness evolve in years to come, in your opinion?
CC: The intimate space of the bathroom immediately connects us to a desire to return to ourselves, to time itself, to our well-being care. The bathroom, traditionally relegated to ‘lower function’ is acquiring more and more importance and value, just like other living areas. I imagine articulated spaces, such as the Milan exhibition, where objects assume an identity and a symbolic role, at the same time fluid and functional.
HD: Final question. Are you a long soak in a bathtub person or do you prefer the speed and revitalising effect of a hot shower?
CC: I get up very early in the morning and a vigorous and refreshing shower after the night is crucial to start the day off right!
Kaldewei is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Festival of Hospitality announces 2022 headline theme
Togetherness, celebrating inclusivity and diversity for a positive future are the major themes that will run throughout this year’s Festival of Hospitality. Here’s what we know…
The gamechanging thought leadership event that launched last year, The Festival of Hospitality, introduces ‘togetherness’ as the headline theme for 2022, in celebration of the individuals that represent the wide-ranging and diverse skills across the industry. Returning this October, the festival aims to help shape a better connected, positive future for hospitality with events that dare to be different from the norm and bridging the gap between a traditional design fair and investment conference.
Event formats – anything but ordinary
The line-up promises to be unconventional; taking place both on and offline, inviting all levels to participate with a focus on intimate events that encourage conversations.
The festival offers exclusive access to some of London’s hottest new hotel openings with behind-the-scenes tours, fireside chats with panels of high-profile industry leaders, digital content focussing on current and future trends as well as providing skills-based workshops helping individuals develop their networking and communications skills; useful for the
many fun social events taking place. In addition, a new series of conceptual events launches during the festival with engaging and creative content designed to be insightful, fun, and inspiring.
Conceptual events include:
Devil’s Advocate: lively debates that challenge status quo and current thinking.
Under the Covers: real life case studies behind-the-scenes of hotels and their teams. Community Table – invitation-only round table discussion events hosted by guest chefs. MyStorySlam – industry professionals share their experiences and career journeys. Urban Safaris – a guide to the best places to visit in London for inspiration.
“Our mission is to create a better-connected industry and to shake up old-fashioned ideas on how people should network. Just recently, we’ve seen how great it is when we all come together through the most challenging of times and now, we have the chance to recalibrate, address old ideals and make positive changes,” commented Karen Willey and Katie Tobin, Founders of Festival of Hospitality. “Throughout our events, we are hoping to inspire the next generation by sharing learnings from hospitality leaders demonstrating just how rich and varied a career it can offer, and we also want to give them a voice – by offering them a seat at the table to help shape their future.”
Paying it forward
The future-focussed festival provides the opportunity for participating partners and businesses to pay it forward. A percentage of all sponsorship contributions and ticket proceeds will contribute towards extra events that are aimed at those looking to break into the industry, additional proceeds will also fund two people on the annual membership programme, which provides mentorship and development.
Steering group
The festival’s steering group is made up of an impressive line-up of individuals representing a wide-range of industry professions, including: Eric Jafari, Creative Director, Edyn; Maurice Petignat, Vice President, Cedar Capital; Adam Mursal, Founding Director, Pillar; Phillipa Wagner, Founding Director, PW/c; Ella de Beer, Director, Electric Mayonnaise; Phoenix Chow, Associate Director, Hotel Capital Markets Savills; Marie Carcassonne, CEO, Dynamo and Dean Culpan, GM, Birch.
“The Festival of Hospitality brings together some of the industry’s brightest and most creative minds to discuss some of the hot topics that are top of the agenda for investors, designers and operators during panel discussions and networking events. An event not to be missed!” added Maurice Petignat.
Philippe Starck designs second edition of Tulum for Duravit
Tulum, designer Philippe Starck’s second tap series for Duravit, is an elegant and timeless design uniting iconic forms with patented innovation…
Following the successful introduction of ‘White Tulip’, Tulum represents Philippe Starck’s second tap series for Duravit. The harmonious combination of round and angular forms brings timeless elegance to the collection. The taps are extremely adaptable, and slot perfectly into a variety of bathroom interiors, harmonizing with numerous ceramic series. Positioned in the mid-price range, the tap series is guaranteed by Duravit for five years.
For Philippe Starck, timelessness means longevity of objects, and today this is one of the most important parameters when designing, not only on a material level but a cultural and emotional one to. He employs this concept within the design of Tulum via a successful symbiosis of minimalism and elegance. The slim, rectangular geometries of the spout and handle emerge from the conical body in an exact parallel. The combination of round and angular elements means that the taps can be matched with organically shaped or angular sanitary objects.
Image credit: Duravit
The flat, exquisitely worked spout is the same width as the long, elegant, lever-style handle. It guarantees that water volume and temperature can be set easily and precisely. Available in two finishes – chrome and matt black – Tulum synchronises with the Starck T accessories series, also designed by Philippe Starck.
From the compact washbasin taps for the small guest bathroom through to the extra-high models that can be combined with wash bowls, Tulum by Starck offers the perfect solution. The range can be installed in other areas of the bathroom – bidet, shower, and bathtub: from exposed to concealed installation through to the freestanding bathtub mixer. The showerhead portfolio includes matching hand showers and showerheads in a range of sizes and design variants, from round to rectangular or as a stick shower
Image credit: Duravit
Tulum makes a durable impression in both visual and tactile terms and holds its own in terms of quality with long-lasting ceramic cartridges and perfectly finished surfaces that are easy to clean. The harmoniously integrated aerator enriches the water jet with air and generates a gentle spray pattern. The washbasin mixers with the energy-saving FreshStart function are available in both small and medium. Initially, only cold-water flows in the central position, and the hot water is only added when the user deliberately moves the handle to the left. The Duravit BlueBox, a universal installation system for a range of tap designs (lever mixers or thermostats), is used for concealed installation, allowing the design decision to be taken even after the basic set has been installed.
Duravit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Hyperion Tiles adds naturally inspired flooring, suitable for a variety of settings, to its comprehensive collections…
Family-run, independent online tiles specialist Hyperion Tiles has expanded its comprehensive portfolio to feature Woodpecker engineered wood, bamboo and Stratex flooring. Working closely with designers, architects and specifiers, Hyperion Tiles is renowned for providing comprehensive collections of porcelain and ceramic tiles, with technical support, for commercial projects.
The new range arrives after the launch of the Onyx tile collection. Richard Skeoch, Director at Hyperion Tiles, explained: “Our new Woodpecker flooring offers you a wealth of opportunities in the field of creative floor design. We are now offering three Woodpecker ranges – engineered wood, bamboo and Stratex – which will enable you to benefit from three distinctive looks for a statement floor in a commercial hotel project.”
Image caption: Featuring a real wood top layer, this bathroom flooring, our Woodpecker Lynton in Seagrass Oak from the Stratex collection, features a waterproof finish. | Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
Hyperion Tiles’ new engineered wood flooring collection allows you to create a luxurious finish with all the character and style you would expect from a solid timber floor. However, advanced technology has been used to minimise expansion, contraction and warping, making most of these designs suitable for underfloor heating. The entire range of engineered wood flooring is also FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified and sustainably sourced.
The brand is now offering a revolutionary new twist on luxury vinyl and laminate with Woodpecker’s unique Stratex collection. This combines the water-resistant and durable benefits of luxury vinyl with the style and stability of laminate. Incredibly strong and durable, you can choose embossed vinyl wood-effect or a real wood upper layer flooring and a water-resistant or waterproof finish, making the latter highly suitable for areas with high moisture and humidity, such as the bathroom. Choose from more than 26 colours and finishes in the collection and this flooring is also suitable for underfloor heating.
If designers are looking for a super-stylish floor, which is incredibly tough and features one of the most sustainable materials to man, the brand’s new Woodpecker bamboo flooring collection could be ideal. This rapidly regenerating grass grows to full maturity within five years and it’s the strongest growing plant on earth (each plank has a tensile strength equal to steel), making it the perfect choice for ultra-durable, sustainable flooring.
Hyperion Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
On the fringe of London, Coworth Park became Dorchester Collection’s youngest member of the hotel family when it opened in 2010. Editor Hamish Kilburn, along with a production crew from CUBE, arrived to explore the hotel’s design narrative, and were given access to the hotel’s latest premium suite, North Lodge (scroll down to watch the full video)…
In recent months, much emphasis has been put on The Dorchester, as details emerge about its latest renovation that should be unveiled this September. However, without taking away the significance of that historical project, I headed outside of London for our latest hotel review in order to explore Coworth Park, which has for over a decade added a leafy layer of luxury hospitality to Dorchester Collection’s UK portfolio.
Image credit: Dorchester Collection
The iconic hotel, designed originally by Martin Hulbert who at the time was working for Fox Linton Associates, sits in the quiet village of Ascot – just 45 minutes by road from Central London – and shelters 71 suites and rooms, as well as two signature suites.
The luxury country house hotel and spa is set over 240 acres of picturesque Berkshire parkland. The estate includes polo fields, an equestrian centre, an award-winning luxury Spa with indoor pool and three restaurants including the Spatisserie, relaxed dining in The Barn and one Michelin starred dining at Restaurant Coworth Park, serving a modern British menu.
Image credit: Dorchester Collection
Image credit: Dorchester Collection
Inside, the design and décor is an ode to Coworth’s origins and yet avoids the predictable country house clichés one might wrongly expect. Hulbert’s approach was one of seamless comfort and simple beauty. As a result, he created a relaxed and informal environment that encourages intimacy and privacy. Furnishings, furniture and art are mostly British-made, acknowledging a British tradition of craftsmanship. Throughout the hotel, the flooring is of English smoked oak adorned with beautiful bespoke rugs. Textiles include wool, cashmere, mohair and linen. Natural pigments and dusky colours predominate to instil a character to the hotel that is undeniably English – subtle, understated and elegant.
Image credit: Dorchester Collection
As impressive as Coworth Park is, with its timeless elegance and awe-inspiring architecture, I arrived with the intention of exploring the hotel’s latest premium suite, North Lodge, which is housed in the estate’s gatehouse located on the outskirts of the estate. To my initial surprise, I was told that North Lodge, unlike the rest of the estate, was not created by an award-winning interior design studio. Instead, it was designed by the two people who arguably knew the hotel – and its regular guests – best; General Manager Zoe Jenkins and Director of Rooms, Rowan McFeat.
Here’s the full hotel review:
I have been fortunate enough to experience three properties that are under Dorchester Collection’s umbrella. What strikes me as significant is the fact that while the design of each hotel is a unique – unmatched like a fingerprint – each are connected in hospitality and in style. Coworth Park, for example, may be a junior in comparison to how many more decades its siblings have stood for, but it uses its assets, such as its captivating, manicured grounds, to its full advantage in order to offer something no other hotel could in, or outside, the collection. And that is testament to the hotel group, but more importantly, to the team who, day in and day out, effortlessly ensure that quality never goes out of fashion on the hospitality scene.
Hilton has opened the doors to its first hotel in Santorini, one of Greece’s most coveted island destinations. Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, inspired by the simplicity of white-washed Cycladic architecture is located on the island’s south coast…
Sea Breeze Beach Resort is located in the heart of the bustling village of Exomitis, a typically Santorinian community that offers guests a true slice of island life. The Cape of Exomitis is set in a quiet and unspoilt area, where a long black sandy beach starts from below the village and the property and extends for over three kilometres. Situated on the southernmost point of Santorini, it is easy to feel like there is nothing beyond the expanse of turquoise waters below.
“We are thrilled to expand Hilton’s presence in Greece with our second Curio Collection by Hilton hotel on the nation’s idyllic islands,” said David Kelly, Senior Vice President, Continental Europe, Hilton. “Marking Hilton’s debut in Santorini, this is one of a growing number of outstanding Hilton resort properties across Europe. We are thrilled to be welcoming guests to experience true Hilton hospitality in this fantastic one-of-a-kind hotel on the shores of Santorini.”
Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton
All rooms come complete with their own private pool or hot tub for that extra special touch – offering the perfect destination for guests who desire the facilities of a resort, but the privacy and seclusion of a rental villa. Rooms are domed and white-washed in keeping with the local Cycladic architectural style, making this the perfect place to escape and enjoy a break from the day-to-day.
“We are thrilled to open Sea Breeze Beach Resort on Santorini’s south coast, a spectacular new property perfect for a romantic or family getaway,” said Alexandros Koutsodontis, General Manager, Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton. “Working with Hilton to introduce their first hotel on the island and opening in time for the summer, we know that guests will love the simplicity and elegance of our hotel. From thoughtfully designed gastronomy and highly sought-after direct beach access, to some of the finest guest rooms on the island, we anticipate Sea Breeze Beach Resort will be a hit with visitors to Santorini.”
Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton
When not enjoying the private pool directly outside their bedroom, guests will be able to cool off in one of the large infinity pools, or relax poolside gazing out at endless views of the Aegean Sea. With wellness on the Sea Breeze agenda, The Euphoria Spa, has an extensive menu that is guaranteed to deliver ultimate relaxation. From Cretan massages to detoxifying Ice Treatments, if guests were not already soothed by the sounds of the waves, a morning of pampering will ensure the chance to fully unwind.
Serving the very best of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine with a creative twist, Sea Breeze Beach Resort offers exquisite dining experiences at its two restaurants. In a relaxing setting with spectacular views of the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea, guests will be able to enjoy an appetising menu of dishes, while the restaurants’ handpicked selection of traditional Santorinian wines will delight oenophiles looking to sample local grapes.
Meet the contributors to the Hotel Experience Guest Report 2022
Having teamed up with some of the leading experts in the world of hospitality design, Gerberit explores the challenges being faced by the industry in its Hotel Guest Experience Report for 2022. With chapters from Sensory Designer Ari Peralta, Architects Balkaran Bassan and Cecilia Vodret, and Sound Architect Tom Middleton, here is a little more about the contributors and the content behind the report…
Through the report, Geberit explores several themes within the broad parameters of hotel trends and design, from the use of technology and maximisation of space, through to concepts around wellbeing and the role of sound.
With wellbeing and smart tech being one of the report’s main themes, Sensory Designer and Neuroscientist, Ari Peralta, kicks off the discussion and explores the importance of human wellness in hospitality design by looking at the role of smart technology in amplifying positive guest experiences in his chapter ‘Beyond Smart: Sustainability, Wellbeing & Experience’. Ari is joined by other experts, including architect Cecilia Vodret, Head of Interior for Speri design’s London office who examines how hotels can make the best possible use of every space available to boost both revenue and guest wellbeing. Balkaran Bassan, Senior Designer at Areen Design, predicts in the report that we will increasingly be combining the individual user experience with an emphasis on wellbeing. And finally, Sound Architect, Tom Middleton looks at the growing importance of the bathroom and why it can no longer remain just a transactional and transitory space for guests.
Peralta takes the report into his world with a closer look at Smart Wellbeing. With smart devices becoming must haves for today’s connected consumer, and technology shaping the future of hospitality, smart tech enhances user experience even in the bathroom, with innovation like shower toilets incorporating features such as built-in orientation lighting with different atmospheric colours, or odour extraction and user recognition. The intuitive nature of smart products like this make the bathroom experience a relaxing one.
“From new user interfaces to intuitive design, technology is rapidly evolving…subsequently transforming the built environment from the inside out,” said Peralta. “This shift from analogue to automated hotel operations represents a unique opportunity to bring wellbeing into the conversation and reimagine what a smart hotel can do.”
“There are some smart devices that many designers and hoteliers may not think about immediately, including smart bathroom technology,” continued Peralta. “A smart bathroom connects with your smart home devices (including smartphones and voice control devices) to provide you with complete control and customisation of your bathroom experience. Smart bathroom gadgets can offer many benefits including convenience, reduced resources and improved health.”
Image credit: Geberit
Image credit: Geberit
With space maximisation another of the report’s main themes, architect Cecilia Vodret, Head of Interior for Speri design’s London office examines how hotels can make the best possible use of every space available to boost both revenue and guest wellbeing in her chapter ‘The Importance of Space Maximisation in Hospitality Settings’.
The importance of space and its impact on our wellbeing cannot be underestimated. After being confined to one place and restricted to our homes for much of the past couple of years, the need to break out and exist in a fresh and fulfilling space is instinctual, and this is what Vodret explores in her chapter of the Hotel Guest Experience Report.
Using space intelligently is essential to creating a sanctuary in the washroom as Vodret comments: “The washroom should be elevated to a sanctuary to provide a restful, serene retreat. To achieve this, it is key that the space is used efficiently; harmonic ratio in defining the room’s washroom area should be at the forefront of the design, ensuring that flow and guest experience are prioritised.”
Balanced room proportions are key and harnessing cleverly designed small ceramics can achieve this. Geberit’s iCon and Selnova Compact ranges, for instance, incorporate a short projection design to efficiently maximise the space. Additionally, making the best use of innovations like wall-hung technology can expand a room. The Geberit Duofix frame can support wall hung WC, making a larger portion of the floor visible and so allowing the guest to perceive the area as more spacious. Combining space saving innovations that work together can not only enlarge the feeling of the room, but also creating a refreshing, relaxing aura in the space.
“Proportions and ratio have been cleverly used throughout human history to enhance and maximise the space,” said Vordret. “As Vitruvius, Roman architect of the 1st century BC, once said, ‘beauty is produced by the pleasing appearance and good taste of the whole, and by the dimensions of all the parts being duly proportioned to each other’. Those are valuable lessons that are very much applicable today.”
Moving onto user experience and wellbeing in the report, Balkaran Bassan, Senior Designer at Areen Design*, predicts that we will increasingly be combining the individual user experience with an emphasis on wellbeing. Bassan details how hotel guests will expect thoughtful experiences and solutions that allow them to detach from the stress of travel and find their home away from home in his chapter ‘The Case for Change’.
Image caption: Editor Hamish Kilburn speaking to Balkaran Bassan (Areen Design) and other designers about a WFHotel concept that was designed for HIX | Image credit: HIX
He goes on to discuss how now, more than ever, the bathroom is more than a singular functional room but also a sacred space, where users can retreat from everyday life for some much-needed relaxation. The pandemic vastly affected people’s attitudes towards wellbeing and now, creating a comforting space is essential. And when it comes to creating this all-important haven for calm, hoteliers must take note of the gradual shift towards ‘lifestyle’ design and service.
“Whilst there was a danger that such an approach could, like previous trends, stagnate, this concept could still align well with the personalisation and flexibility elements,” said Bassan. “It could also offer the potential for growth and longevity if the elements of wellbeing and ‘the bigger picture’ were also taken on.”
The world is opening up once more giving hoteliers the opportunity to impress visitors, offering a meaningful experience to those who have been eagerly waiting and have high expectations for their stay. Bassan concluded, “As opportunities to travel are constantly in fluctuation – and significantly more difficult than they were before – hotel guests will expect thoughtful experiences and solutions that allow them to detach from the stress of travel and find their home away from home.”
Finally, exploring the concept of sound in the report, Tom Middleton discusses how hoteliers now have a social responsibility to design a ‘temple of tranquillity’ with empathy and how the sector can support the real human challenges of our life navigating a new normal in his chapter ‘Your Temple of Tranquility’.
Image caption: Tom Middleton joined a panel at the Independent Hotel Show on sensory design in hospitality. | Image credit: Independent Hotel Show
The impact of sound on our wellbeing should not be underestimated. Our ears work even when we’re asleep, with the brain continuing to process the sounds it detects. Unwanted noise pollution – such as dripping taps, loud drains or a disruptive toilet flush – can cause hotel guests to wake up groggy, unrested and having never entered the crucial deep REM sleep our body and mind needs.
In his chapter Middleton comments: “We rarely give ourselves a chance to truly switch off, disconnect and invest time in wellbeing practices to build greater resilience. Ask yourself one simple question: where do you really get time on your own to escape? To take a moment to breathe, clear your head, come up with ideas or solve problems. I think most would agree the bathroom is the place for all of these.”
Managing the acoustics within a bathroom is key. Geberit’s Silent-db20 piping can reduce noise transfer from draining water from washbasins or showers. Wall-hung toilets with concealed cisterns and pre-wall frames such as Geberit Duofix can prevent noise from travelling down the wall and through the floor. Simple product innovations like this can vastly transform the guest experience into one that produces nothing but positive and peaceful emotions.
“With a socially responsible person-first sensory design approach I believe we can optimise our bathrooms,” continued Middleton. “Hotel guest bathrooms in particular need to be a safe and peaceful haven of optimal wellness where we can escape the noisy, stressful world outside. If we assess the time spent in the bathroom each day, we can identify those micro-moment opportunities to build new healthy self-care habits, behaviours and rituals to support our wellbeing.”
Harnessing the power of sound and smart technology, maximising space, while focussing on user experience and wellbeing to create an escape for guests away from the stresses of everyday life is sure to enhance the experience of the customer, help build stronger, more positive memories and keep them coming back. The hotel washroom may be at the heart of this.
*Since publication of the report, Bassan has moved from Areen Design to Blacksheep as Senior Design Lead.
Geberit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Following the success and rapid expansion of Ideal Standard’s retail network, Faucets has been appointed as a new retail distributor for both Ideal Standard’s Atelier and Bathroom Collections offerings…
Ideal Standard and Faucets have entered into a distribution and service agreement. The partnership sees Faucets become the first distributor of Ideal Standard’s premier Atelier Collections in Great Britain. First launched in 2021, the award-winning luxury collections were designed in combination with renowned Italian design company Palomba Serafini Associati. Faucets will also be a key distributor for Ideal Standard’s Bathroom Collections range.
“Maintaining the strength of our relationship with retailers is vital to us at Ideal Standard,” said Adam Evans, Retail Channel Director at Ideal Standard UK. “Our partnership with Faucets supports our existing retail network, while providing an enhanced service and ensuring we can provide a wide range of stock, quickly.”
Image credit: Ideal Standard
Image credit: Ideal Standard
“We’re delighted to announce this partnership, which helps further cement our position as a leading stockist and distributor of quality bathroom products,” added Darren Taylor, Managing Director, Faucets. “Working with Ideal Standard’s existing retail network helps bolster our offering and means we can provide an excellent service to all customers, every time.”
Both Atelier and Bathroom Collections offer a comprehensive range of products, with innovative designs and high-performance technologies, providing retailers with the strongest possible portfolio. Importantly, the service agreement means retailers can take advantage of a large range of stocked products available on a next day basis for a faster, more consistent service
Ideal Standard is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
The sunbeds have been rolled out and with summer in full swing north of the equator, the hotel openings continue at a pace taking us from island hopping in Greece to a luxury staycation in London, with an Italian vineyard visit in the middle for good measure…
Anyone else feeling like this year is rolling by relentlessly? No sooner is one event wrapped up than another is on the horizon, and the same can be said for hotel openings which show no sign of slowing down. With projects and ambitious pipelines being announced constantly, new hotels are constantly changing the hospitality skyline – some opening their designer doors quietly while others are making a bit of a noise – from rural retreats to city statements, here are a few that caught our attention this month.
Nordelaia – Piedmont, Italy
Image credit: Nordelaia
Heading for the vineyards of Italy, this new rustic-luxe 12 guestroom hotel invites guests to disconnect and reconnect with nature. Nordelaia, slated to open mid July, has seen a careful three-year restoration of an 800 year old farmhouse steeped in a rich history by British design studio These White Walls. Working alongside local architects Tunesi Studio Genova, this historic building has been thoughtfully transformed into the guestrooms and spa, alongside a striking new three-tiered building within the grounds, which is home to the dining and events space.
Nobu Santorini – Santorini, Greece
Image credit: Nobu Hospitality
Situated on the island’s captivating northeast coast, the boutique hotel is a first in Greece for the brand, and will house a signature Nobu Restaurant, full-service spa, fitness facility, dual-level infinity pool, and five luxurious pool villas, and offers panoramic views of both the Caldera and Aegean Sea from its unique clifftop location in Imerovigli.
One&Only Aesthesis – Athens, Greece
Image credit: One&Only Aesthesis
The expansion of the ultra-luxury brand One&Only in Europe, continues with the development of One&Only Aethesis on the Athenian seafront.
In a 21-hectare seafront estate, within a six-hectare forest reserve, One&Only Aesthesis will be positioned a short distance from the capital and its most iconic sites, such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Syntagma Square and Cape Sounio. The resort, overlooking a 1,600-metre shoreline, will offer a statement beach club where guests and residents alike can gather and enjoy priceless views from sunrise to sunset.
Cap Karoso – Sumba, Indonesia
Image credit: Cap Karoso
Sitting on the shores of a coral reef and surrounded by turquoise lagoons and traditional villages, Cap Karoso is a luxe launchpad for exploring the Indonesian island of Sumba. The 47 guestroom, 20 villa resort brings a sophisticated and multi-dimensional approach to the island experience, focussing on mindful exploration, finding solitude in nature, while enjoying lifestyle experiences. With the organic farm at its heart, this hotel is about cultural immersion, adventure and artistic refelctions.
Rosewood Vienna – Vienna, Austria
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Making its mark in the heart of one of Europe’s most historic cities, Rosewood Vienna is set to provide visitors with an authentic, original, and personalized travel experience inspired by the destination’s local culture and international spirit. Situated in a historic 19th century building, Rosewood Vienna is a collaboration between A2K Architects, BEHF Architects and interior designer Alexander Waterworth. The end result is a hotel that marries historic charm and European Belle Époque architecture with modern interiors and timeless sophistication.
Cosme Paros – Paros Greece
Image credit: Marriott / Kanava Hotels & Resorts
With a design to embrace the authentic Cycladic lifestyle and encouraging a carefree state of mind, Cosme has opened its doors and is able to make good on the promise by Konstantinidou to welcome global explorers an invigorating journey of experiences on the shores of the Aegean Sea, celebrating the joy of life in the charming town of Naoussa. Developed by Kanava Hotels & Resorts, Cosme embraces hoteliers Antonis Eliopoulos’ and Kalia Konstantinidou vision and ethos for understated luxury while elevating authentic, Greek hospitality.
The Other House
Image credit: The Other House
And finally, a small hotel making a grand entrance claiming to herald in a new era of hospitality! The Other House is an innovative concept that we first explored earlier this year. Combining concepts of hotel with private club, The Other House is as much an exciting, eclectic, boldly designed new destination for guests coming for just a few days, as it is a London bolt-hole for those who moved to the country during the pandemic or international visitors needing a place in London to call home. Offering ‘Club Flats’, a Private Club for residents and hotel services, it is the first of this type of accommodation that the UK has seen. Sheltered inside Harrington Hall, a heritage property, The Other House South Kensington will offer 200 Club Flats – all of which will feature signature, fully fitted and contemporary design – for leisure travellers and corporate visitors alike.
First renders of The Dorchester’s renovation released
The Dorchester, which has remained opened throughout its extensive renovation – credit to the exceptional operations team – will reopen its famous revolving doors in September of this year. The renders of the project have been a tightly guarded secret. Until now. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
London’s hotel design scene is enjoying somewhat of a moment in 2022. Following the opening of NoMad London, The Londoner and the soon-to-open Peninsula London, it can be easy to forget about the legendary hospitality establishments that have stood the test of time and are currently going through major renovations. One of the most complex and interesting among them is The Dorchester, which recently announced a full-scale renovation.
The hotel, which first opened in 1931, has engaged with the most renowned names in design and architecture to transform the hotel: Pierre-Yves Rochon is redesigning the hotel entrance, The Promenade, new Cake & Flowers boutique, and the guestrooms and suites; and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio has been appointed to redesign the bar. And overseeing the entire operation is ReardonSmith Architects.
Image caption: Render of what we should expect the iconic Promenade to look like inside The Dorchester. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
With decades spent fine-tuning a tradition of placing guests at the centre of everything, The Dorchester has found a way to be true to its celebrated past whilst becoming fluent in what matters in an ever-changing world. By cultivating and encouraging sophistication without snobbery, style without excess, and curiosity without judgement, this remarkable hotel embraces its next chapter as the London home from home for those who make the world turn.
Pierre-Yves Rochon’s vision presents light, fresh and thoughtfully composed rooms and suites designed in varying colourways inspired by an English garden, from pale leaf green and rose fog pink, to heather blue and lemon yellow. New signature and junior suites will be introduced, allowing for spacious and more residential style accommodation for guest comfort.
Image caption: The new lobby, sheltered inside The Dorchester, has been designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
The Dorchester’s famous façade has been a prominent landmark of this dynamic international city for over nine decades. New lighting will rejuvenate the exterior, creating a welcoming glow across Park Lane. Guests will arrive onto an enhanced forecourt, featuring a beautiful green granite underfoot and a landscaped, verdant garden area located underneath the renowned plane tree.
The arrival experience will extend into an open lobby, flooded with natural light and bookended by two imposing artworks. Both are truly distinctive, yet each work connects with the other through their celebration of The Dorchester’s prized position, anchored in the landscape since its original arrival.
The Promenade will capture guests’ imagination as they move beyond the lobby into the heart of the hotel and the setting for vibrant dining experiences, including The Dorchester’s afternoon tea. A new destination will be unveiled towards the end of The Promenade, a glamorous and sparkling area for fun and frivolous evenings of Champagne, seafood and entertainment.
Image caption: The Dorchester rendering of The Promenade bar Pierre-Yves Rochon. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
An original collection of contemporary artworks by British artists will be revealed throughout The Promenade. The pieces, uniquely individual and crossing a range of diverse media and techniques, all offer a new take on nature and have been created to evoke the sensation of strolling through a perfectly curated and cultivated British landscape.
Meanwhile, Martin Brudnizki is redesigning the hotel’s legendary cocktail institution. Here guests will encounter a bar with movie star looks and a supporting cast of talented bartenders ready to curate evenings of mature fun.
The Dorchester main bar, designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
The bar’s new interior is inspired by the spirit and elegance of the roaring thirties, a time when manners were still important and yet mayhem was celebrated. The new layout allows for a dedicated Park Lane entrance and an outside terrace with views towards Hyde Park. Ornate design runs throughout the bar, including a 1930s Palladium leaf ceiling creating a warm effect as Martini hour transitions into the evening. An upper area of the bar and cosy ‘snug’ provide more privacy without compromising on the atmosphere.
A series of Cecil Beaton pieces will hang within the bar to honour a long-standing connection between the photographer and designer and the hotel, and to remind guests of this glamorous decade. Some of Beaton’s original drawings and celebrity photography will be brought together with work by contemporary artists, such as Rosie Emmerson, who were inspired by both Beaton and the energy of that time.
With its own entrance on the Deanery Street corner of the hotel, Cake & Flowers, is an entirely new offering to entice the curious and sophisticated. Feature windows will come alive with captivating masterpieces that showcase the passion and mastery of in-house designer florist, Philip Hammond, and executive pastry chef, Michael Kwan. Within, shelves and cases will be filled with lively delights; signature pastries and cakes to take away, uniquely presented gift hampers, floral bouquets and a selection of Champagnes and artisan chocolates.
In addition to renovating all public areas, the hotel will also unveil newly designed guestrooms and suites – here’s a teaser showcasing what to expect:
Image caption: Rendering of a room inside The Dorchester, designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
The Dorchester will be ready to reveal its new interiors as of early September 2022 – hitting this ambitious turnaround, considering the latest constraints when it comes to sourcing materials, will be an extraordinary feat. Until then, the hotel remains open for guests throughout the renovation with its popular afternoon tea served in the beautiful Orchid Room and a Mediterranean concept at The Dorchester Rooftop throughout the summer. As The Grill, Alain Ducasse and China Tang completed refurbishments in recent years; they will continue to remain open as normal, as will The Dorchester Spa. The Ballroom, with its own entrance on Park Lane, the magically theatrical Penthouse & Pavilion, and the Chef’s Table continues to be available for corporate and social events.
Stay tuned as Hotel Designs is committed to publishing all the latest news from The Dorchester during this renovation period.
Artiq and Link open 2022 Queer Frontiers Pride exhibition in style
Artiq, the international art agency, has opened the fourth annual charity art exhibition, Queer Frontiers, which takes place until July 10 as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Pride in London…
Queer Frontiers was founded by Artiq in 2018 to champion LGBTQ+ creatives and allies and has raised more than £40,000 for LGBTQ+ and ally charitable causes. Queer Frontiers 2022 opened last week with the aim to celebrate inclusivity, diversity, and creativity, as well as support the work of vital LGBTQ+ charities. All artworks displayed in the exhibition at 7-9 Walker’s Court in London’s Soho will be for sale, with at least half of the proceeds donated to the Albert Kennedy Trust and Outside In.
Creating a more sustainable and inclusive arts economy is at the heart of Artiq’s ethos, and Queer Frontiers will feature a selection of emerging and established artists. The artists on display this year include Chris Hawkes, Emil Lomardo, Zeena Wright, Kevin Anaafi-Brown, Nan Carreira, Natalia Lewandowska, Trinity Tristan, Sebastian Sochan and Curtis Holder.
Artist credit: Nan Carriera
Artist credit: Curtis Holder
This year’s exhibition sees Artiq partner for the first time with Link, along with Soho Estates and headline sponsor, specialist insurer and arts supporter, Hiscox. Several other leading industry firms are also supporting this year’s exhibition, including Talent Solutions Provider Sheffield Haworth, CFC Underwriting and Markel International. The space, 7 – 9 Walkers Court, hosted by Soho Estates, is located within Soho, the LGBTIQA+ centre of London. This partnership is a result of ARTIQ and Soho Estates working closely together over the years to provide inclusive spaces for creativity.
“I founded Artiq with a mission to improve inclusivity and diversity within the art world, and the whole team are excited to make this year’s Queer Frontiers the biggest, best and most daring Pride exhibition we have ever delivered,” said Patrick McCrae, CEO of Artiq and founder of Queer Frontiers. “I also want to thank our principal partner, Link, and their supporters who have come on board for this year’s Queer Frontiers. Our ethos is to bridge the divide between the corporate and cultural words, and our partnership with Link perfectly encapsulates that.”
Artist credit: Zeena Wright
Maurice Rose, Co-Chair of Link, added: “This is a fantastic initiative to bring the insurance industry together, to do something creative and to celebrate a monumental milestone in LGBTQ+ history, with 2022 marking the 50th anniversary of Pride. The programme will support the insurance industry’s aspiration to innovate and whilst promoting the sectors support for diversity and inclusion. I’m incredibly proud to be supporting two great charities, the Albert Kennedy Trust and OutSide In, whose vital work is helping to shape a more inclusive society.”
Since you’re here, why not listen to our podcast episode with Patrick McCrae?
Artiq is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image artist credits (from top left – right): Kevin Anafi-Brown; Chris Hawkes; Trinity Tristan; Natalia Lewandowska; Sebastian Sochan and Emil Lombardo.
Hotel Designs, in association AXOR and powered by Arigami, has published an 18-page report that explores conscious luxury through designing innovative water-related, luxury spaces. Editor Hamish Kilburn explores the main takeaways…
The world as we know it is drastically changing, and thankfully so are we! As a society, we are experiencing a collective shift in our awareness and responsibility of our water consumption.
This heightened sense of oneness and legacy continues to permeate into every market, including the luxury hotel sector. Over the past several decades, there has been an increasing awareness globally of the need to manage our water resources in ways that better conserve, reuse and protect our water supplies.
The free-flowing topic has long been investigated and explored through the eyes of designers, architects and hoteliers. But rarely is conscious luxury put under the magnifying glass by scientists, until now.
Image credit: Arigami/Hotel Designs
In an 18-page, science-driven report, Hotel Designs, Arigami, AXOR and whole host of contributors, have put into words water’s role in shaping a more sustainable hotel design and hospitality landscape. In the report, designers and scientists alike have investigated how the perception of luxury is shifting, while also identifying tech-savvy products that are vastly helping designers and hoteliers make more meaningful decisions when specifying products in bathrooms.
Hansgrohe / AXOR is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: The Hansgrohe Group. AXOR conscious shower designed by Philippe Starck
The Londoner is “theatricality and intimacy on an extraordinary scale,” said Anna Lambert after she checked in for the night to explore the hotel everyone is talking about on London’s Leicester square. More than a review, Lambert sat down with the mastermind designers, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, Founders of Yabu Pushelberg, to understand the design DNA of the hotel – including the many challenges the team faced along the way…
With the UK premier of Top Gun Maverick taking place a mere 100 metres from its door that evening, arguably there cannot have been a more appropriate time at which to have checked in to the latest ground-breaking (in every sense of the phrase) offering from Edwardian Hotels London, The Londoner.
The glamour and excitement outside on Leicester Square is entirely reflected in the space that greets the guest when they step through the hotel’s doors – something that was always the intention of its designers at Yabu Pushelberg, who describe project in its entirety as, “an ode to the art of performance”.
Image credit: Henry Bourne images
Image credit: Henry Bourne images
This remarkable, first-of-its-kind super-boutique hotel – 16 storeys high (and deep) and with a staggering 350 rooms – manages to be both spectacular and cocooning at one and the same time, through thoughtful zoning, expertly curated art and a rich yet muted colour palette using – of course – the finest materials. I caught up with the team at Yabu Pushelberg, as well as George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg themselves, to find out how they succeeded in creating individuality and intimacy, yet on such a jaw-dropping scale, in this unique project.
Image credit: Henry Bourne images
Anna Lambert: Tell me about the team involved in creating The Londoner’s design…
Yabu Pushelberg: We are a highly collaborative practice, so although the main team was from our New York studio, the entire project team spanned both of our offices and drew upon the expertise of all of our specialty teams too: in lighting, styling, industrial design, textiles. The main interiors team is about 10-12 people, but when we consider all the other hands that touched the project, it’s a bigger number. For us, this way of working is really exciting and is at the core of our practice. All these varying perspectives and areas of expertise really come through in the finished design. It’s extremely textured and thoughtful. No detail was left untouched.
“The financial risk of that endeavour alone really bound us all together.” – Yabu Pushelberg.
Image credit: Henry Bourne images
AL: Are you able to tell me about the budget, and any particular challenges in design terms that the site posed?
YP: We can’t speak about budget for confidentiality reasons, of course, but a lot of factors create an exceptional project. Our client took a risk on this project, excavating many levels below ground – and in the heart of London! – in order to accommodate an expanded amenity offering [multiple restaurants and lounges, a rooftop bar and underground spa with swimming pool and a vast ballroom are just some of those amenities]. The financial risk of that endeavour alone really bound us all together. We were emboldened by their commitment. This is a new type of luxury hotel for London and also a legacy project for Edwardian London Hotels. The Client treated us as true partners in bringing this vision to life, so it was of the upmost importance that we delivered.
Image credit: Henry Bourne images
Image credit: Henry Bourne images
AL How did you come up with the overall concept for the hotel?
George Yabu: The hotel was designed to play into the roots of Leicester Square as London’s historic theatre district. We created layers of programming up into the sky and deep into the earth that emphasise this extraverted, alluring, playful voice.
AL: That sense of playfulness, theatricality and largesse comes across from the get-go: at check-in you’re greeted by the sight of Andrew Rae’s giant metallic moonhead, floating benevolently overhead, and I loved, too, how the lobby bar is like a stage in itself, with the guests as ‘living theatre’. From that lobby to the roof terrace bar 8 at the top of its building, with its extraordinary sculptural rope installation, there’s a tremendous energy to the place.
Image credit: Andrew Beasley
Glenn Pushelberg: The hotel is an homage to performance, with each public space imbued with the character of someone essential for bringing a production to life. For example, Whitcomb’s all day dining space is an ode to the screenwriter. Its poetically layered design gives the space character and a unique storyline, with specific decorative details, such as the abundant harvest table, introducing elements of whimsy and fantasy.
AL: I appreciated the flexibility of Whitcomb’s as a space, too – it had a totally different vibe at breakfast, when those harvest tables you mention were laden buffet-style, to that in the evening when the tables were pared back and the portraits and sculptures (especially the wires faces visible on the ceiling) really came into their own. There’s so much, then, in terms of service and experience for a guest at The Londoner to enjoy, but what for YP is the most important aspect of this sort of project?
Glenn Pushelberg: It was most important to create somewhere exuberant, a joyful expression of not only its location but also of its cultural context. The history of London theatre provides such rich material. We wanted to create an experience with substance that was thoughtful, transcending the moment through its design.
Image credit: Henry Bourne images
AL: And you’ve certainly achieved it. The Residence, for me, encapsulates that sense of thoughtful design. Yes, it’s an intimate, club-like space just for hotel guests – somewhere they can relax, socialise do business if they want to – but then, as part of it, you’ve got the Y Bar, which is neutral by day, but with those amazing symbols and characters on the walls, it really becomes visible at night. It’s all stimulating without being too much. Even in the larger public spaces, that sense of intimacy and ‘one-off’-ness is always there. What techniques did you utilise to ensure that, despite its scale, The Londoner still has that enveloping, intimate feel?
George Yabu: We broke the public spaces into multiple, smaller interconnected spaces, giving each area individual personalities while creating connectivity through one overall design narrative. We leaned on seduction as a device to draw visitors through the giant hotel. Through carefully curated view corridors, for example, there is a sense of veiling and unveiling, so that one can take in and absorb all the details. There is a real feeling of discovery as you wander through all the chambers – like leisurely book chapters instead of a quick synopsis of the overall hotel narrative.
Image credit: Andrew Beasley
AL: Yes, and it’s the painstaking attention to detail that’s especially impressive and keeps guests guessing as to what they’ll discover next…
Glenn Pushelberg: One of the things we cherish most about the Londoner is the incredible layer of styling we were able to apply to each and every space. Our decorative arts team touches on each of our projects, however the Londoner served as a one-of-a-kind canvas to fully explore our stylistic creativity. From custom gramophones in the club to playful oversized slices of fruit carved from colourful stone in the spa, this final styling layer is what really brings each space to life with an exceptionally unique personality and subsequently [for the guest] a unique experience.
Image credit: Henry Bourne images
AL: And of course as well as styling, so much of the ambience is achieved via your choice of colour palette and materials – what was your primary aim in selecting them?
George Yabu: Materiality was essential to give each space a distinctive energy. The club features vivacious yellows while the whiskey bar is wrapped entirely in mirror, creating an intimate jewel box of boozy treasures. The guestrooms take on a neutral palette to invite rest and relaxation. They feature bespoke works of art that serve as headboards and depict scenes from nature to enhance comfort and introduce a more personal feel to each private space.
AL: Yes, certainly the look and feel of the guestroom I stayed in couldn’t have been more conducive to relaxation – understated opulence meets supreme comfort would be how I’d describe it. I appreciated the attention to detail – that handles on the wardrobes that gave out a pleasing ‘ting’ when you touched them; the sense that everything was beautifully finished. As a guest, the room was my space and mine alone, and as such it was special to me. You’ve got a lot of space to choose from, I know, but which areas of The Londoner give you special satisfaction and why?
George Yabu: The pool level is spectacular. It’s in one of the basement levels, but it feels like its above ground – magical! The Presidential Suite is one of the quirkiest spaces in the hotel. It’s playful but still elegant and refined. You can really feel the theatricality of The Londoner here.
Image credit: Henry Bourne images
Glenn Pushelberg: I love the cocktail bar. The space is very small and intimate, completely covered in wood panel. Hidden within the panels is a lighting effect that looks like graffiti. It’s crazy artistic.. it doesn’t ‘fit the mould’ and completely transforms from day to night. In my opinion it’s the best room in the hotel. Generally, all the food + beverage spaces within The Londoner are quite special. There the hidden whiskey room that George mentioned – I won’t tell you where it is – that is worth seeking out. It has mirrored walls and sumptuous green velvet. Really fun and unexpected.
Image credit: Henry Bourne images
AL: Yes! I found it: a discreet door that led to a glamorous, theatrical, unexpected sanctuary. And I guess that’s a phrase that could be used to define The Londoner as a whole.
The Londoner’s arrival is more than just another luxury hotel in the capital. It’s meaningful design and effortless style has the power to shake up – even transform – the local neighbourhood that has for years been considered a tourist trap.
Kaldewei presented a whole quartet of productions at this year’s Fuorisalone in Milan. From the Bathscape installation by Cristina Celestino in the vibrant Brera district, to the Design Forever exhibition in the Palazzo Bovara – we take a closer look at the installations and designs that stood out from the crowds…
Kaldewei describes its global strategic orientation with the term ‘luxstainability’, and it is this concept, focussing on both design and durability that, along with the installations and curated collaborations, made the brand presence felt across Milan this year. The collaboration between Cristina Celestino and Kaldewei was possibly one of the highlights of this year’s special edition of the furniture fair, with the title ‘Bathscape’ playing on and referencing the verb ‘escape’. Cristina Celestino’s work became a kind of aesthetic escape, transporting the viewer into the splendour of modern bathroom culture.
Image credit: Kaldewei
Further on, in the Palazzo Bovara, Kaldewei continued its design collaborations – this time with ELLE Decor Italia and designer Stefan Diez, where the free-standing Oyo Duo bathtub, designed by Diez was in the spotlight at the ‘Design Forever’ exhibition. Oyo Duo is the new key piece from Kaldewei’s Luxstainability world. The concept combines structure and design with sustainability and conservation. Focusing on these elements, Stefan Diez created the bath as a design sculpture created from recyclable steel enamel, which integrates harmoniously into the bathroom and seems to almost float. Diez was inspired by Japanese porcelain art for the design.
As their fourth installation, the bathroom brand worked together with the furniture brand Paola Zani on the Alcova platform. Determined to keep the design conversation flowing, Kaldewei was a key player in the special installation Camera Di Fatto by Maddalena Casadei, designed for the Italian furniture brand Paola Zani. This was part of the Alcova 2022 exhibition. The installation reflected the hotel room and its history and represented an attempt to make this space freer and more fluid. In this conceptual space, Kaldewei featured one of its most iconic designs, the Classic Duo Oval free-standing bath. The ALCOVA exhibition once again focused on the future of living and design.
Finally, Kaldewei appeared at this year’s Milan furniture fair for the first time as an official partner of the H2Otto showroom. The space was open to trade visitors as well as end consumers and invited guests to participate in a tactile experience. In the showroom Kaldewei presented an exclusive selection of shower surfaces, bathtubs and washbasins made from recyclable steel enamel. One area was completely dedicated to Kaldewei’s latest product developments made from CO2-reduced Bluemint Steel.
Kaldewei is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
In conversation with: the masterminds at Chapi Chapo Design
With The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City having recently opened its doors, the design team at Chapi Chapo Design created a bold interior design statement for the brands city debut. We caught up with partners Tatiana Sheveleva, Boris Mathias and Loris Ognibene and dug a little deeper into the hotel concept…
Soaring into the Mexico city skyline, the newly opened Ritz-Carlton is situated in a stunning building, concepted by Taller G, features 153 guestrooms and suites. Transforming the cityscape and sitting amongst the country’s tallest buildings, the Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City is centrally located along the iconic Paseo de Reforma and showcases uninterrupted views of the famed Chapultepec Park. Capitalising on its enviable location and views, a double glass façade provides unique open-air terraces, inviting guests to discover a new perspective on the city at every turn, while each detail has been thoughtfully designed and curated by the design team at Chapi Chapo Design to immerse guests in the city’s rich culture.
So, to really understand the fabrics of the hotel, we thought we would catch up with the design experts.
Hotel Designs: You mention the design being about ‘breaking away from colonial influences’ and celebrating ‘indigenous roots’ – can you explain a little more about this? Were there any specific points of inspiration referenced throughout the design?
Boris Mathias: From the beginning, we wanted the hotel to represent a looking glass into Mexico City’s dynamic past, present and future. Rising 58 storeys above the city’s glittering skyline, the modern glass skyscraper’s extraordinary floor-to-ceiling windows inspired the hotel’s interior design journey. The hotel’s breathtaking panoramic views, from floors 37 to 47, invite guests to uncover Mexico City’s rich history, sparking curiosity and a desire to explore this city’s magical culture and to meet the people who call it home.
To bring this to life, we explored unconventional and surreal ways for the guests to gain a new perspective into this ever-evolving city like never before through storytelling. The hotel’s contemporary interior design draws inspiration from Mexico City’s profound influence on Surrealism by famed Mexican artists like Frida Kahlo, Gunther Gerzso and Leonora Carrington. It was in Mexico, in the 1930s and ’40s, that Surrealism’s scope expanded and diversified. Inspired by the Mexicanidad movement, which saw Mexican artists celebrating their indigenous roots in a rejection of colonial influence, its artists made some of their most mind-bending, visionary work. Like many of these artists who drew from sources that unlocked buried instincts and emotions, our modern interior design moves away from colonial influence and stereotypical forms of Mexican art and design by bringing ancient folklore and authentic indigenous storytelling moments to life.
Our design draws inspiration from surrealism and Mexico City’s history of juxtaposing a traditional culture with a modern world. It is not forgetting the past, but rather celebrating it in a modern world. For us, we didn’t want to try to create something traditional in a very modern building. The tradition and the history of the city envelopes you through the hotel’s remarkable floor-to-ceiling views, and that is what we wanted to compliment. In our design, we take advantage of that by directing the guests view to the exterior as it transports you through time. By using reflective materials, we reflect the exterior to the interior, playing with the guests’ perspective, thus creating a surrealistic experience.
To create a sense of calm, we used natural colours. Keeping materials true to their essence and not altering them is important in all luxury projects. Keeping with the inspiration of surrealism, we used reflective materials in certain areas to reflect the exterior and adjacent materials, to create a play of light and trompe l’oeil. Surrealism can be found in each of the guestrooms with the wall art’s 3-dimensional reinterpretation of the city scape outside and carpet patterns showcasing the layered topography of Mexico City’s actual landscape. Shades of smokey ash and deep blues are woven throughout the hotel while metallic fibres journey between the carpet of each hallway and corridor allowing the spirits to pass through and greet each guest. This concept offers respect to Tezcatlipoca (Aztec God of Night and Smoking Mirrors) and Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which celebrates and welcomes back the spirits of loved ones who have passed.
Image credit: Chapi Chapo Designs/ Ritz Carlton
HD: What made this project different from others you have worked on?
Tatiana Sheveleva: At Chapi Chapo Design, we view each project as a custom design. It is very important to us that our clients are given a bespoke design, unique to their hotel but also as a one-of-a-kind contribution to the community, city and country that they can be proud of and that honours and respects their heritage. We do so by researching everything from the country, city and neighbourhood that the hotel will be built in, to their history, culture and traditions.
The Ritz-Carlton brand and Mexico City are similar in some respects. Both are established and immersed in tradition; neither forgets about their history, and they both look towards the future. We too looked to the past to inform us of what the future could be, which is why we were so inspired by Mexico City’s profound influence on Surrealism. One factor that makes Mexico surreal is not only its diverse landscapes but also its mythical storytelling. “Mexico still lives in this magical atmosphere that is meant to clash with the modern ideologies but instead they seem to co-exist in perfect harmony, resulting in a surrealist experience” wrote Karina Alanis, author of the book Surreal Interpretation of Mexico.
As designers, we believe detail is the baseline of quality and when you pay attention to detail, the big picture will take care of itself. At The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City, details like reflective metals, mirrors and glass act as the juxtaposition of distant realities to activate the unconscious mind in the hotel’s public areas, spa and guest rooms. These reflective elements distort the surrounding traditional Colonial architecture while inviting them in for the guest to metaphysically experience Mexico City’s past, present and future.
Image credit: Chapi Chapo Designs/ Ritz Carlton
HD: Where there any project specific design challenges during the course of the project?
Loris Ognibene: The idea behind the tall and twist architecture is to have an extraordinary view from each window to the city and Chapultepec Park. It is a truly magnificent panoramic view from each of the hotel spaces and from each guest room and suite. Rising 58 storeys in the heart of the city, the home of The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City adds a striking structure to the city’s skyline. These architectural characteristics challenged our team in many ways during the design process. Unlike most hotels that have identical floor plans for each room category, The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City does not – which is what makes the hotel so unique. Almost every single room and suite layout was unique and therefore each design and install had to be custom-made to fit the layout of each of the hotel’s guestrooms.
Image credit: Chapi Chapo Designs/ Ritz Carlton
HD: Lighting features strongly throughout the design – can you tell us a bit more about the role of lighting in your design.
BM: Lighting is very important for the design of any project. Proper light can highlight the features of the space and can make them even more special. Soft light has the ability to create a warmer and more comforting atmosphere which is essential in a hotel’s design. As hotel interior designers, we always want to create spaces that allow the guest to relax and unwind from their busy lives and this is most important in luxury city properties where guests are looking for an escape. Lighting was important for The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City as the floor-to-ceiling windows allow an incredible amount of natural light in, therefore we wanted the evening time to be a soothing respite to enjoy the city views at night. We love that we can manipulate light to create a calm and soothing oasis within a busy metropolis like Mexico City. The Spa is a wonderful example of this because it is one of the only areas within the hotel that is hidden from all the natural light that shines inside the building.
Image credit: Chapi Chapo Designs/ Ritz Carlton
HD: Personal favourite design detail in the project?
TS: There are so many different aspects and nuances to a hotel’s design but as designers we believe the most important detail is not something you will see with your eyes, but that you will feel with your heart. Our goal is to create spaces that allow for the guest to create memories because that is what they remember most about their travels. We hope the endless warmth, comfort, peacefulness and elegance of the hotel’s design will be the unforgettable details that will remind guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City. A well-designed space is always the result of significant effort, time, and the brainstorming of multiple creative minds but it does not come to life without the hotel staff. One thing that makes this hotel so unique is that each guest room and suite has a different layout and view of the city and so every time you stay, you experience something new.
Image credit: Chapi Chapo Designs/ Ritz Carlton
HD: Finally, with issues of the environment and sustainability on everyone’s agenda – was this a consideration in any of the design elements on this project?
LO: It was very important for us, and our client, to use locally sourced and fabricated design elements such as millwork and furniture. As Covid-19 began to impact the world, this became even more significant as the borders started to close. This of course helped in reducing transportation costs and ultimately greenhouse gas emissions. At Chapi Chapo Design, we always look at recycled materials such as furniture fabrics and wall coverings to be used in our projects. We look to use real materials that have a longer life span and that can be recycled in the future as well as specify low voltage, long lasting LED light fixtures. At Chapi Chapo Design, we believe it is important to do our part to help make a difference in any way possible.
Live roundtable: decorative lighting solutions & schemes
With the aim to put decorative lighting under the spotlight, Editor Hamish Kilburn, in association with Vaughan, invited a handful of interior designers to understand trends, materials and more…
Lighting has long been considered one of the most integral elements in hotel design. In today’s arena, designers have noticed a shift as design sectors – such as hotels, residential and office design – have collided. The rule book as to how to light a space has been almost erased and, in its place, enters new, innovative schemes that are simply changing the way spaces look and feel, and even going as far to helping brands establish their identity.
With the possibilities almost endless, Hotel Designs in association with Vaughan, wanted to hear from designers who are themselves using lighting in clever ways to transform buildings.
On the panel:
Shane Brady, Co-Founder, Brady Williams
Dale Atkinson, Founder, Rosendale Design
Amal Yusuf, Design Manager, David Collins Studio
Gemma McCloskey, Founder and Creative Director, Cúpla
Hayley Roy, Founder, Harp Design
Lucy Vaughan, Co-Founder, Vaughan
Image caption: The Vaughan showroom at DCCH was the perfect venue to shelter the conversation about decorative lighting. | Image credit: Vaughan
Hamish Kilburn: How has the demand for hotels to feel more residential inspired a change in demand for decorative lighting?
Shayne Brady: When I started as a junior, hotels were littered with ceiling spotlights – we affectionately called it ‘a case of ceiling acne’. Over the past 10 years, I would say, clever brands have transformed lighting and paired it back. And that, to me, is the residential feeling. I don’t think hotel rooms need complicated control panels. Without all that unnecessary distraction, I think lighting then becomes much more flattering.
Image caption: Bob Citi Citi diner, designed by Brady Williams Studio, which includes bespoke lighting from Dernier & Hamlyn | Image credit: Bob Citi Citi
Dale Atkinson: In terms of how hotels are run, they more likely than not will be designed to be a home-away-from-home. Usually, guests are checking in to an aspirational feeling, almost wishing their house replicated the same style and feeling. A ceiling littered with spots, therefore, is not appealing and it’s not what people are used to in their own home anyway! Decorative lighting – I’m talking about beautiful chandeliers and pendants – is much more welcoming.
Image caption: In 2014, Dale Atkinson founded Rosendale Design. Since then, the interior designer has worked on many hospitality and residential projects that eloquently and meaningfully challenge conventional approaches to design. | Image credit: Rosendale Design
Amal Yusuf: I really saw this change when Airbnb entered the market. In the early days, that brand was designed to offer a cheaper place to stay. But then people started to take photographs of their digs, on the balcony or of the lighting. And it looked much better than being top-lit. That’s when hoteliers started to take notice and brand guidelines started to change. The focus shifted. A lot of that was to do with how the guest felt in the space.
Image caption: The American Bar inside Gleneagles, designed by David Collins Studio. | Image credit: Ennismore
Gemma McCloskey: These days, the light is in fact a piece of art! For me, to be honest, the structure of the lighting often informs other elements, such as furniture.
HK: Recently at Hotel Designs, we have been working with scientists to understand the benefits of circadian lighting design. In my research, it has been refreshing to see technology, science and design working together. But what you are saying is that the demand for hotel lighting, right now, is for controls to be simple…
DA: Public areas within hotels have to constantly evolve throughout the day. Lighting, and lights that dim, plays an extensive role when creating that ever-changing atmosphere. You have to also consider what surfaces you are lighting as well, because you could be transforming the space, through lighting, not necessarily how you intended to light the product.
Hayley Roy: We have a lot of F&B projects, and in the public areas it is vital to have lots of different settings – and to have them pre-set so that it’s easy for the staff to operate. In addition to mood lighting, you also need to think practically as well. So, it’s important to have settings for cleaning and versatile lighting settings for all kinds of events. In public spaces, I can really see the value in circadian lighting.
HK: Is it harder to light hotels in colder climates?
DA: Design certainly has to be harmonious with everything and everyone else in the room. When I am designing in the UK, I do try to create more warmth in the lighting. However, I would say that brands are designing hotels around the world that have the same design DNA – especially private members’ clubs, where guests will recognise the feeling of the brand wherever they are. I think things have developed so much now that lighting can also reflect the brand itself, which is kind of wonderful.
SB: We start all of our projects with the words around how we want the space to feel. We start with, say, 10 words that we leave on the table.
We just finished a Mandarin Oriental project, for example. The word we wanted people to feel as they walked into the public areas was ‘titillated’ and ‘excited for what could happen’. Once you establish the emotion, you then move on to the practical aspect as to how we make that feeling come to life through design. You can’t forget that people have an emotional relationship to these spaces. Life happens in hotels!
HK: That leads me nicely on to talk about zoning. These days, hotels shelter many ‘feelings’, as we have just established, some of which contrast others. How can we achieve this through lighting?
Simon Hamilton: It’s so important to use lighting as a tool to create contrasting spaces, as it’s subtle and non-obtrusive.
I designed a hotel in Venice where we really focused on the emotion. Venice is a beautiful and romantic destination, and the hotel had to emphasise with the drama of the city. We put together a mixture of lighting, and included dimming lights in the public areas, which is a really effective way to change the energy of a space. I would go as far to say that lighting can manipulate guests. It’s very subtle, but brands use it as a tool to change your mindset. Clever lighting makes you feel like you belong in that space.
HR: The work-from-home culture has really given birth to the ‘work from hotel’ movement. I have been speaking with clients about even designing ‘Zoom rooms’ where clients can make business calls from. This is where lighting and its positive wellbeing qualities comes into play.
Lucy Vaughan: I think lighting and wellbeing has always gone hand-in-hand. I was speaking to someone recently who told me that pink has been an incredibly popular colour in their product, and I am guessing it’s because of the feel-good factor that pink radiates. Since hearing that, I have been researching more to explore that hue.
AY: I’m not surprised because it is the most used Instagram filter!
HK: Many of these decorative lighting products come from such a personal place, and yet they are so accessible to a commercial audience. How do you balance that?
DA: I see people like Lucy Vaughan as a contemporary artists, in a way. When you hear about the design narratives behind these design processes, you then discover a story or a memory that has been replicated and transformed into a product.
Image caption: The roundtable, sheltered in the Vaughan showroom, captured interesting ideas from a range of interior designers. | Image credit: Vaughan
Lucy, where does your inspiration come from when you design new collections?
LV: I don’t know, it can literally come from anywhere. Here’s a great example. So, your readers can’t see but we have biscuits on the table, and I am really loving the shape of them – they are almost like flowers. If we blew it up it would make a really nice backlit to a bathroom wall light, which I would then make in an antique brass finish or nickel. Seriously, I am just visual and inspiration comes from literally everywhere. I also love making with nature, which grounds me.
HK: With everything we are seeing around us today, Lucy, would you say that lighting is being considered as art?
LV: From my perspective, I am an artist – and that for me has always been a large part of the project. In my world, designing lighting, it’s all about layering, which is the same for any artist. I love making products that look good at every age. And it is true what they say: creative people are terrible at admin!
HK: Is lighting always the starting block when working on any luxury interior design project?
SB: A lot of our spaces have to work and evolve from breakfast right through to the end of the day, so lighting therefore informs other aspects of the design. We generally start with great lighting.
We just finished The Maine in Hanover Square. We decided that the lower floor would feature the biggest chandelier that we could possibly make – a 3.5 metre crystal chandelier – and then the room started from there, because we wanted so desperately to capture that moment of old-world glamour of when theatre met cabaret.
GM: I have just finished a design project that had to completely transform day to night from an art gallery to a dining room. We decided to do this by designing a 10-metre bronze beam that featured lights within it that drops down when the room transforms.
HK: What are the major pitfalls to avoid when specifying lamps and freestanding lights?
GM: I think it’s a shame when you have a beautiful product but the manufacturers has not done anything to hide wires.
DA: This isn’t a pitfall, but I would like to see more ‘collections’. As much as we love discussing and working with bespoke ideas, I think it’s nice also to browse through a collection.
HK: In the latest collection, Lucy, there’s an emphasis on brushed brass. What makes this material so special?
LV: It’s just such a lovely finish. It feels real and it is always changing – it’s designed to last!
Vaughan is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Case study: thinking outside the pod with Schlüter Systems
Set over multiple levels and containing five accommodation pods built amongst plenty of creative spaces, East Quay is a stunning building situated in Watchet, Somerset. The design concept pulled together some unique and thought-provoking design elements, a process assisted by the technical knowledge and product expertise of Schlüter Systems…
The East Quay project was commissioned by Somerset-based social enterprise Onion Collective and led by architects George Williams and Owen Hughes Pearce of PEARCE+Fægen. The duo designed the pod interiors, whilst Invisible Studio were the concept architects for the building and Mark Anstey of Ellis Williams Architects was the project architect. The initial idea put forward was one of collaboration, with George and Owen choosing to pick up sticks and move to Watchet, immersing themselves fully within the community. To assist with this unique approach, tile and stone protection experts Schlüter-Systems were readily available to offer their expertise and technical knowledge to help with the installation of some of their flagship products.
Image credit: Schlüter Systems
Due to the priceless artwork displayed on rotation within the creative spaces above and below the accommodation pods, a fully tanked waterproofing solution was high on the list of priorities. Pairing this with the innovative design elements required for each individual pod meant that floor build up also needed to be taken into consideration. This is where Schlüter stepped in to put together a specification for three of the pods, with East Midlands Ceramics Ltd supplying the Schlüter materials used.
“A hugely beneficial part of the process was being able to discuss the specification with the Schlüter team, particularly during early design stages,” said Williams. “Not only did they provide invaluable support regarding best practice, but they also put us in touch with EMC who supplied many products we used throughout the pod wetrooms.”
The theme of ‘Stories & Imagination’ runs deeply throughout Pod 2, with sketches outlining Watchet’s illustrious history adorning the walls. A DDA-compliant wetroom sits on the lower floor for full accessibility. Due to these requirements, Schlüter advised that a point drain would be most suitable and therefore suggested their Schlüter-KERDI-LINE point drain system as the perfect solution.
Pod 4 focuses on ‘Playful Architecture’ with the designers seamlessly entwining a stunning living space with exciting tangible elements like a cargo net across the mezzanine for childlike enjoyment. Pod 5 explores the idea of ‘Participatory Art’ with an area showcasing how a space can be transformed with contributions from visiting artists. Both pods needed linear drains, with the architects choosing to install the low height version of shower tray Schlüter-KERDI-SHOWER-LTS and its partnering product, the Schlüter-KERDI-LINE-G3 drain for each. This guaranteed entry level access within the bathroom areas.
Image credit: Schlüter Systems
Reliable waterproofing was taken care of within the three pods with the help of uncoupling membrane Schlüter-DITRA-25. The multi-talented product offered many benefits to the project such as crack-bridging, waterproofing and load distribution.
“The versatility of Schlüter’s products made using their full waterproofing system an easy decision to make. It helped us deliver the project to the specification and standard required,” added Williams.
East Quay and its creative presence has given Watchet and surrounding areas a new lease of life, displaying just how vibrant and welcoming the town and community is. Pulling together unique and thought-provoking design elements with technical know-how was paramount in getting this project off the ground, and Schlüter are incredibly proud to have been part of it.
Schlüter Systems is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
In a shocking twist that nobody saw coming, Dexter Moren Associates announced last night, during its 30th anniversary celebrations, that it is to re-brand itself as Studio Moren. Editor Hamish Kilburn was at the party, and here’s what he learned…
Designers, clients, fellow members of the press and industry friends of Dexter Moren Associates gathered last night at the recently opened The Westin London City to celebrate 30 years of the company.
Above anything else – and given the circumstances following a few years of serious disruption due to Covid-19 – it was an evening full of positivity, acknowledgment and aptly reflecting a sensitive progression into a new era of design and architecture. However, as well as looking back to realise how much the company had achieved, the evening also marked the next chapter, when the man who has led the company from its conception, Dexter Moren, took to the stage to offer his nod to what three decades of DMA has meant to him professionally and personally.
Image caption: Dexter Moren Associates team celebrating at The Brit List Awards 2019
Following a list of meaningful mentions of those – past and present, young and experienced – who have shaped and are carving the studio into what it is respected as today, Moren made the surprise announcement that the London-based company will re-brand soon to become Studio Moren.
“The big secret has been revealed,” he said simply to the audience. “In the next few months, Dexter Moren Associates will become Studio Moren.”
Image caption: The Westin London City, which is where the Dexter Moren Associates’ 30th anniversary party was held. | Image credit: Marriott International
Although it’s not the first time the studio has changed its identity – the most recent evolution was when Dexter Moren ‘Architects’ became Dexter Moren ‘Associates’ in order to embrace architecture as well as design offerings – the new name is expected reflect a further evolution of the company as the wider industry acknowledges there being less emphasis on individual ownership of ideas and more of a focus on collaborative approaches to hotel design and hospitality solutions.
The evening very much marked the end of one chapter – with a party that sheltered photobooths, balloon installations and a live art installation that everyone could add to. Above all, though, the event was about looking ahead and emphasising those who are continuing the legacy. One thing is certain, Studio Moren – with its immeasurable talent sheltered under its roof – is design practice to watch, and we at Hotel Designs look forward to following the team, as they develop, in the next 30 years.
This is a breaking news story. Hotel Designs has more to follow…
Main image credit: Marriott International/Dexter Moren Associates
Hotel flooring ideas: ‘floored’ by functionality & style
Hot from making its debut at Milan Design Week last month, and giving perspective to this month’s special feature, RAK Ceramics explores different hotel flooring ideas, textures and materials…
Practical, versatile and stylish hotel flooring ideas don’t get much better than porcelain tiles. Strong and durable, this is a material that is suited to all areas of a hotel, from lobby to guest bathrooms.
Porcelain tiles tick all the boxes from a practical perspective, but also from a style point too, being available in an array of sizes and in a wide range of colours and patterns to offer an extremely versatile flooring option.
The manufacturing process of porcelain, which uses a finer and denser clay combined with high temperature and high pressure, results in a material that is far stronger than other types of ceramic, which is what makes this a material that is highly suited for flooring. Areas such as washrooms and bathrooms can benefit in particular from the properties of porcelain, which because of its density is extremely resistant to humidity and water.
Style-wise, porcelain tiles are an extremely versatile flooring solution, due to the sheer variety of designs and colours available. Tiles can be printed or embossed in numerous ways and solid floor tiles can be mixed-and-matched in patterns and colours in any number of ways. They can be chosen to match or contrast with wall tiling and splashbacks for a cohesive look and can be chosen to replicate the look of many hardwoods and natural stones for the ultimate luxe look.
Nature-inspired tiles are very much on-trend and porcelain offers the perfect opportunity to bring this look into the home without compromising on function. Tiles with a subtle or a bold marble-effect pattern work well when teamed with materials such as wood, bringing nature indoors and creating a calming, timeless and high-end look that works well across rooms including the bathroom and the kitchen. Revised classy marble and granite inspired patterns displaying elegant veins used on kitchen floors, for example, create a sophisticated ambience that is the epitome of luxury and sophistication.
Solid, durable and extremely versatile, RAK Ceramics Curton (see main image) are stone-look porcelain tiles that make a highly attractive visual impact. Creating a welcoming atmosphere that suits a sophisticated environment and giving a sensation of wellness and relaxation, Curton is available in beige, taupe or grey.
Image caption: Valley Stone by RAK Ceramics. | Image credit: RAK Ceramics
With Valley Stone, RAK Ceramics reinterprets the ancestral charm of stone and transforms it into a tile that is perfect for high traffic areas. Solid, durable and extremely versatile, the stone-look tiles have special features and highly attractive visual impact.
RAK Ceramics is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
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