Hotel Designs

    NEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR HOTELIERS, DESIGNERS AND INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS
    Hotel Designs - The William by Foster + Partners

    7 design initiatives that defined sustainability in 2022

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    7 design initiatives that defined sustainability in 2022

    Editor Hamish Kilburn cuts through the greenwashing noise to look back at the projects, products and people that defined a new era of sustainability in hotel design and hospitality this year…

    Hotel Designs - The William by Foster + Partners

    Have we finally entered into an era where greenwashing has been erased and bold, meaningful products and projects are stealing the limelight? Some would argue that we have a way to go, but 2022 has certainly seen progressive signs of imaginative ways to shelter conscious hotel design and hospitality beyond introducing plastic straws and removing disposable miniatures in the bathrooms.

    After watching closely to see how and where the industry has evolved over the last 12 months, here’s our edit on who and what defined ‘sustainability‘ in 2022.

    room2 Chiswick – the world’s first net-zero hometel

    Winning Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2022, Robert Godwin’s vision of room2 Chiswick has completely changed the game in conscious hospitality by being the world’s first net-zero hometel. Now, when we hear claims like these, we want to see the data. Well, here it is. The hotel uses 89 per cent less energy compared to other hotels by rolling out various sustainability initiatives, including solar panels and a zero-waste policy – think three-in-one recycling bins – to ensure that 100 per cent of waste is recycled or converted into energy off-site.

    Meanwhile, ultra-energy efficient lighting, occupancy sensors across the building, and ground source heat pumps are other noteworthy features that add to this hometel’s list of impressive green credentials. The hotel has even invested in a blue roof drainage system which can hold up to 50,000 litres of rainwater to reduce localised flooding and a green roof with soil and wildflowers to increase biodiversity and absorb CO2.

    The future for Lamington Group, which owns room2, is looking greener after the brand announced that it will open three more net-zero hotels between now and 2026, in York, Glasgow and Manchester. room2, step forward and take a bow!

    The William – designed by Foster + Partners as London’s largest timber development

    Foster + Partners The William render

    Image credit: Foster + Partners

    The William, a mixed-use development building that will be opposite the building that will shelter London’s first Six Senses hotel and spa, has just been granted planning approval. Designed by Foster + Partners, which worked closely with Westminster City Council and local residents, the building is set to help ‘transform’ the northern end of Queensway in Bayswater, London.

    The renders that the London-based architecture studio has released show a large, timber-framed building positioned the high street. As well as the innovative use to natural materials, the entire building has been designed smartly to shelter a deep and conscious design narrative. Patrick Campbell, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners believed it sets a new standard for ‘the next generation’ of low-carbon, healthy office buildings. “The William provides natural ventilation, great daylight, flexible floorplates and green terraces – all within a high-performance façade and a hybrid timber structure. We are now looking forward to bringing our designs to life.”

    LEVENverse – is there anything more sustainable than the metaverse?

    Render of Levenverse

    Image credit: Leven

    We are moments away from exploring LEVEN’s first hotel in the metaverse, which is billed to ‘shelter’ a creative and social space that evokes a new sense of wellbeing. It all sounds rather far-fetched, right? But given the noise around virtual social spaces becoming harder to ignore, we thought we would give this concept a chance, so we spoke to the brand’s Co-Founder, Joshua Senior, to help put it all into perspective. “As the Metaverse evolves from a sci-fi concept into a reality, every industry disrupted by the digital era will feel its impact,” he said. “We believe the potential for creative hospitality brands is limitless and in building the LEVENverse we will be one of the first lifestyle brands to blaze a digital trail in the early Metaverse. We have some exciting partners lined up as we connect our real life space with the online, and create a digital amenity space for our customers. We’re excited to push traditional boundaries, bring the LEVEN brand to new audiences and explore the opportunities the digital future holds.”

    Villeroy & Boch – TwistFlush

    white universal twistflush toilet by Villeroy & boch in a dark grey bathroom with round mirror

    Image credit: Villeroy & Boch

    We were not expecting this article go to ‘toilet talk’ so soon, but ignore the TwistFlush technology from Villeroy & Boch at your peril. The easy-to-clean TwistFlush toilet requires only 4.5 litres for a large flush and a mere three litres for a small one. And as the flush is so powerful, one flush is usually sufficient.

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

    Six Senses Svart – world’s first energy-positive hotel

    On the podcast, DESIGN POD, Ivaylo Lefterov gave us an insight into the project that has raised more questions than answers over the last few years. Not bad questions, I hasten to add, but more sparking intrigue as to how the ambitious concept to develop a luxury hotel that, as well as being located the foot of a glacier in Norway, is also going to be the ‘world’s first energy-positive hotel’ will become a reality.

    Designed structurally by Snøhetta, the 94-key Six Senses Svart will combine a futuristic design, led by interior design studio, Space Copenhagen, and technological innovation with earthy, organic materials that will use the latest embedded energy. The hotel, which will be poised on poles above the crystal-clear waters of the Holandsfjorden fjord, at the base of a glacier, aims to raise awareness of the possibilities of regenerative travel and the importance of the polar region, in partnership with the local community.

    BOOST NATURAL – a new standard in concrete

    Boost Natural, designed in partnership with Matteo Brioni and Atlas Concorde, is a collection of porcelain floor tiles made from raw earth materials. Inspired by the irregular textures and dusty colours of raw earth surfaces, the collection is directly about introducing elements of nature into surface design in a contemporary way. It responds to the demand we are seeing for natural and tactile imperfections in surface design, being driven by the ever changing  expectations of clients across design sectors.

    GROHE – it’s in its DNA

    GROHE Allure basin mixer in chrome

    Image credit: GROHE

    Hearing about innovative sustainable innovations from bathroom brands is nothing new – in many ways, the bathroom manufacturing sector is leading the way to come up with thoughtful ways we, as consumers, can use less water without drastically changing our wellness habits and demands. However, for one brand in particular sustainability has always been – in line with aesthetics and functionality – a pillar when it comes to research, development and product design.

    As a result, we were not surprised when GROHE became the winner of The Circular Economy award at the Sustainability Awards 2022 for its on-going campaigns, product development and research into initiatives that support with global issues around circularity, sustainability, and education with the view to create a positive impact globally, which this year has been driven largely by achieving the highest Cradle to Cradle standards.

    This month, Hotel Designs is taking a look back at the latest projects, people and products that have stood out over the last 12 months. The ‘Year in Review’ series will comprise of articles that will drop weekly, which will explore innovations in bathroom, lighting, surface design and general hotel concepts that have changed the game in hotel design. To catch these – and to keep up to date with all the latest news and features – subscribe to the newsletter.

    Main image credit: Foster + Partners

    The Brit List Architects of 2022

    Introducing the top 25 Brit List Architects of 2022

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Introducing the top 25 Brit List Architects of 2022

    Encapsulating a diverse range of design and architectural innovation, and following swiftly on the heels of us unveiling the top 25 hotel interior designers in Britain, we present you with the top 25 hotel architects in Britain, as profiled in The Brit List 2022…

    The Brit List Architects of 2022

    What is immediately impressive when running through this list, is the impact of the portfolio of design that ranges from creating a strong and grounded sense of place, to presenting us with a completely alternative virtual space. The profiles of the 25 architects, in tandem with the inventory of projects and concepts running through the list, makes it clear that the winner in this category is in fact the British architectural landscape.

    Without further ado, and in alphabetical order, The Brit List Architects of 2022 are…

    Alastair Shepherd, Director, Falconer Chester Hall

    In 2019, against a number of notable practices, Alastair Shepherd, Director at Falconer Chester Hall, was instrumental in winning the commission to transform the former Harrington Hall Hotel in South Kensington alongside client The Other House. To create the newly opened hotel, the architect radically re- invented the existing building through the introduction of natural light and space. The existing structure was dated with cramped accommodation behind a historic yet tired façade; there was little sense of hidden potential. To address these shortcomings, Shepherd introduced a series of double- height courtyards, bringing natural light into the dark basement and visually connecting to the transformed public areas at ground floor. As residents now move around the building, these spaces offer unexpected moments of surprise.

    The architect is currently working on The Other House Covent Garden, Municipal Buildings in Liverpool and other hotels in Plymouth, Blackpool, as well as The Forum in South Kensington, a reinvention of one of the largest hotels in London, with more than 900 rooms, including an extensive rooftop bar.

    Chris Fegan, Design Director, Ica

    In the more than 20 years that Chris Fegan, Design Director at Ica, has been immersed in hotel design, he has been at the core of substantial change, and the past few years have seen Fegan excel and reach the ‘top of his game’ as a hotel architect. The bold statement is backed up with projects such as the new Virgin hotel in Edinburgh, The Gantry at Stratford and Marriott Tribute. One of Ica’s core values is to ‘love hospitality’. That tenet is imbued throughout the studio’s design work. What that means in practice is that Fegan designs from the inside out; he creates the hotel spatially first, making sure that the spaces work and that no guest flow or back- of-house functionality is compromised. Once the hotel ‘works’, he then wraps it in architecture to suit aspirations, context and cityscape.

    The new Virgin hotel in Edinburgh was altogether a different challenge. For this project, Fegan led the Ica creative team on a journey to create a unique, sympathetic yet unapologetic architectural response. One of the key ‘gains’ achieved by Fegan’s design was the development of 225 guestrooms within the sensitive World Heritage site, that cannot be seen from any other point in the city. Beyond that, the real skill lay in weaving together diverse listed buildings in a layered city context. The architecture that has emerged is simultaneously contextual and iconic.

    David Chipperfield, Principal, David Chipperfield Architects – WINNER, Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry

    David Chipperfield, an architect, author and all-round creative, recently completed Taoxichuan Hotel, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Situated in the vibrant Taoxichuan creative and cultural district of Jingdezhen, China, the project is a collaboration between the two architecture studios, David Chipperfield Architects (architecture) and AIM Architecture (interior design). The hotel occupies three interconnected buildings, and every part – from the structure to the finishes – pays tribute to the city’s porcelain heritage. The contemporary brick architecture consists of three courtyard blocks connected by a generous interior street. AIM’s approach with the interiors was first to continue the architecture into the interiors by extending the brick facades of the exterior, and then, from translucent white to glazing greens and blues, each of the three interior volumes was dedicated to one technique. The lounge uses green Celadon glazing. The restaurant and spa are committed to the methods of using cobalt for blue colouring. The meeting and ballroom spaces are all about the lightness and transparency of porcelain. To move through the hotel is to move through different techniques of porcelain. With roof lights designed to evoke the powerful heat of the kiln, through to the use of softer clay tones in the guestrooms, the hotel is a tribute to the technique and experience of porcelain in the heart of its birthplace.

    Davide Bertacca, Associate Principal, Woods Bagot

    Davide Bertacca has 16 years’ experience leading design teams for international clients located in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He has acquired extensive knowledge working across a wide range of commercial and mixed-use projects, specifically in the hotel, hospitality and residential sectors.

    Having joined Woods Bagot in 2014, Bertacca is now an Associate Principal and hotel sector leader for Woods Bagot Europe. His role within the London Studio started with the Sheraton Park Lane hotel project refurbishment. Bertacca has also worked on the recently completed Hotel AMANO Covent Garden – a top-to-bottom project for the architecture studio, including all architectural refurbishment and interiors, located in one of London’s most popular theatre districts. Currently, the architect is leading the design and delivery of Antognolla, a major masterplan and resort in Umbria, Italy. He is also delivering the final stages of MINTHIS, a luxury residential golf resort in Cyprus.

    Ed Murray, Associate Architect, Studio Moren

    Ed Murray is an accomplished Associate and architect who has led a wide range of projects for independent owners and international brands across the entire hospitality spectrum, including luxury hotels, banqueting and conference venues, resorts and spas. Murray has meticulous attention to detail, a good sense of perspective and a proven track record in delivering projects from conception to completion. He has a strong value set based on honesty, integrity and respect for the individual. Earlier this year, he was finally able to unveil his work on Westin London City, following a two-and-half-year project. The 222-key, new-build hotel, which is the brand’s first hotel in the UK, shelters nine residential apartments and a more than 740 square-metre spa. Murray’s ability to coordinate and manage large teams, his rapport with colleagues, clients, design teams and contractors alike makes him an indispensable interface between projects and their stakeholders. His role goes beyond architecture, as he is also involved in the practice’s inclusivity forum group, as well as mentoring other team members.

    Geoff Hull, Director, EPR Architects

    No stranger to The Brit List Awards, Geoff Hull, with more than 35 years’experience behind him, has completed many hotel projects during his time at EPR Architects, including refurbishments such as The Waldorf, Kimpton Fitzroy, Rosewood London and Home Grown, along with four new-build hotels for the Devere Group.He is currently overseeing several exciting conversion and new-build hotel schemes, including The OWO, Marylebone Lane Hotel, The Audley and Brickmakers Yard Hotel (all of which are currently on site), along with many planning applications and feasibility studies for new projects. The Audley is on site and due for completion in 2022. The OWO and Marylebone Lane Hotel are due for completion in 2023.

    Hull continues to be an integral member of the EPR hotel team, offering a wide range of experience for operators, investors, contractors and developers and has a passion and drive to invest in his internal team as a mentor – along with an open ongoing collaboration with other disciplines within the hotel sector.

    Helen Taylor, Head of Design, Caudwell

    Prior to her move to become Head of Design at Caudwell, Helen Taylor was the Project Lead on behalf of Woods Bagot with the ambitious task to help bring the renders and sketches of The Londoner, which opened late last year as London’s new eco hotel, to life. Both passive and active measures were applied to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by more than 30 per cent. The architectural feat of this project is not the building above ground, but more what happens below. The hotel shelters one of the deepest commercial basements in Europe – at 30 meters deep, the entire structure sits on a series of 20-metre-long, single-cast steel trusses, each weighing 55 tons. In this area of the hotel, guests will find a ballroom, leisure facilities, two Odeon Luxe cinemas, a spa and state-of-the-art conference facilities. To stay sympathetic to the surrounding historic buildings – such as the Gregorian Westminster Reference Library – the façade was developed to project a bold language while using traditional materials.

    James Dilley, Director, Jestico + Whiles

    For 28 short years, James Dilley has been working as an interior designer and architect at Jestico + Whiles. In this time, he specialised in architectural and interior design of hospitality projects including hotels, restaurants and bars, clubs and cinemas. In an interview with Hotel Designs, Dilley said: “The best designs come from challenging convention and doing things that haven’t been done before. Innovation and creativity are therefore key.” Dilley, now a Director at the firm, has led teams on hotel projects both in the UK and internationally, including completing hotels in territories, such as Malta, Marrakesh, Berlin, Amsterdam, Tbilisi and Kyiv. Working under appointment as either architect or interior designer, and under combined appointments to provide a comprehensive service, Dilley’s portfolio includes the remarkable W Edinburgh, which is currently in design and expected to complete in 2023.

    James Soane, Director, Project Orange

    Project Orange was the architecture studio behind London’s first hometel, room2 Chiswick. The building makes reference to the classic loft apartment warehouse conversion where a simple exterior serves as a foil to a rich and individual interior. Low-rise, simple brickwork mixed with classic steel windows are a simple typology in traditional mixed contexts as found in the immediate neighbourhood of Chiswick High Road and Windmill Road. The 86 crafted rooms, designed by House of Dre, offer convenience and luxury each with a kitchenette and access to the cafe and restaurant. It is the world’s first whole life, net-zero hometel, meaning that all the carbon emissions from conception through to end-of-life have been reduced and rebalanced to zero. room2 Chiswick is 89 per cent more efficient than your average hotel. A heat pump under the building provides hot water while the solar panels meet five per cent of energy demand and the roof is covered in greenery to boost biodiversity. Guests are accompanied by 75,000 bees living on the roof, supporting biodiversity in the area, and in the process making unique, local honey.

    Jen Samuel, Head of Hotels, 3DReid

    Jen Samuel, Head of Hotels at 3DRied, has extensive experience working with listed buildings and is interested in the challenges and opportunities that they present. The 33-key Gleneagles Townhouse is a fine example of this, which opened in June 2022 following a five-year project to convert the former Bank of Scotland headquarters at into a hotel and private members’ club as part of an expansion of the Gleneagles brand. In addition to guestrooms, and inspired by the highly significant historic features of the original building, 3DReid created the shells for an all-day restaurant with glazed courtyard, a member’s lounge, co-working spaces, a rooftop bar with terrace and a basement gym and wellness suite. Externally, the materials of the new-build elements included Catcastle Buff sandstone, reclaimed West Highland slate from the removal of the original pitched roof and a natural copper cladding panel, which takes on a warm bronze patina allowing it to blend in with the weathered sandstone of the existing banking hall building.

    Jennifer de Vere-Hopkins, Associate Director, Jestico + Whiles

    Jennifer de Vere-Hopkins is an Associate Director at Jestico + Whiles, and part of her natural leadership approach is to be a mentor to other women within the studio. Since joining in 2006, the architect has worked across a wide portfolio of buildings – from hotels, cruise ships, restaurants and guest experience suites. Most recently, Vere-Hopkins led the team behind the transformation of the two historic luxury Swiss hotels; Mandarin Oriental’s latest European hotel in Luzern, and the Kempinski Palace Engelberg. In Luzern, Vere- Hopkins and her team have sensitively reinterpreted the vision of eccentric Swiss hotelier Franz Josef Bucher, remixing faded Art Deco grandeur with fresh and spirited interior design elements. She leads significant projects in the hospitality studio, currently overseeing the interior design for a series of innovative workspaces and immersive customer experience centres for a well-known leading tech company across Europe. Through Vere-Hopkins’ visionary research developed for these technology centres, the team have developed methods of designing for cognitive differences, through creating spatial conditions where social and private environments can co-exist.

    Kerry Acheson, Associate, Ica Studio

    With conceptual talent and flair for problem solving, Kerry Acheson is currently working as an Associate at Ica Studio in Glasgow where she is responsible for the oversight of many professionals, including managing the development of Ica Studio’s aspiring student architects as well as the office mentors. For the architect, the new Virgin Hotel is the outstanding result of many years of specialised experience, a lot of hidden challenging work in both design and technical expertise to de-risk and make the project viable. Acheson first put ‘felt tip’ pen to paper for this complex site in the middle of Edinburgh’s Old Town and a UNESCO World Heritage site at the start of 2013, and after many years leading the Project Team, is finally seeing the first Virgin Hotel outside the USA opening to the public in 2022. In an area of the capital renowned for its varied topography, picturesque medieval streets, closes and wynds and diverse architectural character, her challenge was to combine the restoration of three distinctly separate ‘at risk’ listed buildings, which occupy dramatically different levels within the local cityscape, with new-build elements carefully considered to re-establish the historic form of the site, whilst also showcasing a bold, contemporary Edinburgh. Acheson led the studio’s team with expert heritage know-how combined with creative talent and world-leading hospitality expertise to a design that was able to unlock the viability of this challenging city-centre site.

    Laurence Pinn, Director, Tate+Co

    A key member of the team at Tate+Co, which won The Eco Award at The Brit List Awards 2018, Laurence Pinn aims to unlock the potential in projects to create a sense of place as well to bring spaces back to life. This has been evident in the studio’s work on the extension at Watergate Bay Hotel to create seven new suites, The Beach Lofts, that frame the best views in the hotel. Pinn and his team started by re-cladding the exterior of the building with robust materials appropriate for the coastal setting and created a series of cosy interiors with views across the bay. The design included some key adjustments to the existing building to dramatically improve how it fits into the beautiful natural setting. The studio also significantly reduced the operational energy consumption of the building by introducing super-insulation and triple-glazing. Another hotel recently completed by Tate+Co is Callow Hall, a Grade II listed building that the team transformed into a completely fresh guest experience centred on health and wellbeing, allowing visitors to connect to the spectacular natural setting of the Peak District.

    Lee Sze Wei, Director, Translation Architecture

    Lee Sze Wei joined forces with Nicholas de Klerk in late 2020 to grow the new design studio Translation Architecture after more than 19 years in practice in London and Melbourne, working on projects as varied as hotels, and restaurants to student housing and destination retail. The first project that Lee tackled at the studio was the comprehensive refurbishment of the former Red Lion Hotel in Henley-on-Thames into the first property for new hospitality brand The Relais Retreats. The Relais Henley was born. Lee is passionate about working with existing buildings to make them more energy efficient, and thereby to improve their sustainability ang longer term viability. This is often a painstaking and delicate process as it requires experience, technical knowledge and a deep understanding of the building in question – how it performs and how to sustain its character and material qualities while improving the overall performance. The next hotel for the Relais Retreats is located at Cooden Beach, near Bexhill on Sea. Here, Lee has been able to go further in detailing and specifying the interior fitout (developed with Paris-based Interior Designer Pascal Allaman) to achieve high environmental standards. This has included specifying fitted joinery to eliminate VOC’s and formaldehyde, as well as using standard timber sizes to reduce waste and improve viability for re-use, a fundamental issue in circular design.

    Lorraine Stoutt Griffith, Director, Twelve Architects

    Last year, the industry got excited about Escapade Living’s new hospitality concept at Silverstone, home of the UK Grand Prix, and the project, designed by Twelve Architects, and led by Lorraine Stoutt Griffith, with interiors of the residences conceptualised by Bergman Design House, has gone up a gear. The trackside luxury retreats are being designed to be an abstract representation of a F1 car overtaking another. 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. In addition to the architecture-meets-engineering project, the studio is also working on creating a modern yet sensitive extension of Bodmin Jail Hotel Spa, which will shelter a destination spa underneath a glass structure. Its form is inspired by the tri-arched windows on the gable ends of the Naval and Women’s Wings, and a modern interpretation of the trefoil arched leisure pavilions of the Victorian era.

    Luke Fox, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners

    Luke Fox has led one of six of Foster + Partners’ design studios, with teams in London, Hong Kong and Beijing, on a wide range of different projects around the world since 2010. As part of the Partnership Board, Fox also helps set the future direction of the practice. Currently, Fox and his team are working on Hermitage Plaza, which is expected to create a new community at the gateway to La Défense, in the area of Courbevoie in Paris. The extensive mixed-use scheme is intended to regenerate the site with a sustainable, high-density development. This brave, shared vision has shaped the form of the building, and the ambition to create two 323-metre-high towers – slightly less than the Eiffel Tower – a new arrondissement in the sky. The scheme brings together a hotel, spa, panoramic apartments, offices and serviced apartments, as well as shops and cafes at the base.

    Martin Dobbs, Director, BrightSPACE Architects

    Martin Dobbs is a Chartered Architectural Technologist and Building Engineer with more than 30 years’ experience designing, detailing and delivering buildings in a variety of sectors. With a passion for producing high quality, well-detailed buildings, Dobbs enjoys working closely with contractors from early design stages through to completion on site, helping to ensure delivery is within budget and on programme. BrightSPACE Architects has worked alongside Savills Planning Consultants, Calcinotto Structural Engineers and Arc Landscapes to submit proposals to improve and extend the current Savoy Hotel for Nicolas James Group. Following pre-app consultation with BCP, proposals were submitted for planning in December 2021. The proposals include a new bedroom wing, providing 21 guestrooms; a luxury spa with hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room; a roof-top sky lounge restaurant; external pool and landscaped gardens and a garden restaurant with sea views. The proposed extension to the hotel and garden interventions will contribute to a much-needed five-star leisure facilities in the Bournemouth West Cliff area.

    Murray Levinson, Partner, Squire & Partners

    In addition to a collaborative project on the Msheireb Downtown Doha masterplan in 2019, Squire & Partners is making noise on the hotel design scene closer to home. The 170-key Ruby Zoe hotel, due to open in Q1 2023, makes up part of the studio’s work regenerating three adjacent sites at Notting Hill Gate Estate. Taking inspiration from the vertical repetition inherent to the surrounding Georgian and Victorian terraces, the design of Ruby Zoe is expressed with a regular rhythm across the façade and a setback top floor. Prominent neighbouring mid-century developments influenced the design by incorporating coloured glazed tiles, textured concrete and angled glazing elements within the structural frame. At art’otel Hoxton, completing early 2024, architectural style will be infused with art-inspired interiors in a building that occupies a prominent corner, where Old Street meets Great Eastern Street. The studio’s design is evocative of the industrial history of South Shoreditch, responding to a precedent of bull-nosed buildings that characterise the area with a cylindrical form that references a fractured cogwheel form in plan, adapting as it rises in response to the internal functions of each floor. Twisting aluminium fins on the façade are a decorative response to the area’s association with technology, and are carefully spaced to create solar shading as well as the desired levels of privacy on each floor whilst maximising views of the city.

    Patrik Schumacher, Principal, Zaha Hadid Architects

    Patrik Schumacher, who joined Zaha Hadid Architects in 1988, is the Principal of the London-based studio, and has been leading the firm since the passing of Zaha Hadid in 2016. Widely recognised as one of the most prominent thought leaders within the fields of architecture, urbanism and design, Schumacher recently spearheaded the studio’s ‘cyber-urban’ city in the metaverse. Named Liberland Metaverse, the virtual city is based on the Free Republic of Liberland.

    “While [the project] is meant to spearhead the development of Liberland as a libertarian micronation, it will also function as freestanding virtual reality realm in its own right,” explained Schumacher, who argues that physical spaces will coexist alongside virtual ones. “The ambition is for it to become the go-to site for networking and collaboration within the burgeoning web 3.0 industry; it’s the metaverse for metaverse developers and the crypto ecosystem at large.”

    The studio designed all buildings using parametric design style, in its typical approach with curvaceous, sinuous forms and rounded corners. However, many of the buildings have elements not supported from the ground – something that is not possible when limited by gravity.

    Paul Wells, Partner, Studio Moren

    Paul Wells, who joined Studio Moren as a Project Architect in 2012, has worked his way up to Partner over the past ten years, and now leads on a number of projects. Having previously spent time working on conservation, Wells has a keen interest in heritage buildings and recently completed the RIBA course in Conservation Architecture to assist with his daily projects. He is currently leading on the upgrade of the Grade II listed Driscoll House in Southwark, which will be reimagined as a design-led hostel, and on the restoration and reconfiguration of the Grade II listed Welcombe Hotel in Stratford Upon Avon, which will be rejuvenated as a destination hotel. In a similar vein, the architect, who was instrumental in the delivery of Hyatt Place London City East, is currently bringing forward through planning a new-build golf and spa hotel in Buckinghamshire. The Magnolia Park Hotel and Golf Club that features a contemporary tri-winged design with undulating roof form to respond to its rural context, is set against a backdrop of the Chiltern Hills. In addition, he is leading on the construction stages of a new-build spa hotel and residential development at Noss on Dart, Devon, a former boatyard site with incredible views down the River Dart estuary.

    Richard Collings, Vice President, SB Architects

    Marking a significant milestone, SB Architects, has recently opened a London studio. Richard Collings, who joined the team in early 2022,has already delivered inspiring and impactful design that has set the foundation for the new London base. Collings has been spearheading its expanded design capabilities, forging new client relationships and advancing business development efforts. Leading talent acquisition efforts as well as project work, he’s been instrumental in the studio’s strategic growth into the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean. SB Architects structures itself and runs its projects with an equitable working environment that nurtures teamwork and communication, and Collings has worked hard to instill that same entrepreneurial ethos into the London office. The architect has more than two decades of experience in the architectural sector, including a focus on mixed-use projects and master planning. His impressive project portfolio includes large-scale, mixed use planning projects in Egypt, Viacom International Media Networks headquarters in London, a renovation work for a world-class The Landmark hotel in Cyprus, and hospitality projects in Dubai and Turkey.

    Richard Holland, Director, Holland Harvey Architects

    Set across a crescent of Grade II listed, mid-19th century townhouses in Bayswater, Inhabit Queen’s Gardens, structurally designed by Holland Harvey Architects, comprises of 159 bedrooms, as well as a 70-cover restaurant and bar, lounge, library and wellness area including treatment rooms, a fitness suite and yoga studio. The hotel promises a commitment to environmental initiatives and meaningful community partnerships, pledging to work with 100 social enterprises and small, socially conscious businesses, including an extension of its furniture range collaboration with Goldfinger. Holland worked alongside Caitlin Henderson Design, There’s Light, and art curators Culture A to create a design that blends contemporary Scandi inspiration and Eastern philosophical awareness with quintessential British design. Key design features include a fire surround made by Granby Workshop from waste materials salvaged on site. Notably on this project, during construction, 100 per cent of waste was redirected from landfills, with 59 per cent being recycled or donated via the online platform Globechain.

    Richard Woolsgrove, Director and Head of Digital Technology, PLP Architecture

    Following the completion of Pan Pacific London, PLP Architecture, led by Richard Woolsgrove, is making itself known in the virtual universe, having created 5,000 NFTs based on the concept for a virtual skyscraper in the metaverse. The architecture studio collaborated with VerseProp, which describes itself as the “leading metaverse property platform”, to create the collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).Each of the animated digital images were based on the form of a conceptual skyscraper designed by the studio, which previously designed numerous real-world skyscrapers, including London’s second-tallest building that shelters Pan Pacific London. Through the project, the team is exploring and conducting vital research into the role of architects and designers on the blockchain and in the metaverse, from the use of smart contracts through to virtual design services. PLP has designed a concept building that is used as the basis for the NFT collection, based on the research work of PLP Labs. VerseProp is the first metaverse platform to focus on transforming virtual real estate into a professional, institutional asset class.

    Rob Gibbs, Director, Synergy Architects

    Working with Starwood and Property Alliance Group, Synergy Architects, led by Rob Gibbs, is working to create Treehouse Hotel Manchester, which will be the lifestyle hotel brand’s second hotel in the UK. As part of a wider masterplan for the site, the vision included the transformation of the old Renaissance Hotel site into a fresh new Treehouse offering aimed at the eco-conscious modern guest. The proposals undertook the high quality redevelopment of the existing hotel building to reposition it as a market-leading up-scale destination hotel. Working with Treehouse Hotels, a robust design has been prepared in line with their brand identity and their strong commitment to promoting sustainability. The new hotel is seen as a key component in ensuring a deliverable scheme for the wider regeneration site (the ‘Ramada Complex’). The works will fully modernise and transform the hotel both internally and externally, into something that gives back to the community and meets the needs of modern guests and hotel operators.

    Ross Stewart, Architect, Ica Studio

    Ross Stewart is passionate about architecture conservation and restoration. With more than a decade’s experience in hospitality projects, primarily in converting existing building stock into new and exciting uses, he enjoys the challenges of repurposing historic buildings. Working for Ica, he is the architect alongside his colleague Kerry Acheson for the first Virgin Hotel outside the USA, which recently opened in the oldest part of Scotland’s capital. Stewart’s heritage expertise combined with his creative talent and world leading hospitality knowledge led to a design that was able to unlock the viability of this challenging city-centre site. The design allows for the three listed buildings to be linked both to each other and to the new build part of the hotel with sympathetic yet modern interventions, creating a new flow through the complex site and deliberately framing unexpected views out into both the more intimate bustling local streets and closes and towards the grander views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town roofscape.

    Following this editorial series, the Brit List hoteliers of 2022 will be unveiled next. The Brit List 2022 has been published, and references the top 75 interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain. Entries will open for The Brit List Awards 2023 in the summer of 2023. 

    Main image credit: The Brit List 2022

    couch and cushions covered in Soho fabric by Sekers

    Year in Review: our top fabric picks from Sekers

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Year in Review: our top fabric picks from Sekers

    Sekers continues to bring new designs and colours to the table as a leading supplier of quality contract furnishing fabrics for hospitality, leisure and cruise markets worldwide. Reflecting trends while ensuring performance, Pauline Brettell takes a look at the some of the highlights…

    couch and cushions covered in Soho fabric by Sekers

    Earlier this year Sekers announced the launch of DECO, a vibrant collection featuring six eye-catching designs. Drawing inspiration from Miami’s Art Deco historic district, Deco 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. 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.

    The Deco collection 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.

    Another collection making a statement this year was SOHO; a versatile, velvet upholstery fabric which features an elegant, decorative cut piles to create a modern stripe. Soho 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.

    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.

    ODISHA was launched as a collection of two beautiful textures available in a versatile palette including rich jewel tones and sophisticated neutrals. From sapphire blue to gold topaz, Odisha is the perfect gem for upholstery and accessories.

    The AquaClean advanced nano technology helps protect the fabric against spills and stains without having to resort to specialist cleaning. The fabrics are also anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. Odisha is supplied with crib 5 flame retardant backing making it suitable for the hospitality, leisure and marine markets.

    Ending on a sheer note — Tynan is a wide width sheers range comprising of Areo & Yara. Both plain designs come in a selection of 16 colours each including soft browns, stylish neutrals and mint blue tones. Both fabrics are washable and meet the UK, USA & IMO standards which makes these beautiful plains perfect for the hospitality, leisure and marine markets.

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

    Main image credit: Sekers

    The Ligne Roset Tambour chair in dining room setting

    Oleg Pugachev designs new furniture collection for Ligne Roset

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Oleg Pugachev designs new furniture collection for Ligne Roset

    New to the Ligne Roset collection for 2023, and shown for the first time during the Ligne Roset product launch at the Palais de Tokyo arts centre in Paris in June, Tambour by Oleg Pugachev has a mid-century modern aesthetic with a streamlined edge…

    The Ligne Roset Tambour chair in dining room setting

    Ligne Roset Contract, the contemporary furniture brand that was an integral piece to Ramy Fischler’s new design concept for Novetel, has recently announced a new collection.

    Tambour, designed by Oleg Pugachev, comprises of chairs, benches and bedroom. The design encapsulates a mid-century modern aesthetic with their streamlined black frame and natural rattan backrest. Inspired by the iconic Cesca chair from the 1920s, Tambour is timeless, and sure to become a focal point of dining spaces.

    An upholstered seat ensures optimum comfort, whilst the natural rattan cane backrest, crafted from liana palm, gives Tambour a natural feel. Crafted by experts, the cane is woven with tight spacing, offering impressive resistance. The chair base is made from black stained ash with a satin finish, with the back in natural caning and the seat upholstered in Alcantara Slate Black non-woven fabric and supplied with four felt pads.

    Meanwhile, the bench base is in black stained ash and has a padded seat upholstered in beige cotton reps. The bedroom bench has a base in black stained ash and two seats in natural caning, which is a natural material, flexible and light and is made from a liana palm tree from which rattan canes are made.

    Close up of Ligne Roset chair

    Image credit: Ligne Roset Contract

    Oleg Pugachev studied product design at the Weissensee Academy in Berlin, finding a balance between functionality, technology and aesthetics to achieve an unexpected consistency and simplicity. He is an advocate of an interactive and reflective approach while respecting the history of design.

    Ligne Roset Contract is dedicated to making as little impact on the environment as possible in design. This has meant continued improvements across the brand’s production in meeting very high levels of responsible production. In the factory, its production methods make it possible to reduce the quantities of raw materials used, optimising processes in order to increase yield and limit scraps and waste.

    Tambour is the second offering from Oleg to feature in the Ligne Roset collection, following the success of the Koto table in 2021, which is a sofa-end table in enamelled ceramic.

    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.

    Main image credit: Ligne Roset Contract

    CTD Tiles white bathroom tiles with wooden stool and white freestanding bath

    CTD Architectural Tiles — awash with ideas

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    CTD Architectural Tiles — awash with ideas

    From small ensuites and bijoux wet rooms through to luxuriously large rooms for indulgent bathing, hotel bathrooms need to balance practicalities with aesthetics. Tiles for both walls and floors are a popular and practical decorative finish, and as Rob Lynch, specifications manager from CTD Architectural Tiles, explains how to transform a bathroom from functional to fabulous…

    CTD Tiles white bathroom tiles with wooden stool and white freestanding bath

    The very nature of bathrooms means hygiene and cleanliness is at the top of any specifiers’ checklist. As well as the fixtures and fittings, the walls and floor need to withstand regular cleaning, often with harsh chemical cleaners. Tiles are perfectly suited for use in wet areas and bathrooms owing to their hardwearing finish which means they are easy to maintain and will retain a freshness of finish regardless of how many times they are cleaned.

    The most durable tiles, and therefore the most popular for bathroom environments, are glazed porcelain tiles. This type of tile offers great protection against stains, marks and scratches and good water resistance, as well as being available in a wide range of colours, shapes and patterns. A great solution is the new Abbey range of stylish Victorian crackled glazed wall tiles which requires no sealing and is exceptionally easy to maintain. Investing in good quality mould-resistant grouts and sealants, and considering the use of coloured grouts, can also create a longer-lasting ‘just decorated’ appearance.

    tiles in blue , green and white from CTD Tiles on the bathroom walls

    Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles

    Another key practical consideration is safety, and all bathroom floors need to be safe to walk on in wet conditions and in bare feet. Fortunately, there are many anti-slip floor tiles available that help ensure bathrooms can be both safe and stylish. Here it’s not so much about the type of tile you choose but what PTV rating it has. This rating refers to the Pendulum Test Value (PTV), which is recommended by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) as the most accurate and reliable measure of slip resistance for both wet and dry conditions. It is also the only measure of the slip resistance of flooring accepted in legal and insurance matters. A PTV score of 36 denotes a low slip risk and is the minimum requirement for any new or refurbished public building.

    The best commercial tile suppliers will offer a vast range of non-slip floor tiles and will be able to provide you with the necessary information and testing certification so you can be sure that the tiles you choose are the safest option. Fortunately, there are also lots of different styles to choose from and manufacturers are constantly pushing the boundaries with their products so there’s no need to compromise on style. A new addition to the CTD tile portfolio is Tele Di Marmo Onyx which is a classic marble effect tile that combines a mirror-like finish with a high slip resistance.

    marble effect tile with high slip resistance from CTD tiles

    Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles

    From boutique hotels to those that utilise refurbished, older or even listed buildings, a small or unusually shaped bathroom can present a challenge. Alongside thinking creatively about layouts and sanitaryware, it’s also worth considering how the floor and wall materials can help open up a space. Tiles can make a huge difference to the way a small bathroom looks and feels, working with the lighting conditions to create the illusion of more space. Choosing highly glazed or gloss tiles in combination with a well thought out lighting plan can make a big difference as light reflecting on the tile surface will make a bathroom appear bigger. It can also brighten up a small space, which is particularly important if there is limited natural light.

    Think big even if the room is small! Playing around with layouts can create some interesting effects and this is particularly well illustrated by the versatile Metro-style brick tile. Such tiles can be laid in different patterns, whether this is installing tiles diagonally to create the impression of more space, horizontally to add depth or vertically to add height. Larger format plain coloured floor tiles also work really well in smaller areas. This is because larger tiles give more coverage with fewer grout lines and this in turn creates an expansive floor design that can add depth to a room.

    And don’t forget colour. A popular approach is to use a natural, paler palette which will reflect light and will create a more seamless finish when used with a similarly pale bathroom suite. A bright colour scheme can also have a place in a small bathroom. Glossy, brick-shape tiles can be laid in different configurations and in a variety of different colours and shades to create a really eye-catching effect. Tiles such as those within our Abacus and Alba ranges demonstrate this design potential perfectly, comprising several different shades and finishes to allow interesting geometric designs to be created.

    pattern floor tile and herring bone grey tiles on the bathroom walls to reflect light from CTD tiles

    Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles

    Wet rooms, where the shower floor area is flush with the rest of the room to create a more open-plan experience, are becoming increasingly popular in hotels. Unlike traditional bathrooms, wet rooms need to be ‘tanked’ and fully waterproofed, and so it’s essential that the building materials used are suitable for a high level of water exposure. Tiled walls and floors are a popular solution and porcelain tiles, thanks to the material’s great water resistance, are often used.

    a seamless tile design for a wetroom in marble effect porcelain from CTD Tiles

    Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles

    Despite the more challenging environment of a wet room, there is still plenty of design flexibility. Porcelain tiles are available in a wide range of colours, patterns and finishes and can be used to create a seamless finish when the same style tiles are used on the floor and walls. Similarly, the use of natural stone or wood-effect porcelain tiles can create a luxurious spa-like interior. Contrast also works well and patterned tiles can be used for a feature wall or to help zone the room, for example when used specifically around the shower area. Similarly, mosaic tiles work really well in wet rooms as the smaller surface area of the tile can help add grip and texture to the floors.

    A tile supplier will be able to advise the best tiles to consider for wet room applications, whether these are natural wood effect tiles like Forest Jungle, glass mosaic styles like Pearl or the limestone inspired tiles such as Uniche. The Uniche range is particularly effective in wet rooms as it has a high slip resistance in wet conditions and although it is reminiscent of natural stone, it has a smooth finish that makes it comfortable under foot and easy to clean.

    Whatever the size of the space or the style of the design, wall and floor tiles can create a hotel bathroom that is not only fit for purpose but that adds to the overall guest experience.

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

    Main image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles

    A sophisticated interior scheme inside The Morrow in washington

    A sophisticated yet arty vibe: inside The Morrow in Washington D.C.

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    A sophisticated yet arty vibe: inside The Morrow in Washington D.C.

    Arriving in Washington D.C., The Morrow Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, has opened in the heart of NoMa, one of the city’s fast-growing creative neighbourhoods…

    A sophisticated interior scheme inside The Morrow in washington

    The highly anticipated Washington, D.C. lifestyle destination, The Morrow Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, officially opens its doors. The design hotel acts as an anchor tenant for the neighbourhood, bringing artfully designed accommodations, dining by Michelin-starred Chef Nicholas Stefanelli, nearly 1,115 metres of meetings and events space and unparalleled service to the heart of NoMa.

    Brought to life by Trammell Crow Company and MetLife Investment Management, The Morrow provides one of the area’s first ever truly elevated hospitality offerings. This opening marks a new era for NoMa’s burgeoning 3rd Street District, an exciting hub of culture, culinary delights, and destination-driven experiences and offerings for locals and guests alike. Rising 12 storeys above the district’s tree-lined, walkable neighbourhood streets boasting buzzy shops and storefronts, such as Red Bear Brewing Co., REI, and CycleBar, the newly constructed hotel becomes a crossroads of socialisation in an energetic area of the city that is known for its rich industrial history and artistic innovation.

    “We set out, along with Trammel Crow Company, to bring a truly unique lifestyle destination to a vibrant and culturally important part of Washington D.C. in NoMa,” said Bill Webster, Director, Hotel Asset Management at MetLife Investment Management. “We believe in the growth potential of NoMa and The Morrow Hotel will quickly become part of the fabric of the neighborhood, enhancing its already rich culture through unmatched hospitality, service and dining experiences.”

    A soft, muted design inside the lobby of The morrow

    Image credit: Hilton Hotels

    The Morrow Hotel is inspired by the vibrant heritage of the surrounding NoMa area and infuses its artful spirit throughout the entire property. Located on the last site of Central Armature Works, a 100-year-old electrical manufacturing and repair business, the hotel is deeply rooted in Washington D.C.’s history while representing a distinctly modern vision. The hotel exterior is designed by Shalom Baranes Associates, with the lobby and multiple restaurants designed by INC Architecture & Design, and the guestrooms, function spaces and a fitness centre designed by Rottet Studio.

    INC Architecture & Design has created an atmosphere that builds on the optimistic qualities of The Morrow Hotel brand as well as emphasises the historical context of Washington D.C. and the local setting. The design of the public spaces, including the lobby, restaurant, cocktail lounge, and rooftop bar, creates a series of differentiated experiences from light and airy to dark and sophisticated by invoking the times of the day from morning to night.

    The lobby has been designed to be uplifting – muted in the right places – and in harmony with the architecture that shelters tall ceilings and striking columns. The space features intimate seating areas surrounded by harmonic lighting and ambient music that transitions with the light throughout the day.

    “The Morrow brings a new chapter in hospitality to an audience that values the grandeur of history, and the casual comforts of home,” said Adam Rolston, Creative and Managing Director of INC Architecture & Design. “Additionally, the pleasures and well-being derived from strong social connections all manifest in a magical alchemy of modern and neoclassical design idioms that connect the hotel to its city and neighbourhood.”

    The hotel shelters 203 sophisticated rooms and suites that combine modern comfort, elevated elegance, and thoughtful amenities for a curated guest experience. Calming color palettes come together with luxurious details such as Italian linens and Le Labo bath and body products to provide welcome respite.

    Contemporary bathrooms inside The Morrow

    Image credit: Hilton Hotels

    “When we started this project, we believed The Morrow could serve as the perfect central gathering place for the local NoMa and Union Market neighbourhoods, while also setting new standards for nightlife and hospitality across the District of Columbia and are so thrilled to see that vision come to life in this way,” added Campbell Smith, Senior Managing Director for Trammell Crow Company.

    From daybreak to nightfall, The Morrow Hotel provides dynamic experiences that effortlessly guide guests from space to space, both physically and mentally. With self-care programming, elevated design and thoughtfully considered partnerships, even the transition is golden.

    > Since you’re here, why not read about Hilton’s 600th hotel to open?

    Main image credit: Hilton Hotels

    Kohler partners with designer Nada Debs at Design Miami

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Kohler partners with designer Nada Debs at Design Miami

    Kohler has unveiled its partnership with global artist and designer, Nada Debs, through the creation of a custom hammam to be displayed at Design Miami 2022. Kohler’s presentation of Transcendence by Debs, along with various onsite and digital activations, pays homage to cultural inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and heritage through design and innovation…

    With handcrafted sustainable tiles from Kohler WasteLAB the hammam highlights Kohler’s design and material expertise and commitment to environmental sustainability, along with Debs’ ability to distil culture and craftsmanship to create emotional resonance. This soothing and peaceful environment crafted with innovative sustainable tiles from Kohler WasteLAB handcrafted exclusively for Design Miami is perfectly in tune with the overarching theme of the event – The Golden Age: Looking to the Future – and offers an earthly heaven within the bustling fair environment.

    A Levantine designer living and working in Beirut, Debs’ work spans scale and discipline, from product and furniture design to one-off commissions across craft, art, fashion and interiors. What ties her work together is her ability to distil culture and craftsmanship to create pieces of emotional resonance.

    “Having the opportunity to design a modern hammam at Design Miami truly embodies the sentiment that well-being transcends all culture,” said Debs. “I am excited to offer such a unique experience to the industry.”

    The hammam is constructed from hand-crafted custom tiles designed by Debs and the Kohler WasteLAB team. Expanding on the design and process, Debs and Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainability and DEI Officer at Kohler Co., will participate in a discussion at the event that examines how partner collaboration can address societal shifts and result in more sustainable designs.

    blue handmade tiles for Kohler with arch design of traditional hammam as designed by Nada Debs

    Image credit: Kohler

    The design of the WasteLAB tile used in the hammam mimic the arch aesthetic of traditional hammams and offers a visual parallel between the rebirth of waste material and the spiritual and emotional rejuvenation that hammam guests experience. Visitors to Kohler’s space will be invited to explore Debs’ translation of a traditional hammam journey expressed through a three-room immersive experience.

    “At Kohler, we have a great passion for exploring the nexus between design and environmental sustainability, a passion that is shared by Nada and translated into the hammam and the tiles themselves,” said Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainability and DEI Officer for Kohler Co. “Partnering with Nada helps to bring critical conversations about sustainability, cultural inclusion and well-being to the forefront of the Design Miami audience and community at large, while also showcasing what we can achieve with sustainable design.”

    Kohler WasteLAB carries the objective to reimagine the approach to waste by finding value in landfill-bound material and engaging in a manufacturing process where nothing is wasted. WasteLAB is a cornerstone initiative within Kohler’s Believing in Better sustainability and social impact strategy. In 2021, the Kohler WasteLAB diverted 11.38 metric tons of waste from landfill through sales and product development. The custom tile featured in this installation utilises material for both the tile body and glaze that originate from Kohler’s manufacturing waste streams.

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

    Main image credit: Kohler

    lighting over table designed by Sybille de Margerie for Gabriel Scott

    Hotel lighting reimagined by Gabriel Scott

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Hotel lighting reimagined by Gabriel Scott

    Canadian luxury handmade furniture and lighting brand Gabriel Scott has launched its latest lighting collection, Welles Reimagined, in collaboration with six global designers and architects to celebrate the brands 10th anniversary this year…

    lighting over table designed by Sybille de Margerie for Gabriel Scott

    The six designers have reinterpreted the studio’s most iconic fixture, the Welles Chandelier. The six fixtures, first showcased at Milan Design Week 2022, have now been formalised into six capsule collections which include chandeliers, sconces and pendant lighting.

    handmade detail in the studio at Gabriel Scott

    Image credit: Gabriel Scott

    “The Gabriel Scott brand launched on a manifesto to furnish the architectural community with exactly what they needed, and we’re still doing this through material, size and form ten years later,” said Scott Richler, Gabriel Scott’s Founder and CEO. “Inspired by jewellery, the Welles Chandelier is a true representation of our design philosophy – to design and make modular products to custom specifications. The Welles Reimagined capsule collections celebrates our brand ethos and the collaborations we undertook with each designer perfectly demonstrate how we like to work together with our design and architecture clients to achieve something really special and tailored to their requirements.”

    The David Rockwell capsule collection celebrates the Welles Chandelier’s classic geometric form, while creating a contemporary light fixture inspired by clusters found in nature, such as crystals, chemical compounds, and clouds. Ultimately, Rockwell drew from botanic forms to create an organic assemblage. The hollowed glass polygons act as metallic light points that come together at varying heights and dimensions to form a floating light cluster. The feature chandelier is defined by its luxe volume and organic nature.

    “The collaboration allowed us to create something very special that combines Gabriel Scott’s modular approach to lighting and expert craftsmanship with our focus on storytelling and materiality,” said Rockwell. “We experimented with volume, colour, texture, and scale to create organic assemblages of light that have a dramatic impact on the atmosphere and our perception of space.”

    white clay chandelier design by Kelly Hoppen for Gabriel Scott

    Image credit: Gabriel Scott

    Crafted from white clay and inspired by a collection of ceramics she is currently designing, the Kelly Hoppen capsule collection comprises a single flush-mount sconce suitable for both wall and ceiling installation, a pendant light, a single sconce on a banded arm and the Welles Long Chandelier in three sizes. The overall form has been scaled down from its original size to create an elegantly delicate aesthetic.

    “When I was asked to do it, obviously it’s a very iconic piece already, but instantly I knew I wanted it to be a chalk white, clay, very organic piece,” explained Hoppen, CBE, “because that would make it incredibly different from anything Gabriel Scott had done before.”

    Alessandro Munge’s capsule collection has a beautiful narrative infused with dynamic and bold fashion references inspired by rhythmic dance. It includes the 12-module central chandelier as seen in Milan, a scaled down 8-module chandelier, a larger 18-module chandelier and an arm sconce. While its volume is radically different, the modular qualities are still able to extend for extra tall ceilings and multiply for larger spaces. This flexibility makes it a truly versatile and playful product that invites designers to create bespoke configurations.

    “One of the key features that inspired us was how architectural the Welles is, yet extremely detailed and jewellery-like – even the slightest of components like the bracket is beautifully designed,2 said Munge. “It felt like a sculptural piece of art. So, we drew inspiration from couture fashion, from dance, and when we immersed ourselves in this world, we thought about deconstructing the original piece and rebuilding it in a completely different way.”

    Welles Small Chandelier in bronze by designer Alessandro Munge for Gabriel Scott

    Image credit: Gabriel Scott

    Designer Michelle Gerson turned to nature to add a floral element that represents growth and bloom, alluding to a rebirth of a classic Gabriel Scott design. Uplifting and joyful, Gerson’s capsule collection includes a vertical sconce and small, medium and large versions of the chandelier first seen in Milan.

    “The vision is nature. We tried to take a more geometric, modular, masculine type fixture and break it up and create what we thought would be blossoms, branches and leaves,” said Gerson. “We mixed up the materiality a little by using mesh to create a lightness, we wanted it to feel spacey, alive and happy.”

    Welles Long Chandelier in grey leather and brass by Sybille de Margerie

    Image credit: Gabriel Scott

    As a contrast to the sharp metal and glass silhouette of the original Welles, Sybille de Margerie’s interpretation reveals the feminine side of her signature design style. Couture-inspired, elegant and smooth, the capsule collection shows a gradient composition from emptiness to full, with a variation of hollow and plain shapes. It comprises a sconce, cluster sconce, the standard chandelier as seen in Milan, and a smaller version. All fixtures include padded vegan leather to create a subtle 3D effect and rounded corners to add softness.

    “We love leather because we find it’s a very elegant finish and combined with a soft bronze,” said de Margerie. “This is our vision of luxury which is very understated.”

    Guan Lee’s design is a striking floor installation, illuminated by light bulbs and made from POLiROCK, a new material developed by Material Architecture Lab. The fired clay has unique characteristics, somewhere between ceramic and rock. It appears natural but is made by recycling manufacturing waste. Due to the nature of this design, it can be customised from the original form that was shown in Milan. For commissions, Guan and the Gabriel Scott’s design team will work with the client to deliver something bespoke.

    “The first thing I thought was that it would be nice to have a contrasting material, so instead of something transparent something solid that allows light to go through in a very particular way.” said Lee.

    handmaking the Welles chandeliers in the workshop at Gabriel Scott

    Image credit: Gabriel Scott

    All Gabriel Scott pieces are handmade in a Montreal-based studio where an in-house team of industrial designers, engineers and manufacturers work together to create and oversee each piece from inception to production. Established to blend Scott’s design experience developed over many years working in architecture, fashion and jewellery design, Gabriel Scott’s furniture and lighting collections are designed in line with the studio’s three principles: timeless, customisable and versatile aesthetic.

    Gabriel Scott 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: Gabriel Scott

    bungalow and swimming pool at Ikos Porto Petro

    Ikos Porto Petro moves into Mallorca

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Ikos Porto Petro moves into Mallorca

    Luxury all-inclusive Ikos Resorts has announced the addition of a seventh property to its portfolio, and its second in Spain with the new Ikos Porto Petro, opening in Mallorca…

    bungalow and swimming pool at Ikos Porto Petro

    Following its successful debut on the Iberian Peninsula with the opening of Ikos Andalusia in Marbella – Estepona in May 2021, Ikos Porto Petro is slated to open on the Spanish island of Mallorca in 2023. The hotel also marks the second new Ikos opening for the year 2023, closely following the opening of Ikos Odisia in Corfu in May 2023, as the innovative collection continues to expand at an impressive pace in spectacular destinations in Greece and Spain.

    luxury finishes and natural colours in the guestsuite at Ikos Porto Petro

    Image credit: Ikos Porto Petro

    A stones throw away from the capital Palma, and nestled between two stunning coves; Calo dets Homes Morts and Calo de Sa Torre, Ikos Porto Petro stretches along a kilometre of pristine coastline on the south-east coast of Mallorca. Located next to the natural beauty of Parc Natural de Mondrago, the cosmopolitan Porto Petro Marina and the charming fishing village of Portopetro,  the hotel will offer an authentic, chic new waterfront getaway in one of Mallorca’s best-preserved sites. The resort’s proximity to Porto Petro Marina makes it the ideal setting for water sports, boat trips and day tours or a Sea Caving Adventure. For those who want to stay out of the water, golf, hiking, and cycle touring are on offer.

    aerial view of Ikos Porto Petro resort on Mallorca Spain

    Image credit: Ikos Porto Petro

    Ikos Porto Petro will open with 319 elegantly designed guestrooms, suites & bungalows, including a selection of one, two and three-bedroom bungalow suites, thoughtfully designed for couples and families of all sizes. Accommodation enjoys balconies, gardens, and private pools, complimented by incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea. The property is expected to expand with the addition of spectacular cliff hanging three and four-bedroom suites as of 2024, offering unrivalled privacy with private pools and unobstructed sea views. Sitting serenely in verdant grounds, each guest room is curated with Ikos’ signature Mediterranean styling, infused with Mallorcan characteristics. The five-star resort aims to offer the best luxury all-inclusive experience in the area and will showcase the essence of the Greek brand through architecture and style, promoting the serenity and sophistication that Ikos is famed for.

    The property will offer the award-winning Ikos luxury all-inclusive concept, which means virtually every element of a holiday is included. Guests can look forward to menus created by Michelin Star chefs, signature cocktails, 300 international wines, kid’s clubs, 24-hour room service and poolside service. Those looking for true indulgence can head to the exclusive Anne Semonin Spa offering state-of-the art facilities.

    Spa reception area in minimalist natural decor at Ikos Porto Petro

    Image credit: Ikos Porto Petro

    In addition, Ikos Porto Petro will offer an extensive gourmet offering, with five à la carte restaurants to tempt the most discerning of palettes. Ikos Resorts’ brand-new Food Hall concept will serve buffet-style breakfasts, international cuisine, and à la carte lunch and dinner. Guests can also opt to go on a gastronomic journey to the best local restaurants with the renowned Ikos Dine Out experience at no extra cost. Explorations beyond the resort can continue with the complimentary Local Drive Adventure offering the chance to go electric with a Tesla car for a day and discover the beautiful, rugged coast with breathtaking sea views, hike pathways such as the Castell d’Alaró, nature reserves like Parc Natural de S’Albufera and naturally sculpted underground caves such as Cuevas de Genova in Palma and Cuevas del Drach in Porto Cristo – all part of the Local Discovery concept.

    pool bar and restaurant space framed by olive trees and a seaview at Ikos Porto Petro

    Image credit: Ikos Porto Petro

    Guests will be spoilt for choice with five indoor and outdoor heated pools, including an adult’s only pool, separate children’s and baby pools, as well as the pristine beauty of secluded coves and the surrounding natural environment. Deluxe Collection guests can enjoy exclusive benefits with everything they need at their fingertips, from fresh towels to an all-day waiter service and a bottle of Taittinger Champagne on arrival. They can also take advantage of the dedicated Ikos Deluxe Concierge, on hand for all holiday needs from a packing and unpacking service, booking a complimentary spa treatment and an exclusive seaside dining experience.

    Main image credit: Ikos Porto Petro

    Guestroom, green and earth, inside Wayfinder Waikiki

    VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in December 2022

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in December 2022

    The temperature is not dropping at Hotel Designs HQ, as we migrate to far-flung destinations around the world to explore the hottest hotel openings expected in December… 

    Guestroom, green and earth, inside Wayfinder Waikiki

    What a year it has been! From new islands to renovated great dames, mind-blowing hotel concepts to the hospitality industry boldly entering the metaverse – 2022 will go down in history. It has been a year of growth and recovery – the ’20s really are living up to expectations of being totally ‘roaring’!

    However, we are not quite ready to leave this year in the past to then focus on 2023 and beyond, as we have a handful of hotel openings expected to emerge in December that we believe will be revolutionary, and will aptly set the tone for the next year of openings, renovations and, generally, challenging conventional hospitality and hotel design concepts.

    So, for the final time this year, here are our VIP arrivals that we expect to be ‘big news’ this month.

    Fearn

    Luxury, alpine vibes inside Faern

    Image credit: Faern

    This month, Faern, a collection of lifestyle resorts in the idyllic Swiss Alps, is debuting two hotels; Faern Arosa Altein and Faern Crans-Montana Valaisia. What makes this brand exciting and ‘one to watch’ is its approach, answering each alpine destination with a fresh, new take that will be inspired by the scenic sights to ultimately – and authentically – bring people together to experience the best in altitude living. The design is to be rooted in traditional ’70s alpine charm with urban and modern convenience. Both destinations are also set to have extensive wellness offerings with indoor and outdoor pools for guests and visitors.

    The Wayfinder Waikiki

    A blue and white interior design scheme inside guestroom at The Wayfinder Waikiki in Hawaii

    Image credit: Read McKendree

    Hawaii, but not as you know it. The Wayfinder Waikiki is opening in the neighbourhood of Honolulu as the second Wayfinder hotel under Dovetail + Co. The brand has created a uniquely hidden oasis with thoughtfully transformative design, public spaces, authentic food and beverage programming, and guest experiences steeped in culture distinctive to Hawaii and the Waikiki region. Designed by The Vanguard Theory, the 228-key hotel offers a fresh hospitality space, merging the building’s Brutalist architecture with tropical touches, electrifying colours, and patterns, alongside lush foliage specific to the island. Its design has been inspired by the sites, stories, and heritage of Hawaii by utilising colour tones that represent the land, sky, and water, geometric and floral prints, and natural fiber furniture with decorative art and design elements incorporated throughout by local artisans.

    Portrait Milano

    Contemporary lobby inside Portrait Milan

    Image credit: Lungarno Collection

    It is being billed as Milan’s ‘hottest and most exciting new hotel’ to arrive – big statement – Portrait Milano is not short of personality or colour! Lungarno Collection has once again collaborated with architect Michele Bonan on the interior design element of the project, after having worked with him on their other hotels; Hotel Lungarno, Portrait Roma and Portrait Firenze. The style of the rooms at Portrait Milano is clearly inspired by the city’s salotti, living rooms, of the 1950s: the blond Italian walnut and oriental references, typical at the time, take guests back to the most glamourous houses in Milan. The boiserie on the walls, which also feature rattan panels, add texture to the simple and essential lines of the interior design. These historical references are flanked by craftsmanship from Florence, the city where Lungarno Collection was born.

    The Chedi El Gouna

    Exterior image of The Chedi El Gouna

    Image credit: Orascom Hotels

    Orascom Hotels Management, the hotels management arm of Orascom Development, is preparing the opening of its latest hotel, The Chedi El Gouna, which will become the brand’s flagship, located at the Egyptian Red Sea resort. The hotel represents the pinnacle of El Gouna’s luxury hotel offering, with its tagline ‘lean into the hush’ chosen to reflect the hotel’s serenity. With charming character and a stunning beachfront location, complemented by The Chedi’s signature Asian aesthetics of intuitive luxury, timeless design, and contemporary cool experience, the 82-key hotel will be a sumptuous, eco-friendly getaway.

    Emerald Zanzibar Resort & Spa

    Render of Emerald Zanzibar Resort & Spa

    Image credit: The Emerald Collection

    This winter, the Scarapicchia family, which brought us earlier this year year Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa, will continue to build on their past success managing resorts in Zanzibar, Tanzania, with the launch of a new five-star luxury property in Zanzibar within The Emerald Collection group. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Emerald Zanzibar Resort & Spa will be located in the north-east of the island in Muyuni area, directly in front of Mnemba island.

    JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites

    Nestled in a beautiful beachside setting on southern Thailand’s Andaman coast, the 52-key JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites is opening this month, sheltering a contemporary yet airy interior design and architecture scheme. The resort’s collection of 11 restaurants and bars tempt guests with an extensive array of casual and formal dining choices ranging from traditional Thai to Japanese and Italian cuisines. New additions to the resort include Sala Restaurant & Pool Bar, an inviting all-day venue that celebrates the timeless pleasures of great Asian and international food and family dining by the poolside. DRIFT Beach Bar & Grill is the resort’s new meat and seafood grill restaurant inspired by regional Mediterranean cuisine. The brand’s signature JW Garden offers a variety of homegrown organic herbs, spices and other natural ingredients that are used in the restaurants, resort activities, cooking classes and for organic treatments in the spa.

    In January, Hotel Designs will publish its extensive list of statement hotel openings that are expected in 2023. 

    Main image credit: Read McKendree

    SIRO_OneZaabeel_Fitness_Lab

    Breaking news: Kerzner International’s new hotel brand Siro to launch in Dubai

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Breaking news: Kerzner International’s new hotel brand Siro to launch in Dubai

    Kerzner International, independent developer and operator of hospitality and residential properties, today announced plans to open a first-of-its-kind, immersive lifestyle and fitness brand, SIRO, at One Za’abeel in Dubai in Q4 2023. Here’s what we know…

    SIRO_OneZaabeel_Fitness_Lab

    The new holistic wellbeing brand SIRO, will be a key feature of One Za’abeel, a mixed-use development, spread over a 530,000 square-metre plot strategically positioned at the entrance to Dubai’s international financial districts. The two-tower high-rise, mixed-use development will also incorporate One&Only One Za’abeel, One&Only Private Homes, and office spaces, in addition to retail podium The Gallery, and a panoramic sky concourse – the world’s longest cantilevered building, The Link, which connects the two towers. Suspended 100 metres above ground, this 226-metre-long structure will be a lifestyle destination in the sky for high-end dining, hospitality, retail, and entertainment. Ithra Dubai is the principal developer, a fully owned subsidiary of Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD).

    SIRO_OneZaabeel_Exterior view

    Image credit: Kerzner International

    A fitness and recovery destination, SIRO One Za’abeel will offer holistic fitness and wellbeing programs, in a beautifully designed hotel environment with stunning views of Dubai’s skyline. SIRO will be situated in one of two towers at One Za’abeel and a state-of-the-art fitness club will form the hotel’s core across two floors, boasting a 1,000-square-metre gym with dedicated spaces for yoga, meditation, and group classes. A Recovery Lab will feature cutting-edge technologies; cryo, infrared, and oxygen therapies; physiotherapy, acupuncture, and stretching; and dedicated mindfulness coaches and nutrition experts. All the restaurants will serve organic and seasonal meals crafted by chefs working with local producers.

    SIRO Boka Place Gym cropped

    Image caption: Render of the gym and fitness centre that will be sheltered inside SIRO Boka Place, designed by Atellior. | Image credit: SIRO

    “SIRO represents Kerzner’s continued ambition to break boundaries in the hospitality industry, and it will transform the fitness and recovery hospitality experience.,” said Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer of Kerzner International. “Going far beyond the expected by combining our renowned excellence in developing truly exceptional hotels and experiences, with the invaluable insight and expertise from a world-class selection of international athletes, the result will be a curated, bold guest experience with powerful opportunities to excel. Our aim is to expand the SIRO community globally and we look forward to partnering with developers and investors in key global destinations.”

    “SIRO is a bold, innovative new Kerzner brand,” added Issam Galadari, CEO of Ithra. “It will serve a global community focused on health and wellbeing with a destination offering yet to be seen in Dubai and in the hospitality sector. We are proud to be a developer and partner in this unique project and look forward to building this iconic development in Dubai’s One Za’abeel.”

    SIRO Boka Place Rooftop

    Image caption: Render of the rooftop that will open in SIRO Boka Place, designed by Atellior. | Image credit: SIRO

    Each SIRO hotel and every guest experience is conceptualised and customised to the city in which it is built. As such, a holistic fitness and wellbeing programme is designed for each guest, including an optional 3D body scan to provide personalised data to develop a tailored programme for every individual. International sports teams (A.C. Milan) and Olympic athletes (Ramla Ali and Adam Peaty) serve as experts with SIRO in-house teams to shape the guest experience – a first for the hospitality industry. SIRO invites guest to ‘Live the Journey’ and unlock peak mental and physical performance in a supportive, aspirational environment.

    The first SIRO was announced for Porto Montenegro, SIRO Boka Place, and is due to be open in early 2024.

    Main image credit: Kerzner International

    Collage of HIX Event 2022

    HIX 2022 review: from a mycelium bar to the metaverse

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    HIX 2022 review: from a mycelium bar to the metaverse

    HIX 2022 was underlined by the event theme; ‘Great things will grow’ – and indeed, from the discussions on stage to the conversations on the stands the event was fuelled by a sense of positivity and purpose as the industry as a whole faces up to the challenges of net zero and social innovation. Writer Pauline Brettell gives us her impressions of both the content and the creativity that made an impact…

    Collage of HIX Event 2022

    Design, innovation and a healthy dose of optimism were evident themes on every level at HIX 2022. From the insightful speakers on stage to the bold brands showcasing new products and creative installations on the floor, designers were weaving their way through and between creative moments that together made HIX one of this year’s stand-out trade shows, globally.

    With the event mantra anchored as ‘Great Things will Grow’ referencing this innovation in response to all the challenges having been faced by the industry, the most literal interpretation of this was the Mush Room installation, the result of a collaboration between WeWantMore, La Succulente and Côme Di Meglio. The studios threw open the conversation on alternative materials by designing a bar that would grow towards the event while at the same time developing an example of what one of these ‘great things’ might be – in this case, mycelium as a design material. The design of the mycelium bar drew inspiration from shapes and textures found in and on shells. It illustrated the infinite source of inspiration nature can be, both aesthetically and structurally. The overall shape had a sacral feel to it – almost like a tomb – which was, according to WeWantMore, a metaphor for burying a traditional way of thinking and reflecting on new ideas when designing spaces.

    mycelium surface design of Mush Room by design studio WeWantMore for HIX 2022

    Image credit: WeWantMore

    The installation was just one very loud statement from the show, though. All interior designers and architects know that lighting is key to successful design, and the lighting on display at HIX addressed all aspects of this – from the statement pieces, through to energy-saving solutions. These trends were clearly exhibited on the Northern Lights stand where a understated yet perfectly formed rechargeable lamp was mere steps away from the showpiece brutalist inspired Breuer – an impressive chandelier that instantly grabbed attention with its raw, honest narrative displays layers of brass metal. Beautifully finished, the chandelier is as much a sculpture as a lighting solution.

    brutalist chandelier designed by Northern Lights

    Image credit: HIX22

    Proving that timeless can also be decorative (and never dull), Chelsom, a brand that can be found in all corners of the the residential, cruise ship and hotel design arenas, was front and centre during the two-day show, displaying some of its hero products from the Edition 27 collection – and marking its very special anniversary of 75 years.

    Another lighting solution that was hard to keep eyes off – and that was as much about installation as illumination – came from Quasar. The modular and asymmetrical designs that characterise the suspended Quasar design throws light both downwards and upwards, while the design structure manages to be both geometric and modular while at the same time referencing the natural world in its elemental structure. The term Quasar, apparently, means a rising star, and this brand is certainly a rising star in the lighting realm that caught our attention.

    Quasar lighting installation made up from interconnected suspend filaments

    Image credit: HIX

    Bathroom design at HIX saw two main areas of focus, addressing concerns of sustainability and water conservation, while also elevating concepts of wellness onto a more personal level. Brands such as Laufen, Roca, Graff, Gessi and Hansgrohe proved that wellness has gone further thanks to variety. No longer confined to the realm of the spa, wellness and spa concepts are being introduced into the daily bathroom routine both in the hotel and the home. Brands such as GROHE was keen to highlight products that gave consumers the experience and indulgence of spa from the bathroom.

    It was interesting perhaps with the focus in the hospitality industry more broadly on experiential travel and creating a sense of place, that the evening saw exhibitors imaginatively creating their own sense of place with personalised events. These events broke down the barriers between product and designer, shifting the boundaries and creating conversation.

    Fabric and surface decoration were visible every step of the way through the hall, and again the thread of sustainable design in tandem with innovative design was a visible thread.  Contract fabric house Edmund Bell addressed environmental issues head on with its new sheer range REPREVE, made woven from 100 per cent recycled materials, including post-consumer plastic bottles and pre-consumer waste.

    Strong design statements showing us the directions and trends for both colour and pattern were clearly brought to life on the stands of fabric houses such as Sekers and Zimmer + Rohde where a common thread of warm and earthy – possibly biophilic? – tones and textures were apparent.

    Speaking about the personalisation of design-led spaces, the surface designs by Arte made a strong statement in trend and colour direction, combining both in its striking Secret Silhouettes design, printed on chenille in rich colours, more artwork than wallcovering.

    Since its arrival last year, HIX has characterised by the conversations it creates both on the floor and on stage, and this year was no exception. The HIX Talks stage, sponsored by Kohler, was a hive of energy throughout the two days. Rather than focussing on recovery, which has been the hospitality narrative for the past few years, it was, in general a forward-looking programme that encapsulated in the strap line ‘Great things will grow: the hotel is back’.

    Kicking things off, Alon Baranowitz dug deeper into narrative-driven design, moving onto looking critically on where we are headed on the path to net zero; and yet another conversation discussing the impact of trends like digital nomads on the hospitality industry.

    Having identified the foundations and meaning of narrative in hotel design, the ‘narrative’ of the show moved onto exploring topics that were slightly outside the perimeter of hotel design. One panel in particular that captured a progressive tone was that on members club in hotel design.  The model may not be new, however, what became clear in the discussion between Hamish Kilburn (Editor of Hotel Designs), Naomi Heaton, (CEO, Founder and Owner The Other House), Natalia Miyar, ( Founder, Natalia Miyar Atelier), Myriel Walter, (Global Director of Culture & Membership, Sircle Collection) and Chris King, (Co-founder, Birch) all key players in this movement, was that the way in which it is being driven forward has developed a new and often design-led – and sometimes socially-conscious – momentum.

    “Stepping off the stand after this event felt like having looked through a window into the overwhelmingly positive future of hotel design.” – Pauline Brettell.

    HIX 2022 talk on stage discussing the Metaverse,

    Image credit: HIX

    The talks were not just limited to the HIX Talks stage, as some brands took the initiative to carry the conversations onto the stand. The discussion on the Ligne Roset stand saw and in conversation with Damien Perrot of Accor and Ramy Fischler of RF Design, moderated by Kilburn, that dived into the collaborative hotel design project – redefining the Novotel brand – that was the hero of the Ligne Roset stand. It was an intimate chat that explained both the design process and concepts, as well as the idea behind the collaboration from the brand’s point of view. Stepping off the stand after this event felt like having looked through a window into the overwhelmingly positive future of hotel design.

    And finally, I confronted my own personal bête noir by taking a front seat in front of the stage where things moved into the metaverse. Pallavi Dean, (Founder of Roar), Timothy Griffin, (Co-Founder of Wellbrook Hospitality ) and Emma Chiu, (Global Director, Wunderman Thompson Intelligence) unpacked the mystery of the digital world in a panel discussion moderated by Kilburn. In the process, the visionaries made cyberspace feel not only a lot more accessible, but, dare I say it, exciting! While I might not be ready to head off into the virtual sunset just yet, the conversation certainly opened my mind to the possibilities being presented to us, a sharp reminder to embrace change and look for the positive. And if that is the primary take-away from HIX 2022 it can, surely, only lead to a bigger and bolder hospitality industry, where, indeed, the hotel is both back and moving forward!

    Main image credit: HIX

    Nobu Restaurant Abu Dhabi copy

    Nobu plans its hospitality arrival in Abu Dhabi

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Nobu plans its hospitality arrival in Abu Dhabi

    The fast-growing luxury lifestyle brand, Nobu Hospitality, raising the bar having just announced its plans to create Nobu Hotel, Restaurant and Residences in Abu Dhabi. Here’s what we know…

    Nobu Restaurant Abu Dhabi copy

    Slated to open in 2026 on Saadiyat Island, Nobu Hotel will shelter 165 luxurious and spacious guestrooms and suites, including the ‘jewel of the crown’ Nobu Villa. The plans were announced this week, Nobu Hospitality and Alder Properties gave us an insight as to what we should expect. But first, we thought we would explore just how significant this move is for Nobu, which is slowly yet surely taking over the luxury lifestyle scene.

    Guestroom Nobu Santorini

    Image credit: Nobu Hospitality

    Founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper, with operations spanning five continents, the Nobu brand thrives in the world’s capitals as the ultimate destination lifestyle experience. Since 2013, when the first Nobu Hotel opened in 2013 in Las Vegas, the brand has spread far and wide – 30 hotels have been added both open and in development.

    Following recent openings in Dubai, Mexico and Vietnam, Nobu’s latest hotel is located on its own island. Saadiyat Island is a world-renowned, leisure, business, residential, and cultural centre. Graced by the presence of free-roaming gazelles, white-sand beaches, and home to the critically endangered Hawksbill turtles, Saadiyat Island also offers the world’s largest single concentration of cultural assets including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Natural History Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Zayed National Museum as well as other remarkable attractions.  Guests and residents of the island can also perfect their swing on the region’s premier waterfront golf course, or simply relax on the island’s sprawling stretch of powdery white beaches and protected coastal areas.

    Situated alongside the hotel and just a seven-minute drive from downtown Abu Dhabi, the development includes an exquisite Nobu branded residences. Offering a mix of multi-bedroom waterfront residences and penthouses with unobstructed views of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and positioned in the most coveted location on the island, the Nobu Residences will be one of the most sought-after and desirable addresses in the region.

    Main image credit: Nobu Hospitality

    private signature villa with pool overlooking the ocean at One&Only Mandarina

    One&Only Mandarina launch new signature villas

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    One&Only Mandarina launch new signature villas

    The ultra-luxury resort One&Only Mandarina, located on an undiscovered stretch of coastline along the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, has launched a collection of Signature Villas, designed by Studio Rick Joy. We stepped inside for a sneak peak…

    private signature villa with pool overlooking the ocean at One&Only Mandarina

    One&Only Mandarina, which we first spoke about back in 2020, overlooks the Pacific Ocean with dramatic vistas and a location in an awe-inspiring beachfront rainforest setting. The ultra-luxury beach sanctuary and collection of expansive Signature Villas stretches across a 33 hectare landscape of unspoiled nature, and lush, tropical landscape. Together with the resort’s majestic Grand Villas, such as the exceptional Villa One, the resort has an array of options for groups of families and friends that are seeking a place to gather, relax and reconnect.

    living space in the luxury villa at One&Only Mandarina with view onto terrace and the ocean

    Image credit: One&Only

    The collection of Signature Villas features sustainable design and ground-breaking architecture by Studio Rick Joy, sensitively built to integrate within nature and embrace the dramatic setting rather than reshape it with careful low-density planning. Each villa is designed specifically to reflect its location, drawing the outdoors in via breath-taking views of rolling, green mountain sides fading into jungle canopies or the unspoilt vistas of the crystal-clear ocean meeting the horizon.

    Open structures capture natural light, filtered through the towering trees, while traditional Mexican design elements are reimagined, including pitched roofs with large overhangs, a nod to local palapas. Earth-hued walls emerge from the ground with low visual impact, inspired by the historic buildings once constructed on the site by the Cora, an indigenous settlement in the Western Central Mexico, who covered their buildings in earthen plaster. Terraces and courtyards are made from volcanic rocks directly sourced from the location while the tropical rainforest provides woods including Cumaru, Rosa Morada, and Tornillo.

    Locally crafted custom woodwork, stone accents and earthy tones add rich, textural warmth throughout the interiors, complemented by intricate artefacts curated specifically for the space by local artisans. Designed to enhance the interior space, the villas showcase state-of-the-art Delos’ Home Wellness solutions with air and water purification, dehumidification, and circadian lighting systems to ensure a harmonious inner sanctuary and a wellness-focused living experience that is seamlessly in tune with its surroundings.

    pitched roofs with large overhangs in Mandarina are a nod to local palapas structures

    Image credit: One&Only

    The Signature Villas introduce four to eight bedroom luxurious residences, with an expansive layout of multiple interconnected buildings surrounding a central indoor/outdoor living area ranging from 758 to 1,725 total square metres that can accommodate from 12 up to 24 guests in different layouts perfectly designed for multi-family travellers, groups of friends, and celebratory gatherings. Each villa is distinct, offering unparalleled bespoke amenities with a dedicated host service and preference planner to tend to guests’ every need, from pre-arrival shopping to booking private chefs, musical entertainment and more. Wine studios can be outfitted with leading wines from the region and the world, while TV rooms, cinemas and casino rooms offer a multitude of entertainment options.

    Fully outfitted gyms allow guests to focus on wellness in the privacy of their villa, and offices allow for any work needs to be swiftly and professionally met. Expansive bedrooms with walk-in closets and ensuite bathrooms enhance a residential feel, allowing guests to linger for longer stays in ultimate comfort. Lush landscaping brings the rainforest into the gracious outdoor living spaces for gathering and entertaining, including spacious terraces, infinity-edged pools and jacuzzies. All Signature Villas feature additional facilities to ensure an easy stay, such as multi-car garages and laundry rooms.

    seating area in a villa at Mandarina with white couches, wooden tables and windows looking over the rainforest

    Image credit: One&Only

    This level of thoughtful design is matched with a warm hospitality and intuitive service. One&Only Mandarina’s 24-hour dedicated butler service and an expert team of butlers, chefs, fitness instructors and spa therapists, create a dedicated team delivering a perfectly personalised level of service tailored to each guest’s individual needs.

    The new villas are the first to join the growing Signature Villa collection at One&Only Mandarina, offering ultra-luxury accommodation for groups of friends, multi-generational families, or celebrations. They complement the existing Grand Villa collection – Villa One, Villa Banderas, Villa Tortuga, Villa Jaguar, and Villa Pacifico.

    Villa One, the pinnacle of resort living, stretches over 1,747 square metres boasting two king bedroom suites and one double queen suite, each with their own walk-in closet and terrace with a private hot tub. The expansive living and dining areas include a bar and a spacious kitchen with a central island for gathering, as well as wine cellar/humidor. The indoor spa and gym with cold plunge pool and terrace, full screen cinema, family room with games and an entertainment zone complete the rest of the villa, while outside a sweeping infinity pool and outdoor covered dining terrace with barbecue grill overlooking the Pacific Ocean await.

    plunge pool at Mandarina with sun loungers towels and drinks

    Image credit: One&Only

    Completing the luxury offering is an additional four Grand Villas. Villa Pacifico is an airy and bright two-bedroom residence complete with a full kitchen, office space, private cinema and outdoor rain showers and pool. The two-bedroom Villa Jaguar’s indoor spaces transition seamlessly into a vast terrace complete with BBQ, hot tub, and expansive pool. Guests will enjoy jungle living in its finest in the two-bedroom Villa Tortuga, nestled into the rainforest’s greenery overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With wraparound views of the ocean, Villa Banderas comes in one or two-bedroom configurations, which both offer expansive living areas and sea-facing terraces perfect for lounging.

    Main image credit: One&Only Mandarino

    Foster + Partners The William render

    Foster + Partners will design one of London’s largest timber developments

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Foster + Partners will design one of London’s largest timber developments

    Foster + Partners has released CGIs showing its design for a new mixed-use development building, which will be made from timber, in the fast-changing neighbourhood of Bayswater. Here’s what we know…

    Foster + Partners The William render

    The William, a mixed-use development building that will be opposite the building that will shelter London’s first Six Senses hotel and spa, has just been granted planning approval. Designed by Foster + Partners, which worked closely with Westminster City Council and local residents, the building is set to help ‘transform’ the northern end of Queensway in Bayswater, London.

    The renders that the London-based architecture studio has released show a large, timber-framed building positioned the high street. As well as the innovative use to natural materials, the entire building has been designed smartly to shelter a deep and conscious design narrative. Patrick Campbell, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners believed it sets a new standard for ‘the next generation’ of low-carbon, healthy office buildings. “The William provides natural ventilation, great daylight, flexible floorplates and green terraces – all within a high-performance façade and a hybrid timber structure. We are now looking forward to bringing our designs to life.”

    The William will be built using cross-laminated timber, making it one of London’s largest timber developments and Foster + Partners’ first timber office building in the capital. The construction of The William is projected to be BREEAM Outstanding, and the building will be operationally net-zero carbon upon completion.

    With six floors of office space alongside shops and 32 new homes, 11 of which will be affordable, The William is an integral part of the revitalisation of Bayswater. The development is named after William Whiteley, the eponymous founder of the nearby Whiteleys department store located on the opposite side of the road, which is also being redeveloped by Foster + Partners. The Whiteley will offer a further 139 world-class apartments, 19 new shops and restaurants, as well as Six Senses London.

    Six Senses London - Hotel Designs

    Image caption: Render of The Whiteley, which will shelter London’s first Six Senses hotel and spa. | Image credit: Six Senses Hotel & Spas

    The building’s modern design has sustainability and wellness at its heart. The building features a series of connected, light-filled spaces that provide a calm and inspiring working environment. A dramatic and welcoming double-height lobby features organic materials, biophilic design and art installations. Biodiverse terraces and rooftop spaces offer spectacular views across Hyde Park, while ground floor retail units activate the high street and mirror The Whiteley, on the opposite side of the road.

    London’s ever-changing architecture landscape just became more interesting.

    Main image credit: Foster + Partners

    Sanderson Design Group plans for sustainability

    In conversation with: Ben Naylor, Group Operations Director, Sanderson Design Group

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    In conversation with: Ben Naylor, Group Operations Director, Sanderson Design Group

    With sustainability at the heart of the Sanderson Design Group strategy moving forward, we caught up with Ben Naylor to dig a little deeper into the groups Sustainability Pledge and find out what it actually means for SDG to ‘Live Beautiful’…

    Sanderson Design Group plans for sustainability

    To ‘Live Beautiful’ from a Sanderson Design Group (SDG) perspective, is about embracing sustainability while at the same time, preserving traditions and design heritage – the two are inextricably intertwined. It is about living well with respect, care and compassion. Combine this ethos with a Zero by Thirty pledge and you are on a winning and admirable road forward. SDG has been putting a lot of work into running a business on sound Environmental, Social and Governance principles, and we used this opportunity to find out what this means in more practical terms.

    couch and chairs in sustainable sanderson fabric with natural textures and colours

    Image credit: Sanderson Design Group

    Hotel Designs: Do you have a strategy on how you will tackle climate change within your industry?

    Ben Naylor: Absolutely! Since 2020, Sanderson Design Group (SDG) and its brands have been executing a fully formulated sustainability strategy that treats all areas of its creative process, including design, manufacture and distribution. This strategy, awarded Planet Mark accreditation, has as its flagship policy the Zero By 30 pledge for net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
    A significant part of this activity occurs within our manufacturing operations, as they contribute 80 per cent of our internal CO2 emissions. We are investing in more efficient production processes, solar panels and energy reduction programmes. The plan is well articulated, but we’re always on the lookout for new technologies that can fast-track our Zero By 30 goals.

    HD: How will you encourage your partners to support you in your vision for sustainability?

    BN: It’s so important to spread the word about sustainability, as well as celebrate your achievements. At SDG, we share our plans with customers and investors through regular presentations and correspondences. We are also proud members and contributors to many charities and institutions which champion sustainability, including The Furniture Makers’ Company and Walpole.

    For us, the most significant part of leveraging change is how closely we work with our supplier base. Our newly rewritten supplier manual sets out our expectations of supplier standards, ensuring we’re working with partners who share our vision of sustainability. In particular, we’re keen they recognise our commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.

    HD: What concepts are you currently exploring in the development and innovation of product and design?

    BN: In our packaging, we’ve waved goodbye to single-use plastics. When wrapping fabrics, sugar cane is our new go-to, and for parcels, the tape is now made from paper. These seemingly small changes add up very quickly to make a big shift!

    Excitingly (and quite innovatively within the interiors industry) Clarke & Clarke has released its Eco Sustainable Weaves collection. Made entirely of recycled yarns derived from single-use plastics, the brand has created a compelling luxury design story for homes. With plans to continue using the same recycled yarns in upcoming collections, we’re helping to answer the question ‘Can fashionable interiors be sustainable?’ with an emphatic Yes!

    Sanderson Design Group fabric on a bench and cushions

    Image credit: Sanderson Design Group

    HD: With the pressing need by the clients for more green manufacturers, what are the new processes, measures and/or adaptations you are making to make your manufacturing process more sustainable?

    BN: Standfast & Barracks, our fabric printers, have since 2021 only used cotton from the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) on all 100% cotton bases. BCI cotton uses a traceable sourcing route to ensure we can monitor environmental impacts, safe working practices, and fair treatment of all persons in the supply chain. It’s all part of aligning with the Global Ethical Trading Policy.

    Standfast & Barracks’ cloth range also offers base fabrics sourced in collaboration with the Seaqual Initiative, using recycled plastic salvaged from oceans to create an innovative, quality cloth choice.

    Our new Ecofast™ print process, the result of significant innovation, provides our customers with the opportunity to utilise the latest digital printing technology. Ecofast™ is OEKO-TEX® Certified for all cotton-based fabrics and boasts a vastly reduced water consumption compared to conventional and Digital Reactive printing.

    Additionally, Standfast & Barracks is now certified by The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The world-leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, GOTS contains stringent ecological and social criteria for processing, manufacturing and trading our organic textiles.

    fabric samples on a table with twine and scissors

    Image credit: Sanderson Design Group

    HD: How can designers overcome perceptions that sustainability is a trade-off?

    BN: By understanding that it doesn’t have to be! We’ve been able to make vast improvements with no loss of quality. In fact, it has helped us totally rethink how we want to do things. Developments are being made all the time, too, which should help open-minded designers feel reassured that choosing the sustainable option needn’t mean sacrificing other elements.

    HD: And finally, are you finding British-made is the way forward in your sustainability journey?

    BN: At SDG, we’re pretty unique in the market for owning and operating a British manufacturing base and design studio. This means we’ve always been well-placed to understand the value of being British-made. Being able to laser focus our production line within one country reduces the kinks which can slow down progress on sustainability, too.

    Additionally, we source the majority of our products from the UK, giving us far greater control, especially where we supply from Standfast & Barracks and our wallpaper printers, Anstey.

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

    Main image credit: Sanderson Design Group

    LEVENverse hotel room in the metaverse

    Editor checks in: “hotels in the metaverse and beyond”

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Editor checks in: “hotels in the metaverse and beyond”

    Headsets on. Hot off the HIX Talks stage, where he and a handful of visionaries explored why hotels are betting on cyberspace, Editor Hamish Kilburn is himself heading into the metaverse to explore how virtual spaces, in theory as well as reality, could work in harmony with physical hospitality and hotel design…

    LEVENverse hotel room in the metaverse

    I’ve never been a gamer – it’s just never been a thing I have connected with. During my childhood, years before ‘hotels’ and the ‘metaverse’ were used in the same sentence, the physical act of falling from a tree, mastering the ability to ride a unicycle I got for Christmas one year, or hitting a new skill in gymnastics was much more appealing and exhilarating than levelling up in Crash Bandicoot – no offence to die-hard fans of the game!

    The thought, then, of ‘plugging in’ to a virtual world to explore a new era of hospitality – an industry that has forever grown and developed from people interacting in a very real world – isn’t something that naturally excites me. Everything I have read and learned over the years of editing these pages has taught me that we should tread very carefully when it comes to injecting technology into the hotel experience; whatever we invent next needs to be accessible to both a digital and analogue world. Then again, they said the same about ‘online-only publications’, and look how far we have come!

    When I was asked recently to moderate a panel discussion, at HIX, to explore this concept in a new light, I’ll be honest, I felt unqualified. Joining me on the panel was interior designer Pallavi Dean, who has bought four properties in Decentraland; Timothy Griffin, who has just launched a new hotel in the metaverse; and Emma Chiu, Gobal Director, Wunderman Thompson Intelligence, whose research in this area is refreshing, extensive and forward-looking.

    Image caption: citizenM was one of the first hotel brands to buy property in the metaverse. | Image credit: citizenM

    Image caption: citizenM was one of the first hotel brands to buy property in the metaverse. | Image credit: citizenM

    Knowing my position – and the limits I have set on how far I think technology should go in the hotel design and hospitality arena – I couldn’t help but feel like I was intruding on a conversation that many tech experts would jump at the opportunity to be a part of. Perhaps it was my hesitation – and natural curiosity – that led me to accept the very kind offer from the show. And, by doing so, I had a complete 180 – I literally changed my opinion on stage – on how the metaverse can elevate experiences in hospitality and beyond.

    Given everything going on in the world, it’s easy to forget that there will be new generations that will, by nature, have different demands as well as behavioural traits. Everything evolves and platforms change – some morph while others don’t survive the pace. Life goes on without so much of a question as to whether what we are signing up to is healthy. Take social media, for example. In 2004, the year when I was starting secondary school, Facebook was launched as a new way to connect – it was the largest web development since Tim Burners Lee invented the internet in 1989.

    A year later, Bebo emerged allowing users to create the best profiles/image of themselves, join groups and connect with like-minded people. But, unlike Facebook, after hardly any time at all, Bebo became clunky, unfriendly for the user and stuck in the past. On the contrary, Facebook evolved, updated and gave the user what they were demanding. The early Facebook that we all raved about is somewhat unrecognisable to what it is today.  But that’s the point: slow, continuous tweaking has ensured that the platform has remained relevant to all who use it. And it’s the same could be said about the metaverse.

    Before I take you any further, though, there are two things you need to know about purchasing ‘land’ in the metaverse:

    • First, you need to understand blockchains, which are digital databases or ledgers that are distributed among the nodes of a peer-to-peer network. So what does that mean? As a database, a blockchain stores information electronically in a digital format. This is integral to maintain a secure, decentralised record of transactions.
    •  To own property in the metaverse you have to setup a crypto wallet. This is a space where private keys are stored, keeping your crypto safe and, importantly, accessible. Each metaverse has its own currency that you can convert easily – it’s very safe because the blockchain will trace every transaction. Essentially, you cannot purchase property in the metaverse with hard cash.

    And we’re away – hold on to your handsets, it’s going to be a gripping journey of discovery. But first, please listen to the pre-flight safety annoucnement, from Chiu, designed to take away any anticipation around what it is we are actually talking about when we discuss ‘the metaverse’. “Take the word out of the sentence and we are, really, just talking about technology entering a new level,” said Chiu. “Our research started when we were exploring the gaming industry. We were intrigued how it [gaming] was jumping from the traditional video game into something that was more interactive and socially driven. In early 2020, this was the new frontier of gaming. For us, the metaverse is an evolution of technology, and the way we are engaging – it is far beyond gaming.”

    “[The metaverse enabled us] to build a hotel that wasn’t bound by the physical constraints of traditional architecture.” – Tim Griffin, Co-Founder, Wellbrook Hospitality.

    For a lot of designers, architects and hoteliers who I speak to, the biggest concern around the metaverse is that it will replace, possibly overshadow, the hotel experience as we know it today. Last year, I checked in to LEVEN Manchester, LEVEN’s first hotel, located in the heart of a thriving neighbourhood and designed by Giffin and his team at Wellbrook Hospitality. The space is uniquely residential, tactile and multi-layered. When I then heard that the next hotel to open world be in the metaverse, the decision at the time felt out of touch from the warm hospitality experience that LEVEN offered. “We saw this as an exciting opportunity to extend our brand as a ‘playground’ where we can break all kinds of rules. The ethos behind LEVEN is to create spaces where people can be themselves and enjoy our hotels and spaces on their own terms, and where better to do that than in the metaverse,” Griffen explained. “We saw it as a way to supercharge what we are doing in the real world – we were able to build a hotel that wasn’t bound by the physical constraints of traditional architecture, and it aligned with our progressive approach at Wellbrook Hospitality.”

    “If you’re an architect or a designer then you’re already in the metaverse.” – Pallavi Dean, Founder, Roar.

    This headline-grabbing topic has divided opinions since ‘Oculus’ became a common term. Aside from technology moving into unfamiliar territory, the thought of interior designers and architects working – not just socialising – in the metaverse has, at times, seemed unrealistic. But Dean, who is a prominent design figure based in Dubai, chooses to look at the topic through a different lens. “This is nothing new,” she said passionately. “If you’re an architect or a designer then you’re already in the metaverse – I’m talking about everything from mataport scanning to using VR headsets. This is a three-dimensional version of web 2.0 as we know it. Obviously, when it started to gain traction, I decided that I wanted to be part of it. I couldn’t ask my clients to invest in it if I wasn’t prepared to myself. We have set up a showroom, which has sparked interested, and we have just designed our first art gallery for a client that is not local to me, which wouldn’t have happened without taking that step. I think, for me, my advice to other designers would be not to be frightened. Modelling and designing in the metaverse is the easy part!”

    For an industry that has always found creative solutions within perameters of possibility, entering the metaverse may sound like a free-for-all. But it would be wrong to think that there are no rules in cyberspace, as Dean explained: “The metaverse is very low-fi – think minecraft – there are constraints. We are in the very early days of what this could be, which makes it exciting.”

    “I love the idea that eventually [the metaverse] will latch on to what we are talking about with web 3.” – Emma Chiu, Global Director, Wunderman Thompson Intelligence.

    The other pre-conception around the metaverse is people relating it to a location. In the metaverse, there are no co-ordinates as to where you are on earth. Instead, as Chiu explains in her research, we should consider the metaverse as a platform. “People think it’s a place where they can go to, but we like to think of it as a platform where there are multiple worlds that can be explored,” she said. “I think of it as a place where you are able to be part of a community – it’s not a singular experience, and it is ever-evolving. In just one year, things have changed so much. Now, all of a sudden, there are live events, social spaces and purchases you can make. I love the idea that eventually it will latch on to what we are talking about with web 3, to give the power back to the users in form of ownership.”

    A wise man, tech expert Jason Bradbury, once told me that social media has entered into an era fuelled by the ‘democratisation of everything’, which is a sexy way of saying that that anyone can have a platform. Take Instagram and TikTok, for example. With just  few taps and swipes you are communicating to a mass audience. The idea of the metaverse is just stretching that ideology one step further to challenge the traditional ownership model when it comes to the internet. “It’s not going to be one company owning the metaverse,” Chiu added. “Think of it a platform that you can turn it into whatever you want that to be, whether that be hotels, social spaces or places where people can experience something they cannot in the physical world.”

    “For me, the opportunity to be on the panel was a way of cutting through the noise to understand, beyond the PR storms, the purpose away from the gimmicks.” – Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs.

    HIX Talks - Hotel Designs' Editor Hamish Kilburn on a panel with Pallavi Dean, Tim Griffin and Emma Chiu to discuss the metaverse

    Image caption: Pallavi Dean, Tim Griffin, Emma Chiu and Hamish Kilburn exploring the metaverse on the HIX Talks stage. | Image credit: HIX

    Relating this back to a living, breathing case study, I was interested to understand how the digital and physical married up for a hotel in cyberspace. “Through design, you can supercharge the experience in the metaverse,” added Griffin. It can be otherworldly and more dynamic than what we can create in the real world. Our biggest challenge, though, has been how we translate a physical hotel into the metaverse. We found threads of real life that we were able to inject into the online experience. Whether that’s using the same artists that we have used in our physical hotels or creating NFTs. We have really tried to blur the boundaries between retail and hotels. E-commerse is, to an extent, driving our evolution in the metaverse, because it has opened the opportunity for the guest to experience and access our merchandise in the metaverse – we are able to amplify the brand in an authentic and meaningful way.”

    My biggest problem I have with the metaverse is how much it is flippantly used in conversations. The opportunity to be on the panel was a way of cutting through the noise to understand, beyond the PR storms, the purpose away from the gimmicks. “I have heard, wrongly, people say that the metaverse is immersive,” said Dean. “In its current format, it is two-dimensional, but it will be immersive when we have developed a second skin with haptic feelings. Right now, though, the metaverse is, put simply, an extension of your physical experience.”

    Having peered through the vortex to see what’s on the other side – its not a black hole after all – and following an honest live conversation with three leaders who are all on this journey together to make sense on where the next mutation in technology will emerge from, I am no longer concerned about seeing the metaverse merge into hotel design and hospitality. Unlike the topics around sustainability and general urbanisation, the metaverse feels infant, untamed and charged – like a wild ball of energy. Adopted sensitively, and handled with care, we might even be able to utilise hardware and software together to understand changing social behaviours in order to design more intuitive spaces in the real world. For now, at least, the future is… unwritten.

    Main image credit: LEVENverse

    render of interior design for AKA Alexandria Lobby

    Sneak peek: inside Hotel AKA Alexandria

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Sneak peek: inside Hotel AKA Alexandria

    Slated to open in 2023, Hotel AKA Alexandria will be the newest luxury offering in the Washington D.C. metro area showcasing a sophisticated, newly reimagined property designed by architect and designer, Piero Lissoni. Here’s what we know…

    render of interior design for AKA Alexandria Lobby

    A joint venture between Electra America and AKA targeting the acquisition and repositioning of underperforming hotels in gateway markets, has announced that it has purchased a 178 key hotel in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. The anticipated opening of Hotel AKA Alexandria will be the first of its’ kind for the historic Old Town Alexandria neighbourhood, bringing a new level of style and sophistication for discerning travellers.

    trademark floating staircase by Piero Lissoni for Hotel AKA Alexandria

    Image credit: Hotel AKA Alexandria / Lissoni New York

    Following the transformation by Piero Lissoni, Hotel AKA Alexandria will deliver a new level of luxury with a balance of modern minimalism and refined mid-century element. Lissoni has effortlessly blended modern design with the charming brick-lined setting of Old Town, Alexandria. The sleek lines, dark tones, and rich materials of the common areas evoke Japanese minimalism, while the chic furnishings are sourced from the world’s leading artisans, including Lema, Living Divani, and Porro. The centrepiece is a dramatic floating staircase — a signature feature of Lissoni’s — that accentuates the transformative experience of moving throughout the property

    The guestrooms are tranquil spaces marked by thoughtful design with residential touches, modern amenities, and premium décor. The public spaces have been designed with intimate spaces for relaxing, including a serene arrival garden on the porte cochere, as well as an expansive outdoor terrace with lush greenery. There will be a state-of-the-art conference room and private cinema, and the trademark a.lounge to enjoy some of Alexandria’s finest cocktails and light bites in the evening.

    In addition to redesigning Hotel AKA Alexandria, Lissoni is also leading the design transformation of Hotel AKA NoMad, slated to open in 2023. While these two properties will be the newest in the AKA portfolio, there are two additional properties in the D.C. area including AKA White House, and AKA Foggy Bottom.

    Main image credit: Hotel AKA Alexandria / Lissoni New York

    The Brit List Designers of 2022

    Introducing the top 25 Brit List Interior Designers of 2022

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Introducing the top 25 Brit List Interior Designers of 2022

    Earlier this month, The Brit List 2022 was published, which profiles the leading interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain, following the projects that have completed throughout this year. Kickstarting a three-part editorial series, here are The Brit List Interior  Designers of 2022…

    The Brit List Designers of 2022

    The Brit List Awards has become known for its bold personality, expressive award ceremonies and its unique and in-depth style to leave no stone unturned when identifying who among the industry are the leading figures in design, architecture and hospitality.

    Each year, from the entries that are submitted, the team at Hotel Designs, with the help of the judging panel, whittle down the entries to carve out the top 25 designers, top 25 architects and top 25 hoteliers – it has become an integral part of the campaign so that the industry can celebrate beyond the individual winners.

    Over the course of the next few weeks, our editorial team will publish, in alphabetical order, the 75 individual profiles that together make up The Brit List 2022. And where better place to start than with this year’s leading interior designers.

    The Brit List Designers of 2022 are…

    Alex Bauman-Lyons, Head of Design, edyn

    Since becoming Head of Design at edyn in 2020, Alex Bauman-Lyons continues to oversee all design decisions at edyn – including the look and style of all Locke and Cove properties – working to ensure each brand shelters its own personality.

    Following this year’s activity, which saw the arrival of Locke in Munich, Bauman-Lyons and his team are currently working on designing a Locke property in Zurich, which will boost a selection of restaurants and bars, as well as paired back appartments.

    When asked what the DNA of each brand under edyn represented, Bauman-Lyons answered: “We push the boundaries at Locke. For us, it’s proof that we are doing something bold and unique. Cove is a very different approach. Great design is still at the heart of the product, but the approach is more familiar and residential. It is less about a specific response to the location and more about evoking a sense of home. The FF&E and finishes are selected to reflect the way we furnish our homes – unrelated, yet complimentary pieces that are collected over time.”

    Alex Holloway, Co-Founder and Creative Director, Holloway Li

    Alex Holloway is the Co-Founder of Holloway Li, and, together with Na Li, is responsible for the overall creative output and design direction of the company. He also manages the studio’s London projects.

    One of the studio’s recent projects was an aparthotel, owned by edyn, called Wunderlocke. Containing 360 serviced studio apartments, and situated in Munich’s buzzing Obersendling district, the property takes over an office building that previously belonged to German tech company Siemens.

    Holloway Li aimed to celebrate the building’s raw structure and reveal its authentic soul, avoiding a more traditional ‘material intensive’ approach to retrofitting. Inspired by this approach, the studio stripped back the building to its concrete shell and added a carefully curated selection of furnishings, using natural colours and materials where possible.

    Alexander Evangelou, Creative Director, Alexander Waterworth

    Alexander Waterworth, established in 2010, is a distinguished international interior architecture practice, providing a fully comprehensive service to clients around the world. Its Creative Director, Alexander Evangelou, believes that, “design excellence is the relationship between design, aesthetics and functionality. Neither one should be compromised. They should work in harmony by complementing and enhancing [a space] to achieve a beautiful and practical solution.”

    The studio’s latest project, which has been a labour of love for Evangelou and his team since 2017, is the interior design inside Rosewood Vienna, housed in a restored 19th century building. Inside, the guestrooms and suites have been created to conjure up feelings of home. The relaxed design scheme includes warm, amber curtains, crisp white linen, herringbone hardwood floors and an unmatched view over the Old Town’s skyline.

    Charlie North, Vice President of Interior Design, Ennismore Design Studio

    In what quite possibly has been one of the most anticipated hotel openings in Scottish history – from early teasers to the doors swinging open in Spring 2022 – Gleneagles Townhouse has finally arrived. During a painstaking five-year restoration project, Ennismore Design Studio was tasked to expand the legacy of Gleneagles, to create a boutique hotel in the heart of Edinburgh, sheltered inside a converted bank.

    Beyond the strong public areas, which give a nod to the building’s former purpose, and sit under a striking glass-domed ceiling surrounded by ornate architecture, the hotel features just 33 well-dressed rooms. These fall into three categories: ‘Nook’ the smallest, located in the eaves of the building; ‘House’, moderate size, sumptuous and sedate; and ‘Master’ the largest and most luxurious, all pulled together by Charlie North, Ennismore’s Vice President of Design, who has been a main protagonist in creating the soul of the boutique jewel, which some have described as ‘Gleneagles’ sassy little sister’.

    Constantina Tsoutsikou, Founder, Studio LOST

    Constantina Tsoutsikou, the former Creative Director of HBA London and Founder of Studio LOST, said that, “it wasn’t hard to find a sense of place” when designing the interiors inside – and outside – Numo lerapetra, Crete, which opened last year.

    The design vision for the hotel was to renovate a ‘tired resort’ and create an escapist destination where people can come together to relax and create memories. Confronting the task with an open mind, Tsoutsikou realised that the resort had been built one building at a time over a period of thirty years. It therefore lacked personality and was not suitable for modern travellers. The designer created an intimate dialogue between the surrounding landscape and the accommodation inside. The result was a simple yet stylish design scheme that oozed beach vibes.

    The renovation of the resort was a great opportunity for Studio LOST to put into action its approach around sustainability, and in particular upcycling. This allowed the designer to restore and repair existing items, such as wardrobe carcasses and other furniture pieces that now sit, in harmony, in between new elements.

    German Mendoza, Senior Associate, Wimberly Interiors

    With more than 20 years of experience in architecture and interior design, German Mendoza has a keen eye for detail and a passion for quality. His experience includes extensive work worldwide, with a specific focus throughout the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

    Prior to joining Wimberly Interiors, Mendoza specialised in high-end residential projects for a well-established London firm. Over the course of his career, Mendoza has developed expertise in the design and delivery of exclusive projects, ranging from high-end residential to urban and resort hotels, for both new-build and renovation projects.

    Known among his team for being proactive and self-motivated, Mendoza collaborates with owners, developers and operators to deliver unique and inspiring interior design. His portfolio includes an array of prestigious and internationally acclaimed projects, such as the newly opened EDITION Hotel Abu Dhabi, Kempinski Hotel Jinan, Viceroy Kopaonik Serbia, Ritz- Carlton Amman and St. Regis Astana.

    Jacu Strauss, Creative Director, Lore Group – WINNER: Interior Designer of the Year

    One Hundred Shoreditch sent shockwaves through London when it opened in February of 2022. Not only was it the result of a strong desire to truly ‘breathe life into a tired building’, but it also marked Lore Group’s fourth property designed by Jacu Strauss.

    The hotel was a conscious refurbishment, taking the ‘bones’ of Ace London Shoreditch and updating all areas for a more ‘grown up Shoreditch’. Externally, the building was made to feel more democratic and part of the community with the addition of oriel windows and a new front to the wine bar. The brief was for the hotel’s public areas to retain the fun and vibrancy associated with the area, while the bedrooms were designed to represent a sense of calm in the heart of Shoreditch.

    Past projects from Strauss include his work on Sea Containers London under Tom Dixon, the refurbishment of select spaces at Kimpton de Witt Amsterdam, creating Riggs Washington D.C. and his work on office and residential properties in New York City.

    Jane Landino, Head of Creative, Taylor Howes Design

    Together with Lottie Suckling, Senior Interior Designer at Taylor Howes Design, Jane Landino has, put simply, set new hospitality standards in Soho London with the design of Chateau Denmark. Set across 16 buildings, the 55-key hotel shelters a vintage-gothic look and feel mixed together with a punk personality.

    The attention to detail within the interior design scheme, and in particular furniture specification, was unparalleled – think hand-carved skulls on desks, skull-button detailing, bronze-cast feet on the drawers and a striking lighting scheme to match.

    Most of the pieces were bespoke creations that needed a lot of research and development along the way as prototypes with different materials to achieve the look and feel that would be both contract grade and commercially viable.

    The overall hotel’s aim to create ‘party like a rockstar’ interiors has been met thanks to the team at Taylor Howes Design, which, most impressively, is the studio’s first hotel project, after making its name in the high-end residential market.

    John Williams, Founder, SpaceInvader

    SpaceInvader, launched in 2009 by John Williams with the aim to provide word-class interior design solutions, has become a regional, national and international player on the hotel design scene.

    The hands-on designer is currently working on a boutique hotel design in Chester for Wildes Group. The scheme is luxurious and highly creative whilst being sensitive to its Grade II listed building in Chester’s famous historical centre ‘The Rows’. The studio’s remit covers the whole interiors, from reception and public spaces, to room design, a spa area as well as the hotel’s brand-new restaurant, X by Harry Guy.

    At the other end of the style spectrum, the studio has created the interiors for a new-build, nine-storey, 95-bed Tribe hotel within Malta’s fast-developing airport city complex for client Claret Group in partnership with Accor. The hotel will encompass ground and mezzanine floor F&B, co-working spaces and external decking, as well as a rooftop bar, terrace and pool. The scope of work includes all standard and executive bedrooms and corridors, as well as public spaces, with an exciting, ultra- contemporary feel driven by a narrative of the Zoetrope – an early form of animation technology, offering fast-moving contrasts from light to dark.

    Lauren Hughes-Glass, Associate, Ica

    Maintaining relationships is key to project success, and Lauren Hughes- Glass thrives on collaborative energy, combining creativity with methodology in all her projects. With more than 15 years’ experience in hospitality, she continues to lead design teams on large-scale, complex projects, working alongside some of the world’s leading brands, including delivering the first Virgin Hotel outside the US, which is the 222-key Virgin Hotel Edinburgh.

    Collaborating with the Virgin team, Hughes-Glass led her team to bring the brand’s playful concepts to life, designing for Edinburgh’s past and future while creating joy in the unique spaces that the Virgin brand offers within both the listed and new-build elements of the structure. The existing grandeur of the exterior extends into the interior design to enhance the features of the listed buildings while anchoring everything in the signature Virgin experience.

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

    The luxury Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites are combined with a variety of bars, restaurants, and private dining spaces at street level enlivening both Victoria Street and Cowgate. The Chambers themselves combine sophisticated, neutral tones and pops of bright red colour, faithful to Virgin’s signature brand.

    Lewis Taylor, Design Director, David Collins Studio

    As Design Director of David Collins Studio, Lewis Taylor has led the design and delivery of the studio’s hospitality and retail projects. These include the Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choo worldwide store roll-outs, projects for Harrods, David Morris, McQ, Louis Leeman, Pret A Manger, de Grisogono and most recently the 376-key hotel Le Meridien in Seoul.

    He works closely with Creative Director, Simon Rawlings, ensuring that Rawlings’ creative vision is realised and overseeing each element of the design and delivery process at a senior level. In the 12 years since he joined David Collins Studio, Taylor has tackled an increasingly global scope of work.

    Up-coming projects include Anantara Nice Plaza Hotel, Scarpetta Doha and Queen Anne for Cunard, which is being designed in collaboration with Richmond International, Sybille de Margerie and Adam D. Tihany.

    “What David [Collins] taught me was always to put myself in the customer’s shoes; to painstakingly consider every aspect of the user journey,” Taylor said. “When you’re entering a hotel room, for example, is there somewhere to leave your keys and hang your coat? It’s easy to lose sight of the practical requirements of a space when you’re in the midst of the design process, but that is one of the major strengths of David Collins Studio – we’re always acutely aware that a space has to work operationally as well as aesthetically.”

    Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Design House – HIGHLY COMMENDED, Interior Designer of the Year

    Marie Soliman is an interior architect who, in her own words, “loves telling stories”, with a diverse portfolio stretching across many contexts and continents, from hotels, wellness and restaurant design to high-end residential and boutique retail projects. She is passionate about travel and loves designing spaces that ‘enhance the enjoyment of life’.

    Soliman recently completed The Other House South Kensington, which is the brand’s debut property; a hotel and club residence. Inside, the aim was to explore maximalism in a way that gave a nod to the local area, while also creating an elevated hospitality experience that felt warm, inviting – like a good friend’s living room, if you like.

    In addition, she has recently completed the Where Is Laowai, a speakeasy bar and restaurant in Vancouver, Canada, while also steering her and the studio’s attention towards the design and redesign of luxury yachts.

    With every project, Soliman develops the client brief by delving into the specific context and history to create a bespoke narrative and design language that tells a unique story. She believes in style over fashion in design to ensure the result is timeless yet remains fresh.

    Mark Bithrey, Founder, B3 Designers

    Mark Bithrey founded B3 Designers 20 years ago with the vision of creating a positive impact on people and places. Since then, he has worked with entrepreneurs, restauranteurs and hoteliers to bring hospitality spaces to life.

    Recent projects include the ambitious refurbishment of the dual- brand Sheraton and Marriott Frankfurt that was revealed this year. The remarkable three-year renovation saw the first European Marriott dual-brand hotel operating two Marriott International premium brands, Marriott and Sheraton, under one roof.

    The design challenge posed to B3 Designers was multi-fold. The project was technically demanding, owing to its location and range of offers. As the functionality of an airport hotel is unique and different to a business/ leisure hotel or resort, the areas designed had to serve multi-purposes.

    With every project, Bithrey works to build strong relationships, while motivating his creative teams to introduce fresh concepts and inspiring ideas, and ultimately deliver exceptional spaces against all briefs.

    Martin Goddard, Director & Co-Founder, Goddard Littlefair

    Director and Co-Founder of Goddard Littlefair, Martin Goddard spearheads projects with more than 20 years of experience, introducing high-profile clients to forward-thinking design.

    The company, which this year celebrates its 10-year anniversary’ now has two studios – one in London and the other in Porto. In a decade, the studio has worked with brands, such as Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Mondrian, Hilton Hotels and Corinthia Hotels, as well as developers, such as Qatari Diar and The Berkley Group.

    Demonstrating the diversity and strength of the company in all its projects, Goddard Littlefair has shown, effortlessly, how hard work, resilience and consistency drives success.

    Goddard’s dedication to design is clear in the turnover of exciting projects. Although no project is the same, each offer dynamic and unique experiences for guests, and all are inspired by location, sustainable design and have a luxury finish.

    Mustafa Afşaroğlu, Co-Founder, Taner’s Sons

    Taner’s Sons is an architecture and design studio founded by two brothers, and is now a team of six creatives. Located in London, the team works globally with projects in the UK, Switzerland, France and Cyprus.

    Not conforming to one sector, Mustafa Afşaroğlu and his team have completed projects in workplace, hospitality and residential that ultimately enables them to understand how people live, work, socialise.

    A recent project was MArks Skybar, a new destination bar with the wider aim to help revolutionise the general neighbourhood in South East London. It’s the power of carefully articulated, versatile design that has allowed this place to become a community space.

    The studio’s overall mission as a disruptive design studio is to upset the ordinary, create inspiring spaces and memorable experiences.

    Neil Andrew, Head of Hospitality, Perkins&Will – WINNER, The Eco Award

    Neil Andrew joined the London studio of Perkins&Will in March 2020 to lead the hospitality team. In two and half years, Andrew has made significant impact on the industry; he has seen through the completion of a major city centre hotel, won a range of new projects and has become a leading voice in sustainable design in the hospitality sector.

    When Andrew started his role at the studio, the team had already designed a major refurbishment for Hilton London Metropole in Paddington. The hotel is one of Europe’s largest and most popular venues for conferences. Under his leadership, Perkins&Will delivered the phased refurbishment, which completed in May 2022. The design included new guest suites and created a fresh look in the hotel’s public areas. Paying homage to London’s heritage, the reception, lobby bar, all-day dining

    and conference areas have all been inspired by different parts of London, celebrating the city in a contemporary, stylish and sophisticated way.

    In addition, Andrew has spearheaded Perkins&Will’s ESG efforts in the hospitality arena, driving progress through research and innovative design. Passionate about climate change, but aware of the huge impact of the modern tourism industry, Andrew weaves eco-conscious design into everything that he does. In 2021, the London studio published Net- Zero Now: Hospitality, a research-based pledge for delivering net-zero interiors for hotels. The team’s experimental Guestroom 2035 digital installation for the Sleep&Eat Conference 2020 has been taken forward as net-zero hotel room prototype by a leading hotel brand that will be opened in spring 2023.

    Nick Hickson, Director & Founder, THDP

    Nick Hickson and his team at THDP are the design masterminds behind The Pigeon Post Bar & Eatery, a new F&B experience inside Hilton Cologne, which expresses a vintage vibe, while being considered and contemporary with some fun and quirky details.

    The Hilton Cologne lobby, bar and social spaces were redesigned and refurbished to accommodate a modern, innovative gastronomy concept. The centrepiece of this is the Pigeon Post, a combination of restaurant, bar and lounge and social-working area. Its unusual name and amusing details are a clear reference to the building’s history as a post office in the early 1950s through to the late 1990s. Later, after a long vacancy, in 2002 it was finally gutted and converted into the Hilton Hotel.

    The optically chic restaurant and bar was built with a total of 110 seats, with a variety of furnishings and seating options that include intimately lit dining areas. A feature central bar dominates the space with a prominent overhead gantry in wood and copper colours. The table tops are in a faux marble, expressing the previous functionality of the building, while updating the effect to offer a more intimate but contemporary vibe.

    Robert Angell, Founder & CEO, Robert Angell

    Continuing to design prestigious, luxury and amazing projects for visionaries across the globe, Robert Angell is well-recognised due to his prolific projects that help define the hotel and hospitality design industry. The studio is award-winning and strives to deliver ‘fabulous concepts’ that are individual.

    Having recently completed Fredericks Berlin and Aqua Hong Kong, Angell is currently working on the design for Raffles Jeddah. Inspired by Middle Eastern heritage, and with an enviable location, the hotel will feature 181 guestrooms and 188 branded residences.

    The projects in Angell’s portfolio are unique, considered and approached with a view to enriching peoples’ lives. They give inspiration to those who wish to experience the interiors, reminding them that design should be timeless, enjoyable and theatrical in all the right places.

    Rose Murray, Director, These White Walls

    Rose Murray, Director of These White Walls, has achieved the impossible. The small studio emerged thriving from the pandemic with an exciting list of current projects and upcoming launches – each showcase the studio’s visionary approach.

    The studio recently launched the new independent boutique hotel Nordelaia, a 12-bed converted farmhouse set in the beautiful hills of Piedmont in northern Italy. The client’s intentions for the estate inspired Murray to develop a conceptual narrative of nature meets nurture as the driving force behind the hotel guest’s experience, promoting an idyllic form of rural escapism that also celebrates cultivated indulgence.

    The finishes and materials of the rooms have been designed to connect directly with the landscaped gardens and the changing seasons. Murray encouraged the hotelier to remove televisions from the guest’s rooms so that they could better connect with the views and the circadian rhythm of life. She also encouraged a rejection of the standard tickbox hotel room layout, replacing it with an alternative ‘Yours and Mine’ symmetry of furniture, giving each guest their own wardrobe, desk and chair, conjoined to celebrate both individualism and union.

    Terry McGinnity, Executive Design Director, G.A Design

    Terry McGinnity takes the overall design lead for G.A Design’s global operations, whilst being an acknowledged leader and outstanding designer in his own right. His continued efforts within the industry revolve around designing hotels that respond sympathetically to their environments, a process that G.A Design calls ‘resonance’. This is in evidence this year with prestigious openings in Japan, Westin Yokohama, and Shanghai, Shangri-la Qiantan.

    McGinnity continues to curate and develop an impressive list of work-in- progress projects around the world, including the much-anticipated Royal Atlantis Dubai, a $1.4bn new-build development on the Palm in Dubai with architecture by KPF New York. This highly anticipated property will open in Q4 2022. McGinnity’s approach has brought all the luxury and glamour of Dubai to life, in a typically controlled and playful design.

    He is also working on projects for clients such as Corinthia Hotels, specifically in Rome, and has embarked in new forays with Rosewood and Conrad brands (in Austria and Japan respectively).

    Most recently, he has helped the G.A Design with explorations into digital technology and how this can augment the more traditional design skills. This has produced interesting developments with AI and algorithmic design explorations helping front-end concept development, a process the studio believes is unique to G.A Design in the interior design space.

    Theresa Obermoser, Founder & Creative Director, Theresa Obermoser Interior Design

    The Brit List 2022 Theresa Obermoser copy

    Image credit: Theresa Obermoser Interior Design

    Theresa Obermoser Interior Design is an award-winning studio with offices in London and Vienna. Theresa Obermoser is the Founder and Creative Director who incorporates a unique style that can be best described as effortlessly elegant, grounded in efficacy and practicality.

    In 2019, Obermoser designed Chic Chic, a charming farm in Ibiza. The aim was to modernise the Ibizan Finca while preserving the beautiful, traditional elements. The farm was designed as a home with a striking view over the campo as well as the coast, and a strong focus on enhancing that vision. The building’s interior is characterised by micro- cement floors, natural tones and bohemian elements with an amazing view and outside area.

    Most recently, the designer breathed new life into a former post and coaching station in Austria. The new design scheme of the 120-year- old Hotel Tiefenbrunner in Kitzbühel was inspired by traditional values combined with modern travel, with strong emphasis on materials, lighting and texture.

    Tim Griffin, Principal, Wellbrook Hospitality

    Taking on the challenge to achieve meaningful luxury/lifestyle hospitality in the heart of Manchester required individuals who were able to navigate the lifestyle sector and pinpoint valuable opportunities. Cue the arrival of Tim Griffin, PJ Kenny and Shanthan Balakrishnan, the Founders of Wellbrook Hospitality who prior to this accumulated 20 years’ experience between them as senior leaders at Ennismore.

    Designed by Griffin, LEVEN Manchester became the brand’s debut hotel, and it is located on the corner of the infamous Canal Street – where the brand’s narrative begins. From the outside, the property’s striking red bricks and characterful crittal windows reflect the same style as many other building’s in Manchester: original, untouched and charmingly rustic. Inside, though, is a different story. Griffin used his own skill, talent and eye to create a textured interior design scheme that feels homely yet elevated.

    Up next, LEVEN was wanting to make a statement, so it announced that its second hotel will be located in the metaverse – and is slated to open in Q4 2022. The ‘LEVENverse’ will be one of the first lifestyle brands to blaze a digital trail in the early Metaverse. It will push traditional boundaries, bring the LEVEN brand to new audiences and explore the opportunities the digital future holds.

    Tina Norden, Partner, Conran & Partners

    Former Interior Designer of the Year, following her win at The Brit List Awards 2021, Tina Norden is yet to peak in her career as she continues to be a valuable and much-respected leader within Conran & Partners as well as in the wider interior design and architecture arena.

    Her and the team’s latest project, Park Hyatt Jakarta, is a new landmark hotel in the heart of Jakarta, with the design narrative inspired by the natural beauty and traditional craft of Indonesia, combined with the contemporary and diverse culture of Jakarta.

    Conran & Partners was appointed to design the interiors for the hotel that is set within a landmark tower, developed by MNC Land. The property is situated in the centre of the Indonesian capital, and the hotel occupies the first three and the uppermost 17 floors of the 37-storey tower.

    The design includes the interiors of more than 220 guestrooms and suites, including a variety of food and beverage spaces, a pool, fitness centre and full-service spa, plus a three-storey function and ballroom facility. The design seeks to respect Park Hyatt’s guidelines while creating a luxurious sense of space for guests, combining inspiration from the multi-cultural aspects of Jakarta and the natural beauty and traditional crafts of Indonesia.

    Toni Black, Director of Interior Design, Blacksheep

    With more than 25 years of industry experience, working with world-class brands across the globe, Toni Black leads the interior design team at Blacksheep, specialising in directing hotel and hospitality projects.

    Since joining Blacksheep, Black has been behind some of studio’s most highly acclaimed projects including Montcalm East Hotel London, St. Regis San Francisco and Prince De Galles Luxury Collection Hotel in Paris, among many others.

    The designer is an avid storyteller who is always pushing her designers to consider the why and the why not. Her impeccable eye for detail ensures each interior narrative is expressed and followed through in every aspect of the design scheme. “For me, design is not about my own ego and putting my stamp on things,” she said. “It’s about working as a collective to create a unique design experience that tells us a story from not only a brand point of view but for that individual user/guest experience.”

    Black and her team are currently working on a boutique lodge hotel in Scotland and a luxury residence in Macau. She is also helping to re- imagine the world’s oldest luxury casino and is also designing a new wellness and health resort.

    Wren Loucks, CEO & Creative Director, Be-kin

    Fuelled by research into wellness, wellbeing, mental health and sensory design, since launching Be-kin in November 2020, Wren Loucks has published six projects, ranging from Grade II listed buildings to a private gym in Fitzrovia. In addition to design, Loucks aims to educate her clients on how they are affected by spaces across their senses and create spaces that stimulate their wellbeing. For the studio’s commercial clients, Loucks creates spaces that support social sustainability – designing for a range of cognitive, physical, and sensorial differences. Backed by science, the company published a whitepaper on conceptual design, WISH, which was awarded highly commendable for the Celia Thomas Prize for disabled guests at the International Blue Badge Access Awards in April 2022.

    Whilst Be-kin is, first and foremost, an interior design studio, it has been important for the brand that its work also inspires a wider community – including other designers. Given the early stages of Be-kin – and its statement into the market – Loucks is only just getting started on her exciting and meaningful journey.

    Following this editorial series, the Brit List architects of 2022 will be unveiled next. The Brit List 2022 has been published, and references the top 75 interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain. Entries will open for The Brit List Awards 2023 in the summer of 2023. 

    Main image credit: The Brit List 2022

    guestroom headboard detail with pattern on colpour at The Wayfinder Waikiki

    The Wayfinder Waikiki – Hawaii, but not as you know it

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    The Wayfinder Waikiki – Hawaii, but not as you know it

    Located in the heart of the vibrant Waikiki neighbourhood of Honolulu, The Wayfinder Waikiki is inspired by the sites, stories, and heritage of Hawaii. Before it prepares to open its doors before the year closes its door, we checked in for a sneak peek…

    guestroom headboard detail with pattern on colpour at The Wayfinder Waikiki

    The Wayfinder Waikiki will be the second Wayfinder hotel under Dovetail + Co – an owner and creator of hotels, bars, and restaurants that promote exploration and discovery. The company has created a uniquely hidden oasis with thoughtfully transformative design, public spaces, authentic food & beverage programming, and guest experiences steeped in culture distinctive to Hawaii and the Waikiki region.

    green wall with contrasting orange patterns on the headboard in Wayfinder Waikiki guestroom

    Image credit: Read McKendree

    Designed by The Vanguard Theory, the property offers a fresh hospitality space merging the building’s Brutalist architecture with tropical touches, electrifying colours, and patterns, alongside lush foliage specific to the island. The hotel features 228 guestrooms that are inspired by the sites, stories, and heritage of Hawaii by utilising colour tones that represent the land, sky, and water, geometric and floral prints, and natural fibre furniture with decorative art and design elements incorporated throughout by local artisans.

    In addition to this, the property is also home to various culinary venues, entertainment, and shopping experiences including B-Side, a sensory coffee shop that also features a retail store within; Lost + Found, a tropical speakeasy and pool bar; and Redfish Waikiki, bringing the popular restaurant concept by Hawaii’s beloved and locally owned Foodland to the heart of Waikiki with innovative, made-to-order poke creations using the freshest ahi, hamachi, salmon and more, and delicious, locally inspired dishes offered exclusively at this location. The Wayfinder is located within walking distance to the beach and serves as an energetic base to discover the best Oahu has to offer including popular surf beaches, designer stores, kinetic nightlife, waterfront restaurants, and authentic Hawaiian performances.

    Main image credit: Read McKendree

    Abstract art piece hanging in restaurant

    Not art for art’s sake: adding apt sense of place in hotel design

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Not art for art’s sake: adding apt sense of place in hotel design

    The definition of art has come a long way in hotels – from the decorative layer added at the end of a project to where we are now where the barriers between the interior design scheme and the art itself is blurred. To understand the role of art when creating meaningful sense of place, Patrick McCrae, CEO of Artiq, shares his experience and thoughts…

    Abstract art piece hanging in restaurant

    When seeking to explore local cultures, we usually think of museums or heritage institutions. They tell stories of the past, which is integral to understanding how places came to be. However, it is equally important to learn about current stories and events, and who better tell this than current artistic communities?

    Hotels are often key features of the local area, especially in places that experience a high volume of visitors. By showing art made by local artists, collections resonate more with local people and travellers to the area.

    A place exemplifying this is Belmond Splendido Mare, a luxury boutique hotel in Portofino, Italy. Once a guesthouse greeting travellers and weary fishermen, it has now bloomed into a hot spot for a discerning clientele looking for a retreat of solace, revival, and bliss.

    A simple interior design scheme with soft artwork

    Image caption: Living room inside Mattia Aquila for Splendido Mare. | Image credit: Artiq

    We worked directly with Belmond and Festen Architecture to curate and commission an art collection comprising over one hundred original paintings, sculptures, and limited edition prints. Designed as a ‘collector’s collection’, the artworks reflect a mid-century aesthetic, complementing the interior design scheme and appealing to Belmond’s noteworthy clientele.

    Our focus on promoting local talent and local stories perfectly aligns with Belmond’s appreciation for art that resonates with their locations. This project saw our curatorial team working primarily with emerging to mid-career artists from Italy, highlighting their talent and supporting the local creative economy in Liguria.

    A quarter of the collection were commissions from international artists, echoing the cosmopolitanism surrounding the area today. Through careful curation, the story of Portofino emerged: a place shared between the local community and international travellers.

    Another excellent example of a property tapping into the local creative community to elevate the experience of staying in their specific location is the recently opened Chateau Denmark, with punk rock interiors by award-winning design studio Taylor Howes.

    Bathroom - red - with bold heritage artwork on the walls

    Image credit: Mel Yates

    At first glance, this might appear the opposite of Splendido Mare, but both brands used the same curatorial approach. Chateau Denmark’s art collection was grounded in research connected to the buildings, their histories, the location of Soho and specifically Denmark Street’s history and cultural identity through the past eras in London.

    Denmark Street is London’s music epicentre; the 1960s-70s were its most noteworthy era. One of the more famous tenants taking up residence here were the Sex Pistols, and the Rolling Stones recorded their debut album in the same buildings where Chateau Denmark’s guests now stay.

    Focusing on the contemporary sphere with a pool of diverse artists, this collection aimed to capture the DNA of Denmark Street: its past, present and future. The collection pays homage to the British punk movement, capturing voices and alternative perspectives from the LGBTQ+ community and artists of colour. Several included artists are also active in the city’s music and nightlife scene today, another nod to the area’s legacy.

    Borrowing from the past to excite contemporary audiences, guests will see artists presented within Chateau Denmark’s collection carrying forward a rebellious punk spirit within their work that confidently speaks of today while paying tribute to the past.

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

    Main image credit: Artiq

    Aerial view of Orla by OMNIYAT Amenities

    Introducing ORLA Dorchester Collection, Dubai

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Introducing ORLA Dorchester Collection, Dubai

    Foster + Partners has elevated global property standards by designing ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, which is situated at the apex of Palm Jumeirah’s crescent…

    Aerial view of Orla by OMNIYAT Amenities

    Dubai is a shrinking violet, said nobody (ever). Since its first luxury hotel, the destination has always been considered a leader in high-end hospitality – challenging conventional approaches and defying boundaries in architecture and design to offer something different. OMNIYAT, the developer behind some of the world’s most progressive buildings, including four developments in Dubai, including The Opus that shelters ME Dubai, has been at the forefront of this vision.

    Its latest architectural masterpiece is located at the apex of Palm Jumeirah’s crescent. ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, which first entered our radar in 2020, has been designed by Foster + Partners.

    Hotel Designs Orla by OMNIYAT Balcony

    Image credit: OMNIYAT/Dorchester Collection

    The luxury property enjoys a privileged position situated on a 29,000 square-metre beachfront plot, with uninterrupted 270-degree views stretching from Dubai’s sky-scraping skyline to the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai features 86 exclusive two- to four-bedroom residences, three magnificent sky palaces and one of the largest mansions on Palm Jumeirah, boasting exceptional elegance and refinement. Each residence is adorned with oversized terraces and double-height ceilings (up to 6 metres) and decked with European appliances.

    “Our development philosophy is to create iconic, best-in-class projects through collaborations with industry luminaries,” said Mahdi Amjad, founder and executive chairman of OMNIYAT, said. “ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, is a signature property like no other that represents the epitome of style and will set the new standards for uber-luxury real estate.”

    Render of a residence at Orla Dorchester Collection - Hotel Designs

    Image credit: OMNIYAT/Dorchester Collection

    Christopher Cowdray, CEO of Dorchester Collection, added: “We are delighted to be deepening our partnership with OMNIYAT through more residential projects. ORLA, our fourth project with OMNIYAT, will reimagine the property sector both in the Middle East and globally. It will be an iconic landmark with Dorchester Collection’s renowned hospitality offering.”

    ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, features world-class amenities, including a private, resident-only 300 square-metre beach club; a large infinity, temperature-controlled outdoor pool; a private cinema; a state-of-the-art fitness centre; a business centre with two meeting rooms, a boardroom and a multi-functional events space; and library and cigar lounges; among others.

    Main image credit: OMNIYAT/Dorchester Collection

    sundeck and swimming pool at Terrestre Mexico

    Miniview: Hotel Terrestre – sustainable architecture reimagined

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Miniview: Hotel Terrestre – sustainable architecture reimagined

    Grupo Habita has been leading a design revolution in Mexico’s hospitality industry choosing untapped locations in Mexico where they integrate their vision into the personality of the location. Located in the Mexican jungle outside Puerto Escondido, Grupo Habita’s newest project, Hotel Terrestre, invites guests to reconnect with the luxury of nature…

    sundeck and swimming pool at Terrestre Mexico

    At Hotel Terrestre, seven contemporary buildings blend into the lush Oaxacan jungle flora and fauna, offering stunning views in all directions. Nestled amongst such a pristine landscape, the property is set to be a place for nature and wellness aficionados, for those who enjoy the outdoors more than the indoors, and for those looking for a place to relax and reconnect through simplicity, beauty, and rest.

    With sustainability in mind, architect Alberto Kalach and his team at Taller de Arquitectura X (TAX), together with Fernanda Romandia and Diana Backal, took this vision and translated it into an idyllic modern oasis constructed entirely of locally sourced materials. The property also features cooling methods achieved through innovate building techniques rather than through a reliance upon air conditioning.

    hotel Terrestre in Mexico with brick facade combining luxury with simplicity

    Image credit: Terrestre / Fabian Martínez

    Guest accommodations take the form of 14 interconnected villas, each with their own private pool. Exteriors are defined by earth, brick, wood, and concrete, and when seen from inside, these elements are enhanced through the addition of clay and sand. The inherently earthy colour palette is used throughout the property and is complemented by custom furniture by Mexican designer Oscar Hagerman.

    This approach creates a harmony between the inside and out, helping to diminish any barrier typically placed between them. Slotted wooden doors and windows, for example, remove the need for glass. In each villa, such openings offer direct connections between bedrooms and private garden terraces with mountain views.

    Terrestre guestroom with wooden doors opening room to nature

    Image credit: Terrestre / Fabian Martínez

    A few steps below, each villa has an outdoor bathroom, and upstairs are private terraces furnished with hammocks, lounge areas, and pools stretching out towards the ocean. Bath amenities are also locally produced and are fragranced with a signature copal scent. Moreover, each villa houses a small selection of books—for guests with a quick eye or those indulging in longer stays, a larger library can also be found near the reception area. In addition, Hotel Terrestre’s vibrant garden surrounds a wellness area and a standalone open-air restaurant, where Mexican gastronomic heritage is fused with the region’s rich ecology in an effort to help guests detox during their stays. A short walk away, the casual beach club also serves health-focused drinks, ranging from ginger and cacao sods to turmeric and cayenne-pepper lemonades and creates an ideal ambiance for guests to immerse themselves in the cycles of the moon, the sun, and the stars.

    The wellness area features a communal circular pool, a long swimming lane, and a striking hexagonal spa. The spa is replete with a chilled water tub, steam room, and outdoor—as well as indoor—showers. The property is situated near cultural spaces such as Casa Wabi, a sprawling compound with a Tadao Ando-designed centre that hosts artist residencies and exhibitions; a ceramic workshop space with a 22-meter-tall chimney designed by Kalach; and a permanent large-scale outdoor art installation by Mexican artist Bosco Sodi. Nearby are also destination restaurants like Kakurega Omakase and small-batch mezcalerias like Cobarde. Outdoors, there are spots for activities like surfing, bird watching, meditating, hiking, horseback riding, and bathing in natural hot springs.

    The Grupo Habita pipeline will maintain its focus on Mexico, and includes hotels in Puebla, Ensenada, San Agustinillo and Merida. All are expected to open in 2022 and 2023.

    Main image credit: Terrestre / Fabian Martínez

    Modieus carpets in Sydney based Petersham RSL Club with interior by Red Design

    Case Study: Modieus designs for Sydneys Petersham RSL Club

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Case Study: Modieus designs for Sydneys Petersham RSL Club

    The Petersham RSL Club has been serving the local community for almost 100 years, and has recently moved into a fabulous new facility — working with Modieus, Red Design reimagined this iconic club into a multi-use, contemporary space to rival the most luxurious of hospitality venues Sydney has to offer…

    Modieus carpets in Sydney based Petersham RSL Club with interior by Red Design

    The new venue is a game changer when it comes to the design of community entertainment spaces, which dominate hospitality destinations in Australia. Every element has been carefully considered and has a distinctive style. From a new restaurant, day spa, indoor and outdoor gaming areas, a café, bistro, pub, tab, function centre, corporate offices, members car park arrival areas, and all new branding. The result is a customer experience akin to a luxury resort, the only difference being that it is in a suburban location, serving a local community.

    Modieus were asked to design and supply carpets for this amazing space. A dramatic, light-filled courtyard creates a Mediterranean influenced casual dining space, while opulent finishes and furniture bring elegance and glamour to lobbies and gaming areas. The canteen has simple natural lines, whilst the pub gets a warm and authentic look inspired by the heritage elements of the original venue. A luxurious new restaurant with moody interior and premium finishes is complemented by a modern coffee shop and relaxing spa.

    “From start to finish Modieus were a pleasure to work with,” said Tonia Barnes, Associate and Senior Designer at Red Design. “We supplied concept imagery in early 3D renders in our brief. Their expert team really understood what was needed, reworking designs to suit the floor plan, whilst giving due consideration to the overall design intention. We couldn’t be happier with the final result. The process was flawless, Modieus were responsive to our developing design brief, ensuring the flow of pattern, scale, and colour.”

    “Red Design had a strong vision for using pattern within spaces and a clear idea of the mood they wanted to create,” said Leah Manwaring, Modieus Design Manager. “They were open to suggestions on how to apply textures and colours to achieve this goal. We found momentum in our design process, via zoom meeting, sharing my screen, so we could all see the carpet shots in detail. I really enjoy this collaborative and fast-paced way of working. Building rapport with a client and finding ways to communicate effectively goes a long way in creating great design solutions. Great relationships make great design.”

    Red Design reviewed detailed digital designs for each space – lounge areas, indoor gaming, general corridors , function room, and Asian restaurant – tuft selections were finalised, followed by Modieus producing flooded plans for final sign off. Following multiple trials and collaborative conversations the hand trials were signed off and the carpets were put into production, and are now gracing the floors of the redesigned hospitality venue.

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

    Main image credit: Modieus / Petersham RSL

    guestroom in grey blue and white at White Elephant Nantucket

    White Elephant Nantucket reimagined

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    White Elephant Nantucket reimagined

    In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the landmark White Elephant Nantucket, White Elephant Resorts, has engaged Elkus Manfredi Architects to design a top-to-bottom transformation and renovation of the iconic hotel…

    guestroom in grey blue and white at White Elephant Nantucket

    Following on from the design firm’s multi-award winning renovation of White Elephant Palm Beach, the anticipated transformation of White Elephant Nantucket will create a bright, airy, residential feel that draws inspiration from Nantucket – its history, the quality of its natural light, its landscape – to breathe new life into the historic buildings and immerse guests in an authentic Nantucket vacation experience.

    “Our intention with the redesign is to deliver the feeling of deep relaxation that comes with opening a window, looking out to the sea, and taking a deep breath of fresh air, feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, smelling the salt air, boats softly rocking in their slips and the hum of children laughing on the beach,” said Elizabeth Lowrey, Principal at Elkus Manfredi Architects. “We want all the senses to be engaged and excited.”

    lounge and seating in pastel tones in White elephant Nantucket suite

    Image credit: White Elephant Resorts / Elkus Manfredi Architects

    Originally opened in the 1920s, White Elephant Nantucket began as a series of rustic lodges and has evolved into one of Nantucket’s most popular resort destinations. Elkus Manfredi is designing a complete renovation of the 54 guestroom and suite hotel and its 11 cottages. A redesigned lobby will set the tone for relaxed elegance, and the entire hotel will be filled with details that honour the colours, textures, and artistic legacy of the island, from the basket weave carpet design, to grass cloth wall coverings that evoke the dune grasses, to ceilings painted to match the colour of a Nantucket summer sky.

    Signature touches like brass elephant knockers, elephant door and drawer pulls, and elephant needlepoint pillows will maintain the iconic brand. In recognition of Nantucket’s rich history of basket weaving and textile production, Elkus Manfredi is working with Bloomsburg, a family-run carpet mill based in Pennsylvania that is creating custom carpets inspired by the New England island’s iconic basket weave design.

    All 11 cottages will be renovated and given individual themes inspired by native plants of Nantucket— Bayberry, Hydrangea, Daylily, Beachplum, Honeysuckle, Holly, Arrowwood, Marigold, Rose, and Snapdragon. Elkus Manfredi has developed a unique colour palette for each cottage from buttery yellows and pale lavender through to pale pink. The design team wanted it to feel as charming as being invited into the home of a long-time Nantucket resident who is always thinking of ways to freshen up the guest rooms.

    A key element in the redesign is the development of an Artist-in-Residency program to source new locally inspired original art that will be placed throughout the hotel. This specially curated and commissioned collection is an Elkus Manfredi initiative with White Elephant Resorts and art consultant and curator, Emily Santangelo, who also collaborated with Elkus Manfredi on White Elephant Palm Beach. The new Artist-in-Residency program provides selected artists from around the world with travel expenses, meal allowances, accommodations, and everything they need to gather inspiration and source material to create new works for the collection. Artists chosen for the initial program include painters Renee Levin from New Jersey and Greta Van Campen from Maine, Pennsylvania-based photographer and installation artist Thomas Jackson, Swedish artist Clara Hallencruetz from Stockholm, and New England-focused watercolourist Mary Chandler from Connecticut.

    Main image credit: White Elephant Resorts / Elkus Manfredi Architects

    Ruby Lucy London red bar with swings and seating

    Ruby Hotels to arrive in Scotland

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Ruby Hotels to arrive in Scotland

    Following successful openings in London and Dublin, Edinburgh is next on the list for Ruby Hotels. At the end of 2025, the lean luxury group will open a Ruby hotel with around 300 rooms in the Scottish capital. Here’s what we know…

    Ruby Lucy London red bar with swings and seating

    The expansion of the Ruby Group, under the leadership of founder and CEO Michael Struck, is progressing rapidly despite the challenges in the European hotel market. The new Ruby Hotel in Edinburgh will be located directly on the famous shopping street of Princes Street, with plans for around 300 rooms across seven floors. The hotel will feature a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of both the World Heritage Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Old Town. The public areas will include a 24/7 bar which, like the rooms themselves, will follow Ruby’s Lean Luxury philosophy.

    guestroom in ruby Lucy London

    Image credit: Ruby Lucy London

    The new hotel will be a conversion with partial new construction of three connected buildings. With its extensive in-house expertise of converting existing buildings, Ruby was able to convince Hunter REIM, Scotland’s leading independent real estate investment management company based in Edinburgh, to be its partner.

    “The hotel market in Edinburgh has proven to be very robust in the past, shows sustainable growth and offers a lot of potential for our concept, especially in the affordable luxury segment,” commented Julian Mörs, Group Director Development at Ruby. “We are very excited to enter the Scottish market with this great project.”

    colourful seating in the bar in Ruby Lucy London

    Image credit: Ruby Lucy London

    “Hunter REIM is delighted to be able to announce the next step in the regeneration of Princes Street in Edinburgh with the announcement of a new Ruby Hotel and associated retail development at 104 -108 Princes Street. We believe we can deliver a significant improvement in the streetscape in Princes Street and, importantly, retain some retail space as part of the development”, said Andrew Moffat, Head of Real Estate and Investment at Hunter REIM.

    Founded in 2013, the group already operates 15 Ruby hotels, with a further 19 hotels under construction or in the planning phase. Ruby is currently expanding into Asia with the joint venture Ruby Asia, founded in 2018. The Edinburgh project in the Ruby pipeline is slated to open in Q4 of 2025

    Main image credit: Ruby Lucy London

    bedroom interior with Bathyscafocus Holographik feature fireplace from FOCUS

    FOCUS brings fire at the touch of a button

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    FOCUS brings fire at the touch of a button

    Following the launch of the Ergofocus earlier this year, FOCUS presents a new hospitality range – FOCUS design goes electric, offering an ultra-realistic fire experience with virtual holographic flames…

    bedroom interior with Bathyscafocus Holographik feature fireplace from FOCUS

    In addition to its wood-burning and gas fireplaces, FOCUS now offers its iconic design in a third option: electric. With its stunningly realistic virtual fire, the Holographik heralds a new era in fireplaces, opening new possibilities to feature fire in living spaces. A 3D holographic system generates lifelike flames that play over naturalistic ceramic logs to create a pure fire experience. The hearth of the suspended Ergofocus and Bathyscafocus pivots 80 degrees, allowing the fire to be enjoyed from every angle, while the Bathyscafocus on a base is free-standing for easy installation.

    ergofocus holographik fireplace in seating area by bar of the Hotel Peralada

    Image credit: FOCUS / Meritxell_Arjalaguer

    With a patented innovation, FOCUS has met the challenge of making its iconic Gyrofocus fireplace available in a gas version. This ingenious technological feat allows the gas to be supplied through the ceiling plate, reaching the hearth through an airtight pipe, while retaining the celebrated ability of the hearth to pivot 100 degrees. Easy to use, this design icon can be installed in the reception area of a luxury hotel, in a chic restaurant or in a range of establishments welcoming guests. The gas Gyraofocus can also operate on green gas, which is 100 per cent renewable and can be produced locally, making it an energy of the future.

    outdoor fireplace by FOCUS is the BUBBLE Brazier seen outside next to a lake

    Image credit: FOCUS / Meritxell_Arjalaguer

    Gold winner of the 2022 German Design Award in the Gardening and Outdoor Living category, the BUBBLE Brazier is a captivating addition to exterior settings, allowing outdoor socialising all year round, winter or summer, day or night. Its inviting fire is a call for shared conviviality, beckoning guests to gather around its warming circle. The award-winning BUBBLE was designed by Christophe Ployé, who is responsible for project design at FOCUS.

    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.

    Main image credit: FOCUS

    One collection in modern bathroom

    Roundtable: the value of variety in hotel bathroom design

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Roundtable: the value of variety in hotel bathroom design

    In Hotel Designs’ latest roundtable, Editor Hamish Kilburn, in association with Roca and Laufen, invites leading designers to explore the value of variety in hotel bathroom design…

    One collection in modern bathroom

    In this year’s series of roundtables, bathroom have been, well, a common theme. From enhancing guest experience, adding personality in heritage bathrooms, technology’s role in tomorrow’s commercial bathroom and exploring texture, colour and materials, our minds have been cracked open that little bit wider to the possibilities of bathroom design. For our penultimate act/roundtable this year, we thought, together with Roca and Laufen, we would further mix things up further by putting the emphasis on variety – and to do so, we hand-selected interior designers who we believe are riding a new wave in hotel bathroom design.

    On the panel:

    Despite the practicality use and need of the bathroom having never changed, the design of these now ‘wellness spaces’ have indeed evolved from the earliest surviving bathtub that dates back to 1,700 B.C. and the first flush toilet that was invented in 1596.

    Traditionally, consumers associate bathrooms with comfort, hygiene and of course privacy – but given the identifiable shift in perception that we have witnessed recent years, suggesting heavily that these areas in hotels are now being seen beyond practical spaces – and instead, ‘experiences’ of their own – there’s now more variety than ever before. The bathroom door to ‘statement’ has been unlocked to inject creativity in these once empty white boxes. “Restaurants are a great example of how public bathrooms/restrooms have evolved, I would say quite dramatically,” said Dale Atkinson, Founder, Rosendale Design. “Instead of being ‘pushed to the side’, businesses have realised that bathrooms can become a magical places where their brand’s identify and personality can be amplified.”

    After identifying restaurants that have elevated the bathroom experience to match or compliment the overall interior design, I was interested to understand when and how hotels started to put more emphasis on bathroom design. “Hotels are slightly different, because you naturally spend more time in them, so they are not transitional like restaurant washrooms” added Tina Norden, Partner, Conran & Partners. “We therefore tend to pull things back slightly. However, the great thing is that today there are more colours to play with that are much more affordable than previously. The other thing I have noticed is that finishes are much better.”

    Norden identified an important catalyst – the affordable range of bathroom design products – that the rest of the panel continued to explore. “There are almost endless possibilities, which has enabled us to ensure that the bathroom feels a bit more connected to the overall design concept,” explained Elena Verdera Pastor, Senior Interior Designer, Studio Moren. “There is value in connecting the bathroom with the concept of the hotel. Like all things in commercial interior design, though, we are challenged by the budget, so it then becomes about compromise to ensure that we provide the quality while also staying in line with the client’s expectations.”

    When discussing bathrooms and how they have moved on in recent years, one thing that is obvious to see – in colours and materials being used – is the demand for calm spaces. The recently unveiled Ona Collection from Roca is a prime example of this. “When the range was launched, the designers (Noa Design and Benedito Design) talk about Ona (which means ‘wave’ in Catalan) as facilitating the ‘democratisation of design’,” said Jon Bond, Head of Projects, Roca and Laufen UK. “The collection stands out for its versatility in terms of the full bathroom solution, whilst making full use of Roca’s recent innovations in fine ceramic, stonex, Everlux pvd coatings and touchless technology.”

    CLose up of sink and mirror in white bathroom

    Image credit: Roca

    Gareth Hare, Senior Specification Manager, Roca and Laufen, added: “Traditionally, wellness in the bathroom was about just putting in a large shower, whereas now, we have moved towards sustainable wellness – there’s more emphasis on the details when it comes to wellness.”

    In a previous roundtable, Nick Hickson, Co-Founder, THDP, shared that he had seen bathrooms cohesively being linked the guestroom, with the vanity unit and basin, for example, being placed outside the parameter of the bathroom. “I was in a hotel bathroom yesterday where this was the case,” said Sarah Murphy, Senior Interior Designer, AvroKO. “It just frees up special issues, and creates a seamless flow. In this case, the space resembled a kitchenette; more like a bar than a bathroom basin.” The Emporium Plovdiv – MGallery is a fine example of this, where the interior designers were met with a challenging room configuration but turned it into the suites’ greatest strengths.

    “Brands these days are launching these beautiful products, such as taps with intricate detailing, but the reality is that these are incredible difficult to specify.” – Sarah Murphy, Senior Interior Designer, AvroKO.

    Testing this concept, Norden, whose work has always been born out of understanding human behaviour, questioned just how practical these creative ideas are in reality. “Opening up the bathroom is all very well if you are staying on your own, but these spaces, if opened up too much, can sometimes take away not only the privacy but also the level of luxury for guests expecting to close the door to a tranquil space.”

    Sonar free-standing bath with neon light setting

    Image credit: Laufen

    After setting the tone, the conversation then veered into the lane of luxury, where designers are typically given more space in the bathroom to design and the budget tends to be more generous. For our designers, the definition of ‘luxury’ is creating a space that intuitively compliments travellers’ behaviour. “Like Gareth said earlier, it’s about the details,” added Atkinson. “One element that is often forgotten is that we are not just designing for the end user. We are also designing for the back-of-house staff, and these days a bathroom that is efficiently easy to clean has a lot of value. We have created mock-up rooms, and the client has actually timed the cleaners to see just how practical these spaces are.” Agreeing, the panel discussed anecdotes, including clients requesting rounded-off edges in surface design and putting emphasis on luxury elements such as vanity units.

    With cleaning being such a factor in the design of today’s hotel bathrooms, I was interested to understand how trends in detailed texture are being explored in a way that is practical for both traveller and housekeeping. “Brands these days are launching these beautiful products, such as taps with intricate detailing, but the reality is that these are incredible difficult to specify,” explained Murphy. “Yesterday, I tried to specify traditional stone in a restaurant bathroom and it was rejected. And that’s an example of perhaps one client saying ‘yes’ but nine others saying ‘no’. I do think this impacts creativity. However, that’s where colour can really play a role, and it is inspiring to see brands allowing designers to customise the colours of their products. When that service comes from the brand, it’s so much easier to specify because we and the client trust it so much more due to the guarantees.”

    When exploring texture, I was keen to understand how far designers would go to use layers to create stylish bathrooms. “To be honest, I think texture plays a larger role in a spa or health club than it does in a hotel bathroom,” added Pastor. “I see huge value in adding texture in corridors and public areas, but it’s so hard to add texture near water because of the cleaning and ware of the product.”

    Moving cautiously on, it was interesting to understand how designers have already approached hotel bathroom design in an unconventional manner. For Pastor, who is working on a plethora of projects in London where bathroom space is limited, this is reflected in opening up the bathroom to make the room look and feel larger. Meanwhile, Norden and her team have just completed Park Plaza Jakarta, a project that allowed the team to make the bathroom a sort of protagonist in the overall design scheme. “In a typical room, there are two bathrooms,” she said. “This is a luxury hotel with a lot of space. You have a central entrance with one bathroom on one side, with a vanity and a shower and a bathroom on the other side that features a large vanity and a bath – and separate powder rooms. When you have a room to design of that size (15 square metres) this was an innovative way to connect the whole space.”

    The boldest approach to bathroom design, though, came from Murphy, who is currently working on a restaurant project in Barcelona. “The client has requested for there to be an actual DJ playing in the toilets,” she said. “The vanity will essentially become the DJ booth – put simply, the DJ and the experience itself will replace a wallcovering or colour amplifying the brand’s personality. “Although I have never seen anything like that before,” added Norden, “I have noticed a lot more ‘uni sex’ washrooms. Culturally, things are shifting and that is opening up new possibilities for bathrooms to become more open to all.”

    A topic that we have explored for some time at Hotel Designs has been sensory design. In addition to the odd DJ, how are designers injecting all senses to create more meaningful and purpose-driven spaces beyond their practical use? “We did a project in Saudi Arabia, and the client was keen to break the mould,” added Pastor. “We were looking at digital technology, such as screens that are ever-changing.” Reflecting Jason Bradbury’s vision when he checked in to a hotel 30 years in the future, the idea of personalised surface design is impressive but also perhaps not in budget in today’s landscape.

    “I have been asked to specify products around a certain scent before – Japanese wood burning,” admitted Murphy. “It was so interesting, because it complete changed my approach to designing the bathroom. It was a great client, actually, that had thought about all the details, from the uniform to the soundtrack.” Knowing exactly what the client wanted, the project for Murphy was much more seamless and quicker. “We went in with a layout and design direction, which was instantly approved because everything was in line with their meticulous brief. Everyone in the room, from design to lighting and engineering, knew their role and what they were delivering.”

    A japandi bathroom design

    Image credit: Unsplash/Jared Rice

    Although there are exceptions, the majority of designers will find it difficult to inject quality sensory design into the bathroom while also being on budget. Norden believes that by changing the narrative somewhat, clients will start to understand the overall value of including these elements. “The other thing that I think clients are really starting to understand is seeing the bathroom as an experience,” she said. “By doing this, we can understand the role of scent, sound and lighting much easier. It may be more expensive, but lighting that can dim, for example, is so much more impactful, especially in the bathroom. An alternative would be to have different light sources that the consumer can switch off.”

    Steering the conversation back to product design, the sheer variety on offer has allowed designers to present clients with an abundance of design solutions. Hare explained: “From our side, we take these challenges that designers face and put them into R&D to produce products for other designers who end up facing the same issues. For example, in heritage buildings, designers are limited with W/Cs due to where the cistern is. We now offer a W/C that has an integrated cistern so that it can just fit into the wall.”

    There are many conclusions and takeaways to draw from the discussion, but perhaps the loudest argument, amplified by all, was the understanding of human-centric design in the bathrooms of the future. Only then can these mini wellness areas answer to both client demands and traveller expectations – and ultimately push brands and manufacturers, such as Roca and Laufen, to continue to expand the range of materials, colours and products on offer.

    Roca and 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.

    Main image credit: Roca/Laufen

    Orient Express Suite - bedroom

    Hotel on the tracks: a sneak peek inside the Orient Express La Dolce Vita

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Hotel on the tracks: a sneak peek inside the Orient Express La Dolce Vita

    All aboard! Before the Orient Express La Dolce Vita train makes its inaugural voyage, Hotel Designs stepped inside for a sneak peek. Designed by Dimorestudio, the luxury train combines the Italian way of life with the contemporary spirit of travel…

    Orient Express Suite - bedroom

    Orient Express, the ‘artisan of travel since 1883, is making a statement with its latest train, designed by Dimorestudio, that will shelter a luxury design scheme that will feel distinctly modern. The train’s sumptuous decor will be applied to 12 deluxe cabins, 18 suites, one “La Dolce Vita” suite and a restaurant, and will boldly celebrate the arts and crafts, design, and creativity of the 1960s and 1970s.

    Exterior of Orient Express

    Image credit: Accor

    The Orient Express La Dolce Vita –named in honour of “La Dolce Vita”, a fantastic period of history, to the artistic and cultural fervour of Italy in the 1960s – is a luxury project conceived by Arsenale S.p.A. and Orient Express, part of the Accor Group. As hospitality design concepts go, we are excited about this one!

    Orient Express Lounge

    Image credit: Accor

    The train, which will welcome its first passengers in 2024, will cross Italy from north to south via six iconic itineraries. The itineraries have been designed to create exclusive travel experiences while revealing the jewels of Italy, from the wonders of the Alps to the paradisiacal beaches of the South, from the beauty of Venice to Rome or Palermo. As of 2024, the brand’s first hotels – Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice – will welcome Orient Express La Dolce Vita passengers, and new routes with international destinations will be added.

    In collaboration with the best international chefs and sommeliers, travellers will enjoy five-star service on board, discovering the treasures and excellence of the “Made in Italy” way, savouring its gastronomy and the finest Italian wines. At Rome Ostiense station, the lounge will welcome passengers, offering a selection of refreshments and providing advice and recommendations for an unforgettable journey.

    With the support of Accor, the official hospitality partner of this project, and thanks to a partnership with Trenitalia – Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato – and the Fondazione FS Italiane, the new luxury train will invite passengers to travel along more than 16,000 km of railway lines – reminding them of the country’s historical treasures.

    > Since you’re here, why not read our ‘hotels at new heights‘ editorial series?

    Main image credit: Accor

    lighting brand LEDS C4 lights up the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia in blue

    LEDS C4 lights up Valencia

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    LEDS C4 lights up Valencia

    The team of lighting designers from LEDS C4 created a temporary light installation on Calatrava’s iconic Hemisfèric building, lighting up Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences in blue for one night…

    lighting brand LEDS C4 lights up the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia in blue

    Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences architectural complex swapped its iconic white colour for blue for one day. A corporate lighting project that, in the words of LEDS C4’s team of lighting designers: “sought to bring a corporate feel through colour, with the aim of creating a brand universe that was capable of turning the evening into an experience.”

    The project’s success lay in its ability to harmoniously imbue the architectural surface with colour, so that it precisely covered the desired areas of cladding of the original Hemisfèric building, achieving a clean and stunning visual effect. The light installation was arranged to display the blue corporate logo of the company GES, the host of the private event that evening.

    LEDS C4 blue lighting of event venue in Valencia with corporate logo

    Image credit: LEDS C4 / Biel Aliño

    Using the colour blue and playing with round elements such as rings and the ‘Pearl – the building’s central architectural element, consisting of a 30-metre sphere – the project by the LEDS C4 team was designed to showcase the concept that was the theme of the event: Building synergies between Companies.

    With Tron, a wall washer, the surface of the ‘Pearl’ was illuminated vertically, achieving uniform lighting both inside and outside. Inside the hall where the private gala dinner was held, LEDS C4’s Cocktail portable lamp set the perfect scene, creating various ambiences with different light sources. Maintaining this uniformity in colour, blue was also prevalent in the inside areas of the building, the entrances and the main hall where the private gala dinner was held. Only small oases of warm white light were created in the middle of the tables, thanks to LEDS C4’s Cocktail portable lights.

    The sides of the building’s roof gave the architecture an almost magical touch. The reflection of the side facing the artificial lake created a spherical mirage, merging the solidity of the architecture with the fluidity of the water in a single luminous figure. The project also featured several three metre high totem poles, lit in the same blue as the main stage and also serving to signpost the entrance to the event.

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

    Main image credit: LEDS C4 / Biel Aliño

    art deco mosaic on the wall in the spa and swimming pool of Sommerro hotel in Oslo

    Sommerro opens the doors to its urban wellness retreat

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Sommerro opens the doors to its urban wellness retreat

    Nordic Hotels & Resorts’ newest luxury hotel in Oslo, Sommerro, has announced the opening of its exclusive wellness space, Vestkantbadet, a reimagined and restored retreat sheltering the largest city hotel wellness space in the Nordics…

    art deco mosaic on the wall in the spa and swimming pool of Sommerro hotel in Oslo

    Serving as the largest city resort wellness space across the Nordic countries and comprising one of Norway’s last remaining public baths from 1932,  Vestkantbadet in Sommerro has been restored and reimagined as a 15,000-square-foot subterranean urban retreat.

    Designed as a haven for health and mindfulness, the space is a testament to the hotel’s all-encompassing approach to wellbeing, featuring a series of treatment rooms, an original restored Roman bath, gym, infrared sauna, cold plunge pool offering a traditional Nordic thermotherapy experience, the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, sauna and terrace, and the building’s original swimming pool with a magnificent mosaic wall.

    curved walls in yellow mosaic in sauna at Sommerro Spa

    Image credit: Sommerro Hotel / Francisco Nogueira

    Giving back to the local community by bringing back to life one of the country’s original public baths and most beloved social spaces, Somerro has opened its spa to both hotel guests, locals and members. With its rich Art Deco details and original mosaic wall created by the famed 1930s Norwegian artist Per Krohg, the building’s original swimming pool, public bath, saunas, and changing rooms have been restored to their former glory. Celebrating Oslo’s famous and historic bathing culture, the treasured Roman bath has been transformed into a cold plunge pool and the public bathing facilities have been given a new lease on life as 18 different treatment rooms, while retaining original elements such as the bright hand painted blue tiles. Upon arrival to the hotel’s main façade, guests can access the space through its former entrance which boasts a historic, restored sign from the early 1900s. Guests are then welcomed to an expansive wellness lobby that is now home to a luxury shop with everything from local and international brands to essentials like swimming trunks and equipment for cold water bathing from sustainable Norwegian swimwear company AIX Studio. Vestkantbadet extends from the lower floor at Sommerro all the way up to the roof terrace, with its flagship rooftop heated pool, spacious sunbeds and a sauna providing a grand view over Oslo to be enjoyed year-round.

    Vestkantbadet offers guests a relaxing space to indulge in a wide array of tailored traditional treatments, along with specialised therapies that are on the cutting-edge of wellness. The ever-evolving treatment menu offers pampering massages, restorative reflexology, and rejuvenating sports massages. Luxurious facial treatments include everything from relaxing massages to chemical peels, algae wraps, masks, microneedling, LED light treatments and more, using the highest quality products applied with most advanced tools in skin care. For the ultimate local experience, a traditional Nordic thermotherapy circuit includes an infrared sauna and cold plunge pool. This relaxation ritual is based on a 2000-year-old tradition founded in Nordic countries that involves alternating between hot and cold temperatures to accelerate recovery and healing, improving physical and mental health.

    Innovative wellness takes centre stage, as Sommerro is the first hotel in the Nordics to offer specialist medical aesthetic treatments, including a laser treatment skin program with Fotona Lasers and Candela Medical, both world-leading medical laser companies. Wim Hof-style cold water breathing technique sessions are also available, which will leave guests ready to enjoy the year-round Norwegian tradition of outdoor swimming and ice bathing. Other holistic experiences include nutritionist workshops and two-day electric sauna boat retreats on the fjord by sauna masters KOK. Guests looking to improve their sleep health can take part in one-on-one sleeping sessions and masterclasses with a local expert, complemented by a sleep soundtrack and Why We Sleep book in each guestroom, a pillow menu for optimum comfort, and light blocking glasses available for rent.

    warm wood and soft lighting in the wellness spa of Sommerro Hotel

    Image credit: Sommerro Hotel / Francisco Nogueira

    Exclusively for hotel guests and members, Sommerro’s gym goes above and beyond with state-of-the-art equipment, exceptional personal training sessions and group classes. The ultimate in post-workout indulgence, changing rooms feature freshly laundered towels, high-end bath products and fully-stocked beauty stations surrounded by rich, sleek timbers and soft lighting. Whether looking to reach new fitness heights or keeping up with a workout routine while traveling, memberships and packages are available to make the most of Sommerro’s wellness offerings.

    Complementing Sommerro’s wellness offerings are a suite of bespoke products and services offered through custom partnerships with some of the most trusted names in the industry. One of Norway’s top stylists and hairdressers, Jan Thomas created custom hair products infused with the hotel’s signature fragrance that are featured throughout the wellness space. For the ultimate in cosiness, local bedding company Abate designed exclusive SOMMERRO X ABATE bath robes, while the exclusive Swedish perfume house Byredo’s unisex scents wrap guests in warmth, preparing them for a restful evening. Skincare partners include Elemis, SkinBetterScience, Babor, Skinceuticals, Meline and Noon Aesthetics, along with Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. A staple of Vestkantbadet’s aesthetic treatments, Sommerro is the award-winning dermatologist’s brand’s first-ever hotel partnership.

    Main image credit: Sommerro Hotel / Francisco Nogueira

    MOD+ bathroom fittings by GRAFF

    Product watch: MOD+ – a modular collection from GRAFF

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Product watch: MOD+ – a modular collection from GRAFF

    MOD+ by GRAFF Designs is a rich and diversified modular collection offering endless customisation and design possibilities…

    MOD+ bathroom fittings by GRAFF

    As the first modular bathroom collection from GRAFF, MOD+ allows a high degree of creative freedom with luxury custom finishes, materials and configurations. The collection unlocks up to 65,000 possible combinations, as it is made up of 55 bathroom products for the washbasin, bathtub and shower areas, in which each element can be completely customised.

    gun metal grey bath fittings and taps on grey tiles and white bath

    Image credit: GRAFF

    “GRAFF is committed to presenting the best bathing experiences in the personal space of your house,”said Ziggy Kulig, President of GRAFF Designs, “with exceptional style and selection of precious raw material innovations in a way that exceeds expectations.”

    In addition, the MOD+ Collection Configurator has been created to fully exhibit the collection’s potential. This is an online tool to help design and specify, with personalisation options including handle detailing, finishes, materials, spout size and mounting type. The collection offers 20 unique finishes, including Gunmetal, Matt White or Vintage Brushed Brass, or for that extra special touch, a unique 24K gold finish. Handles materials include variations of Tuscan marble including Storm Black, Forest Green and Smoky White.

    GRAFF 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: GRAFF

    House of Rohl Fairmont Windsor Victoria+Albert Eldon

    How House of Rohl created contemporary bathrooms inside Fairmont Windsor Park

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    How House of Rohl created contemporary bathrooms inside Fairmont Windsor Park

    To really understand how Fairmont Windsor Park has emerged as one of the UK’s new luxury addresses, Hotel Designs asks the experts from House of Rohl how the team approached the bathroom design…

    House of Rohl Fairmont Windsor Victoria+Albert Eldon

    A gentle 60 minute walk from what was the Queen’s favourite royal castle, the Fairmont Windsor Park sits within 40 beautiful acres adjacent to Windsor Great Park. The country house hotel is one of the most exciting openings in the UK in recent years, combining regal splendour and understated luxury. Once a private Jacobean manor house, the Fairmont Windsor Park was rebuilt over four years, with a key focus on referencing the original exterior.

    Arial shot of Fairmont Windsor Park

    Image credit: Fairmont Windsor Park

    The drive and passion for the unique project derives from Surinder Arora, the UK’s most successful independent hoteliers. His design team, under South African designer Margaret Morgan’s guidance, commissioned the House of Rohl to supply the critical bathroom fittings.

    Bathrooms are always a litmus test of a hotel’s quality and design credentials. Ryan Nichols, the hotel General Manager, explains that the property the Arora group had purchased was “a bit of a mish-mash” – it needed to be redone, and brought back to its glorious self. “In terms of brand and the owner,” he said, “we wanted a particular style that would fit right for the luxury traveller. Bathrooms are very important! They are key facilities for our guests. Not only from a functional perspective but aesthetics as well; people need to feel that sense of luxury, specifically when they come to a hotel such as the Fairmont Windsor Park.”

    House of Rohl proposed baths and basins from Victoria + Albert. The company’s proprietary material, QuarrycastTM, is made from Volcanic LimestoneTM. This produces a strong yet light material, warm to the touch and suited to sculptural shapes with crisp edges. Their Eldon model is a perfect hotel bath, with the profile of an elegant freestanding bath but the practicalities of a back-to-wall format. The long, elegant ledge is equally suitable for Molton Brown or Moët & Chandon. In the suites, these are matched to shapely ‘his-and-hers’ Victoria + Albert Barcelona basins, countertop-mounted.

    Victoria+Albert basin inside Fairmont Windsor Park

    Image credit: House of Rohl

    Other bathrooms showcase the elegant and refined Worcester freestanding bath. Featuring a classically ribbed plinth and rim detailing originally found in stonework, it embodies a rich history that resonates in Windsor. With a discreet void space underneath to conceal waste plumbing, it is also a practical choice.

    Arora had not come across Victoria+ Albert before, but expressed his impression when speaking to Hotel Designs. “When I saw the product and what the [House of Rohl] team had done, I was really excited,” he said. “We’re delighted with the end result.”

    House of Rohl 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: House of Rohl

    bar and seating design at Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection of Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina

    Hyatt expands Inclusive Collection to Portugal

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Hyatt expands Inclusive Collection to Portugal

    Hyatt has announced plans for the expansion of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection – a new global portfolio of distinct luxury all-inclusive resort brands – to Portugal with Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina, marking the Inclusive Collection’s entry into a fourth European country, and representing the latest milestone in Hyatt’s intentional global brand expansion in the luxury all-inclusive segment…

    bar and seating design at Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection of Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina

    On the heels of Hyatt’s recently announced expansion plans for five all-inclusive resorts in Bulgaria, the planned debut of Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina will mark the Inclusive Collection brand portfolio’s entry into Portugal, following existing brand presence in Spain and Greece and introducing the signature Unlimited-Luxury concept to the destination. Leisure demand continues to fuel Hyatt’s thoughtful brand expansion in Europe, and today’s announcement signals the strength and reputation of Hyatt’s all-inclusive brands and the increased opportunity to introduce the luxury all-inclusive experience to more guests and World of Hyatt loyalty members around the world.

    guestroom seating and dining space at Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina by Hyatt

    Image credit: Hyatt

    Slated to open once renovations are complete in early 2024, Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina will offer guests access to more than ten a la carte restaurants, seven bars, unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits, 24-hour room service, daily activities, nightly entertainment and more. Programming for all-ages also includes an onsite water park, an Explorer’s Club for kids, a Core Zone for teens, and a 3000 square meter spa for adults to unwind. The resort will also include exclusive adults-only areas and reserved spaces for preferred guests looking for an even more elevated guest experience.

    indoor swimming pool and spa at Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina by Hyatt Inclusive Collection

    Image credit: Hyatt

    “With Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina, we are thrilled to announce plans to introduce the Inclusive Collection to one of the world’s leading island destinations, which will attract diverse travellers from around the world seeking immersive all-inclusive resort experiences,” said Jaime De La Mata, SVP of Business Development for EMEA at Apple Leisure Group.

    Situated at a premium location to the serene island of Porto Santo, one of the key touristic attractions in Madeira, Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina resort will feature 366 luxury appointed guestrooms, ranging from standard rooms to luxury villas, as well as an onsite private beach and marina. The resort will be operationally managed by Apple Leisure Group, a Hyatt affiliate and owned by an institutional investor that will rely on Okami Hotels for the asset management of the property.

    Main image credit: Hyatt

    Pasadena Hotel & Pool courtyard with outdoor furniture and yellow pops of colour

    Fancy a dip? Inside the revived Pasadena Hotel & Pool

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Fancy a dip? Inside the revived Pasadena Hotel & Pool

    Stonehill Taylor has reimagined the historic Pasadena Hotel & Pool, inspired by the golden age of the 1920s in California…

    Pasadena Hotel & Pool courtyard with outdoor furniture and yellow pops of colour

    The building that shelters Pasadena Hotel & Pool dates back to 1926. It was originally unveiled during the city’s renaissance, purchased by a local prominent businesswoman, known as Constance G.L. Perry upon its completion.

    Today, the hotel, which has just about stood the test of time, has been revived to reflect a modern era of travel while also honouring the property’s rich past with a nod to a Spanish colonial influence. The renovation was completed by Stonehill Taylor, the studio that completed projects such as The Ned NoMad and Ace Brooklyn. The designers’ brief was centred around the public areas; to redesign the lobby, courtyard space and pool deck.

    Pasadena Hotel & Pool - pool area

    Image credit: Pasadena Hotel & Pool

    Pasadena, located in the northern tip of Los Angeles, became a popular tourist destination for those looking to escape cold winters, leading to a surge of developments centered around the arts, such as playhouses, art galleries, and musical theatres. Inspired by this Golden Age of Pasadena, the redesign incorporates hints of the 1920s displayed through sourced, unique, and vintage artwork, as well as Californian Mission Style furnishings, creating a layered atmosphere. The furniture throughout the public areas feels like it has been collected over the years to evoke a residential, laidback vibe.

    Pasadena Hotel’s exterior features stucco-clad walls, and neoclassical details are carried over into the interiors. To modernise the space while recognising its past, Stonehill Taylor kept the coffered ceiling and restored the original terracotta flooring to highlight the property’s distinctive history. The design team sourced many of the furnishings from flea markets and antique go-tos.

    The dark-lit lobby inside the 1920s hotel

    Image credit: Pasadena Hotel & Pool

    Stonehill Taylor transformed the lobby to a modern and comfortable space with Spanish colonial influences paired with collected furnishings. The walls have been repainted from an off-white to a moody chocolate brown colour. Warm finishes make the space feel inviting. Infills of patterned terracotta tiles were added to embellish the property’s original historic flooring. Terracotta and neutral tones stand out against the darker warmer hues, creating a striking colour contrast. Mirrored panels were replaced with a tile that has a Spanish motif for a dramatic layering impact. The design team placed a wallcovering behind the fireplace and in the phone booths to create a striking, mural-like effect. Collections of artworks, and some sourced pieces, are displayed throughout the interiors framed in gold to add another layer of contrast to the dark walls.

    A calm and moody lounge area inside Pasadena Hotel & Pool

    Image credit: Pasadena Hotel & Pool

    Meanwhile, the bar features wire, brushed oak wood and marble. The repeated square motifs on the ceiling and original door paneling inspired the trim details on the bar face. Comfortable chairs and seating convey a lounge-like feel for guests. The collection of furniture allows for groups of people to sit and socialise while the back-bar feels very simple with its traditional styling.

    The simple, textured bar inside the 1920s hotel in Los Angeles

    Image credit: Pasadena Hotel & Pool

    Outside, the courtyard space has been revitalised as an area for guests to come in and lounge in the morning or enjoy a drink at night. Stonehill Taylor incorporated touches of lush greenery accompanied by light blues and pinks to create a relaxed atmosphere. To pull the space together, each corner is designed with two towering birds of paradise, whose blossoms add bright colouring to the courtyard. The legacy of the hotel shines through the tiling, flagstone floor and elements from the original hotel opening. A standout component of the courtyard is the fountain with a grand, glazed urn surrounded by the original tile.

    Steeped in history, which has been blended into the redesign of the hotel’s public areas, Pasadena Hotel & Pool has been brought back to life through an injection of colour, patterns and design solutions that make it as grand as it was when it opened in the roaring ’20s.

    Main image credit: Pasadena Hotel & Pool

    Tara by Dornbracht – a design classic that keeps reinventing itself

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Tara by Dornbracht – a design classic that keeps reinventing itself

    With Tara, Dornbracht and Sieger Design have laid the foundations for a totally new bathroom culture. The minimalist, elegant design language of the fitting has had an impact in a wide variety of contexts ever since, making a significant contribution in turning the bathroom into an aesthetically appealing living space…

    Inspiring and stylistically confident, the Tara bathroom range from Dornbracht is an archetype with a lasting influence on fittings design. Celebrating its 30th year with new finishes and variations, the range has lost none of its contemporary appeal and Tara’s adaptability continues to inspire architects and designers. Its ability to regularly reinvent itself will also ensure that the classic design will provide the impetus for visionary bathroom concepts in the future.

    Tara taps and fittings by Dornbracht in a minimalist biophilic bathroom

    Image credit: Dornbracht

    The Antwerp based design studio WeWantMore, used the Dornbracht fitting in an extensively modernised hunting lodge hotel in Belgium. “We chose Tara because of the universal design that was also convincing in more unusual settings.”, said WeWantMore.

    Sjölund Åkerblom Arkitekter from Stockholm also took advantage of Tara’s ability to create gentle contrasts in traditional settings. The architects’ office used the fitting in a historic, eighteenth-century building. “Tara seems modern yet familiar”, said founder Petra Sjölund. “This means that we could make a point, without clashing with the history of the building.”

    Tara’s versatility and distinctive style also impressed Ben Allen, the founder of the London studio that bears his name. “We love Tara as a modern classic. The iconic cross-handles and semi-circular spout are unmistakeable. It can be staged in almost every conceivable way. Most recently, for example, we used Tara in white, to contrast with the many bright colours that surround it.”

    White Tara taps by Dornbracht contrast with dark orange kitchen surface

    Image credit: Dornbracht

    Belgian architect Frederic Kielemoes takes a similar approach. He chose the Dornbracht fitting for a rather special project – his own home: “The Tara collection fits in very well with the spontaneous and intuitive thinking behind our design concept. The fitting itself has a certain spontaneity that also seems entirely consistent. It is the perfect match for our home.”

    One reason for Tara’s enduring modernity lies in the many design options that Dornbracht provides. Over three decades, a wide-ranging family of fittings has developed from the original design sketches, including free-standing fittings for washstands and baths, shower solutions and kitchen fittings. The respective Tara variants can each be given different handles and are available in numerous finishes. In 2022, for example, three new finishes were introduced – Dark Chrome and brushed and gloss versions of Champagne.

    “Tara always remained profoundly modern, thanks to what are sometimes only subtle artistic and technical refinements, and to the exciting new finishes and handle variants that we have implemented in recent years”, said Christian Sieger, Marketing Director of Sieger Design.

    “With its disarming openness and its clean, archetypal design language, it will still be more relevant than ever before”, continued designer Michael Sieger, who runs the company together with his brother. Even 30 years on, Dornbracht’s most popular series of fittings remains a timeless design icon that will artistically enhance top-quality bathroom concepts.

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

    Main image credit: Dornbracht

    render of guestroom for Omni Tempe Hotel ASU

    Omni Hotels sets its sights on Arizona

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Omni Hotels sets its sights on Arizona

    Slated to open April 2023, Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU will amplify Tempe’s revitalised downtown area and bring some of the largest conference and meeting space to the city…

    render of guestroom for Omni Tempe Hotel ASU

    Located in the heart of downtown Tempe, the newest addition to the Omni Hotels & Resorts portfolio will feature 330 guestrooms, including 11 suites, four dining outlets, a spacious pool deck, retail, and nearly 36,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting spaces with expansive views of the ASU campus and the Arizona cityscape.

    The hotel is a $125 million investment and part of a public-private partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and the City of Tempe. Downtown Tempe is thriving with attractions, businesses, residents, and visitors, and Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU will be the incredible completion of an important downtown intersection.

    render of lobby and entrance with seating in Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU

    Image credit: Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU

    “In the timeline of opening a new hotel, the reservation launch is not only welcomed, but an equally exciting milestone,” said Todd Gagnon, General Manager at Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU. “This hotel will bring elevated accommodations, gourmet dining options, and a meeting experience that is unrivalled in the community. Without question, this hotel will not only offer an exceptional hotel experience, but will continue to re-define Tempe as a vibrant, destination city.”

    wooden floor and rust carpet with rustic lighting shown in render of restaurant in Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU

    Image credit: Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU

    With four culinary outlets available to guests, each outlet will serve unique and locally inspired cuisine. From neighbourhood services that offers honest food and drink in the American tradition to Library Rules, Lobby Bar & Coffee Counter that evolves into a cocktail bar by night, to Salt & Gila Pool Bar with views of the Tempe skyline, there are food and beverage offerings available all day to satisfy every palate. Guests and Tempe locals will also enjoy expansive views from the Lucero Rooftop Bar that will feature indoor and outdoor covered space, and bold design elements that celebrate the Arizona cityscape. Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU will be a lifestyle hotel, reflective of its natural surroundings and the unique local culture of Arizona.

    Main image credit: Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU

    chair and cushion in Sekers fabric in mustard and teal from the Odisha Collection

    Live from HIX: new collections from Sekers

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Live from HIX: new collections from Sekers

    Sashaying past Stand 19 at HIX, you can’t help but be drawn in by the jewel tones and textures of the Odisha Collection by Sekers – we stopped off to dig deeper into these new collections and colourways…

    chair and cushion in Sekers fabric in mustard and teal from the Odisha Collection

    Sekers is throwing back the curtain to reveal new collections this week, showcasing both Odisha and Tynan as its standout new designs. Odisha is a collection of two beautiful textures available in a versatile palette including rich jewel tones and sophisticated neutrals. From sapphire blue to gold topaz, it is the perfect gem for upholstery and accessories.The AquaClean advanced nano technology helps protect the fabric against spills and stains without having to resort to specialist cleaning. The fabrics are also anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. Odisha is supplied with crib 5 flame retardant backing making it suitable for the hospitality, leisure and marine markets.

    A second new collection on display is Tynan, a wide width sheers range comprising of Areo & Yara. Both plain designs come in a selection of 16 colours each including soft browns, stylish neutrals and mint blue tones. Both fabrics are washable and meet the UK, USA & IMO standards which makes these beautiful plains perfect for the hospitality, leisure and marine markets.

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

    Main image credit: Sekers

    Tradition from Granorte in room with chair and flower

    A modern tradition from Granorte

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    A modern tradition from Granorte

    Bringing the unmistakable look of classic cork floor tiles, Tradition by Granorte – inspired by nature – features four striking new designs that we were desperate to get our hands on…

    Tradition from Granorte in room with chair and flower

    With archetypal looks such as Classic and Twist, as well as contemporary designs like Expression, Fineline and Canyon, Granorte’s Tradition floor tile collection is ideal for bringing the natural style of cork into commercial interior schemes. Now with the addition of Segment, Primus Black, Crust and Blend, Tradition has four new looks to bring cork’s unmistakable aesthetic.

    From the high-contrast bark-like formations of Primus Black to the concrete-like Crust and tiled effect of Segment, each design offers a unique and subtle take while retaining a natural cork look. Using agglomerated cork or a cork veneer mated to a high-density cork backing, they are made from 85% natural cork and are biodegradable and recyclable.

    As a flooring material, cork is an excellent option, offering walking, acoustic and thermal comfort because of its natural structure. Water-resistant, the natural finish tiles need sealing to provide maximum durability in use and to prevent staining.

    “Tradition remains close to the classic cork tile we’ve been making since 1973,” said Paulo Rocha from Granorte. “It’s a collection that references cork flooring’s long heritage and which retains a high natural cork content, but that also gives designers depth and versatility in the final look of their floor. For designers wanting to stay close to original cork flooring, Tradition is a great choice bringing cork’s unique natural look with the quality and consistency of modern production.”

    The Tradition collection is made in Portugal by Granorte, a family-run company that’s celebrating 50-years of innovation in cork.

    Granorte is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this  three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.

    Main image credit: Granorte

    Table lights designed by Northern Lights on display at HIX

    Live from HIX: versatile illumination from Northern Lights

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Live from HIX: versatile illumination from Northern Lights

    Northern Lights has launched a collection of new decorative lighting designs exclusively at HIX. The designs can be seen on Stand 45, and will be added to any already eclectic mix of made-to-order lighting within its luxury Signature Collection… 

    Table lights designed by Northern Lights on display at HIX

    From dramatic chandeliers and perfectly considered wall lights to cordless rechargeable lamps that can be moved around spaces with ease, each piece by Northern Lights has been curated to form a complete collection of versatile, timeless lighting to transform and elevate any hospitality space across unlimited design styles.

    Head of Creative and collection designer Donna Gridley brings her passion for art, sculpture and textures into the new AW22/23 Collection, and the team of master artisans work with with an impressive range of materials in these newly designed pieces. New designs demonstrate considered detailing in glass, metal and clay and new acid patinas. Hand sculptured and moulded ceramics feature unique textures and rich reactive glazes, whereas luxurious stone and alabaster offer an organic presence, as do the hand-turned wooden parts which can be finished in everything from Walnut to Wenge.
    Free blown and mould blown glass are also utilised, whilst fabricated metals are subjected to a wide variety of truly unique finishes, all applied and controlled in-house.

    The Reynard, Rathburn and Burlington collections celebrate the natural beauty of verdigris – a finish as unpredictable as the reactive glazes they use, and all the more covetable because of the uniqueness it brings to every piece. The Helios range of portable, rechargeable table lamps offer unlimited versatility, illuminating spaces without the usual constraints of wires and socket locations. The range was selected as a finalist in Best in British Product Design at The Brit List Awards 2022, and Northern Lights is showcasing more than ten completely new designs at HIX, including lights suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

    Suspended from the ceiling as a core focal point sits The Breuer – an impressive chandelier that instantly demands attention. Inspired by Brutalist architecture, this show-stopping piece with its raw, honest narrative displays layers of brass metal, specifically tiered to showcase the dramatic shapes, which are finished with alabaster strips. The metal is beautifully finished with hand-applied verdigris and illuminated with LEDs.

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

    Main image credit: Northern Lights

    Edmund Bell stand at HIX in London showcasing recycled fabric range

    Live from HIX: Edmund Bell reveals recycled ranges

     1024 667 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Live from HIX: Edmund Bell reveals recycled ranges

    Edmund Bell, supplier of fabrics and accessories to the commercial, institutional and domestic interiors markets, is on stand 48 at HIX showcasing their comprehensive range of fabrics along with two brand new products made from recycled materials…

    Edmund Bell stand at HIX in London showcasing recycled fabric range

    Humans use around 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute, and only 56 per cent of this is recycled. Edmund Bell is addressing this issue with the introduction of its REPREVE range. The fabrics are made using high-quality fibres woven from 100 per cent recycled materials, including post-consumer plastic bottles and pre-consumer waste. Using recycled instead of virgin polyester produces fewer carbon emissions and gives plastic bottles a second life, keeping them out of oceans and landfills. LINK and SWAY – two brand new sheers, are made using inherent FR recycled polyester REPREVE yarns – the world’s leading brand of recycled performance fibre.

    “The impact of our business and our products on the environment is extremely important to us and we are committed to working towards a sustainable future,” said Fiona Napier, Sales Director. “Part of that includes producing fabrics that are made using recycled materials, and also working alongside various associations and commitments to continue to improve our sustainability initiatives across the entire business.
    For example, Edmund Bell is a proud signatory of The Climate Pledge!”

    “We are working hard to ensure that we are doing everything we can across new product development and other business processes, to reach our sustainability and environmental goals,” said John Atherton, Group CEO. “Although we are proud of what we have achieved until now we recognise that we still have a long way to go to achieve our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040. With hard work and our dedicated “green Team” in place within the business we are looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

    fabric made from recycled plastic on the Edmund Bell stand at HIX

    Image credit: Edmund Bell

    Being part of The Climate Pledge further reinforces Edmund Bell’s commitment to sustainability and taking action to reduce its effects on the environment; working together to crack the climate crisis and solve the challenges of decarbonizing our economy. The company as a whole is working hard to ensure that it is doing everything it can across new product development and other business processes, to reach its sustainability and environmental goals.

    This includes:

    • Over 80 per cent of the product range is now recyclable, with the aim to increase this number year on year.
    • Rather than be sent to landfills, fabric waste is recycled and remade into other products used within the flooring industry.
    • Over 50 products certified to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX with more products being added. If a textile article carries the STANDARD 100 label, you can be certain that every component has been tested for harmful substances and that the article therefore is harmless in human ecological terms – this is applicable to all processing steps from yarn to finished product.

    Edmund Bell aims to be net-zero carbon by 2040 and develop even more new products that contain recycled content. .

    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

    Loop & Friends bathroom washbasins by Villeroy & Boch on stone counter with wooden stool in front of window and bamboo

    Live from HIX: Villeroy & Boch showcases key products

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Live from HIX: Villeroy & Boch showcases key products

    Round, oval, rectangular – good design speaks for itself, and on Stand 11 at HIX, Villeroy & Boch continue to deliver design statements in exceptional bathrooms. Here are three key products that do just that…

    Loop & Friends bathroom washbasins by Villeroy & Boch on stone counter with wooden stool in front of window and bamboo

    The new Loop & Friends washbasins by Villeroy & Boch, turn the washing area into a striking centrepiece. The main feature is the 3 x 3 x 3 concept: three shapes, three installation types, three colours. Whether oval, round or rectangular, the washbasins can be installed as a striking surface-mounted, classic built-in or a simple undercounter version. Their narrow rims and thin walls showcase their trendy “lightness” theme. This extraordinarily fine and delicate design is only possible because of TitanCeram, a material where the titanium oxide makes the ceramic extremely firm and stable. It is accompanied by high-quality details such as an optional ceramic outlet valve and an oblong overflow hole. Bold colours make way for creativity and personality: the washbasins are available in white as well as three plain matt colours. In the same range, the new Loop & Friends baths reflect the oval and rectangular shapes of the washbasins. The result is modern baths available in built-in or ‘back-to-wall’ versions with either an oval or rectangular inner tub.

    Theano freestanding bath by Villeroy & Boch in the new matt colour of Grey

    Image credit: Villeroy & Boch

    Warm grey shades are a top trend in modern bathrooms, and are making a strong statement on the Villeroy & Boch stand at HIX. The tones and shapes evoke images of natural materials such as stone and rocks, and create a relaxing atmosphere for daily bathing routines. Created by the designer Christian Haas, the Theano freestanding bath in the new matt colour of Grey almost appears to have been carved from stone. The sculptural statement piece breaks away from the traditional white look in bathrooms with a monumental effect inspired by nature.

    white universal twistflush toilet by Villeroy & boch in a dark grey bathroom with round mirror

    Image credit: Villeroy & Boch

    On a more practical note, we can happily report that annoying toilet brushes are a thing of the past!The revolutionary TwistFlush toilet flushing system combines exceptionally clean and hygienic flush performance with extremely efficient use of water. The secret – the patent-pending TwistFlush technology which uses the physical force of a controlled water vortex, which flushes almost all of the inside of the toilet bowl while carrying waste away. In turn TwistFlush uses the flush water much more efficiently and saves precious water every time the flush is activated making good on its claim for ‘more power, less water’.

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

    Main image credit: Villeroy & Boch

     

    Zimmer + Rohde City Vibes fabric collection moodboard from HIX 2022

    Live from HIX: introducing City Vibes from Zimmer + Rohde

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Live from HIX: introducing City Vibes from Zimmer + Rohde

    If you find yourself on the gallery at HIX, stop by at stand U7 to discover the new Zimmer + Rohde collections, where the colours and textures of ‘City Vibes’ caught our eye, and the innovative material and manufacturing techniques caught our attention…

    Zimmer + Rohde City Vibes fabric collection moodboard from HIX 2022

    One of the most exciting aspects of urban living is the almost limitless possibilities that are available to everyone, whether permanent residents or visitors stopping by for a weekend or on a business trip to soak up the pulsating atmosphere of a metropolis. The concentration of different lifestyles, cultural influences and art forms continually inspires the creation of new and surprising ideas for collective life in the city.Interiors blossom into creative collages; private spaces open up to reveal vivid personal portraits of the people living in them. Public spaces such as hotels, restaurants and bars can reference their immediate surroundings to imbue the interior setting with a distinctive identity –a sense of place – creating a welcoming feel of home. Both expressiveness and functionality are equally important.

    The new Zimmer + Rohde collection does justice to this sophisticated mix of extremely diverse expectations by valuing the creativity of artists and artisans and emphasising new features by using innovative material and manufacturing techniques. City Vibes boasts a casual, natural look with a focus on the greatest range of applications possible. With names like ‘Hyde Park’ and ‘Times Square’, the collection clearly references its point of inspiration.

    A photo showcase for the collection was held in an apartment once owned by Auguste Perret, one of the pioneering architects and city planners of the twentieth century. This architectural jewel in the heart of Paris dating from 1934 is the perfect backdrop for these expressive textile personalities. The influence of this gorgeous, timeless mid-century style, which is inherent in some of our new designs, is exquisitely highlighted by the interplay of incredibly modernist architectural elements. Functionality and elegance combine to create a harmonious balance in this interior, which remains unchanged to this day – an homage to what excellent design can achieve and embody.

    > Since you’re here, why not read our roundtable on biophilic design in textiles?

    Zimmer + Rohde 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: Zimmer + Rohde

    In conversation with: Christian Sieger, CEO at sieger design

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    In conversation with: Christian Sieger, CEO at sieger design

    Having been charged with the task of presenting the Rising Star Award at  The Brit List Awards 2022, Christian Sieger found time in his London schedule to sit down with us to chat about all things design and wellness, giving writer Pauline Brettell the opportunity to find out more about the driving force behind, and the direction in front of the seiger design brand…

    The name ‘sieger design’ is no marketing idea – behind it today are Michael and Christian Sieger, linked by both professional and family ties. The brothers complement each other perfectly, with each one playing their own individual role as they drive the brand forward on a well-designed track of excellence and innovation. While Christian Sieger’s role in the company is focused on marketing, he shares his brother’s exacting design standards and understanding, having been integral to the process that has seen sieger design creating icons for the sanitary area and continually challenging and reshaping the industry with pioneering designs.

    Christian and Michael Sieger from sieger design at the table in the sieger design studio

    Image credit: sieger design

    Since the beginning of the 1980s, the studio has innovated numerous product types – from the first designer bathroom fittings and holistic bathroom series to large overhead rain-shower spray systems and scenario-controlled showers. We kicked off the conversation by asking about this focus on the bathroom.

    Pauline Brettell: The sieger history is rooted in bathroom design. While you have expanded the design remit, is bathroom design still at the core of the studio?

    Christian Sieger: Yes, it is! We have been constantly active for Dornbracht, Alape and Duravit for more than 35 years now. Furthermore, bathroom architecture has become very important for us. For example, we create solutions for small size premium spas, for semi-public toilet facilities or hotel bathrooms. For me, the bathroom is on of the rooms that defines my day, so to sharpen the focus on bathroom design makes perfect sense.

    PB: Picking up on the concept of bathroom architecture, last year at HIX, the conversation was about the Re-Charge Spa concept/design – has this moved forward over the course of a year?

    CS: The Re-Charge Spa concept was about developing a multifunctional space with a high level of design and quality in a very compact space – we have detailed the room slightly further and are in touch with hotels from Portugal to realise some sample Re-Charge spa suits.

    PB: The SSPS® (Small Size Premium Spa) project is another clear response and solution to the intense focus on wellness in hospitality – can you tell us a bit more about that.

    CS: The SSPS suite is all about bringing together numerous treatment possibilities in the smallest of space giving guests the option of relaxing directly in the room, in a private personalised spa. Hotels are having to be innovative moving forward on wellness offerings and the SSPS® is an exciting solution!

    The SSPS (Small Size Premium Spa) project by sieger design for hotel rooms

    Image credit: sieger design

    PB: How does your work with Dornbracht tie into concepts like Re-charge and SSPS?

    CS: For almost 20 years we have dedicated a lot of attention to the water experience – especially in the shower! From innovating a rain sky with natural drops beyond a horizontal shower to create new experiences to installations like the massage nozzles WaterFan or WaterCurve, wellness and promoting health has been a special focus of our work. These are all concepts that have been developed into products to enhance the overall wellness and health concepts within designs.

    PB: The CYO fitting design for Dornbracht has won several design awards. Could you tell us a bit about the inspiration and process behind this design?

    CS: It roots back to a design from 1969, a time with highly sophisticated design objects. Michael came up with a reminiscent to this design in a very up-to-date interpretation, with a contemporary level of precision and perfection and a new sculptural quality. With its iconographic C spout, CYO brings an archetypal formal language into here and now. And the product concept includes new possibilities for individualisation, for example with a selection of finishes and a multifaceted inlay concept for the handle elements. They make CYO a bold product to create and influence bathroom architecture, meaning that architecture may be developed around the tap, dedicated to the design DNA of CYO.

    PB: What are the most fundamental changes to bathroom design – in your opinion – that we are seeing in hospitality and in the home?

    CS: In hospitality, guests enjoy more functions and treatments in the privacy of their room, a spacious shower – ideally combined with a steam shower. With this they can find relaxation directly in their rooms at any time of the day.

    In the private bathroom, we see more natural materials and less tiles, more water options in the shower for men and women, more daylight, more access to nature, all in a more recharging atmosphere.

    PB: How collaborative are your projects in the studio – and are there cross pollination of ideas across the disciplines?

    CS: It always depends on the project, but surely, between my brother Michael, who’s the designer, and me as the marketing director, there are constant discussions going on – as well as across the teams: industrial design, architecture, communication. In our studio, about 35 employees pool together expertise from a variety of disciplines. And our partners thus benefit from this creativity and consultancy.

    PB: What is your favourite part of the process?

    CS: For Michael – the creative mind – coming up with new ideas with ambitious goals for new products is most challenging and demanding. For me, it’s the official launch of a new concept or a new collection at an event or fair, being able to present the products personally and seeing the reactions of customers and press.

    HD: From bees to the big five the sieger brand appears to be driven by a clear set of values. Do you have a personal passion project?

    CS: On the one side, our tabletop brand is a special passion for me, bringing family and friends together, getting connected by a shared meal or just enjoying these special moments together. It’s our aim to enrich people’s daily lives or what we like to call ‘the good life’. On the other side, as part of our Dornbracht collaboration, we create awareness for bathrooms and its important role for enhanced quality of life globally. We have been driving major trends in the industry and our partnership makes me see various cultures around the world.

    PB: And finally, any exciting new projects on the horizon you can share with us?

    CS: Oh yes – it is all about eating and dining and the crucial process of preparing good food. Making sure, people will interact with their kitchen in a more natural way.

    Main image credit: sieger designs

    Hypnos mattress on a bed - Chillington

    Live from HIX: sustainable luxury from Hypnos

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Live from HIX: sustainable luxury from Hypnos

    Sharing its latest innovation in the realm of sustainable luxury, Hypnos Contract Beds is on Stand 28 at HIX showcasing the Woolsleepers Pillow Top mattress…

    Hypnos mattress on a bed - Chillington

    Taking pride of place on the Hypnos stand at HIX is the Woolsleepers Pillow Top mattress. The ultimate in comfort and sustainability, the breathable, antibacterial mattress boasts a built-in pillow top layer made with 100 per cent British wool sourced from Red Tractor assured farms, alongside a fully traceable supply chain. Requiring no turning, the mattress brings practicality for busy hoteliers, with Zip and Link making the change between one super king and two singles effortless.

    In addition, with hoteliers now considering sustainability every step of the way, the 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 collection 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.

    dark grey walls with luxurious grey bed with Hypnos Woolsleeper Elite mattress

    Image credit: Hypnos

    To encourage important debate within the hospitality and interior design industry, Hypnos has also launched ‘Hotel Hypnos’, a series of engaging conversations with leading industry experts, sharing their expert advice. Hosted on the Hypnos website, Hotel Hypnos will touch upon topics including the future of interior design within hotels, how hotels can adapt their marketing output to appeal to a more eco-conscious guest, how the customer experience is evolving and how the industry should react.

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

    Main image credit: Hypnos

    GROHE Allure basin mixer in chrome

    Live from HIX: spa-inspiration from GROHE

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Live from HIX: spa-inspiration from GROHE

    GROHE has returned to HIX this year with a particular focus on spa bathroom design concepts, inviting guests to immerse in the serene ambience of its spa-inspired room set on Stand 5 as part of a new premium spa and wellness-focus…

    GROHE Allure basin mixer in chrome

    This year at HIX, GROHE’s messaging is all around wellness, pleasure, and relaxation with its stand created with re-envisioned designs of the popular Allure brassware and the Atrio range, alongside its industry leading ICON 3D collection which consists of uniquely innovative 3D printed taps.

    GROHE Atrio Icon 3D

    Image credit: GROHE

    “We’re delighted to be returning to HIX this year, following last year’s triumphant debut show” said Ebru Bircan, Leader, Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL EMENA and GROHE UK. “This year we are be highlighting our premium product ranges, with emphasis on bathroom design concepts that evoke wellbeing, sanctuary, and relaxation. Concepts that provide an escapism and a place of refuge are crucial within the industry, and we’re continuing to create this immersive narrative within the hotel bathroom around wellness and health through water, providing innovative designs for a bespoke experience”.

    Making sure that HIX is not ‘all work and no play’, and continuing the theme of relaxation, elsewhere on the stand GROHE has a lounge area for guests to enjoy. If you get your timing right you can get there in time for the barista created complimentary hot drinks, followed by a mixologist in the evening serving cocktails and alcoholic beverages.

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

    Main image credit: GROHE

    Ligne Roset sample room for Novotel designed by RF Studio

    Live from HIX: inside the new Novotel hotel concept with Ligne Roset

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Live from HIX: inside the new Novotel hotel concept with Ligne Roset

    Ligne Roset has collaborated with Novotel and designers Damien Perrot and Ramy Fischler to usher in a new era of design for the hospitality brand with sustainability at its heart. The designs are being showcased at HIX on the Ligne Roset Stand 18. In addition editor Hamish Kilburn will be hosting an exclusive conversation with the designers within the stand…

    Ligne Roset sample room for Novotel designed by RF Studio

    Novotel has teamed up with Belgian designer Ramy Fischler, through his design studio RF Studio, and Ligne Roset as manufacturers, to bring to life one of the winning Novotel Hotel concepts which will allow the brand to 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.

    With the bespoke manufacturing knowledge of Ligne Roset Contract, sustainability has been considered throughout this guestroom concept. Designed and manufactured to last over a long period of time with removable covers used to limit the overconsumption of furniture and to allow for easier future renovations. 100 per cent recycled polyester has been used for the fabrics and the furniture items have all been made from PEFC and EUTR certified particleboard. The wardrobe, mini bar and stool have all been made from 100 per cent recycled materials. The occasional and bedside table bases have been made from cork.

    detail of bedroom design for Novotel by Ligne Roset

    Image credit: Ligne Roset / Thierry Sauvage

    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 bedroom 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, which has already been implemented in Paris and is soon to be unveiled in other Novotel properties, 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 Fischler, are part of the Ligne Roset collection and can also be included.

    In addition to being able to experience the concept on the Ligne Roset Contract stand at HIX, Editor Hamish Kilburn will be putting both Fischler and Accor’s Damien Perrot under the spotlight – on stand 18 at 16:00 on November 17 – to discuss the design and the concept in depth.

    Ligne Roset 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: RF Studio

    statement black freestanding bath by GRAFF Designs

    Live from HIX: GRAFF makes its UK exhibition debut

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Live from HIX: GRAFF makes its UK exhibition debut

    Luxury bathroom brand GRAFF will showcase its extensive product portfolio and wider brand story for the first time at HIX 2022 – Pauline Brettell headed over to stand U10 to get inspired and discover the Art of Bath…

    statement black freestanding bath by GRAFF Designs

    GRAFF manufactures brassware products that inspire and enhance everyday experiences through sophisticated style, luxury living and timeless design. The bathroom brand’s products mix design with performance, launching products that add artistic flair in wellness spaces.

    GRAFF Designs moodboard for HIX

    Image credit: GRAFF

    “We are delighted to be showcasing for the first time at HIX 2022,” said Ziggy Kulig, CEO of GRAFF. ” The show, bringing together the best in hospitality, is the perfect platform for us to showcase what we can offer as a major player in the brassware sector. Our stand will showcase how our products can transform the guest experience, both in terms of wellness, customisation and experience.”

    Taking pride of place on the stand are GRAFF’s state-of-the-art ranges Luna, Vintage, MOD+ and Artemis, all be on display. Alongside working water rigs, visitors are able to fully immerse themselves in the unparalleled experiences with water GRAFF products provided.

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

    Main image credit: GRAFF Designs

    S shaped lavender sofa with statement overhead circualr lighting feature in the lobby of Mandarin Oriental Palace Luzern with interiors by Jestico + Whiles

    New images from inside Mandarin Oriental Palace Luzern

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    New images from inside Mandarin Oriental Palace Luzern

    Jestico + Whiles has completed the interior revamp for Mandarin Oriental’s grande-dame Palace Luzern – the completion of the project on the banks of Lake Luzern marks the London-based Jestico + Whiles’ third hotel in Switzerland. We stepped inside for a closer look… 

    S shaped lavender sofa with statement overhead circualr lighting feature in the lobby of Mandarin Oriental Palace Luzern with interiors by Jestico + Whiles

    Marking 116 years since the the historic hotel welcomed its first guests, Jestico + Whiles has sensitively reimagined the vision of eccentric Swiss hotelier Franz Josef Bucher, remixing faded Art Deco grandeur with fresh and spirited interior design elements. One of the last grand-dames’ in central Switzerland, the Mandarin Oriental Palace Luzerns’ prominent location on the banks of the lake provides a magnificent backdrop to the design studios, newly envisioned guestrooms, spa, restaurants, arrival lobby and outdoor terraces.

    Working alongside local heritage specialist Iwan Bühler Architects, decorative features have been faithfully restored, including scagliola columns, chequerboard marble flooring and stucco-adorned walls. The hotel’s original colour palette, inspired by Bucher’s travels across the Mediterranean, has emerged from beneath layers of past alterations. Terracotta, rich greens and chalk whites are incorporated into the newly renovated interiors, as palm and lily motifs nod to the stylised botanicals of the Art Deco era. By stitching new into old, uniting the traditional with the contemporary, the venerable Palace is ushered into a new era as a Mandarin Oriental.

    lobby and reception at Mandarin Oriental Luzern with timber-lined arched doorways, curved sculptural seating, walnut joinery, and terrazzo flooring

    Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald

    The arrival experience has been wholly reimagined. An extraordinary vaulted axial corridor forms an internal arcade, connecting the hotel entrance directly to the tree-lined promenade and lake beyond. Inside the spacious lobby, guests encounter timber-lined arched doorways, curved sculptural seating, walnut joinery, and crisp terrazzo flooring.

    chequerboard black and white floor in F&B space in Mandarin Oriental Luzern with wooden chairs and bar detail

    Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald

    Four distinctively designed restaurants and bars provide the perfect setting for the hotel’s guests to linger over a coffee in the morning or aperitif in the evening, creating an atmosphere of understated opulence for a modern age. In the hotel’s brasserie, an elliptical reeded bronze bar sits prominently between the original burnt umber scagliola columns, framing the spectacular view across Lake Luzern that greeted tourists a century ago. Mossy greens are set against rich walnuts and shimmering brass accents, evoking the lushness of the Swiss countryside and the surrounding mountains.

    guestroom by Jestico + While in Mandarin Oriental Luzern in a palette of green, coral and wood alongside contemporary furniture design

    Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald

    Each of the 136 unique guestrooms has been designed to complement the extraordinary landscape outside, composing a serene interior palette of muted pistachio, natural oak and dusky coral. The dialogue between old and new is embraced, introducing a minimal orbital brass chandelier alongside traditionally detailed ceiling mouldings and wall panelling. Heritage details such as the sensitively restored window frames are contrasted with a sleek furniture collection crafted by Italian family-run business Molteni, and tapered wall lamps emit soft ambient light. Characterful oak parquet is paired with ombre Tisca rugs woven in Switzerland, bringing warmth and texture underfoot.

    guestroom in Mandarin Oriental Luzern in lavender and blue with circular light and doors opening to terrace and overlooking the lake

    Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald

    Situated beneath the hotel’s verdigris copper tower, the Presidential Suite has panoramic views across the characterful cityscape as well as Lake Lucerne and the snow-capped peaks beyond. Water, birds and abundant nature have inspired the details that grace this special suite. The unique oval shape of the salon has been created as the centrepiece of this magnificent suite, with all decorative elements flowing from that geometry: fluted timber walls, contemporary wooden mosaic floor and a modern plaster ceiling rose that echoes the rippling of water. A deconstructed chandelier, made in a delicate swirl of hand-blown glass, is inspired by fluttering leaves and flocks of birds. The theme continues in the hand-tufted rug that mimics the pattern of densely packed feathers on the wing of a swan. Although the ambience is fresh and modern, contrasting pops of jewel-toned velvet curved sofas and striking green Irish marble bring grandeur and boldness. Specially selected artworks reinforce the colour story and connection to the lake and its wildlife.

    black and white bathroom with double basin and marble surfaces in Mandarin Oriental Luzern

    Image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald

    The rest of the suite is enveloped in soothing tones of walnut and timber joinery that create a sense of warmth and intimacy that flows throughout. Hand-selected marbles, smoked oak parquet, lustrous plaster and antiqued brass highlights lend a sumptuous mood. Gracious curves appear in furniture pieces, mirrors, and objects. Unique details like wood mosaic inlays and starburst veneer entrance doors, have been crafted by Swiss artisans. A hand-painted mural inspired by the lakeside setting was commissioned for the bedroom, with its burnished leaves and periwinkle petals by Johina Garcia Concheso, who also created work for the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid.

    “It has been a joy to build on our Swiss presence through this partnership with Mandarin Oriental. We have been incredibly honoured to be part of the team transforming this extraordinary building into the orbit of its second century, ” said James Dilley, Director at Jestico + Whiles. “We wanted the guests to feel immersed in a dialogue between old and new, welcoming them into a fresh new chapter in the palace’s long history. Every design decision was made to create a harmonious atmosphere of understated opulence, that wouldn’t diminish the magnificent view towards Lake Luzern and the snow-capped peaks beyond.”

    Hand carved from Tuscan marble, Jestico + Whiles have designed a tranquil series of arched spaces to house the hotel’s new spa, featuring sauna, steam bath, experiential showers, treatment rooms and fitness salon. Dramatic Cipollini marble, cool Carrara and dark grey granite, hand selected in Italy and sculpted by expert local craftsmen, compliment a tactile palette of polished plaster, cast glass and bronze.

    Main image credit: Jestico+Whiles / James McDonald

    white on white bathroom with freestanding bath and fittings from Ideal Standard

    UK Bathroom Warehouse partners with Ideal Standard

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    UK Bathroom Warehouse partners with Ideal Standard

    Ideal Standard has strengthened its relationship with UK Bathroom Warehouse, and the partnership will see UK Bathroom Warehouse become a flagship showroom and one of only a handful of locations in the UK to host Ideal Standard’s premium Atelier Collections…

    white on white bathroom with freestanding bath and fittings from Ideal Standard

    Ideal Standard’s premium Atelier Collections is a range of expertly designed bathroom products from renowned Italian design studio, Palombi Serafini + Associati (PS+A). Launched in 2021, the Atelier Collections are inspired by Ideal Standard’s rich design heritage, combining aesthetics and design philosophies of the past with modern aesthetics and technology. The result is an exciting collection of new statement pieces for the contemporary bathroom, including an exclusive range of ceramics, brassware and furniture – from the clean, pure lines of the Linda-X range, to the statuesque Tipo-Z basin and the geometrically inspired Conca collections.

    conca washbasin and fittings from Ideal Standard

    Image credit: Ideal Standard

    “We’ve worked closely with UK Bathroom Warehouse to provide customers with the highest quality in bathroom products for the past four years, and the launch of these new flagship showrooms is an extension and strengthening of that partnership,” said Adam Evans, Channel Director (Retail) at Ideal Standard UK. “We’re looking forward to joining UK Bathroom Warehouse in welcoming architects, designers and consumers to the launch event in Oxford and providing the chance for guests to immersive themselves in our design-led ranges.”

    “We’ve developed a great relationship with Ideal Standard since we began working with them and this launch event for the Atelier Collections showcases that partnership perfectly,” added Steve Freeland, Showroom Director, at UK Bathroom Warehouse. “It’s a great opportunity for guests to visit the Oxford showroom on the 23rd November and get their hands on the fantastic new pieces in the Atelier Collections as we continue to work with Ideal Standard to give our customers the best possible options.”

    The bold designs of the Atelier Collections work in harmony with pieces from across Ideal Standard’s ranges through the Singular philosophy – an innovative approach to specification, enabling customers, designers, and specifiers to easily combine products from across the manufacturer’s offering to create unique designs for their space.

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

    Main image credit: Ideal Standard

    Close up of decorative MDF

    An instant finish with decorative MDF with UNILIN Panels

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    An instant finish with decorative MDF with UNILIN Panels

    Decorative MDF from UNILIN Panels are ready-to-use, pre-finished wood fibre panels that give an instant and affordable decorative finish in a wide range of applications…

    Close up of decorative MDF

    Ready-to-use panels that let you put a great design together quickly and affordably, decorative MDF from UNILIN Panels are suitable for general interior use including furniture, wallcoverings, cupboards, stand constructions and displays.

    Coming in five striking looks that give any project a premium look that belies its cost-effective nature, decorative MDF Panels also deliver impressive durability for a design that stands the test of time. Moisture-resistant, stain-resistant, exceptionally scratch-resistant and easy to maintain, they can be used immediately, with or without edging tape, for a high quality look in a fuss-free finish.

    Every decorative MDF panel features a strong coloured core combined with a high-tech lacquer coating available in varying transparency and gloss levels. UNILIN Panels brings a unique look that remains faithful to the materials used in its construction:

    • Original black Super Matt is a black MDF with an anti-fingerprint and soft touch lacquer
    • Original black Satin is a black MDF with a subtle silk gloss lacquer
    • Original black High Gloss is a black MDF with a mirror effect from its high-gloss finish
    • Meteor grey Super Matt is a pale grey MDF with an anti-fingerprint and soft touch lacquer
    • Mercury grey Super Matt is a dark grey MDF with an anti-fingerprint and soft touch lacquer

    The decorative MDF panels are finished on both sides and can be sawn, drilled and milled without chipping of the lacquer, making a versatile solution for general interior applications. The panels come in 18mm and 19mm thickness at a 1220 x 3050mm sheet size.

    Bart Catteeuw, product manager, UNILIN Panels, says: “Decorative MDF panels perform brilliantly in all respects and with a strong coloured core and a lacquer coating of incomparable quality, there’s no more fiddling around with manual finishing. You can use them almost anywhere and panels with the Super Matt and Satin finishes can also be used horizontally – except for worktops.”

    > Since you’re here, why not read about masterful oak from UNILIN Panels?

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

    Main image credit: Unilin Panels

    Concrete outdoor tiles in cafe

    Outdoor tiles with style: introducing Vistascape from Parkside

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Outdoor tiles with style: introducing Vistascape from Parkside

    Vistascape are the new outdoor tiles exclusively from Parkside…

    Concrete outdoor tiles in cafe

    With a range outdoor-ready wall and floor tile collections, as well as technical accessories designed to withstand the rigours of all-weather use, Vistascape is the new outdoor tile brand exclusively available from Parkside.

    For landscape architects, designers and contractors working on outdoor commercial and residential projects, Vistascape makes it easy to find a tiling solution that will deliver durability in all-weathers. Not only tiles, but outdoor Easy Joint and ProScape grouts, fabricated metal treads and strips, trims and pedestals; this is a solution for creating beautiful outdoor spaces.

    Outdoor tile from Parkside

    Image credit: Parkside

    Vista is Vistacape’s core collection, providing 36+ PTV frost and UV-resistant floor and wall tiles in a range of effects and specifications. With marble, stone, terrazzo, wood, concrete and slate effect finishes, Vista is exceptionally versatile vitrified porcelain range. Several options within Vista are also available in a specification for indoor use, ideal for a connection between inside and outdoor areas.

    With up to 40 per cent recycled content, Dawson has the same weather and UV-resistance, its concrete effect bringing a modern and clean look to outdoor areas. Available in sizes up to 1,200 x 2,400mm, the collection also comes in an indoor specification.

    In a range of four natural wood colours in plank and herringbone formats, Lusaka is the Vistascape collection for creating an exclusive spa-like feel in outdoor areas. With special relief reader technology, Lusaka achieves the perfect balance between colour, pattern, gloss and texture for a tile that looks and feels more like wood. Again, the porcelain tile is frost and UV resistant and comes in a coordinating indoor specification.

    These tile collections are joined by high-quality installation products including the Easy Joint brush-in grout and resin-coated ProScape grout that can be jet washed without degradation. Outdoor trims and flat head and slope corrector adjustable pedestals are also available. And with custom fabricated pieces, even the most durable and hardwearing outdoor porcelain tiles can be finished beautifully.

    > Since you’re here, why not read about Boston from Parkside? 

    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.

    Main image credit: Parkside

    render of Nobu by the Beach at dusk with path leading down between swimming pool

    Nobu by the Beach to open at Atlantis The Royal

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Nobu by the Beach to open at Atlantis The Royal

    Building on Nobu’s prodigious success at Atlantis, The Palm, the hospitality heavyweights will continue their prosperous partnership by launching Nobu by the Beach – Nobu’s debut pool and beach club concept that is slated to open in Q1,2023. Here’s what we know…

    render of Nobu by the Beach at dusk with path leading down between swimming pool

    Located at the world’s most anticipated ultra-luxury experiential resort Atlantis The Royal, Nobu by the Beach is set to change the face of Dubai’s beach and pool club scene when it opens in Q1, 2023. Blending modern cool luxury and minimalistic Japanese traditions into a one-of-a-kind pool and beach club experience, Nobu by the Beach is slated to become the city’s most stylish location to see and be seen.

    With its enviable oceanfront location and sweeping views of the Palm Island and Dubai skyline, Nobu by the Beach will feature a lagoon pool, a Nobu restaurant and an expansive outdoor bar and terrace overlooking the ocean. With a live DJ providing a seductive deep house soundtrack, guests are invited to relax on stylishly appointed day beds or upgrade their visit to one of Nobu’s luxury air-conditioned cabanas, two of which feature their own private plunge pools overlooking the Arabian ocean.

    “Nobu Hospitality is an incredibly valued partner for the Atlantis brand. Having opened at the resort in 2008, the brand has established itself consistently as the authority on Japanese cuisine in Dubai and we look forward to evolving this offering into a pool and beach club experience,” commented Timothy Kelly, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Atlantis Resorts and Residences. “As the leading culinary and entertainment destination in Dubai, Nobu by the Beach at Atlantis The Royal will be a simply unrivalled pool and beach experience and we look forward to unveiling this incredible experience to our guests and visitors in 2023”.

    render of Nobu by the Beach across pool

    Image credit: Nobu Hospitality

    Exuding the Nobu level of hospitality the brand is known and loved for around the world, the Nobu by the Beach experience embodies style and luxury from the moment of arrival. All guests are treated to an array of luxury amenities on rotation, including Nobu popsicles, fruit ceviche, monaka and mochi ice cream, and ultrasonic jewellery and sunglasses cleaning. Guests with a reservation for one of Nobu’s luxury daybeds or cabanas can expect a curated array of exclusively designed amenities, including a Nobu branded beach bag, hat, fan and water bottle, as well as a Nobu toiletry bag with travel size-skin care. Exclusive VIP experiences also include in-cabana spa services and floating food and beverage.

    The menu at Nobu by the Beach is inspired by Nobu’s universally beloved Japanese Peruvian cuisine served with a bitesize twist. With a focus on sharing and lighter bites, along with some mouthwatering updates, guests can expect bento boxes, sandwiches and bitesize black cod and tacos. Guests dining at the restaurant can also enjoy a live Robatayaki counter, literally translating to ‘fireside cooking,’ featuring a fresh fish and meat display, as well as charcoal grilled skewers.

    “We knew we wanted to continue growing in the hospitality scene and after Nobu Dubai’s huge success at Atlantis, The Palm we were very excited to continue expanding within the destination,” said Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. “Nobu by the Beach is an exciting new concept that we created to offer guests somewhere to relax and enjoy their Nobu experience for longer than just a meal, in a beautiful, casual setting.”

    The curated cocktail program at Nobu by the Beach is unlike any other beach and pool club in Dubai. Designed to break away and reinvent the traditional and innovative techniques, Nobu by the Beach’s styles of service and, most importantly, balanced flavours combine with traditional Japanese and Peruvian ingredients create refreshing and easy to drink cocktails.

    Designed by the international multi-award-winning GA Group, Nobu by the Beach draws inspiration from Japanese architecture and the oceanfront location to evoke a contemporary Japanese beach house with an intimate indoor restaurant and sushi bar. The free-flowing plan provides a sequence of dining areas, embodying timeless simplicity comprising warm woods, teak concrete and glass. Glass sliding doors fuse the dining room onto an expansive terrace and cocktail bar, which juts out towards the ocean. The interior is subtly Japanese in its horizontality and finely crafted joinery. There is no ornament: everything depends on the natural beauty of the materials and the simple furnishings.

    At the helm of Nobu by the Beach is Chef de Cuisine, Belkacem Boubekeur. With more than 20 years of international experience and having worked at Nobu since 2018 in both Monte Carlo and at Atlantis, The Palm, Chef Boubekeur will lead the kitchen at Nobu by the Beach, working alongside Executive Chef Damien Duviau on menu development.

    Main image credit: Nobu Hospitality

    eclectic mix of art on the wall of restaurant in Horwood House hotel behind leather banquette seating

    Horwood House Hotel: a design transformation

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Horwood House Hotel: a design transformation

    Informed by tradition, enriched by materiality, and inspired by contemporary life; architecture and interior design studio Ica Studio have transformed the Grade II listed Horwood House Hotel. We stepped inside the reimagined interior…

    eclectic mix of art on the wall of restaurant in Horwood House hotel behind leather banquette seating

    Set in 38 acres of beautiful English grounds in Buckinghamshire, Horwood House Hotel is a characterful grade-II listed Manor house hotel built in 1911 by famous architect Detmar Blow. The property has a rich history stretching across many centuries and was built on the grounds of  former farmhouse, Old Horwood. However, the building is best known as being the birthplace of the famous gardener, Percy Thrower. The house, lily pond and Pytheas Gardens provide a truly stunning backdrop and were a source of design inspiration for the new interior scheme within the Manor’s refurbishment.

    grey banquette and ottoman seating in period bay window at Horwood House by Ica studio

    Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica

    Ica Studio was appointed by ZIZ Properties to transform the public areas and guest rooms of this historic property. The transformation journey was spread across two years allowing the hotel to stay partially operational. The studio reimagined the original bricks and mortar into a new collection of guest-centred spaces while ensuring the building’s original distinctive features are not only retained but celebrated.

    original period wood panelled walls with view through to leather fronted bar designed by Ica Studio for Horwood House Hotel

    Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica

    “Ica Studio has delivered a transformational design for the hotel that has helped to reposition Horwood House as a luxury leisure destination,” said Karim Kassam, Founder, ZIZ Hospitality. “This was a primary objective when I appointed Ica Studio as the architects and interior designers for the project. From appointment to where we are today, they have worked exactly to the brief and the feedback so far is fantastic!”

    wooden beams and leather seating in public space at Horwood House Hotel

    Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica

    The design process required a delicate balance of blending the beautiful historic interiors with the more modern extension areas. The careful intervention ensured the listed areas meet both operational needs and comply with planning requirements. The more modern extension areas seamlessly continue the look and flow of the original Manor, while keeping the design appropriate within a more contemporary setting. The top-to-toe transformation of Horwood House consisted of the grade II listed Manor house, including suites, guest rooms, a reception, lounges, a function room and meeting rooms, private dining rooms and a new restaurant and bar along with the design of a new spa.

    The colour scheme channels opulence and tranquillity — light with subtle grey, green and gold accents – all underpinned by the carpet which has been custom-made by one of the finest producers in the UK, Oriental Weavers Hospitality. Walking into the Manor reveals a lounge — a grand yet intimate event space ideal for weddings and parties. Layered with rich textures of buttoned leather, paisley prints and textured velvets, the space evokes elegance and luxury and will be the backdrop of many happy occasions for years to come.

    Teaming up with leading lighting designers Imagine Global and Lightique, lighting installation throughout the hotel provides several focal points. Signature chandeliers have been carefully dotted in the Manor, inspired by the traditional 19th-century heritage lighting found in many stately homes. A statement piece hangs above the Manor’s feature staircase – this show stopping three-tier chandelier is made from steel with a plated finish and features smooth and ribbed glass tubes.

    guestroom at Horwood House hotel decorated in shades of grey by Ica with padded oversized headboard and patterned wallpaper

    Image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica

    Guests at Horwood House will get a chance to explore some intriguing aspects of the Manor’s history through specially commissioned artwork by Indigo Art. Giving nods to 1911, the year in which the Manor House as we know it today was built and the landmark events that mark the period, such as the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, along with the publication of ‘The Secret Garden’ and works by the celebrated poet, D.H. Lawrence.

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

    Main image credit: Horwood House Hotel / Ica

    curved roof at Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca_outdoor restaurant

    Radisson arrives in Cyprus

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Radisson arrives in Cyprus

    Set on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by idyllic beaches, Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca has opened its doors to offer the perfect island getaway…

    curved roof at Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca_outdoor restaurant

    The brand-new Radisson resort is located on Dhekelia Road, overlooking Larnaca Bay, just a short drive from the city, and provides all comforts and amenities for relaxation, leisure, business, or a combination of all three. Larnaca is Cyprus’s third-largest city on the south eastern coast of the island. A bustling beach destination during the summer when its palm-lined Finikoudes promenade, restaurants, cafés, and bars fill up with locals and tourists alike, Larnaca also has a busy modern downtown district, which juxtapose with traditional whitewashed houses in its historic quarter.

    “We are delighted to open Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca, our first resort in Cyprus and second hotel in the country,” said Yilmaz Yildirimlar, Area Senior Vice President at Radisson Hotel Group. “With our two successful openings earlier this year on the Greek islands of Skiathos and Mykonos, we are giving guests of Radisson Hotel Group an ever-greater choice of vacation destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

    guestroom in Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca

    Image credit: Radisson Hotels

    Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca shelters 202 comfortable guestrooms and suites, all with private balconies or terraces, many with views of the Mediterranean from the main building, while the resort’s annex building features rooms with swim-up pool access, as well as spacious suites ideal for families. All rooms come equipped with smart TVs and free, fast Wi-Fi.

    The resort offers private beach access with sun loungers reserved exclusively for hotel guests. The large main pool is the heart of the resort, adjacent to a separate children’s pool and outdoor playground. The full-service spa offers a variety of massages and treatments to revitalize, refresh, and pamper guests, as well as a beauty salon, a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, and a fitness centre with state-of-the-art cardio and weight-training equipment.

    exterior view of resort, beach and swimming pool at Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca

    Image credit: Radisson Hotels

    Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, including the international Crown Restaurant which serves breakfast and both à la carte or buffet options for lunch and dinner in a modern setting with touches of wood and marble. Filini Bar & Restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine with its diverse à la carte dinner menu, drinks, and cocktails to match the contemporary ambiance. On the ground floor of the resort, the modern and classy Lounge Bar offers international and local beverages, cocktails, and an exceptional cava selection, as well as a light à la carte menu with light dishes and sweet treats throughout the day. The Waves Beach Bar & Restaurant is the hotel’s seasonal beach bar open from April through October and serves international cuisine in a casual, relaxed beachside atmosphere. For guests wishing to dine in the privacy of their own room or suite, room service is available 24 hours a day.

    With two meeting rooms and a spacious ballroom, Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca is an ideal setting for conferences, social seaside events, and private functions for gala dinners up to 230 people, cocktail receptions up to 1,400 people, wedding ceremonies in the Princess Ballroom, or outdoor events in the beautiful gardens of the resort right by the beach.

    With the health and safety of guests and team members as its top priority, Radisson Beach Resort Larnaca is implementing the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program. The in-depth cleanliness and disinfection protocols were developed in partnership with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, and are designed to ensure guest safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out. The Safety Protocol is an integral part of Radisson Hotel Group’s Safety and Security program ensuring we always care for our guests and team members.

    Main image credit: Radisson Hotels

    designed on the edge of the cliff is the Rock Bar at Ayana Segara Bali

    AYANA Segara opens indoors-outdoor design scheme

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    AYANA Segara opens indoors-outdoor design scheme

    The new AYANA Segara hotel set within the AYANA Estate and designed by WATG, brings an indoor-outdoor concept and a contemporary twist to the brands legendary Balinese-inspired experience…

    designed on the edge of the cliff is the Rock Bar at Ayana Segara Bali

    The new 205 guestroom AYANA Segara Bali is the fourth property inside the 90 hectare integrated AYANA Estate luxury community at Jimbaran, taking the total to 980 villas, suites, and guestrooms. Designed by award-winning design firm WATG, the firm behind the design of AYANA properties in Bali and Komodo, the contemporary design hotel evokes a modern and simple aesthetic.

    On entering the hotel, guests are presented with interior design inspired by the Balinese tradition and culture. The Balinese-inspired interiors of the rooms and restaurants are designed by Yasuhiro Koichi, the founder of SPIN Design Studio who also designed the famed Rock Bar. Intricate wood carvings can be seen in the lobby of the hotel, to create a welcoming oasis of calm. A kamasan painting—a traditional painting from the village of Klungkung in Bali—can be seen within the ceiling taking guests to a virtual journey of Balinese epic wayang story. The identical kamasan painting can also be seen grace the ceiling of AYANA Resort Bali, uniquely linking both hotels, which provides unparalleled classic luxurious retreat.

    Ayana Segara Bali hotel lobby with traditional architectural features

    Image credit: AYANA

    The new AYANA Segara brings an indoor-outdoor concept that blends the spacious living areas of modern architecture with the expansive panoramic view of Jimbaran Bay and the Indian Ocean, the lush estate forest, and the sounds of nature. A place where the forest meets the ocean, the hotel brings an immersive experience to be harmonious with nature, a concept and guiding principle of AYANA inspired by the Balinese philosophy, Tri Hita Karana. A combination of building design, intricate Balinese-inspired traditional ornaments and the stellar view of the surroundings, AYANA Segara pays homage to its location and transports guests into a culmination of tranquil, comforting, and modern slow-living Bali luxury life.

    indoor outdoor view from the guestroom at AYANA Segara

    Image credit: AYANA

    Sheltering 205 modern and elegant guestrooms and suites, the guestrooms range from 58 to 65 square meters, and its four suites are about 93 square meters. Each room offers indoor-outdoor spaces with floor-to-ceiling framed windows that invite the cool breeze of the Indian Ocean, with private balconies or terraces complete with daybeds to immerse in the view. The contemporary design and modern lines of the room interiors are accentuated with rich materials, a celebration of the Balinese local craftsmanship. Each room has luxury living space, dining areas and a large walk-in wardrobe, while bathrooms are opulent and include oversized oval bathtubs and marble rain showers. In addition, there is a two bedroom Ocean View Suite for guests traveling in family-sized groups, combining two suites with a single entry and designated foyer for a total of 133 square meters of space. The suites offer the pinnacle of the AYANA Segara Bali experience with living and dining areas for six.

    AYANA Segara Bali has three restaurants ideal for guests and visitors to relax and entertain. Each dining destination is adorned with natural lighting and outdoor spaces for alfresco dining and offers a collection of culinary experiences and menus from many parts of the world. The dining experience start near the main pool, where Karang is situated. The 194-seat all-day dining restaurant offers a menu of Pan-Asian, local and western breakfast buffets and comfort tapas-style plates of Chinese and Italian cuisine. Karang comes with open dining spaces with a contemporary environment. It come with a bar that will double as the pool bar for day time and a full-service bar during lunch and dinner.

    The new Mediterranean restaurant, Medi, offers a wide variety of fresh salads, pasta and seafood. Guests can choose from the wine list highlighting the best Mediterranean white and red wines in Bali. It also features some exclusive wines from Italian and Spanish boutique vineyards. Situated at the top of AYANA Segara Bali, Luna is where to witness the most spectacular sunset. It offers contemporary dishes using fresh local ingredients available from AYANA Farm – a pure farm-to-table experience. The three new dining destinations at AYANA Segara Bali join the 19 existing venues, and bring the total number to 22 dining destinations to choose, including one of the world’s best hotel bars, Rock Bar, and the newly opened KISIK Lounge and Seafood Restaurant, making the estate a culinary destination in its own right.

    sunloungers at the Luna rooftop pool at AYANA Segara Bali

    Image credit: AYANA

    Vista is the new open-air function space situated above the AYANA Segara Bali, which provides guests with panoramic views of the pristine Jimbaran Bay area, suitable for elegant wedding receptions, and innovative MICE. The new space is in addition to the 15 other unique event and function spaces spread across the estate.

    “AYANA Segara Bali is bringing its charm to the curious-minded and young-at-heart travellers who are looking for a laidback luxury style of living, and inspire them to explore the unique experiences that AYANA Estate has to offer,” said Michi Sonoda, Executive Assistant Manager, Sales and Marketing of AYANA Hospitality. “As a microcosm of the island experience, AYANA Estate is a perfect starting point to explore Bali and a must-visit destination in its own right. AYANA Estate and its experiences is a sanctuary of wellbeing where peace, harmony, and happiness are nurtured, for our guests to come home renewed and refreshed.”

    exterior view of the hotel and main swimming pool in the centre at Segara Bali

    The indoor-outdoor concept of the hotel design is taken through its main pool with a unique design allowing guests to lounge and immerse in the view of the Indian ocean. The largest indoor-outdoor pool in Bali, AYANA Segara Main pool, is also suitable for lap swimming and exercise. Guests can also enjoy the rooftop pool at Luna Rooftop Bar or one of the total 14 swimming pools.

    The impressive 22,000 square meter destination spa, AYANA Spa, is one step away from AYANA Segara Bali. The professional wellness team of fitness trainer and health coach along with multi-faceted spa program offer guests the treatment to nurture and achieve their fitness goals. With over 53 treatment rooms, guests can opt for traditional Balinese massages and marine rituals, to the Nakatsuji Method, created by Japanese professional osteopath and anti-aging expert Tadashi Nakatsuji exclusively for AYANA Spa, which encourages full-body healing. For a once-in-a-lifetime spa experience, guests can choose Ocean Rituals at Spa on The Rocks, a treatment villa perched above the formation of rock along the coastline surrounded by the sparkling blue Indian Ocean. Also on offer is pure Thalassotherapy, the therapeutic use of seawater and marine products, at one of the world’s largest Aquatonic Seawater therapy pools to promote health, wellness, and beauty.

    Main image credit: AYANA

    Product watch: Organoid from Architextural

     1024 683 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Product watch: Organoid from Architextural

    With textured, organic design fast becoming sought after in the realm of surface decoration, the Organoid range from Architextural is perfect for bringing the outside in, and adding layers of interest to any room, whether it be a hotel, office, coffee shop or home…

    Launched earlier this year, the Avery Dennison Organoid is perfect for any business looking to improve the comfort and appearance of their interior space. The range, which provides a natural, eco-positive design solution, includes seven finishes, three of which are translucent films suitable for window application. The four solid films in the collection are Moss Bright Green, Moss Dark Green, Original Alpine Hay, and Mountain Hay and Marguerites. The three translucent films include Rose Petals, Sunflower Petals, and Skellett Leaves.

    “The Organoid range is a great natural hand-made alternative to wallpaper or wall art within a hotel environment,” said
    Lindsay Appleton, marketing manager at Achitextural, part of the William Smith Group 1832. “The addition of smell is a unique feature of the range, but the fact that the film is made entirely from natural materials is also incredibly important within the interior design industry. Sustainable solutions have never been more important. Organoid Natural Surfaces is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when doing just that.”

    The Organoid Natural Surfaces range is made from organic and regionally produced raw materials, often reusing ingredients that are a by-product of others, including things like alpine hay, sunflower petals and even real moss!

    Rather than processing the material through conventional production processes, these natural materials are mixed by hand with an ecological binding agent and pressed together onto a self-adhesive tape, resulting in a thin, compact film layer. The film is practically emissions-free and allergy tested, meaning it’s free from any subsequent ecological health concerns.

    Organoid Natural Surfaces have a robust durability of up to five years and are excellent for short to medium term applications. The film is suitable for application to a variety of challenging substrates such as smooth and slightly textured walls, plasterboard, chipboard, metal, concrete, furniture surfaces and many more.

    Hotel’s are perfectly placed to showcase the Organoid Natural Surfaces, offering guests a relaxing outdoor environment while enjoying the comforts of being indoors.

    > Since you’re here, why not read Architextural’s plea to ‘revamp over replace’?

    Architextural 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: Architextural

    Hamish Handing out The Brit List 2022

    Editor checks in: “The Brit List 2022 is served”

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Editor checks in: “The Brit List 2022 is served”

    Not so fast. Did you think The Brit List Awards 2022 was just a party to celebrate the nine individual award winners? Each year, to conclude a year-long campaign to find the true influencers leading the hotel design and hospitality scene, Hotel Designs publishes The Brit List, a publication that profiles the top 25 interior designers, architects and hoteliers. This year’s issue has hit the shelves, and Editor Hamish Kilburn explains why it’s worth a read…

    Hamish Handing out The Brit List 2022

    “What’s next? What’s new?”. In my Editor’s Letter in The Brit List 2022, I ask readers to start by shutting their eyes and repeating those words to form, if you like, the ‘heartbeat’ that keeps Hotel Designs alive. Two questions, which, said together often, form a kind pulse; constant surge of endless, unpredictable energy. Said out loud, they send a message to brand’s nervous system to stay alert.

    The answers – all different, of course, depending on who we speak to – can lead to fascinating discoveries and innovative (sometimes unimaginable) possibilities we never knew existed before technology opened the door (and our minds). And that’s the remarkable thing about this industry. Sometimes, the most impactful design and hospitality concepts – foreign to convention – go under the radar due to the sheer volume of projects completing around the world.

    For half a decade now, The Brit List has been about championing progressive thoughts and attitudes, while celebrating the individuals who are the true influencers behind meaningful change – answering effortlessly those two questions (what’s next? and what’s new?) with breathtaking solutions, to keep the tempo strong. 

    > “The Brit List 2022 is no exception. It contains the profiles of influential interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain.”

    Read the publication below to find out who, among this year’s shortlisted finalists, were profiled:

    This year’s nationwide campaign has not been short of stimulating design and heartening hospitality. It’s as if someone just opened the floodgates and in washed all these waves of ideas and stimulating concepts. But they’re not just renders on a page. They are being designed, taller, stronger and with a deeper sense of social and environmental awareness. Of their time, the projects scored in this year’s list include just the right amount of revolution to make them not only aspirational, forward-thinking and unconventional. But they are also, fundamentally, achievable, albeit through collaboration.

    The 84-page publication, The Brit List 2022, contains the profiles of influential interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain., was officially launched during the awards ceremony and following the shortlist being unveiled. Within the issue you can find the profiles of the top 25 interior designers, top 25 architects and top 25 hoteliers, in addition to engaging editorial features and interviews with the likes of British design icons Sue Timney, Kit Kemp and more.

    Each hotel referenced within the bios that you will read in this carefully curated edition of the publication has been born from extensive research and development into shifting traveller demands and future hospitality trends. From metaverse metropolis’ to breathing new life into heritage buildings, the visionaries profiled in this year’s publication are boldly, as well as sensitively, setting a new rhythm. The new question is whether or not you can maintain the pace. 

    > Since you’re here, why not see the official images from The Brit List Awards 2022?

    Main image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022

    Classic King - Bathroom InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping

    First look: inside InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    First look: inside InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping

    InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping has opened with interiors designed to elevate a new discovery of Chiang Mai’s heritage and Lanna culture…

    Classic King - Bathroom InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping

    As the first hotel to open as part of a strategic partnership between IHG Hotels & Resorts and Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real-estate group, Asset World Corporation (AWC), InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping is expected to open its doors in Summer 2023.

    A contemporary escape in the heart of Chiang Mai’s historic district, the hotel seamlessly blends tradition and modernity to offer a guest experience steeped in true luxury and imbued with a sense of discovery. To bring the stories of Chiang Mai’s artistic heritage to life, design team of PIA Interior Company Limited drew on the city’s Lanna heritage, resulting in spaces that are vibrant, layered and engaging.

    Classic King Bathroom City View into guestroom

    Image credit: IHG

    Surrounded by Chiang Mai’s iconic landscapes, InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping offers guests connectivity to nature while cocooning them into an inviting scenery that provides a sense of resort in the city. Thanks to the hotel’s central location, travellers will find a host of iconic landmarks right on their doorstep, including Chiang Mai’s walking streets, the buzzing night bazaar and the historic Tha-Pae Gate dating back to the 13th century.

    Premium King - Guest Room Premium King - Bath in InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping

    Image credit: IHG

    When the first phase of renovations is completed, the nature-ensconced hotel will feature 240 elegant rooms and suites overlooking the charming alleyways of the old city or the jungle-clad Doi Suthep mountain. The stately guest rooms will feature stunning Lanna-inspired décor showcasing such traditional crafts as lacquering and metal beating, and spacious zen bathrooms with a plunge bathtub and separate shower.

    To further immerse guests into the indigenous Lanna culture, the hotel will curate bespoke culture-centric activities. From traditional toy and umbrella-making classes to pottery workshops.

    Premium King - Bath in InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping

    Image credit: IHG

    From a sophisticated rooftop bar and authentic Chinese dining with a modern twist to an elegant lobby lounge and a market-themed all-day-dining venue, the five restaurants and bars at InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping are carefully designed to help guests discover and savour northern Thailand’s unique flavours.

    Meanwhile, a collection of glamorous event venues at InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping promises to be the backdrop to some of its guests’ most iconic and celebrated moments, with options ranging from the grand ballroom to a secluded central lawn set within the temple grounds for one-of-a-kind celebrations in the heart of Chiang Mai’s old town. An oasis of serenity at the heart of the hotel, the manicured lawn encloses Wat Chang Kong, a 600-year-old stupa nestled in the shadow of a centuries-old tree. While available for private functions, the calming green space will be a cultural hub for the local community and guests to meet over rotating art exhibitions and music events.

    A conversion of the prestigious Imperial Mae Ping Hotel that had long been in the forefront of Chiang Mai’s hospitality scene for more than 30 years of operations, InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping is blessed with a storied past.

    > Since you’re here, why not read about the new luxury and lifestyle brand from IHG?

    Image credit: IHG

    GROHE Allure basin mixer in chrome

    GROHE wins 2022 BMA Sustainability Award

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    GROHE wins 2022 BMA Sustainability Award

    GROHE has been announced as winner of The Circular Economy award at the Bathroom Manufacturers Associations’ second annual Sustainability Awards 2022 as it continues to fund campaigns, product development and research into initiatives that support with global issues around circularity, sustainability, and education with the view to create a positive impact globally…

    GROHE Allure basin mixer in chrome

    The BMA Sustainability Awards are independently judged by journalists, industry experts, academics, and representatives from NGO. The Circular Economy Award recognises companies’ efforts in materials stewardship, reducing or removing waste, and designing products with repairability in mind. Helen Lord, Founder and Director of Used Kitchen Exchange Ltd, presented the award to GROHE, which was judged by Professor Sean Smith, Andy Davies, and Emma Hedges. The judges said that GROHE’s winning entry addressed bathroom manufacturers’ problem regarding circularity. BMA stated how GROHE’s entry shows ‘this is far from a token gesture and that they’re going about this with commitment and rigour, setting new standards for the bathroom industry in the process and the built environment as a whole’.

    “As a global brand we have put a lot of resources into research, testing, and funding our company goals to become a more sustainable and circular manufacturer, achieving the highest Cradle to Cradle standard possible for some product ranges,” said Ebru Bircan, Leader, Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL EMENA & GROHE UK. “We are delighted with this acknowledgement from the BMA and hope it pushes the industry on in terms of sustainability and circularity.”

    Over the last year, GROHE has made several notable actions when it comes to supporting sustainability and pushing for a circular economy, especially with their expanding range of Cradle to Cradle Certified products. GROHE is proud that four of its bestselling products are Cradle-to-Cradle Certified at the Gold Level. The products were assessed towards this global leading standard for safe, circular, and equitable products, across the performance categories of Material Health, Material Reutilisation, Renewable Energy & Carbon Management, Water Stewardship, and Social Fairness. This certification confirms that GROHE has manufactured these products with the potential to be re-used endlessly, offering a whole new take on the concept of recycling. The Cradle to Cradle Certified approach to product design enables GROHE to drastically reduce the use of new resources, as a product is designed and manufactured with the intent of using its components in its end-of-life-phase for the creation of new products, resulting in the ultimate sustainable solution.

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

    Main image credit: GROHE

    render of lobby as seen from entrance for The Peninsula Istanbul

    Inside The Peninsula Hotels’ debut property in Istanbul

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Inside The Peninsula Hotels’ debut property in Istanbul

    The Peninsula Istanbul, the newest addition to The Peninsula Hotels’ portfolio of elegant and luxurious worldwide properties is slated to open in Q1 of 2023 – we take a sneak peak at what to expect…

    render of lobby as seen from entrance for The Peninsula Istanbul

    Set along the banks of the scenic Bosphorus in Istanbul’s historic Karaköy district, The Peninsula Istanbul will anchor a new waterfront revitalisation project called Galataport, to include a promenade, museums and art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and a cruise ship port. The heritage property is also within walking distance to many of Istanbul’s most dazzling historic landmarks, such as Galata Tower, Galata Bridge, The Hagia Sophia Mosque, The Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.

    The hotel is made up of four separate buildings – three of which are protected historical landmarks dating to the early 1900s, each carefully renovated, set amid a quarter kilometre expanse of blooming gardens along the Bosphorus Strait – the convergence point of East and West in Turkey’s most cosmopolitan city. Restoration work was done in collaboration with The Heritage Board, to ensure the design is in keeping with the local history and culture.

    exterior rendering of The Peninsula istanbul

    Image credit: Peninsula Istanbul

    Celebrating Turkish art and design and the juxtaposition between old and new, the hotel creatively draws inspiration from its local surroundings – including Bosphorus boats and the city’s Grand Bazaar – to create a glamourous new urban oasis destination. The hotel displays a carefully curated handpicked selection of artwork from both renowned and upcoming Turkish artists.

    “As a long-term investor, we spent many years selecting the best location for a Peninsula hotel. We are excited to expand our global presence with the opening of The Peninsula Istanbul, together with our esteemed local partners, Dogus and Bilgili. Istanbul is a dynamic multicultural city with thousands of years of history and culture, combined with a youthful and vibrant energy. We have spent a lot of time and effort to meticulously restore this beautiful property on the Bosphorus and we look forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike to experience our world-renowned Peninsula hospitality,” said Clement Kwok, Managing Director and CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, owner and operator of The Peninsula Hotels.

    living area in Art, Rooftop Garden Suite of The Peninsula Istanbul

    Image credit: The Peninsula Istanbul

    With 177 opulent guestrooms starting at 40 to 49 square metres, and generous suites spread among its four waterfront buildings, The Peninsula Istanbul will offer guests a wide range of accommodation choices. Many will provide sweeping Bosphorus views from large windows, balconies, or private terraces; others will include direct access to the property’s magnificent gardens, outdoor swimming pool, private boat dock, and stylish luxury boutiques. All will be decorated with bespoke furnishings, original art, modern Turkish design elements like wood-and-mother-of-pearl inlay, kilim-style carpets, and lavish bathrooms clad in Marmara marble. The 510 square metre Peninsula Suite, with its own hammam, gym, and rooftop swimming pool, will be one of the most opulent and spacious suites available in the city.

    marble silver and white bathroom in The Pen suite at The Peninsula Istanbul

    Image credit: The Peninsula Istanbul

    The hotel’s collection of special-event venues is similarly splendid. Options include a grand ballroom that, when combined with its terrace can accommodate 820 guests for a seated banquet and 1,300 for standing cocktails. In addition, the hotel offers two intimate conference rooms, VIP private dining and wine-tasting areas, and numerous alfresco spaces amid blossoming gardens overlooking the Bosphorus – all paired with state-of-the-art technology.

    render of Spa - Tea Lounge at Peninsula Istanbul

    Image credit: The Peninsula Istanbul

    The Peninsula Istanbul will provide diners a myriad of opportunities to enjoy sublime gastronomic journeys. The hotel’s featured rooftop restaurant and bar will offer sophisticated Turk-Asian cuisine, celebrating the diverse gastronomic traditions found across the Silk Road, served across several memorable dining areas for up to 350 people. Dining areas include an expansive rooftop terrace with unparalleled views over the Bosphorus and hotel gardens; as well as a main dining room where the décor reflects the confluence of Asian and Turkish cultures. In keeping with cherished tradition, the hotel will also offer signature Peninsula Afternoon Tea and globally inspired fare at The Lobby restaurant, whose 260 seats occupy a dramatic, airy space, with double-height ceilings, enormous windows, and water views from both main and mezzanine levels, which evokes its history as an early 20th century ferry passenger terminal.

    hammam and spa in The Peninsula Istanbul

    Image credit: The Peninsula Istanbul

    A robust line-up of relaxation, and wellbeing choices will also greet guests at the hotel in the Peninsula Spa and Wellness Centre. Indulgent offerings will include opulent hammams – traditional Turkish steam rooms – along with a dramatically lit, 25 metre indoor swimming pool, and an extensive menu of treatments to enhance well-being, beauty, and relaxation that can be enjoyed in eight private treatment rooms. Physical fitness and mindfulness classes and workshops will also be offered at the facility’s state-of-the-art Fitness Centre; and a dedicated Wellness Portal provides in-room, round-the-clock access to wellness programmes like guided exercise routines, aromatherapy self-care rituals, and audio meditations. In addition, The Peninsula Istanbul features a 25 metre outdoor swimming pool, set amongst the lush gardens along the Bosphorus offering guests an outdoor dining option as well as private cabanas.

    As with all Peninsula properties, The Peninsula Istanbul will offer guests the superb comfort and flawless attention to detail that are synonymous with the brand.

    Main image credit: The Peninsula Istanbul

    concrete and wood facade at Four Seasons Tamarindo with views over the pacific ocean

    Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo open its doors onto the Pacific

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo open its doors onto the Pacific

    Deeply committed to preservation of the natural landscape, celebrating Mexico’s rich heritage and providing the ultimate luxury travel experience, Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, México is now welcoming guests to a pristine coastal reserve that for centuries has been completely off the grid – until now…

    concrete and wood facade at Four Seasons Tamarindo with views over the pacific ocean

    With just two per cent of the surrounding 3,000 acre private nature reserve being developed, Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo offers endless opportunities for visitors to explore through guided excursions on both land and sea. The resort includes 157 cliffside and beachfront accommodations – many with private pools – along with authentic dining options, an outstanding golf course, transformative spa and wellness experiences, three pools and three nearly-deserted beaches for watersports and long days in the sun.

    aerial view of Four Seasons Tamarindo

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Seamlessly blending tradition and modernity, Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo was designed by architects Victor Legorreta and Mauricio Rocha, who came together as LegoRocha specifically for this project. Lead interior designers are Uribe Krayer and Estudio Esterlina, landscaping is by Mario Schjetnan, and restaurant designers are Esrawe Studio and Bibiana Huber.

    “Our vision was to build a modern Mexican resort and make it a testimonial of our country’s rich heritage,” said Pedro Verea Hernandez, CEO of Paralelo 19, the owners of Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, México.

    guest suites along the cliff overlooking the beach at Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo has formed philanthropic alliances with Ensamble Artesano and Taller Maya to protect pre-Hispanic culture, support Mexican artisans and offer financial recognition to continue valuing their work. Both organisations’ craftsmanship is reflective of Mexico’s incredible abundance of beautiful, handcrafted fabrics and art. Guests are surrounded by puro talent Mexicano at every turn, from building architecture and design of indoor and outdoor spaces, to myriad details ranging from artworks to tableware and team uniforms. The Resort’s boutique features many handcrafted items that will allow guests to take tangible reminders of their time in Tamarindo home.

    view of natural stone and wood guestroom with cactus at Four Seasons Tamarindo in Mexico

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    “As we join our partners in guardianship of this incredible environment, we welcome our guests to participate in its next chapter through discovery of its breath-taking beauty and fascinating cultural influences from the surrounding area and across the country,” said General Manager Félix Murillo. “In Tamarindo guests can expect to fall in love with Mexico all over again as they become fully engaged in the destination, people and traditions.”

    Guests are invited to taste Tamarindo beyond the menus of the Resort’s restaurants while learning about indigenous plant species at the 35-acre Rancho Ortega, where Culinary Director Nicolás Piatti and the kitchen and farm teams are growing the ingredients that will appear on plates later that day. Meet La Manzanilla fishers, dive in for a macro-photography scuba tour, or paddle out to discover the Reserve’s secret spots along the coast. Free divers – or those who want to try – will find that the waters off Tamarindo are ideal for underwater odysseys.

    Dining at Four Seasons includes Coyul which features modern Mexican cuisine by famed Mexican Chef Elena Reygadas and cocktails throughout the day, while Nacho is a barefoot taqueria near one of the Resort’s pools, perfect for snacks and midday meals. Opportunities for private dining abound – whether a romantic beach dinner para dos, a cliffside lunch with extended family or a party under the stars with friends old and new – and as always, in-villa dining is available around the clock. In 2023, Four Seasons will also debut Sal, an oceanside seafood restaurant and sunset cocktail bar.

    golf course next to the beach at Four Seasons Tamarindo

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    El Tamarindo Golf Course. a favourite of serious golfers, the David Fleming-designed El Tamarindo 18-hole links golf course is now a Four Seasons Resort experience. With winding fairways through tropical jungle and along the rocky coastline, it’s recommended that golfers pack a camera in their bag to capture every moment. And, with the number of golfers on course at any given time strictly limited, it’s like having a private course all to oneself.

    At Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, there’s so much to do – or not do, if that is one’s preference.Resident biologists and researchers lead guests on guided hikes along natural footpaths created by indigenous wildlife, through jungles and along the coastline. Learn about medicinal plants used since pre-Hispanic times, and get to know the 70 endemic species and hundreds more birds, mammals,amphibians and reptiles that call Tamarindo home. Stop by the Discovery Centre to learn more about the region’s biodiversity and the ‘rewilding’ efforts that are enabling the Earth’s natural rhythms to
    flourish here.

    Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Collage from The Brit List Awards 2022

    In pictures: inside The Brit List Awards 2022

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    In pictures: inside The Brit List Awards 2022

    The winners of The Brit List Awards 2022 were announced on November 2 with an audience packed to capacity with creativity. But you know this already. What you haven’t seen, yet, are the official images from the evening. Hotel Designs’ Pauline Brettell and Hamish Kilburn were on the floor – and at times on the stage – to capture the moments…

    Collage from The Brit List Awards 2022

    Moving into its fifth year, The Brit List Awards 2022 took things up a notch with the spotlight shifting seamlessly between the winners, the designer audience and the energetic performers on a night characterised by a celebration when everyone had their moment – or was that the reflection from those aforementioned fire-breathers?

    firebreathing act at Hotel Designs BritList awards ceremeny at PROUD Embankment

    Image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022

    On November 2, PROUD Embankment transformed into the official venue for The Brit List Awards 2022. More than 600 architects, hoteliers, designers, developers and brands from across the globe gathered for an awards ceremony literally unlike any other that was punctuated with fire-breathers, acrobats and cabaret performers to celebrate not only the winners, but a progressive year in the hospitality arena.

    Despite the end of year celebratory zeitgeist that underpins the event, it is also a time to pause and reflect. While the industry is still dealing with the aftershock of the pandemic and its inevitable redirection, it is also been characterised by a new era of social concern and responsibility – one in which the industry as a whole is digging deeper, no longer content with window dressing. To continue with the energy and forward momentum, it has been important for the hospitality industry to be seen as part of the solution – and moving forward has indeed been done in leaps and bounds as the conversation around questions of consumption, carbon footprints and circular design becomes both louder and part of the new normal.

    And the exciting part – it feels like this is just the beginning! And the really exciting part – see if you can spot yourself in our pictorial round-up of the evening where we may show, but we’ll never tell…











    Thank you to our sponsors

    The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs’ annual campaign to find the best interior designers, architects, hoteliers and brands in Britain and beyond, will return next year (with even more surprises). Applications/nominations for interior designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers will open in Summer 2023. 

    Main image credit: Hotel Designs/The Brit List Awards 2022

    Angama Amboseli – taking inspiration from Kilamanjaro

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Angama Amboseli – taking inspiration from Kilamanjaro

    Angama has announced the opening of Angama Amboseli – an intimate lodge with tented suites set against the famed backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro…

    Angama Amboseli, slated to open in Q4 of 2023, will be a boutique offering of ten suites within the private 5,700-acre Kimana Sanctuary. Designed by the same team behind Angama Safari Camp with architecture by Jan Allan, and creative direction and interiors by Annemarie Meintjes and Alison Mitchell, the lodge’s concept offers a fresh take on the Amboseli ecosystem.

    tented guestrooms at safari camp Angama Amboseli at foot of Mount Kilimanjaro

    Image credit: Angama

    “Sturdy and bold, elegant yet humble, the design takes inspiration from Kilimanjaro as well as the elephants, featuring a combination of materials and colours that reflect the surroundings, from the verdant greens of the fever tree forest to the red ochre of the earth,” explained Meintjes.

    The tented suites — including two sets of interleading family units welcoming children of all ages — feature a super king, extra length bed, a personalised drinks armoire and a dressing area connecting to a bathroom which includes a double vanity and a double shower. To maximise the views of Kili, each suite has floor-to-ceiling screened doors leading to private a deck with a shaded lounge area, an outdoor shower and of course, Angama’s signature rocking chairs, perfect for mountain gazing.

    Angama Amboseli guest area with signature rocking chair

    Image credit: Angama

    “Set within a fever tree forest where some of Africa’s last Super Tuskers roam, Angama Amboseli will be a gentle start or finish to any East African safari, and a lovely contrast to the wide open plains of the Maasai Mara,” said Steve Mitchell Angama CEO and Co-Founder. “The challenge has been to design appropriately for this ecosystem, and this guest experience, and to find the right amount of what our guests really want.”

    The guest area will feature indoor-outdoor dining with an expansive baraza and a sundowner fire pit where guests can watch the light change on Africa’s tallest mountain throughout the day. The Studios will house a safari shop, a fun games room for the whole family, a gallery and makers’ studio for Kenyan artisans — along with a photography studio to assist guests with everything from hiring cameras and editing pictures to photoshoots. However, the focal point is sure to be the raised rim-flow swimming pool, fringed by fever trees and fronted by a drinking trough for the elephants, and Kili’s snow-capped peak in the distance.

    view across the swimming pool at Angama Amboseli with concrete grey surfaces reflecting the grey of the elephants

    Image credit: Angama

    “At Angama Amboseli, guests can expect Angama’s signature blend of warm and gracious Kenyan service, well-considered guest experiences, contemporary African design with delightful touches throughout” continued Mitchell. “And just enough spontaneity and humour to ensure that no one forgets to have fun.”

    With exclusive traversing rights and unrestricted game viewing, the best time to view the mountain is in the early hours of the morning on a pyjama safari. The Sanctuary is home to eland, buffalo, reedbuck, giraffe, zebra, warthogs in their hundreds, along with leopard, cheetah, serval, and many birds of prey — offering remarkable density of wildlife for the ecosystem. Guests may also choose to visit Amboseli National Park, a short 45-minute drive from the lodge.

    Main image credit: Angama

    Dorchester Collection Tokyo

    Dorchester Collection to arrive in Tokyo

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Dorchester Collection to arrive in Tokyo

    Dorchester Collection has announced it will debut in Asia within Torch Tower – the tallest building in Tokyo, and a new landmark in Japan. Slated to open in 2028, the hotel will be the 11th property for the Collection. Here’s what we know… 

    Dorchester Collection Tokyo

    Dorchester Collection has been selected to manage the hotel within ‘Torch Tower’, the highest building in Japan, by Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Century Corporation. Dorchester Collection currently comprises nine iconic hotels in London, Paris, Milan, Rome, and Los Angeles. Next year the company will open its first hotel in the Middle East, The Lana, Dubai. Each of these hotels has a strong individuality rooted in the city’s culture and heritage, and forms an integral part of the local community. The highly anticipated hotel in Torch Tower will be the first Dorchester Collection hotel in Asia, offering gracious Japanese hospitality, combined with the brand’s elevated service and experiences.

    “This new hotel will become a beacon for Japan’s ultra-luxury hotel landscape and set new benchmarks. World-class architects will inspire with their symbolic design torch concept, lighting up not only the future of Tokyo and Japan but also the world,” said Christopher Cowdray, Chief Executive Officer, Dorchester Collection. “Tokyo has long been an integral part of our growth strategy given it is a gateway to Asia and its global significance, and to be partnering with the highly esteemed Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd. and Tokyo Century Corporation is a true honour. Their core values are perfectly aligned with ours given the vision of ‘a love for people, a love for the city’ and our ‘We Care’ philosophy.”

    Tokyo Torch aims to become a core of urban tourism as the gateway to Tokyo and Japan, and the hotel is a key component of this redevelopment in the heart of Tokyo’s city centre. Located in the upper floors of Torch Tower, the tallest building in Japan, the hotel offers a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay, the city centre, as well as of Mt. Fuji. The ‘Sky Hill’ will become the symbol of the hotel and the city itself, an oasis of tranquillity where nature can be enjoyed through all one’s senses, creating a unique experience fused with the vibrancy of the hotel.

    “We are delighted to welcome the historic and traditional Dorchester Collection as our partner,” said Junichi Yoshida, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. “We are confident that by infusing the culture and hospitality that Dorchester Collection has cultivated over the years, the hotel will provide a ‘one-of-a-kind experience’ that is unique to this location.”

    Combining these aspects with Dorchester Collection, which has carved its name in the history and culture of many parts of the world, the aim will be to create the only worldview with Tokyo Torch, and a true luxury area in Japan that can be experienced nowhere else.

    Main image credit: Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc 

    still life with M+ Primal rework mosaic tile collection

    Product watch: new collections and collaborations from M+

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Product watch: new collections and collaborations from M+

    Challenging preconceived ideas of dimensions and surfaces, M+ has introduced three new collections to enrich its range: Primal, XXL and Crack! are three different stories united by the desire to break the mosaic mold…

    still life with M+ Primal rework mosaic tile collection

    M+ continues its journey of reinterpreting surfaces while opening up to new collaborations and new formats as it takes the idea of mosaics in unconventional directions. The first of the collaborations comes in the form of Primal, a design based on research into the recovery of antique floors where elements of different materials coexist harmoniously. Primal is designed by LO STUDIO and Massimo Nadalini for M+, and is a series of porcelain tiles designed for both wall and floor coverings, indoors and outdoors.

    “We wanted to design a material that would escape an exact cataloguing”, explained LO STUDIO and Massimo Nadalini. “We started from the patches of ancient floors in which the original surface, worn or broken, is sealed with portions of new material creating irregularities and randomness of patterns on the surface”.

    large format black tile in Primal xxl range for M+

    Image credit: M+

    From an inspiration that translates into a surface that is not perfectly smooth, characterized by chromatic changes and an aesthetic distributed in a non-homogeneous way, Primal is made of glazed porcelain stoneware, with a thickness of 10 mm, available in five colours in the 90x90cm format and in three colours in the 60×120 cm format.

    Primal has 2 derived products – hence the REWORK collection – which continue the design DNA of the collection in the form of Crack! and XXL.

    Rework XXL, is designed for M+ by Marialaura Irvine. It is a contemporary mosaic composed of small and large segments, square and rectangular, mounted on fiberglass mesh. XXL makes no difference between horizontal or vertical surfaces. Its geometries adapt to any type of environment, thanks to the different textures of the individual elements. Textures that vibrate when touched by light, creating three-dimensional effects on the surface. XXL is a mosaic in glazed porcelain stoneware that can be used on the floor and on the walls, indoors and outdoors.

    mosaic tiles from M+ Rework XXL

    Image credit: M+

    To compose the surface, rectangles and rods in different sizes are mounted on fiberglass mesh to obtain sheets of 300×300 mm. The collection includes two modules with different layouts. The distribution of the elements on the sheets and the random laying allow the installer to create surfaces with a great decorative impact. XXL is available in all of Primal’s colour variants, which is the ideal complement.

    Crack! mosaics by M+ in Soot colourway

    Image credit: M+

    In Crack! cuts of matter from the out-of-square geometries enter a regular grid, where the joints mark the rhythm of the gaze. Crack!, the collection designed by LO STUDIO and Massimo Nadalini, shifts the point of view from the tiles to the structure that contains them. The result is a seamless surface, in which elements and joint make up a single pattern. It is a glazed porcelain stoneware mosaic that can be used both on the floor and on the walls, both indoors and outdoors. The collection consists of elements with irregular edges that are mounted on fiberglass mesh to obtain modules of 300×300 mm. The collection includes four modules with different layouts, to be laid randomly based on the direction of the elements. Crack! collection is available in all of Primal’s colour variants, which is the ideal complement.

    M+ 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: M+

    new private villas in garden at Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat

    New private villas for Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    New private villas for Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat

    Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, has announced the opening of Villa Beauchamp and Villa Clair-Soleil – two new historic villas nestled in the Hotel’s lush grounds, with interiors by Parisian designer Sybille de Margerie…

    new private villas in garden at Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat

    Slated to open in summer 2023, the Villas are perfect for families and friends wanting to enjoy a luxurious stay in total privacy, while benefiting from legendary Four Seasons service. Offering butler service and their own private access, the Villas feature paired-back palettes and soft touches, with rich decorative accents and unexpected details coupled with a touch of chic seafaring charm. Pathways connect the Hotel’s three Villas, with secured gates ensuring privacy is always maintained, making the Villas the perfect solution for larger groups wishing to rent out all three Villas. Villa guests enjoy direct access to the hotel and can make use of all the facilities throughout their stay.

    “With Villa Rose-Pierre and the launch of Villa Beauchamp and Villa Clair-Soleil, guests seeking privacy and seclusion can enjoy the Villas’ unique setting and fabulous design, while benefiting from exceptional Four Seasons service,” explained General Manager François-Régis Simon.

    lounge and dining room in shades of cream and green at Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat private villa

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    The hotel has appointed acclaimed Parisian designer Sybille de Margerie to create bespoke interiors. “I chose a style that would respect the architecture and classical side of the villas, combining both traditional and contemporary features to create a design that is in line with today’s desired aesthetic,” commented de Margerie.

    Steps away from the hotel’s fabulous Villa Rose Pierre, Villa Clair Soleil is an intimate two-bedroom villa offering a peaceful, quiet location enjoying wonderful sea views. Built in the mid 20th century, the two-bedroom Villa features paired-back palettes and soft touches that are a typical feature of villas in the Saint-Jean du Cap-Ferrat area. Interiors have fresh and simple clean lines and white-washed walls; soft accents of green recall the surrounding natural landscape, while earthy tones of orange and terracotta add a touch of Provençal charm. The Villa has a wonderfully spacious sea-facing terrace with swimming pool, as well as a private gym offering access to the garden.

    cream and gold interior by Sybille de Margerie in dining room of Villa at Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    The five bedroom Villa Beauchamp exudes a distinctly southern feel, with elegant finishes and neutral palettes marrying with greens and blues to echo the colours of the sea and the surrounding vegetation. References to the south of France abound, most notably in the primary bedroom, which has a magnificent bathroom mosaic floor with design patterns inspired by the work of Jean Cocteau, who famously transformed the walls of nearby Villa Santo Sospir into a dreamy space.

    private swimming pool with blue striped loungers in mediterranena gardens of Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    The Villa’s lush gardens are home to a gorgeous 16-metre-long swimming pool shaded by pine, fig, laurel and cypress trees. Among the other facilities are a state-of-the-art entertainment centre with home cinema, sauna, hammam and fitness centre offering direct access to the garden. Adjacent to the Villa is the Pavilion, an independent, fully equipped two bedroom guesthouse that is the perfect solution for friends to stay, or for teenagers wanting a little more privacy. Both bedrooms in the Pavilion come with ensuite bathroom and private terrace.

    Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    panel discussion at Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe CSIE

    CSIE has cruise ship interior design covered

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    CSIE has cruise ship interior design covered

    Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe (CSIE) has released the itinerary for Cruise Conversations Live. Covering subjects from Starting Fresh, through to Designing for 2030, the workshops and conversations will take place over the two days of Cruise Ship Interiors. As media partners for the event, we have our finger on the cruise ship pulse – here is what to expect…

    panel discussion at Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe CSIE

    Showcasing design, cruise lines, interior designers and outfitters can learn from their peers at topical conference sessions, while intimate workshops explore the challenges specific to cruise ship interior design with pinpoint precision. From blue sky thinking for leaders and buyers to practical takeaways for suppliers, there is something for everyone on the cruise ship interiors supply chain on this years CSIE conference programme.

    Cruise brands leading the conference and workshop programme include Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean Group, Damen Shipyard, Meyer Turku, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and MSC Cruises.

    delegates at Cruise ship Interiors Expo CSIE

    Image credit: CSIE

    Shipyards are the heart of the European cruise ship interiors industry and CSIE will be welcoming Vesa Uuttu, Director, Head of Architectural Design & Outfitting Turku site, Newbuild and Innovation, Royal Caribbean Group to moderate the keynote conference, The Modern Shipyard. Project managers and owners alike know that a strong relationship with their shipyard is one of their biggest assets.

    In this session, essential for project managers and owners alike, Bas Loohuis, Commercial Director Maintenance & Upgrade Services Cruise, Damen Shipyard and Petteri Heimo, Head of Hotel Outfitting, Meyer Turku will share their perspective, exploring how shipyards can add value to newbuild and refurbishment projects, along with top tips for ensuring both quality and efficiency and how to combine reference ship requirements with innovation.

    exchanging ideas in workshops at CSIE

    Image credit: CSIE

    Anyone hoping to launch their business into the cruise ship interiors industry must attend the workshop Marine Design 101: How to Break into the Marine Market. Led by Beatrice Siri, AVP Architectural Outfitting Europe, Royal Caribbean Cruises, this intimate session decodes the language of marine design and will guide attendees through the seemingly labyrinthine specification process. Practical takeaways will include the top ten questions to ask cruise lines when pitching your product, the different routes to market and, crucially, how to become an authorised supplier.

    Designers with an eye for the future will be found at the day one keynote The Futurist: Cruise Design in 2030 and the day two conference session Young Designers: Designing for Gen Z and Beyond. From those who track trends to those who are currently shaping the trends, the CSIE conference presents two insights into trapping lightning in a bottle and getting it right before its even happened.

     

    Main image credit: CSIE

    KOHLER London showroom window painted colourful abstract design by Lois O'Hara

    Kohler collaborates with Lois O’Hara in a live painting event

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Kohler collaborates with Lois O’Hara in a live painting event

    Kohler extended its celebration of design and colour from London Design Festival with a live mural painting evening at the Kohler Experience Centre where members of London’s A&D community were invited to join ‘An Evening with Lois O’Hara’ to watch the London-based artist create a large-scale mural on the showroom wall…

    KOHLER London showroom window painted colourful abstract design by Lois O'Hara

    Kohler prides itself on designs which will enrich and enable an architect or interior designers’ vision through a huge spectrum of colour, finish, pattern and function. Taking this vision beyond the confines of product design the brand continually pushed boundaries while promoting creativity. At the start of Design London, Kohler unveiled a striking piece of art wrapped around the Discussions at Design London Theatre, truly reflective of O’Hara’s style and formed from a calm selection of pastels.

    O’Hara’s signature style of using flow and movement in art to bring spaces to life comes to the forefront in these installations, connecting the natural fluidity of water to shape, movement and colour.

    “Our partnership with Lois O’Hara this year allows an impactful explosion of colour to explore movement in design and the positive impact colour has on people and places,” explained Angela Zahn, director of global campaigns and channel marketing for Kohler Kitchen and Bath Global. “Design Week provided the perfect springboard for our focus with Lois, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to our KEC to continue the creative focus.”

    The new artwork is reflective of the overall colour campaign and this original artwork will now stay on display at the Kohler Experience Centre, where visitors can view alongside Kohler’s collection of high end bathroom products.

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

    Main image credit: Kohler

    Hotel Rochechouart Paris façade

    A designer’s guide to boutique hotels in Paris

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    A designer’s guide to boutique hotels in Paris

    Move over Emily, Hotel Designs is extending its designer umbrella across the channel in the new year with its inaugural MEET UP Paris, taking place on January 19, during Deco Off, at the Arte showroom. Keeping our focus firmly on this foray into the French capital, we have been perusing the Parisian boutique hotels from firm favourites to new offerings that are now clearly noted down on our Paris wish list…

    Hotel Rochechouart Paris façade

    While some city breaks are about soaring skyline views where the bigger-the-hotel-the-better philosophy might apply, Paris is most definitely the city of the bijoux and the boutique. With no shortage of the proverbial hidden gem, it is worth doing a little designer research to find the right place in the right quartier that has that magic combination of location and interior inspiration.

    Le Grand Mazarin

    mixed pattern and colour in the guestroom of Le Grand Mazarin Paris

    Image credit: Maisons Pariente / Le Grand Mazarin

    Kicking off this boutique bucket list is the latest addition to the Maisons Pariente portfolio, Le Grand Mazarin, perfectly located just a stone’s throw from the Hôtel de Ville and the Seine. The hotel is both unexpected and endearing, a place that reflects the values of Maisons Pariente, through an original hotel story with an exceptional location. Le Marais is a lively and avant-garde district, sparkling with creativity, vibrant by day and by night, the district represents the art of living joyfully. Taking its lead from the location, inspired and elegant, the décor and interior design is by the Swedish designer Martin Brudnizki. Le Grand Mazarin is all about traditional French classicism with a breath of fresh and refined modernity.

    Hôtel Rochechouart

    A boutique brand that is as Parisian as the Eiffel tower, is Orso, which, despite opening its first property five days before lockdown in 2020, has gone from strength to strength and now has an impressive seven boutique hotels under its belt. The first property in the portfolio, Hôtel Rochechouart, remains the flagship, but each additional hotel is unique and clearly rooted in its location. Husband and wife team Anouk and Louis Solanet are the founders of Orso Hôtels who have built the brand on the mission to ‘return to the lost art of hospitality and bring back the often forgotten values and welcoming spirit of the hotel industry that are the essence of true travel experiences’. Each property is approached as a unique project, bringing different designers and teams on board to ensure creativity is kept alive – the only cookie-cutter thread in this story is its considered style of hospitality and hosting. We stepped inside Hotel Ami earlier this year, and now look forward to exploring Paris through the eyes of Orso Hôtels.

    Hôtel Dame des Arts

    guestroom at Hôtel Dame des Arts with art and views over Paris

    Image credit: Hôtel Dame des Arts

    A relatively new kid on the block as featured in our most recent VIP openings list and located in the historic Latin Quarter, is Hôtel Dame des Arts. The hotel has opened its doors as a contemporary retreat embodying the spirit of freedom, culture, and creativity of the city’s Left Bank. The hotel offers a choice of 109 guestrooms and suites, all with bespoke and unique art pieces and many featuring outdoor balconies with views of iconic landmarks including of course, the Eiffel Towel and Notre Dame Cathedral.

    Hotel Les Bains

    cocktail bar with curved ceiling and dramatic lighting at hotel Les Bains Paris

    Image credit: Hotel Les Bains

    Taking a more maximalist approach to boutique design in Paris is Hotel Les Bains. Designed by architect Vincent Bastie with interiors by designers Tristan Auer and Denis Montel (think Hermes boutique design), the façade and architecture nods clearly to Parisian history, while the design details are a daring play on light and dark which is amplified throughout. Design moods shift as quickly as the light in this hotel as you move from tranquil guestroom space to atmospheric salons and bijoux bars. With curated art events, its own boutique concept store along with other hip happenings and events, this is a contemporary destination that always has something unique on its agenda.

    Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain

    Inspired by notable guests from the past and the vibrant Left Bank culture of the present, interior designer Didier Benderli offers a contemporary take on the quintessential Parisian experience at the Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain which opened earlier this year. Primely positioned, the picturesque café-lined streets that surround the hotel were once the meeting places and inspiration for some of the world’s most cherished artistic and literary greats, including Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus and even Pablo Picasso. Set across three traditional buildings and brought to life by interior designer Didier Benderli, the hotel is the most recent addition to boutique group, Chevalier Paris, and features 47 individually appointed guestrooms and suites, a tranquil spa, a bar and new restaurant, Les Parisiens.

    Fauchon L’Hotel Paris

    Hotel suite bedroom with pink accents on bed and mosaic floor, in Fauchon L'Hotel Paris

    Image credit: Fauchon L’Hotel Paris

    Since opening in the summer of 2019 Fauchon L’Hotel Paris has cemented its reputation as a house of innovation and excellence. The hotel’s natural playfulness and signature hot-pink touches are boldly and sensitively injected alongside the original design by renowned architect Richard Martinet who worked together with Atelier Paluel-Marmont. The juxtaposition of ‘new design meets old architecture’ feels intentional, and is further heightened when guests walk through the doors to experience celebrated French artist commissions that are hung throughout the public spaces, by names such as Aristide Najean and Monica Nowan. Each of the hotel’s immaculately designed and decorated 54 rooms and suites frame the classic Parisian city view, with some extending to include a balcony view of the Eiffel Tower.

    J.K. Place Paris

    marble fireplace and contemporary design with yellow chair in guestroom at J.K. Place Paris

    Image credit: J.K. Place Paris

    Finally, staying in Paris a mere few steps from the Seine and the Musée d’Orsay while adding a few notes of Italian designer chic (is there such a thing as over-chicced?), is J.K. Place Paris. Paris was the next logical step for this brand, and its first outside Italy. Every detail of the hotel is carefully considered and curated from the sweeping marble staircase to the subterranean spa and swimming pool. References to both French and Italian design make this a uniquely European statement encapsulating the best of Parisian boutique style with a substantial dose of la dolce vita…

    Main image credit: Hotel Rochechouart

    Four Seasons Nashville on the Nashville skyline at dusk

    The new Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Nashville – connecting guests to the best of music city

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    The new Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Nashville – connecting guests to the best of music city

    The highly anticipated luxury offering Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Nashville is located in the heart of downtown Nashville, making it the ideal base for experiencing all the city has to offer. Here’s what we know…

    Four Seasons Nashville on the Nashville skyline at dusk

    Rising 40 storeys above the vibrant city and buzzing with energy, passion and warm hospitality, the art and light filled Four Seasons Nashville shelters 235 hotel guestrooms and suites, along with a unique chef-driven restaurant and bar concept, a full-service spa and resort-style pool deck, modern event spaces, and much more. With panoramic city and river views and interiors celebrating local heritage and craftsmanship, the stage is set for an all-new luxury experience befitting of this dynamic city that continues to attract creative talent and an increasing number of visitors from across the country and around the world.

    “There is a beautiful synergy between this city and Four Seasons renowned style of hospitality,” said Christian Clerc, President, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “With each new opening we seek to become part of and contribute to the local culture and community to create truly authentic experiences for those who visit us. Here in Nashville, the connections we have forged have come so naturally thanks to the city’s quintessential Southern hospitality, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be here.”

    couch and table with views over Nashville in guestroom at Four Seasons Nashville

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    “Nashville has always been a place where people come together, whether in the storied venues that have shaped American music, the local havens that continue to further its food culture, or the stadiums and arenas where we cheer on our favourite sports teams,” said General Manager Richard Poskanzer, a seasoned Four Seasons hotelier – and music lover – who leads a team of more than 300 professionals. ” Our aim at Four Seasons is to showcase the very best of the city – from the famous to the many wonderful people and places you might not have heard of yet, but you will.”

    restaurant in Four Seasons Nashville with statement lighting and high volume ceiling

    Residents of the building’s 144 Four Seasons Private Residences are also part of the expanding community in and around the property. Four Seasons has already established relationships within the city’s music and arts communities, including Songwriter City, which has collaborated with the hotel to offer the Suite Sounds package – an opportunity to meet and spend time with industry professionals in an intimate setting. Guests are also encouraged to experience ‘songwriters in the round’, wherein a group of chart-topping writers talk – and play – through the artistic process. Located within walking distance to the city’s major sporting and entertainment venues as well as its most legendary musical landmarks, the hotel team has also spent months combing all areas of the city, from the flashiest to the most off-beat in search of immersive experiences.

    seating at the bar and at tables in Nashville Four Seasons with floor to ceiling windows giving views of outdoors

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Aptly named for Tennessee’s state bird, the mockingbird, guests of Mimo Restaurant can expect inspired takes on classic Italian dishes featuring locally-sourced ingredients enhancing fresh caught seafood and other offerings. Helming the kitchen team is Aniello “Nello” Turco, a Neapolitan chef who first gained international recognition when he earned a Michelin star at Mio at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing. The adjacent Mimo Bar is a destination unto itself where the local favourite Tennessee whiskies and craft brews are just the beginning. Bar Manager Michael Geffin, originally from Miami, has had the enviable of getting to know the local drinking scene and creating a menu to both introduce out of town hotel guests and surprise and delight locals with something completely new. To round out the experience, both restaurant and bar will be a platform for soon-to-be-signed musicians and DJs.

    Four Seasons Hotel Nashville event space with floor to ceiling windows looking out over the city

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Also within the hotel is the spa and a resort-style pool deck. The wellness offerings are a combination of results-driven treatments along with a different kind of relaxation experience that invites guests to come together, chill out and enjoy being pampered with friends, one’s partner, or on their own. Highlights include a luxurious Gold Body Scrub that takes advantage of the mineral’s anti-inflammatory properties to revitalise tired skin; the Gua Sha Facial using tailored massage rituals to sculpt, revive and oxygenate; and the Hot Stone Massage to ease aching muscles. The Spa includes six treatment rooms – including a couple’s suite – and also offers a full service salon with manicure and pedicure services. A 24/7 state-of-the-art fitness centre designed by celebrity trainer and Four Seasons partner Harley Pasternak is adjacent to the Spa, overlooking the seventh floor resort-style pool deck.

    With two divisible ballrooms and a half dozen additional meeting rooms all located on the fifth floor, Four Seasons Hotel Nashville is an excellent choice for business events from conferences to product launches, board meetings and more. Soaring ceilings and full-wall windows invite the sunshine in, while modern, understated décor and open layouts are the backdrop for productive events that are fully customised to each group.

    Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Mural Farmhouse F&B concept in WunderLocke

    Miniview: inside aparthotel WunderLocke

     1024 640 Guest Author
    By:
    0
    Miniview: inside aparthotel WunderLocke

    If you have stayed in one Locke, rest assured you will always find something new in another Locke – created in collaboration with interior architects Holloway Li, Wunderlocke draws on the artistic history of Munich while reimagining a former office building. Writer Melania Guarda Ceccoli steps inside for a closer look…

    Mural Farmhouse F&B concept in WunderLocke

    Bringing the Locke portfolio up to 13, with two offerings now based in Munich, is the aparthotel Wunderlocke. Sheltering 360 studio apartments with hotel services, it is located in the Obersendling district of Munich, having redesigned the office building that previously belonged to the German technology company Siemens. Designed by interior architects Holloway Li, aside from the designer apartments, WunderLocke features a large co-working area, café, meeting and event spaces, as well as a heated outdoor pool, sauna and studio. work out. In typical Locke style, WunderLocke offers a mix of spacious studios, one and two bedroom apartments, some of which include a private terrace and breathtaking panoramic views over the city and the Bavarian Alps. Each apartment is perfect to be lived in for medium and long-term stays, with an ambition to become a space for artists, creatives and tech entrepreneurs.

    earth tones contrast with bright yello chairs and greenery in Mural Framhouse in WunderLocke in Munich by Locke hotels

    Image credit: Locke Hotels / Edmund Dabney

    Created in collaboration with Holloway Li, the design of WunderLocke is inspired by Vasily Kandinsky’s theory of ‘Innerer Klang’ (inner voice). Kandinsky, who spent a significant period of his career in Munich, explored how we can develop a closer relationship with nature through abstraction. Holloway Li interpreted the artist’s theory by stripping the existing building to reveal its raw concrete structure, a nod to the neighbourhood’s industrial past, from which renewed branches can be cultivated.

    wood and plants warm up the stripped back concrete interior in WunderLocke in Munich by Locke Hotels

    Image credit: Locke Hotels / Edmund Dabney

    This approach also allowed Holloway Li to incorporate sustainable design practices into the building’s development, celebrating the bones of the original WunderLocke structure without over-cladding and over-development. The colours used are those of the earth which are contrasted with sumptuous materials along with playful touches of colour and a vivid terrazzo, while warm woods, natural materials and botanical textures refer to nature.

    view through the public spaces in WunderLocke Munich

    Image credit: Locke Hotels / Edmund Dabney

    WunderLocke is also home to an unprecedented food and drink concept in Germany in the form of ‘Mural Farmhouse’ – five food and drink destinations spread over seven floors conceived by the founders of the revered Michelin-starred local restaurant, Mural.

    warm reds and purples in the seventh floor bar at WunderLocke

    Image credit: Locke Hotels / Edmund Dabney

    This ambitious food and drink concept includes ‘Mural Farmhouse Restaurant’, a 70 cover all-day restaurant, ‘Mural Farmhouse Fine Dining’, a fine dining Chef’s Table,’Mural Farmhouse Café’, a coffee shop, a wine and cocktail bar, and ‘Mural Farmhouse Rooftop’, a rooftop with panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps. The vision for Mural Farmhouse has been developed in collaboration with internationally recognised chef Rico Birndt and puts circularity at the heart of its approach. Influenced by the farm-to-table movement, food will be supplied by local and regional producers, and once matured, a rooftop urban farm will provide handpicked seasonal herbs and vegetables for the restaurant.

    In keeping with the interiors throughout the project, the designs for Mural Farmhouse were created by Holloway Li in keeping with the wider project, with a focus on the themes of renewal and connections to nature, bridging the local area’s industrial heritage with the wilderness of the Bavarian forests and parkland to the south of the city.

    Main image credit: Locke Hotels / Edmund Dabney

    indoor swimming pool at Damac Tower with plants by Leaflike

    Case study: Leaflike reaches new heights in Damac Tower

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Case study: Leaflike reaches new heights in Damac Tower

    Working with Versace Home in Damac Towers, Leaflike was invited to provide the biophilic design elements within the stunning Versace branded apartment building…

    indoor swimming pool at Damac Tower with plants by Leaflike

    With interiors characterised by stone, terracotta and glass, all the elements in Damac Tower have been brought together by the Versace Home studio in a distinctive world-class design to create an inspiration in luxury living, inside and out. The unique and balanced architectural composition has been carefully crafted to create impressive views from every aspect of the building. With this in mind Leaflike was asked to provide the planting displays throughout the main lobby, the spa reception, pool area and residents lounge.

    Leaflike planting in spa area at Damac Tower

    Image credit: Leaflike

    A selection of floor standing designer interior live planting in grey cylinder pots with slate top dressing include: Areca Palm, Licuala Grandis, Strelitzia Nicolai with underplanting, Kentia Palm Musa Tropicana and Chamaedorea Elegans.

    In the entrance and lobby, the high gloss marble and plush Versace seating is both contrasted with and complemented by the Leaflike planting. Each element within the planting scheme has been handpicked within the design and placed inside colour matching planters, ranging from square white planters to round grey planters. Whether they blend subtly into the background of the interior design within The Grand Lobby or create a showstopper within The Residents Lounge.

    orchids by Leaflike in gold versace planters as table centre design

    Image credit: Leaflike

    Hints of gold run through the Versace Home interior, and these elements are mirrored in the vases of fresh orchids featuetred as table centres. The plants provide a warm welcome while continuing the sophisticated ambience throughout, and at the same time contributing to the wellbeing of the residents, by introducing elements from the natural world into a quintessentially urban space.

    Introducing biophilic elements into design was important throughout the building. Specifically placed for residents to enjoy, the clusters of plants are effortlessly situated for a natural feel around the loungers and jacuzzi area with luxury design in every corner, while the mirrored ceilings continue to complement and reflect the design. The range of plants from tall to small, showcase against the neutral colour palette of the VERSACE HOME floral wall mural designs, matching the floor of the pools and lounger fabrics. Plants are placed around every pillar down the length of the pool providing the perfect backdrop.

    view across London from Damac Tower framed by Leaflike planting

    Image credit: Leaflike

    Leaflike worked closely with the designers and building owners to provide a turn-key package for Damac Tower, which included careful specification of planting to suit the various areas of the building including the luxury pool and spa areas. The plantings are all fitted with semi-hydroculture systems to ensure they stay healthy and looking just as amazing as always in the unique high temperature areas. The installation was meticulously planned, with Leaflike operations team seamlessly installing every plant, ensuring that the outcome was as visualised.

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

    Main image credit: Leaflike

    Theodor Brown Hotel in Tel Aviv with guestroom leading onto art deco tiled terrace

    Theodor Brown Hotel captures a design moment in time

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Theodor Brown Hotel captures a design moment in time

    Theodor Brown, a Bauhaus-inspired boutique hotel in central Tel Aviv, is the latest addition to the growing portfolio of properties from Brown Hotels. We stepped inside for a closer look at the restored 1930’s building that celebrates the design of the era with an elegant interior aesthetic…

    Theodor Brown Hotel in Tel Aviv with guestroom leading onto art deco tiled terrace

    Originally built in 1935, Theodor Brown inhabits a traditional Bauhaus property situated amongst some of Tel Aviv’s most popular restaurants, nightlife and cultural destinations. The property was originally due to launch in spring 2020, but stalled due to the COVID-19 restrictions with the building being repurposed in the interim. Having now officially launched, Theodor Brown marks Brown Hotels’ 23rd hotel in Israel, sheltering 34 comfortable guestrooms, a vibrant Italian restaurant by Chef Tomer Agay, and a sophisticated interior décor by Israeli architect Kedem Shinar. Designed to offer guests a cosy yet refined urban bolt hole in the beating heart of the city, the charming boutique hotel combines architectural history, contemporary design and superb local and in-house amenities, for a perfectly placed Tel Aviv experience.

    Leon Avigad, founder of Brown Hotels, said “Theodor Brown is a hotel that truly honours Brown Hotels primal ethos of creating unique, boutique hotel experiences, imbued with a sense of place,” said Leon Avigad, Founder of Brown Hotels. “Due to the building’s heritage and location, Theodor Brown is a very special hotel and a testimony to Tel Aviv’s rich cultural and architectural history, making it one we’re quite proud of.”

    A tribute to modern minimalism and Bauhaus principles, the original building was developed by architects and engineers Yosef Kashan and Elisa Shimshoni and has been preserved by virtue of the Conservation Plan 265ob. Inspired by the property’s façade, the hotel’s interiors present a contemporary take on classical Bauhaus design led by architect Kedem Shinar. Rooms at Theodor Brown showcase vivid green ceilings with contrasting black and white wall detailing as a nod to the ‘White City’ and its deep, architectural roots. Complete with herringbone wood flooring, geometric shapes, sleek lighting fixtures, brass and rattan detailing and Bauhaus inspired posters, the hotel presents an inspiring urban retreat for the discerning and culture-seeking traveller.

    terraced guestroom at Theodor Brown Hotel with green ceiling and graphic art deco details

    Image credit: Brown Hotels / Assaf Pinchuk

    With 34 contemporary designed guestrooms and suites include five room types to choose from including the Solo Room, Classic Room, Deluxe Room, Terrace Room and Studio. Terrace rooms are located on the top floor of the hotel with Bauhaus-style balconies and outdoor sun-beds and a dining table for two, while the studios can comfortably accommodate families with indulgent king size beds and double sofa beds.

    plants, tables and velvet covered bar stools in Cena restaurant in Theodor Brown Hotel

    Image credit: Brown Hotels / Asaf Karela

    At the heart of the hotel is CENA restaurant by renowned Israeli chef Tomer Agay of the popular Santa Katerina restaurant in Tel Aviv. Taking guests on a gastronomic journey, Agay’s dishes combine the tastes and traditions of Southern Italy, Tunisia and Israel, coupled with delicate, local and Italian wines and punchy cocktails. Home to a buzzing bar, open pizza oven, a clean and contemporary interior aesthetic and a picturesque courtyard with marble detailing and a warm gold and green colour palette, CENA welcomes guests to enjoy breakfast and dinner.

    Main image credit: Brown hotels / Asaf Karela

    bathroom fittings in bathroom from the Vignola collection by GRAFF

    Product watch: Vignola by GRAFF

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Product watch: Vignola by GRAFF

    Luxury bathroom manufacturer, GRAFF was inspired by one of the most renowned Italian architects of the 16th century, Jacopo Barozzi Vignola, and the iconic porticos of Bologna, with the Vignola collection which marries contemporary design with historic grandeur…

    bathroom fittings in bathroom from the Vignola collection by GRAFF

    Designed with a selection of curved edges and delicate finishes for the bathroom and influenced by the historic Italian city of Bologna, each marble insert within the collection blends timeless architecture with unique design to enhance the wellbeing experience. Each product is united with expertly crafted detail, precision engineering, premium materials and skilled technology.

    vignola taps by GRAFF over the handbasin

    Image credit: GRAFF

    The Vignola collection includes bath and basin mixers, shower heads and rails, as well as a complete accessories range. Delicate finishes integrated in high grade material with detailed precision create a major impact and cohesive design aesthetic. GRAFF’s beautiful designs enhance the sense of wellbeing in the most intimate area of the living space. Infused with a rich sense of heritage, the collection comprises 21 luxury finishes, including the sophisticated matt black, the elegant brushed brass and the exquisite 24K polished gold. Individual customisation is available to tailor the design to complement the rest of the interior space.

    GRAFF 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: GRAFF

    render of arrival courtyard at Treehouse Hotel California

    First Treehouse Hotel in America to open in California

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    First Treehouse Hotel in America to open in California

    Scheduled for a late 2023 opening, the Treehouse Hotel in Sunnyvale California will be the third property globally for the Treehouse brand that epitomises playfulness and optimism…

    render of arrival courtyard at Treehouse Hotel California

    SH Hotels & Resorts, the sustainable brand management company founded by Starwood Capital Group Chairman and CEO Barry Sternlicht, has announced the first Treehouse Hotel to open in the U.S. in Sunnyvale, CA, in the high-tech heart of Silicon Valley. With architecture designed by SB Architects and landscape  designed by RIOS, the hotel is expected to make a statement (renders are to follow).

    Slated for late 2023, the free-spirited, environmentally conscious lifestyle brand creatively captures the carefree comfort, freedom, nostalgia, and fun of childhood. Every Treehouse Hotel is founded on the adventurous ideas that inspire a child to build their ‘treehouse’ and hang with real and imaginary friends. Treehouse Sunnyvale will fuse the creativity, innovation, and adventure of the dynamic Silicon Valley with the brand’s warm and whimsical ethos.

    “Sunnyvale is the epicentre of the bold ideas, disruptive technology, imagination and innovation that make Silicon Valley an icon and inspiration for the world,” said Sternlicht. “Every inch of this playful property, from mismatched materials to secret nooks and unexpected artwork, creatively combines the energy and intensity of Silicon Valley’s high-tech culture with the simpler, older, more natural charms of the Santa Clara Valley’s pre-Internet era.”

    The property repurposes several existing structures and elevates a new six-story building constructed offsite using modular methods that dramatically reduce environmental impact and waste. The majority of its 254 guestrooms, including 21 suites, provide private outdoor spaces, from ground floor patios to balconies and terraces on the upper floors. Interiors, including soft sofas built into rough-hewn wooden bookcases, farm table distressed wooden desks and wood ceiling beams, colourful pillows and quirky quilts, collectively convey the childlike wonder of taking refuge in a figurative ‘treehouse’, while looking down at the real world below.

    Main image credit: Treehouse Hotels

    The Brit List Awards 2022 winners collage

    Winners of The Brit List Awards 2022 announced

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Winners of The Brit List Awards 2022 announced

    The Brit List Awards 2022 came to a dramatic climax on November 2, inside PROUD Embankment, when the winners of the nine individual categories, including Interior Designer of the Year, Architect of the Year and Hotelier of the Year, were announced. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…

    The Brit List Awards 2022 winners collage

    It was a year unlike any other. Following the unveiling of more than 140 shortlisted finalists, selected across nine categories, The Brit List Awards 2022 gave an unforgettable performance for this year’s awards ceremony, dramatically crowning nine individual winners, as well as officially publishing The Brit List 2022, a publication that includes the full profiles of the top 25 interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain.

    “This is not your typical awards ceremony,” said Katy Phillips, Publisher, Hotel Designs. “To give credit where it is due – and to ensure that the awards campaign is not just for the trophy winners – each year, we publish The Brit List following an intense listening campaign to understand and identify who among the designers, architects and hoteliers in the British design and hospitality landscape are the true leaders.”

    Aside from the noise  – the cabaret dancers, fire-breathers and acrobats that took over the stage at various intervals throughout the evening, the spotlight at PROUD Embankment, which was the unapologetic venue for the fifth edition of The Brit List Awards 2022, was fixed on celebrating the leading disruptive designers, architects, hoteliers and brands operating on the global hotel design and hospitality scene.

    Reminding the team at Hotel Designs, and the wider industry, how far the campaign has come from simply unveiling a list in 2017 to now hosting a major event in the design and hospitality calendar, no less than 600 industry professionals attended the evening that was hosted by Phillips and Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs. “What British designers, architects, hoteliers and brands have achieved this year is a true statement,” said Kilburn. “And we feel privileged to be able to narrate and amplify so many of your awe-inspiring stories in such a public manner.” 

    After The Brit List 2022 was handed out, it was time to focus the energy in the room on the individual categories.

    And the winners are… 

    INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

    Interior Designer of the Year - The Brit List Awards 2022 Jacu Strauss

    Highly commended: Marie Soliman, Bergman Design House (The Other House South Kensington)
    Winner: Jacu Strauss, Creative Director, Lore Group (One Hundred Shoreditch)

    ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR

    Architect of The Year - Ica - The Brit List Awards 2022

    Highly commended: Jen Samuel, Head of Hotels, 3DReid (Gleneagles Townhouse)
    Winner: Kerry Acheson, Associate, Ica (Virgin Hotels Edinburgh)

    HOTELIER OF THE YEAR

    Hotelier of The Year – Robert Godwin – The Brit List Awards 2022

    Highly commended: Zoe Jenkins, General Manager, Coworth Park (North Lodge)
    Winner: Robert Godwin, Managing Director, Lamington Group (room2 Chiswick)

    BEST IN BRITISH PRODUCT DESIGN

    Best in British Product Design - Newmor Wallcoverings - The Brit List Awards 2022

    Highly commended: Red Dog Glass Design (Inaugural collections)
    Winner: Newmor Wallcoverings (Sanctuary Collection) 

    BEST IN TECH AWARD

    Best in Tech - The Brit List Awards 2022 – ReardonSmith Architects

    Winner: ReardonSmith Architects/The Beaumont Hotel (Indoor Air Purification solution)

    THE ECO AWARD

    The Eco Award - The Brit List Awards 2022 - Perkins&Will

    Highly commended: room2 Chiswick
    Winner: Perkins&Will (Net-Zero Now: Hospitality) 

    RISING STAR AWARD

    Rising Star Award - The Brit List Awards 2022 - Moxy

    Highly commended: Solomia Boghusz, Gensler
    Winner: Angelcho Shtrbevski, Moxy & Residence Inn Slough

    INTERNATIONAL AWARD

    International Award - The Brit List Awards 2022

    Highly commended: Rafael Berkowitz, Campbell House
    Winner: Kelly Wearstler, Downtown L.A. Proper

    OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

    Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry Award - David Chipperfield

    Winner: David Chipperfield, David Chipperfield Architects

    Thank you to our sponsors

    Main image credit: Hotel Designs

    product samples in the BerryAlloc showroom

    Floor and wall solutions from BerryAlloc

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Floor and wall solutions from BerryAlloc

    In the heart of London’s creative community, BerryAlloc’s studio is the perfect place to experience its floor and wall solutions for commercial interiors…

    product samples in the BerryAlloc showroom

    As one of the design businesses based at the Business Design Centre, BerryAlloc plans to be in the thick of the action at HIX this year, and will open its doors for visiting hotel designers and specifiers to discover how its floors and walls can help to build beautiful hotel experiences. With products such as the easy to install Wall&Water waterproof panels that bring a luxury spa look without the slow installation and cost of materials like tiles, and the world’s strongest floors with the High Pressure Floors collection, it’s a formidable line-up.

    BerryAlloc showroom at London Business Centre

    Image credit: BerryAlloc

    “With some clever solutions that can help hotels to minimise expenditure and downtime without compromising quality of finish, longevity and ease of maintenance, we’re excited to be having an open house for HIX,” said Scott Arundell, Regional Sales Director, UK & Ireland. “I’m looking forward to some of the inspiring talks and meeting design professionals from across the hotel industry. I know we can show a great range of solutions for every size and style of establishment and I’m hoping it gives us the chance to be involved in some fantastic hospitality projects.”

    With HIX scheduled to run for two days at London’s Business Design Centre, the BerryAlloc’s studio will be open throughout the show with its team of dedicated wall and floor experts on hand to answer any questions about its solutions for today’s hotels.

    BerryAlloc 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: BerryAlloc

    Crusoe Villas, in the middle of the ocean in the Maldives at Gili Lankanfushi

    Shipwrecked in the Maldives: checking in to Gili Lankanfushi

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Shipwrecked in the Maldives: checking in to Gili Lankanfushi

    After setting his watch to ‘Gili time’, and being persuaded to say goodbye to shoes for the duration of his trip, Editor Hamish Kilburn experiences what is like to feel shipwrecked on Gili Lankanfushi, one of the most raved-about island hotels in the Maldives – and for good reason…

    Crusoe Villas, in the middle of the ocean in the Maldives at Gili Lankanfushi

    The closest I have ever come to feeling shipwrecked happened recently when I checked in to Gili Lankanfushi, in the Maldives just 20 minutes by boat from Malé. The luxury island hotel effortlessly balances style, design and innovative eco initiatives in a place, and it makes its own rules. Adjust your watches to ‘Gili time’ – yes, it even has its very own timezone – and even don’t bother packing shoes.

    Often in hotels, it is the in-between moments – what guests capture on the journey between one experience to another – that count most. In Gili Lankanfushi, for those staying in the resort’s most secluded villas, this requires a water taxi to whisk them away from the shore and on to a mini adventure of their own, where they’ll pass shoals of reef sharks and resting rays, to arrive just five minutes after at the front door of one of the seven Crusoe Residences, named after the famous character, Robinson Crusoe. Feeling deserted in paradise is the overarching yet loose theme of the resort; to embrace shipwreck-chic. These particular villas promise complete privacy, and each frame endless views that stretch out and across towards the Indian Ocean.

    Aerial shot of the Crusoe villas

    Image caption: The Crusoe Residences are only accessibly by boat, evoking an unmatched shipwrecked in luxury travel experience. | Image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    The Crusoe Residences are stunning, but, in truth, all 45 villas on the island – all of which are overwater and most are accessible by foot or bamboo bike – are similar in style and offering. Aside from the Private Reserve (more about that record-breaking beast later), all accommodation styles are also similar in size – leaving only guests’ personal preferences to decide between them. Under thatched roofs, each timelessly designed villa shelters the resort’s signature open- or semi-open-air bathroom concept, where you can hear small waves crashing underfoot, and which comes complete with a large freestanding bath, twin vanity sinks and a private outdoor shower.

    A bathroom in the Maldives, overlooking the Indean Ocean with freestanding bath and twin vanity sinks.jpg

    Image caption: Due to all of the villas in the resort being overwater, guests can hear the sound of the ocean underneath their bathrooms. | Image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    Intelligent as well as beautiful, the two-floored villas are designed to catch the natural ocean breeze, with counter-current heat exchange systems and large roof overhangs to increase shading while minimising the need for air conditioning.

    The bedrooms have been architecturally designed to feel separate from the rest of the structure, accessed by guests walking outside the lounge area and into a separate enclave. These spaces are quite literally tranquil spaces that sit on stilts. Complete with large beds made from recycled teak wood, the rooms are large, inviting and calming. There is a noticeable lack of conventional art on the walls. Instead, natural materials, that I can only guess were off-cuts used from when the furniture was being carved, are hung masterfully on the walls to add texture.

    A bedroom in a villa at Gili Lankanfushi, overlooking the water in the Maldives

    Image caption: Tranquil, light and airy. The bedrooms a peaceful nooks that frame spectacular views over the Indian Ocean. | Image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    But the real art is nature itself, either captured through the glass windows or, in places, through a dramatic glass floor, to see all colours of marine life. When looking closer at each element within the villas, you will start to see the work – and personality – of the interior designer who, after a year-long renovation between 2019 – 2020, helped the resort evolve with a more subtle interior scheme that compliments the architecture throughout.

    His name is Maverick, who, believe it or not, likes to go under the radar (with no website or business address anywhere to be found). His unmatched skillset in sourcing organic materials in this region attracted the resort to ask him, in person, to refresh the interiors after he made a trip to the island in April 2018, which is when he was first taken in by Gili’s relaxed nature. “When I first set foot on Gili Lankanfushi, I just felt a kind of magic of the place that I couldn’t at first put my finger on,” he told me. “This magic, it turns out, is not the design. Instead, it is how humble the resort is. When I started working with the team, my core aim was to ensure this essence was not lost.”

    Soon after accepting the brief to renovate, which was at the time, just part of the island’s accommodations, disaster struck. On the eve of January 2, 2019, a fire broke out – every island resort’s worst nightmare. The locals told me that it started 300 metres from the island, on the Private Reserve, but due to the wind speed and direction, the fire spread quickly to the eastern promenade, and later destroyed seven villas in total and the restaurant on the south of the island. Miraculously, no one was injured, but the event remains etched in the minds of everyone who works there. Despite it being undoubtedly devastating, I also got the sense that this event was when the team’s resilience and sense of community became fiercer.

    Jetty at sunset towards villas in the Maldives

    Image caption: In 2019, a fire destroyed seven overwater villas, which were rebuilt using reclaimed wood in order to maintain the rustic-chic design scheme. | Image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    Following this event, Maverick’s role extended to allow the resort to, yes, rise from the ashes. His method to reimagine Gili Lankanfushi, post-fire, was genius, as well as equally sustainable. “I sourced the wood from abandoned homes and train stations in Indonesia,” he explained. “This was not only an ethical decision. It was the only way to achieve the rustic luxury look and feel that the resort is loved for, and for there to be no ‘time stamp’ between the new villas and the existing ones.” With zero excuses or tolerance for cutting corners, every aspect of the resort has been designed with sustainability in mind. All buildings, on the island, are constructed using reclaimed plantation teak, palm wood, bamboo and palm fronds, whilst the overwater villas and jetties are supported with recycled telegraph poles.

    In addition to saving the resort’s aesthetics and charm, the true narrative is in the detail. As I spoke to Maverick from my villa, he asked me to look closer at the desk lamp. “Can you see?” he asked with a smile beaming across his entire face. “[The lamp] is a carving of a couple arm-in-arm, looking out towards the ocean.” Once you notice one characterful artefact, others appear. The lampshades on the walls, for example, reference a turtle’s back and the soft furnishings – the cushions specifically – have a design scheme that reflects living coral – I was told that each villa has a slightly different colour scheme. Meanwhile, the wooden coffee tables are carved with stars ­– so too are door handles on the draws and cabinets – which sensitively reflect the undisturbed night sky in the Maldives – looking up at night is a further reminder of just how removed guests are from modern life.

    “The table is made from a tree trunk that was washed up here after the 2004 Tsunami.” – Maverick.

    Living room made and designed with natural wood in the Maldives

    Image caption: Maverick has used natural material as art in pockets of the villas. | Image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    It was hard to comprehend, when walking around during the day on an island that feels entirely abandoned, that the resort was at 80 per cent occupancy. The clever layout of villas means that everyone is entitled to their own space, and private entrances into the lagoon. During the day, therefore, guests tend to keep to their own adventures. By night, though, the island comes alive with guests eating at one of the two restaurants to enjoy local, fresh ingredients from the resort’s garden or from the ocean. The menus, in each restaurant, have been perfectly curated by the head chef, Chef Hari, who after 15 years has become what I would describe as a ‘Gili island treasure’ thanks to his innovative approach to cooking and his relationship with his ingredients – it’s like he sees each plate as a blank canvas.

    Aerial shot of overwater bar and restaurant at Gili Lankanfushi

    Image caption: The overwater bar and restaurant is where guests gather in the evening to capture the sunset. | Image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    Tucked away, below the surface, is the wine cellar. Beyond sheltering expensive magnums of Champagne and other extravagant wines that, quite frankly, made me feel nauseous, there is nothing more valuable in the cellar, from a designer’s perspective at least, than the table itself. That is because it, like many other details in the hotel, is attached to a fascinating and heart-warming story of restoration and regeneration. “The table is made from a tree trunk that was washed up here after the 2004 Tsunami,” Maverick explained. “Giving materials new chapters is what Gili Lankanfushi is all about.”

    Underground wine cellar with tree trunk as a table

    Image caption: A table in the wine cellar made from a tree trunk that was washed up on Gili Lankanfushi after the 2004 tsunami. | Image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    The winding nature of the trunk is, alone, awkward. However, with it being the statement of the space, with small glass tables on either side for wine tasting events, it’s as if the room works around that element and not the other way around. The walls, meanwhile, are cladded with other miss-matched pieces of reclaimed wood that, too, washed up on the shores after that natural disaster. It feels like the hotel is answering to these natural events with a message of hope for the future; design’s greatest weapon: the power of reincarnation.

    On the other side of Gili Lankanfushi, facing South, Meera Spa is designed to be an ‘island’ of its own, if you like, which is accessible via a long pontoon that channels one’s body, mind and soul into a calm, overwater space. To add a sense of wellness, and to really help capture a sense of place for guests unwinding and healing, the treatment rooms are complete with glass floors under massage beds so guests can watch the marine life during their holistic treatments.

    You may have by now realised that Gili Lankanfushi has a purposeful relationship with nature, in both design and hospitality – its sustainability credentials alone are a reflection of that. Having achieved silver certification in 2017 from EarthCheck, it is now working towards gold certification. From every corner, it is clear that the hotel does everything it can – including planting plots of seagrass, creating man-made coral lines and launching its very own marine research facility – to preserve and protect the fragile marine ecosystem, asking guests to leave only footprints in the sand behind them.

    Aerial Shot of Gili Lankanfushi

    Image caption: From the air, it is clear to see how small the physical island is compared to its vast pontoons that branch off its white sandy beaches. | Image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    Crucially, waste management is the biggest talking point on any island in the Maldives, with all plastic famously being sent to one island to be burned due to the lack of resources – this is the reality of over tourism in the Maldives. But Gili Lankanfushi has a solution. It has a strict ‘no plastic’ policy, but it still encounters a lot of floating plastic ‘carried on the currents from other islands’. In 2017, it invested in its own plastic recycling scheme in partnership with Parely Maldives to intercept single-use plastics and prevent them from entering the ocean. The island also has a fully functioning Eco Centre that recycles glass, plastic, aluminium and food waste. Glass is ground up and donated as aggregate, aluminium is crushed to prove scrap metal, plastic is stored and donated and food waste is processed into compost. All this while maintaining the speed and efficiency of a luxury hotel.

    A wooden bathroom with freestanding bath overlooking the Indian Ocean

    Image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    With everything that the resort has to offer, and all that it has achieved in terms of reputation among high-earning travellers, it is somewhat surprising that I have come this far without highlighting, in detail, what Gili Lankanfishi is in fact best known for. The Private Reserve, located within the lagoon but surrounded by nothing but clear water, grabs the headlines for it being the world’s largest standalone overwater – it’s like walking through a hotel within a hotel. But I have to admit that, as well as it being the largest, it is also the best. In true Gili style, it hasn’t been over-designed, and it shelters the same design narrative as all the other villas.

    Aerial photo of the Private Reserve at Gili Lankanfushi, the most famous villa in the Maldives

    Image caption: Gili Lankanfushi is home to the world’s largest standalone overwater villa. | Image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    The ‘world’s most famous residence’ is set across 1,700 square metres, comprising of five vast buildings linked by open-air walkways and that slide into the ocean, which is spectacular. It also shelters – and I use that term lightly – an open-air cinema, its own spa, a 21-metre pool and a fully equipped kitchen. The truth, though, is that the island has so much more to it than its largest residence, and it’s almost bizarre that, given the resort’s eco mindset together with its ambition for the place to feel unpretentious at all times, that this would be where a record-breaking villa would sit. But I guess, with a sensitive approach, opposites really can attract in paradise.

    Island lit up by tiny candles

    Image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    Of all the barefoot luxury experiences at Gili Lankanfushi, saying goodbye is, by far, the hardest. Watching the waving arms of the people who made every travel moment count shrink into the distance is yet another reminder that luxury moments don’t need to last forever in order to be impactful. My time at Gili Lankanfushi has inspired me to explore the hotels that are breaking boundaries, stripping back the concept of luxury and not just surfing the wave of sustainability to operate in a more socially and environmentally aware arena.

    Main image credit: Gili Lankanfushi

    deck, pool and sunlounger overlooking the sea at The Tongsai Bay

    The Tongsai Bay forges ahead with its transformation

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    The Tongsai Bay forges ahead with its transformation

    The Tongsai Bay, the very first five-star luxury hotel to be built on Koh Samui, is forging ahead with Phase Two of its innovative refurbishment and development programme as the resort continues to lead the way in developing the harmonious interaction between the natural world and the best of traditional Thai hospitality and service…

    deck, pool and sunlounger overlooking the sea at The Tongsai Bay

    Interior spaces at the luxury eco-haven of The Tongsai Bay are being extended and refined to complement the improved facilities undertaken in Phase One, while staying true to its ‘Natural to the Core’ philosophy. Phase Two of the transformation extends the inside-outside ethos into the new Nest co-working space in The Tongsai Bay lobby. This well-defined and dedicated area offering calm and sophisticated palettes is ideal for those travelling for business or for making genuine connections with colleagues and associates. The contemporary approach perfectly suits the modern traveller looking to recharge in a distinctive and beautiful minimalist space.

    living space with seating at level below bedroom in the guestroom at The Tongsai Bay

    Image credit: The Tongsai Bay

    Recharging in the Phase Two upgraded and remodelled 8lements Spa area brings a distinctive wellbeing approach for guests to experience the latest techniques of self-care at The Tongsai Bay. In-room exercise is possible with mounted equipment, stretch bands and yoga mats, while space for private practice and silent fitness immersion can be enjoyed via digital classes projected on the wall with headphones for direction. The 8lements Spa is set amid the hotel’s natural green surroundings, providing a haven of relaxation and beauty with a selection of fuss-free, accessible, and relevant signature treatments, massages and therapies focused on restorative wellbeing. The private spa cottages are each equipped with two massage beds, a separate area for Thai massages, an outdoor foot wash and relaxation space, herbal steam room and an open-air bathtub for floral or milk baths.

    freestanding bath with bamboo towel ladder opening onto courtyard

    Image credit: The Tongsai Bay

    The wealth of nature surrounding the resort provides the inspiration for artworks and rugs designed by internationally renowned Thai textile designer MookV (Mook Vinyaratn) using yarn spun from recycled fast fashion clothing. The textile waste is separated by colour and fully recycled, bypassing the dyeing process. All her artworks adhere to the philosophy of sustainable living and with titles such as ‘Home Sweet Banyan’ look to the welcome shade and home to birds offered by trees, vines, roots, and leaves for their subject matter. Recycled paper is also used in works such as ‘Blessed Tranquillity’ and celebrates the woods and greenery that protect many species of animals.

    A new landscaping project to enhance The Tongsai Bay’s commitment to the local ecology is also under way under Phase Two, aimed at preserving the indigenous plants of Tongsai, a unique venture that will be a green trail-blazer not just for Koh Samui but for the whole of Thailand. The past three decades of success have seen The Tongsai Bay develop similar Green Projects which have gained national and international recognition and become a sustainable model for others to embrace.

    aerial view of The Tongsai Bay showing greenery and ocean

    Image credit: The Tongsai Bay

    The landscape designer Chunlaporn Nuntapanich, who was born in Koh Samui, has been commissioned to devise a three-year plan for the area which over time will include a path to a hidden viewpoint at the highest point of Tongsai, overlooking the whole bay and beyond. Nuntapanich, who lectures at Chiangmai University and specialises in Ecological Architecture, focused on developing a sustainable local economy, surveyed The Tongsai Bay property and split the land into three categories; beach forest and small swamp area, secondary forest around the buildings, and indigenous forest on top of the hill, left untouched since before the hotel was built and throughout its 35-year existence.

    The principal idea is to preserve and allow indigenous plants to take over the alien species over time. The large trees – even if non-native – will be left as they are, because they have been there for decades but ground-covering grass may be turned into more indigenous weed. On completion, the landscape will be a planned preservation of the indigenous plants of Tongsai, offering guests a walk through both a visually rewarding and an educational terrain.

    bathroom opening onto a terrace with views over the sea

    Image credit: The Tongsai Bay

    While Phase One built on the mandate of resort since it opened in 1987, which was to provide luxury green hospitality on the idyllic island of Koh Samui, the stage is set for Phase Two to advance its philosophy and its committed leadership role in defining new travel trends. Combined with a true passion for the environment, it has built an enviable reputation for friendly and impeccable service in an unrivalled pristine paradise for active travellers, families, well-being seekers, and guests for whom privacy is a priority. The Tongsai Bay believes nature, the protection and preservation of the environment, state-of-the-art technology, and friendly service can go hand in hand with its ecological credentials to create a truly magical getaway for guests.

    Main image credit: The Tongsai Bay

    THE BRIT LIST AWARDS 2022 logo

    Sold out: The Brit List Awards 2022 officially at capacity

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Sold out: The Brit List Awards 2022 officially at capacity

    Becoming the most successful awards campaign in Hotel Designs’ history, The Brit List Awards 2022 has just sold out. 600 of the industry’s finest will attend the awards ceremony that takes place on November 2 at PROUD Embankment, the famous cabaret venue. Get ready for a performance…

    THE BRIT LIST AWARDS 2022 logo

    Following the awards ceremony at the The Brit List Awards 2021, which welcomed 50o designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and brands alike to attend, the 2022 edition of The Brit List Awards is on another level, selling 100 more tickets to the evening that has become a major event in the design and hospitality calendar. With 600 tickets now sold, the event, which will take shelter inside the spectacular PROUD Embankment venue on November 2, has official sold out. For those attending, here is what’s coming up.

    Expect indoor fireworks, cabaret performances, acrobatic displays and more as The Brit List Awards celebrates half a decade of identifying the true leaders in interior design and hospitality. “This brand that falls so effortlessly under the umbrella of Hotel Designs is all about the designers, architects, hoteliers and brands alike at the top of their game,” commented Editor Hamish Kilburn who will host the evening alongside Publisher Katy Phillips. “It would be nothing without those individuals, so I would like to thank everyone who applied or nominated someone this year – we read each and every entry. Between myself and the rest of the judging panel, we are confident in who we selected as this year’s winners and highly commended candidates.”

    In addition to announcing the individual winners, across nine categories, the award ceremony will also be where The Brit List 2022, the official publication that, year after year across three categories, includes the profiles of the top 75 interior designers, architects and hoteliers. “The Brit List has become a prestigious ‘who’s who’ in the British interior design, architecture and hospitality landscape,” said Phillips. “Each person referenced within it have given examples of how they have challenged conventional approaches to hotel design and hospitality in a way that is vastly disrupting the industry and setting new standards.”

    Our sponsors: 

    If you are not attending the awards ceremony, the winners of The Brit List Awards 2022 will be announced on Hotel Designs on November 3, the day after the awards ceremony.

    Main image credit: The Brit List Awards 2022

    bathroom basin and mirror with wallmounted soap dispenser by Unidrain

    Product watch: designer dispenser from Unidrain

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Product watch: designer dispenser from Unidrain

    The ultimate designer bathroom accessories range from Unidrain, the Reframe Collection, is expanding to include this meticulously designed soap dispenser…

    bathroom basin and mirror with wallmounted soap dispenser by Unidrain

    The carefully crafted dispenser is characterised by excellent quality and sharp attention to detail, and as with all components of the Reframe Collection the new dispenser provides quintessential Danish design for the bathroom. One of the most distinctive features of the new dispenser is the uniquely angled nozzle which distributes a specific quantity of soap that lands in your hand and not on the washbasin. Intelligent details such as this are the hallmark of the entire Reframe Collection. User comfort is ensured by a non-slip base, robust construction, and stable unshakable operation.

    Unidrain Reframe Collection soap dispenser

    Image credit: Unidrain

    “The unique design of the soap dispenser makes it the perfect addition to Unidrain’s Reframe Collection,” said René Risom International Sales Manager, Unidrain. “Each element has been meticulously designed, and the soap dispenser now joins this cohesive collection; The designer smooths out any imperfections and literally reimagines and reframes the product.”

    Available in two formats as a countertop model or a wall-mounted version and five different finishes: brushed stainless steel, polished stainless steel, as well as PVD-coated brass, black and copper.The soap dispenser is an elegant and exciting addition to the Reframe Collection and the complete series with its minimalist lines harmonises magnificently with the Unidrain HighLine Colour designer drain.

    Unidrain 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: Unidrain

    Exterior image of Nova Maldives, showing overwater villas in the Maldives

    VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in November 2022

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in November 2022

    While 2022 might be winding down, hotels across the globe are still breaking ground, laying foundations and flinging open their designer doors. Keeping our finger on the pulse of all these openings and reimagining, here are a few that have caught our attention for this month of November…

    Exterior image of Nova Maldives, showing overwater villas in the Maldives

    Having been working remotely from my Hotel Designs desk in Northern Morocco for the past few weeks, it feels only fitting to kick off the November VIP openings list with the widely anticipated opening of the Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier. Tangier is becoming a bit of  hotel hotspot as alongside The Tazi Palace, the first Waldorf Astoria for Africa is slated to be opening here in 2025.

    Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier

    moroccan design details in the spa at Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier

    Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts / Romeo Balancourt

    Set on the hillside of old Tangier, originally built in the 1920s as a residence for the King’s advisor, the palace has been restored and expanded upon, and now shelters 133 luxurious rooms and suites, a Fairmont Spa, multiple restaurants and bars, as well as modern conference and banquet spaces. Curated and designed by OBMI & CCCRA Architects, the property’s historic features are meticulously restored to their original 1920s glory and are complimented by a collection of vibrant dining venues and a spectacular wellness centre. The palace will offer select guestrooms overlooking the forested hillside, with additional rooms providing unobstructed views of the Old City with mountains on the horizon, creating a picturesque atmosphere. Visiting guests will be immersed in an environment steeped in rich history while enjoying charismatic and engaging service. The luxurious place features sumptuous Arab-Andalusian architecture, combining ancient and modern design while staying true to Moroccan tradition.

    Nova Maldives

    beach villa in blue and white on the beach at Nova Maldives

    Image credit: Nova Maldives

    Nova is the latest addition to the Pulse Hotels and Resorts Group portfolio is a contemporary all-inclusive community concept with a laidback soul and island style aesthetic. Pulse Hotels and Resorts is an umbrella brand for a range of innovative and contemporary hotels and resorts that are being built upon their core philosophy of being smart, playful, rooted, and responsible. The newly opened Nova Maldives is based on a home-from-home concept, an all-natural island resort sheltering 76 sensitively designed villas, offering guests a laidback, soulful island destination.

    The spacious beach and water villas have private terraces, pools, and endless Indian Ocean views. The interior design heroes the location with custom-made furniture, neutral whites, warm materials and natural light, in a pared-back and minimalist style with the focus on delivering a truly relaxing ambience for guests. With nature and wellness at its core, each room also offers state-of-the-art technology.

    Hotel Per La

    Image credit: Hotel Per La / The Ingalls

    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. Under new ownership and management, debuting rooms and a new rooftop concept, the 12 story Hotel Per La features 241 signature guestrooms, and a variety of public spaces.

    Located in the Giannini Building, the former Bank of Italy home originally built in 1922, the reimagined property has retained 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 have introduced 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.

    The Quoin

    seating, display cabinet and plants in the lobby at The Quoin

    Image credit: The Quoin / Matthew Williams

    The Quoin is a new luxury boutique hotel developed and designed by Philadelphia-based hospitality company, Method Co. Housed in a four-story Victorian Romanesque brownstone dating back to 1885 that was designed by the renowned Philadelphia architect, Frank Furness, The Quoin features 24 luxury guestrooms, a lobby café and bar with fireplace, a ground floor restaurant with courtyard dining, a lower-level cocktail lounge, the city’s first rooftop bar and event space, plus a gym, retail space, and bike share program featuring Solé bicycles, adding a new and lasting hospitality landmark to the fabric of downtown Wilmington.

    The Quoin’s contemporary interior design was carefully considered by Method Studios, Method Co.’s in-house design firm, in partnership with Philadelphia-based Stokes Architecture + Design. Inspired by the aesthetic of the Brandywine Valley, Method Studios reimagined the building’s existing natural materials by layering in modern handmade décor, floral motifs in the fabrics and wallpapers, the clean lines of modern Shaker-influenced furniture, and an overall subdued, earthy colour palette influenced by original Victorian-era paints dating back to 1820.

    Hôtel Dame des Arts

    guestroom at Hôtel Dame des Arts with art and views over Paris

    Image credit: Hôtel Dame des Arts

    Located in the historic Latin Quarter, Hôtel Dame des Arts, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, has opened its doors as a contemporary retreat embodying the spirit of freedom, culture, and creativity of the city’s Left Bank. The hotel offers a choice of 109 guestrooms and suites, all with bespoke and unique art pieces and many featuring outdoor balconies with views of iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Towel and Notre Dame Cathedral. Additional highlights include a state-of-the-art fitness centre and wellness area with a sauna and treatment room, courtyard garden, rooftop bar, and a signature restaurant serving French cuisine, reimagined with the fresh spirit of the North Pacific.

    Mills House, Curio Collection by Hilton

    Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton

    Image credit: Curio Collection by Hilton

    The iconic 218 guestroom Mills House, located in the heart of downtown Charleston’s historic French Quarter neighbourhood, officially relaunches following a complete renovation and conversion to a lifestyle hotel under the ownership of RLJ Lodging Trust. With the relaunch, Mills House transitions to Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton as the portfolio’s first property in South Carolina.

    The transformation of this landmark hotel includes a complete reimagination of all original guest rooms and the addition of premium suites, while maintaining the old-world charm and warmth for which Charleston is known. Guests enter through a lush hidden garden, one of the hotel’s many new bespoke spaces, which also include a new rooftop bar and terrace. Mills House now offers multiple new food and beverage concepts, including The Black Door Café, aptly named for its panelled door on Queen Street that offers a quintessential Charleston moment for visitors to The Holy City. Tucked inside the hotel’s walled courtyard, and soon to be one of Charleston’s favourite hidden gem eateries, is Iron Rose, a new signature restaurant where guests can enjoy Southern coastal cuisine by an outdoor fireplace.

    Waldorf Astoria Cancun

    Waldorf Astoria Cancun

    Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts

    Having mentioned Waldorf Astoria in the introduction, it felt like an appropriate note on which to end – Waldorf Astoria Cancun, with architecture from SB Architects, interiors by HBA and planning from EDSA, is now flying its luxury flag on this shimmering coastline with 100 acres of private beach at its disposal. Combining Waldorf Astoria’s elegant hospitality and unforgettable experiences with a rich Mexican heritage, the hotel will offer stunning ocean views from its 150 suites. The 21 room Waldorf Astoria Spa integrates Mexican healing traditions, and five restaurants and bars provide local cuisine and flavours.

    Main image credit: Nova Maldives

    view from tented terrace across the desert at Banyan Tree Alula with design by AW2

    Banyan Tree AlUla lands in the desert with a light touch

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Banyan Tree AlUla lands in the desert with a light touch

    AW², the Paris based international architecture and interiors studio led by Stéphanie Ledoux and Reda Amalou, has completed the design of Banyan Tree AlUla, a resort in the Ashar Valley of AlUla in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where the  sustainable tent-like structures have been designed to protect and preserve its desert location…

    view from tented terrace across the desert at Banyan Tree Alula with design by AW2

    The new Banyan Tree resort, inspired by the heritage and natural beauty of AlUla, is located close to the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra. Guided by the Strategic Master planning Guidelines for Alula and the Saudi Vision 2030, AW²’s design integrates and responds to Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for the future as well as the resort’s completely unique desert setting amid rock formations and ancient heritage sites. The design prioritises the preservation of natural beauty and the rich heritage of the site while supporting the nation’s long-term touristic, cultural, and economic goals for the region.

    view from tented guestroom at Banyan Tree Alula

    Image credit: AW²

    Sheltering 47 new tented suites, the accommodation ranges in size from one to three guestrooms. The public areas include two gourmet restaurants, as well as a luxury spa. The signature swimming pool sits in a natural crevice in the rocks, reminiscent of the Wadis which appears at the foot of the cliffs during rain spells.

    AW² took an environmentally friendly, ‘light touch’ approach to the design which aims to blend the resort seamlessly with the natural scenery of the Ashar valley. Each suite is composed of a simple platform and a solid structure evoking the neighbouring rocks. Various sand-coloured canvases were used to create natural ventilation between the roof and the tent, as well as providing sun protection. This three-tiered design creates soft roof lines blending the architecture into the existing landscape.

    back deck of guest villa at Banyan Tree Alula

    Image credit: Banyan Tree AlUla

    “Our architecture responds to the fragility of the Ashar site and aims not only to restore but also to protect it from future harm by consciously addressing the balance of Man and Nature,” stated Reda Amalou & Stéphanie Ledoux, Partners at AW². “Our concept involves harnessing the natural beauty of the landscape with a project that seamlessly integrates into the site, a design that is adapted and adaptable to the cultural, historical and natural specificities of Ashar.”

    Various sand coloured canvas and terracotta renders were carefully chosen to blend with its surrounding, the architecture is designed as a landscape. The spa façades were formed using compacted sand, the variation of horizontal coloured sand lines matching with the rock formations in the background.

    As with all AW² projects, the design team focused on the guest experience. A key factor that had to be addressed was the large scale of the site, and the design has been carefully considered to ensure guests do not feel overwhelmed, while still experiencing spectacular vistas. Privacy and shelter therefore go hand in hand at the resort, creating an intimate environment where the breath-taking views are individually framed.

    guestroom at Banyan Tree Alula with framed view of desert decorated in natural tones of the location

    Image credit: Banyan Tree AlUla

    The interior design is a modern interpretation of the Bedouin way of life. Throughout the resort, spaces are designed with patterns inspired by Nabataean nomadic Arab tribes and traditional motifs, evoking the rich cultural heritage of Ashar. The colours of the desert are reflected in the colour palette used throughout the design.

    AW² carried the approach taken to the architecture into the interior design. Spaces are designed to create an indoor-outdoor feel, to help guests feel connected to nature. Terraces extend from the interior spaces with the canvas tent covering above. The bespoke furniture design reflects a modern and elegant style which is visible throughout the resort combing a rich local experience with the highest international luxury standards in hospitality design.

    stone, wood, canvas in the design by AW2 at Banyan Tree Alula

    Image credit: AW²

    To emphasise the light touch approach in the development of the vast site, paths and walkways were designed as trails in the sand. Guests travel through a landscape of sand dunes allowing them to get closer to nature. In this way, the footprint of the resort is reduced to a minimum and the site’s natural habitat is preserved. The use of local resources, craftsmanship and minerals further minimises the project’s carbon footprint.

    Local plants were implemented into the landscape of the resort, a sustainable design choice focusing on endemic species native to the desert climate. The architects used water harvesting techniques to guide the rainwater towards micro-catchment gardens to support plant life on the site. The gardens also provide flood protection during the months of high rainfall when flash floods can occur in the region.

    Main image credit: AW²

    Entrance at Workspace Design Show designed by GENSLER

    What to expect from Workspace Design Show 2023

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    What to expect from Workspace Design Show 2023

    Workspace Design Show will be taking over the hall at the Business Design Centre, London, on February 27 –28. While it is getting ready to host a whole range of creatives from the UK’s workplace industry, we are fulfilling our media partnership role with an insight on what’s to look forward to…

    Entrance at Workspace Design Show designed by GENSLER

    First things first. The theme of the 2023 edition of Workspace Design Show show is ‘Destination Workplace’. What does that mean? Good question. There is expected to be more than 3,000 workplace professionals looking to source the latest furniture, lighting, acoustics, surfaces, storage, materials, tech and biophilic products and solutions to transform their office interiors – so let’s explore that concept.

    Gensler will be designing the Show entrance, with the theme ‘Destination Workplace Rebirth’. “It feels like there has never been a more exciting and yet equally unknown time in the future of workplace design,” explained Becky Spenceley, Design Director at Gensler, who is leading the project. “We are inspired by this synergy between a new era of workplace and a new outlook on how we can care for our planet, and how we as designers can affect that through pioneering and sustainable design. It’s about fresh perspectives to enable new ways of working and create unique and tailored destinations for people, hence the overarching theme of Rebirth.”

    Following the success of last year’s show, over the course of the event there will be a diverse range of speakers, within an enticing talks programme, providing three Talks theatres which attendees can choose from. Refreshing, post-Covid opinions will be discussed in the Talks Lounge, beautifully curated by The Furniture Practice. In addition, attendees will be able to listen to the leading lights from architecture and design, and end-users talking about the latest trends, challenges and innovations in the workplace sector.

    talks at Workspace Design Show

    Image credit: Workspace Design Show

    New to 2023, and designed to help define the theme physically, will be the Bio Materials exhibition, designed by BIOHM, with biological systems at the heart of its inspiration. This will combine ideologies of the circular economy and human-centred design with future-tech, representing an exciting opportunity for visitors to discover advanced materials, that will be crucial to the future of design.

    Major international architecture practice BDP is responsible for ‘Change by Design’ a lounge space concept for the 2023 Workspace Design Show. This will provide a discussion piece surrounding the current climate crisis, and will question the impact of workplace design on the natural environment. It represents a problem-solving approach that will demonstrate how the use of recycled, reused and bio materials in design projects can help to shape a low-carbon future.

    The FIS, (Finishes & Interiors Sector) Innovation awards will also take place at the show, recognising outstanding innovation in the finishes and interiors sector across various categories.

    In addition – and here’s one for the entire interior design community – we have it on good authority that the Workspace Design Show party will also be making a welcome return, this time ‘bigger, bolder and better’. Their words, not ours.

    The show will also provide visitors with the chance to explore the latest product launches that are transforming the employee experience in our workplaces, creating spaces for people to harbour creativity and enjoy working in.

    Hotel Designs is proud to return in 2023 as an official media partner for Workspace Design Show. 

    Main image credit: Workspace Design Show/Gensler

    palm leaf gold mosaic design by TREND group in Miami

    TREND mosaics  – all that glitters really is gold

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    TREND mosaics  – all that glitters really is gold

    Updating and extending an original 1930s Florida villa to give it a modernist, vibrant feel, the Artistic Director of TREND whose mosaics and materials were used throughout, created a space to bridge the decades…

    palm leaf gold mosaic design by TREND group in Miami

    Whilst keeping the buildings historical integrity called for a delicate touch, taking the design as far as possible without compromising the building’s design ethos was a challenge the owners of this extensive property in Miami Beach faced with relish. Well-known Italian entrepreneurs in the world of luxury design and high-end builds, they saw this as an opportunity to create a family home that would bridge the decades and stand loud and proud on its own merits, while allowing the 30s art deco styling to remain relevant nearly 100 years on without becoming a pastiche of itself.

    “I used the mosaic collection in every single room of my house, combining our Italian tradition and culture for high quality and elevated design with TREND materials,” said Federica Bisazza, Artistic Director, TREND. “I wanted to create a special atmosphere with hints of tropical vibes so that my guests and friends could experience them. Bringing beauty into the daily lives of our customers is our mission.”

    geometric patterns in the bathroom using TREND mosaic tiles in white and gold

    Image credit: TREND Group

    Set in almost 30,000 square feet of lush tropical gardens overlooking the bay, Villa Primavera was extended to provide 7,500 square feet of living space, complete with statement swimming pool. Floor to ceiling windows flood the interior with light and help to connect inside and outside into one space.

    Aiming to reflect the building’s natural surroundings of lush vegetation, views across the water, the hustle and bustle of downtown Miami and the smooth, distinctive lines of the building itself, the owners set themselves bold design objectives without compromise. Light, colour and geometric lines were key elements to achieving the overall effect and they quickly decided to use only products made in Italy to ensure the highest levels of quality. The fit-out was overseen by the owner who is also Artistic Director of TREND whose materials were used throughout to create a feeling of continuity whilst allowing ultimate creative expression and contrast.

    Whilst the living areas play with light, the bathrooms are where TREND materials are used for optimum creative expression. The master bathroom uses geometric patterns and colour to create an optical illusion that bends light and space. TREND Immense Effect glass tiles clad the walls, blended with accents of White and Platinum glass mosaics.

    art deco style bathroom tiles from TREND Group

    Image credit: TREND Group

    The creative use of tiles and mosaics continues throughout the property, making a statement with a combination of colour, texture and bold design. The main guest bathroom features a stunning feature wall with a Palm Leaf design finished in 24K Yellow Gold Flute 1 artistic mosaics, bringing elements of the garden inside. The custom-made vanity unit is also finished in hand-cut 24K yellow gold mosaics, creating continuity along with visual contrast. In a further guest bathroom, TREND Liberty Pearl glass tiles are used to create a warm, relaxing mood with neutral tones and subtle reflections. The tiles have been installed vertically to give the room more height and create a feeling of space.

    The theme continues throughout the villa with both guest bedrooms decorated with two-colour mosaics depicting tropical floral motifs. Even the property’s private elevator features an original blue and red mosaic designed by Italian Artist Marco Nero Rotelli. Carrying the theme through to the outside, the swimming pool is clad with white mosaic and platinum gold tiles, reflecting the colour of the sky and sparkling in the sunshine.

    TREND’s versatile range of surface coverings, tiles and mosaics can be found adorning the floors, walls, bathrooms and pools of private and commercial properties around the world, wherever quality, design and artistic expression are seen as essential elements to success. Villa Primavera, stands as a shining example of how TREND can bring new and old together to create something exciting, special, unexpected and timeless.

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

    Main image credit: TREND Group

    Inside new beachside tented villas at Fairmont Maldives

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Inside new beachside tented villas at Fairmont Maldives

    Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi has unveiled new beachside tented villas, which have been designed to created an added sense of adventure. Editor Hamish Kilburn takes a look inside… 

    Are we in Africa, on safari? Not quite, although the latest addition to Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi – beachside tented accommodation – is not something we are used to experiencing in this region. However, with the promise to ‘reignite travellers’ sense of adventure’, the new villas have been designed to sit in harmony with the natural island environment – and create a completely different luxury experience from the typical beach or overwater villas that travellers now expect when discovering the region’s various islands.

    Fairmont Maldives' large infinity pool by beach

    Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

    Located in Shaviyani Atoll, which boasts one of the country’s largest resort lagoons, Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi likes to think of itself as more than just a personal hideaway. The ‘secret water island”, as dubbed by the locals, glistens ‘like a pearl’ – think postcard white sand beaches fringed with swaying palms, kissed by the turquoise waters of the 600-hectare lagoon that gives way to the tranquil blues of the Indian Ocean and a never-ending horizon.

    The 120-key hotel is home to the longest infinity pool in the Maldives that leads guests to the Coralarium, the country’s first and only coral regeneration project in the form of an underwater art installation by Jason deCaires Taylor. The Sustainability Lab – the first of its kind in the archipelago – is a hub of eco-education where guests can create bespoke souvenirs and unique items from plastic waste washed ashore and collected from the surrounding ocean. And now, in addition to a high-end tented jungle villa – which was built in 2019 to mirror the beauty and diversity of the island, with wooden frames, amber-toned interiors and walls swathed in white canvas – the hotel now has beachside tented villas.

    Set on their own private pocket of beach, the new villas provide a safari-style stay whilst mirroring the beauty and diversity of the island’s verdant flora and fauna. Natural wooden frames are swathed in white fabric, which can be rolled up completely to offer unparalleled views of the turquoise ocean beyond from floor-to-ceiling windows.

    Aerial view of tented beach villa in the Maldives

    Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

    A neutral colour palette is accented with an eclectic collection of patterned throws and cushions, pieces of striking Maldivian artwork and rattan rugs, with a centrepiece chandelier lighting up the luxurious lounge area. Spacious and secluded, the Beach Tented Villas house a master suite with California King Bed and en-suite bathroom, separate children’s bedroom, spacious alfresco decking area with loungers and hammocks, outdoor roll-top tub and rain shower, and a Sala for communal dining that overlooks the private pool.

    Opened in May 2018, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi also features Beach and Water Villas, with all interiors inspired to look and feel bohemian with rustic-chic, carved-wood details and copper bathroom fittings.

    Main image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

    exterior and entrance to The Château de Vignée at Villers-sur-Lesse

    Dornbracht and Alape provide solutions for The Château de Vignée

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Dornbracht and Alape provide solutions for The Château de Vignée

    Once a traditional hunting lodge hotel, The Château de Vignée at Villers-sur-Lesse is now a luxury retreat for guests seeking rest and repose in picturesque natural surroundings. The Alape bathroom solutions and Dornbracht fittings in the bathrooms, for which Sieger Design is responsible, are just one of its highlights…

    exterior and entrance to The Château de Vignée at Villers-sur-Lesse

    The Belgian design studio WeWantMore has turned the Château de Vignée in the Ardennes into an aesthetically exciting boutique hotel. The Château de Vignée is located in the Belgian Ardennes and is surrounded by open meadows and dense forests. Deeply rooted in the region, it acted as a meeting place for hunters for centuries. The former hunting lodge has now been transformed into a boutique hotel and the design team found a special way to reinterpret the rustic charm of a property that was built in 1658. The premises are rich in detail, their design now influenced as much by the austere beauty of surrounding nature as by their extravagant, 19th century inheritance. The selected materials, lighting concepts and colour schemes take much of their inspiration from the surrounding landscape – while playfully arranged stuffed animals evoke the Château’s history with a twinkle in the eye.

    interior by WeWantMore at chateau with statement lighting and stuffed animals

    Image credit: Katoo Peters

    Along with extensively refurbished and restored rooms, the building boasts a bar and lounge, a high-class restaurant and a spa area. The spacious bathrooms in the junior suites are characterised by marble and whitewashed plaster walls. The undermount basins of the Alape Metaphor series fit seamlessly into the interior design. Their reduced, linear form creates an atmosphere of clarity and structure. Metaphor is complemented congenially by the Dornbracht classic Tara. The colour used for the fittings and basins is Black matt: the dark finish contrasting beautifully with the impressive graining of the marble. The geometric purity of the design mirror by Alape and the Assist floating shelf system complete the arrangement.

    Anthracite coloured marble was the predominant influence in the bathrooms of the superior rooms. The counter-top basins on the washstands come from the Alape Unisono series. Glazed steel, with its non-porous and immaculate finish in a material that is only 3 mm thick, sets a highly ornamental and delicate tone here. The circular shape of the basin also harmonises stylishly with the equally round design mirror. The Black matt finishes of the Alape basins and Dornbracht’s classic Tara fitting exert a calming effect in combination with the subtle shade of the marble – and bring a sense of intimacy and elegance to the interior of the room.

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

    Main image credit: Katoo Peeters

    Deluxe guestroom inside the Hyatt Hotel in Japan overlooking Mount Fuji

    The Unbound Collection by Hyatt debuts in Japan

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    The Unbound Collection by Hyatt debuts in Japan

    Fuji Speedway is the dramatic backdrop of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt’s first hotel in Japan…

    Deluxe guestroom inside the Hyatt Hotel in Japan overlooking Mount Fuji

    Set amid Mount Fuji, Fuji Speedway Hotel in Shizuoka, has opened as the first property within The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Japan.

    The hotel, which first entered our radar in 2019, sits adjacent to the historic Fuji Speedway motor racing circuit, which hosts world-class racing events, and offers a unique opportunity to fully experience the excitement of motorsports. The hotel also houses the Fuji Motor Sports Museum, which showcases about 40 story-worthy and era-defining racing cars dating from the end of the 19th century – an exclusive space where guests can learn and be immersed in the history and culture of this exciting sport.

    Fuji Speedway Hotel features 120 stylish accommodations, including 21 spacious suites, all with private balconies offering breathtaking views of Fuji Speedway race circuit or Mount Fuji. They also include five dog-friendly villas that feature individual private garages with floor-to-ceiling windows on one side for proud owners to admire their vehicles while in residence. The interiors of all rooms are complemented by sophisticated finishes, from buttery leather to marble detailing, and the spa-like bathrooms include deep-soaking tubs.

    “Fuji Speedway Hotel epitomises the brand’s hallmark for worldly, unforgettable memories, and I believe it is the brand that best encapsulates the appeal of the Fuji Motorsports Forest,” commented Tomohide Yamamura, President of Toyota Fudosan. “We hope this hotel will become a place loved by people all over Japan and across the world.”

    Contemporary design inside restuarant with geometric patterns on ceilings

    Image credit: Hyatt

    David Udell, group president, Asia Pacific, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, added: “We are truly honored that Toyota Fudosan Co., Ltd., an affiliate of the Toyota Group, has chosen Hyatt and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand as a key component of their Fuji Motorsports Forest project – the first hotel that Toyota has developed in collaboration with Hyatt. With the much-anticipated reopening of Japan’s borders, Fuji Speedway Hotel will provide overseas visitors and local residents with a memorable, one-of-a-kind experience, blending the excitement of motorsports and the luxury of a boutique hotel in the beautiful countryside.”

    The contemporary hotel features two restaurants serving authentic local fare, a bar and an all-day dining lounge, all with stylish interiors celebrating the golden age of motorsports, and a spa that includes an indoor pool, indoor and outdoor hot spring onsens and a spacious fitness centre.

    > Since you’re here, why not read about Hyatt’s expansion plans for 2023?

    Main image credit: Hyatt

    Boston - concrete surface in the bathroom

    Introducing Boston – a versatile tile collection from Parkside

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Introducing Boston – a versatile tile collection from Parkside

    Boston is the new porcelain tile collection from Parkside, which helps to bring the look of concrete into commercial spaces…

    Boston - concrete surface in the bathroom

    From the brand that has more than 20,000 commercial tiles, Parkside, a trusted tile specification company, has just launched Boston. The new collection is all about versatility in surface design; adding sophistication into interior design schemes, and bringing natural elements indoors.

    Concrete brings a modern and dynamic style to interiors and now with Boston, Parkside brings its look in a versatile and practical porcelain tile. Suitable for wall and floor use and in three true-to-life colours, Boston is now available from stock for fast delivery.

    With its natural variation and matt finish, the tile is an authentic and original interpretation of concrete with the longevity and ease of maintenance of high-performance porcelain tiling. Frost and UV resistant, it can be used outside as well as indoors. Boston achieves 36+ PTV slip-resistance under wet use across all three sizes (30 x 60cm, 60 x 60cm, 60 x 120cm).

    Boston joins Parkside’s portfolio of over 20,000 commercial tiles, covering every need. With design-led tiles to sustainable products made with high-levels of recycled content and specialist technical solutions through the Strata Technical Tiles product brand, as well as installation products and finishing accessories; Parkside can work with you to develop a tile specification that meets the needs of your project.

    > Since you’re here, why not read about Urbancrete from Parkside? 

    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.

    Main image credit: Parkside

    Six Senses Victoria Falls stilted eco lodges in zimbabwe over the Zambezi

    Six Senses to arrive in Zimbabwe

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Six Senses to arrive in Zimbabwe

    Slated to open in 2025, Six Senses has entered into its first sub-Saharan African project with Six Senses Victoria Falls and plans to offer wildlife lovers stilted eco-lodges on the edge of the Zambezi…

    Six Senses Victoria Falls stilted eco lodges in zimbabwe over the Zambezi

    The riverside game reserve and wellness resort will fall within Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park, a UNESCO Protected Area. The partially concealed, tree-level lodges at Six Senses Victoria Falls will be ecological, tactile, and understated to provide a bird’s eye platform for what’s most important, an authentic connection with the verdant nature and wildlife all around.

    The resort is part of The House of Chinhara initiative to recover the majesty of Zimbabwean tourism by elevating the available accommodation count and quality for visitors to the Victoria Falls National Park, as well as providing host accommodation facilities and hospitality training opportunities. Victoria Falls comprises five individual falls, four of which are located in Zimbabwe. Of course, the animals know no borders, and elephants, pods of hippos, buffalo, big cats, and primates will be doing their thing under the lodges, raising the question of who is watching who.

    With its trademark ethos of conscious travel, Six Senses is working with the development team of Worth International, comprising SIP Project Managers, DSA Architects International, and CKR Consultant Engineers, on a modular scheme consisting of a series of stilted wooden structures. This will match the weightless aesthetic with mighty engineering innovation to ensure the lightest possible footprint while still withstanding a heavy knock from a passing elephant. Fabricated off-site to minimise construction impacts, the arrangement of lodges and villas will be connected by raised walkways and bridges.

    From the main welcome pavilion, guests will transfer to the lounge lobby, where amenities will include a raised restaurant and lounge, specialty dining and braai bar, and sunset look-out bar. The Six Senses Spa and wellness facilities will include four treatment rooms, a gym, a yoga deck, outdoor hot pools, a panoramic sauna, and an integrated retail and concept store. The jungle gym is literal and therefore accompanied by a ranger.

    In addition to the 22 lodges with private terraces, there will be 15 deluxe lodges with suspended pools. Some of these lodges can be inter-connected. Plans are afoot for 17 individual pool villas, nine of which offer multi-bedroom accommodation. The seamless blurring of the interior and exterior design evokes reconnection to nature and moments of mindfulness to breathe in the savannah breezes and river mists to the rhythm of a chirruping cicada.

    The brief to the DSGN interior design consultancy team is to capture the eclectic and authentic spirit of Zimbabwe. The timber floors and natural finishes will serve as a canvas to showcase ceremonial and bespoke furnishings and artwork. The aim is to achieve timeless sophistication and comfort overlayed with colours, textures, and craftsmanship.

    Along with on-site signature experiences such as the Earth Lab, Alchemy Bar, and Grow With Six Senses children’s activities, Six Senses Victoria Falls couldn’t be better placed for access to the river on the Six Senses cruiser, the falls, the game reserves, and paying homage to Zimbabwe’s heritage and artisan culture.

    Main image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts

    Bar at room2 Chiswick

    Checking in to room2 Chiswick – the world’s first net-zero hometel

     1024 640 Hamish Kilburn
    By:
    0
    Checking in to room2 Chiswick – the world’s first net-zero hometel

    When it comes to architecture, design and fashion, London is home to many ‘firsts’. Answering to any allegation of ‘greenwashing’ with conscious hotel design and hosptiality, Lamington Group unveiled the world’s first net-zero hometel – and it has the stats to back up that claim, as Nadia Walford discovers when she checks in to room2 Chiswick…

    Bar at room2 Chiswick

    Net-zero is no longer just a concept in hotel design. Built on the site of a former wallpaper factory – with architecture from Project Orange – room2 Chiswick is the world’s first fully net-zero ‘hometel’. In short, this means it’s the first hotel in the world to fully account for its entire carbon footprint, using 89 per cent less energy compared to other hotels by rolling out various sustainable initiatives.

    Since launching in December 2021 in the leafy west London suburb of Chiswick, ‘London’s first hometel’ from room2 combines the best elements from Airbnb, serviced apartments and boutique hotels, with a 24-hour check-out policy. With four categories of accommodation styles to choose from – Snug, Studio, Lounge and Suite – all rooms come with well-stocked kitchenettes (favoured by long staying guests), refillable amenities by Doers of London, and little touches like dried flowers and handmade bits and bobs boxes.

    exposed concrete ceiling, velvet bar stools and locally designed furniture in F&b space in room2 Chiswick

    Image credit: Lamington Group

    Under an exposed concrete ceiling and on top of wooden floorboards, Pinstripe headboards, rattan chairs, cork benches and banquettes are set against a palette of warm pastel colours. Fabrics and materials have been mindfully chosen to promote reuse, such as soft bedroom throws from Slow Down Studio, which are made from 80 per cent recycled cotton, and carpets constructed using recycled fishing nets which line the corridors. Look out for bespoke handmade mosaic signs on each bedroom door manufactured by local designer Janita O’Toole during lockdown.

    Room at room2 Chiswick

    Image credit: Lamington Group

    Notable eco-friendly features at this game-changing property include solar panels and beehives on the roof, a zero-waste policy, and three-in-one in-room recycling bins (a first for the hospitality industry) designed and manufactured by room2 to ensure 100 per cent of waste is recycled or converted into energy off-site. Ultra-energy efficient lighting, occupancy sensors across the building, and ground source heat pumps are other noteworthy features that add to this hometel’s list of impressive green credentials. They’ve even invested in a blue roof drainage system which can hold up to 50,000 litres of rainwater to reduce localised flooding and a green roof with soil and wildflowers to increase biodiversity and absorb CO2.

    Inspired by the spirit of Chiswick’s 19th century arts and crafts heritage, each of the 86 rooms have been carefully crafted in collaboration with local artisans. Colourful, psychedelic marbled print wallpaper from Rachel Maiden of Maiden Marbling can be found all over the hotel, while handcrafted Dali-esque mirrors from London-based artist Kieran Letts feature in the lifts and bathrooms. Through procurement agency Dodd & Shute, each piece of furniture has been carefully selected to ensure its integrity, and all loose bespoke furniture has been manufactured within 10 miles of the property using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) timber. Fun fact: a total of 4,462 trees were planted to offset the carbon of all the furniture used.

    Lounge area in apartment at room2 Chiswick

    Image credit: Lamington Group

    According to House of Dre, the hometel’s interior design studio, “exposed concrete slabs, bricks and blocks bring an unfussy informality which is key to the room2 brand.” Reclaimed terracotta tiles and locally sourced plants inspired by nearby Kew Gardens greenhouses line the lobby. Walk further inside and you’ll notice warm lighting, wall-hung textiles and hanging plants adorn the restaurant and lounge area, and an antique Elm bar front inspired by the ancient Japanese yakisugi process taking up much of the space. Additional facilities at the hometel include a laundry room, a gym with Peloton equipment, and yoga mats made from cork.

    The bathrooms, too, have been consciously designed in a scheme that feels aptly earthy. With a mutual focus on the environment, Kaldewei was, for many reasons, the perfect partner for the room2 bathroom design – all products are manufactured from 100 per cent recyclable steel enamel, and last year the company took another step towards becoming a carbon neutral business; when it started manufacturing with bluemint Steel, a balance-oriented CO2-reduced steel which will lessen emissions by 70 per cent.

    bathroom and kitchen galley in Room 2 Chiswick

    Image credit: Lamington Group

    While the F&B offering at room2 Chiswick isn’t the main event, neither has it been overlooked. An independently run café serves breakfast and locally sourced organic coffee during the day before turning into a cocktail bar at night specialising in organic wine.

    Restaurant inside room 2 Chiswick with '60s interior design scheme

    Image credit: Lamington Group

    Proving sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on style or comfort, room2 Chiswick raises the bar of environmental responsibility in the hospitality industry, and sets a new green standard for hotel design.

    Real estate investor and developer Lamington Group has announced plans to open a new room2 hometel in Belfast in Spring 2023. room2 currently has three operational locations, in Southampton, Hammersmith and room2 Chiswick, which opened in December 2021 marking the world’s first fully whole life net zero hotel. room2 Belfast will offer 175 rooms spread across nine floors, a café/restaurant, coffee roastery, meeting and work spaces, gym, bar and lounge. Proving that net-zero hospitality is achievable on a scale larger than boutique, Lamington Group recently announced that it will open three new net zero room2 hometels in York, Glasgow and Manchester in 2024, 2025 and 2026 respectively.

    Main image credit: Lamington Group

    blue and white hotel bathroom design with blue basin by Ideal Standard

    Ideal Standard – making a statement in the hotel bathroom

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Ideal Standard – making a statement in the hotel bathroom

    As the hotel bathroom increasingly takes centre stage in the guest experience, Ideal Standard looks at some design solutions to elevate this previously practical space. From high-traffic lobby washrooms to spa-like hotel bathrooms, these spaces create lasting impressions for guests that go well beyond their stay…

    blue and white hotel bathroom design with blue basin by Ideal Standard

    To achieve truly impactful bathroom design, looking to manufacturers and product ranges that combine design-led aesthetics with the functionality, durability and sustainability these spaces demand is key. Ideal Standard’s The Atelier Collections are a culmination of Ideal Standard’s extensive design heritage, and the expertise of the world-renowned design studio Palomba Serafini Associati. Modernist, and contemporary in style, yet still having a vintage flavour was key to Roberto Palomba, Founder of PS+A and Chief Design Officer of Ideal Standard. Ultimately, the Atelier Collections celebrate the design philosophies which have come before, and redefine them for the future.

    The company’s Singular philosophy also means there’s no need to choose from one single range, with an infinite number of product combinations across the collections unleashing unlimited creativity for designers. Throughout the collections, pioneering technology ensures effortless functionality, so nothing distracts from the aesthetics.

    The Conca range revisits the namesake collection from the 1970’s, reimagining the simplicity that first showed that less could be more in bathroom design. Deep geometric details are offset by soft curves inspired by the natural flow of water. This minimalist basin and bath collection fits perfectly with the Joy cylindrical tap, a single-cast piece that brings a sense of simple sophistication that contrasts with the delicate style of the Conca ceramics.

    conca washbasin from Ideal Standard on marble vanity

    Image credit: Ideal Standard

    Accompanying the Conca ceramics, is a furniture range that provides hoteliers with a variety of stunning storage options, including complementary basin units available in five different finishes and ceramic worktops in four colours – suiting any aesthetic. As well as adding a splash of colour to the bathroom, the extra storage provides a ‘home away from home’ feel for guests. The Ipalyss basins bring a retro-inspired colour palette to the bathroom. Offering a refreshing lightness, enabled by Diamatec technology, this range makes it possible to explore designs with thinner, stronger edges – offering a truly statement piece.

    Bathrooms aren’t just for looking at, and those in hotels will experience intensive use, so it’s essential to consider both form and function when designing these spaces. Unreliable products can quickly cast a sour note over guest experiences and, moreover, products that are even slightly inefficient or wasteful become bigger problems when amplified over hundreds of rooms. Singular means designers can choose products that are optimised for efficiency and performance and integrate them seamlessly within designs. What’s more, architects and designers can now also take advantage of the new Singular Solutions Sector Books, which provide the latest advice, guidance and inspiration across a variety of sectors including hotel bathrooms and washrooms.

    Ultimately, designers have a wide range of criteria, from the practical to the aesthetics, to consider when they bring a hotel bathroom to life. With the Atelier Collections it is possible to have the best of both worlds across style and practicality, making it easier than ever to create a space and a guest experience that is truly memorable.

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

    Main image credit: Ideal Standard

    Hamilton Litestat fittings in the Sand Hotel

    Sand Hotel makes the switch to Hamilton

     1024 576 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Sand Hotel makes the switch to Hamilton

    Sand Hotel Reykjavik, located in the heart of the Icelandic capital’s cultural action, has made the switch to Hamilton Litestat’s decorative wiring accessories in its stunning refurbishment…

    Hamilton Litestat fittings in the Sand Hotel

    Situated in downtown Reykjavik, Sand Hotel sits right in the heart of the Icelandic capital’s cultural action – a perfect location for guests to enjoy the social, arts and cultural highlights of the city and the natural wonders beyond. Tucked behind one of the city’s oldest and most cherished institutions, Sandholt Bakery – a family run artisan baker since 1920 – and sharing the site of Guðsteinn Eyjólfsson’s Gentlemans’ Store, Sand Hotel ranks perfection as its ultimate priority. With this relentless drive for excellence, in synergy with its historic neighbours and with the ambition to remain at the forefront of Reykjavik’s hospitality offering, a renovation of the hotel was undertaken, and Hamilton Litestat was selected as the decorative wiring accessories supplier of choice.

    detail of Hamilton Litestat accessories used in Sand Hotel

    Image credit: Hamilton Litestat / Sand Hotel

    The vision of the project’s interior designer and architect, Gudbjorg Magnusdottir, was to create the perfect combination of architectural history, culture and contemporary design flair. Drawing on the building’s 1920’s heritage, the designs evoked a subtle Art Deco quality, with faultless attention to detail throughout. From the beautiful oak floors to the stunning marble bathrooms, stylish furniture and contemporary artworks adorning the walls – it was imperative for the electrical wiring accessories to align with this vision.

    With 53 guestrooms and suites and a number of communal spaces including the hotel’s reception and bar areas to complete, a discrete yet stylish solution was required. Selected for its flat, elegant design with firm edges and concealed fixings, Hamilton’s Sheer CFX plate collection was chosen as the basis for all plates, with a number of custom-made solutions as well as standard plate formats throughout the hotel.

    key card and swtiches by Hamilton Litestat in the Sand Hotel

    Image credit: Hamilton Litestat / Sand Hotel

    “The quality and finish of Hamilton Litestat’s decorative wiring accessories throughout Sand Hotel has truly exceeded our expectations,” said Halla Haraldsdóttir, Marketing Manager, Keahotel EHF group. “The expertise and attention-to-detail with which the custom-made plates were developed and standard plates were implemented have totally aligned with our vision.”

    All plates were finished in Bright Chrome with black inserts to complement the interior theme. With the Sheer CFX plate delivering an almost flush-to-wall appearance and with a nod to the Art Deco theme, lighting control throughout the hotel is via Hamilton’s standard (T21) 2 way on/off toggle switches, with a mixture of 1, 2 and 3-gang plates used throughout.

    Simple dimming is achieved through a push-to-make (PTM) (TRT) retractable toggle switch, providing the user with enhanced control when it comes to scene setting and mood lighting.

    Providing the high standard of service and reassurance demanded by the contemporary traveller was a prerequisite of the refurbishment of Sand Hotel’s electrical service provision and so a number of conventional plates were selected to deliver stylish solutions in-keeping with the interior scheme. These included: key card entry switches with blue LED locator light for every room and suite; single and double plates, with single or twin EuroFix 50×50 16A German Schuko power socket modules; and telephone and data services delivered using EuroFix RJ45 CAT 5E unshielded modules.

    guestroom design at the Sand Hotel with fittings by Hamilton Litestat

    Image credit: Hamilton Litestat / Sand Hotel

    With the demand for personal lighting control and the charging of USB devices from each side of the bed, each room required a left and right-handed custom-made plate. A double plate containing a standard On/Off T21 toggle switch plus a PTM (TRT) retractive toggle for bedside dimming, and dual 2.1A USB-A charging ports was developed, again with the Sheer CFX as the basis for its design.

    Working closely with EMEA Sales Manager, Albert Valdes in Barcelona, Hamilton delivered some 2,500 wiring accessories, including light switches, electrical sockets, telephone and data sockets and key card entry switches throughout the hotel renovation.

    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.

    Main image credit: Hamilton Litestat / Sand Hotel

    Atlas Concorde Boost Natural Collection

    Roundtable: nature vs nurture in surface design

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Roundtable: nature vs nurture in surface design

    The latest Hotel Designs roundtable took place in the midst of the creative energy that was London Design Festival. In association with Atlas Concorde, Editor Hamish Kilburn welcomed a group of leading designers to the table, appropriately surrounded by the Atlas Concorde range of stone, porcelain and marble, and more than a few strong espressos…

    Atlas Concorde Boost Natural Collection

    Creating a context for the conversation, the panel who attended Hotel Designs’ latest roundtable were given a glimpse into the creative process and learned about the inspiration behind Boost Natural, the latest collection launched by Atlas Concorde. Inspired by the irregular textures and dusty colours of raw earth surfaces, the collection is directly about introducing elements of nature into surface design in a contemporary way. It responds to the demand we are seeing for natural and tactile imperfections in surface design, being driven by the ever changing  expectations of clients across design sectors. It also was the inspiration behind the conversation between the leading designers who were invited to discuss ‘nature vs nurture in surface design’.

    On the panel:

    • Mustafa Afşaroğlu, Interior Designer & Co-founder, Taner’s Sons
    • Maria Cheung, Head of Interior Design, Squire and Partners
    • Leanne Armstrong, Founder and Creative Director, Black Ivy Design
    • Vitalija Katine, Technical Services Manager EMEA, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas

    Kicking off the conversation, Editor Hamish Kilburn, who moderated the discussion, identified the demand being presented to designers for bringing in natural elements and surfaces, and went on to ask the panel, as designers, how are they responding to this on various levels – addressing concepts of biophilic design and concerns about sustainability at the same time.

    Responding to both elements of the question Mustafa Afşaroğlu championed clay as, “a wonderful material to use, it is tactile and textured, giving an instant connection to nature and is a fairly direct way of introducing nature though a surface design.” Looking into the qualities of clay, the designers agreed it answered a lot of the requirements of both sustainability and biophilic design, while allowing for more character to be introduced through surface design – but throw the question of durability into the mix and things get a little more complicated. The response to those concerns could be to embrace the material and its inherent qualities rather than fight against them, articulated Maria Cheung, “allow the surface to wear naturally and make that part of the story – the clay can tell a story as well – the marks and wear become part of the patina.”

    AtlasConcorde_BoostNatural_001_11_Ecru

    Image credit: Atlas Concorde

    Digging a little deeper and continuing the conversation on clay, Vitalija Katine added, “the focus on natural materials and surfaces coincides with the fact that biophilic design has become a wider conversation. At Six Senses we have been addressing biophilic design since the ’90s – now that it is a design concept more widely talked about, clay is a perfect material, not only because of the texture, but it has been proven that the natural pink and earthy colours of clay subconsciously connects you to a more relaxed state of being, introducing biophilia in the interior in a more subtle way.”

    Main entrance into Six Senses Douro Valley

    Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts

    All the designers around the table agreed that there is a call for more characterful surfaces in interiors, and clay certainly answers that on several levels. Although it should be seen as part of a bigger picture. As explained by Leanne Armstrong, ” it is the collaboration of elements, rather than one single element, working together, creating an atmosphere and introducing the feeling of being outside along with a sense of nature.”

    Discussion moved onto the relationship between the lighting and surface design. Looking at how architectural lighting can be used to enhance surface design, Katine commented, “lighting has always been a passion of architects and interior designers, and now with so much more science connected with it it has become much more apparent, along with the science connected to materials and surfaces.”

    The topic of sustainability inevitably conjures up diverse views around what is and what isn’t sustainable, especially when questions of durability as well as the rarity of the material are included, not to mention the capability of new technology. Having discussed in depth the trend to introduce materials that are importantly both natural and sustainable, this led on to questions of material specification. Kilburn asked the question about the possibility of developing a material passport to assist in the process. This could potentially be a tool to assist designers to understand both the historical make up of a material as well as how it can be repurposed seamlessly going forward. The product information is out there it becomes a matter of how to access it.

    Afşaroğlu answered:”The information out there at the moment is quite complicated and very time consuming for designers and while some bigger brands will have a department dealing with that directly to advise the designers, time is always an issue and designers need a simplified rating version which can be used as a reference.”

    Image credit: MARK'S SKYBAR designed by Taner's Sons

    Image credit: MARK’S SKYBAR designed by Taner’s Sons

    Cheung commented: “Some industries are doing it already, timber is a good example of managed production which reduces waste – and we needs an industry push to do this with resources like stone ensuring that every piece is valued and used.”

    Bringing the conversation around to the hospitality sector in particular, identifying the role surface design plays in evoking a meaningful sense of luxury and wellness was a particular point of interest for Katine in relation to the Six Senses model. “Texture and surface is a way of introducing nature in urban environments where you don’t necessarily have a tree outside the window or a beach on your doorstep – injecting wellness through surfaces and the tactility behind that becomes key,” she said. “With spa design clearly based around wellness and connection with nature, yet finding in the urban environment, the city spa so often set in the basement, using tiles and surfaces with texture and pattern from nature and then importantly using  lighting to enhance this, is key. This new range from Atlas Concorde with ground earth colours and vegetative references clearly feeds into this narrative.”

    The Department Store Brixton event space with people in it

    Image credit: Squire & Partners

    Identifying different products that can provide a connection and a sense of place, the conversation continued seamlessly between a coffee and pastry break to identifying the importance of the role surface application can play in blurring boundaries and building up the design story. The panel discussed how products that have both imperfections and character have the ability to draw people in, and with this of course, the importance of tactility in design projects. With both qualities being part of the Boost Natural collection, designers are given choices that allow them to do exactly that; draw people in with subtle notes and references to natural elements. The surface texture, especially when seen on a large surface design connects people to nature, inviting them to touch the surface. Now more than ever design and products need to reference locality and provide depth and layer to a space. Storytelling and design narrative is key and surface design and elements are integral to this process.

    Afşaroğlu explained: “Story telling is becoming increasingly important – the story behind the design, the product , the designer. It is also important for the client to be part of this process and have a story to tell about a product as this all feeds into the experience. Design has become much more than the finished product, the story behind it adds another layer to the design process.”

    In conclusion, Kilburn drew the conversation together by throwing the conversation open with the question: ” Is there more demand for designers to take risks, are designers being allowed, or in fact expected to be braver and push boundaries?”

    Armstrong, whose clients at Black Ivy come from a cross range of sectors agreed, stating “Absolutely, that is key – taking the risk and going with it will always pay off. clients always want something new, and part of the designers role is about selling it to the client.” Agreeing with this, Cheung added: “It is so important that clients become part of the journey and narrative – the exciting part is when the client gets completely onboard and it becomes a truly  collaborative process.”

    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.

    Main image credit: Atlas Concorde

    statement seating with a backdrop of murals in Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier

    Sneak peek: Fairmont Tazi Palace opens its doors

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Sneak peek: Fairmont Tazi Palace opens its doors

    Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier has opened its somewhat palatial doors in the heart of Tangier, Morocco. Originally built in the 1920s as a residence for the King’s advisor, the palace has been restored and expanded upon, standing high on the hills overlooking the city – we stepped inside for a closer look…

    statement seating with a backdrop of murals in Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier

    Set upon three and a half acres of lush, secluded hills overlooking the city, the new Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier mirrors the city’s seductive charm. Nestled on what is fast becoming the Moroccan Riviera, the majestic property offers incomparable views and unparalleled luxury throughout its 133 guestrooms, suites and penthouses including one Signature Suite, two Penthouses, and one Katara Suite. Guests will experience lavish accommodation, a wide range of culinary venues, and rejuvenating wellness offerings, all within an idyllic setting celebrating rich Moroccan history and culture.

    chairs on balcony at Tazi Palace with morocan detail and design overlooking the city

    Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts / Romeo Balancort

    The hotel provides the ultimate cultural getaway, sitting on the northern edge of Morocco where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, cultivating the style and artistry of Tangier. Curated and designed by OBMI & CCCRA Architects, the property’s historic features are meticulously restored to their original 1920s glory and are complimented by a collection of vibrant dining venues and a spectacular wellness centre.

    moroccan design details in the spa at Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier

    Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts / Romeo Balancort

    “Tangier is a vibrant and multicultural city infused with Mediterranean spirit, and we’re thrilled to give the opportunity for guests to experience Fairmont’s pioneering approach to unique hospitality while exploring the many cultures and civilizations that have shaped the city’s rich history,” said Fabien Gastinel, General Manager Fairmont Tazi Palace.

    Adorned throughout the reimagined interior of the property, guests can find artwork by artisans from the local Moroccan community in the handcrafted mousharabieh, tadelakt and zellige features of the hotel. In addition, each guestroom embodies the elements of traditional Moroccan décor and finely crafted textiles in a harmonious and vibrant design.

    blue and white guestroom in Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier

    Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts / Romeo Balancort

    Across the expansive grounds, the property’s landscaping reflects a unique blend between Arab and Andalusian cultures – the native, centenary eucalyptus trees have been preserved, and now live alongside thriving palm, olive, citrus, and pomegranate groves. For those with a desire for authentic cultural cuisine, the palace will be home to seven culinary venues, ensuring guests have access to eclectic dining experiences and handcrafted, refreshing cocktails throughout their stay. Led by the talented Head Chef Christopher Blake, the selection of vibrant restaurants and bars reflect the hotel’s essence and personality, delivering exceptional cuisine with curated menus and varied entertainment.

    freestanding bath open to balcony iwith moroccan lantern above at Tazi Palace

    Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts / Romeo Balancort

    Crudo brings the warmth of Northern Mediterranean cuisine in every dish from breakfast to dinner time, while Clémentine is offering fresh, seasonal ingredients and wholesome and nutritious choices. At the golden hour, the atmosphere outside takes an effervescent turn at Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar, as guests can mingle over poolside cocktails while listening to the eclectic rhythms of resident DJs. For a cosier experience, Origin offers innovative cocktails created by expert mixologists, using handpicked ingredients from the palace’s vegetable garden. Travelling from Doha to Tangier, Parisa is an Authentic interpretation of Persian hospitality – a juxtaposition of tradition and modernity, opulence and restraint with shareable dishes rich in spices and herbs from around the world. Guests can sit on the outdoor terrace or pass through the hidden entrance to Innocents, the speakeasy-style bar, where a mesmerizing oriental-infused soundtrack sets a sultry yet glamorous ambiance.

    monochrome and marble passage in Fairmont Tazi Palace

    Image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts / Romeo Balancort

    The Fairmont Spa welcomes guests in search of reconnecting to the mind, body, and soul through the power of potent, natural elements. With more than 26,000 square feet dedicated to well-being, the space was thoughtfully designed to emphasise the destination’s authentic character and connecting with native Moroccan surroundings. Offering a holistic experience, the spa includes ten treatment rooms and outdoor spaces bathed in natural sunlight that lead to a vitality pool, private spa, solarium, and hammam.

    With its exceptional location, the hotel is the perfect base for exploring the many hidden gems the destination has to offer. Through a curated list of exclusive local experiences, the Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier is set to unveil the secrets of Tangier – from little-fishing spots offshore and horseback riding on the beach at sunset, to private boat gateways and authentic Moroccan cooking classes.

    Main image credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts / Romeo Balancort

    GROHE water saving shower for sustainable design

    Circular shower solutions from GROHE

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Circular shower solutions from GROHE

    With nearly one third of Europeans living in areas experiencing water strain, GROHE has taken up the challenge, exploring new and innovative solutions to transform how we use water in the home with a recycling shower concept to combat water scarcity…

    GROHE water saving shower for sustainable design

    GROHE has unveiled a new water-recycling shower concept, expanding the brand’s range of bathroom and kitchen products that promote efficient water use and make sustainable choices easier. It shows how a new generation of sanitary solutions can drastically cut water use. Nowhere is this more important than in the bathroom – which accounts for over two thirds of daily water use. In addition, water is the second biggest source of energy use in the home, and improved water efficiency cuts fossil fuel use, energy bills, and carbon emissions.

    GROHE’s circular solution cleanses, reheats, and reuses water in order to use only a quarter of the water and a third of the energy typically required by traditional showers, resulting into a cost-saving of up to 65 per cent a year for a four-person household and up to 70 per cent less CO2 emissions. This new technology has been designed to create the shower experience desired, but by using as little fresh water as possible.

    graphic showing GROHE recycling shower concept

    Image credit: GROHE

    “The water stress challenge is one of the biggest issues of our time. And there’s no alternative but to address it boldly – especially if water is core to your business,” said Jonas Brennwald, Leader, LIXIL EMENA. “For our GROHE brand, combining ‘Pure Freude an Wasser’ with sustainability has always been integral to its DNA. We think the best way to help people save water, is by making products that they enjoy using and don’t compromise on comfort. Looking at our professional partners, we believe the construction industry will need to meet ever more stringent standards as regulators look to build water security and consumers demand sustainable solutions. We will continue to invest in innovation to help our partners stay ahead of these trends and create the sustainable homes of the future.”

    GROHE recycling shower circular mode concept drawing

    Image credit: GROHE

    The water-recycling shower concept presents a vision of how the home can actively and positively shape our personal impact on the planet and its resources. It divides the shower process into three parts allowing users to enjoy the experience, safe in the knowledge they are minimising waste. First, users start the shower with fresh water, as with any regular shower. Once finished using the shampoo or soap, the user can switch mode: The water collected in the drain after switching is pumped into a circuit, maintaining the desired temperature, and hygienically treating the water. After use, cleaning takes place to prepare the shower for the next user.

    “It is our mission to provide state-of-the-art technologies for using water resources sustainably while also creating additional environmental value for water,” said David Mainka, Leader Electronics, and Innovation R&D Fittings, LIXIL International. “We already supply a wide range of taps, showers, and toilets that help people use far less water at home without noticing they are doing so. In taps for example, GROHE’s EcoJoy technology uses a flow limiter and an aerator which enriches the water with air to create a voluminous experience using up to 50% less water. The new circulating shower solution goes one step further – showing the enhanced savings that can be made by products which help consumers actively make a sustainable choice every day.”

    As part of LIXIL’s strong brand portfolio, GROHE’s sustainability activities as well as product developments are embedded in LIXIL’s Environmental Vision which calls for Zero Carbon and Circular Living. Water sustainability is one of the focus areas here. The goal is to help people enjoy water while ensuring sustainable water use on a global scale to have a positive impact on the planet.

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

    Main image credit: GROHE

    commercial sink and dryer units HIMACS from James Latham

    Product watch: blown away by HIMACS from James Latham

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Product watch: blown away by HIMACS from James Latham

    James Latham was instrumental in a recent project for global hand dryer manufacturer Excel Dryer, providing HIMACS to solid surface fabricator, Qubicle, for a bespoke basin unit to house Excel’s latest drying innovation…

    commercial sink and dryer units HIMACS from James Latham

    Excel is one of the world’s most respected manufacturers of fast-drying, ultra-hygienic and low energy consumption hand dryers; renowned for developing innovative systems which deliver best-in-class solutions. XLERATORsync is its latest offering, incorporating Excel’s proprietary ten second drying technology with built in HEPA filtration and fully-integrated wash troughs. Eliminating 99.99 per cent of bacteria and viruses, it’s one of the most hygienic, functional, attractive and sustainable solutions on the market.

    Launched on the US market in 2017, Excel planned to introduce XLERATORsync to the UK in 2022, but found they needed a more adaptable design for the UK market. It was essential to have a product that could be installed as a trough, separate basins (both under-mount and top-mount) and, most importantly, retrofitted into existing vanity tops. So, in order to develop a visually appealing yet high-performance unit, Excel invited a handful of the UK’s leading commercial fabricators to create a new basin to complement the dryers.

    “It’s great to be involved in a project which showcases the skill of the fabricator, all too often the unsung hero behind the delivery of exceptional outcomes,” said Mark Robinson, Solid Surface Sales Manager, James Latham Ltd. “For a brief like this, HIMACS was the obvious choice, as it’s well-suited to the demands of the busy setting of a commercial washroom, as well as embodying so many of the same principles which guide Excel’s approach to business.”

    James Latham collection of HIMACS solid surfaces in natural shell

    Image credit: James Latham

    Excel’s approach to the project was highly original as, usually, a design is presented to the fabricator to price, build and install rather than create. The process yielded some interesting ideas, highlighting the imagination and creativity of the participants, with Qubicle, a solid surface fabricator from Bolton, emerging as the victor. Their design, a slanted recess ending with a vertical stop, was deliberately designed to absorb and dissipate the dryer’s powerful airflow, preventing splashback and reducing airborne droplets. This guaranteed maximum hygiene and removed potential slip hazards from on-floor water.

    Design complete, Qubicle aimed to source a best-fit material to deliver on the project requirements as well as embody the uncompromising quality expected from Excel’s products. Consulting with long-time materials partners at James Latham, its specification team suggested renowned solid surface brand, HIMACS, recommending Terrazzo Grigio, one of its most sought-after colours, for the prototype XLERATORsync.

    HIMACS’ strong performance qualities immediately appealed to the fabricators, who were particularly impressed with the surface’s exceptionally smooth finish. Already a popular choice for commercial washrooms, it’s non-porous, low-maintenance and high resistance to damage, scratching and abrasions meant it could deliver the uncompromising hygiene levels required.

    The Qubicle-designed XLERATORsync was also developed to adapt to a variety of specification needs, either fabricated as long troughs or individual, stand-alone basins. They can also be under-mounted as well as retrofitted, making them a long-term and low-waste option, and are available in 20 of HIMACS’ most popular patterns, ranging from natural stone and marble to intense pinks and inky blacks.

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

    Main image credit: James Latham

    guestroom and bathroom at Four Seasons Suzhou China

    Four Seasons announces plans for Suzhou China

     1024 640 Pauline Brettell
    By:
    0
    Four Seasons announces plans for Suzhou China

    Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Sun Hung Kai Properties, a renowned property developer in Greater China, have announced plans for a new Four Seasons hotel in historic Suzhou, China, set to open in late 2023. Here’s what we know…

    guestroom and bathroom at Four Seasons Suzhou China

    The Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou will comprise of nine hectares of a private island surrounded by the landmark Jinji Lake, a popular attraction in the region. The city of Suzhou is a thriving centre of both economic and leisure activities, with many historic attractions, offering something for travellers of all sorts and ages. Suzhou is home to the scenic and historic UNESCO World Heritage listed Classical Gardens dating between 11th to 19th century, picturesque pagodas, canals, stone bridges and museums, as well as the neighbouring Jinji Lake International Golf Club.

    outdoor seating and views at Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    “SHKP has always been committed to developing premium quality projects,” said Albert Lau, Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties (China) Limited. “Our upcoming Four Seasons Suzhou will be one of the most inspiring luxury hotels in Suzhou and the greater Yangtze River Delta region, renewing a sense of glamour to this culturally rich destination, and providing an ideal choice for business executives, family holiday makers and cultural travellers interested in exploring dynastic history and the area’s artistic heritage.”

    lobby with chinese inspired imagery and marble floor at Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou will be led by General Manager Arthur Ho, a seasoned hotelier with a breadth of experiences in senior roles in Asia and Europe, including at Four Seasons properties in Hong Kong, Macao and Shanghai. In particular, he has led the pre-opening phase of several new developments, including that of Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen in 2012.

    “We are very pleased to have Four Seasons managing our first hotel development in Suzhou,” said Tasos Kousloglou, CEO – Hotel division of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited. “Our new luxury hotel will further enhance and diversify our hotel portfolio in Greater China and provide a range of unique experiences to discerning Chinese and international travellers.”

    seating and statement lighting with chinese vase image at Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    “We are proud to continue our partnership with Sun Hung Kai Properties after our successful collaboration with the acclaimed Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, and look forward to building on our relationship with this landmark project in Suzhou,” said Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management. “China is an important market for us, and it is with great excitement that we expand our portfolio with this exceptional project in Suzhou, giving international and domestic guests a new and unique opportunity to experience Four Seasons in the region.”

    Indoor pool and spa at Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Perched on a private island and connected via a private bridge, Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou will be the very epitome of luxury and sophistication; intimately sized with just over 200 well-appointed guestrooms, suites and oversized private villas all within easy reach to a broad range of sought-after amenities including a tranquil spa, fully equipped gym, lakeside jogging track, lush grounds and gardens, indoor and outdoor pools, and a fully supervised Kids for All Seasons facility designed for children and even a special venue for pet dogs.

    restaurant interior at proposed Four Seasons hotel in china

    Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

    Dining experiences will include a premier Chinese restaurant with seven lavish private dining rooms; an all-day dining restaurant serving a wide selection of international cuisine; a lobby lounge and lobby bar with a panoramic view of Jinji Lake serving selected tea, beverages and snacks; and an Executive Lounge overlooking the hotel’s private landscaped lagoon.

    Within easy access to Suzhou Industrial Park, the hotel will also have a grand ballroom, a multifunction room and several meeting rooms that can be tailor-fitted with state-of-the-art equipment for important meetings, presentations, conferences or social events. The ballroom/meeting area has its own individual entrance accessible by car or bus. For newlyweds, the hotel boasts a penthouse honeymoon suite overlooking Jinji Lake as well as an outdoor wedding lawn for romantic and photogenic events amid the hotel’s generous landscaped gardens inspired by the beauty and fame of Suzhou historical heritage.

    Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts