Hotel Designs

NEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR HOTELIERS, DESIGNERS AND INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS
Naomi Heaton, CEO, The Other House

Naomi Heaton on disrupting the hospitality market

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Naomi Heaton on disrupting the hospitality market

Naomi Heaton, CEO and Founder of The Other House, joined the Hotel Hypnos podcast to discuss what it takes to become a ‘real disrupter’ on the hotel hospitality scene…

Naomi Heaton, CEO, The Other House

When The Other House South Kensington opened in 2022, designed by Bergman Design House with architecture by Falcon Chester Hall, the hospitality industry applauded Naomi Heaton’s vision to combine the service of hotels, the experience of private members’ clubs and the feeling of home under one roof. Not only did Heaton and her entourage cause welcomed disruption to the already thriving London hotel scene, The Other House arrived with unapologetic style – think clashing, maximalist patterns throughout paired with calming rooms, or Club Flats as the brand calls them.

“We are called a Residents’ Club,  because we want to combine the best of hotels with the best of residential living and the best of a club environment,” Heaton said on the Hotel Hypnos podcast recently. “People want experiences, they want to feel relaxed, they want to get the most out of where they’re staying and we see that as the future of travel.”

The unique experience offered to residents by a ‘real disruptor’ in the hospitality marketplace forms the focus of the latest in a series of highly informative interviews with hospitality experts, brought to life by bed and mattress leaders, Hypnos Contract Beds, which the design team specified in the brand’s first property to maximise guest comfort and sleep performance. Heaton added: “Working together with Hypnos has helped us achieve that feeling of comfort at home, they are a key partner for us and have provided 295 beautiful Lansdowne Cashmere beds for our Club Flats.”

The Other House South Kensington apartment in blue and green interior design - bedroom and suite

Image credit: The Other House

In addition to the hotel sheltering some serious style, it is also consciously, environmentally and socially aware. “Sustainability is a key motivator in everything we do,” Heaton explained on the podcast. “We are committed to making a positive environmental impact, which includes vetting our suppliers practices, carrying out lifecycle assessments to inform selection and actively minimising our carbon footprint and emissions.  Thanks to Hypnos’ sustainability and ethical ethos, working with them has helped us to realise our goal of being a more socially responsible business.”

Hypnos Contract Beds offers true comfort with integrity, providing versatile and sustainable solutions for hospitality properties to help maximise occupancy and profits, while offering a hassle-free service solution, including in-room installation and old bed disposal and recycling.

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

Main image credit: The Other House

bed draped in fabric with white linen looking out over the Tulum jungle treetops at La Valise

Introducing La Valise Tulum – luxury hospitality in the jungle

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Introducing La Valise Tulum – luxury hospitality in the jungle

The Mexican collection of boutique hotels, Namron Hospitality, opened its fifth luxury hotel in Tulum – La Valise Jungle – comprising 11 brand new suites on the jungle side of Tulum Beach…

bed draped in fabric with white linen looking out over the Tulum jungle treetops at La Valise

After successfully opening La Valise Mexico City, Tulum captured the heart of hotelier Yves Naman. In all his travels, he had never encountered a place as wild, raw and magically inspiring as Tulum. Naman was so enamoured with the location that he decided to create the ultimate boutique hotel experience there. He purchased a small beach house and transformed it into an 11-key boutique hotel, giving birth to La Valise Tulum.

In 2022, the hotel expanded with 11 additional jungle suites and a luxurious SPA sanctuary located on a separate property across the street from the beach. La Valise is now a two-wing property, spanning its original beachfront and new jungle accommodations.

jungle trees and natural stonework at the entrance to La Valise Tulum

Image credit: Sofia Hernadez

La Valise SPA is located on the jungle side and caters to both hotel guests and external visitors. Upon arrival at La Valise Tulum, guests will be struck by the meticulous attention to detail, which begins at check-in and extends throughout their stay. Amidst Tulum’s lush jungle, guests will hear the gentle sound of the Caribbean Sea as they make their way along winding white-sand paths to their oceanside or jungle-view suites. Each suite is adorned with palatial palapa roofs and decadent locally crafted décor, creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere.

As guests enter the jungle, they are immediately transported into a world of tranquillity, surrounded by the sounds of nature. At the heart of the jungle lies a cenote that defines the true luxury of leisure. For those seeking even more seclusion, there are five additional La Valise signature rolling bed suites where guests can indulge in a dreamy escape.

outdoor bed on wooden deck overlooking tree canopy at La Valise Tulum

Image credit: Sofia Hernadez

The décor at La Valise captures the natural mysticism of Tulum while perpetuating the eccentricity of the La Valise name. The combination makes guests feel like they are hanging out in the beachfront living room of their most cultured, gypset and affluent best friend. Respect is paid to the quality and beauty of local materials such as chukum, a stucco made from Mayan rubber trees and re-imagined palapa thatched roofs. Woven reed lamps and tropical wood wall adornments look more like sculptures than accents. Every inch of La Valise elevates local craftsmanship with its seasoned eye, giving it that je ne sais quoi of enchantment.

Sheltering a variety of beachside, garden and jungle-side guestrooms, all are generous and impeccably designed. Guestrooms all focus on and have access to the surrounding nature, with high palapa roofs handwoven by Mayan artisans and handcrafted art and objects from the region. Each room features a spacious bathroom, shower, bathtub, king-size bed, air conditioning and refreshing ceiling fans.

natural plaster, wood and rounded built bathtub in guestroom overlooking jungle trees in Tulum

Image credit: Sofia Hernadez

The impressive jungle setting also houses the restaurant NÜ, where chef Luis Aguilar sources the freshest ingredients, preserving sustainable methods of cooking and continuously innovating flavour creations. Alchemising diverse and rare ingredients from the Caribbean sea and Mayan jungle, NÜ Tulum has created a vibrant local cuisine, earning it recognition as one of the five best restaurants in Yucatan. The lush gardens also accommodate an impressive curation of live music, art and cultural gatherings, where guests can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails while dancing under the stars.

Main image credit: Sofia Hernadez

plants in white pots in lobby at westin planted by Leaflike

Leaflike ensures biophilic design puts down roots

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Leaflike ensures biophilic design puts down roots

With the demand for biophilic design growing, Leaflike brings a complete end-to-end solution to the table for incorporating nature into hotel design…

plants in white pots in lobby at westin planted by Leaflike

Hoteliers and designers are increasingly seeing the benefits of bringing nature to the forefront of hotel and hospitality design. But, as Leaflike asserts, biophilic design is about more than just adding a few plants to a space, it is also about creating a connection between people and nature by incorporating natural elements into the design of a space.

Leaflike is skilled, not only in planting design for luxury hotels and hospitality spaces, but also in understanding that the job doesn’t end with the design. The biophilic brand works closely with clients to understand their needs and create custom designs that meet the specific and ongoing requirements.

“We find time and time again that clients come to us because they have experienced disappointment in the post-installation phase, where they have less support and understanding of how to look after the plants to maximise their lifespan, or that the maintenance programme they are given isn’t up to scratch,” explained Liam Abernethie, Head of Client Relations, Leaflike. ” With poor follow-up, some areas can look tired fairly quickly – something that will certainly be noticed by discerning guests.”

circle of curved white couches with marble floor in public space and green plants from Leaflike

Image credit: Leaflike

As any successful hotelier knows, providing an excellent experience for guests requires attention to detail in every aspect of a property. From the design and décor, to the customer service and maintenance, every element must be perfect to create a memorable stay. Leaflike has set itself apart with design-driven planting for luxury hotels and hospitality spaces – so what does it take to make that difference and reassure hoteliers that the designs will look good long after installation?

Key to this process is understanding that hotels have unique needs and challenges, such as maintaining the plants in high-traffic areas, or ensuring that the design complements the overall aesthetic of the property. Leaflike is dedicated to finding solutions to these challenges and ensuring that the final product meets all expectations. Importantly, the support continues post-installation as the team regularly monitors the plants and makes adjustments as needed, to ensure that the space remains beautiful and healthy.

green leaflike floral displays in gold vases in white interior of Hilton London Metropole hotel

Image credit: Leaflike

Leaflike is committed to giving hotels the best in design, customer service, installation and maintenance. The combination of these elements is brought together in the ‘Leaflike Promise’. This is a set of service commitments, which ensures that hotels have the very best experience, a Leaflike experience, from initial inquiry to a fully-fledged maintenance service. Clients remain informed, relaxed and safe in the knowledge that everything will be taken care of from a design perspective, along with the longer term practicalities of effective maintenance and great communication for hotel teams.

Leaflike also understands the importance of sustainability, which is a core value of the business. Having recently received the EcoVadis Gold Award in Sustainability, it is committed to both sustainability and making ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact. This is done by advocating eco-friendly materials whenever possible and working with clients to develop sustainable solutions that meet everyone’s needs in the process of transforming hotels into unforgettable oases of nature.

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

Render of city - aerial view - Saudi Arabia

Marriott signs agreement to open 8 hotels in Saudi Arabia

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Marriott signs agreement to open 8 hotels in Saudi Arabia

Marriott International inks a landmark agreement with Rua Al Madinah Holding Company to open eight hotels in Saudi Arabia, which will contribute to approximately 4,400 rooms across various brands…

Render of city - aerial view - Saudi Arabia

The ever-expanding hotel development pipeline in the region of Saudi Arabia is the gift that keeps on giving with a few hotel groups becoming protagonists in the region’s growth on the hospitality scene. Among them is Marriott International, which following the announcement of three new hotels to open on a luxury island in the region, has just signed an agreement with Rua Al Madinah Holding Company to open eight new hotels in the Holy City of Madinah.

The anticipated openings will feature approximately 4,400 rooms across eight of the company’s brands – The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft Hotels, and Courtyard by Marriott.

“There is a strong demand for high-quality hotel accommodation in Madinah and we are delighted to work with Rua Al Madinah Holding Company to support the enhancement and diversification of the city’s hospitality landscape,” said Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “This multi-deal agreement also strengthens our footprint in Saudi Arabia where we continue to see strong growth momentum in line with the Kingdom’s vision for its tourism sector.”

The eight planned properties include The Ritz-Carlton, Rua Al Madinah which is slated to offer 151 luxurious rooms and suites including a signature Ritz-Carlton suite, multiple dining concepts, a 500-square-metre ballroom, an expansive fitness centre and Ritz Kids space. JW Marriott Rua Al Madinah is anticipated to feature 252 well-appointed guestrooms and suites along with multiple dining concepts, a fitness centre and meeting room facilities.

“The agreement with one of the world’s leading hospitality operators brings the Rua Al Madinah project a step closer to realising its ambitions to further enrich Madinah city’s Hajj and Umrah services,” commented Eng. Ahmed Al Juhani, CEO of Rua Al Madinah Holding Company. “This collaboration will culminate in the launch of eight new hotels and nearly 4.400 rooms that will serve both residents as well as visitors from around the world looking to visit Madinah.”

Plans for Madinah Marriott Hotel Rua Al Madinah include 450 spacious guest rooms and suites in addition to dining, recreation, and meeting facilities. Le Méridien Rua Al Madinah is expected to feature 533 modern guest rooms and suites, and three dining concepts alongside recreation and meeting facilities. The Westin Rua Al Madinah is anticipated to comprise 361 spacious rooms and suites, three dining outlets, a fitness centre, a kids club, and meeting facilities.

Four Points by Sheraton Rua Al Madinah anticipates 777 modern rooms and apartments, two all-day dining concepts, spacious meeting facilities, and a fitness centre.  Aloft Rua Al Madinah and Courtyard by Marriott Rua Al Madinah are expected to offer a combined 1,810 rooms and suites, 1,100 sqm of meeting space facilities, and multiple dining and recreation offerings.

The expected openings in Madinah are part of Marriott International’s commitment to the growth of the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia where the company’s current portfolio encompasses 36 properties and more than 10,000 rooms across 11 of its brands.

Rua Al Madinah Holding Company is responsible for the development masterplan for the Rua Al Madinah project and some other real estate projects in the Holy City of Madinah as one of the key initiatives of the Public Investment Fund to achieve Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The development of the Rua Al Madinah Project is expected to cover 1.5 million square meters, including 47,000 new rooms by 2030. Approximately 63 per cent of the project’s master plan will consist of open spaces. Integrated transportation solutions such as bus stops, and underground parking are anticipated to facilitate easy access to the Prophets’ Mosque and support residential and commercial activity within the master development.

Main image credit: Marriott International

glass walls with a suspended sculptural light in the lobby of voco Hefei Binhu China

voco hotels celebrates 100 properties signed and opened

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voco hotels celebrates 100 properties signed and opened

voco, the emerging IHG Hotels & Resorts’ brand, has reached a significant milestone in just five years of its first-ever hotel opening…

glass walls with a suspended sculptural light in the lobby of voco Hefei Binhu China

Launched in 2018, voco hotels has quickly become the fastest-growing brand within IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Premium collection with properties in 18 countries and new-to-market hotels opening in Japan, Kenya, Spain and India. With 46 open hotels and 55 hotels in the pipeline, voco continues to be a key driver of IHG’s overall growth in the conversion space.

The rapid expansion of the upscale conversion brand reflects the strength of IHG’s enterprise platform through which hotel owners can grow their business by being part of the brand distribution channels, relaunched app and transformed loyalty programme. With a design and operational framework conducive to conversion, the brand empowers owners to carry through their own unique vision for each property, ensuring its legacy and historical connections to the surrounding community remain strong.

glass windows overlooking the city in the rooftop bar in voco Auckland

Image caption: voco Auckland City Centre | Image credit: voco

“The voco brand has grown at a phenomenal pace over the last five years and is an integral part of IHG’s growing family of 18 brands comprising over 6,000 global hotels, and supported by the industry-leading IHG One Rewards loyalty programme,” said Julie Cheesman, Head of voco Hotels global at IHG Hotels & Resorts. “voco is popular with hotel owners around the world as they can get fast access to our enterprise platform and benefit from the brand’s high levels of guest satisfaction globally. As the global expansion of voco continues, we are excited to remain on track to grow to 200 voco hotels around the world within 10 years since launch.”

sunloungers around infinity pool on the rooftop terrace of voco Dubai The Palm

Image caption: voco Dubai the Palm | Image credit: voco

The brand’s three hallmarks – ‘come on in’, ‘me time’ and ‘voco life’ – are woven into the hotels’ DNA. From a swift check-in and a locally inspired welcome treat upon arrival, to big, comfy beds and vibrant bar and restaurants spaces, voco brings a distinctive charm to every stay. In addition to its charming feel, the brand was built on sustainability and aims to look after the planet with the same care as it looks after guests. The hotels have 100 per cent recycled pillow and duvet fillings and refillable, plant-based bathroom amenities. They also support local sustainability initiatives at individual hotels such as estate-grown vegetables at Australia’s voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley or the Hotels for Trees programme at voco The Hague, where a tree is planted for every night a guest chooses not to have their room cleaned.

tree in the courtyard outside voco the hague representing the tree planting initiative of the hotel

Image credit: voco

Last year voco expanded into new markets, including Southeast Asia with voco Orchard Singapore, Africa with voco Johannesburg Rosebank and Latin America with voco Guadalajara Neruda in Mexico. The brand was also recognised as the World’s Leading Premium Hotel Brand due to its top guest satisfaction scores at the World Travel Awards and shows no signs of slowing down. Since then, the brand has continued to grow in key markets, with its eighth hotel in Greater China with voco Hefei Binhu, sixth hotel in the US with voco Chicago Downtown, its fourth in Australasia with voco Brisbane City Centre and its third in Dubai with voco Dubai The Palm.

restaurant tables and chairs in front of a backlit bar in voco Guadalajara Neruda Bar

Image caption: voco Guadalajara | Image credit: voco

Notable voco openings in 2023 cross the globe include properties from Paris to New York, with more than a few inbetween. In New York, voco Fiorello – La Guardia East is set to open in Flushing, NY this summer. The hotel is due to have 116 guestrooms and is the third voco signing by the same owner. Located in northern Paris, voco Paris Porte De Clichy is due to open this summer after its conversion from a Holiday Inn property. The hotel will be one of voco’s flagship properties, with particular attention being paid to the use of sustainable materials. The hotel is just four stops on the Paris Metro from the Musée Du Louvre and will feature several upscale food and beverage outlets.

Set on the borders of Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex in the UK, Lythe Hill Hotel in Surrey, will complete its rebrand to voco Lythe Hill Hotel in 2023. The elegant Tudor property will feature 99 stylish guestrooms plus an oak-beamed restaurant, gym and spa. The Surrey market town of Haslemere is nearby with direct trains to London, and the National Trust area Blackdown and the South Downs National Park are both on the doorstep.

voco Osaka guestroom with white linen and yellow design elements

Image caption: voco Osaka | Image credit: voco

Opening in early summer, voco Osaka Central will be the first voco property to open in Japan. Conveniently situated in central Osaka, the hotel will provide warmly hosted service, inspired design, superb dining and sustainable touches like aerated shower heads, indulgent eco bedding and filtered water. The hotel lobby and restaurant décor will be modern and contemporary, whilst including historical elements from the original Kyomachi building and some of the guestrooms will have Tatami mats.

The first voco in Vietnam will open later this year with voco Ma Belle Danang. The hotel is located close to My Khe Beach and just 20 minutes’ drive from Danang International Airport. Guestrooms will have spectacular views of the coastline or cityscape, there will be a luxurious spa with a rooftop infinity pool and a choice of bars and restaurants including the rooftop Lobby Lounge, ideal for a sunset sundowner.

Main image credit: voco

Geberit bathroom fittings against a gree wall with wooden detail

Beyond the covers of the Hotel Guest Experience Report from Geberit

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Beyond the covers of the Hotel Guest Experience Report from Geberit

Created in collaboration with some of the UK’s top industry experts, Geberit has released its Hotel Guest Experience Report for 2023. We paged through to have a look at what has become a valuable design resource…

Geberit bathroom fittings against a gree wall with wooden detail

Now in its third year, the Hotel Guest Experience Report delves into the current challenges and opportunities facing the hotel industry and serves as a resource for those designing hotels of the future. The report starts with a foreword from Ruth Slavid, a writer and editor specialising in architecture, landscape, lighting and construction. Slavid summarises the focus areas in the report including automation and hotels in the digital age, the importance of good storytelling and tackling skills shortages.

“We’re excited to collaborate with industry experts to discuss the current and future market trends that will impact the hospitality industry this year,” said Sophie Weston, Marketing Manager at Geberit UK. “As the hotel industry continues to evolve, we aim to provide valuable insights that will lead to exceptional guest experiences. In turn, this will generate repeat bookings and recommendations, creating long-term benefits for hoteliers.”

open page of Gerberit Hotel Guest Report 2023 on a green background with Jane Pendlebury

Image credit: Geberit

The must-read report includes contribution from Jane Pendlebury, CEO at The Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA), who explores technology in the sector and examines the potential for the industry to become fully automated. Also included is Wren Loucks, CEO & Creative Director at Be-kin, an award-winning interior design studio, who examines ritual, sensory rich experiences and social sustainability in hotel design. Loucks looks at how the differences in sensorial, cognitive, and physical abilities can be catered to by designing facilities to suit a range of needs, such as wheelchair accessibility, neurodiversity and an ageing population.

open page of Geberit Hotel Guest Report 2023 on a brown background with portrait of designer Wren Louks

Image credit: Geberit

A main challenge the sector continues to face is staffing, which John Mullen, Senior Territory Sales Manager UK & Ireland at Revinate, discusses in the report. The Covid-19 pandemic meant that 121 million of the 330 million jobs in tourism around the world were lost in 2020, leading to nearly one in three jobs needing to be rehired when travel returned. Mullen emphasises the challenge of filling essential jobs in hospitality and tourism to make sure high-quality service is sustained and whether technology can play a part in maximising the guest experience.

Finally, Alon Baranowitz of Baranowitz + Kronenberg Architecture talks through the relevance of storytelling in the age of information and the art of inspiring guests with powerful stories.

luxury bathroom detail on the front cover of the Geberit 2023 Hotel Guest Experience Report

Image credit: Geberit

By encouraging debate within this report and sponsoring initiatives such as Hotel Designs’ DESIGN POD, Geberit continually drives the hospitality industry forward to discuss and develop new and improved customer experiences.

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

Main image credit: Geberit

floor-to-ceiling windows with view across infinity pool in the spa looking over Melbourne

Sneak peek: inside Australia’s soon-to-be tallest hotel

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Sneak peek: inside Australia’s soon-to-be tallest hotel

Soaring 80 storeys above the city’s central business district, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne will redefine luxury in the city with its extraordinary design, exceptional experiences and breathtaking views…

floor-to-ceiling windows with view across infinity pool in the spa looking over Melbourne

Preparing to open its doors, the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne has already made a lasting impression on the city skyline. With its statement architectural design by Cottee Parker Architects, it is opening as one of the tallest hotels in Australia and certainly the tallest in Melbourne. Designed with materials inspired by the unique stories of the city, the hotel presents luxury accommodation, signature dining experiences across both restaurant and bar, holistic wellness spaces and an iconic infinity pool, as well as world-class meeting and event facilities and services.

lobby and reception desk with statement chandelier and floor-to-ceiling windows

Image credit: The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne

“We are thrilled to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Melbourne,” said Antony Page, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne. “With design that blends the best of the brand and the destination, combined with the finest amenities, culinary offerings, and highly personalised service, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne will deliver an experience tailored to today’s luxury guest and deeply connected to this vibrant city.”

With its lobby located on level 80 above 257 stylish hotel guestrooms and suites, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne is anchored by a profound sense of place. Blending the brands refined luxury with an authentic Australian experience, the property celebrates the country’s ancient stories and vibrant cultures, filtered through a distinctly Melbourne lens. From the works by local artists to hyper-local culinary adventures, from unique Melbournian décor to regionally inspired spa journeys, guests will be encouraged to connect with the pulse and creativity of the city and to engage with the exciting diversity of its surrounds.

Main image credit: The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne

pitched roof of villa and swimming pool with palm trees at the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island

Waldorf Astoria announces debut in Seychelles

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Waldorf Astoria announces debut in Seychelles

Hilton’s signature luxury hotel brand is set to open the highly anticipated Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island – signalling the debut of the brand in the Seychelles. Here’s what we know…

pitched roof of villa and swimming pool with palm trees at the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island

Creating a new benchmark for luxury in the Indian Ocean, the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island resort lies just over 130 kilometres south of Mahé, in a pristine atoll fringed by palm forests, with migratory seabirds and turtles, protected by its own lagoon and coral reef. The resort will be home to a collection of 50 seafront villas, featuring up to five-bedroom villas for unique vacation experiences, each equipped with its own private pool and personal concierge. Home to native Hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, manta rays and whale sharks, much of Platte Island’s surrounding scenery remains beautifully untouched, promising a plethora of firsts and an unrivalled sense of magic for guests.

aerial view of coastline and Waldorf Astoria villa in Seychelles on Platte island

Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts

“In the two decades I have called remote tropical islands a home, I have never witnessed an island as pristine as Platte Island, nor one so teaming with wildlife, where it is possible to glimpse endangered turtles laying eggs, eagle rays and reef sharks ribboning along the lagoon,” said Elias Pertoft, General Manager, Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island. “This combined with the elegant Waldorf Astoria service and personalised guest experiences is a winning combination that will redefine luxury in the Seychelles. I look forward to welcoming guests to this landmark destination.”

double bed under canopy looking out of open doors through to tropical beach in a Waldorf Astoria Seychelles master bedroom

Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts

The resort will feature six restaurants and bars, offering a collection of culinary experiences that celebrate the bounty of fruit and vegetables grown on Platte Island. The Waldorf Spa will offer a serene destination for holistic wellbeing, featuring six treatment rooms, a beauty salon, hammam, spa suite and serene outdoor spaces that blend harmoniously to offer guests an unparalleled spa experience.

freestanding bath in centre of bathroom with a view of palm trees and beach in Waldorf Astoria Seychelles villa

Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts

As part of the resort’s Travel with Purpose commitment, the Platte Island property will use a solar field to create renewable energy across most of its operations. The island’s garden will provide a large portion of its fruits and vegetables, which will deliver a sustainable farm-to-table culinary experience for guests.

The highly anticipated opening of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island will take Hilton’s Seychelles portfolio to five hotels as it further expands its footprint in the destination, joining Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa, Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa and DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles -Allamanda Resort and Spa. Hilton also expects to open Canopy by Hilton Mahé this year.

Main image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts

concrete wall with three arches through to bright yellow tiles at Casa Hoyos

Miniview: Casa Hoyos – bringing Mexican modernism into the mix

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Miniview: Casa Hoyos – bringing Mexican modernism into the mix

Located within a carefully restored villa, Casa Hoyos combines its colonial heritage with a chic eclecticism that incorporates avant-garde elements developed through regional artisanal techniques…

concrete wall with three arches through to bright yellow tiles at Casa Hoyos

Located in downtown San Miguel de Allende, the property that has been transformed by A–G Interior Studio has belonged to the Hoyos family for four generations. Today, reimagined as Casa Hoyos, it still boasts its distinctive signature colonial features, while incorporating elements of Mexican modernism, such as pure concrete, textured glass, tiling, steel framing and black contours. The design showcases a transition that goes from historic and traditional to emotional and vibrant.

view from central courtyard of Casa Hoyos across concrete external walls into colourful tiled passage

Image credit: Casa Hoyos

The history of the colonial building that houses Casa Hoyos is the crucial pillar that has driven the design identity of this boutique hotel. The property was originally acquired by Julián Hoyos at the beginning of the 20th century and was the first currency exchange bureau in town. Later, Julián and his family decided to start a grain and seed store that would later be known colloquially as ‘El Banco del Frijol’ or ‘Bean Bank’ due to the singular mix of commercial activities. The sequence of the different generations of the family allowed this project to be converted into a hotel rich in details. Today, the iconic building belongs to the fourth generation, who, together with A–G Studio, pay tribute to the family legacy through the reimagination of this unique accommodation.

The starting point of the design was the style of an old Spanish manor where tradition and different metaphors speak to one another through colour and pattern. In each of its 16 guestrooms, Mexican design is introduced through unique artisanal pieces such as lamps, calaca armchairs, mirrored plant pots, and woven tapestries, which together highlight a custom-designed environment for the newest chapter in the history of this space. Yellow predominates in the palette and is a vibrant statement carried by the glazed clay tiles that, placed in a certain way, symbolise a corn cob. A range of ochre and red tones is present on different floors as well as in some wool textiles, which were handmade in the state of Guanajuato.

red striped carpet, yellow tiled wall and black architectural details on the terrace at Casa Hoyos

Image credit: Casa Hoyos

Following the guidelines of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) to conserve the nation’s heritage, the challenge was to restore the main courtyard and build from scratch, on the back of the property, a contemporary space that would strengthen and preserve the original identity of the building, giving it the genuine bohemian style that characterises the essence of San Miguel de Allende. The source of inspiration for the architectural project came from the intersection of the three key moments in the history of the property: the arrival of Julián Hoyos from Spain and his family life, the opening of the first currency exchange office and its conversion into a store of grains and seeds. Each of these moments influenced the selection of materials and decorative elements that converge and give life to the hotel.

The interior layout is concentric and the spaces of the hotel, located on the ground floor and first level, are distributed around an open central patio bordered by Andalusian-style balconies, reminiscent of a typical house in southern Spain. At the back part of the first level, the mural of a Sorrowful Virgin of Loreto – made and hand-painted in glazed Talavera from the city of Dolores Hidalgo – crowns an altar that reflects one of the most deeply-rooted religious traditions of the Iberian Peninsula, from which the Hoyos family originated. Just below the virgin is the antique piece of furniture that served as the original counter of the bank. Like this restored piece, various objects that were found in the house for years were recovered to give them a new life within the project, remaining as vestiges and witnesses of the past.

red sunloungers and cacti on the rooftop of Los Hoyos

Image credit: Los Hoyos

Moving onto the rooftop, the unique location of Casa Hoyos allows visitors to enjoy the most beautiful sunsets from its terrace. There, BEKEB will delight them through an original artisanal mixology menu based on several Mexican agaves, plants, flowers and roots, all paired with tapas inspired in Mexican culinary tradition. The menu at BEKEB is crafted by creative mixologist Fabiola Padilla, who is returning to Mexico after collaborating with Enrique Olvera at Cosme, New York. The rooftop bar specialises in contemporary cocktails and its name, which refers to the Tzotzil term ‘bek’,which means seed, invites guests to reconnect with the essence of the landscape around them. Set among cactus plants, artisan furnishing, and other creative elements the atmosphere at BEKEB rediscovers the slow pleasures of life.

Main image credit: Casa Hoyos

sunken stone bath next to window with water and wood details and mixer from GROHE Allure

Product watch: GROHE SPA – bespoke bathroom design

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Product watch: GROHE SPA – bespoke bathroom design

GROHE SPA invites users to enjoy holistic water rituals, taking advantage of the positive effects of water on body, mind and soul, while enabling designers to develop exclusive bathroom concepts…

sunken stone bath next to window with water and wood details and mixer from GROHE Allure

Guided by the underlying belief that water is the source of vital energy, GROHE has revitalised its GROHE SPA portfolio. The word spa, originating from the first letters of ‘Salus Per Aquam’, Latin for ‘Health Through Water’, is the founding concept behind the collection. Transforming the bathroom into a private spa is not just about using individual products, but about creating holistic experiences that embrace the positive effects of water on the body and mind.

The broad GROHE SPA portfolio ranges from elaborate tap collections, customisable ceiling showers and intricate ceramics, to complementary accessories as it redefines what is possible in terms of design, technology, and precision. Clients and designers who wish to bring a new, bespoke kind of luxury to the private spa, will feel GROHE’s passion for water in every detail.

With this collection, architects, designers and planners now have the freedom to select from a carefully curated bathroom portfolio which offers customisable options to match a clients needs and their individuality. The brand-new Atrio and Allure Brilliant Private Collections allow a choice of different colour, material, finish, and handle options to help design one-of-a-kind bathroom pieces.

“The products sit at the intersection of premium quality, cutting-edge technology, unrivalled precision, and progressive design,” explained  Patrick Speck, Leader LIXIL Global Design, EMENA. “We are driven by a spirit of redefining what is possible, leveraging industry-leading production techniques like 3D metal-printing, to create exclusive designs. Addressing the rising macro trend for Health & Wellbeing, GROHE SPA is designed to enable architects, designers, and planners to create the ultimate water experience for their bathrooms and spas.”

marble caesarstone detail on tap handle of GROHE Atrio gold tap mixer

Image credit: GROHE

In order to enable end-consumers to enjoy an authentic marble style with a high-quality finish, GROHE is partnering with Caesarstone, the global pioneer of premium countertop surfaces, to craft tap handles in the brand’s timeless and durable quartz designs. Caesarstone has a long-standing reputation for designing and producing high-end engineered surfaces, used in some of the most exclusive residential and commercial buildings around the world and theses surfaces can now be combined with GROHE SPA Private Collections for a truly bespoke design.

grey and concrete contemporary outdoor bathroom design with GROHE ceiling shower

Image credit: GROHE

Thanks to the GROHE SPA Aqua Rainshower ceiling shower modules, the shower experience can also be tailored to the user’s personal preferences. In this way, unique spaces are created that stand out and bear the signature of the designer.

Architects and designers can experience GROHE SPA first-hand at Milan Design Week, taking place from 18th – 23rd April 2023. Located in the Brera district, where the collection will be showcased by way of a water surface installation – designed by the in-house design & brand identity team LIXIL Global Design – which will reflect the stunning architecture of one of the world’s most prestigious art museums, the Pinacoteca di Brera, while expressing the overall GROHE SPA Health Through Water concept.

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

Collage of lighting projects explored in DESIGN POD Episode 28 circadian lighting

DESIGN POD explores circadian lighting in latest podcast episode

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DESIGN POD explores circadian lighting in latest podcast episode

The podcast for all design and architect enthusiasts, DESIGN POD explores the topic of circadian lighting in its latest episode. Editor Hamish Kilburn, the host of the show, explains why you should listen to hear his interview with Michael Curry and Mark Tweedale from DPA Lighting on lighting’s new role in wellness design (listen below)…

Collage of lighting projects explored in DESIGN POD Episode 28 circadian lighting

Episode 28 of DESIGN POD, sponsored by Geberit, shines the spotlight on circadian lighting, a topic that has been heavily debated on Hotel Designs for years. With lighting and sensory design continuing play majors role in hotel design, in sync with the ever-growing demand among modern travellers for wellness to be injected into all hospitality touchpoints and for experiences to feel more meaningful, could the answer designers are looking for be in sophisticated circadian lighting?

For this episode, in order to cut through the noise, I decided to focus on two designers from one lighting design studio who are turning the page to a new chapter in experiential lighting design. Mark Tweedale and Michael Curry from DPA Lighting are bringing interiors to life through innovative lighting solutions.

In addition to understanding the challenges that the design and architecture industry face injecting this level of technology into spaces, Kilburn, Tweedale and Curry find common ground when discussing one particular project, Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol, a hotel designed by HBA, with architecture by Mecanoo, that I first reviewed in 2015 – before it had even opened to the public. The hotel, which is wrapped in a distinct cubic structure, features a 42-metre high glazed roof, which, by night becomes a display of lights.

Almost a decade since that project opened, lighting in design continues to be at the forefront of conversations among designers, architects and clients. So, will circadian lighting in design change the game in wellness and hospitality, or will it break the bank and become another gimmick that will continue to be stripped out at value engineering stages of projects?

Listen to the full episode to explore lighting’s role in design, architecture and wellness.

The full 40-minute podcast episode, which follows episode 27, is available to listen to on all major podcast platforms – just search ‘DESIGN POD’ wherever you get your podcasts. The next episode will drop on March 29 with interior designer Wren Loucks, CEO and Founder of Be-kin joining as the special guest to discuss ‘stimulating wellness’.

Main image credit: DPA Lighting

audience at HRC panel discussion in London

Setting the stage for HRC

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Setting the stage for HRC

Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) is returning to ExCeL London to bring together the hospitality and foodservice sector for three days of networking, learning and new product discovery…

audience at HRC panel discussion in London

Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) is the UK’s largest and most prestigious event for the hospitality and foodservice industry. The show welcomes a wide range of suppliers, from big brands to innovative start-ups, showcasing ground-breaking products. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the very latest products across design & décor, foodservice, professional kitchen equipment, hospitality tech and pub & bar and meet the right suppliers to grow their business and elevate their offering.

“I’m eagerly looking forward to attending HRC again this year,” commented Malcolm Godfrey, General Manager, Stephens House & Gardens. “Having successfully found new suppliers and inspiration for furthering our business last year I cannot wait to see what this year has in store.”

HRC’s Vision Stage, designed by Harp Design, will open with an industry update from Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO of UKHospitality, discussing the association’s latest talks with government and what 2023 might hold for the hospitality sector, followed by a global view of the industry from IGD, the Institute of Grocery Distribution.

Hospitality professionals will also have the opportunity to catch sessions from Hospitality Jobs UK, as the organisation reveals the results if the UK’s largest hospitality salary survey, Cornwall Insight, the energy market intelligence consultancy, will be providing advice on how the hospitality industry can tackle soaring energy costs and the Sustainable Restaurant Association will be discussing how to set the standards for the food of the future with CH&CO, The Pig Hotels and Hawksmoor.

Also on the Vision Stage, NED and board advisor Ann Elliot will be joined by Claire Smith of ABDA Design, Sam Edwards of Fifty Five Hospitality and Karen Fewell of Digital Blonde to discuss the part that psychology plays in hospitality design.

On the Tech X stage, Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality, will host a session on building a sustainable future for hospitality, joined by panellists Andrew Coney of The Hari Hotel Belgravia, Erin Ling, Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work at University of Surrey, Daniel Pedreschi of PPHE Hotel Group and Tej Wallia of Foxhills Club & Resort.

Hoteliers and hospitality professionals visiting HRC 2023 can also check out a must-attend session on how tech can transform accessibility in hotels, hosted by Ross Calladine of VisitEngland and featuring Paul Bayliss MBE of Hotel Brooklyn, Motionspot’s Ed Warner, Fiona Jarvis of Blue Badge Style and TranslateLive’s Peter Hayes.

In the show’s Networking Hub, in partnership with VisitEngland and AA Media, there will be guided discussion on ‘the quality of experience’ with Simon Numphud of AA Media, Janet Uttley of VisitEngland and Tej Wallia of Foxhills Club & Resort.

Elsewhere, Claire Smith of ABDA Design, Charlotte Raffo of The Monkey Puzzle Tree and Zaynib Khan of Benoy will be taking part in the session, ‘What is the ‘new’ luxury in hospitality experiences? – supported by Hotel Designs’.

A new addition to HRC for 2023 is Chef HQ, curated by Chef Publishing, a networking area, demo kitchen and stage where leading chefs from the UK and Europe will be discussing the trends and products that they’re passionate about, while whipping up some delicious dishes for the audience. Among the sessions taking place in Chef HQ are a demo from National Chef of the Year Ben Murphy, a presentation from Nathan Davies of SY23, fresh from wowing the judges on Great British Menu and securing his first Michelin star, and an interview with the chefs of The Future Plate, a collection of leading black chefs of African and Caribbean heritage sharing their culture through tasting menus.

Chef HQ will also feature A. Wong Chef Patron Andrew Wong discussing the art of dim sum, a behind the scenes look at the Bocuse d’Or with team UK coach Tom Philips and Chair of the competition Andreas Antona, and a ‘getting to know you’ chat with Kim Rathoroen, who will discuss her journey from a stage at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay to taking up the role of Head Chef at the chain’s London Chelsea premises.

For hospitality business owners looking to revitalise their drinks selection, new show section Drinks @ HRC & IFE combines the drinks offerings of HRC and sister event IFE, International Food & Drink Event, to create a single, centralised location to source a wide range of innovative drinks products.

For the very latest hospitality tech products and services, The Launchpad, located within the show’s Hospitality Tech section, is an exciting showcase of innovative tech providers that have been trading for less than 12 months.

HRC takes place between March 20 – 22, 2023. Head over to the website to view the full seminar programme and register to attend.

Main image credit: HRC

Collage of Gabriel Scott roundtable with Hotel Designs

Roundtable: reimagining luxury hotel design in 2023

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Roundtable: reimagining luxury hotel design in 2023

With the aim to rediscover meaning in hotel design and hospitality, Editor Hamish Kilburn welcomed six leading interior designers to Gabriel Scott’s London showroom in Mayfair, to peel back the design layers that surround luxury hotels in 2023 and beyond…

Collage of Gabriel Scott roundtable with Hotel Designs

What is luxury, and how do we measure it? These questions have challenged interior designers, architects, hoteliers and brands since the first ‘luxury hotel’ emerged at the end of the 18th century. So, given the progress the hospitality scene has made from the beginning to now, why don’t we have the answer yet?

Today, luxury in hotel design is defined by textures, finishes, furniture, lighting and, above all, experiences. While designers are tasked to create spaces that feel meaningful – perhaps more paired back than in previous years – more manufacturers are designing one-off, statement pieces among their portfolio, to feed the demand for creating lasting impressions.

Contemporary lighting and furniture brand Gabriel Scott believes that answering this dynamic call from designers for ‘something new and exciting’ requires a smarter approach than simply unveiling another collection. Introducing Welles Reimagined. Launched at Milan Design Week 2022, the lighting collection was born from authentic collaboration between brand and designer, a relationship that, in modern times, adds unmatched layers. The company worked with six renowned designers from around the world, allowing them to reinterpret its iconic lighting piece, the Welles.

David Rockwell lighting design for Gabriel Scott

Image credit: Gabriel Scott

The results from that purposeful project can be found hanging in the brand’s London showroom in Mayfair, which was the venue of Hotel Designs’ latest roundtable discussion. Together with Gabriel Scott, we welcomed leading interior designers to sit around the chandelier – an interpretation, if you like, of a crystal ball – to cast their opinions on how luxury in hotel design is being reimagined in 2023 and beyond.

On the panel:

Hamish Kilburn: In terms of texture, furniture and lighting, how would you interpret luxury in 2023?

Tom Blackshaw: Firstly, from when the pen hits the paper in drawing stages to the completion of the project, we are normally working on projects over years. Therefore, I think ‘trends’ are largely obsolete in hotel design, and designers are responsible for ensuring the design has longevity. I think luxury in 2023 is generally more paired back, and I am definitely noticing sample boards getting smaller, which feels more considered.

Tom Blackshaw from Goddard Littlefair at roundtable with Gabriel Scott and Hotel Designs

Image credit: Josh Caius Photography

Charlie North: Interpretations of luxury are also changing quickly. Take Annabel’s, for example, in Mayfair, London. Five or six years ago, Martin Brudnizki amplified luxury in a very maximalist way. There is a trend moving towards confident, simple and paired-back design schemes now where the juxtaposition and layering is, for example, between neutral tones in soft furnishings and bold carpets. I have seen this in some of our brands more than others.

Fiona Thompson: Luxury isn’t theatre. It’s not window dressing or creating a backdrop. Instead, it has longevity, and as interior designers we are building something that is purposeful and has a relationship with the architecture. We need to consider elements and materials with synergy and focus on things that last. We are currently working on and revisiting projects that we first designed 20 years ago, and we are hardly changing the bathrooms – or the fabric of the building for that matter. Interiors have never been fashion-driven. That’s not to say you can’t have pop-up elements in hotels, but the main project – the overall design scheme – has more of a purpose.

image credit: The Cosmopolitan, designed by Richmond International

Image credit: The Cosmopolitan, designed by Richmond International

Simon Kincaid: The point on reduction is important when discussing luxury in 2023 – reducing the quantum of materials. Now, elements are not fighting against each other, and designers and clients are able to invest parts of the budget into features, which makes more sense considering how people experience hotels these days. I have found that guests leave hotels and spaces with three memories. Essentially, instead of being worried about 20 different features in one room, designers can create more impact by making three impactful statements well.

FT: This also just gives interiors space to breathe.

Indoor pool with relaxation area in skyscraper

Image credit: Conran & Partners

Hena Yadev: Design is simply becoming more human-centric, and we are certainly feeling this in the luxury projects we are working on, including the Mandarin Oriental Maldives. The fact that you want to come into a space and make memories suggests that there needs to be an emotional connection in the first place. So, using materials that have a pedigree, that don’t offend or hurt anyone, gives you an emotional satisfaction. It’s not just about things being recyclable or having a long lifespan. It is also about the beginning and end. From what we are seeing, guests experience spaces they want to feel part of.

Hen'a Yadav, Creative Director at HBA, at Gabriel Scott and Hotel Designs roundtable

Image credit: Josh Caius Photography

SK: Most of us will have seen things sourced more locally in recent years, which is positive across all price points, and it adds variety and sense of place into a project.

Kate Jarrett: We really try to work and collaborate with craftspeople early on in the design process. When creating a custom piece, it’s so important to understand the artist’s creative process, to allow their design to form part of the wider narrative.

A wide angle of a Velvet-draped cocktail bar

Image caption: Velvet, designed by David Collins Studio, inside Corinthia London. | Image credit: Alex Upton

SK: The other thing is that sustainability as a term is so loaded and has almost become throw-away. The supply chain, knowing about brand’s embodied carbon and their ethical sourcing, for example, is now much clearer – that was, probably, not the case just a few years ago. The whole industry is now on board, which helps.

Image caption: Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, designed by David Collins Studio. | Image credit: Nobu Hospitality

Image caption: Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, designed by David Collins Studio. | Image credit: Jack Hardy

TB: The technology around recycled materials has come a long way. Five years ago, it would come out as four or five different ‘shades of oatmeal’, but today’s technology has moved on so that now we can inject these compelling stories into our designs without there being an impact on the aesthetics or performance.

Scott Richler: To echo Fiona’s point, we are consistently seeing a demand for lighting and furniture pieces that are made to last. Both from a design and material perspective, we’ve found in the last couple of years in particular that people are much more interested in the process of making and the quality of craft behind the items they invest in.

Roundtable discussion at the Gabriel Scott showroom, hosted by Hotel Designs

Image credit: Josh Caius Photography

HK: Honestly, cutting through the noise for us, how ‘on board’ are luxury clients to ensure materials and products are sourced responsibly?

FT: It’s tough. We have specified carpet that have been made from recycled plastic from the ocean. That’s a lovely feel-good story, right? But when you really dig into it, the methodology of making that carpet is actually quite damaging. We are starting to ask for brand’s EPD, so that we can establish the carbon rating. To source ethically, responsibly and correctly, it is a laborious process. Things that appear to be sustainable, and look beautiful, are not necessarily so.

The other challenge is that luxury takes time to design. It’s thoughtful and requires research. At the moment, clients are notoriously bad for not giving designers enough time.

Anantara Nice Plaza_Les Colonnades_Lobby Lounge

Image caption: Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel, designed by David Collins Studio. | Image credit: Ben Broomfield

SR: That is interesting, because as a manufacturer, we are finding that our clients – the interior designers predominantly – are giving us more time because, as you have referenced, they want to understand the whole process and be hands-on when it comes to customisation.

TB: Everyone is risk-adverse these days. The FF&E side of things never used to be on the critical path, which gave you time to develop furniture and lighting. But now, because they want the cost before the development stages, it means that the whole process feels perhaps more rushed. The flip side to that is that it helps you keep a lid on what you are designing. I think this is a catalyst on why things feel more paired back.

Villa Copenhagen 3

Image credit: F&B areas inside Villa Copenhagen, designed by Goddard Littlefair

HK: How have luxury hotels reacted to the lifestyle sector offering more of a laidback – let’s call it residential – experience?

KJ: Hotel spaces are certainly becoming less formal. We are noticing that clients want people to spend time in all areas of the hotel. There are less boundaries in hotel public areas, which make luxury hotel experiences more accessible for everyone, not just guests.

SR: From a materials perspective, we have certainly seen an increased demand for uniqueness. In the digital age, luxury is no longer dependent on availability – it has become increasingly defined by skill and uniqueness. We often hear from our designer clients that they’re looking to purchase something that can’t be easily replicated. What this means for lighting within luxury hotels is designing unique, sculptural pieces with fluid forms that complement the overall design aesthetic.

HK: How can design make these spaces feel accessible without losing their elevated aesthetic?

CN: Gleneagles is a great example of that, which was a slightly stuffy luxury hotel before Ennismore led the acquisition of it in 2015. We sensitively reimagined it into more of a luxury, lifestyle hotel, and a destination beyond the golf course. When I first visited, before we started working on the hotel, I was in the bar on my laptop and received some odd looks from both guests and staff.

Gleneagles spa, with soft colour scheme of pink and green

Image credit: Gleneagles / Ennismore

A few years on, with the rise of bleisure trends and luxury hotels being required to have a lifestyle approach to hospitality, the demands have changed. Places like Gleneagles have been redesigned to reflect a softer image. Gleneagles Townhouse, sheltered in a 17th century building in Edinburgh, was a fantastic opportunity for the brand to amplify itself in a city centre. When we worked on the design scheme, we didn’t want it to feel like a museum. So, we decided to feature modern artwork in the public areas create a juxtaposition between the design and the architecture, which resulted in an atmosphere where guests felt comfortable and relaxed in.

Image caption: Kelly Chandelier by Gabriel Scott. Spaces designed by Alida Coury Interiors,. | Image credit: Aimee Mazzenga

Image caption: Kelly Chandelier by Gabriel Scott. Spaces designed by Alida Coury Interiors,. | Image credit: Aimee Mazzenga

Having said that, there will always be those hotels, especially in London, that don’t have to evolve into feeling more lifestyle, because they are already so iconic. Classic luxury, therefore, still has its place in my opinion.

SK: Lifestyle is more casual and approachable. A lot of luxury brands are taking that on board and eroding the formality. Gleneagles is a great example of how that is being done beyond design – the staff uniform is more casual, and the tone of voice is more relaxed, for example. I see this shift also happening on cruise ships. I see that luxury hotels and brands are tapping into making the private areas more informal but ensuring other areas of the hotel or venue feel more exclusive.

Bar inside Gleneagles Townhouse

Image credit: Gleneagles Townhouse / Ennismore

FT: We have done a lot of work with Langham Hotels – this brand would not consider itself to be lifestyle. Langham is unusual because it owns and operates, so there is more of an emotional investment in the projects. Langham is old-school luxury – think good service in beautiful spaces. It is not looking to be trendy or cool. In terms of design, though, it is not necessarily traditional. It has been able to keep that traditional luxury feeling while also layering the spaces with contemporary and clean design.

The other thing to consider is that the demographic of the luxury audience is a lot more widespread today than it was say 10 or 20 years ago. The whole approach, therefore, needs to evolve and change.

Fiona Thompson and Simon Kincaid on roundtable by Gabriel Scott and Hotel Designs

Image credit: Josh Caius Photography

HK: What are some of the pitfalls designers and brands fall into when trying to merge luxury and lifestyle?

TB: I think hotels need to be comfortable in their own skin. Any change to the design and hospitality experience needs to be driven by the hotel’s DNA.

I think hotels need to ensure that design and hospitality are always working. When larger hotel groups evolve into more of a lifestyle feel, it’s so important to think about all touchpoints and activations, such as the F&B offering. If the design scheme is local, then so too should the F&B elements – I’m not just talking about the food, but also the concepts.

Image of Scott Richler from Gabriel Scott at roundtable by Hotel Designs

Image credit: Josh Caius Photography

FT: It’s a luxury for us, as designers, to work on projects that are surrounded by interesting cultures and neighbourhoods. For designers working on large-scale developments – look at what is happening in Saudi Arabia, for example – the challenge will be how to inject character, charm and individual personality into each property in an area that is literally being built in just a few years. The other thing, of course, is that luxury in one region means something different in another.

A man sitting in a navy blue upholstered booth drinking a whiskey

Image credit: Conran & Partners

HY: What is positive to see is the desire to merge cultures in luxury design within those large projects. It’s not a coincidence that a lot of the developments that are happening in Saudi Arabia are being designed by Western interior design professionals. I believe this is because the clients want these projects to feel accessible.

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

Keuco and Porche design collage

In conversation with: Henning Rieseler at Porsche Design Studio

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In conversation with: Henning Rieseler at Porsche Design Studio

Editor Hamish Kilburn speaks to Michael Huber, Head of Studio (Berlin) at Studio F. A. Porsche, to understand how the studio, together with KEUCO, has redesigned the grab rail…

Keuco and Porche design collage

When all attempts by designers are being made in 2023 to ensure the whole hotel experience – and its meaningful design narrative – is seamless and cohesive, there is therefore nothing more frustrating than entering a new hotel to find that its ‘accessible rooms’ have not been given the attention to detail than the rest of the property.

What is encouraging to see, though, is manufacturers making efforts in order to challenge conventional approaches to DDA accommodation. KEUCO is one of those brands, which has just unveiled that its latest collection,  KEUCO AXESS, of stylish rails, grab rails, drop bars and shower seating have been designed in collaboration with Studio F. A. Porsche.

To understand more about what made this project special, I caught up with Henning Rieseler, Head of Studio (Berlin) at Studio F. A. Porsche, who describes the new collection as “puristic, high-end and fascinating.” I was keen to learn why.

“After a lot of prototypes and also some resets in the project, we finally all agreed on the perfect mechanism.” – Michael Huber, Head of Global Business Development, Studio F. A. Porsche.

Hamish Kilburn: What might our audience not know about Studio F. A. Porsche?

Henning Rieseler: Next to the designs for our own brands, Porsche Design and Porsche Lifestyle, the studio has been working for more than 50 years in a very wide range of industries and companies. Whether it be industrial machines, medical equipment, furniture, trains, ships and even products such as beer crates:

Whenever we show our entire product portfolio, most of the people are really surprised that our design principles are applied to so many products.

A shower with modern AXESS grab rails and rails designed by Studio Porsche

Image credit: KEUCO

HK: Why did your studio decide to partner with KEUCO to design this collection?

HR: There was an immediate strong interest from our side when KEUCO approached us. On the one hand, the mindset of both companies matched: the highest demand for quality and innovative solutions. On the other hand however, we were fascinated by designing a product for elder generations or disabled people with the approach of finding the best possible integration into premium bathroom interiors.

HK: What was your approach to ensure the KEUCO AXESS range was both functional and aesthetically striking?

HR: When we started the design process for the supporting handle, we realised immediately that a pure redesign with only improving the materials and shape, would not lead to a new product with a breakthrough in new aesthetics’ within the world of care products. Therefore, we stopped thinking of the aesthetics and just concentrated in the first phase on finding a solution on how to hide the bulky appearance of the product when not in use. A lot of ideas were developed with sliding and rotating mechanisms. These ideas were shared with the KEUCO team and then developed into different directions to ensure the best user experience, always with a strong focus on safety and easy usability.

After a lot of prototypes and also some resets in the project, we finally all agreed on the perfect mechanism. The clean aesthetics of the final product were then just the consequence of the innovative functionality.

A modern shower designed by Studio Porsche and KEUCO

Image credit: KEUCO

HK: What makes this range intelligently designed?

HR: While the supporting handle is obviously the innovative driver of the product range, other items such as the rail system and the chair also included innovations like the shape of the rails, which not only looked good but also improved ergonomics and safety. Overall, the entire series follows the aim to appear as premium products, which naturally fit into high-end and very aesthetically modern private bathrooms.

HK: You mention that the aim was to develop the products from a new perspective. What characteristics of Porsche can be found in the design?

HR: Based on the principles of our founder Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, we design products which pair functionality with aesthetics. Typical keywords which transform these ideas into all Porsche products are Focus and Purpose. Whether it is a car, a lifestyle product or a care product for bathroom interiors, a purposeful design with a clear focus on its user scenario is the Porsche way to design a product.

HK: How do you hope this collection changes the perception of accessible design?

HR: We are, of course, pleased that the topic of accessible design is promoted and brought to a wider audience by the products which we designed for KEUCO. In the long run however, we hope that these products will no longer be described as items for the elderly or disabled people, but are realised as just very good products which can be used by anyone.

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

Main image credit: KEUCO

A modern restaurant with contemporary design touches

Inside Scarpetta at Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha

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Inside Scarpetta at Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha

The new restaurant, designed by David Collins Studio, officially opened recently inside Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha. We took a peek inside…

A modern restaurant with contemporary design touches

Complete with bold flavours and a soulful design scheme, Scarpetta at the newly opened luxurious resort, Waldorf Astoria in Lusail, Doha, adds a layer of personality inside the hotel.

The new restaurant has been painstakingly designed by David Collins Studio, which put its heart into reinterpreting traditional Italianate architectural details with a mid-century twist.

A dark, moody atmosphere in new restaurant at Waldrof Astoria Lusail in Doha

Image credit: Ben Broomfield

The design features a contemporary interpretation of Italian architecture, through use of Palladiana flooring, coloured marbles, and travertine columns influenced by the brand’s Italian cuisine. The venue boasts an effortlessly chic dinner setting that brings LDV’s mission of La Dolce Vita to life with its indoor and al fresco dining venues, an extensive cigar lounge, private dining and a walk-in humidor.

Mirrors held up by straps on wall inside restaurant

Image credit: Bed Broomfield

The philosophy of Scarpetta’s kitchen, born in New York City in 2008, is to create bold flavours by amplifying the essence of seasonal ingredients. Their signature dishes, primarily their delectable pastas are prepared in-house daily using only the best, locally sourced ingredients. Scarpetta’s most popular Spaghetti Tomato & Basil is nothing short of classic simplicity in both taste and preparation. The Italian hotspot also offers a variety of mouthwatering starters and signature mocktails which are not to miss.

Scarpetta has grown to receive prominence for its delicious food and drinks, stylish décor, and affluent clientele that attracts the interest of leading media outlets throughout the world.

Glass panels and brown leather seating in bar at hotel

Image credit: Ben Broomfield

With its New York sensibility and modern Italian charm, Scarpetta has opened its doors in some of the most sought-after locations in the world, such as New York, London, Tokyo and Miami; and is continuing to expand its footprint with its most recent opening in Lusail, Doha; providing its culinary integrity and excellent service to discerning customers globally.

Main image credit: Ben Broomfield

render showing private suite and swimming pool with thatched cabin overlooking the water of okovango delta at sitatunga Private Island

Sneak peek: inside Sitatunga Private Island Suite

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Sneak peek: inside Sitatunga Private Island Suite

The latest Réserve-Collection safari camp to join the Great Plains portfolio – a cluster of luxury water-based accommodations in the heart of Botswana – is due to open in July 2023. Before then, we have managed to get a sneak peek inside…

render showing private suite and swimming pool with thatched cabin overlooking the water of okovango delta at sitatunga Private Island

Great Plains is an authentic and unique tourism conservation organisation, founded by and positioned around Dereck and Beverly Joubert since 2006. The company consists of a portfolio of fourteen prestigious owned and partner safari properties in Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe. Slated to open on 15th July, the two-bedroom Sitatunga Private Island Suite will open within the new Sitatunga Private Island Camp, part of  Botswana’s latest Okavango Delta water-based Réserve-Collection Safari Camp.

Sitatunga Private Island Camp will provide guests with both an authentic safari experience and a refuge for the soul in the Okavango Delta. The owners have been pivotal in the interior design process, imbibing a sense of place and authenticity into the camp, with the giant bamboo fisherman basket structures of the suites paying homage to the Bayei people who historically occupied the area.

wooden walkway over the water for viewing animals and thatched roof cottages in Sitatunga

Image credit: Great Plains Conservation

“Sitatunga Private Island Camp is an extraordinary place,” elaborated Dereck Joubert, CEO of Great Plains Conservation “It is a private island and is one of the few locations where one can still see sitatunga, the rare aquatic antelope, from camp and by boat, which is the main activity here in addition to walking. It is deep Okavango Delta and, as such, is rich in birding. Head out on a boat to view elephants, crocodiles, and hippos all day, every day. I know you will enjoy every moment of it, as I do.”

A true labour of love, all materials within the camp have been personally sourced over the years and will be re-used to create Sitatunga Private Island Suite, breathing new life into old treasures. The suites, which will be able to house eight people in total, wull blend seamlessly into the natural landscape of the Okavango Delta, conjuring a strong imagining of its ancestral origins.

“Sitatunga Private Island Camp is very ‘Robinson Crusoe’, desert island-ish,” continued Joubert. “It is designed with a ‘salvage’ inspired reference, complete with giant basket shapes as a nod to the Bayei and other local Okavango fishing ancestries. Thick shaggy thatch cover canvas roofs and walls. There is thick pole woodwork, feeling like masts salvaged from a shipwreck, but the very spacious inner floorspace is actually some of the largest we have ever built. Each suite is set up very high in the ebony trees, a traditional way to seek and find safety, take advantage of the views, and rest in the cool shade. And to spot sitatunga.”

two deckchairs and sunset at Sitatunga Gret Plains okovango delta

Image credit: Great Plains Conservation

The camp will become a new destination of barefoot luxury for slow safari guests, with the opportunity to explore the Okavango Delta’s permanent channels by mekoro (canoe), stretch their legs on guided morning walks, take part in fishing or photographic safaris. For those guests keen to unwind within their new home-away-from-home in Botswana, Sitatunga Private Island Suite offers yoga mats and light weights with in-room massages available upon request. A wine cellar and boutique are also available to guests within the camp. All suites offer complimentary use of a professional camera and lens set.

Main image credit: Great Plains Conservation

George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg

In conversation with: George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg

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In conversation with: George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg

Hot off appearing as guests on the Travel By Design podcast from Marriott, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg meet with Editor and host of that podcast episode, Hamish Kilburn, to discuss urban jungles, boundaries in luxury and creating protagonists to keep the design and hospitality scene on its toes…

George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg

“I think it was a dry cleaners,” replied Glenn Pushelberg after I asked himself and George Yabu, both Founders of Yabu Pushelberg, to identify their first project that they worked on together. For many world-leading design studios, it would be a memory easily accessed. “I don’t even remember,” laughed Yabu. And perhaps that is what makes this design duo dynamic and always on the pulse and unlike any designers I have met before – it’s less about looking backwards and more about moving ahead; thinking big and challenging existing interpretations of hotel design.

In an episode of Travel By Design, a podcast hosted by myself and brought to you by Marriott Bonvoy Traveller, I welcomed the pair as my special guests. The episode was designed to allow listeners to understand the design narrative of two hotels in particular that Yabu and Pushelberg were working on at the time, Moxy Downtown and Downtown Los Angeles AC. What made this project exceptional was the fact that both hotels – two brands with, at times, contrasting personalities – were being designed at the same time, and under the same roof.

“Moxy Hotels have a loose and playful energy while Downtown Los Angeles AC  is tailored and refined,” explained Pushelberg. “They have their own unique personalities yet are tethered together – one responds to the extravert and the other responds to the introvert. Depending on where my emotions are at, I can choose which journey I want to take. If I am traveling for work, I will choose the AC so I can come back to an environment that is grounded, centred, and more aligned with the pace I need to recharge. If I am in Los Angeles for exploration, I would choose Downtown Los Angeles Moxy because of its free-spirited nature will bring out other dimensions of my personality.”

Following this meaningful podcast interview with the designers that peeled away the layers of each hotel, I caught up with both Yabu and Pushelberg to understand more beyond their latest masterpieces.

Renders of Moxy LA Downtown

Image caption: Render of lobby area inside Moxy Downtown LA, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. | Image credit: Marriott International

Hamish Kilburn: How do you see boundaries being blurred in hotel design between lifestyle and luxury?

George Yabu: This is a big question and it all comes down to how people want to feel in spaces and define their time. People want to feel a rainbow of feelings, while remaining confident that the experience can understand and rotate with their mood, needs and desires. Obviously, the guilded lily associated with traditional luxury has fallen to the wayside, and people are more intrigued with authentic storytelling. Aman Tokyo Residences is a great example of that, and a project we are proud to be sharing with the world soon.

HK: If you can’t remember the first project, can you at least let us know how it all started for you? 

Glenn Pushelberg: Well, we met at university, but it wasn’t until after we graduated and ran into one another on the street that we connected. We were both looking for studio space and did the logical thing of renting a place together. One day we were helping one another complete a drawing for a project and when we met in the middle, it looked like it was completed by one person. That was a defining, albeit cliché moment for us as partners both in work and in life.

“The hotel is an homage to performance, with each public space imbued with the character of someone essential for bringing a production to life.” – George Yabu, Co-Founder, Yabu Pushelberg.

Image caption: Salvatori showroom, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. | Image credit: Matteo Imbriani

Image caption: Salvatori showroom, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. | Image credit: Matteo Imbriani

HK: I love how the spaces and atmospheres you create are formed around a make-belief protagonist that you create to centre the design narrative. In your careers, what have been the wildest protagonists you have created when imagining a punchy design scheme?

GP: I am not sure if I can pinpoint one of our wildest characters, but a project storyline that stands out to me is The Londoner. The hotel is an homage to performance, with each public space imbued with the character of someone essential for bringing a production to life. For example, Whitcomb’s All Day Dining is an ode to the screenwriter. Its poetically layered design gives the space character and a unique storyline, with specific decorative details such as the abundant harvest table introducing elements of whimsy and fantasy.

Image of sun/moon art piece hanging from ceiling in The Londoner

Image credit: The character-full lobby inside The Londoner, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. | Image credit: Henry Bourne

GY: The Londoner was designed to play into the roots of Leicester Square as London’s historic theatre district. We created layers of programming up into the sky and deep into the earth that emphasise this extraverted, alluring, playful voice.

Why this project stands out to us is it wasn’t about one character, it was about a collaboration of perspectives and styles into one cohesive experience. There was a delicate balance of giving space to each character/environment to stand on its own while contributing to an overarching story.

“After a while, we found an interior scope limiting and we want to set out to create a complete experience.” – Glenn Pushelberg, Co-Founder, Yabu Pushelberg.

HK: From inside your studio, how has design helped brands amplify other sides of their personalities?

GP: Design is a way to tell stories and the brands who get that are the ones that stick around. We are fortunate to be trusted by an array of brands who come to us for guidance on how to express luxury, or an attitude, or develop a style. Our job is to understand who they are and how to tell a story that is authentic to them, while guiding them and their clientele forward.

Clean and public areas inside Park Lane Hotel

Image caption: The public areas inside Park Lane New York City, designed by Yabu Pushelberg | Image credit: Alice Geo

HK: In your projects, it is clear that design and architecture are interlinked – one doesn’t work without the other. What examples of your work best reflect this, and can you explain what the approach was to create them?

I think this question explains how the studio has naturally evolved over time. We started out 43 years ago as an interior design studio beginning our journey in retail design, which naturally progressed into hospitality projects. With time, we had the opportunity to collaborate with partners who trusted our vision. In return, we got to build stories for these partners and brands who long term helped shape how we chose to express ourselves. After a while, we found an interior scope limiting and we want to set out to create a complete experience. To us that meant designing the furniture and products that set the scene, developing the aura of a space through light, activating the character of a space through styling, and selecting the artworks that brings everything together. Each piece of an environment contributes to the story and it was a goal of ours to be the bridge to the elements so we could create spaces poised with purpose, soul, and joy.

Aerial view of shopping area

Image caption: La Samaritaine, designed by Yabu Pushelberg | Image credit: Jerome Galland

HK: If when designing spaces, you are designing around a protagonist – or a lifestyle you are trying to create, can you explain the design approach when creating products?

GP: The bedrock of it all is purpose and transformation. There is so much stuff in the world and if we are contributing to creating more, it better be able to stand the test of time, be functional, and ooze purpose.

GY: We design things to spark joy, which comes in a variety of forms for us. With product, we are resolving a problem, likely one we have come across in an interior project. Through interiors, we can pinpoint what is lacking, what could be refined so we can make it better, and what has yet to exist. All our work sits at the same table and creates this ecosystem of thinking that you can see across our work. They all feed into making the other better.

Image caption: Bathrooms inside Pan Pacific London, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. | Image credit: Jack Hardy

Image caption: Bathrooms inside Pan Pacific London, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. | Image credit: Jack Hardy

HK: Talking to you both, it’s clear you love to travel, which I know where a lot of inspiration comes from. Where in the world would you like to design next if you had the choice, and why?

GP: Brazil, Italy, and Japan. We are fortunate to have projects in each country right now.

GY: Korea is somewhere I would love to travel to.

Portraits of Glenn Pushelberg and George Yabu

Image credit: Shayan Asgharnia

HK: What does it take to be part of your team?

GP: To be a good team player you need to create an environment where people feel comfortable to express their ideas, good or bad. With time I have learned the importance of creating space to listen to others and learn from them.

Main image credit: Yabu Pushelberg

sleek contemporary bathroom in black and chrome with AXESS fittings by KEUCO and Porsche

Studio Porsche & KEUCO redefine accessible bathrooms

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Studio Porsche & KEUCO redefine accessible bathrooms

When Studio Porsche designed a range of accessible bathroom products for KEUCO, the result was something unique. With German engineering connecting with premium interior design, accessibility in the bathroom has never been so beautiful…

sleek contemporary bathroom in black and chrome with AXESS fittings by KEUCO and Porsche

Operating from the maxim that good design has to be honest, what is striking about the entire KEUCO AXESS barrier-free range by Studio Porsche, is the clean, design-driven lines of all the products – commencing with the folding support rail positioned over the rail system for the shower, the grab rails, through to the freestanding stool. The design focuses on the essentials, combining aesthetics and barrier-free functionality in a stylish and innovative way, without making the special functions visually obvious. It is this aspect that will pleasantly surprise design lovers who want to see accessibility integrated into the bathroom and products with a minimalist appearance with design that inspires.

“It was our wish to meet the highest aesthetic demands and yet incorporate the specific needs of a barrier-free bathroom system,” said Christian Schwamkrug, Design Director Studio F. A. Porsche. “Our aim was to develop accessible bathroom products from a completely new perspective. Timeless, very clear, aesthetic forms, permanently perceived as beautiful, even after many years. Independent of the spirit of time and trends and at the same time, beyond anything known so far. Out ambition was to create something special, right down to the smallest detail, and making it technically possible. A combination of German engineering and top-quality implementation in every respect. ”

KEUCO AXESS is designed for barrier-free bathrooms across all sectors. It is a sustainable and cross-generational concept made from high-quality materials in a beautiful and timeless design. The design ensures the comfortable and safe use of all areas of the bathroom – not only for the elderly, those currently in need of care or for people with a physical disability, but for all generations. The intelligent design details support independence and autonomy in the bathroom, allowing people of all ages and abilities to benefit from its comfort-enhancing functions. What may be a useful aid for one person can simply provide additional comfort for another, such as taking a shower whilst sitting down.

A bathroom without barriers can add to the quality of life, while still being comfortable, future-oriented and, thanks to the unique design of this collection, can also be extremely attractive and visually appealing. KEUCO AXESS transforms barrier-free bathrooms into bathrooms for people of all ages and for all life situations. Increasingly, building owners in the project sector, architects and planners along with private individuals, when deciding to renovate or refurbish, opt for a barrier-free solution as it increases the level of comfort and safety in the bathroom and adds to the value of a property.

The AXESS folding support rail looks nothing like folding support rails of the past, as it stands uniquely flat against the wall when folded up. When unfolded and exposed in the downward position, the support rail is a beautiful and elegant solution. It is available in three finishes: chrome, matt black or aluminium-chrome and depending on the surface, a grip-friendly plastic inlay in black or white is seamlessly integrated. The plastic is significant as it makes it easy to grip and prevents slipping when supporting or holding on. There is an optional and retrofittable toilet paper holder which has a black or white roller stopper enabling it to colour match the design. Two different projections in 700 and 850 mm offer perfect safety and support. The larger projection folding support rail is also suitable for larger, wheelchair-accessible WCs. The optional and retrofittable radio WC flush actuator integrates aesthetically into the handle and is compatible with radio flush cisterns from common manufacturers via Bluetooth. Despite the reduced design, stability is guaranteed with a 115 kilogram load capacity. KEUCO AXESS folding support handles are TÜV tested and certified according to DIN standard.

sleek and seamless chrome grabrail from KEUCO AXESS

Image credit: KEUCO

The rail system and grab rails of the AXESS range are again characterised by their elegant yet starkly simplistic design. The versatile range provides support and safety in the shower and bath, at the washbasin and WC. Despite high stability when holding and supporting, this ergonomic design appears light, stylish, and un-cumbersome. The grip surface at the front forms a smooth rectangular band. with flat surfaces and precise edges. At the back, the rail grip system and handles are ergonomically shaped in a semicircle for an optimised grip. This oval rounded back perfectly fits in the hand when grasping, making it unnecessary to exert a great deal of force when holding on and ensuring a secure grip and a reliable hold. The unobtrusive wall fixings of the rail system and grab rails emphasise the clear, minimalistic design, whilst ensuring sufficient stability for a barrier-free solution. The KEUCO AXESS grab rail ranges in length from 400 to 1000 mm. In the shower, the rail system can be flexibly adapted to suit on-site conditions. The shower rail also serves as a stable grab rail, always giving a feeling of safety. The shower slider can be unlocked and moved up or down simply by pressing on the back and this can be done with one hand. The shower head can be turned in various positions, to the left and right and can be tilted up and down from any angle, without any problems.

A stable seat is a plus for comfort in the bathroom and KEUCO has supplemented its range of seats with the mobile KEUCO AXESS stool. The design is crafted to the highest standard and is, as one would expect from this collaboration, as minimalistic, safe and comfortable as possible. In an archetypical, timeless design, the stylish stool takes up little space in the bathroom and fits in any corner. With a load capacity of 150 kilograms, it can be used in both private and public areas. The stool is particularly stable and resilient, as the discretely outward-facing legs with anti-slip ensure a secure standing position, whilst being easy to reposition using one hand. The softly roughened, non-slip surface of the seat has a pleasant feel and is easy to clean. The seat is slightly curved inwards and features a small hole in the middle which allows water to drain off directly in the shower. The mobile stool with a white or black seat can be harmoniously integrated into the bathroom or shower area. With a white seat, you can choose between chrome or aluminium legs, while with a black seat, the legs are also in black. All versions are robust, durable and easy to clean.

sleek yet functional designed toilet roll holder and grab bar in KEUCO AXESS range

Image credit: KEUCO

For people in need of care, access to the bathroom areas can be difficult or even impossible, making them dependent on assistance. Nevertheless, for all people and age groups, the desire for independence and autonomy in the bathroom plays a very decisive role in maintaining quality of life. With these designs, assistance from care staff can be supplemented in the bathroom as the flexible and adaptable barrier-free bathroom range enables a high degree of independence for users and facilitates the daily work of care staff. Ideally, a barrier-free bathroom equipped with KEUCO AXESS is designed in such a way that people can find their way around without help, if possible – whether they are motor-impaired, people with little strength or users with cognitive impairments and coordination problems.

KEUCO IXMO Sensor touchless tap

Image credit: KEUCO

KEUCO AXESS products are perfectly matched to KEUCO IXMO fittings. The cover plate can be combined in either round or square and in the shower, head and hand showers can be individually combined. The IXMO range of fittings from enjoys great popularity among design lovers and sanitary professionals thanks to the bundling of functions with a minimalist appearance. IXMO stands for ‘x possibilities’ and promises design variety and planning freedom, aesthetics and an easy care, quick and an affordable installation.

The AXESS barrier-free range can also be combined with various accessory collections, such as the PLAN or REVA range. Various different KEUCO shower shelves make handling easier and, together with a comfortable seat, bring real pleasure to the shower. KEUCO AXESS series, in combination with IXMO fittings and other brand accessories, can be used to transform any bathroom into a design-strong, barrier-free place of well-being. KEUCO AXESS combines a high degree of aesthetics along with its functionality, as the shapes and materials meet the highest standards of hygiene and ease of care, even in the optional service area.

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

Main image credit: KEUCO

bathroom with arched windows and a round pool bath with fittings from the Origini collection from Gessi

Product watch: Origini by Gessi

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Product watch: Origini by Gessi

By exploring new colour profiles, the Origini Collection from GESSI brings nature right into the bathroom…

bathroom with arched windows and a round pool bath with fittings from the Origini collection from Gessi

The Private Wellness offering by GESSI has been enriched with a new freedom of expression that marks a return to colour. Origini was born from the harmonious union of archetypal forms found in the bathroom, with new hues and harmonies created by mixing and matching colours, materials and finishes. This is a collection that offers designers and clients the freedom to design the most intimate place of living according to the personality of those who live it.

The collection creates a bathroom design based on five iconic shades to reflect five chromatic portraits, which can be combined according to personal taste. These include monochromatic tactile powder pink, neutral achromatic greige clay, non-conformist metachromatic ochre, traditional polymateric coral brick and natural metamateric agave green. The geometric shape of circle has been repeated with modularity and makes a comeback in the interchangeable inserts, in a play of graphics and shiny/matt effects.

olive green from Gessi in Origini

Image credit: GESSI

For biomaniacs and nature lovers from all over the world, GESSI has created the Nature palette – a harmonious union between metals, the Black Metal Brushed PVD and Chrome finishes and Agave, the green colour in its most natural tone. These textures, surfaces and colours combine with the design and the depth of range in the Origini collection to create a finish that references the natural world. The agave green represents not only the colour, but also the philosophy for those who cherish nature and wish to live sustainably. It brings nature into the home and matches all essences and plants. The metamateric profile is the chromatic portrait of those who regenerate themselves from the contact with nature, who appreciate the silence and the beneficial effects of water.

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

Main image credit: GESSI

Modern white bathroom inside Manchester Velvet hotel

Transforming the bathrooms inside Velvet Hotel in Manchester

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Transforming the bathrooms inside Velvet Hotel in Manchester

Sanipex Group’s luxury bathroom brand BAGNODESIGN was chosen to offer guests spa-like levels of comfort during their stay at the refurbished Velvet Hotel in Manchester, an iconic hospitality hub in the heart of the city…

Modern white bathroom inside Manchester Velvet hotel

Opposite the much-loved Canal Street in Manchester – and a short walk from Piccadilly Station – the grand boutique jewel, Velvet Hotel, boasts individually styled bedrooms with contemporary décor. From a room with an exposed brick wall and elaborately carved bed, to one with a gothic mural and dramatic chandelier, the hotel displays an unparalleled attention to detail. BAGNODESIGN products were specified when the hotel made the decision to renovate the new bathrooms, meeting the demand for a high-end, modern and clean look and feel.

The newly designed bathrooms offer a luxurious atmosphere, with BAGNODESIGN providing bath and shower solutions ranging from freestanding bathtubs including the beautiful Koy tub crafted from BagnoQuartz, along with rainfall shower heads from the same collection. Complemented these are elegant Teatro hand showers and bespoke shower enclosures manufactured in the UK by Roman.

Velvet Hotel Double Basin

Image credit: Sanipex Group

The true spa-like bathroom experience means functionality and relaxation without complex designs. The monochrome colour scheme exudes simplicity and exclusivity simultaneously through the mixture of white Teatro countertop basins and Koy rimless WCs with Matt Black Revolution Basin Mixers, AQUAECO Dual Flush Plates and matching bathroom accessories.

Velvet Hotel Bath, Manchester - white and modern bathroom

Image credit: Sanipex Group

Guaranteeing the highest degree of comfort and convenience, the Velvet Hotel’s prestigious facilities, complete with BAGNODESIGN bathrooms, ensure a pleasant stay for travellers who wish to take in the sights and sounds of lively Manchester.

Sanipex 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: Sanipex Group

rendered image of Laufen_Ilbagnoalessi_collection with black bath and orange furniture

Laufen just revealed ‘a new era of connectivity’ at ISH

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Laufen just revealed ‘a new era of connectivity’ at ISH

Laufen is inviting visitors to explore its products and concepts at ISH, as it presents the bathroom as a space for both interaction and connectivity…

rendered image of Laufen_Ilbagnoalessi_collection with black bath and orange furniture

Laufen is participating in ISH 2023 with a presentation entitled ‘A new era of connectivity’, where it has presented the bathroom as a space that interacts and is connected with people, architecture and the environment in a variety of ways and enriches life through emotionally intelligent, humane design. The brand is inviting guests to explore these concepts along with new products and collections.

Laufen Meda collection in a graphic cover design with bath and bathroom furniture

Image credit: Laufen

Designer Peter Wirz has incorporated the virtues of Swiss design – simplicity, functionality, and attention to detail – in creating his new MEDA collection for Laufen. This complete bathroom solution includes a wide selection of washbasins, toilets, bidets, and bathtubs, as well as a full range of brassware and is suitable for almost any bathroom space. Furthermore, its elegantly simple design allows it to blend seamlessly into almost any interior style.

ISH faucet by Laufen in copper finish

Image credit: Laufen

It has been 20 years since Stefano Giovannoni launched his ILBAGNOALESSI collection for Laufen, which introduced a new, softer aesthetic that now defines modern bathrooms. Continuing to push the boundaries of sanitaryware design, Giovannoni has updated the cult collection for ISH 2023 . Using Laufen’s revolutionary ceramic material, Saphirkeramik, Giovannoni has created new ceramic pieces, which retain the soft, flowing shapes that defined his original collection, but now boast a slimmer profile. Making its debut is the new freestanding Sentec bathtub, with an optional black exterior, along with new matt finishes and colours that give the series a more contemporary spin.

bathroom render in blue and white with bath and wall hung basin from Lua and Lani designs by Laufen

Image credit: Laufen

LUA, designed as a complete bathroom with a perfect balance of aesthetics and function, was launched in the UK at the end of last year. Designed by French designer Toan Nguyen, it features a comprehensive range of sanitaryware and brassware with a pared-back aesthetic. The collection is the result of painstaking research on form and function, based on our everyday relationship with the bathroom environment.

LANI furniture complements the new LUA collection and can also be combined with various other collections. It allows users to create a well-organised bathroom, which Laufen considers to be a prerequisite for day-to-day wellbeing. The furniture is available in a standard palette of Matt White, Gloss White, Traffic Grey and Wild Oak. Additionally, it comes in three metallic finishes – Gold, Copper, and Titanium – as well as 37 matt colours ranging from Sage Green and Smokey Blue to Antique Pink and Ochre Brown.

Maintaining good bathroom hygiene is crucial for health and wellbeing. On its stand at ISH 2023, Laufen has highlighted its Laufen Clean Coat Active (LCC Active), a hygiene innovation that eliminates 99.9 per cent  of bacteria and viruses within 24 hours. The technology is baked onto the ceramic, resulting in a surface roughness of about 0.01µm, which is almost twice as smooth as conventional coatings. This bonded material seals even the tiniest pores of the ceramic glaze, making it easy to clean with conventional bathroom cleaning products, while also reducing dirt marks, streaks and limescale deposits.

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: Laufen

aerial view of solaz Los Cabos The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Bonvoy

Solaz Los Cabos reopens with 21 new suites

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Solaz Los Cabos reopens with 21 new suites

Solaz Los Cabos has reopened, revealing enhanced suite offerings and a fresh dining concept in one of The Luxury Collection’s most exceptional resorts in the Caribbean and Latin America…

aerial view of solaz Los Cabos The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Bonvoy

Solaz, a Luxury Collection Hotel and part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, sits in the middle of the two Cabo towns, with an extraordinarily rare private beach and a natural bay nestled between two rock beds. Guests can indulge in the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortés while enjoying a variety of high-end water activities, as well as a world of adventure and signature pursuits just minutes away in the mountain and desert. The recent enhancements to the property include the addition of 21 new luxury suites, including the impressive Villa Solaz Suite.

The new Villa Solaz Suite defines roominess and with its 1,000 square metres and four private bedrooms, it offers an elevated gathering experience. Inside, guests will have access to a private chef, private mixologist and exclusive Artisan Butler service. The resort will also debut two Wellness Suites, focusing on relaxation and whole-body therapy. The relaxation Wellness Suite boasts a double-bed massage table and steam room, while the whole-body therapy Wellness Suite offers heated loungers combined with meditation visors and halotherapy that balance the alkalisation of the body through an immersive experience. The new suites increase the resort’s total room count to 145 guestrooms and suites.

Another new addition to the property is Mako Beach, poised to become Los Cabos’ latest hotspot. Overlooking the glittering sea, Mako Beach features an exclusively designed Airstream serving delicious Baja-style cuisine. Guests can enjoy both local and international flavours, along with live entertainment and DJ sessions on the beach. With the liveliest atmosphere in Baja, Mako Beach will breathe new life into the spirit of ‘Yesteryear Baja’ while serving as one of Los Cabos’ new ‘it’ places to be. Other culinary offerings at the resort include seven unique restaurants, lounges and cellars all led by Executive Chef Elihu Sepúlveda and his team.

“We are excited to reopen and showcase the exciting new upgrades that elevate the experience of visiting Solaz and Los Cabos,” said Giuliana Torres, General Manager of Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos. “We look forward to welcoming new visitors and seeing our returning guests continue to create unforgettable memories at the resort.”

With wellness at the core of the Solaz experience, the resort features elevated offerings for those seeking health, wellness and a re-charge. Its fitness centre has state-of-the-art Technogym equipment and Cryotherapy. Additionally, Ojo de Liebre offers a one-of-a-kind, resort spa experience. With 12 private treatment rooms, including four VIP double private treatment rooms, Ojo de Liebre’s spa menu includes an enchanting assortment of services to revitalise mind, body and soul.

Signature experiences at Ojo de Liebre include the Sea Essence, Cryotherapy Treatment and the Baja Experience Connection. Even visiting pets can even take advantage of Ojo de Liebre with treatments specially designed for dogs and cats.

Celebrating art and design at every turn, the resort showcases works by top Mexican artisans, including architecture by renowned firm Sordo Madaleno and more than 450 pieces of sculpture and art by renowned artist César López-Negrete. Landscape architecture by the award-winning Jeronimo Gabayet blends seamlessly into the architectural design of the resort and highlights the over 120 endemic species living on the property. The resort also features El Gabinete ‘Del Barco’, an indigenous gallery and museum featuring regional artefacts and open spaces to walk through while enjoying breathtaking natural scenery.

Solaz’s green design has helped the property lower its carbon footprint and support its relationship with the nature that surrounds it. The resort features 53,000 square metres of green areas, greatly reducing its carbon footprint by returning oxygen to the environment, while 36 per cent of its rooms contain green roofs, more than any other hotel in Cabo, which allows for lower energy consumption. Smart rooms are controlled with Crestron technology, from check-in to check-out, to maintain temperature levels, lighting, and even to close the curtains when the guest is not in the room. Additionally, 80 per cent of the hotel’s lights are LED, which decreases its energy consumption.

Main image credit: Marriott International

A light blue, matt bath in corner of modern bathroom

House of Rohl launches new products for ISH and LDW

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House of Rohl launches new products for ISH and LDW

House of Rohl is preparing for its debut appearance at ISH where it will be showcasing some high-profile product launches…

A light blue, matt bath in corner of modern bathroom

While Victoria + Albert Baths has presented at ISH for many years, this is the first time for the House of Rohl family, which alongside Victoria + Albert includes English brassware and sanitaryware manufacturer Perrin & Rowe, artisan fireclay sink maker Shaws and Canadian brassware designers, Riobel.

Kicking off its show debut in style, the product launches include Perrin & Rowe’s new Armstrong bathroom collection. A comprehensive range of brassware that brings an industrial edge to the Perrin & Rowe luxury aesthetic. While its design hints at the utilitarian origins of modern brassware, the detail and craftsmanship are of the highest quality. In its striking 24-carot Gold finish, Armstrong may come to define industrial luxe.

Brass tap basin mixer from House of Rohl

Image credit: House of Rohl

Victoria + Albert will also be showing new products, including an undermount basin to match its iconic Barcelona freestanding bath. This makes the Barcelona one of the most comprehensive bath ranges available, with four formats of bath, three countertop basins and now an undermount in two sizes, making it suitable for almost any conceivable space. Bespoke vanity units are increasingly popular and the Barcelona undermount offers a more contemporary shape for modern bathrooms.

“We are very excited to be exhibiting at ISH 2023,” said James Smith, House of Rohl, Director, Marketing & Innovation EMEAA. “The event has been badly missed, and we are looking forward to greeting clients and meeting potential new customers in person. This year we are launching some important new products, and we can’t wait to share them with the design industry. The House of Rohl represents all that is best in luxury bathrooms and the best way to appreciate the craftsmanship of our products is to see them for yourself.”

Victoria + Albert white bath in modern bathroom

Image credit: House of Rohl

The biggest launch for Victoria + Albert this year takes place at London Design Week in March. The new Lussari is a collection of baths, sharing the same interior shape but in different forms and sizes. It includes a corner bath, a back-to-wall bath and a freestanding bath. There is also a matching Lussari 55 basin. The collection brings a designer sensibility to the corner bath, revealing its natural shape and exposing more floor, making the bathroom feel larger. A smooth, flat ledge meets the upward curve of the bath with a sharp edge. This crisp line can be accentuated by choosing an exterior colour from Victoria + Albert’s RAL colour range, offering over 200 hues. It is available in both left hand and right hand models. The back-to-wall bath combines a stylish profile with a modern, space-saving form. The wide ledge is ideal for a deck-mounted bath filler or simply a selection of bathroom luxuries. Two sizes are available, 1700mm and 1600mm.

The Lussari freestanding bath is another statement Victoria + Albert bath, with a sleek, double-ended design and available in 1800mm, 1700mm or a compact 1500mm form.

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

couch in area with ceiling fan and chest in the family styled guestroom at Mövenpick BalaLand Resort Lake Balaton

Inside the first Mövenpick in Hungary

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Inside the first Mövenpick in Hungary

Inspired by Jules Verne’s novel ‘Around the world in 80 days‘, the Mövenpick BalaLand Resort on Lake Balaton is the first Accor property to open in Hungary…

couch in area with ceiling fan and chest in the family styled guestroom at Mövenpick BalaLand Resort Lake Balaton

Mövenpick BalaLand Resort is located on the coast of one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in Central Europe. The new hotel is a significant milestone for the local hospitality and tourism industry as this highly anticipated opening brings the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts brand to one of Hungary’s most beloved regions and tourist destinations. The hotel resort is part of a wider development project encompassing a unique in- and outdoor family park named BalaLand.

“Opening the first Mövenpick hotel resort in Hungary is a great privilege, a true milestone, and big development for the local hospitality and tourism industry,” said Dieter Prachner, General Manager of Mövenpick BalaLand Resort Lake Balaton. “Being the first international five star resort at Lake Balaton means a big distinction for us. Breath-taking surroundings with captivating interiors and modern design are attributes that we want to be recognised for. The connection between our décor with popular Jules Verne’s novel and Caribbean-colonial style provides a magical and unforgettable guest experience.”

Mövenpick BalaLand Resort shelters 109 modern and comfortable rooms, including 46 suites. Each room stands out by a unique theme, created in the spirit of the ’80 days around the World with Phileas Fogg’ theme. Guests can also benefit from the extensive offering of relaxation and wellness amenities in the hotel – on the fourth floor, there are five SPA treatment rooms with three saunas, a salt cabin, a steam room, and a couples therapy room. Travellers looking for active rest can use a fully equipped fitness room. The BalaLand Family Park offers indoor and outdoor entertainment facilities perfect for families with children, with an emphasis on preschool-aged kids.

childrens playground based on the adventures of Phileas Fogg at Mövenpick BalaLand Resort Lake Balaton

Image credit: Mövenpick

The F&B offering at the hotel includes Pirate Restaurant & Terrace serving luxury buffet breakfast and dinner inspired, by contemporary international cuisine, finest local specialities as well as selected Mövenpick signature dishes. The hotel bar, namely the Reform Club offers guests an inspiring journey to a famous London club, founded in the 19th century, where Phileas’ journey began.

Main image credit: Mövenpick

living room with wooden floor and vintage carpet in ROOST Baltimore

New ROOST Apartment Hotel announced for Baltimore

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New ROOST Apartment Hotel announced for Baltimore

The extended-stay boutique hotel brand, ROOST, has announced plans to introduce an 81-key apartment hotel to the waterfront neighbourhood of Baltimore…

living room with wooden floor and vintage carpet in ROOST Baltimore

The Baltimore Peninsula development team, led by MAG Partners and MacFarlane Partners and Method Co., the development and design company rooted in hospitality, announced plans for a new ROOST Apartment Hotel, the concept known for bridging the boutique hotel experience with apartment-style living. The new addition to the ROOST portfolio will be located within Baltimore Peninsula, a mixed-use waterfront neighbourhood. The team, together with its joint venture partners Sagamore Ventures and the Urban Investment Group within Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Goldman Sachs), is scheduled to open ROOST Baltimore Peninsula in summer 2023.

The ambitious project, designed by architecture firm Hord Coplan Macht, will feature a mix of furnished studio, one, two and three bedroom apartment hotel units with interiors designed in collaboration between interior design firm Aumen Asner Inc. and Method Studios, Method Co.’s in-house design firm. Each apartment hotel unit will feature full-size kitchens with contemporary appliances and floor-to-ceiling windows with balconies to take advantage of the stunning waterfront views.

view from kitchen across apartment to windows with a view over the city in ROOST Baltimore

Image credit: ROOST

The apartment hotel units, amenity space and lobby all feature custom and curated furnishings from designers such as Lawson-Fenning, Gubi, TON, Pedrali, &Tradition, Interior Define, Noguchi, Santa and Cole, Dumais Made, O & G, and Lumas. The furniture curation throughout the space, also designed by Method Studios, draws inspiration from the industrial and maritime heritage of Baltimore as a premier port city. The space is populated with vintage designer pieces and a colour palette of blues and greens accented by blackened steel and rich walnut wood.

wooden floors with carpets and steel window detail in the lobby at ROOST Baltimore

Image credit: ROOST

The property includes an on-site fitness centre with Peloton bikes and 2000 square metres of indoor and outdoor resort-like amenity space, including an open-air pool lined with cabanas and an outdoor fireplace centred around a full-service hybrid bar and lounge. Additionally, Method Co. will be leasing out 40 apartment units for long-term residents who will also have access to all of the building’s amenities.

“With the addition of ROOST, Baltimore Peninsula is poised to become a vibrant destination for visitors and workforce talent that wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to experience the Baltimore Peninsula lifestyle,” said MaryAnne Gilmartin, Founder and CEO of MAG Partners. “ROOST’s high-design and commitment to quality compliments our broader approach as we create a new 24/7 neighbourhood.”

chairs, cabanas plants and a bar on the roof terrace of ROOST Baltimore

Image credit: ROOST

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to open our sixth ROOST location within the incredible city of Baltimore,” said Randall Cook, Co-Founder and CEO of Method Co. “MAG Partners and MacFarlane Partners are completely transforming the city’s waterfront experience with Baltimore Peninsula, making it an incredibly desirable destination for locals and visitors alike. We were drawn to this project by Kevin Plank and his partner’s positive energy, vision and commitment for the area and we look forward to playing a role in bringing that vision to life. At Method Co., it is an exciting moment for us as we explore new dimensions within our ROOST brand. The property’s design is thoughtfully layered with luxury details to create an elevated home-like experience. We’ve also worked to enhance our full-service amenity space. With a relatively low number of units versus the size of our team, we’ll be focused on delivering a high service and personalised experience to our hotel guests and residents alike.”

The ROOST Apartment Hotel blends the comfort and space of an apartment with the amenities and design of a boutique hotel, creating a temporary living environment ideally suited for today’s travellers away for a few days and long-term guests alike. Considered a pioneer in the apartment hotel movement, Method Co.’s ROOST Apartment Hotel brand is significantly expanding its portfolio, with recent openings outside of its home base of Philadelphia, including Cleveland and Tampa, with plans to open additional locations in Detroit this Spring and Charleston in 2024. Method Co. has combined its expertise in design, placemaking and operations to lead the development of the new property, building upon its robust portfolio of successful brands and hotel property launches.

Main image credit: ROOST

wooden bed with green and white bedlinen in Faern Arosa Altein guestroom

Faern Arosa Altein – a contemporary alpine escape

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Faern Arosa Altein – a contemporary alpine escape

London design studio Run for the Hills has completed its first full-hotel commission, Faern Arosa Altein, which is set on the snow-clad slopes of Switzerland…

wooden bed with green and white bedlinen in Faern Arosa Altein guestroom

Standing on a hillside within the beautiful national park resort of Arosa, Faern Arosa Altein is part of the Faern Resorts portfolio, a collection of resorts in the Swiss Alps dedicated to creating high altitude living wellness destinations with innovative food and beverage concepts, in some of the most loved Swiss mountain resorts. The Run for the Hills design team worked with Faern to redesign the picturesque 126-key hotel. Designed as a sociable haven for guests returning from a busy day on the mountain, the contemporary alpine interiors feature tactile upholstery, sheepskins and cosy woollen armchairs. Tailored mesh panels, ribbed glass column lights and antique brass fittings add an urban twist to the hotel’s modern charm.

A Wes Anderson-inspired wooden reception desk nods to the hotel’s heritage and complements the stunning architectural arches within the cosy-chic lounge and hotel foyer. A sweeping marble staircase encourages guests down to explore the hotel’s Zus Brasserie and inviting cocktail bar, Alchemilla Parlour. The interiors palette is grounded in alpine neutrals, forest greens, burnt rusts, and golden sun ochres, warmed with characterful timber furniture and joinery. Tabletops feature light and dark terrazzo stones and berry-red marble swirls. The tailored joinery is softened by fluted banquettes and sofa-height dining set-ups, accessorised with rustic ceramics and scattered Slim Aarons artwork, a nod to the retro village of Arosa.

“The hotel is deeply atmospheric and steeped in history,” said Anna Burles, Co-Founder and Creative Director, Run For The Hills. “We felt privileged to fashion its next chapter. Working closely with Faern Resorts CEO Romain Semmel, we developed our interior concept to honour its heritage, whilst also creating a fresh lifestyle escape for the next generation, channelling the spirit of chic millennial high-altitude living,”

Faern Arosa guestroom with green woven throw on bed and curved custom headboard

Image credit: Romain Ricard

The hotel’s guestrooms offer a mix of comfort singles, doubles and larger deluxe corner suites for groups and families. Many have spacious balconies, with uninterrupted views over the valley and rooftops of Arosa. Inside, Run for The Hills’ guestroom design concept is unashamedly boutique-inspired. The soft curves of the custom headboards and contemporary joinery styles are punctuated with characterful lamps. The rooms are infused with alpine zig-zag textiles on the armchairs, which are paired with statement Swiss green cross, woollen bed blankets for extra warmth and cosiness.

The bathrooms are contemporary chic, featuring black-framed showers and brassware, washstand basin and terrazzo floors. The decorative palette is organic and rich, with a mix of timbers, woven panelling and rich clay paint colours creating a warm, elegant atmosphere. The final palette speaks to the hotel’s setting, as timeless tones from nature are accented by textural upholstery and sheepskin balcony seating to create a layered, modern mountain style.

“We created a design language for guestrooms of differing sizes; a suite of joinery designs which could flex for the varying styles and orientations of rooms,” explained Michael Smith, Associate Creative Director, Run For The Hills. “Bed sizes and storage solutions may vary, but we looked to connect them with signature features and maximum guest comfort touches, to make each room a relaxing retreat.”

stucco ceiling, wooden floors with mid century style dining tables in the Faern Arosa Zus Brasserie

Image credit: Romain Ricard

The hotel has several distinct spaces for both dining and drinking, including the stucco ceiling Grand Dining Room Zus Brasserie. Surrounded by large windows, this spacious room provides exquisite mountain and village views. The nature-inspired material palette features warm and organic tones, rich timbers, bouclé and wool upholstery fluted banquette sofas in forest greens, berry reds and bark browns. The structured dining chairs combine angled forms with Deco-inspired curves. These are given a contemporary twist with graphic art and mirrors suspended from ironwork rails that reflect the stunning views beyond. The Rustic Buffet adjoins Zus Brasserie, set under a statement decorative tree that celebrates the full height of the beautiful arched space, framed by the swirling marble staircase.

The hotel’s buzzy après ski rooftop restaurant and bar, Alpensand Panoramic Restaurant & Social Club, boasts breath-taking views of the Swiss Alps, sun-drenched by day and twinkling clear views by night. Offering an all-day à la carte menu, the light-filled indoor drinks and dining space extends out onto a magnificent balcony with uninterrupted views of the valley and village. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshment in the sun and an unrivalled location for après-ski sundown aperitifs and winter warmer cocktails. Alpensand channels 1970s décor, updated with alpine-inspired wallpapers from Mind The Gap’s TYROL collection, cosy Romo upholstery and a vintage collection of tongue-in-cheek mountain resort artworks. These are paired with cushy velvet sofas and deep, comfortable armchairs to provide a great spot to socialise and relax with friends.

a cocktail and book on a table in front of a bookcase in the Faern Arosa Bar

Image credit: Romain Ricard

Alchemilla Parlour Bar, the hotel’s lower ground level social lounge set within the historic panelled Library Room, provides evening drinks, inventive cocktails and small plates for guests and locals. A beckoning, sumptuous space with richly upholstered cocktail armchairs, black-veined stone drinks tables and group nook sofas, Alchemilla is the perfect spot for retiring after dinner. In keeping with Faern’s spirit of joyful celebration, creativity and playful rebellion, the art is full of personality, channelling the spirited style of 1970s alpine fashion photography and surreal collage.

red tiles on the pillars around the indoor pool in the SPA at Faern Arosa

Image credit: Romain Ricard

The hotel boasts the town’s largest spa destination, with pools, water jets, steam and sauna, as well as pampering treatments for after a busy day on the slopes. During the winter season guests have access to heated boot racks in the ski room, with close access to the main lifts and an expansive ski and snowboarding area with sledging, snowshoeing and cross-country trails for those who don’t ski. In summer, Arosa is home to numerous lakes, picturesque hiking routes, mountain biking, parachuting for adrenaline junkies, and superb golfing experiences. Guests can play tennis on the two outdoor courts or take a dip in the outdoor pool. The hotel also offers breakout spaces, toddler and teenage games rooms, meeting spaces and a cinema room.

Main image credit: Romain Ricard

bedroom interior at nigh With Messy Bed, Leather Armchairs, Closet And Garden View From The Window. with focus fireplace bathyscafocus

Fireplace of the future from FOCUS

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Fireplace of the future from FOCUS

Fireplace innovator FOCUS has unveiled the Bathyscafocus Holographik – its latest design to be adapted for multiple uses in interior spaces…

bedroom interior at nigh With Messy Bed, Leather Armchairs, Closet And Garden View From The Window. with focus fireplace bathyscafocus

FOCUS is rethinking fire and seeing is believing with this immersive design where flames are produced in 3D by a unique holographic system that plays over naturalistic ceramic logs. This creates an exceptionally realistic and multi-sensory fireplace experience, enhanced by the familiar sounds of a crackling wood-burning fire.

The Holographik has a patent that includes ten technological innovations making it a unique development in fireplace design and it has become the latest emblem of the Made in France label. This revolutionary range includes two models: the spherical Bathyscafocus whose design is evocative of underwater exploration and the Ergofocus, whose original design was recognised by Stockholm’s Modern Art Museum.

rustic white painted brick surface with white finish Focus fireplace_Bathyscafocus_Holographik_

Image credit: FOCUS

New environmental standards are positively and sustainably impacting the world of traditional fireplaces. The Holographik fireplace requires no fuel supply and produces no emissions – all it needs is an electrical socket and it can be installed just about anywhere. This makes it perfect for low-energy building projects and apartments as this contemporary electric-powered fire poses no risk of burning and generates no sparks. Consuming less than 30 Watts, the fireplace uses virtually no electricity. It can be switched on/off at the touch of a button, making it easy for users to control and perfectly suitable for a workplace or for areas where there are high volumes of visitors.

The Holographik is the answer for anyone who wants to enjoy the experience of a fire in spaces usually unsuited for a fireplace. The flue is purely decorative and its length can be customised to any ceiling height. These fires are particularly suitable across a range of interiors, from hospitality projects such as bars restaurants and hotels, to retail projects, boutiques and showrooms. The hearth of both Ergofocus and Bathyscafocus Holographik models are suspended and pivot 80 degrees, allowing the fire to be enjoyed from nearly any angle.

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

Main image credit: FOCUS

 

bed with white linen against a wooden panelled wall in guestroom at virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Ica Studio wins Architectural Excellence Award

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Ica Studio wins Architectural Excellence Award

Ica Studio, an architecture and interior design studio regarded as one of the world’s leading hotel architecture and design practices, has won the Architectural Excellence Award at the 2023 Scottish Property Awards for its India Buildings project, now home to Virgin Hotels Edinburgh…

bed with white linen against a wooden panelled wall in guestroom at virgin Hotels Edinburgh

The Scottish Property Awards is an independent competition, which honours the achievements in the real estate sector by shining a light on the best new public and commercial buildings in Scotland. Walking away with the Architectural Excellence Award for its work on Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, the Ica Studio team’s heritage know-how, combined with creative talent and expertise, led to a design that was able to unlock the viability of the challenging city-centre site of the project.

“A project like this has a long road to travel from concept to completion and it involved the talent and dedication of many incredible people,” said Sussanah Macneill, Managing Director, Ica Studio. “This award is a testament to the power of teamwork, strength of vision and the importance of never giving up!”

dramatic vaulted ceiling and chandelier in restaurant at Virgin Edinburgh by ICA Studio

Image credit: Virgin Hotels

Ica Studio’s challenge was to combine the restoration of three distinctly separate ‘at risk’ listed buildings, which occupy dramatically different levels within the local cityscape, with new build elements carefully considered, to re-establish the historic form of the site, whilst also showcasing a bold, contemporary Edinburgh. The design allows for the three listed buildings to be linked both to each other and to the new build part of the hotel with sympathetic yet modern interventions, creating a new flow through the complex site and deliberately framing unexpected views out into both the more intimate bustling local streets and closes and towards the grander views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town roofscape. The design also provides for dramatic public spaces, rooftop gardens and cosy bedrooms, creating a bold contrast between old and new, light and dark, modern and traditional.

Image caption: Commons Club Bar Virgin Hotels Edinburgh. | Image credit: Ica Studio

Image caption: Commons Club Bar Virgin Hotels Edinburgh. | Image credit: Ica Studio

In working with existing buildings, every project has inherent quirks and challenges. However, the key to a successful refurbishment is careful planning, creativity and lateral thinking. Ica Studio has mastered the art of ‘expecting the unexpected’ and the team is adept at designing a well-executed historic development, combining the existing elements of unique properties with the perks and privileges of a contemporary luxury hotel.

For the team at Ica Studio, which is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, the new Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is the outstanding result of many years of specialised experience, a lot of hidden hard work in both design and technical expertise to de-risk and make the project viable, conceptual talent, a love of hospitality and a flair for problem-solving.

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

Main image credit: Virgin Hotels

Vaughan collage of spring summer collection

Vaughan unveils SS23 collection of lights and more

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Vaughan unveils SS23 collection of lights and more

The decorative lighting brand, Vaughan, is displaying the spring/summer 2023 collection in its London showroom inside Design Centre Chelsea Harbour. Here’s our editor’s pick…

Vaughan collage of spring summer collection

Combining a wealth of colour, texture and original design, the spring/summer 2023 collection from Vaughan welcomes both new designs, additional finishes and the much-anticipated return of a Kilim Rug collection.

Each new piece is made using the finest materials and calling on the highest level of craftsmanship across the globe. An assortment of table lamps, wall lights and ceiling lights, the collection refers to classic English design, yet is coupled with Vaughan’s signature pared-back aesthetic.

New table lamps

Adding to the Vaughan table lamp collection, the new Monxton table lamp launches a new shape and a new glaze finish. Slip cast earthenware ceramic and finished in a smooth, brown opaque porphyry style glaze with bronze fittings, the Monxton was inspired by a mid-20th century ceramic vase.

The Shoreham Table, popular in its existing high gloss red glaze finish and mid century style, launches this spring in a new finish. As with the Monxton table lamp, the new Shoreham table lamp is slip cast in earthenware ceramic with an opaque porphyry style glaze.

The ever-popular Avebury gourd table lamp, which is fabricated in ceramic earthenware with brass fittings, is now available in an additional colourway, in a crackled white glaze.

Outdoor lighting

Vaughan expands its outdoor lighting collection with the new Twyford Lantern. Based on a 19th century antique, the lantern features intricate pierced metalwork detail. It is small in scale, with a height of just under 46cm. Although designed as an outside lantern and IP44 rated, it would work equally well in an interior setting. The lantern is manufactured from silver soldered brass sheeting, which is painted an ivory white colour. The piece has a three-way fitting and takes G9 bulbs, which are covered in frosted glass candle covers and candle tubes. It is supplied with chain and can also be installed with a fixed rod which needs to be ordered and fitted separately by the client.

Launching in a new Verdigris finish are the Axford and Hawley lanterns, which were first introduced in September 2022 with a copper bronze finish. The additional Verdigris finish is a copper oxide finish that is then sealed with a clear matt lacquer.

Wall lights

Coldstream picture light - largeImage caption: Coldstream Picture Light. Image credit: Vaughan

Image caption: Coldstream Picture Light. Image credit: Vaughan

Wall lights continue to be integral to Vaughan collections and the 1940s inspired Marlow Wall Lights are now designed in brass and nickel finishes adding further glamour to the original design. The scale of the backplate is complemented by the design details and result in a strong and modern wall light. The Marlow wall lights are fabricated from solid cast brass with an antiqued brass or nickel finish. All wall lights are shown with five-inch lily linen drum lampshades.

Adding to Vaughan’s existing collection of Coldsteam picture lights, the design team have designed a version with a backplate that houses the driver for the LED module to ensure simplified installation process and an integrated LED cover to ensure even light. The backplate is solid cast brass and tube and hood are fabricated brass.

Mirrors

Image caption: Exton Mirror. | Image credit: Vaughan

Image caption: Exton Mirror. | Image credit: Vaughan

Exton mirror is now available in a bronze finish. Currently available in brass, the new bronze finish is fabricated from brass with brass wire detailing around the mirror edge that is then finished in bronze. Inspired by 1940’s design, it is a large scale statement piece measuring nearly 123cm in height and 90cm wide.Kilim

Striped kilims make a return to the Vaughan collection this Spring. Inspired by 19th century Turkish rug designs in subtle colour tones, the designs use natural dyes on 100% woven wool. Vaughan are introducing five new designs in a variety of sizes.

Kilim rugs

Striped Kilim Rugs make a return to the Vaughan collection this Spring. Inspired by 19th century Turkish rug designs in subtle colour tones, the designs use natural dyes on 100 per cent woven wool. Vaughan are introducing five new designs in a variety of sizes.

> Since you’re here, why not read our guide to the design trends that we expect to be hot in 2023?

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

Main image credit: Vaughan

BEDROOM SUITE BEDROOM Virgin Hotels NYC

Inside Virgin Hotels New York City

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Inside Virgin Hotels New York City

The latest destination from Sir Richard Branson’s luxury lifestyle hotel brand, Virgin Hotels, brings a fresh hospitality concept to New York City’s NoMad Neighbourhood…

BEDROOM SUITE BEDROOM Virgin Hotels NYC

There are many synergies between New York City and the Virgin Hotels – quiet, conventional and forgettable are not within their vocabulary. The hotel brand that recently opened a property in Edinburgh, which became as its first hotel to open outside of North America, has drawn the focus back on States for its latest arrival. Cue the opening of Virgin Hotels New York City, located on Broadway, which takes up an entire block – the brand is not known for being subtle. The new lifestyle hotel sits in the NoMad neighbourhood, and frames eye-catching vistas of the New York City skyline, while sheltering a contemporary, paired back interior design scheme.

POOL CLUB DECK Virgin Hotels NYC

Image credit: Michael Mundy

Delivering a vibrant yet sophisticated hospitality experience in one of the world’s most exciting cities, Virgin Hotels New York City arrives as the sixth Virgin Hotels in the United States and the seventh in the brand portfolio.

The new hotel, designed by MARKZEFF with architecture and part design from Stantec, shelters 460 guestrooms, suites and penthouses. It also features entertainment-anchored spaces, including Everdene, which is a 370-square-metre indoor/outdoor distinct dining and cocktail experience paired with nightly music and entertainment programming. The hotel also boasts an outdoor pool club exclusive to hotel guests, and more than 1,800 square metre of meeting and event spaces.

“We’ve wanted to open a hotel in New York City since Virgin Atlantic first flew here in 1984,” said Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group. “We have had so many milestones in this city, from opening America’s biggest record store, to driving a tank through Times Square, to lighting up the Empire State Building. I’m looking forward to even more adventures in the city and having a place to call home at the end of the day. I’m so proud of the amazing team behind Virgin Hotels New York, they have created something beyond my wildest dreams. Can’t wait to show you all!”

BEDROOM SUITE DINING Virgin Hotels NYC

Image credit: Michael Mundy

The Stantec/MARKZEFF team created a contemporary design that seamlessly melds the classic Virgin aesthetic with the dynamism of the Big Apple. The resulting design language is playful and authentic to New York City while simultaneously delivering the luxurious hospitality standards that Virgin Group has pioneered for decades. While maximising views throughout accommodations and public spaces, subtle design elements reference nearby Madison Square Park, with some bolder design components reminiscent of the Virgin brand, including a signature red staircase connecting the third and fourth floors as well as other red accents like the Chamber doors.

JUNCTION Virgin Hotels NYC - artwork piece in lobby

Image credit: Michael Mundy

The hotel also features an impressive art collection with more than 100 different pieces. From the lobby’s “Where’s Richard?” mural by Nigel Sussman, inviting guests to play a Virgin-themed version of ‘Where’s Waldo’, to the hotel’s largest 2D piece ‘The Sweat of Disco’ by artist Joeggu Hossmann, celebrating the city’s history, icons and party scene, the hotel’s collection is a nod to the legacy and future of the Virgin brand as well as New York City.

Main image credit: Michael Mundy

Rendering of The Luxury Collection Beach Resort in Sindalah

Marriott to open three properties on luxury island in Saudi Arabia

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Marriott to open three properties on luxury island in Saudi Arabia

The deal between Marriott International and NEOM marks the first signed property under the Autograph Collection Hotels brand in Saudi Arabia. Here’s what we know… 

Rendering of The Luxury Collection Beach Resort in Sindalah

Marriott International is the latest hotel group to announce its hotel development plans in Saudi Arabia, following much hype – and scrutiny – around the region’s ethical stance over the megastructures, such as The Line and Mukaab, that are on the boards.

The group has signed an agreement with NEOM to open three properties on its luxury island destination Sindalah, situated in the Red Sea off the northwest coast of Saudi Arabia. The multi-deal agreement includes Saudi Arabia’s first Autograph Collection Hotels property, as well as two Luxury Collection properties.

“NEOM is one of the most highly-anticipated developments in the world and we look forward to working with its team to develop these three exciting properties,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “The Luxury Collection and Autograph Collection Hotels properties will express their own unique personality inspired by the exceptional natural landscapes of NEOM. We continue to see growth opportunities for our brand portfolio within the destination and Saudi Arabia overall.”

Rendering of the Autograph Collection property in Sindalah

Image credit: Marriott International

The Luxury Collection in Sindalah

Offering global travellers a gateway to the world’s most captivating destinations, The Luxury Collection is expected to open two properties in the highly anticipated island destination, featuring transformational experiences and destination-rooted authenticity. Slated to open in 2024, a beach resort will offer a mix of 70 luxury rooms and suites, including one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom villas all featuring private pools. The second project, projected to open in 2024, is expected to be an all-suite property offering 115 one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury suites, and will be situated in the heart of the retail and marina district of Sindalah. Both Luxury Collection properties are set to showcase multiple culinary experiences and leisure facilities.

Autograph Collection in Sindalah

Expected to open in 2024, the Autograph Collection property in Sindalah is anticipated to offer rich immersive moments that will leave a lasting imprint for guests. Plans for the resort include 66 rooms and suites, including one- and two-bedroom villas, multiple dining options, a kids club, and a spa.

Sindalah is the first of a group of islands that will be developed in NEOM and is set to be among the most alluring destinations in the Red Sea. The island will feature exquisite facilities and exclusive offerings surrounded by diverse ocean environment home to more than 2,000 marine species, 600 of which are endemic to the Red Sea.

Extending over an area of approximately 840,000 square metres, Sindalah will be a new destination for one-of-a-kind nautical and yachting experiences, located just 17 hours sail from the Mediterranean and featuring a prestigious 86-berth marina for yachts up to 75 metres and serviced offshore buoys for superyachts up to 180 metres. Additionally, the island will include more than 400 ultra-premium hotel rooms and 300 top-end suites, a beach club, a glamorous yacht club and 38 unique culinary offerings.

“Marriott International offers one of the most compelling portfolios in the entire industry and enjoys a stellar reputation in the region. We are thrilled by the prospect of working together and look forward to building a hospitality experience that captures the spirit of Sindalah’s year-long appeal, while creating unforgettable memories for our guests,” added Chris Newman, Executive Director, Hotel Development at NEOM, the division responsible for building a future-centric hospitality ecosystem in the region.

The three projects are expected to the first hotels to open on the island, and Sindalah itself is expected to be the first destination in NEOM to start welcoming guests.

Main image credit: Marriott International

the cabanas around the pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel Cabanas by Champalimaud Design

Celebrating that Champalimaud ‘je ne sais quoi’

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Celebrating that Champalimaud ‘je ne sais quoi’

Based in New York City, Champalimaud Design is an award winning multi-disciplinary design firm with a commitment to creating unparalleled spaces. The company founder – Alexandra Champalimaud – believes that good design starts with an exceptional story and has spent a quarter of a century creating some visionary design statements…

the cabanas around the pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel Cabanas by Champalimaud Design

From the iconic cabanas at the Beverly Hills Hotel through to reimagining spaces at The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman, the portfolio of Champalimaud Design reads like a who’s who of the hospitality industry. In the spirit of today, International Women’s Day, we thought we would walk through some of the designs that have set this studio apart as its Founder and President, Alexandra Champalimaud, continues to inspire and support the next generation of designers in her company and beyond.

In her capacity as a member of the Network for Executive Women in Hospitality, which empowers women in the industry through opportunities for education, professional development and networking, alongside The International Interior Design Association, Champalimaud has stepped into her role as mentor for women in the design field.

portrait of interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud

Image credit: Champalimaud Design

“I’ve been elected as a mentor for women in my field—perhaps due to the layered and unconventional life I’ve led, the many places I’ve lived and evolutions I’ve experienced, ” discussed Champalimaud. “In the face of monumental upheaval, I’ve been able to exercise an innate strength and that is something that I’d like to impart to all the people who work here. I want people to be successful, to be themselves and to laugh a lot.”

Steeped in Hollywood history, the pool at The Beverly Hills Hotel has always been home to glamorous stars, movie icons and the location for more than one classic film. With a restoration of its private cabanas by Champalimaud Design, the beloved ‘Pink Palace’ was able to step up and provide a new generation of guests with modern day luxuries in a setting reflective of Hollywood’s golden age.

wedgewood blue bedroom with wood panelling in Monkey Island Estate

Image credit: Champalimaud Design

Crossing swiftly to the other side of the Atlantic and the historic village of Bray-on-Thames, Berkshire where Monkey Island Estate opened its doors after undergoing an impressive renovation led by the Champalimaud studio. The renovation is a celebration and tribute to the storied history of the island. The design studio looked to the two original structures on the island, the Temple and Pavilion buildings, which were constructed by Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough in the late 1730s, as inspiration for design vocabulary. In paying close attention to the rich history of the project and its surroundings, the lodging interiors are influenced by the boats making their way along the river. Inspired by the cabins on board, Champalimaud Design developed bespoke amenities and storage cabinets which would feel very much at home on the Thames. The palette is a comforting variety of warm greys, deep blues and caramels which perfectly frame the colours of the gardens.

The Silver Palm Bar at the Ritz Carlton Gran Cayman

Image credit: Champalimaud Design

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman re-opened in December 2021 after an extensive renovation. The studio was responsible for revamping the public spaces, guestrooms and suites of the resort with a vision that reflects the natural beauty of the island. Careful consideration was given to the lobby and reception area to ensure this was achieved as soon as guests entered the resort. Natural materials and colours are used throughout, from lush greens, beach inspired whites and beiges to deep blues evocative of Cayman’s night sky and the turquoise of the Caribbean Sea.

With Champalimaud at the helm, the studio continues to celebrate design excellence and the traditions of craftmanship – a pairing that has allowed it to explore and redefine designing for impact. For more than 25 years the studio has been recognised internationally for its visionary design concepts and keen ability to infuse spaces with modernity while maintaining integrity, character and a sense of place that shows no signs of slowing down.

Main image credit: Champalimaud Design

bathroom with Antao fittings from Villeroy & Boch

Villeroy & Boch to present Antao at ISH

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Villeroy & Boch to present Antao at ISH

For Villeroy & Boch, the focus for 2023 is its milestone 275th anniversary and it is launching this anniversary year with extensive bathroom solutions for ISH…

bathroom with Antao fittings from Villeroy & Boch

Since its foundation in 1748, Villeroy & Boch has combined tradition and innovation, heritage and modernity, always with a commitment to design and quality. With the launch of an extensive range of taps & fittings in Europe and a new designer collection encompassing all product areas, the brand is consolidating its position as an all-round supplier for high-quality bathrooms. 2023 marks the start of a new era in bathroom design for the company and Villeroy & Boch is celebrating the dawning of this new era at ISH Frankfurt and online at the Villeroy & Boch Innovation Days.

Georg Lörz, Director Bathroom and Wellness, views the digital Villeroy & Boch Innovation Days and ISH as ideal complementary platforms to present and bring to life the comprehensive product portfolio. “With our broad presence and our hybrid presentation of new products, we are everywhere trade, retail, planners and architects expect to find us,” said Lörz. “Our partners can experience all the exhibition highlights live and at any time of their choosing. We are looking forward to this shared experience.”

To accompany the opening of the exhibition, all new products, 360° views, virtual exhibition tours, inspiring presentations and much more will be available on the Innovation Days platform. Access will still be possible after the close of the trade fair.

In addition, to mark the company’s 275th anniversary, Villeroy & Boch is perpetuating a long tradition of designer cooperations and presenting Antao, a collection developed by the design duo kaschkasch that transforms the bathroom into a holistic space with a natural and harmonious look. The new range of taps & fittings coordinates perfectly with all Villeroy & Boch collections and will make bathroom planning even easier in the future. Embracing the past while looking into the future, a special anniversary edition of the classic Hommage collection pays tribute to the brand’s history.

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

Main image credit: Villeroy & Boch

international women's day 2023 collage

Women at the forefront of innovation in design

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Women at the forefront of innovation in design

To mark this years International Women’s Day, we’re looking beyond the straps and hashtags and, instead, identifying women in the design realm who have embraced technology and innovation both past and present while challenging established design norms and shifting boundaries – our future is truly #DigitALL…

international women's day 2023 collage

This year, International Women’s Day is celebrating under the banner DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality. From the earliest days of computing to today’s platforms of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, women have made untold contributions to the digital world in which we increasingly live in. Women have also had and continue to make a huge impact in the design world. Running with these two threads we are shining a light on a few of the designers who have embraced both design and technology to elevate their craft.

Designer MaijaIsola maripedia in black and white

Image credit: Marimekko

Who in the design world doesn’t recognise the iconic Marimekko poppy design? An image that has in many ways come to represent all that is Marimekko, was created in 1964 by Finnish designer Maija Isola. Despite the company policy, as set by Marimekko’s founder, to use ‘anything but flowers’ , by having the creative confidence to challenge those boundaries Isola more or less single-handedly gave the brand the colourful aesthetic it is still known for today. We have chosen to highlight some of the women whose design work, in some shape or form, embraces change. And like Isola, they have not always followed the rules.

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

Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design

Fast forward from 1964 to 2023 and the design industry remains a platform where women innovate and harness technology to create something different. The work of artist Sally Coulden of Red Dog Glass Design combines contemporary art with exciting materials and technology. Her impactful abstract paintings reflect wild British spaces which the team at Red Dog Glass Design carefully translate the original paintings into works of digital art, deconstructing and recreating each piece into a range of bespoke sizes. The artwork is then expertly applied to high-quality glass panels that are durable, practical and of course beautiful.

the artist Nat Bowen sitting in front of one of her colourful resin works of art

Image credit: Nat Bowen

Also stepping outside the boundaries of traditional surfaces, abstract artist Nat Bowen brings colour to the table in her vibrant multi-layered resin works. Bowen bases her art on the concept of chromology, the psychology behind colour. She relates this, in turn, to her practice of wellbeing, meditation and mental health using the creation of her artwork as a way to manage these areas of life. Despite using a medium that in many ways embraces technology she uses the process to detach from technology and defer everyday distractions whilst she paints. From high-speed collaborations with Maclaren to more meditative installations, Bowen’s work exemplifies the use of technology for good – embracing techniques and mediums that are forward-facing, while focussing on the inner-wellbeing of both artist and viewer.

handblown glass ceiling light by Northern Lights for Sopwell House

Image credit: Northern Lights

Combining the creativity of her designs with the requisite practical application of technology, Donna Gridley, Head of Creative at British luxury lighting manufacturer Northern Lights, works closely with the in-house design team to translate her sketches and concepts into 3D models. Using the teams’ Solidworks expertise, this modelling allows her to make finer tweaks and adjustments by viewing the design from all angles, ensuring it has been carefully considered and reflects the design brief perfectly.

“I am by nature creative with a passion for art, texture and sculpture, and my sketchbooks are never far away,” Gridley told Hotel Designs. “However, it’s been important for me to also work with the technology available to refine and maximise my creative output. Whether that’s understanding new technical applications and machinery in manufacturing, to working with the software used by our design team to translate and refine my designs.”

planting by Topophyla landscape designers

Image credit: Topophyla

Stepping into the great outdoors, as Co-Founder of landscape design firm Topophyla, Nahal Sohbati, has introduced advanced technology into the landscape design process with drone-aided design. While nature may be the central pillar to everything it does, Topophyla use drones and the surrounding technology to construct the trademark poetically designed landscapes. “Drones are an integral part of our process,” explained Sohbati. “We use the data they collect from the beginning of our projects, with site analysis, to the end, with post-occupancy studies.” With a strong focus on connecting communities to their environment Sohbati’s designs are a clear illustration of how we can harness technology to re-connect with nature.

Escapade Silverstone project render by Twelve Architects

Image credit: Twelve Architects

Moving into the realm of the built environment, architect Lorraine Stoutt Griffith has been one of the driving forces behind the Escapade Silverstone project, a space that seamlessly merges hospitality and motorsport in an original way, while also challenging conventional approaches to designing hospitality properties. In a previous interview with Hotel Designs’ Stoutt Griffith unravelled the challenges that she and her team at Twelve Architects faced and then confronted with innovative solutions to push boundaries in the luxury wellness arena of hotel design and hospitality. The end result is an interesting juxtaposition of a design that embodies the speed and technology of its location, while at the same time provides a connection with the natural landscape that frames it.

Inhabit London Queens Garden

Image credit: Inhabit Hotels

Slowing the pace down and taking time for a little introspection, a strong belief that businesses can positively shape communities and the world, Co-Founder of Inhabit Hotels, Nadira Lalji, has put wellness at the heart of the brand, injecting it into every level, from the checking-in process to the design and sense of community. “Every aspect of our hotel is aligned with what being well means to us,” explained Lalji. “We think of wellness as more than a physical state, but a way of being. Our brand pillars, which stand for social connectedness, intellectual expansion and environmental responsibility, reinforce this belief”. Seeing Inhabit Hotels as more than a place to stay but as a force for good is essentially what Lalji and the brand has brought to the hospitality table. Everything is mindfully considered and curated with a genuine commitment to environmental initiatives and meaningful community partnerships. This ethos is not simply about providing guests with a recycled water bottle and the odd yoga lesson, it has been carefully thought through and penetrates every touchpoint, from materials used through to service, F&B offerings to its business model and broader interaction with the local community.

Image caption: ROAR has unapologetically announced that it will design and develop spaces in the metaverse. | Image credit: ROAR

Image credit: Roar

And finally, no conversation on women embracing technology and change in design can be had in 2023 without casting our eyes onto the horizon of the metaverse. And with that being said, Pallavi Dean is among a handful of designers who are championing both technology and the metaverse with personal positivity that is making the virtual world a whole lot more relatable. As Founder and Creative Director of Dubai-based interior design studio Roar, Dean has always been clear that she believes design should be experiential, people centric and possibly just a little disruptive. With this mindset, she has become a champion of all things metaverse and in the process has demystified a lot of the hype around a concept that is so often dismissed. “The metaverse is clearly a lasting commercial phenomenon, not a passing fad, so we want – and need – to be there,” states Dean, believing that the growth of virtual architecture is likely to shape the future of physical buildings and public spaces. Essentially what the designer is doing by voicing her research and understanding of the metaverse is challenging preconceptions and putting alternatives forward that are being offered to us by technology on the table in a far more personable package. It is a progressive approach to design and hospitality that is both refreshing and challenging.

Main image credit: Hotel Designs

GRAFF Designs Ametis collection shower and water detail

GRAFF transforms bathroom into wellness retreat

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GRAFF transforms bathroom into wellness retreat

GRAFF Designs range of spa-like showers, innovative water technologies and stylish designs, allows the bathroom to evolve from a functional and clinical space to a room for living…

GRAFF Designs Ametis collection shower and water detail

With its state-of-the-art technology, GRAFF’s product portfolio includes smart chromatherapy and hydrotherapy showers and basin mixers, helping create rooms of pure serenity, injecting the power of the natural world into the bathroom through water. Designed by Davide Oppizzi, GRAFF’s iconic Ametis Collection leads the way in luxury spa showering, bringing new dimensions of wellness and relaxation. The Ametis Shower Column with its high-tech integrated LED chromotherapy lighting system stands out from the crowds. The shower ring creates a waterfall effect, gently cocooning the body with water whilst wall jets offer massaging sprays for the ultimate experience. For a gentler more organic approach,  the Ametis wall-mounted mixer and its beautifully curved spout delivers cascading water in a gentle delivery.

pink bathroom with wooden stool, plant and GRAFF Ametis shower column

Image credit: GRAFF Designs

“At GRAFF, sustainability, quality, and cutting-edge design go hand in hand,” said Ziggy Kulig, GRAFF Founder, President and CEO. “As a company, we are devoted to preserving our planet’s precious resources, while working tirelessly to create dream spaces that enhance personal wellness around the world. Our products are designed to give people moments of complete serenity and extraordinary experiences with water.”

GRAFF Designs render of the Aqua-Sense Collection shower in a bathroom set

Image credit: GRAFF Designs

Bringing technical innovation to the bathroom, GRAFF’s Aqua-Sense Collection combines water, light and sound in effortless harmony. Delivering a physical and emotional showering experience, Aqua-Sense pushes the boundaries of digital showering. With an intuitive interface, the touchscreen controls allow the user to regulate water functions, colour, music and video preferences with ease. Its lighting capabilities create a soothing effect through diffused chromatic lines, whilst its rain, waterfall and mist spray options deliver unparalleled experiences with water. All products in the range boast water aerators, creating plump droplets that envelop the body.

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

Main image credit: GRAFF Designs

One & Only Cape Town interior with views to Table Mountain from suite

Muza Lab unveils new design of One&Only Cape Town

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Muza Lab unveils new design of One&Only Cape Town

One&Only Cape Town has completed an extensive renovation. The new design scheme, imagined by Muza Lab, captures the natural beauty of the location…

One & Only Cape Town interior with views to Table Mountain from suite

Situated in the heart of Cape Town, at the fashionable V&A Waterfront overlooking the marina and with panoramic views across to Table Mountain, One&Only Cape Town is a tranquil enclave on the doorstep of the vibrant city. The refurbishment spans the full 133 guestrooms and suites of the resort, as well as the entrance lobby, Vista Bar & Lounge and landscaping, with new flooring, fittings and fixtures.

“This is an incredibly exciting project for the One&Only Cape Town team and a testament to our confidence in the positive future direction of South African tourism,” said Anne Scott, General Manager, One&Only Cape Town. “We’ve proudly incorporated local suppliers and artisans to create something magical – paying homage to African culture while retaining the innate One&Only ultra-luxury ethos.”

guestroom at One& Only Cape Town with seating, patterend carpet and marble fireplace

Image credit: One&Only

The scheme came together with the help of natural, timeless and locally sourced materials, all inspired by shapes, textures and colours of its surrounding habitat. From naturally crafted pieces by local artisans to symbolic aesthetics created to mirror elements of the sea, British design studio, Muza Lab has created an escape with both practicality and meaning. Focusing on portraying ocean, land and heritage, the design team at Muza Lab delved into this project with the idea of capturing the environment’s natural beauty, to reflect its setting and bring the space back to life. The end result is a harmonious and tranquil storytelling experience with a  design blueprint drawn from Cape Town’s artistry and local mythology.

Guestroom interiors have been crafted using thoughtful textures and organic materials, creating not just a space, but a whole experience and story. Entering the guestroom, warm lighting and an earthy colour scheme set the tone, the Kente cloth adorned entrance, using fabric inspired by the traditional Northern African mud cloth, creates an authentically African welcome. The space is a perfect blend of metals and minerals, modernity and tradition. Every element is carefully considered, from the curved headboard of the bed which harmonises with the contrast of structural shapes and angles, to the handmade ceramics in organic shapes representing the textures and colours of Table Mountain: the golden yellow of the sun, the green of the plants and the blue of the sea, and the black texture of the Cape pine trees and silverleaf pine.

guestroom design by Muza Lab for One&Only Cape Town in white and wood with seating in front of floor to ceiling window

Image credit: One&Only

Considered the gemstone capital of the world with almost half of the world’s gemstones found in Southern Africa, sparkling accents are added throughout the guest rooms, with details of Tiger’s Eye drawer pulls and facetted artworks adding an ornate touch to modern African luxury. Gemstone-shaped shields, made by artists that are community figures in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, adorn Marina Rise’s headboard walls and are symbolic of the Sun and Moon. The beaded pots in all the rooms were created by Zimbabwe-born Richard Madongwe and his team of bead artists. The jars are representative of the vessels carried on the heads of the people of Africa, transporting the lifeblood of earth – water – to their families.

The suites offer space, repose and a journey of discovery. An extension of the overarching design concept but dotted with touches of green, the suites are a playful alternation of texture, use of lighting and colour, layered with honest natural minerals and unexpected objects. Limestone and African Ash feature tiles in the lobby, as well as statement tables and structural seating, complement the arrival experience. Both the reception and lounge spaces showcase individual identity with a balance of shadow and light, a colour palette of calm neutrals deep browns and warm earth tones, as well as exquisite African patterns.

freestanding bath with bookstand in guestroom of One&Only Cape Town with vies of Table Mountain

Image credit: One&Only

By weaving an inspired design in collaboration with local artists and artisans, One&Only Cape Town is refelctive of its setting in a fresh and nuanced way that is inclusive and expansive, and with an elevated residential feel that makes guests instantly feel at home. The inimitable location along with its unique offering of inner-city yet resort-style accommodation continues to set the hotel apart.

Main image credit: One&Only

Corbello Loxstone Brass Ring and Wire Suspended Wine Racks, Hotel, Hospitality, Bar CL

Art outside the frame: transforming the bar into art

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Art outside the frame: transforming the bar into art

In an era of design where art is being reflected in all kinds of unconventional ways, who is to say that the bar cannot become the artwork? Corbello Loxstone has a stylish solution…

Corbello Loxstone Brass Ring and Wire Suspended Wine Racks, Hotel, Hospitality, Bar CL

In hotel design, who isn’t looking to add some elegance and sophistication in the bar? For designers seeking to add elevation into an F&B space, suspended brass rings and wire wine racks offer not only a practical storage solution but also a new layer of luxe in the overall design scheme.

Corbello Loxstone believes that one of the primary benefits of using suspended brass rings and wire wine racks is that they are incredibly versatile. These racks come in a wide range of sizes and styles, making them ideal for any bar setup, whether it’s a small hotel bar or a large commercial establishment. Additionally, suspended wine racks can be installed in a variety of ways, including from the floor to ceiling, from the two surfaces within a built in system, or even from a freestanding structure. This means you have the flexibility to choose the installation method that best suits your space and aesthetic.

Another benefit of using suspended wine racks is that they allow you to showcase your wine collection in a unique and eye-catching way. By suspending your wine bottles from brass rings on wire racks, you create an interesting visual display that draws attention to your wine collection. This is especially true if you choose to install your wine racks in a prominent location, such as above your bar or in a dedicated wine room.

When it comes to incorporating suspended brass ring and wire wine racks into your bar décor, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, consider the size and style of your wine racks. If you have a small bar, then a compact wire wine rack might be the best option. However, if you have a larger space, then you may want to opt for a larger set up brass ring wine rack that can hold more bottles.

In addition to size and style, you’ll also want to think about the materials used in your suspended wine racks. Brass ring wine racks are popular because they add a touch of elegance to any space. However, if you prefer a more industrial or modern look, then a wire wine rack might be a better fit. Additionally, you can choose from a variety of the typical metal finishes, such as polished brass, antique brass, brushed or satin brass, bronze, chromes, nickels and many more choices to further customise the look of your wine racks.

When installing your suspended wine racks, it’s important to keep a secure fixing in mind. Make sure to properly secure your wine racks to the ceiling or wall using sturdy set-up, and ensure that the weight capacity of your racks is appropriate for the number of wine bottles you plan to store. It’s also a good idea to periodically inspect your wine racks to ensure they remain secure and stable.

Finally, when it comes to filling your suspended wine racks, you have a few options. You can choose to display your most prized bottles of wine, or you can use your racks to store your everyday drinking wines.

In conclusion, if you’re looking to beautify your hotel bar, then suspended brass ring and wire wine racks are a great option. They provide a unique way to display your wine collection, while also adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to any room. By following these tips for incorporating suspended wine racks into your décor, you can create a stunning display that is sure to impress your guests and become a talking point.

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

Main image credit: Corbello Luxstone

wood and glass in bathroom with double vanity unit from Villeroy & Boch

Villeroy & Boch on bringing nature into the bathroom

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Villeroy & Boch on bringing nature into the bathroom

As we all strive to get closer to nature in our day to day lives, one way to achieve this is to create a natural oasis in the bathroom…

wood and glass in bathroom with double vanity unit from Villeroy & Boch

Bathroom brand Villeroy & Boch have come up with five simple steps to incorporate natural elements into the bathroom. The first step is all about colour – when working on ways to bring the benefits of nature indoors, think about your base colour. To achieve a natural design within the bathroom avoid stark whites, because although beige can often get a bad rep, it can add natural warmth to any bathroom. When working on your colours, think beyond the tiles and paint and incorporate it into the fittings. Washbasin collections such as Loop & Friends from Villeroy & Boch offer matte colours like warm Almond, Ebony or Graphite in an organic design, that will instantly warm up the bathroom.

statement black washbasin on wooden surface in the bathroom

Image credit: Villeroy & Boch

Next on the list –incorporate textures found in nature. When designing a bathroom, think about using materials such as wood, bamboo, stone and glass that mimic or reflect the beauty of nature. Adding wood to a bathroom can add natural warmth. Villeroy & Boch have a number of collections including Collaro and Finion offering wood-toned furniture which is a beautiful addition to any nature-inspired bathroom.

pink walls and wood panelling in a bathroom with Artis sage green washbasin from Villeroy & Boch

Image credit: Villeroy & Boch

It might be stating the obvious, but always remember to bring a little of the outside in. Focus on incorporating plants into the space as many plants thrive in the tropical humidity of the bathroom. Alongside adding colour, they also add texture to the bathroom and keep the bathroom looking lush and green.

wood and plants and sage green ARTIS handbasin from Villeroy & Boch

Image credit: Villeroy & Boch

Keeping the focus on the great outdoors and the natural world, get inspiration directly from the source. Nature is full of colour so don’t shy away from adding colour to the bathroom. One unusual way is to add a coloured washbasin and the Villeroy & Boch Artis range is a great option. In four forms and nine colours, the Artis washbasins come in a broad range of colours to appeal to all tastes, from bold statements to subtle highlights – just like in the natural world.

Finally, let the light in. Where possible, ensure that the bathroom is bathed in natural light by adding windows or even a skylight. Where this isn’t feasible consider adding a gentle lighting source which can also be customised. Softer and more natural light can be introduced by adding dimmable ceiling lights or alternative forms of lighting such as More to See Lite mirrors from Villeroy & Boch.

For more insights and tips on colour palettes, check out the Villeroy & Boch Digital Colour Wheel and Colour Concepts.

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

guestroom in Hôtel Dame des Arts with glass door opening onto terrace and views over Paris

Miniview: Hôtel Dame des Arts – lifestyle with a twist

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Miniview: Hôtel Dame des Arts – lifestyle with a twist

Hôtel Dame des Arts is a vibrant new lifestyle hotel located in the beating artistic heart of Saint-Germain on Paris’ Rive Gauche. With interiors by Raphael Navot, we stepped inside to take a look…

guestroom in Hôtel Dame des Arts with glass door opening onto terrace and views over Paris

Just a short walk from Notre Dame Cathedral and an easy stones throw from the Seine, Hôtel Dame des Arts has taken its inspiration from the artistic culture that the locale has been closely affiliated with since the 1920s. The 109-key boutique hotel, the latest addition to the Preferred Hotel & Resorts portfolio, is also home to a show stopping Rooftop Bar with 360 degree views of the seven main attractions of Paris, a beautifully designed restaurant with an adjacent garden courtyard and a stunning gym to entice even the most sedentary guest.

Internationally renowned Paris-based designer Raphael Navot, the 2023 winner of the Maison&Objet ‘Designer of the Year Award’, has spearheaded the interior design of the 1950s building, masterfully fusing Parisian elegance and an international twist with the essence of freedom, culture, and creativity that the Left Bank is celebrated for. Tapping into his flair for creating unique, beautiful spaces and furniture, Raphael Navot has designed a hotel which blends seamlessly into its surroundings, yet takes the neighbourhood into an exciting, bold future.

rounded wooden desk, low lighting and soft seating in the lobby of the Hôtel Dame des Arts

Image credit: Ludovic Balay

Although each guestroom is individually designed, all of them feature bespoke art pieces and over one third of the beautifully appointed guest bedrooms and suites boast an outdoor terrace overlooking either the rooftops of Paris or the Eiffel Tower.

Guests can expect the unexpected when it comes to the hotel’s dining venues. The Rooftop Bar and an indoor restaurant with an adjacent outdoor garden courtyard has been conceptualised by the former operational director of Experimental Group, Matthieu Alfandari. Alongside Chef Othoniel Alvarez Castaneda, the food and drink offering showcases seasonal dishes that fuse classic French cuisine with a contemporary Mexican twist. Othoniel brings a sustainably minded culinary vision to the hotel, designed to be shared in celebratory style, and where each menu item is inspired by one hero ingredient, championing quality local produce and presented in a delightfully playful way.

interior restaurant at Hotel Dame des Art in blue with wood and doors leading out to courtyard

Image credit: Ludovic Balay

And at the end of the day, the hotel’s crowd-drawing highlight, the Rooftop Bar, frames the awe-inspiring views of the City of Light with the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, the golden dome of Les Invalides, and Notre Dame Cathedral all visible. It is here that guests, locals, and visitors alike will be able to sip their cocktails in true Left Bank style.

Main image credit: Jerome Galland

bathroom with blue, green and white colour blocked tiled walls by CTD Tiles

Colour your thinking with CTD Architectural Tiles

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Colour your thinking with CTD Architectural Tiles

With colour playing an integral part in shaping how a design scheme looks and feels, leading commercial tile supplier CTD Architectural Tiles is helping designers and specifiers set the right tone by providing in-house colour consultancy and technical support…

bathroom with blue, green and white colour blocked tiled walls by CTD Tiles

CTD Architectural Tiles offers an expertly curated product range and works with the world’s leading manufacturers to provide a ‘one stop shop’ solution to the design and delivery of commercial tile packages. From muted pastels to more vibrant shades, the company is continuously updating its product offering to provide its customers with the latest on-trend colours, sizes and finishes as well as ensuring a plentiful stock of the most popular tiles for immediate dispatch in the UK. To help designers navigate the company’s extensive tile collections, CTD Architectural Tiles’ experienced specification team is on hand to provide design and technical support to meet the specific requirements of a variety of commercial projects.

pastel pink kitchen units with brass handles and Poitiers Bordeaux tiles from CTD Tiles on the wall

Image credit: CTD Tiles

The team can advise on creating bespoke tile packages to complement classic, contemporary or bespoke colour schemes and how to effectively use coloured tiles to zone and define specific areas. Technical support on how tiles can be used to improve accessibility through wayfinding is also available, focusing on light refection values (LRVs) and the suitability of different textures and finishes for both natural and artificial lighting conditions. Drawing on the team’s extensive experience of working with both interior designers and architects, the company is also well placed to provide guidance on the latest design trends, best practice and performance requirements including meeting the required slip-resistance ratings for both wet and dry conditions.

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

Main image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles

Carillon blue floral mosaidc with bird design by TREND Group

TREND mosaics inspired by nature

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TREND mosaics inspired by nature

TREND Artistic mosaics take inspiration from nature and translates it into complete patterns created in vibrant coloured glass…

Carillon blue floral mosaidc with bird design by TREND Group

Whilst biophilic design might be making headlines, featuring nature in design is nothing new. From the earliest days of industrialised production, images of flora and fauna were regularly incorporated into walls and fabrics as decorative elements. From the floral silk panels of the Orient to William Morris wallpapers, all manner of birds and flowers have graced the walls of homes and buildings all over the world for centuries – they may go in and out of fashion periodically but they never really go far away.

TREND Artistic mosaics is a collection that brings nature, in all its colourful glory, into the home and onto the wall, floor or any surface that can provide a canvas for its creative and joyful patterns made up from the vibrant palette of coloured glass. By using classical Italian ‘hand-cut’ pieces, they are able to create curves and shapes that reflect natural elements such as grasses and flowers and give them a new artistic expression.

Enriched with enamels and aventurine stone, the mosaics can be used to represent images of incredible complexity or stunning simplicity as single motifs or repeat wallpaper patterns that literally bring designs to life. Ideal for use internally or externally on walls or floors, they are resistant to thermal shock, not affected by sunlight and the colours do not fade over time. They are also suitable for use in wet environments such as swimming pools and showers.

gold and white mosaic palm leaves from TREND Group

Image credit: TREND Group

Nature is all about soft edges and curves, patterns, colour and shape. There are no straight lines or right angles to interrupt the eye, everything flows and blends smoothly together to create a bigger picture. Interpreting this into modern expressions opens exciting new design solutions and endless possibilities. TREND Artistic mosaics offer a wealth of opportunities to create new artistic expressions of the natural world that not only provide visual stimulation, but make us feel good too.

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

Main image credit: TREND Group

guestroom in hotel Majagua with black and white woven bedcover, and wooden surfaces next to floor to ceiling window

Majagua opens in the heart of Oaxaca city

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Majagua opens in the heart of Oaxaca city

Located in the picturesque streets of Oaxaca’s historic centre, Majagua Boutique Hotel has perfected the precise balance between the purity of the lines of Art Deco architecture and a homage to local artisan traditions…

guestroom in hotel Majagua with black and white woven bedcover, and wooden surfaces next to floor to ceiling window

Majagua’s imprint draws on eclectic spaces with a fusion of contemporary design elements, handcrafted pieces and the careful restoration of a 1950’s Art Deco mansion. The building is testimony to the city’s rich history and cosmopolitan past and as you step inside Majagua, the luxury of comfort and abundant simplicity are a code that can be appreciated throughout the property. The geometric shapes and stylised decorations harmonise with materials such as metals, tropical woods and natural fibres.

olive green walls with artisanal accessories and art deco glass door

Image credit: Chucho P

In its 14 guestrooms, arranged over two floors, the design aesthetic is developed as a continual dialogue between form, function and roots. In the guestrooms light tones are imbued with natural light, thanks to the large windows opening up the space. The rustic accents in textiles, furniture, lamps from Asia along with other detailed pieces such as the tivichi—an animal-shaped cushion made in the Valley of Oaxaca—invite guests to appreciate craftwork as the luxury of this era.

Stays at Majagua are complemented by the culinary offerings of Endémico Restaurante, which celebrates Oaxacan food traditions through typical recipes made from ingredients grown in the region. The menu is succinct and incorporates the flavours of local kitchens and touches of Mediterranean and Oriental cuisine for dishes with a decidedly comfort food feel. The recipes for breakfast and lunch revisit the unmissables of this part of the country, such as tlayudas and chilaquiles. Endémico Restaurante has two service areas, one on the ground floor and the second on the terrace, where diners can also enjoy original mixology and soft drinks while appreciating the panoramic views of the skyline of colonial buildings.

bar and terrace with umbrellas at Majagua

Image credit: Daniela Jara

The perfect location of the property right in the middle of this historic town has inspired the Majagua Route, an itinerary conceived for contemporary nomads to discover the main sites of interest and includes landmarks such as the Church of Santo Domingo, the Ethnobotanical Garden, and the Textile Museum.

Main image credit: Daniela Jara

billiard table and portraits in the Georgian Room Lobby Bar of Omni Hotel

The reimagining and renovation of The Omni Homestead Resort

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The reimagining and renovation of The Omni Homestead Resort

The Omni Homestead Resort, America’s first resort, is currently undergoing a property-wide renovation. WATG and interiors studio Wimberly Interiors is collaborating with The Omni Hotels & Resorts’ design team to honour the legacy and carry it into the future…

billiard table and portraits in the Georgian Room Lobby Bar of Omni Hotel

Welcoming travellers since 1766, The Omni Homestead Resort is one of America’s most storied resorts, offering unparalleled hospitality and southern charm in a sprawling setting within the Allegheny Mountains of southwestern Virginia. For more than 250 years, The Homestead has served as a welcome respite for visitors from around the world. In the early years guests would journey for days on horseback or in stagecoaches to ‘take the waters’ and enjoy the cool Allegheny Mountain breezes. Over time, the resort grew and by the late 1800s it was known as one of the country’s premier resorts where US Presidents, foreign dignitaries and business leaders would gather.

exterior at dusk pf the Warm Springs Pools at Omni Homestead Resort

Image credit: The Omni Homestead Resort

The 483-key property is currently undergoing a $140+ million renovation, which is scheduled to be completed towards the end of 2023. Drawing from the region’s natural beauty, the interior design will reflect a sophisticated, residential style while the new event pavilion will be a nod to the resort’s classic architecture and finishes. From the grandeur of the Great Hall to the dreamy comfort of each guest room, this charming oasis will be restored and revitalised for generations to come. The rich history and beloved traditions of the property are at the heart of this investment. Highlights of the renovation include façade improvements, balcony deck work, guestroom renovations, refreshed public spaces, a new event facility and associate housing complex and the rehabilitation of the Warm Springs Pools.

interior of restored Gentlemen's Bath House at The Grove Park Inn

Image credit: The Omni Homestead Resort

The first phase of the renovation includes the iconic Warm Springs Pools, an integral part of Bath County and Virginia history, which debuted in December 2022 following a 14-month rehabilitation. Fed by four natural warm springs, rich in mineral content, the 19th century bathhouses have been sought by travellers for centuries. The stone basin of the Gentlemen’s Bathhouse was constructed in 1761, making it the oldest spa structure in the country. Throughout the process, Omni worked closely with 3North, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and Lionberger Construction to ensure the project adhered to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The Warm Springs Pools project is considered a rehabilitation, as it acknowledges the need to alter or add to a historic property to meet continuing or changing uses while retaining the property’s historic character.

Moving indoors, tailored comfort designed to be both delightful and restful is the theme for the 483 renovated guest rooms. Each wing will feature a distinct colour palette that flows from the corridors into the guestrooms and exquisite floral patterns along with uniquely Homestead touches accent the décor.

floral custom designed carpet in the great hall at the Omni Homestead Resort

Image credit: The Omni Homestead Resort

The heart of The Homestead, the Great Hall is timeless and traditional. The custom-designed carpet, with a nod to the flora and fauna of the Allegheny Mountains, is accented with the trim of classic hardwood floors. Elegant up lighting enhances the welcoming ambiance and whimsical touches in this iconic setting. In addition, each of the resort’s 28 meeting rooms will be refreshed with a focus on architectural details and advanced functionality. Improvements from lighting fixtures and acoustic ceiling tiles to new carpeting and refinished hardwood floors will create a light, sophisticated retreat for meetings and events.

render of renovated theatre space at Omni Homestead resort

Image credit: The Omni Homestead Resort

The theatre, a 1923 addition to the resort will receive a classic, yet modern update with the viewing area converted from theatre seats to comfortable sofa settees, lounge chairs and side tables ideal for a variety of events from movie nights to magic shows. New audio-video technology allows for the transformation of the projection booth into an elegant, signature cocktail bar.

render of redesign of restaurant space Martha's Market in The Omni Homestead Resort

Image credit: The Omni Homestead Resort

The renovations will extend into the F&B venues include Pioneer Picnic, a fast-casual, family-friendly dining experience, Martha’s Market, the property’s grab-and-go café, the Lobby Bar, which will soon become a new speakeasy-style lounge, Jefferson’s Restaurant and Taproom, Rubino’s at The Cascades, and The Dining Room.

Sunny, light and bright describe the new bistro-style look and feel of Martha’s Market, the resort’s popular, all-day outlet with a design which flows seamlessly into the adjoining Washington Library. Lobby Bar is home to a stunning portrait collection of the resort’s presidential guests and expands into the Georgian Room. The bourbon and brandy colour palette creates a distinguished setting for enjoying top tier spirits, fine wines and even a game of pool. Pioneer Picnic is conveniently located in the Casino building and will provide a new casual, family-friendly dining experience that honours the cuisine of the region. The wrap-around porch and grand lawn invite guests to dine outside, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

Main image credit: The Omni Homestead Resort

Atlas Concorde Marvel Travertine

Product watch: Marvel Travertine from Atlas Concorde

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Product watch: Marvel Travertine from Atlas Concorde

Marvel Travertine is a collection with an extremely realistic look inspired by one of the most precious stones in Italian history…

Atlas Concorde Marvel Travertine

Starting from the initial development, Atlas Concorde collections are conceived to create stylistic continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces capable of interpreting and suggesting styles and languages consistent with design projects. Marvel Travertine, one of Atlas Concorde’s latest collections.is an example of how a collection can express multiple tones of voice. The selection of floor and wall tiles feature a contemporary interpretation of one of the most classic materials in architecture, Travertine, used since ancient Rome for the decoration of outdoor spaces.

outdoor chair and table on a tiled marvel travertine surface

Image credit: Atlas Concorde

There are two designs for outdoor spaces in the collection: the Vein Cut and the Cross Cut. The Vein Cut reproduces the typical streaked appearance of travertine and is available with a nine mm or 20mm thickness, the latter for laying on driveways or on grass and gravel. The Cross Cut version reproduces the appearance of a stone characterised by extensive shading and is available only in a grip version with nine mm thickness, ideal for patios, terraces and pedestrian spaces not crossed by vehicles. The collection is available in three warm shades in soft hues inspired by the Mediterranean: Sand, White and Pearl. While polishing travertine would produce a slippery stone surface, thanks to the application of specific substances the outdoor version of Marvel Travertine is slip resistant.

swimming pool and patio with Marvel Travertine tiles by Atlas Concorde

Image credit: Atlas Concorde

In contrast with natural stone, porcelain tiles graphically reproduce the porous, perforated surface of travertine, preserving the aspect of permeability, which is highly valued for outdoor spaces. Porcelain tiles also incorporate many important features that make them perfect for outdoor spaces: they are weather resistant, nonporous, waterproof, and stain resistant. They are also scratch resistant and non-slip, maintenance-free, maintain their natural beauty, and are resistant to chemicals. This is particularly important when used with pools that require water treatment additives.

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

Main image credit: Atlas Concorde

Collage of Holland Harvey Architects projects

Listen now: sustainability in materials explored on DESIGN POD

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Listen now: sustainability in materials explored on DESIGN POD

Richard Holland, Director and Co-Founder of Holland Harvey Architects, joins Editor Hamish Kilburn to discuss sustainability in materials for the first episode to drop in series four of DESIGN POD…

Collage of Holland Harvey Architects projects

The mantra of DESIGN POD series four, sponsored by Geberit and produced by Mel Yates, is to unapologetically ‘cut through the noise’ in design and architecture, while continuing to create conversations that are unlike any other. The topics that will be amplified across eight meaningful episodes will include nature in design, circadian lighting, design in the metaverse and unconventional design narratives. However, while all these themes are prevalent on today’s landscape, there is, arguably, no conversation that is louder in 2023 – and that is causing more confusion in its definition alone – than that around sustainability in materials.

In recent years, though, following the rise in demand for more environmentally and socially driven buildings and spaces, design and architecture studios, like Holland Harvey Architects, that were born from the idea of conscious design and development have finally started to win projects that will set new standards in sustainability. For Richard Holland, Co-Founder and Director of Holland Harvey Architects, that initial hotel project came in the form of Inhabit Hotels, which today comprises of two urban wellness hotels in west London that have been designed to make both and environmental and social impact on their communities.

In episode 27 of DESIGN POD (the first episode in series four), I welcomed Holland on the podcast to explore the significance of working with hospitality brands that truly understand the value in developing around communities and being environmentally aware throughout – not just using sustainability as a veneer. Nadira and Rihim Lalji, the owners of InHabit Hotels, created the small yet mighty hotel brand around social connectedness, intellectual expansion and environmental responsibility – all of which were qualities that form the foundations of Holland Harvey Architects to ‘free architecture’. This mindset from the client allowed the design team to, well, design deeper by applying research and finding unconventional ways to retain materials existing buildings, while not taking anything away from the contemporary Scandinavian-meets-British design aesthetic, created by Caitlin Henderson Design.

What sets Inhabit Hotels aside from others is its commitment to save and restore in both design and architecture, confronting the notion that listed buildings can’t be sustainable. “The first hotel for Inhabit was in six Georgian townhouses, and it was a bit of a labyrinth when we took on the site,” Holland says on the podcast. “The Georgian’s knew how to design beautifully proportioned buildings, and a lot of our work was to reinstate that. We asked things like whether we could take the ceiling up to expose these beautiful sash windows and how we could reinstate the sense of rooms.”

In addition to the project being environmentally aware, the design scheme was also created to enhance social interaction, and make the space feel more home-from-home. “Having an open kitchen, for example, created the opportunity to have a communal table, which becomes a hard-working and multi-functional space,” Holland adds. “That gave it that all-day vibe.”

Inhabit Southwick Street, Yeotown long table - Tim Evan Cook

Image credit: Inhabit Hotel

“Sometimes people fall on technology as a replacement for nature. And actually, it is already there for free.” – Richard Holland, Co-Founder and Director of Holland Harvey Architects, speaking on DESIGN POD.

In terms of materiality, there is no greater example among the architect’s portfolio than what is sheltered inside Inhabit Queen’s Gardens, which was the second hotel to open under the Inhabit brand. One such material that has gone on to define the design narrative is Granby Rock, a custom-made terrazzo produced by Granby Workshop using marble from the original site, which today forms a centrepiece fireplace in the reception. “We are not so naive to suggest that by designing one fireplace we are going to save the world,” comments Holland. “But it is an amazing showcase of what that organisation can do.”

Inhabit London Queens Garden

Image credit: Inhabit Hotels

Outside of the hotel arena, Holland Harvey Architects recently completed a project for Shelter From The Storm (SFTS), a London-based homeless shelter that provides 42 beds, fresh food and holistic support to its guests. “Every single space had to be considered with a particular mindset, which myself and my colleagues did not understand at first,” Holland says on the podcast. “We very much leant on the founder to help us understand what the experience meant, what the challenges were and how design could soften the impact of finding yourself in this situation, arriving at the shelter and finding the space and time to rehabilitate yourself to leave the shelter, which is the ultimate goal.”

Pink-tiled, softly designed canteen area in homeless shelter

Image credit: Nicolas Worley / Strorm From The Shelter

The full 50-minute podcast episode is available to listen to on all major podcast platforms – just search ‘DESIGN POD’ wherever you get your podcasts. The next episode will drop on March 15 with lighting designers Mark Tweedle and Michael Curry from DPA Lighting joining as special guests to discuss circadian lighting.

Main image credit: DESIGN PO

bathroom design in natural colours and wood with hansgrohe Pulsify S Showerpipe 260 with ShowerTablet 400, Vivenis Tap

Hansgrohe at ISH 2023: sustainable and holistic bathroom experiences

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Hansgrohe at ISH 2023: sustainable and holistic bathroom experiences

Hansgrohe will be at ISH 2023 presenting AXOR and hansgrohe innovations, showcasing sustainable bathroom solutions and holistic concepts all under the maxim of reduce – re-use – recycle…

bathroom design in natural colours and wood with hansgrohe Pulsify S Showerpipe 260 with ShowerTablet 400, Vivenis Tap

Hansgrohe Group with its brands AXOR and hansgrohe will be making its presence felt at the trade fair as it presents new products, dream bathrooms and a visionary bathroom concept. “We are delighted to finally be back at the ISH this year with our innovation-filled trade fair booth after a pandemic related break in 2021,” said Hans Jürgen Kalmbach, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Hansgrohe Group. “It’s time for personal exchange, for haptic experiences with our innovations from AXOR and hansgrohe, and for celebrating change.”

Indeed, for the Black Forest-based manufacturer, ISH is all about ‘Celebrating Change’, because for the first time, the company will also be presenting sanitary ceramics and bathroom furniture under the premium brand hansgrohe. “This is our response to the wishes of our customers who demand holistic bathroom experiences from a single source,” added Kalmbach. “With pioneering product innovations and inspiring presentations, we are once again living up to our reputation as an industry leader in innovation, design, quality and responsibility. We create inspiring moments with water, while protecting the precious element.”

black and white bathroom design with Hansgrohe Pulsify S Overhead Shower

Image credit: Hansgrohe

As part of the Hansgrohe Group’s multifaceted sustainability goals, the company is implementing its ‘green vision’ in a design study of a bathroom with a 90 per cent reduction in water and energy consumption and therefore 90 per cent fewer CO2 emissions caused by water heating. “Our vision, the ‘Green Vision Beyond Water: Rethinking Bathroom Culture’ becomes concrete with this concept bathroom,” explained Kalmbach. “Individual elements of the study are already being used in our innovations and we will continue to develop others and incorporate them into our technologies and products. The important thing for us is to use this concept study to create greater awareness for our use of water in the bathroom.”

AXOR One colors taps in a row on display

Image credit: Hansgrohe

Also on the stand, AXOR will be presenting new washbasins and bathtubs from AXOR Suites in keeping with the brand’s ‘Make it Yours’ campaign. AXOR is a pioneer in the development, design and production of avant-garde, design-led products for luxurious bathrooms and kitchens. The brand’s mixer taps, showers and accessories carry the demand for perfection in design, manufacturing and function. Developed with French design icon Philippe Starck, the products, in combination with the diversity of detail within AXOR surfaces, expand the immense spectrum of design freedom for individual luxury bathrooms. AXOR Suites can be found at ISH in individual bathroom concepts created in collaboration with the internationally renowned design studios Barber Osgerby, Ushi Tamboriello and Hadi Teherani. These include the Skyline concept by London-based design duo Barber Osgerby; a slim, elegant bathroom in a penthouse apartment measuring just seven square metres. Fitted with AXOR One bathroom mixer taps and AXOR Universal Circular accessories, all in a brand-new Matte White finish, Skyline offers a highly personal vision that reinterprets beauty and well-being in smaller spaces.

Hansgrohe Pulsify S Overhead Shower 260

Image credit: Hansgrohe

The premium brand hansgrohe is celebrating the company-wide motto of ‘Celebrate Change’ with an expanded product portfolio in the areas of furniture and ceramics. With countless combination options and product variations, perfectly coordinated bathrooms can now be realised. The premium brand presents harmonious bathroom ambiances from a single source and offers an inspiring trade fair experience with dream bathrooms designed by Peter Ippolito, a Stuttgart-based interior design studio.

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

Main image credit: Hansgrohe

Render of Red Sea Development Four Seasons hotel at sunset

Foster + Partners to design new Four Seasons resort in Saudi Arabia

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Foster + Partners to design new Four Seasons resort in Saudi Arabia

The new 149-key Four Seasons resort, designed by British design firm Foster + Partners, will be located within The Red Sea destination, stretching across 124 miles of coastline along the Kingdon’s western coast…

Render of Red Sea Development Four Seasons hotel at sunset

The latest hotel group to emerge in The Red Sea destination that is expected the ‘change the game’ in luxury tourism is Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, which has just made public its plans for a 149-key resort, which is being designed by British design studio Foster + Partners.

The new Four Seasons Resort will be located on Shura Island, the hub of the development and also home to a yacht marina, leisure and lifestyle facilities, retail offerings, 18-hole golf course and more yet to be announced.

Render of pool at Four Seasons on Red Sea destination

Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

“As we continue to expand Four Seasons presence in the region, our new project in the Red Sea will be one of our first resorts in the Kingdom, blending the best of beachside travel with the natural and cultural wonders of Saudi Arabia,” says Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management. “We are incredibly proud to be part of this impressive and visionary development by RSG and look forward to inviting guests to explore our new Resort within such a beautiful and storied destination.”

Render of beach and low-level restaurant

Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

According to a press release, issued by the hotel group, “The Red Sea destination is being built with sustainable practices and tourism at its core, with the masterplan being informed by an impressive marine spatial planning simulation to model the environmental impact of development and operations to minimise over-tourism while providing guests with an exceptional travel and lifestyle experience. The destination will also rely on renewable energy and will only develop a small portion of the islands with expansive dedicated conservation zones.”

In addition to the guestrooms and suites that will be complete with uninterrupted views over white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, the new Four Seasons resort will feature six restaurants and lounge outlets, meeting and events spaces and a marine discovery centre.

Render of suite overlooking Red Sea at Four Seasons

Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

The news of Foster + Partners’ intentions for the new Four Seasons resort follows the announcements of other developments in the region, such as The Line and Mukaab, that have raised questions among critics over their sustainability and ethical credentials. The Red Sea destination, which is being formed at a rapid pace is slated to become the ideal destination for those looking to uncover the wonders of the ancient Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the close proximity to the ruins at Mada’in Saleh, as well as the natural attractions such as the environmentally protected coral reefs and mangroves, dormant volcanoes, local wildlife, and much more.

Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

pool and parasols at Soho House Bangkok

VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in March 2023

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VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in March 2023

This months VIP arrivals of hotels that are making a strong opening statement all seem to be blurring the lines between in and outdoors and letting the light shine in. Writer Pauline Brettell explores the parasols and sun loungers that are tempting us over to the light side…

pool and parasols at Soho House Bangkok

Throwing things open to let circadian lighting work its magic is becoming an increasingly interesting discussion within the realm of hotel design and in this month’s offering of hot new hotel openings there is a strong focus on design that harnesses natural light while softening the boundaries between indoor and outdoor space. Whether in the form of planted rooftops or pools with a view, the designer windows and doors have been flung open to ensure that we all get a healthy dose of Vitamin D.

R48

R48 hotel guestroom with glass wall overlooking the garden and architectural elements

Image credit: R48

Slated to open in March, R48 Hotel and Garden is an 11-suite hotel housed in a meticulously restored 1930’s Bauhaus style building on Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv’s most prestigious address. The property has been preserved and renovated by architecture firm AN+ and features interior design by Studio Liaigre, with landscape and garden design by Piet Oudolf, the visionary landscape architect behind New York City’s High Line. Features include a garden rimmed rooftop pool overlooking the city, two exceptional restaurants, along with a carefully curated art collection of leading Israeli artists.

Mondrian Singapore Duxton

rooftop pool cabanas at Mondrian Singapore Duxton

Image credit: Ennismore

Mondrian is preparing to inject its signature blend of art, glamour and culinary flair into Singapore’s most vibrant neighbourhood with the new Mondrian Singapore Duxton. With its bold design and electric energy, the scene is set from its cinematic rooftop pool through to the eclectic collection of bars and restaurants. The hotel’s 302 guestrooms have been designed by Studio Carter and take inspiration from the traditional Singaporean architecture while being executed with contemporary flair. The stylish spaces all offer converging views of the historic shophouses and modern skyline through its floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne

spa pool on the 64th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne

Image credit: Marriott International

Through a meaningful and inspired focus on place, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne will be providing guests with an authentic Australian experience that celebrates ancient stories and vibrant cultures through a distinctly Melbourne lens. Guests are encouraged to connect with the pulse and creativity of the city and be inspired by the unique and diverse rituals of the place and its people. Resident in Australia’s tallest hotel, where sweeping views provide the backdrop for an experience that’s singularly Melbourne, guests will not only be surrounded by luxury but grounded in the unique story of the city, which informs everything from the guest room décor to the hyper-local dining, beverage and spa experiences. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, on level 64 of the statement building delivers spectacular views along with the six treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, vitality pools and tranquil yoga space, all underscored by the heated infinity pool with floor-to-ceiling views across the city, providing the perfect setting for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Six Senses Rome

Image credit: Six Senses

Six Senses Rome is the first Six Senses property to open in Italy. The hotel will shelter 95 distinct guestrooms and suites, a spa, restaurant, events terrace, outdoor courtyard garden and rooftop terrace with a 360-degree view of the city and its monuments. Located in the Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, originally built in the 18th century, the interior design is by Patricia Urquiola, who, mindful of the building’s authentic heritage, has created a design that sensitively fuses a contemporary vision of hospitality behind the UNESCO listed façade. The crowning glory of the property is the large rooftop terrace with panoramic views, complete with an organic fruit, vegetable and herb garden, creating a secret garden escape unlike any other in the heart of Rome. The rooftop terrace and restaurant caters to all-day tastes from Ashtanga at sunrise to an Italian aperitivo at sundown, all while having the historical centre of Rome at your feet.

The St. Regis Chicago

view over Chicago from St Regis The Residences sky lounge

Image credit: HBA / Angie McMonigal

Located within the architectural statement by Studio Gang and rising over Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighbourhood, the St Regis Chicago combines innovative architectural marvel with timeless tradition and is an architecturally prominent addition to the exquisite St. Regis brand. With interiors by HBA, the waterfront hotel’s luxurious guestrooms and suites tower over some of the city’s most notable downtown landmarks, including the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, and Grant and Millennium Parks. Notably, The St. Regis Spa is an urban oasis of calming sensory experiences while the indoor pool and outdoor sundeck invite guests to channel the city’s energy at their own pace.

Soho House Bangkok

parasols and striped sunloungers around the pool at Soho House Bangkok

Image credit: Soho House

The first Soho House in Southeast Asia, Soho House Bangkok, has opened in the city’s vibrant district of Sukhumvit in what was the former Eugenia Hotel. Created with the local creative community in mind, it will fuse Soho House’s signature design with the influences of the city’s bourgeoning art and cultural scenes. Set over three floors, there will be an in-house restaurant, a dining area, an outdoor pool framed by palm trees, and social spaces for members. With the interiors completed by the in-house interior design team, Soho House Bangkok has also partnered with local artists and designers. Custom made furniture, silk textiles from Jim Thompson and art from Thai artists all come together seamlessly in a Soho House that reflects its location while remaining intrinsically global.

Main image credit: Soho House

Collage of people at MEET UP London and the venue for this year's event

MEET UP London 2023 is now sold out!

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MEET UP London 2023 is now sold out!

MEET UP London, Hotel Designs‘ spring networking event, which takes place on April 24, will welcome leading interior designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers at The Upstairs at The Department Store, Brixton…

Collage of people at MEET UP London and the venue for this year's event

It has been the fastest-selling event in the brand’s history, and now MEET UP London, Hotel Designs’ first networking event of 2023, has sold out almost two months ahead of taking place at The Upstairs at The Department Store in Brixton on April 24.

That’s right, the team at Hotel Designs are taking leading interior designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers alike south of the river for a premium networking opportunity that will aim to set the scene in terms of hotel design and hospitality conversations.

The guest list includes leading designers, architects from the likes of Studio Moren, tp bennett, Ennismore, Goddard Littelfair, Conran & Partners, The GA Group, EPR Architects, IHG and Hilton. “MEET UP London has long been considered one of Hotel Designs’ premium networking experience, which is designed year-on-year to be relevant, entertaining and to bridge the gap in the hotel design arena,” Kilburn said. “It is therefore inspiring to see so many influentials people and brands attending what is no-doubt going to be a spectacular evening.”

Following last year’s edition, and after Hotel Designs delivering its first MEET UP outside the UK, in Paris, last month, the demand to purchase tickets to MEET UP London has been on a scale that has never been seen for at Hotel Designs, for any of its events. “Since we opened ticket registration in January, we have seen a phenomenal response to MEET UP London,” said Katy Phillips, Publisher of Hotel Designs. “We believe this is due to a number of factors, including our reputation of hosting industry-leading networking opportunities as well as the fabulous venue, thanks to Squire & Partners, that we have been able to secure.”

Despite the event being sold out, the event does have a waiting list should any tickets become available. To be added to the guest waiting list please email Katy Phillips or call 01992 374050. MEET UP London is sponsored by Hamilton Litestat (Headline Partner), Squire & Partners (Exclusive Style Partner), Crosswater (Event Partner), Burlington (Event Partner) and StoneBathwear (Event Partner). 

Main image credit: Squire & Partners

Alaya Banyan Tree wallcovering from Arte

Alaya from Arte: a journey along the Silk Road

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Alaya from Arte: a journey along the Silk Road

The Alaya collection by Arte has been inspired by the fabulous journey along the Silk Road, with wallcoverings designed to transport designers back in time…

Alaya Banyan Tree wallcovering from Arte

More than 2,000 years after its establishment, the historic Silk Road still appeals to the imagination. Exploring the Alaya collection of wallcoverings, Arte takes us along the network of roads used all those years ago with heavily laden caravans transporting silk and other luxury goods between the Far East and the Western world. It was and is a journey full of adventure, passing through the high mountains of the Himalayas. This collection references the route with panoramic designs inspired by impressive Himalayan vistas, along with details, tones and textures of the thread which has been woven into the collection.

Banyan design in the Alaya collection from Arte-Wallcoverings in green in room with seating

Image credit: Arte

The grand gesture of the collection is Banyan, a design available in two colourways, which takes its name from the banyan tree commonly found along the Silk Road. It draws you in and lets you wander through a dreamy fantasy landscape amid the hidden valleys and summits of the Himalayas. The pure silk of this breathtakingly beautiful design truly brings the panoramic scene to life.

curved cream chair in front of Saranda wallcovering by Arte

Image credit: Arte

Named after the forest in India of the same name, the Saranda wallcovering is drawn in a typical Asian style. In this design, you will discover stylised hills and trees under a soft cloudy sky. The name literally translates as seven hundred hills, a highly appropriate name as the organic design and colours invite you to wander through the forests and hills of India. Available in two colourways.

Manali is a timeless representation of the traditional mountain villages of the Himalayas where Buddhist prayer flags flutter in the wind. The inhabitants of these inhospitable areas try to attract happiness and prosperity in this way. The design, available in two colourways, was named after the Himalayan village of Manali, where hundreds of flags set the scene.

Anchoring the entire collection in a comprehensive 28 colourways is Katan. This wallcovering is an incredibly detailed impression of katan, a very light and luxurious type of silk. The minor irregularities that are typical of this fabric are also found within the design, bringing authenticity and detail to the pattern.

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

Main image credit: Arte

exterior of Nokken cabin by Aylott Van Tromp, in a field

Is this what the next generation of luxury cabins looks like?

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Is this what the next generation of luxury cabins looks like?

Thinking outside the box, design studio Aylott + Van Tromp has developed Nokken as the ‘next generation’ cabin and benchmark within the wellness retreat industry…

exterior of Nokken cabin by Aylott Van Tromp, in a field

Making itself known as a true gamechanger in the rapidly expanding modular cabin market, Nokken by Aylott + Van Tromp provides a full turnkey cabin solution alongside a host of business supporting elements that cater to all hospitality operators, whether a fledgling start-up, experienced operator or existing multinational. Claiming to be the world’s most adaptable modular cabin ecosystem, it has been purposely designed to offer the most efficient and economic platform possible for hotel operators and landowners to start or diversify a retreat hospitality offering.

view from exterior through windows to interior of Nokken cabin

Image credit: Aylott + Van Tromp

Aylott + Van Tromp believes that modern hospitality is not just about nice design or a great location – guest experience and satisfaction play a huge part. Drawing upon decades of experience as hospitality designers has allowed the designers to tap into their existing network of management services, marketing elements and strategic partners to offer prospective operators the tools needed to propel the business on a clear path to success. Working with a diverse range of specialist partners, the Nokken Business Platform provides access to operationally ready property management systems and full tech integrations. These include remote door access, digital check-in, cloud-based property management systems, off-grid digital powering solutions and even e-bike rental integration.

“We believe this makes Nokken a fully rounded response to what operators actually need today and what sets it apart from all other offerings currently on the market,” said Nathan Aylott, Nokken Co-Founder. “Nokken is a whole ecosystem, helping business bloom within the burgeoning retreat sector of the hospitality industry. Whether a single unit acting as a work-life hybrid, or a whole village community focused around hospitality or wellbeing, the Nokken cabin platform creates the possibility to provide a relaxed place to live, work and socialise with like-minded people while getting connected with nature.”

Nokken cabin in olive grove by Aylott Van Tromp, Mediterranean Edition

Image credit: Aylott + Van Tromp

Adaptability and scalability are the key to outdoor hospitality. No sites are, or should be, the same as that is what makes every experience so individual. With this in mind, the cabin design couples consistency of experience and finishes with creativity of layouts. By keeping the architectural volume simple, operators are able to customise, join, stack or stitch varying Nokken units together to create a unique solution to each setting. Developers can begin small with a handful of units, then scale up as a project progresses. Units can even be stacked vertically to accommodate sites with restrictive physical footprints.

“Nokken cabins are ‘Swiss army knives’, combining everything you need and nothing you don’t.” – James Van Tromp, Nokken Co-Founder.

The exterior of the Nokken cabin has been created to be tough, functional and adaptable. Being able to perform in both freezing cold climates and boiling hot ones is no easy feat, but Aylott + Van Tromp invested months of research into the cabin’s thermal properties and breathability ratings, which have been achieved using ecowool and wood pulp layering. Working in tandem with the dark stained larch cladding, the Nokken signature perforated metalwork provides the cabin with a distinctive modern and minimalist look. Over time the perforated nature of the steel will allow for plants to grow upwards, truly integrating the unit into the landscape.

back of two curved wooden chairs looking out of the window of the Nokken cabin

Image credit: Aylott + Van Tromp

The cabin interiors have been inspired by the essence of the outdoors, which purposely reinforces a sense of escapism and a greater connection and emphasis to the landscape. With the interiors clad in wood the overall feeling is soft, welcoming and embracing, complimented by matching joinery and zonal lighting. The modern bathrooms complete the interior spaces by providing a sanctuary that would not be out of place in the finest boutique hotel.

two chairs on deck with seaview from the Nokken cabin Mediterranean Edition

Image credit: Nokken

Each cabin is individually crafted by skilled modular experts with every aspect carefully curated, constructed and detailed using honest, eco-focused and premium materials. Each unit is delivered to its destination on the back of a low-loader in one single piece, allowing the cabin to be positioned almost anywhere. Once secured, services are simply plugged into the outlet in the base of the unit and the site is ready to go.

Main image credit: Aylott + Van Tromp 

Hamilton Litestat fittings in the Sand Hotel

Inside Hamilton Litestat: where design innovation is in the DNA

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Inside Hamilton Litestat: where design innovation is in the DNA

Hamilton Litestat, Heading Partner at MEET UP London, should need little introduction. But in case it does, we caught up with Gavin Williams, Sales and Marketing Director at the Bristol-based company, to find out what makes this decorative wiring accessories powerhouse special…

Hamilton Litestat fittings in the Sand Hotel

Established over six decades as a world-renowned designer and producer of on-trend and technically progressive decorative wiring accessories, Hamilton Litestat is a heritage company with a modern soul.

The company’s story begins at the tail end of the swinging ’60s, when style and design innovation were enjoying a revolution. Launched in Teddington, London, in 1968, with the first UK sale of the dimmer switch – ‘new tech’ at the time – Hamilton Litestat went on to collaborate with Italian company Frascio. Together they created a comprehensive range of wiring accessories with an ever-expanding choice of stylish, Italian-inspired plate designs and finishes.

These à la mode designs placed the company at the forefront of the UK hotel design industry, making it a supplier of choice to several big-name hotel chains. From London, Hamilton Litestat moved to Mere in Wiltshire, where a larger factory created the increased capacity required to meet the demands of international customers and the growth of a British brand founded on quality and choice.

While now wealthy enough in experience and expertise to service the needs of the big brands, the wiring accessories company was also able to deliver the same quality solution for designers of smaller, one-off projects. With this, in the late 1980’s, Hamilton Litestat became the ideal partner to the rapidly growing boutique hotel sector that it is today.

plug socket design and detail below mirror at Hotel Indigo in Cardiff

Image caption: Hotel Indigo Cardiff | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat

With boutique hotel guests desiring a more luxurious, one-of-a-kind experience, the solution in design terms is often translated via the quality and style of accessories within guest rooms and communal areas. Frequently inspired by the architecture or heritage of their location, with the ambition to realise a designer’s creative ambitions or with guest experience front-of-mind, boutique hotels present an opportunity for a completely bespoke decorative wiring accessories solution. And this is where Hamilton Litestat shines! We caught up with Gavin Williams, Sales and Marketing Director at Hamilton Litestat to find out more.

Hotel Designs: What does Hamilton offer the hotel interior designer?

Gavin Williams: Aside from 23 different collection designs in a choice of 23 different finishes, we are, to this day, small enough to care about the complexities of unique projects, while big enough to deliver on quality, quantity and time. Put simply, the company puts the finishing touches first. Taking inspiration from iconic and of-the-moment international design and lifestyle trends, its range delivers on both functionality and beautiful form. So whether your intention is for the accessories to stand out or seamlessly blend in with their surroundings, there’s a Hamilton Litestat solution with careful attention to design detail for every scheme.

And far from being your standard supplier, our brand can frequently be found working in close partnership with interior designers, architects and electrical contractors to deliver a custom solution, perfectly befitting of the individual project.

the mix and match range Linea CFX_from Hamilton Litestat

Image caption: Linea CFX | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat

HD: Talk to us about Linea CFX range – and how this has evolved…

GW: With the clever two-part face plate and frame design of Linea CFX range, single colour finishes are the least of your limitations. A long, established designer range within the company’s line-up of decorative wiring accessories, Linea CFX now consists of six collections – each frame with a unique edge design: rounded, straight-edged, stepped, classic bead, traditional rope edge and a new, 45 degree bevel-edge, creating a veritable palette of contemporary and traditional designs. Each of these frame designs is available in up to eleven different finishes. And because face plates and frames within the Linea CFX range can be independently selected, these frame finishes can be combined with face plates in any of the same 11 finishes plus Satin Steel.

This ability to mix and match, enables designers the potential to flex some creative muscle and create a unique design feature of an otherwise functional accessory. For example, mixing polished with matt metallic for a gilt-edge touch, combining matt with satin metallics for a sophisticated finish, or mixing and matching contrasting metallics, allows the product to stand out from other off-the-shelf alternatives.

bedside lights and switches in the Lime Tree Hotel from Hamilton Litestat Sheer collection, Etrium Bronze finish

Image caption: Sheer Collection | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat

HD: Can you give us examples of how designers can us colour co-ordination with Hamilton Litestat?

GW: Our extensive range of standard finishes enables the perfect matching of wiring accessories to the interior scheme. And even in cases where colour-matching reaches new heights, we really believe that we step up to the mark. In the renovation of Lime Tree Hotel in London’s Belgravia, the hotelier had handpicked reading lamps to be positioned either side of the guests’ bed and wanted decorative wiring accessories to colour match. We worked closely with the client to deliver an Etrium Bronze finish not typically available in the range, but an almost identical colour match to both lamps.

For those taking personalisation in a colourful direction, Paintables service allows accessories from the Hartland CFX, Sheer CFX or Hartland G2 ranges to be perfectly colour matched to any RAL, British Standards or NCS colour reference. The high quality powder coating process, together with a gloss, matt or metallic finish, ensures plates remain durable through daily use.

electrical accesories painted to suit room design in Paintables from Hamilton Litestat

Image caption: Paintables | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat

As well as affording the ability to personalise the aesthetic qualities of accessories within the standard range, Hamilton provides the opportunity to tailor functionality to the needs of the hotel business and its guests. In Sand Hotel, Reykjavik, Euro Module plates installed alongside standard plates, all from the Sheer CFX collection in Bright Chrome, provide a co-ordinated aesthetic with custom functionality. These include personal bedside lighting control and USB charging ability on each side of the bed, telephone and data sockets, key card entry switches, electrical sockets and light switches and total more than 2,500 accessories throughout the hotel.

Hotel Sand, Reykjavik, Iceland with hamilton electrical switches and sockets

Image caption: Hotel Sand Reykjavik | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat

Sometimes, as with the renovation of Thornbury Castle Hotel, the style, age and heritage status of the building are a motivating factor in the production of custom-made plates. In this instance, Antique Brass was the natural choice of finish to harmonise with the ornate brass bedside lamps and dark wood panelling. The bespoke functionality requirements of the accessories was achieved with bedside plates that included individual toggle-switch control of the room chandelier, table lamps and bedside lamps and a single power socket with 2.1A USB port for charging smart devices. To enhance the guest experience, the function of each switch was clearly etched on each plate.

images from Waterside Inn, Berkshire with Hamilton Litestat accessories and finishes

Image caption: Perception CFX | Image credit: Hamilton Litestat

When you’ve invested in a stunning wallpaper or mural, wiring accessories that disappear into their surroundings are an attractive proposition. Cleverly designed to allow the customer’s own wallpaper to be inserted into the plate, Hamilton Litestat’s Perception CFX range is the ultimate ‘chameleon’ of the wiring accessories world. In the renovation of The Waterside Inn, Berkshire, where each guest room had its own unique decorative theme, the challenge was in finding accessories to suit each. And Perception CFX was the ideal solution.

HD: And finally, how integral are industry partnerships for a brand like Hamilton Litestat?

GW: Our partnership with the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) is a testament to its will to understand and cater to both the commercial and residential sectors, maintaining an innate awareness of current trends across both markets. Always keen to keep its finger on the pulse of emerging design trends, Hamilton is a regular exhibitor at major UK design shows including London Design Week, Clerkenwell Design Week, Interior Design & Architecture Summit (IDAS), Decorex International and the Independent Hotel Show.

As a Headline Partner for Hotel Designs MEET UP London, Hamilton Litestat recognises the importance of these industry events an invaluable opportunity to explore new products, services and industry trends as well as to meet and liaise with fellow professionals, this serves to inform and inspire technical and design decisions of the future. Its enviable pedigree in both commercial and domestic schemes and work as invested professional partners in some truly renowned interiors, means that ingenuity and creativity evolves to ensure Hamilton Litestat stays at the forefront of the hotel design sector.

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

Main image credit: Hamilton Litestat

lighting by Northern Lights in the theatre at Heythrop Park hotel

Case study: lighting theatrics from Northern Lights at Heythrop Park Hotel

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Case study: lighting theatrics from Northern Lights at Heythrop Park Hotel

Heythrop Park Hotel’s grand reveal, following a renovation of monumental proportions, was one not to be missed and Northern Lights’ installations ensured it was tripping the light fantastic…

lighting by Northern Lights in the theatre at Heythrop Park hotel

Heythrop Park Hotel opened its doors earlier this year with a design brief focussing on three key principles – relaxation, exploration, and entertainment. As part of the strategic and creative approach to bridging the 18th century manor house with its contemporary extension, lead design agency DesignLSM appointed Northern Lights to develop bespoke lighting across four focal areas – the Orangery, Market Kitchen, Brassey Bar and Theatre. With an established portfolio of luxury hotels and several Grade II listed properties under its belt, the designers and master artisans at Northern Lights set to work, developing carefully considered lighting solutions to reflect the narrative and immersive design vision.

Heythrop Park theatre lighting by Northern Lights from seating lights to the stage

Image credit: Northern Lights / Stevie Campbell

The renovation of the Warwick Wing Theatre is one of the most awe-inspiring feats of the entire refurbishment. Taking a contrasting approach to the classic aesthetic of the wider hotel, the theatre adds a striking contemporary touch of glamour and decadence to the hotel’s evening offering. The atmospheric space is brought to life with dazzling arched lights that emit a warm glow throughout the room, whilst the enormous main theatre pendant brings the entire room together. The impressive four and a half metre wide fixture comprises more than 100 individual bulbs housed on 18 arms. A satin gold oval pendant rounds off the range of bespoke lighting, complementing the other fixtures using 30 individual bulbs to bring a sparkle of showbiz to its surroundings.

statement circular pendant light in the Orangery by Northern Lights

Image credit: Northern Lights / Stevie Campbell

In the Orangery stunning pastel furniture and elegantly tiled floors are brightened by a series of feature ring pendants spanning the room’s length. The gold satin fixtures are made up from a handcrafted outer ring which houses integrated LED strips, with a central dish that discreetly hides a single uplight.

contemporary circular chandelier lighting in the market kitchen at Heythrop Park Hotel

Image credit: Northern Lights / Stevie Campbell

In the Market Kitchen, a range of satin steel feature pendants bring beautiful pools of light to those dining within the restaurant. There are eight-light and 12-light pendants spanning the entire length and breadth of the restaurant, each complete with handcrafted ivory cotton conical shades.

layered lighting around the Brassey Bar reflects in behind bar mirrors

Image credit: Northern Lights / Stevie Campbell

The Brassey Bar is an immersive bar and is the star of the show in this part of the venue. Fixed satin gold and matt opal lamps sit atop an impressive two and a half metre handcrafted gantry created by Northern Lights’ skilled artisans. The booth seating is delicately illuminated by several matching lamps to complement the design, all of which use soft glass for light diffusion to create an inviting atmosphere.

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

Main image credit: Northern Lights / Stevie Campbell

Main image Paul Smith Hotel room at Browns Hotel

Inside the Sir Paul Smith Suite at Brown’s Hotel in London

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Inside the Sir Paul Smith Suite at Brown’s Hotel in London

The famed fashion designer Sir Paul Smith has collaborated with Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, to create the ‘Sir Paul Smith Suite’ at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, London – and the result is marvellous…

Main image Paul Smith Hotel room at Browns Hotel

Custom, vintage furniture, hand-picked artworks, brand collaborations and soft furnishings from the debut Paul Smith home collection. These are just some of the quirky treasures that one can discover when opening the iconic banana-shaped door handle of the newly unveiled Sir Paul Smith Suite inside Brown’s Hotel, A Rocco Forte Hotel in Mayfair.

Paul Smith door and banana handle

Image credit: Rocco Forte Hotels

The new suite draws on the hotel’s history as a favoured residence for literary great, but in a way that feels aptly fresh and light. The British fashion designer, known for his relationship with multi-coloured stripe and eye-catching shop-window displays – has designed the suite as a space not only for rest and relaxation, but to spark inspiration and creativity through art and interesting objects. “Being asked to design a space for such an iconic Mayfair institution is a great privilege – and I’ve had a great deal of fun in the process,” explained Smith. “Just like Browns does with its rooms, we design every Paul Smith shop differently to celebrate the area’s individuality, which is just one of the reasons the project appealed to me. On a more personal level, I’m so pleased we’ve been able to include objects that inspire me personally and I hope, in turn, they’ll inspire the suite’s guests.”

Key features include furniture and art that resonates with the designer and his eclectic taste. Several pieces can be found in Paul’s office at his Covent Garden HQ, such as Christopher Simon Sykes’ impressive photograph of Chatsworth House library and, notably, his 1970s leather desk chair by Mario Bellini. As another personal touch, Smith has selected a small library of art and design books for the room. Limited-edition prints from photographer Julian Broad, a friend of Paul’s who shot his wedding pictures, are also layered in the space together with a selection of soft furnishings, including blankets and cushions, from the fashion brand’s namesake homeware collection, which was released earlier in 2022.

Light and bright bedroom inside Sir Paul Smith Suite at Brown's Hotel

Image credit: Rocco Forte Hotels

Several of Paul Smith’s notable collaborations feature heavily in the room, including sofas, tables and leather goods from his recent ‘Everyday Life’ collection with Italian luxury furniture company DePadova; Type 75 lamps from the longstanding partnership with British lighting brand Anglepoise; and checked wool blankets designed by Paul for design company Maharam.

Like all the best collaborations, the partnership came about naturally, through Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design Olga Polizzi, who is a long-time visitor to Paul Smith’s Albemarle Street shop. “It is exciting to have a Sir Paul Smith suite at Brown’s Hotel,” she added. “It is elegant, bright and happy and has a lovely sense of fun. The sitting room is full of interest with its wall of pictures, smart sofas and flamboyant cushions. The bedroom is strikingly different, with its sense of calm and space. He has caught the feeling of Brown’s Hotel, but with a Paul Smith twist.”

Paul Smith inside Brown's Hotel inside the Sir Paul Smith Suite

Image credit: Rocco Forte Hotels

Further references to the Albemarle Street flagship shop, which is located just metres away from the hotel, are dotted about the room. They include custom Paul Smith + The Rug Company rugs and a Maharam headboard, both of which feature a geometric pattern inspired by the building’s iconic iron façade.

Uniquely quirky details, such as the banana door handles, the fire ‘dogs’ (which have been custom made to resemble Homer, Paul’s first canine shopkeeper), a robot figurine made from a vintage camera, and the striped fireplace tiles, are abundant in the room, a reflection of Paul’s ‘classic with a twist’ philosophy and his trademark whimsical sense of humour.

Marrying the old with the new – Brown’s Hotel was first established in 1837 and is considered one of the oldest hotels in London – the new suite has breathed life and energy into the hotel by adding a touch of home into a hotel that has stood the test of time throughout many eras of hospitality.

Main image credit: Rocco Forte Hotels

Render of Workspace Design Show Bar Hotel Designs

A closer look at the bar at Workspace Design Show

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A closer look at the bar at Workspace Design Show

EXCLUSIVE: Kickstarting Workspace Design Show, Editor Hamish Kilburn heads to the heart of all quality trade shows, the bar, to interview Holly Loft, Senior Designer at M Moser Associates, to explore the design narrative behind the show’s installation… 

Render of Workspace Design Show Bar Hotel Designs

In and amongst new products, emerging trends and meaningful conversations, designers and architects visiting trade shows are thirsty to experience spaces that inspire, restore and recharge. This year at Workspace Design Show, that moment of calm has been designed by M Moser Associates – and it comes in the form and shape of the REVIVAL Bar.

The concept for the bar is simple: to reduce waste and repurpose materials by giving the items used a new lease of life – the bar has been designed to spark curiosity and conversation. And with that, I’m here – under the veil-like canopy – half an hour before the show officially opens to the public to meet Holly Loft, Senior Designer at M Moser Associates, to learn more about the studio’s vision of this temporary structure.

Hamish Kilburn: So Holly, why ‘REVIVAL’? 

Holly Loft: Revival is the act of reinstating life or interest. We have taken a series of unused materials and applied them in a new context to extend the lifecycle.

HK: What came first, the lighting scheme or the materials?

HL: Our bar concept is based on our mission to be more sustainable, as such we only wanted to use materials our collaborators had in surplus to limit our environmental impact. We set out to source these first and then we used lighting as a tool to create dynamism and enhance and complement the other materials. This lead to a more curated atmosphere and experience.

Edward Williams has built the feature bar using leftover materials from other projects, including spare fabric tubes from Kvadrat. Silent Gliss has provided fabric made from pre-consumer waste, to create partitioning throughout the space, and Flokk has loaned us the furniture for the lounge side.

Each piece is crafted sustainably and has its own unique identity and story. Smile Plastics has provided plinths made from made from would-be waste, such as discarded chopping boards, cosmetics bottles and yogurt pots. Bolon has supplied sustainably crafted rugs for the lounge area. Current Affairs (CA) has gifted us the lighting, which includes a feature light above the bar, and will repurpose the lights for future client projects. Finally, Planteria has provided the planting to decorate the space and repurpose it for future projects.

“The two areas (bar and lounge) centre around two major concepts of flux and stasis – movement vs stationary and action vs conversation.” – Holly Loft, Senior Designer, M Moser Associates.

HK: How does this concept reflect where bar design is heading in the future?

HL: The bar design reinforces our climate mission to build to net zero. By working with our partners and peers to design and build responsibly and to help reduce waste.

Our concept reflects where the whole design industry is heading, by having a much more considered approach to the environmental impact of a design and the reusing of material where possible. The reuse of materials came first with the bar being moulded around this concept resulting in a less traditional design and thus challenging the relationship between service/customer.

HK: What is the feeling you are hoping to capture with this design?

HL: The bar is a key space activated throughout the day for interaction and conversation. The two areas (bar and lounge) centre around two major concepts of flux and stasis – movement vs stationary and action vs conversation. The aim is to provide a place of repose that is immersive, tactile, dynamic and environmentally considered through the reuse of materials. We want to leave people feeling inspired, curious and restored. As creators and designers, we are responsible for a large portion of the built environment. Our work needs to be a catalyst for conversation and evidence of change.

HK: You mention tactility – what was your aim here? 

The aim was to create a space with different levels of tactility through the layering and the juxtaposition of hard and soft materials. Using tonal sourced materials in interesting ways to create two environments that speak to the ideas of flux and stasis – movement vs stationary, action vs conversation.

Hotel Designs is a proud Media Partner for Workspace Design Show. Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs, will be moderating the panel discussion on finding common ground between workspace, hospitality and residential in design, today at 15:20 over on the main stage.

Main image credit: M Moser Associates 

high vaulted ceilings in the open air lobby at Windjammer Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort

Windjammer St. Lucia unveils new look

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Windjammer St. Lucia unveils new look

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort has a new look after a transformative renovation project that saw the entire space updated and refreshed. We stepped inside to take a look…

high vaulted ceilings in the open air lobby at Windjammer Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort

The St Lucian Windjammer Landing resort has opened its doors to reveal the new design and accommodation. Influenced by its Caribbean-meets-Mediterranean island setting, the resort’s new look blends nautical and coastal elements, utilising soft neutrals and pops of St. Lucia’s renowned blue hue. Renovations were completed in partnership with Apple and Iron Concepts and G&G Interiors. The firms were inspired by the resort’s stunning hillside location with a design that pays homage to the resorts origins, bringing a focus back to the serenity of the beach. Custom-made wood furnishings including mindi and teak are used throughout spaces to provide contrast and natural rope and rattan furnishings transform outdoor space into a chic oasis.

rattan lampshade in the restaurant decorated in white and blue at Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort

Image credit: Windjammer Landing

The lobby’s grand infrastructure featuring high vaulted ceiling beams and an open air concept has been re-envisioned as a space where guests can mingle and meet. Outfitted with grand chandeliers, contemporary furniture, marble floors, a new reception area, ambassadors lounge and a coffee bar by day/wine bar by night concept, the refreshed look will enhance the guest check-in experience and bring to life the heart of the resort.

green plants and white chairs frame the view into the lobby

Image credit: Windjammer Landing

Dubbed the Manor Collection, the resort’s newly revitalised luxury estate villas feature sweeping views of the cobalt Caribbean Sea perched at the top of the hillside, complete with in-ground pools. Among the collection is The Presidential Manor slated to be unveiled later this year, which will be the largest villa on site at more than 350 square metres, along with a swimming pool and adjunct living space perfect for extended family or friends.

white furniture with blue accents in the Ocean Point Residence at Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort

Image credit: Windjammer Landing

Additionally, guests can now enjoy the newly built Ocean Point Residences featuring a mix of luxury two and three-bedroom beachfront villas. Each villa in this collection has multiple outdoor terraces, a private infinity pool, fully equipped kitchens and artwork showcasing Caribbean culture and landscape by local artists. The design continues the modern meets Mediterranean aesthetic where island vibes blend seamlessly with a luxurious escape. A new Ocean Point Club House has been designed as an exclusive lounge for Ocean Point Residence guests with a dedicated concierge desk and private check-in area.

pool deck with views across the sea at Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort

Image credit: Windjammer Landing

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort’s enhanced culinary programme led by Culinary Director Aurelien Duarte and Executive Chef Sebastian Francis boasts chic upgrades to design elements and refreshed menus for Papa Don’s, Jammers, Upper Deck and now Masala at Embers, serving up authentic Indian cuisine, led by Chef Vikrham Singh. Upscale dining at Upper Deck evokes a modern steakhouse vibe with moody accents including a soon-to-be unveiled wine lounge. Fire pits and sophisticated coastal furniture adorn the newly re-envisioned Jammers restaurant adding luxe touches to the beachside dining hot spot. Each restaurant supports St. Lucia’s local farmers and fishermen, serving up only the freshest of ingredients.

The renowned spa at Windjammer Landing has also been reimagined and is now branded the Serene Wellness & Spa, which compliments the wide range of balance-restoring rituals and treatments available to nurture both physical and spiritual routines. Stand-out packages include their holistic approach to detox and immunity featuring steps to transition to a healthier way of living. This year the spa plans to unveil the island’s first medi-spa with treatments at the forefront of anti-aging and rejuvenation.

Main image credit: Windjammer Landing

Workpace Design Show platform Talks Lounge by TFP

Workspace Design Show: what to expect

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Workspace Design Show: what to expect

With only a few days until the Workspace Design Show returns to London’s Business Design Centre, here is a sneak peek into what will be on the table…

Workpace Design Show platform Talks Lounge by TFP

The Workspace Design show 2023 will be bringing together a range of striking features with a thought-provoking programme of talks featuring a whole host of speakers from developers to architects and their blue-chip clients, along with accomplished exhibitors showcasing the latest workplace interiors innovations. All of this curated content aligns perfectly with the show’s theme, ‘Destination Workplace: Places Where People Want To Be’.

The four talk programmes that attendees can choose from are the Workspace Design Talks, bringing you insights on workplace strategy and design; FIS Conference, offering the latest from the finishes and interiors sector; The Occupiers Forum: The View from HQ, providing the perspectives from the all important Occupiers; and Sustainability Works, addressing the latest challenges in sustainability and ESG in our workplaces. Over 100 speakers will be debating these issues from companies such as tp bennett, American Express, Heatherwick Studio, Grimshaw, PLP Architecture, Jacobs, Unilever, PwC, Nokia, Legal & General, DWP and CBRE.

stands, guests and exhibitors at Workspace Design Show

Image credit: Workspace Design Show

Visitors can listen to the leading architects, designers and occupiers talking about the latest trends, challenges and innovations within this year’s ‘Design Talks Lounge’. This has been curated by international furniture specialists, The Furniture Practice, in collaboration with multidisciplinary studio, Acrylicize. The Lounge will host the Workspace Design Talks across the two-day event, where leading voices at Perkins+Will, Foster & Partners, WeWork and more will debate the current themes shaping today’s work environments. The space will incorporate furniture by several iconic brands including Andreu World, Arper, Fredericia, Moroso and Vitra; while the stage will feature an immersive installation, designed by Acrylicize, celebrating material innovation in furniture and interior design with materials by Foresso, Kvadrat, Kvadrat Really and Autex. Flooring for the space will be provided by Tarkett.

‘Change by Design’ is a lounge space concept for the Workspace Design Show, carefully curated by BDP. It is a discussion piece surrounding the current climate crisis, and questions the impact of workplace design on the natural environment. It represents a problem-solving approach that showcases the use of recycled, reused and biomaterials in design projects helping to shape a low-carbon future.

Entrance at Workspace Design Show designed by GENSLER

Image credit: Workspace Design Show

On arrival, attendees will be met by the spectacular Destination Workplace Rebirth entrance, designed by the worldwide integrated architecture, design, planning, and consulting firm Gensler, along with design partners, AW Spaces, Acrylisize and Kvadrat. “We are inspired by how we can care for our planet and how we as designers can affect that through pioneering and sustainable design,” explained project leader Becky Spenceley, Design Director at Gensler. “It’s about fresh perspectives to enable new ways of working and create unique and tailored destinations.”

exhibition bar at Workspace Design Show

Image credit: Workspace Design Show

The popular first-night Workspace Design Show party, sponsored by FUTURE Designs, also returns on February 27th. A stunning bar designed by M Moser Associates provides a focal point on the show floor. The REVIVAL bar will be the place to inspire, network, restore and recharge show visitors throughout the day. The concept for this bar is inspired by the practice’s mission to reduce waste and repurpose discarded materials. The goal is to give these items a new lease of life, sparking curiosity and conversation. The space aims to take you from a state of flux to stasis.

Other features include The Mood Board Contest, and interactive opportunity for attendees to express their creative talents with Kvadrat products. Also, don’t miss the Bio Materials exhibition, designed by bio manufacturing company BIOHM. This will combine ideologies of the circular economy and human-centred design with future-tech, representing an exciting opportunity for visitors to discover advanced materials that will be crucial to the future of design.

Hotel Designs is a proud Media Partner for Workspace Design Show. Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs, will be moderating the panel discussion on finding common ground between workspace, hospitality and residential in design.

Main image credit: Workspace Design Show

proposed design of the Mukaab cube skyscraper in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia unveils plans for the Mukaab – a mega skyscraper in Riyadh

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Saudi Arabia unveils plans for the Mukaab – a mega skyscraper in Riyadh

Just when we thought we had seen all that was possible in hotel development from the plans in Saudi Arabia, along comes the Mukaab, a huge cubic structure able to shelter 20 Empire State Buildings inside. The project is expected change the face and landscape of Riyadh with claims of it being one of the largest built structures in the world. Editor Hamish Kilburn and writer Pauline Brettall try to make sense of the renders…

proposed design of the Mukaab cube skyscraper in Riyadh

Timid, Subtle and conventional, said nobody, ever, when describing the hotel development scene in Saudi Arabia. Wasting no time for the world to catch its breath since announcing that the country would welcome a 106-mile mirrored city that is roughly the size of Belgium, the government has once again made the impossible possible with the unveiling of its next headline-grabbing development. Cue the arrival of The Mukaab, which, from its dramatic renders, could easily be mistaken for a hotel development on Mars. The Mukaab will be built by the New Murabba Development Company (NMDC), a company that is owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and has been launched to develop the New Murabba Project.

Despite the sheer size of the development, which will shelter a plethora of hospitality and entertainment venues, The Mukaab will apparently be built around the ‘concept of sustainability’, featuring green areas and walking and cycling paths that will, according to the developers, ‘enhance the quality of life by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and community activities’. However, the structure of the Mukaab – and the materials needed to build it – may suggest otherwise. The development that is anything but low-key will, when it is built, one of the largest built structures in the world, standing 400 metres high, 400 metres wide and 400 metres long – the enormous cubic shape will be able to contain 20 Empire State Buildings.

But it’s not just about size. Inspired by the modern Najdi architectural style, which has its roots in the traditional architecture of the region, the Mukaab will be the world’s first immersive destination, offering an experience created by digital and virtual technology with the latest holographics. The structure will envelop two million square metres of floor space that will be premium hospitality real estate, with a multitude of retail, cultural and tourist attractions, along with residential and hotel units, commercial spaces and recreational facilities. In addition, it will shelter a museum, a technology and design university, a multipurpose immersive theatre and more than 80 entertainment and culture venues.

artist impression of the Murabba project with the Saudi Mukaab at its centre

Image credit: NMDC

The Mukaab joins The Line by Neom as one of the Saudi Arabia government’s mega projects aimed to diversify the oil-dependant economy. Both projects claim green and sustainable credentials, which would still need to be substantiated as design and construction unfolds. What they have in common, though, is that both currently on-the-boards structures divide opinion. On the one hand, many admire the sheer scale and ambition of these developments, but it is precisely that scale and ambition that raises questions and criticism among others who have taken to social media to question the social, sustainable and ethically implications of such construction.

With the recent reports of development having started on The Line, it is clear that these are not simply renders and blue-sky thinking, but are instead projects that are putting down roots and preparing to change the skyline – and indeed the global hospitality landscape. Having put themselves directly in the design spotlight, what inevitably comes with all the drumrolls and attention is scrutiny. Whether concerning issues of human rights or environmental impact, all eyes will be on these hotel concept as they become reality – no amount of sustainable smoke and deflective mirrors will be able divert industry from seeking the truth.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the recent developments that have emerged in Saudi Arabia. Mention us on social media using the handle @HotelDesigns.

Main image credit: NMDC

GROHE Rainshower Aqua Body Sprays_Chrome

Introducing the GROHE X Summit: Caring for Water

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Introducing the GROHE X Summit: Caring for Water

Tackling some hard-hitting questions around the future of water, GROHE will dedicate its GROHE X Summit – Caring for Water – to the one element we cannot live without…

GROHE Rainshower Aqua Body Sprays_Chrome

When we use water, we tend to forget about the existential value it has and that it is not an infinite source that we can take for granted. That is why the GROHE X Summit which runs from March 7th – 9th 2023, will be focussing on water as a resource and the challenges that surround it.

Societies all over the world are facing numerous challenges such as water scarcity and climate change, that require knowledge-sharing, new ideas and innovative approaches combined with a large dose of pragmatism. During the GROHE X Summit, the brand will highlight the relevance and value of water within society by bringing the industry together to demonstrate that it needs an entire ecosystem to make positive change happen globally.

GROHE clean-up in Bosnia and Herzegovina removing plastic

Image credit: GROHE

“We will look at water in the context of the key trends that shape our industry and the future of living: urbanisation, sustainability, as well as health and wellbeing,” said Jonas Brennwald, Leader, LIXIL EMENA. “We will ask ourselves, what does the future of living look like in a world that seems to spin faster than ever before? How can we contribute to more sustainable buildings? And, finally, what potential does water have as a new mindfulness experience.”

The GROHE X Summit invites participants to join the discussion in various formats. From practice-oriented masterclasses, thought-provoking panel discussions, to inspiring keynotes and fact snacks, the GROHE X digital experience hub caters to the diverse needs of the entire ecosystem the brand is looking to engage. The programme will be complemented by showcases of new GROHE products and technologies, providing the best possible support for a sustainable tomorrow.

Speakers and guests at the summit will include:

• Elina Hiltunen, The Futures Agency, will demonstrate how we can develop scenarios that show us future possibilities and suggest potential pathways.
• Børge Ousland, Norwegian adventurer and polar explorer, will share with us how he observes climate change and its effects during his expeditions.
• Beth Healey, Researcher for the European Space Agency, will present her findings on humanity’s dependence on water.
• Thomas Rau, founder of Turntoo and RAU architects; Anne-Vera Deinhammer, Director for Circular Cities & Regions, Circular Economy Forum Austria; and Gerhard Sturm, Leader Commercial Development, LIXIL EMENA, will discuss how we need to build for a sustainable tomorrow.
• Tina Norden, Principal, Conran and Partners; Rhael “LionHeart” Cape, Spoken Word Artist; Dr. Alan Dilani, Founder, International Academy for Design and Health; and Karl Lennon, Leader Projects Channel A&D, LIXIL EMENA, will look at the healing power of architecture.

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

Main image credit: GROHE

Collage of series 4 of DESIGN POD

What to expect from series 4 of DESIGN POD

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What to expect from series 4 of DESIGN POD

The fourth series of DESIGN POD, the podcast for all architecture and design enthusiasts, is about to drop eight new episodes. Bathroom brand Geberit has come onboard as the series sponsor to support each episode that will cover topics from designing in the metaverse, circadian lighting, designing in (and with) nature and more. Editor Hamish Kilburn, host of DESIGN POD, shares his thoughts on the series, which goes live next week…

Collage of series 4 of DESIGN POD

The mantra that has kept the editorial team on its toes, ever since I began my editorship almost five years ago, has been to ‘create conversations that are unlike any other’. This intention – this pledge, if you like – has ensured that our editorial focus at Hotel Designs remains on providing readers, and now listeners, with authentic content that is both educational and entertaining. DESIGN POD, which has, over three series now, become one of the most respected podcasts among the design and architecture community, was born out of that clear vision. Each episode is moulded around a special guest, with the purpose to scratch beneath the surface of that particular topic to uncover new conversations and points of view that will, we hope, continue around and beyond the arena.

Episodes in the fourth chapter of DESIGN POD, sponsored by bathroom brand Geberit, will drop bi-monthly. The series will welcome designers and architects at the top of their game to explore topics such that are helping to shape a new era in design, architecture and hospitality – think lighting, biophilic design, the social impacts of sustainability, sensory design, wellness and even the metaverse. Here’s a sneak peek on what to expect in the coming eight episodes.

The series will start with episode 27 that will explore ‘sustainability in materials’ with Richard Holland, Co-Founder and Director of Holland Harvey Architects. In addition to understanding the environmental aspect of designing consciously, Holland and I discuss the social impact of meaningful design and architect, which is the mindset that the architecture studio is built on. What’s more, in the interview we touch on how one client, Inhabit Hotels, with the same social conscience as the architecture studio, allowed Holland and his team to research new ways to preserve materials from a building and integrate them into the hotel brand’s recent renovation, using new methods following meaningful collaborations.

Episode 28 will welcome Mark Tweedale and Michael Curry, both from DPA Lighting, onto the podcast to put circadian lighting under the spotlight. At the heart of the conversation, and the topic, will be the question whether circadian lighting in design will change the game in wellness and hospitality or break the bank and become another gimmick that will continue to be stripped out at value engineering stages of projects. In the episode, with the aim to understand the qualities and opportunities around reflecting nature in lighting and design, the leading lighting designers will be pressed on the results of ongoing research around circadian lighting, to understand how the technology can be subtly introduced into future interior spaces.

Very much inspired by the episode with Tweedale and Curry, episode 29 will capture how designers can stimulate wellness. Wren Loucks, Founder of Be-Kin, will join the podcast to talk about wellness through sensory design. Following an editorial series with Hotel Designs, and contributing in Geberit’s Guest Report 2023, the conversation with Loucks will include references to her latest research, as well as an honest and compassionate look back at what inspired the designer to carve out her niche in the interior design industry that has allowed her to question, and to an extent redefine, expressions around luxury, wellness and wellbeing.

From amplifying sensory design in episode 29 to designing spaces that have no latitude or longitude, episode 30 will be all about taking the conversation around the metaverse to the extreme. Having already purchased property and designed experiences in the virtual world, Pallavi Dean, Founder of Roar, will make her debut onto the podcast with the aim to straighten out some of the misconceptions around the metaverse, and explore how a virtual world could not just work in harmony with physical hospitality but actually enhance it.

Bringing listeners back to earth – specially to the plains of Africa – episode 31 of DESIGN POD will check in to Great Plains safari camps that have been designed not just in nature, but around it. Dereck Joubert, together with his wife Beverly, were (and still are) wildlife photographers and videographers working for the likes of National Geographic when they set up their safari camps with the sole purpose to fund their wildlife conservation work and educate high-net-worth travellers and influencers on the need to protect Africa’s fragile eco system.

The episode will welcome Dereck on the podcast to explore the wild design schemes. For each camp, the couple’s approach is the same; to camp out under the stars and allow the inspiration for the design narrative to naturally appear. As well as talking about all things design, the episode also amplifies what fuels the duo’s work. There is perhaps no better example of the human-centric approach than when Beverly suffered from life-threatening injuries after being hit by a water buffalo while out exploring – Dereck, who suffered from a broken pelvis and rib fractures from fighting off the buffalo, recalls her ‘dying in his arms’ three times. When recovering in ICU, Beverly, who had became aware of the lack of opportunities among the women who were caring for her at that time, and decided to, from her hospital bed, setup a charity to support women like those who compassionately nursed her back to health.

Episode 32 will take listeners across to Toronto to meet Alessandro Munge, Founder of Studio Munge. The designer, who has helped to transform spaces, which is the theme of the episode, around the world, was my guest on the Travel By Design podcast, by Marriott, where we explored the fabrics and design story inside Muir Halifax, Autograph Collection. On DESIGN POD, my aim was to start where we left off from that meaningful episode to understand more about Munge’s approach to projects and how he has helped brands, through clever and social design, to amplify perhaps a different side of their personality.

Back in London, episode 33 will focus on net-zero and what that means in design. To remove the layers around what it takes to be a ‘net-zero design studio’, the podcast will welcome Neil Andrew, Head of Hospitality at Perkins&Will, and recent winner of The Eco Award at The Brit List Awards 2022, to explore materials, protocols and purpose-driven collaboration. The conversation will be centred around how the design, architecture and hospitality industry can more towards a future rejects products, elements and manufacturing methods that require high embodied carbon.

To conclude the series, episode 34 will have a little fun, and will explore unconventional narratives in design with special guest John Williams who is the Founder at SpaceInvader. As well as taking a look at the people and projects that have helped to define SpaceInvader as a leading interior design studio, including WILDES Chester, Tribe Hotel Malta and Oddfellows on the Park Cheadle in Manchester, the episode also throws it back to Williams’ somewhat unorthodox launch into the industry as a studio owner.

Series four of DESIGN POD, sponsored by Geberit and produced by Mel Yates, is available to listen to wherever you get your podcasts – just search ‘DESIGN POD’. Each episode, which will drop every two weeks, will be teased and available to listen to on Hotel Designs. 

Main image credit: Holland Harvey Architects, DPA Lighting, Be-Kin, Roar, Great Plains Conservation, Studio Munge, Perkins&Will, SpaceInvader.

Canopy by Hilton Toronto lobby - Hotel Designs

Inside Canada’s first Canopy by Hilton hotel

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Inside Canada’s first Canopy by Hilton hotel

The opening of a 184-key hotel in the heart of Toronto marks the Canopy by Hilton brand’s Canadian debut. Inside, the hotel, designed by Studio Munge, shelters chic spaces, locally inspired cuisine and ‘superb amenities’…

Canopy by Hilton Toronto lobby - Hotel Designs

For a brand like Canopy by Hilton, which is known for its local feel – where the role of design comes to the forefront to enhance the brand as well as the location’s personality and soul – each opening is like making a pledge to the hotel’s neighbourhood. The fairly new brand, which currently has 27 properties in 10 countries worldwide, has just reached a milestone after opening its first hotel in Canada.

Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville, a boutique hotel with a bold personality that has been born from an agreement between Hilton, Easton’s Group of Hotels and The Gupta Group, has just emerged in Toronto’s most prominent neighbourhoods. “With its premium location, the hotel will bring a unique blend of sophistication, convenience and urban living,” said Reetu Gupta, ambassadress, The Gupta Group and Easton’s Group of Hotels. “Nestled between the picturesque Yorkville neighbourhood and the wooded Rosedale neighbourhood, Canopy Toronto Yorkville offers guests an exciting new way to experience the city.”

Canopy by Hilton modern and chic guestrooms in Toronto

Image credit: Hilton Hotels

With design led by Toronto-based Studio Munge, the 184-key hotel celebrates the best of the neighbourhood through thoughtful and authentic design. Canopy Central, the hotel lobby, welcomes guests with layered interiors, curved edges and organic motifs complemented by an impressive local art collection.

In a nod to its unique location between bustling Yorkville and forested Rosedale, the property pairs oak features with copper accents to highlight the unique connection between nature and cosmopolitan life. ‘Just-Right’ guestrooms also incorporate the brand’s iconic canopy bed and inviting warmth while public areas include a sleek indoor pool, a modern fitness centre incorporating local street art, a transfer lounge and 325 square metres of meeting space.

Under the leadership of Justin Raponi, executive chef and lead culinary enthusiast, Canopy Toronto Yorkville will boast two on-site dining options. Día serves as a gathering place to enjoy seasonal fare and eclectic wines and spirits. Día offers a variety of dishes including memorable cheeses, Roman-style pizza and more.

Canopy by Hilton Toronto clean and sharp restaurant

Image credit: Hilton Hotels

For lighter fare, Virtu Café & Provisions fosters a strong connection with the surrounding neighbourhoods and the entire city. Opening a few months after Canopy Toronto Yorkville’s debut, the hotel’s all-day café will serve purposefully sourced, locally inspired dishes and foster a connection with the community.

Canopy by Hilton continues to expand internationally, growing as a sophisticated boutique lifestyle brand that provides guests and locals a place in the neighbourhood to relax and recharge in comfortable spaces and surrounded by an energising atmosphere. Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville is, from design to warm hospitality, no exception to those values. 

> Since you’re here, why not read and explore another one of Studio Munge’s hotel project?

Main image credit: Hilton Hotels

NH Collection dubai The Palm lobby with seating in primary colours

NH Collection Dubai opens on the Palm Jumeirah

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NH Collection Dubai opens on the Palm Jumeirah

The opening of NH Collection Dubai The Palm represents the debut of the NH Collection brand in the Middle East…

NH Collection dubai The Palm lobby with seating in primary colours

The new-build 532-key hotel from NH Collection is located shoreside on the trunk of the renowned Palm Jumeirah with direct access to West Palm Beach and spectacular views across the Dubai skyline. The property features 226 hotel guestrooms and suites in addition to 306 studios and apartments across 11 room categories. The bold, original décor is upbeat and playful, mixing splashes of authentic local character reflecting the vibrancy of the destination. Higher room categories, including the Premium Sea View Room, the One Bedroom Sea View Suite, and Superior One Bedroom Sea View Apartment, all offer captivating views of the Dubai Marina skyline and Arabian Gulf.

view across the pool to the Dubai skyline at NH Collection Dubai The Palm

Image credit: NH Collection

The property has five distinctive dining venues, al set to become favourites with guests, Dubai residents, and visitors alike. Maiora serves dishes from around the world for all-day dining, including the renowned NH Collection breakfast, while Revo Café is a chic urban hangout where chefs craft creative and healthy dishes. Té Lounge is for those needing refreshment after the gym or a light, healthy bite and Seven Sports Bar provides an informal setting to watch the big game over classic snacks and drinks. Launching soon will be SEEN Restaurant and Bar, a modern multi-sensory rooftop venue with spectacular sunset views and expertly mixed cocktails. SEEN can be found in multiple locations in Europe, South America and Asia, with further additions to the brand launching soon in Europe.

Sustainability is a driving force at NH Collection Dubai The Palm and the property has been designed to minimise environmental impact. The hotel has its own water plant, solar panels are used to generate hot water and condensed water from the air conditioning system, which is then used for irrigation. Room amenities are vegan and sustainable with a diligent effort made to reduce and recycle waste. Initiatives to launch later in the year include an onsite apiary, a hydroponic farm within the hotel and a community market.

For those planning meetings and events, the hotel offers five bright spaces fitted with the latest technology and ready to cater for up to 45 people.
Ideally situated on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah, guests have easy access to all the attractions of The Palm, Downtown Dubai, and the leisure districts of JBR and Dubai Marina and Dubai Old Town, and business zones.

From soaking up the mesmerising city views whilst taking a dip in the hotel’s spectacular temperature-controlled rooftop infinity pool, to pumping up at the fully equipped gym or unwinding with a massage, NH Collection Dubai The Palm offers guests a sophisticated place to deeply rejuvenate the senses. The hotel will also soon launch its own beach club adjacent to the hotel on West Palm Beach.

Main image credit: NH Collection

Front desk at NUMU with wood panelling and statement bell lighting Hyatt Unbound Collection

The Unbound Collection by Hyatt debuts in Mexico

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The Unbound Collection by Hyatt debuts in Mexico

The opening of NUMU Boutique Hotel marks the first Hyatt-branded property in the city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and the latest addition to The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand…

Front desk at NUMU with wood panelling and statement bell lighting Hyatt Unbound Collection

Recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site, San Miguel de Allende is known for its rich cultural and architectural exchange in Mexico and beyond and the name NUMU comes straight from the years of history and cultural exchange that influenced San Miguel de Allende, inspired by train tracks combining the letters N-U-M-U. The opening of NUMU Boutique Hotel marks the second hotel within the Hyatt portfolio in Mexico, following the recent opening of Rancho Pescadero in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

“It’s truly a remarkable feeling to officially open our doors and introduce The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand to San Miguel de Allende”, said Guillermo Valencia, General Manager of NUMU Boutique Hotel. “We look forward to providing independent-minded guests an authentic, thought-provoking experience as they immerse themselves in the rich culture of this charming city that will inspire memories for years to come.”

Façade of NUMU boutique hotel by Hyatt Unbound collection in Mexico San Miguel de AllendeDesigned by Mexican architecture firm Artigas Arquitectos, NUMU Boutique Hotel offers 44 luxury guestrooms including four suites carefully designed with the destination in mind. Guests will find modern sophistication celebrating the spirit of San Miguel de Allende throughout the hotel, with each room boasting a private terrace or balcony overlooking either the interior garden or the beautiful cobblestone streets.

rooms looking over the interior garden with seating at NUMU Mexico

Image credit: Hyatt

The hotel’s Nubye Spa offers experiences balancing ancient rituals and advanced therapeutic modalities. The spa offers a wide variety of treatments and body wraps, sports and personalised prenatal massages, along with facials and beauty treatments. Nubye Spa also features three treatment rooms, a full-service beauty salon and a fully equipped fitness centre. After a spa experience, guests can take in sweeping views of the city at the hotel’s rooftop pool and sun deck.

umbrellas and sunloungers around the rooftop pool of NUMU Boutique Hotel

Image credit: Hyatt

NUMU is also home to two restaurants – one on the ground floor and another on the rooftop – each created especially for the hotel using local ingredients and authentic cultural traditions. Located in the main courtyard, guests and locals can enjoy a menu of gourmet Mexican influences with vegetarian options at El Fogón de Don Enrique. The hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Maura, mesa de sal, offers guests exquisite cuisine of the land and sea with flavours that will transport guests to south eastern Mexico as they enjoy panoramic views of the city.

And at the end of the day, indulge in signature cocktails including mezcal forward offerings like ‘Poema Otomí’, composed of mezcal, ginger and lemon juice and ‘Na’Ha’ with mezcal, passion fruit, guava, lime juice and avocado leaf bitters. Both cocktails will go hand in hand with the unbeatable 360-degree views of San Miguel de Allende.

Main image credit: Hyatt

Hotel rendering in Suzhou China Marriott Hotel Designs

Marriott to debut two brands in Suzhou, China

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Marriott to debut two brands in Suzhou, China

The agreement that Marriott International has just signed will see the debut of Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Executive Apartments brands in Suzhou, China…

Hotel rendering in Suzhou China Marriott Hotel Designs

Marriott International, the hotel group that is making wakes in the Middle East and Asia, has signed an agreement with China Central Place, Suzhou to bring The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Executive Apartments brands to Suzhou, a major city in Eastern China.

“Under the ‘Brand + Destination’ development strategy — matching destinations with brand debuts and entries, we are delighted to announce the new signings with Suzhou Chunji Real Estate Development,” said Gavin Yu, Chief Development Officer, Greater China, Marriott International. “The dual-branded properties will cater to the growing guest demand for differentiated experiences.”

The two complex properties, planned to open at the end of 2024 and in the middle of 2025, respectively, will join the 15 other hotels that sit under the Marriott umbrella in Suzhou, across eight brands, including W Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Renaissance Hotels, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton, Element by Westin, Courtyard by Marriott, and Fairfield by Marriott.

Suzhou is home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, and Humble Administrator’s Garden. All are located in close proximity to China Central Place, Suzhou, a newly built, mixed-use development that will bring together hotels, residences, retail, and offices. The development, of which the two new properties will serve as key components, is conveniently situated within walking distance to the Shilu Subway Station.

Portrait render of building in Suzhou

Image credit: Marriott International

The Ritz-Carlton, Suzhou is expected to open in December 2024, setting a new benchmark in the luxury hospitality sector featuring the brand’s renowned service. Designed by Remedios Studio, an internationally acclaimed interior design firm, the hotel plans to feature 190 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites. The hotel is set to offer a range of dining options including a specialty restaurant with an open kitchen, a Chinese restaurant, a destination bar, and a lobby lounge. Plans for recreational amenities will include an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, and signature Ritz-Carlton Spa with four treatment rooms. In addition, the hotel is expected to offer 735 square metres of well-equipped conference and event facilities, including a 508-square-metre ballroom.

Set to open in June 2025, Marriott Executive Apartments Suzhou aims to meet travellers’ long-stay lodging needs by providing an elevated serviced apartment experience. The new property is anticipated to shelter 270 modern residential apartments – offering space, ambience, and the privacy of residential living, enabling a comfortable stay away from home. It is slated to feature spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with separate sleeping, living, and working areas. Additional planned facilities include a 31-square-metre meeting room, as well as the Residents Lounge, a cosy space that serves breakfast and evening cocktails, allowing guests to work, socialise and unwind.

Main image credit: Marriott International

Levels lighting design with handblown glass shades by LedsC4

LedsC4 unveils new decorative lighting innovations

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LedsC4 unveils new decorative lighting innovations

The new designs from LedsC4 offer greater design customisation with options for a limitless creative experience…

Levels lighting design with handblown glass shades by LedsC4

New look, new lights – LedsC4 is launching its new catalogue to coincide with its change of visual identity, a creative project that bears the mark of the Mucho studio with artistic direction from interior designer Isern Serra. The collection opens a new door for designers to create uniqueness in every setting, unlocked by diverse materials and with a multidimensional vision, from walls to ceilings, to autonomous and portable designs.

Levels consists of three blown-glass bodies of different sizes that can be combined, providing a huge range of options. The colour palette features three colours, and each measurement has a different transparency (70, 50 or 30 per cent opacity, in colours amber, green or smoked). The luminaire is a creation by Nahtrang Studio and is based on a simple design that can be easily integrated into a great number of settings, whether contract or housing projects. The four designs – pendant, ceiling, table and floor lamp – are available in three sizes and three different finishes.

geometric lines of suspended pendant lighting from LedsC4

Image credit: LedsC4

The Geometric collection, designed by Benedito Design, emerged as an extension of the Circular collection by LedsC4. This is an elegant, subtle profile with more options for shapes and geometries. A wider range with straight sections and angles that make it possible to create new square, triangular and rectangular shapes. It offers a wide range of compositional possibilities, making it possible to achieve truly unique effects both in residential and in contract settings — offices, hotels, retail, equipment.

Tubs modular lighting from LedsC4 in bespoke design over kitchen counter

Image credit: LedsC4

Tubs Modular is the most decorative facet of the Tubs collection and now offers more solutions for architects and interior designers to explore the bounds of their own creativity or that of their clients. Thanks to the virtual configurator developed by LedsC4, it is possible to create without limits and fine tune the final shape and style that best fits each project. New tubes, tracks, connectors and decorative accessories in different shapes — spherical, cylindrical or tubular — in transparent glass, opal glass or honeycomb panel. Tubs is a design by Nahtrang Studio.

Spark light design from LedsC4 on terracotta wall

Image credit: LedsC4

Spark is a design by Joel Karlsson that highlights the simplicity and versatility of a Nordic design. Karlsson was inspired by the most primitive concept to ignite light, the spark. From there, he worked on different aspects and compositions that play in the space, until coming up with three volumes of high-quality blown glass in different sizes. These three volumes create textures and compositions on walls and ceilings. Individual options or standard combinations with an understated black profile creating the perfect nexus. The measurements of the glass volumes come in different heights and diameters.

Portobello is a standout within portable lamps for its functional design, its lightness thanks to its plastic body and, most notably, its customisation possibilities. It comes in two standard colours, but with the door open to full customisation to the customer’s liking. It is durable for use in outdoor spaces, although being a multifunctional design it is also perfectly suited to indoor settings. This luminaire is a design by Nahtrang Studio that is inspired by Portobello mushrooms, hence not only its name but also its structure with a base and ‘hat’. Other noteworthy features include its nine hours of autonomy at 100 per cent intensity, built-in USB charging input that blends in seamlessly with the harmony of its design and shape, as well as the possibility of adjusting it with three touches for dimming options.

The Noway Pole floor lamp from LedsC4

Image credit: LedsC4

The success of good design also lies in simplicity and Bloom is a minimalist wall light featuring an opal white blown-glass shade crowning a black profile that lends the final composition elegance and uniqueness. It is also possible to rotate it until in a horizontal position. Nahtrang Studio was inspired by a flower blooming to create this graceful luminaire — hence its name — like a chalice bringing beauty and luminosity. It is suitable as a decorative wall light in all types of rooms, including bathrooms, thanks to its IP44 rating.

Designed by Francesc Vilaró, the Noway Pole is possibly the most elegant version of the Noway family. The sophisticated new floor lamp has a pole pendant to compete with the most cherished classics. Featuring a painstaking attention to detail with its monochrome cable and adjustment clip, the design improves the height adjustment options of this type of standing luminaire thanks to the small optional adjustment clip on the pole itself.

LedsC4 is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: LedsC4

The Duravit Sustano tray highlights use of sustainable and durable materials in the bathroom

Duravit focuses on sustainable and durable materials

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Duravit focuses on sustainable and durable materials

Duravit is constantly researching innovative and ecological materials to help reduce CO2 emissions to enable durable and sustainable products to be manufactured. We take a look below the surface of things to find out just how this is done…

The Duravit Sustano tray highlights use of sustainable and durable materials in the bathroom

With responsibility to the environment, employees and future generations always at the forefront of its designs and bathroom innovations, Duravit walks us through the materials and products that address the concerns of sustainability and durability in the realm of bathroom design.

Ceramic sanitary products are unquestionably among the most durable and robust of all, being easy to care for, resistant, scratch-proof, and heat-proof. The use of natural raw materials in the manufacturing processes includes clay, kaolin, quartz, and feldspar, all of which are available globally. This means that Duravit’s international manufacturing sites can source and process the basic materials from their own regions. The shorter transport routes reduce CO2 emissions, whilst guaranteeing secure, stable and local sourcing of raw materials.

a stack of Duravit white Luv ceramic basins

Image credit: Duravit

The DuraCeram material used by Duravit is testament to how high design standards and sustainability can be combined. Conventional bathroom ceramic has a wall thickness of 12 to 14 mm, but DuraCeram offers a thinner wall without sacrificing strength. The delicate design of the washbasins means they are 28 per cent lighter, further reducing the consumption of raw materials. DuraCeram has enabled Duravit to save an average of around 60 tonnes of raw materials each year since 2016.

The Duravit sustano recyclable shower tray

Image credit: Duravit

DuroCast Nature is another brand innovation that sees Duravit take a pioneering role in recyclable materials, as the mineral material is made from polyurethane mixed with marble powder and sealed with a gelcoat surface. This composition gives the material excellent properties making it robust, UV-resistant, easy to clean, with maximum anti-slip properties on the matt surfaces. It is perfect to use in the bathroom, which is why Duravit has developed Sustano, its first recyclable shower tray. Thanks to a low weight, Sustano shower trays are lighter to transport, which in turn helps reduce CO2 emissions, and at the end of their useful life, the DuroCast Nature shower trays can be returned to Duravit or a local recycling centre. In keeping with the life-cycle principle they can then be made into new shower trays, or processed for other industrial purposes.

wooden bathroom furniture being produced on site by Duravit

Image credit: Duravit

The bathroom is a challenging place for wood as a raw material as temperature fluctuations and the prevalence of moisture place a great strain on the material. Because of this, the bathroom furniture made by Duravit attaches great importance to surface treatment, as ultimately, a sealed surface is crucial for bathroom furniture to prevent moisture from getting into the wood. A high quality finish ensures the products durability. Quality is a key factor in the process and is integrated at every step, from the moment the raw materials are selected through to delivery to the Schenkenzell site where Duravit’s bathroom furniture is manufactured. The production process here is PEFC-certified and this quality seal ensures sustainable forestry.

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

Main image credit: Duravit

Umbrellas, seating and plants on the rooftop of Six Senses Rome overlooking the city

Sneak peek: inside the new Six Senses Rome

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Sneak peek: inside the new Six Senses Rome

Six Senses Rome is preparing to open its doors onto the Piazza di San Marcello. With interiors by Patricia Urquiola, it is a clear case of modernity meets classicism in the heart of the city…

Umbrellas, seating and plants on the rooftop of Six Senses Rome overlooking the city

Slated to open in March, Six Senses Rome will be the first Six Senses property to open in Italy. The hotel will shelter 95 distinct guestrooms and suites, a spa, restaurant, events terrace, outdoor courtyard garden and rooftop terrace with a 360-degree view of the city and its monuments. Located in the Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, originally built in the 18th century, the interior design is by Patricia Urquiola, who, mindful of the building’s authentic heritage, has created a design that sensitively fuses a contemporary vision of hospitality behind the UNESCO listed façade.

entrance and lobby to Six Senses Rome with plants

Image credit: Six Senses

On entering the Palazzo, the lobby represents all the elements of Urquiola’s unique design vision. Guests are greeted in the grand, spacious space adorned with plants, complete with show-shopping travertine fixtures, whilst the space is magnified by the five main arched portals. Under the striking, centre-piece chandelier, lies the table sculpture with classical features. The base of the table is a sculpture by contemporary artist Paolo Giordano representing Janus, the god of all beginnings, with two faces. Janus is the ancient Roman god who looked into the past and future. Placed at the hotel’s entrance, the sculpture looks towards the historic Piazza di San Marcello, and to the future, the hotel’s gallery. The gallery’s artwork is a symbol of the Six Senses project, celebrating the past with its classicism meeting the innovation of the future.

Six Senses Rome dining area with circular ceiling design detail and rounded shapes in the seating

Image credit: Six Senses

The ground floor is dedicated to the BIVIUM restaurant and bar, which has been designed to replicate a Roman ‘piazza’. Here lies further references to Latin classicism within the floor mosaics which take their cue from a 2nd century B.C. mosaic preserved in the Vatican Museums. The mosaic celebrates the ancient tradition during the banquets of Imperial Rome where uneaten food, such as fruit, fish bones, chicken bones, and shells, were left on the floor. These remembrances of dinner leftovers create a decorative theme of the restaurant floors and celebrate the beauty of nature, the poetry of conviviality and the pleasure of dining.

curved and columned entrance to the spa and roman baths at Six Senses Rome

Image credit: Six Senses

Located on the first floor, Six Senses Spa and Roman baths will play an integral role as a sanctuary of wellness for guests enjoying the city’s sights, nights and delights. With its calming atmosphere and contemporary design, the spa will house a range of treatment rooms, a fitness centre and relaxation areas. The spa design features recurring depictions of the Apollo and Daphne myth which tells how Eros had caught Apollo with one of his arrows, making him fall madly in love with the nymph Daphne, who was finally transformed into Laurel. References to the mythology run through the design with representations of Laurel within the Roman mosaic medallion in the spa, in the retail area, and in the treatment rooms. On the walls of the wet area, a bas-relief portrays the nymph’s transformation into laurel tree, while the artwork portrays hands transforming into flowers and leaves.

Salviati Suite in Six Senses Rome design by Patricia Urquiola

Image credit: Six Senses

The central floors house the guestrooms and suites, many with notably high ceilings and each with its own key feature, staying true to how Six Senses likes to keep things original. The guestrooms combine contemporary design alongside traditional features with the use of traditional cocciopesto plaster and Travertine limestone. The patterns and the graphic design elements combine with suspended plants and natural light, focusing on well-being and sustainability through the introduction of biophilic elements. The rooms feature diptychs by South Korean artist T-Yong Chung. These works represent a modern look at classical Roman statues. T-Yong does a formal alteration of the images he produces, creating a sense of incompleteness and disconnection from reality.

curved table and chairs designed by Urquiola are a feature in the six Senses Rome guestrooms

Image credit: Six Senses

The crowning glory of the property is the large rooftop terrace with panoramic views, complete with an organic fruit, vegetable and herb garden, creating a secret garden escape unlike any other in the heart of Rome. The rooftop terrace and restaurant caters to all-day tastes from Ashtanga at sunrise to an Italian-style aperitivo at sundown, all while having the historical centre of Rome at your feet.

Main image credit: Six Senses

view from restaurant in voco melbourne across the city

Australian hotel demand is up – and here’s why

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Australian hotel demand is up – and here’s why

There is an overwhelmingly positive vibe coming out of Australia. With this in mind, we caught up with our Asia Pacific industry barometer, Xander Okhuizen, Founder of Modieus, who has his finger firmly on the Asia Pacific industry pulse and shares his thoughts on ‘Aussie positivity’…

view from restaurant in voco melbourne across the city

With Modieus rolling out the carpets in key hotel and hospitality projects across Australia, the brand has a sixth sense when it comes to industry developments and shifts in the marketplace. In January, JP Morgan reported that business leaders across Australia are cautiously optimistic about the economy and according to their 2023 Business Leaders Outlook survey, almost 60 per cent have a positive outlook about the national economy. Alongside this, JLL Hotels and Hospitality Australian Operator Sentiment Survey in October 2022 reported hotel operators are optimistic for the year ahead. But with unemployment at an all-time low, there are concerns over labour shortages.

“I am seeing Aussie positivity every day,” agrees Xander Okhuizen, Founder, Modieus. “I am relieved that China has finally opened its borders. International students are returning to Australian campuses en masse, as face to face learning starts on March 1. Melbourne Airport is hiring additional 2,000 staff to deal with influx in tourists.”

Xander Okhuizen, Modieus, Founder

Image credit: Modieus

Education is one of Australia’s largest exports, and early indicators reveal that this could be a blockbuster year, possibly even eclipsing the 2019 record of $40 billion in export revenue, resulting in education being Australia’s third largest export. “Indian, Sri Lankan and Chinese students are back,” continued Okhuizen. “They need accommodation, they will spend money on food, but they also do a lot of jobs Aussies do not like to do, such as working in petrol stations and housekeeping roles. Backpackers are also returning, which is important as they support a lot of agricultural jobs such as fruit picking. Commodities are booming and I see inflation has peaked at 7.4 per cent and is dropping.”

It is true that Australia’s labour market is arguably operating at levels beyond full capacity with an unemployment rate of 3.4 per cent. This unique situation has not been seen for decades, where there is almost a job available for every person that is looking for one. The tight labour market conditions are helping wage growth to pick up. Okhuizen reports that all hotels in Melbourne are fully booked for F1 races starting on April 2, so we asked him to share a couple of the company’s latest projects.

guestroom in voco melbourne with Modieus carpet on the floor

Image credit: voco Melbourne

Modieus supplied the newly opened voco Melbourne Central hotel. The carpets and rugs are as stunning as the spectacular views from the guestrooms. The hotel is moments away from Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central Station, and the Emporium with a fuss-free check-in in the sky lobby on level six. A perfect place to relax, socialise and enjoy yourself.

The carpets in the reimagined and revitalised iconic The Royce Hotel – which is set to open this spring – are another Modieus project. Inspired by the golden age of hotels, it is a luxury escape where opulence is expected, indulgence encouraged and the fabulous celebrated. Once Melbourne’s original luxury automobile showroom and now a boutique hotel, the building’s indulgent historical origins are on full display. From the grand marble-tiled staircase in the lounge, to the splashes of chrome, this is a new era of glamour for The Royce.

pool and terrace with seating at voco Melbourne

Image credit: voco Melbourne”The world is open again,” reflected Okhuizen. “Japan is busy, Dubai is very busy, airports are busy – I see a lot of positivity. I agree not in Europe yet, but the rest of the world is picking up, so as an international business I am grateful for that. And back home, there is genuine ‘Aussie Positivity’, we are expanding our team further in Queensland and putting in more resource in NSW.”

It is wonderful to see hospitality thriving, as Australia as appears to be it is in its own microclimate. The global economic landscape however was less positive at the end of 2022 than it was at the beginning of the year. Although the high degree of optimism that the global economy would bounce back strongly after a tough couple of years has now been displaced by high inflation, tightening monetary policy, rising energy costs and sharply declining consumer confidence, there remain pockets of positivity, of which it would appear, Australia is one.

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

Main image credit: voco Melbourne

Burlington Bespoke Collection basin in cosmic green against green palm tree wallpaper

Burlington adds new colours to Bespoke collection

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Burlington adds new colours to Bespoke collection

Traditional British bathroom brand, Burlington, has added two new colours to its hero collection, Bespoke by Burlington…

Burlington Bespoke Collection basin in cosmic green against green palm tree wallpaper

Bespoke by Burlington is a unique edit of hand-decorated and coloured ceramics. Offering the next level of customisation in bathroom design, it draws inspiration from fashion, nature, and famous eras of design. The iconic collection provides a twist on traditional bathroom design, replacing classic white with covetable colours, floral patterns, and unique personalisation.

Taking its cue from the decorated and coloured ceramics of bygone eras, the range includes intricate hand-illustrated patterns and designs, along with a trademark colour palette that references the past, while still making a strong contemporary statement. The Art Deco, Floral, Seascape and Cityscape collections, along with the bold and captivating shades of the Confetti Pink, Alaska Blue and Moon Grey ceramics offer designers the opportunity to deliver truly unique projects, and the addition of two new colours broadens Burlington’s portfolio whilst remaining true to its Edwardian roots.

Two new ceramic colours will join the Bespoke by Burlington collection, Enchanted Blue and Cosmic Green. Enchanted Blue reimagines Clair De Lune Blue, a colour celebrated in luxe 1930s bathrooms. It is a soft powder blue ceramic that delivers style and serenity to any space. Cosmic Green draws inspiration from the fashionable mint green bathrooms of the 1950s, expressing charm and versatility, and complementing a range of bathroom styles and designs.

Both Enchanted Blue and Cosmic Green are available across a range of Burlington’s bestselling Edwardian basins, as well as a comprehensive collection of WCs. Each piece is made to order by skilled craft workers in Staffordshire, England, using the finest materials.

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

Main image credit: Burlington

Render of Soho House Manchester rooftop pool

An icon in the making: inside Soho House Manchester

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An icon in the making: inside Soho House Manchester

Soho House has spilled the tea – its first Northern house, Soho House Manchester, will be located within the iconic old Granada Studios in the heart of the city. But that’s not all – here’s what else we know…

Render of Soho House Manchester rooftop pool

Opening this year, Soho House Manchester will mark the group’s first steps into the Northern hospitality landscape. The new house, expected to open this year, will include everything (and more) members have come to expect, including a rooftop pool, a luxury fitness suite, a diner-style restaurant, event space and workspaces.

Soho House Manchester gym Hotel Designs

Image credit: Soho House

The city’s rich music and arts scene, as well as its thriving community of creative industries, has made Manchester one of the most desired hospitality hotspots in the UK. In 2022, it was reported by Business Traveller that there are approximately 7,800 new hotel rooms in the pipeline across Greater Manchester over the next five years.

With location playing a major role in the Soho House’s success – it currently has seven properties in London alone – the group decided that Manchester’s latest private members’ club should be located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Spinningfields, which is already home to some of the city’s finest and most-popular restaurants and bars. The building itself that will shelter the new house is the former Granada TV studios, which has been converted into a mixed-use destination.

Green, and brown interiors inside Soho House Manchester

Image credit: Soho House

The signature interior design scheme – luxury, moody and residential – will compliment and make nods to the history and heritage of the architecture. From the drawings that have been released, the public areas will be adorned with natural stone and layered with sumptuous furniture items, statement lighting and indoor plants.

In true Soho House style, many of details surrounding the hub in Manchester are still under lock and key. However, it has been confirmed that the venue will takeover three floors at the top of the warehouse-style building, two of which will comprise of the members’ club, overlooking a rooftop pool and outdoor terrace. On the first floor, an extensive members’ gym will include a free weights area, boxing zone, studio space, steam, sauna and an outdoor terrace.

So far, two F&B outlets have been mentioned, including the brand’s in-house Italian, Cecconi’s, and Mollie’s Motel & Diner, which will operate next door.

Manchester will be Mollie’s most ambitious launch to date. Mollie’s Manchester will offer carefully designed accommodation boasting upwards of 130 rooms, from £110 for a double room per night, including a large apartment, a selection of large suites and studios, bunk rooms and family rooms. There will be a 150-plus cover diner-style restaurant, large cocktail bar with live music and private event spaces, lounge bar and deli, private workspace and an outdoor heated terrace, across seven floors. The top three floors of the building will boast Manchester’s very own Soho House, swimming pool and club.

A clean, modern room inside Mollie's Diner and Motel

Image caption: Room inside Mollie’s Motel & Diner in Oxfordshire. | Image credit: Soho House

Manchester’s arrival as well as the opening of Soho House Brighton last year are clear indications that Soho House continues to be committed into hotel development outside of London. The group, which has properties in more than 38 locations across the globe is about to expand further in territories, such as Miami, Bangkok and Mexico City.

Main image credit: Soho House

Lobby - Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu

Fairfield by Marriott unlocks rural Japan with seven new openings

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Fairfield by Marriott unlocks rural Japan with seven new openings

The Fairfield by Marriott ‘Michi-no-Eki’ project aims to facilitate access to many of Japan’s off-the-beaten-path attractions, offering a comforting hotel experience along the country’s expressways and the latest openings unlock access to picturesque volcanic landscapes and historic gems of Japan’s southern regions…

Lobby - Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu

Fairmont by Marriott has announced that it will open seven new properties by the end of the year. The anticipated openings will swell the ranks of the existing portfolio of 22 Fairfield by Marriott properties in Japan. The new hotels will be located along national roadside rest areas in the prefectures of Hyogo, Kagoshima, Okayama, Saga, Kumamoto, and Fukuoka in the southern region of Japan, where travellers can discover hidden cultural and historical gems.

“We are thrilled to expand the brand in Asia with seven new Fairfield hotels expected to open in Japan this year,” said Diane Mayer, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, Classic Select Brands, Marriott International. “Fairfield is celebrated with a unique legacy in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio and we look forward to delivering the promise of warm hospitality and inviting experiences for guests who are discovering up-and-coming destinations across Japan.”

Fairfield by Marriott was created on the principles of warmth, comfort and simplicity. The brand was inspired by the Fairfield Farm at the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in the U.S. for its breath-taking natural sights and sounds, a restorative place that represents simplicity, balance and a comfortable way of life. The calm aesthetics, warm colour palettes and straightforward design philosophy uses a combination of natural materials and tones to represent the connection between the outdoors and indoors, paying tribute to the brand’s origins in the Fairfield Farm. Guestrooms range in size from 21 to 25 square metres and feature complimentary Wi-Fi and a space-saving shower booth.

Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki hotels with bedroom and shower in rural Japan

Image credit: Marriott International

“The Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki project is aimed at creating a footprint of hotels that stretch from Japan’s snowy northernmost regions to its southern prefectures, where travellers can stop and get a good night’s rest as they explore the many historical and cultural attractions, culinary experiences, and natural sites across each region,” said Masahiro Taguchi, Project Director of Fairfield by Marriott’s Michi-no-Eki portfolio. “Guests can look forward to a pleasant and effortless experience every time they check in at a Fairfield hotel.”

The first to complete in this pipeline, Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu shelters 88 guestrooms and is located next to Michi-no-Eki Yoka Tajimanokura in Yabu city, in Japan’s southwestern Hyogo Prefecture. The area is home to the picturesque rice fields of Bekku no Tanada and the beautiful Tendaki Falls, set against the backdrop of the highest mountain in Hyogo, Mount Hyonosen.

Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Awaji Higashiura, with 87 guestrooms is slated to open in the summer, is located at the charming Awaji Islandwhic is connected to the main island of Honshu by the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Visitors can also enjoy one of Japan’s best beaches, Ura Kenmin Sun Beach, as well as the picturesque Awaji Hanasajiki Park.

Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Tarumizu with 95 guestrooms, will be in Tarumizu city in Kagoshima at the southernmost part of Kyushu Island. Kagoshima city is known as ‘Naples of the East’ for its location on a bay facing the famous Sakurajima volcano. Accessible by ferry from Kagoshima is the island of Yakushima, where the ancient cedar forests and natural landscapes inspired the Studio Ghibli animated film ‘Princess Mononoke.’

A further 78 guestrooms will be developed in Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Tsuyama, with an opening expected in Q2 of this year. Located in Okayama, Tsuyama is a town full of history and culture known for the 17th century Tsuyama Castle, one of Japan’s three historic hilltop castles. Guests staying at Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Tsuyama can catch Tsuyama’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival every spring in Kakuzan Park, home to about 5,000 cherry blossom trees.

Fairfield by Marriott Saga Ureshino Onsen will welcome guests to Ureshino Onsen, adding 84 guestrooms to the portfolio in the southwestern Saga Prefecture. Its natural hot spring onsens and bathhouses invite visitors to relax and unwind in soothing alkaline waters. The hot spring waters is also used to make delicious local specialties such as hot tofu, and for preparing green teas.

Fairfield by Marriott Fukuoka Ukiha, with 51 guestrooms, will be located close to Chikugo Plain, an important farming region in Japan. The rural landscapes are home to rice fields and fruit farms, along with ancient ruins, temples, castles, sake breweries and hot spring onsens. In Ukiha, guests can pick fruits and sample sweets and desserts made with locally grown fruit. Another must-visit in the area is the Ukiha Inari Shrine at the foot of the Mino mountain range. Walk through 90 stunning vermilion torii gates that lead a path to the shrine.

Finally, scheduled to open in Q3, Fairfield by Marriott Kumamoto Aso will complete the portfolio, offering an additional 93 guestrooms, located at Kumamoto of southern Japan in the city of Aso within one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas. The area is part of a fabulous landscape of mountains and valleys, with breathtaking sights of the Aso-Nakadake crater and its dynamic volcanic plumes, as well as the Kusasenri-ga-hama plain.

Main image credit: Marriott International

external view of top floors of Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek,

Rosewood Hotels aims for new heights in Dallas

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Rosewood Hotels aims for new heights in Dallas

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has announced a return to Turtle Creek Dallas with its fifth standalone residential development. Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek, pays tribute to the brand’s birthplace with a design that embraces the destination’s unique history and natural beauty…

external view of top floors of Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek,

Turtle Creek, Dallas is where the Rosewood story began. A peaceful, walkable neighbourhood surrounded by grand parks and close to Dallas’s most celebrated sites, it’s not only one of the most coveted residential communities in the country, but also home to the brand’s first property, the iconic Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. Now, the luxury lifestyle brand returns with a landmark new offering, Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek, a standalone residential development that will set a new standard for high-rise living in Dallas’s metropolitan landscape.

The new 17-storey tower, which combines Beaux-arts inspired elegance with a wealth of outstanding amenities, will comprise approximately 46 residences offering effortless luxury in a setting that’s perfectly appointed for experiencing everything Dallas has to offer. Developed by One Turtle Creek to reflect the best of this dynamic city, the property is scheduled for completion in early 2025.

“Given the symbolic significance Dallas holds for us at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, we are thrilled to be bringing our residential concept to this market,” said Brad Berry, Vice President of Global Residential Development at Rosewood Hotel Group. “Planting the Rosewood Residences flag in the same neighbourhood as our very first hotel is a great moment for us as we continue to grow our footprint. But, of course, Turtle Creek is a special setting in its own right, and I think these one-of-a-kind residences embrace the area’s natural beauty, rich history and incredible location, and provide residents with an unrivalled quality of life in Dallas.”

entrance to rosewood Turtle Creek Dallas

Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek will reflect Rosewood’s ‘A Sense of Place’ philosophy by embracing Turtle Creek’s beautiful setting and history in its architecture and design. The building, masterminded by Chicago-based architect Lucien Legrange, offers a contemporary spin on the Beaux-arts inspired American architecture of the early 20th century, welcoming residents and their guests at its base with an elegant arched entryway before soaring upwards to embrace the sky with its asymmetric summit. Balancing the artful with the approachable, the tower will showcase Legrange’s sophisticated style and singular approach to craftsmanship, dimension and detail.

rooftop pool and sunloungers with views over Dallas at Rosewood Turtle Creek

Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

Ranging from approximately 185 to 6oo square metres, with the option to combine units for an even more spacious abode, each light-filled residence will make the most of the surrounding area through distinctive architecture detailing. Of note will be the ceiling-height windows, stretching up to three and a half metres tall, that offer immersive city or park views. Interior schemes from renowned designer Dan Fink will continue to draw upon the colours, tones and quality of light along Turtle Creek’s nature-filled waterway to create harmonious living spaces that complement the building’s striking neoclassical sensibility. Fink’s canvas will further include the building’s many shared spaces, which will balance luxurious materials with a mix of feminine and masculine tones to create a harmony between the classical and the modern.

Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek has been conceived with the highest standards of enriched living in mind. Its wealth of exclusive amenities includes a rooftop oasis complete with an infinity pool and lounge, each boasting spectacular views of the Dallas skyline, a landscaped garden for intimate gatherings and events, and a fitness centre, library, and private dining room spaces. The building will further feature a first floor lounge, full time concierge, and valet. Pet friendly offerings, meanwhile, include a dedicated dog park, pet spa, and garden. As hospitality is a defining factor of the Rosewood experience, residents will also benefit from round the clock support from a dedicated Rosewood Residential Team. This group of experts with deep knowledge of the area, will manage all aspects of the Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek experience to provide residents with a wide range of additional services.

Main image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

round shapes and curves in the Kaldewei Oyo Duo Grey

Kaldewei at the ISH 2023

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Kaldewei at the ISH 2023

Kaldewei will be exhibiting at the ISH in Frankfurt next month, with a focus on revolutionary innovations and sustainable bathroom solutions…

round shapes and curves in the Kaldewei Oyo Duo Grey

After a four year break, Kaldewei will be making its presence felt at the trade fair with inspired collaborations with renowned designers while presenting solutions for exceptional bathrooms that are sensual as well as comfortable and user-friendly. The new Kaldewei shower solutions in particular promise to cause quite a stir among trade visitors.

Kaldewei teamed up with Vogue for Milan installation

Image credit: Kaldewei

As a specialist in sustainable steel enamel, new surfaces and colours for trend-setting bathrooms will be on display. All guests will be invited to participate in a survey about the most beautiful designs and to vote for their personal favourites. The ISH innovations are rounded off by ingenious installation solutions that make it even easier for tradespeople to install Kaldewei products.

At the Kaldewei stand visitors will also be able to immerse themselves in another topic that has an equally high social and economic relevance and is one of the top topics at ISH 2023 – Sustainability. The current solutions from the Limited Edition nature protect will be presented, which are made of CO2 reduced steel and are an essential element of the Luxstainability concept. In addition, Kaldewei will present information on new initiatives for an environment worth living in, which help to avoid plastic wherever possible. Here, together with WWF Germany, the company is involved in the project ‘Reusable against plastic waste’ with the aim of doing without plastics and disposable packaging by means of suitable reusable systems and thereby avoiding plastic waste.

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

Main image credit: Kaldewei

wall covered in cork tatami inspired tiles from Granorte

Product watch: Tatami tiles from Granorte

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Product watch: Tatami tiles from Granorte

Inspired by ancient Japanese floor mats, Tatami is the 3D cork wall tile from Granorte that brings a unique surface texture…

wall covered in cork tatami inspired tiles from Granorte

Available in Midnight, Natural and Light, Tatami is a three dimensional wall tile made from 90 per cent recycled natural cork. Created by family-owned Portuguese cork innovator Granorte, the wall tile is ideal for creating a cosy and comfortable feeling that has a connection to a Japanese aesthetic, while also being suitable for commercial environments such as hotels and offices.

The cork used for Tatami is sourced from the post-industrial waste of wine stopper production. Originally harvested from the bark of cork trees within protected forests, the material is natural and renewable. Ground up and turned into Tatami tiles, it’s a material with unique properties. Thermally efficient with good acoustics, as well as resilient, cork is an excellent choice for interiors looking towards sustainability as a key criterion.

“Cork is an incredibly versatile natural material with many applications,” explained Paulo Rocha, Granorte. “With Tatami, we’ve created another way to use the material in commercial projects. Its strong Japanese signature is timely and brings restful calm, while cork’s natural appeal adds a timeless look to walls.”

Each Tatami tile is finished with CORKGUARD, Granorte’s water-based finish that adds a protective layer for easy cleaning, and which features Microban to inhibit the growth of bacteria. With no formaldehyde, PVC, softeners or heavy metals, Tatami is GreenGuard GOLD and AgBB certified. It also passes Air Label Score with A+ (very low emissions).

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

Main image credit: Granorte

Four Seasons unveils new Private Retreats is Los Cabos

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Four Seasons unveils new Private Retreats is Los Cabos

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas has opened the doors on its ultra-luxury Private Retreats collection located within the exclusive resort community of Costa Palmas on the East Cape of Los Cabos. We stepped inside to take a look and admire the view…

Four Seasons Private Retreats offers more than 750 of the world’s finest luxury vacation homes. The Los Cabos Private Retreats collection offers two to six-bedroom contemporary residences that seamlessly integrate indoor-outdoor living with flowing spaces, elemental design and native landscaping. The collection offers a wide array of accommodations for up to 18 guests, each with private pools and expansive entertainment space.

The project is located within Costa Palmas, a luxury beachfront resort community located on the East Cape of the Baja Peninsula. Thoughtfully and sensitively designed and situated along a two-and-a-half mile stretch of swimmable beach, Costa Palmas introduces an elemental form of luxury hospitality set among organic farms on an international marina – Baja’s first and only port of call for superyachts. Designed to take advantage of its picturesque location, Costa Palmas Residences are designed and managed by lifelong hoteliers with a focus on design forward properties with a high level of personalised service to each guest and owner living alongside an energetic destination to set sail on adventures unique to the East Cape and Sea of Cortez.

sun terraces on the water overlooking boats at Four Seasons Costa Palmas, Los Cabos, Mexico

Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

A distinct departure from the busy marina of Cabo San Lucas, guests of Four Seasons have direct access to world-class sailing, fishing  and cruising yachts up to 76 metres from the convenience of the resort’s ‘backyard’. The property offers a fleet of boats ranging from an eight metre centre console to a 20-metre luxury cruising yacht. From direct access to Cabo Pulmo, considered to be one of the best diving and snorkelling sites in the world, to nightly sunset cruises and guided sport and spearfishing adventures, Four Seasons is the only luxury resort in the market with seamless, private marina access.

“The East Cape of Baja sets the stage for luxury living at its finest – and then some,” said Borja Manchado, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas. “Our residences provide guests with the best of both worlds, the privacy of renting a home along with the services and amenities that Four Seasons is known for. Not only do the residences in our Private Retreats collection offer extraordinary architecture, design and service, they offer what is perhaps the greatest luxury of all – unprecedented exclusivity and premier access to the wonders of Mexico.”

double bed in front of the fireplace with doors open onto the beach at Four Seasons costa Palmas

Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

The Oceanfront Six-Bedroom Villa is a six-bedroom, six full bathroom unit from Guerin Glass Architects includes one powder room in addition to one staff bedroom and bathroom with a configuration of five king beds and two queen beds. The villa boasts the very best of beachfront living with a chef’s kitchen, thoughtful design elements, and a heated pool and whirlpool, in addition to full access to Four Seasons and Costa Palmas amenities. The architecture plays with rigid and organic forms to build a dramatic entry sequence with 180 degree views of the coastline, nearby estuary and mountain landscape. The gallery entryway leads to an airy and light-filled living space, the home’s central common area. An architectural focal point, a floor-to-ceiling curved glass wall, anchors the residence.

exterior view across pool of Four Seasons villa at Los Cabos

Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Additional properties range from five to two bedroom units and include the Oasis Five-Bedroom Villa and the Prime Ocean View Four-Bedroom Residence. The five-bedroom, six-full-bathroom units feature multi-level luxury living with a private infinity pool surrounded by Costa Palmas Golf Club and a natural estuary. This residence is located in a private neighbourhood within the Resort, still only a short golf cart ride to Four Seasons and the beach. The Prime Ocean View Four-Bedroom Residence is a four bedroom, five full bathroom unit offering floor-to-ceiling windows, open to ocean breezes and unparalleled ocean and sunrise views. Just steps from the dock, this private retreat is perfect for a private yacht experience.

free standing bath in luxury blue tiled bathroom at Four Seasons Los Cabos

Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

The Prime Ocean View Three Bedroom Residence combines indoor and outdoor living space with three-bedroom, four bathroom unit with panoramic view of the Sea of Cortez. The residence features private marina access, a private terrace pool, and an outdoor dining area. The Three Bedroom Beachfront Presidential Villa are stand-alone units located on top of the beach with three private plunge pools for each bedroom and a large infinity family pool that melts into the Sea of Cortez. The Prime Ocean View Two-Bedroom Residence offers two bedroom, three full bathroom units located on the first and second floors. Residences feature the trademark uninterrupted Sea of Cortez views, private terraces, plunge pools and backdoor access to the Costa Palmas private marina.

All the Private Retreats include access to a personalised butler, a private chef upon request and all Four Seasons services and programmes.

Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Marcos Cain_Stickman Tribe

In conversation with: Marcos Cain, Founder of Stickman Tribe

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In conversation with: Marcos Cain, Founder of Stickman Tribe

Award-winning design studio Stickman Tribe is known for approaching design challenges creatively while connecting to the unique customs and heritage of each new development site. With the studios’ work within the new W Dubai Mina Seyahi receiving a lot of attention, writer Pauline Brettell caught up with Principal and Founder Marcos Cain to find out a little more about the process behind the design…

Marcos Cain_Stickman Tribe

Stickman Tribe design studio works from the starting point that culture is omnipresent in nearly everything that surrounds us, from language and music to architecture and design. When designing new spaces, weaving local culture into that design creates strong connections to people and history. It not only allows it to seamlessly blend into the surrounding ecosystem, but creates a unique visual focal point of storytelling that preserves local history for future generations to enjoy. As Founder and Principal, Marcos Cain along with his tribe, has built an impressive portfolio of projects and clients while weaving these design stories.

snakeskin tiles, seating and a beaded wall designed by Stickman Tribe in the lobby at W Dubai

Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe

Pauline Brettell: Let’s start at the very beginning – ‘Stickman Tribe’ is a great name… can you tell us the story behind it?

Marcos Cain: From the outset, the intent was to create a sense of curiosity and not sound overly corporate or typical. The name came up during the studio ideation process. I recall drawing a stickman on a piece of paper and flipping it over to my business partner at the time. The idea of a stickman conveys versatility. The stickman can be either man or woman, bare, ready to dress. So, in context, it’s like a mannequin ready to be characterised, not dissimilar to a blank canvas. Stickman then evolved to Stickman Tribe to reflect the concept of who we are and how we collaborate. I’d like to think we have evolved further, where the characters are our projects, and we illustrate them as totems to our craft.

mosaic floor and decorative surface detail in lobby in W Dubai - Mina Seyahi_Lobby by Stickman Tribe

Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe

PB: You talk about concept-driven spaces and integrating local culture into design. Can you expand on this in relation to the design process?

MC: At Stickman Tribe, we have no preconceived ideas, and storytelling is an important aspect of the design process. However, prior to that, we build on our creative intelligence, and by defining our craft through collaborative workshops and desktop research, we often reveal hidden opportunities that capture the brief or, sometimes, define the brief.

We look for inspiration and relevance, both operationally and aesthetically. It’s not just a pretty picture. As we build on the creative layers and the operational efficiencies, the story begins to unravel like chapters within a book. Researching the location and its history is a prerequisite in the Stickman Tribe design methodology. The knowledge is intrinsically woven into the design concept to create a memorable and authentic concept that is specific to the project, location, culture, and brief.

couches and pouffes seating in the lobby at W Mina Seyahi with traditional jewellery references on the wall

Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe

PB: Do you have a standout project or design element you have worked on over the years?

MC: We put our heart and soul into all our projects, so there is no favourite as such. Every project is a landmark venture and clearly expressed in our eclectic portfolio, filled with notable spaces that are unique and distinctive. We pride ourselves on authenticity, creating bespoke signatures for every project we embellish. As the creative lead on every project since conception, I’m careful to ensure that we are unpredictable, while maintaining a sense of whimsical consistency, operational practicality, and successful delivery.

PB: Do you find a tension between working for some of the larger brands and your own ethos with a focus on ‘authenticity’ and ‘no pre-packaged solutions’?

MC: On most occasions we are engaged for that sensibility. Our clients are at the heart of everything we do, and we always appreciate their trust, patience, and unified commitment to originality. With their support, we continue to push the boundaries with a shared vision. Challenges can be met with passionate logic and financial modesty. It’s not always a Cinderella story, but with optimism and a concerning hand, we do our utmost to guide and nurture the best possible outcome.

PB: Do you find there is a move away from cookie-cutter brand solutions – even with the big hospitality brands?

MC: As hospitality specialists delivering bespoke design solutions, we find that there has always been a demand for unique spaces in the industry. Longevity design is a key element of focus for Stickman Tribe, which has earned an industry reputation for creating concept-driven spaces. The tribe aims to ensure that concepts, brought to life through bespoke, high-quality design, not only stand the test of time but evolve with the surroundings and improve the guest experience. As is testimony from our clients, Stickman Tribe has consistently delivered projects that boost tourism and attract an upscale clientele. That being said, some concepts’ success warrants a cookie cutter approach, which serves a purpose on repeat, and we have generated fit out guidelines for various roll outs, acting as the brand custodians from conception.

lounge in blue and green with velvet seating and bar detail at W Dubai - Mina Seyahi

Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe

PB: W Hotel Mina Seyahi is a recent project that is certainly having its moment in the sun – can you explain a little more about the story behind the design?

MC: The overarching concept and design narrative for W Hotel Mina Seyahi was developed by Stickman Tribe. The design concept reflects and captures the essence of the vibrant history of Dubai, as well as its culture and landscape. Growing from a village living from fishing, pearl diving, and boat building, Dubai emerged and started providing ac-accommodation and sustenance for traders who would pass through on their way to sell gold, spices, and textiles. Gradually, Dubai expanded into a business centre where East meets West, inviting like-minded travellers to become part of a significant, unfolded story.

a flying carpet feature designed by Stickman Tribe appears to burst into crystals in the lobby of W Dubai - Mina Seyahi_

Image caption: W Dubai Mina Seyahi | Image credit: Stickman Tribe

Dubai is a truly multicultural home to eccentric freethinkers, accommodating mostly expats. Spoiled with the hybridity of influences, the cosmopolitan city is characterised by a dynamic, changing face that juxtaposes many prejudices and evokes the city’s defining double act. A strong social community is shaped by interesting, courageous, and ambitious individuals who like to break down barriers, and is reflected in the metropolis’ excessive and vibrant way of life. The design of W Hotel Mina Seyahi reflects these eccentricities.

In the Metropolis, like-minded travellers create new bonds in inner exclusive circles, continuously evolving the public gathering of the age-old Al Halqa. The metropolis is a mix of flavours with a prominent juxtaposition of new and old Dubai – a magical chaos, from fortune-tellers to the Saharan viper and menageries to poets, storytellers and performers, the city evokes the pervasive mix of spiritual and sensual. Also named ‘The City of Gold’, encompassing a literal meaning for traders in the precious metal, the nickname reflects Dubai’s stunning growth from a small Gulf port to a world-famous business and leisure crossroads. Between sources in Africa and consumers in the rising economies of China and India, the geographical location of Dubai has played an important factor in becoming the regional gold capital. Next to gold, fresh stocks of spices and textiles arrive daily, transported by Dhow from countries such as Pakistan, India, and Iran. The narrow passages of the old souqs are filled with aromatic scents and passionate conversation. It is a bold environment that is perfectly in line with Dubai’s multiple, ever-changing personas.

By walking through the W Hotel Mina Seyahi, you can see a reference to all these elements. As soon as guests enter the main doors, they are greeted with crystal pages floating in the air. A depiction of Al Hakawati or a storyteller’s book, the installation symbolises the stories being shared within the hotel. Towards the right, lies the reception desk and the waiting area. One of the main design elements in this space includes a flying carpet in the lobby’s waiting area. Located in the halqa-inspired waiting area, the flying carpet appears to burst into crystals. The lobby alludes to mythical snake charmers with a basket inspired back feature wall and snakeskin inspired reception desks. Also, a mosaic-tiled path resembling snakeskin leads guests to the check-in desks.

The rest of the lobby space, which is towards the left of the entrance, is designed as ‘The Gold Souk’. A contemporary take of an oryx sculpture, made of black and brass steel wire, forms the central design element. Gold trinkets hang from its antlers. The space features warm hues and gold accents often associated with these traditional markets. Another design element includes a beaded feature wall. Each bead features a name of a story from the1001 Arabian Nights. In the Arabian Leopard -inspired lobby bar, guests are enveloped in a sense of fantasy while enjoying a cocktail or a meal.

PB: Do you see any new trends emerging in the arena of hotel and hospitality design as we head into 2023?

MC: We find that there is an increased focus, and demand, on sustainability. Designers are looking at using naturally produced materials in a way that can easily be repurposed for the future. There is also an influx of new materials that serve as a sustainable alternative to what has been in use previously. For instance, bioplastics, which is plastic made from plants or other biological material.

The future of hospitality is becoming integrated communities, where they break the institution and enter the fabric of society, like Airbnb which has identified another market, or the eco luxury and boutique experience. Home-stay vibes resonate with the consumer and provide a level of authenticity and localism. What’s emerging is a different form of hospitality—that which is layering into society, removing the boundaries of a vertical or horizontal stack, and entering a more local boutique experience of hidden gems, take Ryokan as an example.

PB: And finally, can you share the exciting new projects in the pipeline?

MC: Stickman Tribe has a lot of exciting developments on the horizon, and we aim to go bigger and bolder with each one. Together with the Dubai, Shanghai and newly opened Australia studios, we will continue crafting unique, experience-led hospitality designs in the new year.

We have an upcoming projects with Anse La Mouche, Hilton Canopy, Seychelles – Stickman Tribe has a unique and authentic understanding of Hilton branded properties, and we are honoured to be part of Canopy’s first Seychelles project. Situated on the long-curved bay in the South-West of the island Mahe, the quiet haven is overflowing with natural serenity. Our full scope design took inspiration from all aspects of the electric culture of Creole, paired with the island’s unique and rich flora and fauna. The full scope included F&B outlets, a kid’s club, hotel public areas, a spa & gym, guest rooms & suites as well as the residences.

The studio is working on the upcoming LXR Hotels & Resort on the private Al Nawras Island in Abu Dhabi. The project will mark the entry of the LXR Hotels & Resort brand into Abu Dhabi. The striking resort is set among lush greenery and will place a strong emphasis on wellness and recreation.

The new Mandarin Oriental Hotel in the Maldives is another pipeline project and is slated to open in 2025. Comprising 120 stand-alone villas, the resort will occupy three private islands on Bolidhuffaru Reef in South Male Atoll. In addition to the villas, the resort will be home to six dining outlets, including three specialty restaurants and a sunset bar.

Stickman Tribe was engaged to take on the F&B outlets for the SO/ Maldives by Accor, Crossroads resort. The socially vibrant destination located on an exclusive island in the exotic South Malé Atoll will bring a fresh sense of avant-garde style and sophistication while reflecting the local spirit of the Maldives.

And of course, the iconic Conrad Hilton hotel is set to open in the coming months in the heart of the Malaysian capital. Stickman Tribe was tapped to design the F&B outlets for the hotel. The property will include an Origami restaurant, the MOD all-day dining restaurant, the hotel’s contemporary three-meal epicure, and refined, whimsical Chinese restaurant Li Yuan.

Main image credit: Stickman Tribe

view looking into the C. Bechstein Flagshipstore with Dornbracht and Alape products incorporated into the design

Dornbracht and Alape in harmony inside C. Bechstein flagship store

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Dornbracht and Alape in harmony inside C. Bechstein flagship store

Creating a spatial experience involving all the senses, Vaia fittings from Dornbracht and Aqua dish basins from Alape have been integrated into the design of the C. Bechstein flagship store in Düsseldorf…

view looking into the C. Bechstein Flagshipstore with Dornbracht and Alape products incorporated into the design

Experiencing music, seeing notes and feeling sounds – these were the high standards demanded from the design of the new flagship store of C. Bechstein, a premium manufacturer of upright and grand pianos, in the best inner-city location in Düsseldorf. A challenge that was boldly accepted by designer Nik Schweiger in his brilliantly visualised concept of tradition and innovation. This requirement was also met by the Dornbracht Vaia fitting created by Sieger Design and the Alape Aqua dish basin with its changing colours, which are installed in the bathrooms.

piano inspired design of the C. Bechstein Flagshipstore

Image credit: Gerd Harder / C. Bechstein

Before you even step inside, it is already evident from the façade that the design of the store was inspired by the shape of a concert grand piano. An imposing glass arch resembling the contour of the instrument guides you inside the building, where the materials and ambience are fully in keeping with the C. Bechstein promise of quality. Showroom and concert space, alcoves for consultations, areas for private experiences, and a lounge are arranged over two levels in an area covering 700 square metres. Flexible partitions divide the space into zones as required, allowing it to be used and experienced in different scenarios.

It may look random, but it is a mixture between instrument making and mathematical principles. The design is based on what is known as the Voronoi diagram, a system of complex space allocation is used in architecture to design triangulated surfaces. The model for the three-dimensional ceiling structure is inspired by the cast iron element, the supporting component in a piano, to which the strings are attached. The piano lacquer that gives the instruments their familiar finish is used as the starting point for other mirrored surfaces within the room.

feature mural of a mountain scene on wall and doors in the C. Bechstein Flagship store-

Image credit: Gerd Harder / C. Bechstein

The exceptional composition of materials in the washrooms blends harmoniously into the overall concept of the store. “Just like in music, Dornbracht’s Vaia fitting epitomises the symbiosis of classical and modern, of traditional and contemporary elements of style,” said Schweiger. “It represents a balanced design language that combines the spirit of a classic fitting with a form that is delicately ornamental. Alape’s Aqua dish basin combines pure materiality and delicate lightness. With a slender form made from three mm thick glazed steel and the extra-deep colouring provided by the Deep Green nuance, the basin sits enthroned on its base board, creating a special ambiance in conjunction with the fittings, the image of a mountain landscape on the walls, and the rounded mirrors.”

cloakroom with Dornbracht and Alape fittings against feature wallpaper mural of a mountain and natural vista

Image credit: Gerd Harder / C. Bechstein

The visualisation of sounds and waves brings the space to life. Gliding panels based on so-called Chladni figures – patterns produced on a plate sprinkled with sand when it vibrates – emerge as a design element. Made from felt, they absorb the higher-frequency sounds and provide the spatial and acoustic privacy required for consultations. This also turns the flagship store into a versatile concert space.

The understanding of quality that C. Bechstein represents has been properly thought out, so the vibration pattern motif extends to all the details of the space, from the illuminated ceiling and ornamental art of the glass walls to the wooden wall and gliding panels, to the door handles. The oasis-like atmosphere produced by the luxurious climbing and hanging monstera plants under seven daylight domes is a marked contrast to this rigorous approach.

The showroom is ultimately about the visualisation of sounds and waves bringing the space to life. Gliding panels based on Chladni figures – patterns produced on a plate sprinkled with sand when it vibrates – emerge as a design element. Made from felt, they absorb the higher-frequency sounds and provide the spatial and acoustic privacy required for consultations. This also turns the flagship store into a versatile and impressive concert space.

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

Main image credit: Gerd Harder / C. Bechstein

RAK Ornate bathroom mirror with marble wall and plant reflections

RAK’s new bathroom mirror collections are the fairest of them all

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RAK’s new bathroom mirror collections are the fairest of them all

No bathroom design is complete without a mirror, and RAK Ceramics ensures that including this essential accessory is an effortless part of the process with several new additions to its collection…

RAK Ornate bathroom mirror with marble wall and plant reflections

Bathroom mirrors need to have a functionality beyond a mere reflection and have a key role to play in bathroom design as a whole. Lighting can be integrated into the mirror as both focussed and ambient. Storage can also be an element, ensuring that both aesthetic and practical considerations are enhanced. RAK Ceramics have considered all these details with the recent additions to its bathroom mirror collection.

In a choice of stylish finishes to combine seamlessly with any décor, the new RAK-Art and RAK-Picture mirrors come with Chrome, Matt Black, Brushed Nickel and Brushed Gold. This enables them to be chosen to match the bathroom’s brassware, extending the sale and ensuring retailers can value up. This also gives designers the benefit of choices to ensure that the mirror elevates the design and brings more to the table than practical considerations.

Also new to the RAK Ceramics mirrors collection is RAK-Ornate, available in the same choice of finishes and with the same technological features. The RAK-Ornate mirror has an integrated shelf for handy storage of bathroom essentials, making it the perfect addition to a master ensuite for a hotel-inspired look.

Mirrors are impactful to a bathroom design and have the power to inject personality into the space in a matter of minutes. The Rak Ceramics mirror collection throw choices into the mix shifting the mirror from the purely practical to a key player in defining the space.

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

Main image credit: RAK Ceramics

colourful painting and blue sofa in the guestroom at Hotel Ziggy in Los Angeles

Inside Hotel Ziggy in the heart of LA’s Sunset Strip

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Inside Hotel Ziggy in the heart of LA’s Sunset Strip

In a destination where luxury, glamour and celebrity reign, Hotel Ziggy has taken up residence in the heart of the Sunset Strip as a tribute to the rebellious spirit of the West Hollywood music scene, pushing boundaries and celebrating differences…

colourful painting and blue sofa in the guestroom at Hotel Ziggy in Los Angeles

Hotel Ziggy embraces differences and challenges conformity as a place that encourages guests and locals to come hang out and ‘just be who you are’. The unpretentious design influenced by grit and rock ‘n’ roll features a modern counter-culture spin. Located next to Mondrian Los Angeles, Hotel Ziggy is the last standing rebel on the block.

façade with name and painted mural at Hotel Ziggy LA

Image credit: Hotel Ziggy

Fusing cocktail lounge, pizza joint, music venue and lobby, the hotel invites guests to check in at a sociable and engaging bar lined with hundreds of vinyl albums. A record player behind the front desk fills the communal space with music spanning every progressive genre. A retractable glass garage door partitions one end of the lobby, creating a versatile music venue called ‘Backbeat’, which supports local musicians and invites them to come and share their sound in a new space to rise above the noise. Hotel Ziggy boasts the largest saltwater pool in West Hollywood, which is another platform to democratise music with live sets performed by up-and-coming DJs.

the lobby at Hotel Ziggy with retro music decor and mid century furniture

Image credit: Hotel Ziggy

Layers of decoupaged walls and ceilings celebrate musicians of past and present. A collection of memorabilia includes framed legal documents highlighting decades of lawsuits between musicians, producers and streamers with the intent of asking the controversial question, ‘Who really owns the music’? Hotel Ziggy’s goal is to trigger lively conversations and in doing so, connect people. Its position is clear for all to hear: Free the music!

vinyl record display at Hotel Ziggy LA

Image credit: Hotel Ziggy

“We created Ziggy to provoke stimulating and meaningful conversations with the intent to spark curiosity and playfully challenge perspectives,” said Jon Bortz, Chief Executive Officer at Pebblebrook Hotels. “What better location than the Sunset Strip to celebrate the rebellious spirit of norm-breaking musicians who have changed how we live? Hotel Ziggy is located right down the street from the former sites of two world-famous music destinations: Tower Records and House of Blues. As these and other icons are now gone, a legacy here needs to be remembered. We push boundaries with our hotels, and we certainly did that with Ziggy.”

Fairylights, colourful inflatables and mural around the pool at Hotel ziggy

Image credit: Hotel Ziggy

Conceptualized by the international award-winning design team of Dawson Design Associates (DDA), every element of the space is designed to honour and support the rebellious and independent attitude of musicians’ fight to be heard. Powerful street murals wrap the front exterior of the building, the courtyard surrounding the pool, and the main lobby spaces, together expressing the vitality and rebelliousness of the music scene. A comfortable and informal mix of modern and vintage furniture sits on top of rustic hardwood floors and worn oriental area rugs, creating a space designed to chill.

bar seating and tables in the bar at Hotel Ziggy

Image credit: Hotel Ziggy

“It was vital that this hotel didn’t take itself too seriously,” said Andrea Sheehan, Founding Principle and Art Director at DDA. “We kept things simple so the art could speak for itself. We stripped away all previous attempts to make this quirky building look modern. Instead, we exposed its blemishes and embraced the awkward structure for what it was – authentic, just like our guests and the musicians we are celebrating.”

In alignment with its ‘free the music’ mantra, Hotel Ziggy offers guests access to a Shred Shed that includes electric and acoustic guitars, amps, records, record players, Walkmans and backpacks to use while finding inspiration in LA or sharing creativity with others. All are welcome to borrow, experiment, and share in the ‘free the music’ movement.

In the playful spirit of LA’s first iconic record store and precursor to the original Tower Records, Licorice Pizza, a casual dining concept named B-side Pizza fronts Sunset Boulevard. The pizza joint harkens back to mid-century carhops with an old school pick-up window that allows locals to order to-go with concierge service and style. A custom neon-wrapped 9-inch vinyl album solidifies the retro theme.

Main image credit: Hotel Ziggy

Blue fabric on sofa

The art of craft: art inspired by Ghanaian culture

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The art of craft: art inspired by Ghanaian culture

Heart Beats and States, is a collection coming soon by Amma Gyan from Amanartis, that has been inspired by the rich history and craft of weaving that stems from the Ashanti people in Ghana…

Blue fabric on sofa

Textile artist Amma Gyan from Amanartis has a story to share with the design community. It’s one about colour, texture, fashion and materials and is told through the upcoming Heart Beats and States art collection. “As a child my art looked like handmade miniature clothes, this turned into still life drawings and photography in my teens and early twenties,” says Gyan when asked about what inspired the design of the pieces. “Throughout it all was a love of textiles.”

Colour, pattern, texture – a mischievous sense of excitement would takeover Gyan’s senses when her mother would return home with sacks of remnant fabrics, gathered from the factory she worked in, when items were still made in London – she was a dressmaker in Ghana before her family moved to the UK. If being a creature of your environment is to be believed, then Gyan’s path was, perhaps, always going to be around working with fabrics. “I began creating wall hangings almost 10 years ago, inspired by the same exuberating excitement felt as a child – the detail in fabric, from the soft iridescent frayed edge of Dupion Silk, to the etherial quality of Tulle – this was my medium.,” she said. “Creating wall hangings as a form of art, also provided a moment of stillness and calm, each twist and turn determined by the moment, the subconscious thoughts and distractions that often showed up in the tension of the piece.  A story could be told by the simple yet considered attention to detail placed when combining different fabrics.”

In recent years, Gyan has taken to researching her Ghanaian heritage; the rich history of weaving that stems from the Ashanti people, her ancestral tribe, seemed to be deep within her – a connection unrealised until it appeared in her creative expression. Bold colours and geometric shapes formed a language that was literally used to tell a story. A sequence of rows and lines conveyed the tribe, their status and their leader. “Holding on to this tradition, my creations are a way of drawing with the fabric, creating lines and waves that connect with the heart and a moment in time,” she added.

A visually impactful and abstract way of interpreting emotion through fabric and sculpture is the focus of Gyan’s current work, culminating in a new exhibition planned for spring 2024. Creating art that depicts the subtle sensibilities of our mood through the combination of fabrics and mixed mediums is, as she puts it, “an exciting project that opens up the topic of how our emotions are represented.”

Heart Beats and States, expected to be available from Spring 2024, has been born out of that vision. “It looked like a pile of rags,” she added, “but what I saw was a palette, a series of emotions in the form of colour and texture.”

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

Main image credit: Amanartis

Collage of CCD work from projects

Ken Hu, President of CCD, on the language of hotel design

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Ken Hu, President of CCD, on the language of hotel design

Editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with Ken Hu, President and Principal Partner at CCD, who for more than 30 years has been putting culture and history first in order to nail down descriptive design narratives in hotel design…

Collage of CCD work from projects

Whatever the tool used, whether it is art, architecture, materials or – in most cases – all of the above, designers who manage to consistently capture meaningful sense of place in hotel design are the individuals who spend time researching, exploring and in some cases living in the local culture to breathe new life and energy into the spaces that are being transformed. For Ken Hu, President and Principal Partner at CCD, understanding the landscape of an area, before going in and adding elements that sensitively challenge conventional design models, is the only approach when it comes to interior design. “I first get to know the culture, history, and geography of the project,” he told Hotel Designs. “Different styles and forms are presented according to the local cultural characteristics of the project. In my opinion, design is a circular process, which should not be restricted by style, but let the style form naturally.”

“I hope that contemporary young designers pay attention to the differences of each project, deeply study the design function, and carefully do the design work well.” – Ken Hu, President & Principal Partner, CCD.

With more than 30 years’ experience – more than 22 of those being in hospitality design – Hu has seen many shifts in the hospitality arena. One of the most obvious themes that Hu has noticed is how cultures have been merge through design and architecture. Looking back, and when offering advice to the next generation, he would like the scales somewhat rebalanced between the translation of eastern and western influence in hotel design. “Our modern life is borrowed from Western society,” the designer explained. “Therefore, Western creativity has a complete system and occupies a leading position in the design field. But Eastern design also has Eastern wisdom. How to integrate eastern wisdom into the Western system is what we want to do.”

With this in mind, I thought it would be a good place to start my interview with the designer.

Hamish Kilburn: Can you give me an example of a project where you used eastern references in a western project?

Ken Hu: In the design of Diaoyutai Hotel Hangzhou, I did a lot of research and experimentation in order to subtly integrate the taste of Hangzhou with the characteristics of the Hotel. We injected some bright colours, such as bright yellow, to reflect the grandeur of the East.

I encouraged our teams to innovate and break the imagination when designing DongFengYun Hotel Mi’Le – MGallery and 50% Cloud Artists Lounge. The final work is stunning, full of ethnic customs and contemporary art.

Image caption: A minimalist approach inside 50% Cloud Artists Lounge. | Image credit: CCD

Image caption: A minimalist approach inside 50% Cloud Artists Lounge. | Image credit: CCD

HK: You joined CCD in 2000, a ‘turn of the page’ for the hotel design industry. How did the studio feel back then?

KH: My old classmate Joe Cheng gave me many different inspirations. In the past, western design has a complete system and occupies a leading position in the design field. But Eastern design also has Eastern wisdom. We no longer fellow the old path of Western design, and added Eastern wisdom and culture to the design. Therefore, under the deep cooperation with Joe Cheng, the concept to ’embody eastern charm with western technique’ was born.

Sofitel Foshan Louvre hotel, view over Paris from top of hotel

Image caption: A different perspective over Paris from Sofitel Foshan Louvre Hotel. | Image credit: CCD

HK: In that time, can you identify your most memorable projects? 

KH: Sofitel Foshan Louvre Hotel is the most memorable project in my design career, which I worked on for seven years. It blended into the Lingnan garden, oyster shell wall, fragrant cloud yarn, Manchurian window, and other folk craft details, carved out the classics of southern Guangdong.

HK: Let’s talk about the present. Can you talk us through the design narrative of your most recent project, W Changsha?

KH: There is a Changsha star in the sky, and the city of Changsha is also called ‘Star City’. The interior design is inspired by that. The arrival experience has been designed to magnify the universe by 300 times, with cosmic elements such as galaxies, planets and meteorites, all embedded in the design.

The lobby is designed with ‘Star of the Universe’ as the design concept to stimulate the imagination of the universe. The stars were deconstructed and reorganised to form the ‘Avenue of Stars’. Everyone here is a star in the future. The brave heroes who opened up the historical era are looking up and chasing the unreached places beyond the horizon.

Modern and contemporary space inside W Changsha

Image caption: W Changsha is a futuristic and cosmic look at hotel design. | Image credit: CCD

In the design of RUNWAY Bar, we used artistic thinking to endow the starry sky with beauty, courage and sustenance. The blooming starlight ceiling, with fantasy, splendid and mysterious visual expression, injects hopeful and unconstrained imagination into the space.

The design of the restaurants are based on an artistic journey through the galaxy. ZETA Explorer will take you through time and space to experience a different artistic journey.

The interior scheme inside the guestrooms, meanwhile, is based on the ‘ideal star city’ as the concept, returning to the current demand of home feeling. The rooms are warm and comfortable.

HK: What is your hope for the next 20-plus years for this industry?

KH: In my opinion, design is a circular process, which should not be restricted by style, but let the style form naturally. I hope that contemporary young designers pay attention to the differences of each project, deeply study the design function, and carefully do the design work well. I hope that Eastern designers will have the opportunity to play their strengths, rather than being monopolised by Western designers. I hope more Chinese design works can shine on the world stage.

HK: What architect or designer do you admire most?

KH: The designers I admire most are Academician Mo Bozhi and Leoh Ming Pei. Different from the simple style of modernism, they had added Chinese traditional elements into the western modernism style. Their works are eclectic and quite distinctive.

Architecture that reveals the sky

Image caption: DongFeng Yun Hotel Mi’Le – MGallery, where architecture is art. | Image credit: CCD

HK: In your company’s profile, it says that “CCD has always been the icon in the hospitality design field”, how would you explain that? What is the secret to success in hotel and hospitality design (we heard you have more than 1,000 employees). How did you manage a large team?

KH: CCD is not a leader but a runner in the field of hotel design. There are many excellent designers and design works in the world, and they are interpreting design from different perspectives. Each has its own advantages and characteristics. CCD shows the difference of Chinese design to the world with Oriental wisdom and hospitality.

The hotel is a microcosm of social life. We must fully understand life and pay attention to the needs of everyone. Only in this way can we produce good hotel design works.

CCD has a good management system, which can mobilise the enthusiasm and creativity of every designer. This is also the way for CCD to maintain design vitality. In response to the diversified needs of the market, CCD has successively launched sub-brands FED, UCD, WUWU ART, and technology brand XIZHAO.

FED designs for boutique projects and chain hotels standardisation customisation. UCD designs public spaces and corporate headquarters. WUWU ART provides art consulting services. XIZHAO creates design data platform. Therefore, CCD’s products and services are connected across borders and customised flexibly.

Spacious public area with angular architecture

Image captions: The public areas inside Sofitel Foshan Louvre Hotel are not what you would expect from a Parisian hotel. | Image credit: CCD

HK: What are the biggest shifts you’ve witnessed within the hospitality industry in China over the past year?

KH: Covid–19 has changed the way people lived and traveled. Short trips are becoming more popular, and hotels become destinations for people to relax. In the future, hotel design will no longer be large-scale and luxurious, but will change to more life-oriented and refined.

Main image credit: CCD

Preview: New year, new stages at Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam 2023

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Preview: New year, new stages at Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam 2023

‘Expect the unexpected’ is the line from Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam this year, which takes place March 14 – 15 at the RAI Amsterdam. With more than 200 exhibitors, along with industry leaders who will highlight the latest developments from across the hotel industry, Hotel Designs will be there with a major role, on and off the Innovation Stage, as a proud media partner…

The Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam (IHA) has set itself the ambitious agenda of exploring generational intelligence, sustainable design and sensory experiences. To facilitate discussion and debate, stages have quite literally been redesigned and reshaped to ensure guests leave feeling supported, inspired, and ready to make essential changes to keep your hotel ahead of the curve.

On the Hotel Business Stage in partnership with RoomRaccoon and designed by Riviera Maison, will be presentations and panel discussions outlining business-led solutions to grow and develop hotel offerings. The Hotel Innovation Stage in partnership with HotelPartner, is where experts and innovators will discuss and highlight the latest trends set to impact the hotel sector through inspirational TEDx style sessions. The Social Business Space in partnership with Swiss Sense, remains a dedicated area to learn, network and share insights with like-minded hoteliers and industry leaders.

During the two days, the extensive seminar programme will be presented by an array of industry experts, including Hotel Design’s very own Hamish Kilburn who will be hosting one of the most anticipated panel discussions on a topic that will explore fashion’s role in hospitality design while promising something audience members won’t be expecting over on the Innovation Stage. Body language – reimaging hospitality design will include visionaries Nicholas Oakwell, Founder, NO Uniform, Robert Spijkers Suwarni, Manager Operations, OGER Corporate Fashion Statements and Sofie Rockland, Founder, By Rockland to understand how fashion is becoming a vital tool to extend a design narrative when telling a brand’s story.

The potential for some mischief aside, the line-up will be covering a myriad of compelling topics, from multi-generational talent, branding masterclasses, European hotel market forecasts and trend tours. Seminar highlights include, People First – lessons from another industry, The expectations of the evolving traveller, presented by Google, Generational intelligence, unpacking all talents of all generations, Destination gastronomy: re-designing and re-thinking your F&B offering.

On the second day, Kilburn will return to stage to deliver a TEDx style session on hotel design disruptors, which is expected to look at what makes a hotel exceptional on the global hospitality map. From creating and nurturing  robust and memorable spaces that reflect a unique brand identity, to injecting quirky design details that excite and make sense. The session will challenge the pre-conceptions around what a ‘disruptor’ is in today’s world, while sharing tips on how designers and brands can stand out without having to inflate their ego.

Elsewhere, the Circular Lab has been designed to showcase a collection of inspiring start-ups ready to present eco-friendly innovations and sustainable design solutions. The HR Quarter and the Energy Saving Quarter are also freshly added to the shows key features. These show sections have been created to demonstrate tangible and cost-effective solutions to today’s two most pressing challenges – HR & growing energy costs. Here you can find pioneering suppliers and experts who can help a hotel meet its sustainability and recruitment goals.

When the shift comes in for a late night opening, get ready for an extended evening of unique experiences, networking opportunities, celebratory drinks, and live music. And, guests attending the show will also get the chance to see the winners announced for the inaugural Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam Awards

Hotel Designs is attending Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam as a proud media partner of the show.

Main image credit: Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam

icelandic view framed by square window with natural wood clad surfaces

Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll, a new destination from Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

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Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll, a new destination from Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon portfolio is a collection of sustainable destinations, resorts, spas, and skincare lines. It has recently announced the summer opening of its newest nature-driven development, Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll…

icelandic view framed by square window with natural wood clad surfaces

Debuting in the Ásgarður Valley, at the edge of a remote mountain range deep in Iceland’s central highlands, the multi-faceted Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll from the Blue Lagoon Hotel group, will be the first of its kind in this untouched, adventure-driven paradise. The year-round destination will feature the Highland Base Hotel, complete with rooms, suites, and luxury lodges as well as a series of Highland Base Huts designed for private or shared accommodations, the Highland Base Camp, the 80 seat Highland Base Restaurant and Lounge and the Highland Base Baths.

wild mountainous landscape in iceland surrounding Highland Base - Kerlingarfjöll.

Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll.

“Kerlingarfjöll has been beloved by Icelanders for decades, and we’re pleased to introduce the destination in an entirely new way,” said Grímur Sæmundsen, Founder & CEO of Blue Lagoon Iceland. “Full of adventure—from the journey to the experiences while there—Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll will be unmatched for those looking to explore the remote, central highlands of Iceland.”

Ideated and developed by the design teams at Blue Lagoon Iceland, Basalt Architects, and Design Group Italia, the property is being constructed to exist in harmony with nature. The development process has been conducted in accordance with the standards developed by BREEAM—the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for building—and the cosy, minimalist interior designs produce a sense of place, warmth, and comfort felt throughout the entire complex.

minimal wooden cabin interior with windows focussed on the views at Highland Base - Kerlingarfjöll

Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll

In addition to syncing with nature, the design caters to a wide range of travellers and will be comprised of three distinct accommodations types. The Highland Base Hotel is composed of multiple structures encompassing 46 guestrooms, two suites, and six luxurious lodges. The 46 guestrooms range in size from 18 square metres to 30 square metres and are designed for everyone from families to solo travellers. The two Highland Suites are 44 square metres and feature a terrace with a private, geothermal hot tub and breathtaking views of the mountains. The six Highland Lodges are luxurious, stand-alone, private accommodations.

The Highland Base Huts provide a range of seasonal accommodations in A-frame buildings including bunk beds with shared facilities as well as private huts designed for families or small groups travelling together. Getting even closer to nature, the Highland Base Camp is a seasonal, riverside campsite located at the base of Kerlingarfjöll mountain range with access to the same communal facilities used by the guests staying in the huts.

aerial view of the Highland Base surroundings and accommodation in summer

Image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll

Covering almost 100 square kilometres, Kerlingarfjöll, a protected nature reserve, is a circular mountain range that formed over 10,000 years ago with a series of subglacial volcanic eruptions. The range includes peaks reaching more than 1,500 kilometres, and panoramic vistas punctuated by the grand glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, making it an adventure lover’s dream. For guests the selection of seasonal activities includes hiking the vast network of trails, ranging from one kilometre to 50 kilometres, access to a fleet of electric mountain bikes to traverse the raw and colourful mountain scape, backcountry and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing through the geothermal valleys and exploring the incredible panoramas via snowmobiles.

Main image credit: Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll

the Edmund Bell stand at Heimtex 2023 showcasing recycled fabrics

Edmund Bell puts recycled materials under the spotlight at Heimtextil

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the Edmund Bell stand at Heimtex 2023 showcasing recycled fabrics

Getting the year off to a flying start, Edmund Bell showcased its comprehensive range of fabrics at the brands 12th Heimtextil exhibition in Frankfurt, previewing not one, but four brand new fabrics made from recycled materials…

Edmund Bell joined the global textile industry at Heimtextil earlier this year with its full range of fabrics and accessories for the commercial, institutional and domestic interiors markets including its comprehensive range of flame retardant decorative blackout, dimout, sheer, woven, upholstery and print fabric. Placed in centre stage were the recycled fabric ranges that have become a core part of the company ethos.

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

Edmund Bell RESET fabric recycled_blackout

Image credit: Edmund Bell

RESET is the first blackout fabric made from recycled materials by Edmund Bell and is also an industry first! Welcoming new materials into the world and infusing the dimensions of texture and structure, RESET represents that soft tactile wool look. Offering timeless appeal, it is sure to work effortlessly in any contract environment. With a super soft handle, the face fabric is made from 100 per cent recycled polyester (57 per cent overall recycled after coating).

Laid back and casual, DUO is a smart double-sided strié effect dimout made from 32 per cent recycled inherent FR polyester and 68 per cent inherent FR polyester. Lucky to be characterised by a texture on both sides; expect the unexpected with the use of elegant, recycled yarns creating a very stylish two-tone simplicity.

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

LINK, with its sculptured grid like structure and a super modernist architectural look, is made using 31 per cent recycled Repreve yarns (made from recycled plastic bottles) and so truly fulfils a sustainable message meeting all our strict testing protocols as well as being 100 per cent FR. Extra usable width at 320cm is a bonus as well.

SWAY, with its natural linen look and fluid movement, has exceptional drape quality and is woven with a super slub profile yarn, capturing a very timeless atmospheric character. It is made from 100 per cent recycled FR yarns, so purposeful in today’s sustainable world.

“After a three-year wait, we were eager to be back at Heimtextil and extremely excited to showcase the new products and services we’ve been working on for the last three years, including four new recycled fabric options,” said Adam Wilde, Group Head of Marketing. “For 2023, we refreshed the look of the stand to make it feel more open and included a striking recycled and sustainable installation at the front showing the new recycled ranges.”

Edmund Bell has partnered with Ecologi – an environmental company with a platform for real climate action

Image credit: Edmund Bell

The recycled fabrics are however part of a bigger picture. As well as The Climate Pledge, Edmund Bell is excited to have partnered with Ecologi – an environmental company with a platform for real climate action. Ecologi facilitate the funding of carbon offset projects and tree planting in locations such as Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya and more locations around the world. Planting trees is one of the best tools we have in removing carbon pollution from our atmosphere, helping to tackle the climate crisis. For this reason, Edmund Bell pledged to plant a tree for every business card received in a specially designed box (made from recycled cardboard) at Heimtextil as part of its journey towards becoming carbon neutral by 2040.

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

Main image credit: Edmund Bell

double bed and doors onto terrace with a seaview at Domes Milos

Domes Resorts to debut in Milos

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Domes Resorts to debut in Milos

Domes Resorts, Greece’s leading luxury lifestyle hospitality brand and one of the fastest growing in the Mediterranean, has announced new hotel openings and growth plans for 2023, starting with its inaugural launch on the island of Milos…

double bed and doors onto terrace with a seaview at Domes Milos

Opening its doors later in the year as Domes White Coast Milos, Domes is to operate the luxury 30-key hotel, currently branded as Small Luxury Hotels of the World, located in a waterfront nature preserve on the island’s northern coast. Each suite of this adults-only property boasts its own private-infinity pool, uninterrupted sea and sunset views over the Myrtoan Sea, and access to three sandy beaches just a few steps away. Architecturally inspired by the destination’s white rock formations, Domes White Coast Milos encapsulates a calm haven with luxurious simplicity, subtle interiors and neutral tones, enabling guests to disconnect and soak up the surrounding natural environment.

white sunloungers around infinity pool at Domes White Coast Milos

Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves

“We are immensely excited about our newfound collaboration with Invel Real Estate and Prodea Investments on this first of many more exciting projects to come in the Cyclades Greek Islands,” said Dr. George P. Spanos, CEO of Domes. “Our vision is to evolve this unique asset into the leading private-pool hotel in the Aegean, with the expansion occurring in two phases over the next two years and will reach the total number of 130 suites. This will enable us to strengthen our footprint in the Cyclades and solidify our alliance with Invel and Prodea.”

minimalist white architecture at sunset at Domes White Coast Milos

Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves

This news follows the group’s recent expansion at the jewel in the crown Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Corfu. Designed by Kristina Zanic and architecturally styled by Makridis & Associates, the 7,000sqm extension welcomed 69 new guestrooms and suites, a new spa, pool, gym, restaurant and loft bar last season. The new areas continue Domes Miramare’s modernist aesthetic in a minimalist, contemporary style. The façade has been entirely reinvented with clean archways inspired by Corfu Old Town’s heritage buildings, accompanied by intentionally low-key and minimal interiors to frame the remarkable views of the sea and neighbouring five century old olive grove.

swimming pool at Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu

Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves

Across the Mediterranean to southern Portugal, Domes Lake Algarve near Vilamoura is currently undergoing a comparable renovation and joins the prestigious Autograph Collection hotels, becoming part of Marriott International. The family-friendly hotel, which spearheaded Domes’ growth outside of Greece last year, will reopen this spring.

Swimming pools and palm trees at Domes Domes Lake Algarve

Image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves

The chic refurbishment is designed to embrace the natural surroundings and uplifting climate, while guestrooms and public spaces will feature fresh designs inspired by its surrounding gardens and lake. The hotel will also welcome an adults-only pool for calm downtime whilst children enjoy the original large swimming pool and salt-water lake.

From luxury hotels and fine-dining restaurants to beach clubs and wellness retreats, Domes Resorts has become a leading lifestyle hospitality brand in the Mediterranean with remarkable plans and growth ahead. Further new openings will be soon announced in popular Greek destinations including the peninsula of Halkidiki, Mykonos, Santorini and the Athenian Riviera, whilst the brand also plans to expand even further across Europe.

Main image credit: Domes Resorts & Reserves

bathroom vanity and mirror with scalloped mosaic tiles Ca Pietra Atlantis scallop from hyperion tiles

Hyperion Tiles shines a light on mosaics

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Hyperion Tiles shines a light on mosaics

Hyperion Tiles reveals highlights from its latest mosaics collection, showcasing the design trend which continues to gather pace and make design strong statements in luxury and boutique hotel bathrooms and wellness spaces…

bathroom vanity and mirror with scalloped mosaic tiles Ca Pietra Atlantis scallop from hyperion tiles

First appearing in Mesopotamia, mosaic tiles have been around for thousands of years and there is no sign of a slowdown in their popularity. The range of size, colour, pattern and shape of bathroom mosaic tiles available from Hyperion Tiles allows designers to unleash their creativity. Aesthetics aside, these tiles are also versatile, practical durable, hygienic and low-maintenance. Mosaics work brilliantly with other materials, such as Italian porcelain tiles and they can be used on a variety of surfaces, including walls and floors.

“Mosaic tiles are so versatile in so many ways and they can be used on walls and floors,” said Richard Skeoch, Director, Hyperion Tiles.”Made from small pieces of coloured glass, ceramics, stone or even metal, these designs come in sheet form for practical use and can feature in awkward spaces or around pipes and sanitaryware and we offer a huge selection to choose form in all sorts of colours, shapes, sizes and textures.”

“Mosaic tiles are also perfectly suited to floors,” added Skeoch, “just make sure you check their slip rating, and whether they can withstand the weight of the people who will walk on them, with your tile specialist first.”

Ideal for bathrooms, mosaic tiles are non-porous and therefore highly resistant to mould and mildew. Interior designers can use them on a single wall to create a feature, or all four walls for a stronger statement. The mosaics can be used to create accents or borders and uses can vary greatly from a splashback or framing a mirror to showcasing recessed shelving or zoning the bathing area.

Hyperion Tiles has extensive collections of bespoke floor and wall tiles in a variety of patterns, colours, shapes and sizes, including an extensive mosaics collection along with the technical expertise available to offer expert advice to designers, specifiers and architects.

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

Main image credit: Hyperion Tiles

Glade of Light by BCA Landscape, won the Landscape & Public Realm category at surface Design show London

Winners announced for Surface Design Awards 2023

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Winners announced for Surface Design Awards 2023

Social consciousness and innovative use of materials and lighting were the key themes amplified among the finalists of the Surface Design Awards 2023. Editor Hamish Kilburn was there to capture the winners across the 13 categories… 

Glade of Light by BCA Landscape, won the Landscape & Public Realm category at surface Design show London

The final day of Surface Design Show kicked off with the industry gathering at Business Design Centre London for this year’s edition of Surface Design Awards, which delivered yet again in ‘celebrating design excellence around the world’. True to form, the event set a benchmark for global architectural design, receiving well over 130 entries from 12 countries. From the dozens of projects that were entered, a total of forty made the shortlist across the eleven initial categories. The winners of the categories were announced today during a breakfast ceremony this morning, the final day of the 2023 Surface Design Show.

The quality of this year’s entries led to a Surface Design Show first, with the decision to crown not one but two Supreme Winners: Glade of Light by BCA Landscape, won the Landscape & Public Realm category and the Winner of the Commercial Building Exterior category was MONC by Nina + Co with Smile Plastics.

Glade of Light is a living memorial to those who lost their lives in the May 2017 terror attack at Manchester Arena and is a space for reflection and remembrance. The abstract design is an emotional response to the ineffability of sorrow and loss. It’s a special place where people can briefly pause time, find a place of quiet and stillness in their busy lives, providing a space to reflect and linger a while.

organic and sustainable surfaces in MONC store in London

Image credit: MONC

MONC is a retailer selling sustainable eyewear and its debut store in Marylebone, London was designed with circularity in mind. Almost everything brought into the building was entirely bio-based or recycled. The furniture within the store is expertly built to last but can also be disassembled for re-use, recycling or return to the earth as nourishment.

The differences of the two outstanding projects, a landscaped living memorial and a retail interior proved challenging for the judges, with strong opinions divided. After a long debate it was decided that the only fair decision that they could make was to award the Supreme Award to both. The judges said of Glade of Light, ‘It is a special place, which creates a moment and makes you feel safe’ whilst MONC was praised by the judges for ‘its powerful design with all the wow factor and beauty, yet still retaining a fantastic sustainability focus, something that we could all learn from’.

Knitted Eaves by Studio AVT Architects Pvt

Image credit: Studio AVT Architects

Other winners of the categories all had a strong sustainability message and stood out within their respective categories. The Commercial Building Exterior category was awarded to Design District Building D2 by Mole Architects, a two-toned compact and angular building which contributes to the vibrancy of the Design District in Greenwich. Knitted Eaves by Studio AVT Architects Pvt, was highly commended within this category.

One of the Supreme Winners, MONC by Nina + Co with Smile Plastics, also took the award in the Commercial Building Interior category. This project not only prioritised the reuse of regenerative materials, but they also created products with multiple lifecycles in mind, making disassembly easy by limiting the use of adhesives. This project stood out as a fantastic example of circular design.

Andre Kong Studio’s Stepped Loft won the category of Housing Exterior at Surface Design Show 2023

Image credit: Andre Kong Studio / Luke O’Donovan

Andre Kong Studio’s Stepped Loft won the category of Housing Exterior. An extension of a Victorian terraced house in south east London, this project features a series of stepped brick volumes, extruded to create a host of new rooms. The design asserts presence to the new level in a contemporary way, whilst still being sympathetic to the colours and materials of the existing house.

This year the award for Housing Interior was shared between Wiltshire Farmhouse, by Emil Eve Architects and Southwark Brick House by Satish Jassal Architects. The Wiltshire Farmhouse scheme demonstrated how a farmhouse kitchen was transformed using terracotta tiles both inside and out, which brings warmth to the new extension. The other winner in this category, Southwark Brick House, by Satish Jassal Architects, is a new-build which impressed the judges with its reuse of existing materials from the garage and the selection of other materials for their longevity.

Southwark Brick House, by Satish Jassal Architects winner for Housing Interior at surface Design Show 2023

Image credit: Satish Jassal Architects

In the Light & Surface Exterior, The Yards St Martin’s Courtyard Terrace by Brimelow McSweeney Architects was highly commended, with the winner named as Knitted Eaves by Studio AVT Architects Pvt. This project uses unique and natural designs to create a pattern which has its own solidarity, yet works together in a combination depicting the process of hand-weaving and textile production.

For the Light & Surface Interior category, Sky Lantern House by Proctor & Shaw Architects took the prize. This whole house refurbishment and extension project looked to the rhythm of traditional dormers on an existing roofscape to inspire the radical transformation of a London home. Expressed externally as an assemblage of stacked luminous boxes, the rear extension evokes the ethereal quality of a floating ‘sky lantern’ at night.

The Digi-Tech Factory by Coffey Architects won the Public Building Exterior category. Coffey Architects threw a delicate white mesh over a practical teaching block to give it a light, enigmatic and joyful touch. The external screen of white powder-coated aluminium mesh or corrugated aluminium unifies the building’s form and modulates the interior and exterior environments. In short, this is a building of beautiful lightness and air. The Sutton Hoo visitor experience by Nissen Richards Studio was highly commended.

The Public Building Interior category award was given to Jiva Spa and Wellness Centre by Emil Eve Architects. Located in the Victorian cellars of the luxury Taj Hotel, the unique interior of this new wellness centre in London has been designed to complement the philosophy of Jiva’s traditional Indian treatments and their local partner Temple Spa.

Supreme Winner Glade of Light, by BCA Landscape, also won the award for Landscape + Public Realm. A contemporary memorial landscape with an emotional power and honesty, it has become a significant place in the heart of Manchester for the personal and communal process of remembrance, grieving and healing.

The Temporary Structure category award was also shared between two practices. A Cautionary Bench/Mark by Andre Kong Studio was one of the recipients. This structure was built from reclaimed materials and is sat on two levels. The lower bench invites passers-by to sit and reflect, with the higher-level looming 2.6m above, predicting the water level expected during a severe tidal storm in 2030. Sharing the spoils is the River Book by Atelier YokYok. This a volumetric interpretation of the geography and the history of Jiaxing, a city in the northern Zhejiang province in China. Its design results in dancing swirls, enticing visitors to come closer.

Introduced last year, The Architectural Photography award was won by Sanaa Aftab for their image of the National Museum of Qatar, ‘A Deserts Rose’.

As the industry immerses itself in the latest materials for the built environment, the projects across the board in this years entries afforded both new insights and inspiration into sustainable and innovative design.

Hotel Designs’ is proud to be a Surface Design Show media partner

Main image credit: Glenn Maguire

Stone Tapestry installation at surface Design show by Squire & Partners

Live from Surface Design Show – Stone Tapestry

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Live from Surface Design Show – Stone Tapestry

One of the highlights at this years Surface Design Show, Stone Tapestry was designed by Squire & Partners to highlight the versatility of natural stone through surface finish and texture, celebrating stones from the British Isles…

Stone Tapestry installation at surface Design show by Squire & Partners

Squire & Partners was invited by collaborators Stone Federation for the third year running to design an explorative natural stone showcase, which sits at the centre of the show’s Stone Gallery. In line with the Surface Design Show’s theme of ‘shaping communities’, this year the installation has focussed on exploring some of the natural stones that have helped shape and create towns and cities across the UK and Europe. The design of the installation gives visitors a unique opportunity to explore the materials and be inspired to utilise the sustainable and aesthetic benefits of using natural stone.

The bespoke LEMA-designed table has been reused from previous years and fitted with a reinvigorated array of stones from Britannicus Stone, SolidNature, Albion Stone and Burlington Stone. Samples have been finished by SolidNature in several different ways, from polished and sand-blasted to leathered and ‘pillowed’, to demonstrate the beauty and versatility of natural stone. ‘Exploring the Stone Tapestry’ talks have been taking place around the table during the show, exploring the concept behind the installation and the materials and methods used to create it.

Hotel Designs’ is proud to be a Surface Design Show media partner

Main image credit: James Balston

Alex ReardonSmith

Meet The Brit List Awards winner who scooped Best in Tech Award

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Meet The Brit List Awards winner who scooped Best in Tech Award

To kickstart our video series in collaboration with GROHE X on the winners from The Brit List Awards 2022, Editor Hamish Kilburn meets with Alexander Marjanovic to understand how ReardonSmith Architects’ innovative thinking to design a new air purification system for The Beaumont Hotel in London led the studio clinching hold of Best in Tech Award…

Alex ReardonSmith

ReardonSmith Architects is familiar with being under the spotlight on the global hospitality stage. The architecture firm has just completed its first stage of design renovation inside The Dorchester while it is working on creating the new Rosewood address in London, sheltered inside the former American Embassy building. But its recent accolade was awarded to the studio for its innovative thinking behind the scenes. Design Director Alexander Marjanovic created a new air purification system for The Beaumont Hotel, with the aim to improve wellbeing and the overall quality of the air in the interior spaces.

The full interview is available to watch on GROHE X.

The new advanced air-purifying, bioclimatic GmbH DBD technology was presented to the hotel’s owners, who, in turn, had the vision to apply it throughout the property. The final result is a cutting-edge technology solution in accordance with the highest health standards, building regulations, and sound engineering practices, in line with the latest recommendations for the prevention of Covid-19 transmission.

It may have been influenced by the pandemic, but the technology was utilised to provide a plethora of wellbeing solutions. In addition to the tech reducing viruses and bacteria in the air and on surfaces, it also increases productivity and psychological health, helps in relieving symptoms of allergies and eliminates the static electricity issue throughout the internal environment.

Applications / nominations for The Brit List Awards 2023 will open in the Summer. The process to apply is free for all designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers alike. This is one of three videos that Hotel Designs will launch in association with GROHE, Broadcasting Partner of The Brit List Awards, to amplify a handful of the winners from last year’s campaign.

Main image credit: The Brit List Awards 2022

lanterns and architectural arches frame contemporary art at Hotel Sin Nombre

Miniview: Hotel Sin Nombre – a bohemian haven for history and art in Oaxaca

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Miniview: Hotel Sin Nombre – a bohemian haven for history and art in Oaxaca

Located in one of the best known destinations in Mexico, Hotel Sin Nombre has managed to effortlessly combine elements of colonial architecture with art and contemporary design to offer an experience of comfort and minimalist sophistication…

lanterns and architectural arches frame contemporary art at Hotel Sin Nombre

Among the columns, arches and flagstone floors of the 17th century colonial mansion which houses Hotel Sin Nombre, there is an avant-garde spirit that has been put together with curated touches of artisanal sophistication. Arabic references that invite relaxation and sensory delight sit comfortably among handmade rugs, delicate cushions and details that highlight Oaxaca’s artisan traditions.

white arches and period columns with pots of cacti and white curtains in the courtyard at Hotel sin Nombre

Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre / Lexus Gallegos

The contemporary design and minimalist elegance are the work of the architect João Boto Caeiro, who is responsible for the methodical and respectful restoration of the original structure, rooted in principles of sustainability and conservation of traditional skills, including ancient processes for preparing paint from charcoal, lime and ground clay.

arches, candlelight and movement in the Hotel Sin Nombre

Image credit: Hans Valor

The vaulted ceilings, central staircase and walls were all treated as canvases for the work of the Oaxacan master craftsmen, as well as to frame works by visual artists such as the photographer Alberto “Negro” Ibáñez, present in black-and-white images of nudes in the rooms and public areas; works by painter and sculptor Carlito Dalceggio, whose talent is expressed in two interventions; the work of Dr. Lakra exhibited in the Cantinita; and three metal sculptures by Portuguese sculptor Fulvio Capurso installed on the terrace, their silhouettes outlined against the horizon.

At Hotel Sin Nombre the spaces present an ethereal sobriety emphasized by a harmonious play of light and shadow, appreciated in all 18 guestrooms, which have also been meticulously decorated with furniture in tropical hardwoods from certified sawmills, antiques, and snow-white bedding that contrasts with the hand-embroidered textiles.

white walls, white linen in guestroom opening onto the terrace

Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre

The comfort of a home away from home is the promise for those who stay and choose to let time slip away unhurriedly surrounded by its design features and details. The glass dome, the ironwork from the early 20th century, and the Bibliotekita – a unique hideaway with an infinity mirror ceiling and a red neon light that invites you to unleash your creativity with its collection of literary works on various themes.

the Biblioteka room - a retreat bathed in red neon light

Image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre

The terrace is another defining point in this design, with the swimming pool with sunset views across the illuminated domes of Santo Domingo and the cathedral. Guests can kick back and enjoy panoramic vistas that extend as far as Monte Albán and San Felipe on the horizon.

swimming pool and neon logo on the roof at sunset at Hotel Sin Nombre

Image Credit: Hotel Sin Nombre

The culinary offering sheltered within the property is spread across three distinct concepts, each with its own personality. The Restaurant Sin Nombre is an avant-garde fusion between the gastronomic traditions of different communities from the region, with recipes prepared using seasonal and organic ingredients. Respecting the harvest cycles, the menu is renewed every three months to offer authentic mouthfuls of tradition and flavours of the fields. In the Cantinita, the hotels’ mixology bar, the specialty is the unique elixirs prepared there together with a selection of snacks. Finally, the Terraza Sin Nombre presents a menu of meat and fish combined with vegetable ingredients in original recipes.

Main image credit: Hotel Sin Nombre

natural colours and textures in bathroom with Duravit Zencha fittings

Bathroom trends from Duravit

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Bathroom trends from Duravit

With the bathroom increasingly becoming an extension of our living space, Duravit has identified several trends that are both shaping the bathroom and impacting on its design…

natural colours and textures in bathroom with Duravit Zencha fittings

The bathroom is no longer merely a place for a daily care and health routine. It has become a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In the same way that the kitchen has converged with the living room, the bathroom is now becoming an extension of the bedroom. Room boundaries are becoming more fluid as the washing area and bathtub can be creatively located in the centre of the bedroom, with only the toilet being physically separated.

Such floating spaces work because sanitary objects are now designed and installed in a similar fashion to furniture – as decorative standalone features crafted from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and stone with a look and feel that creates a feeling of sanctuary.

bath and wooden stool with wooden screen and fittings by duravit

Image credit: Duravit

Contemporary bathrooms are being designed in a homely style with sanitary objects and bathroom furniture, being entwined with soft furnishings, lamps, textiles, and accessories. Specific shapes and materials combine with calming earth tones specifically to create a cosy ambiance, enhanced with plants bringing a touch of outdoors indoors. Inspiration from nature in interior design are hallmarks of Scandinavian design and Japanese aesthetics. The Zencha bathroom collection from Duravit brings these two concepts into harmony. Designer Sebastian Herkner crafted the sanitary objects and bathroom furniture from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and textured glass. Whilst the modular storage furniture with its delicate edges and shadow gaps exudes a slightly more austere look, with the freestanding bathtub giving the impression of a large bowl that culminates in a graceful edge with a gentle outward curve.

organic shape of duravit white tulip range in bathroom with natural colours and wood surfaces

Image credit: Duravit

Duravit’s White Tulip bathroom collection features organic forms combined with furniture in natural solid wood surfaces and high-gloss or satin-matt lacquers to create harmony and softness in the interior. Designed by Philippe Starck, the forms of the sanitary objects, faucets, and furniture are reminiscent of the silhouette of a tulip in bloom.

Inspiration from nature is a trend that is here to stay in interior design. As a material, wood surfaces are appealing to the touch with aesthetic and tactile qualities that make it suited to a natural furnishing style like no other material. Wood is also an established feature of the bathroom. In D-Neo, Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly has created a complete bathroom range that offers no fuss vanity units and semi-tall cabinets in a range of oak and walnut furniture finishes.

bathroom with wooden furniture, plants, wood and woven mat with Duravit D-Neo

Image credit: Duravit

Increasing numbers of manufacturers now offer sanitary objects, and furniture smaller sizes so that bathrooms with compact measurements can easily be transformed into living spaces. Bathrooms in large cities are often only a few square meters in size. Mirrored cabinets, storage furniture, and washbasins with storage space also play their part in maintaining order in the bathroom. Free surfaces can accommodate eye-catching decorative pieces such as jewellery boxes, vases and bowls.

Thinking and acting in a sustainable manner has always been important at Duravit and as such it offers a range of bathroom solutions that consume less water than conventional ones or are made from sustainable materials. Sustano is the first ever recyclable shower tray to be marketed from the German manufacturer. Made from the sustainable mineral material DuroCast Nature, it not only has a high surface hardness and density, but the shower trays can either be returned to the manufacturer or a local recycling centre after the end of their useful life.

small shower space with plants and sustano recyclable shower tray

Image credit: Duravit

The minimalist Tulum faucet range by Philippe Starck saves energy and water because it is equipped with a FreshStart function. In the central position, this only produces cold water to start with. The flow rate limited by the MinusFlow function additionally helps save this precious resource. In parallel to its existing sustainable product range, Duravit has embedded the goal to be climate-neutral by 2045 in its company targets.

Tulum tap from Duravit

Image credit: Duravit

Since the pandemic more attention has been paid to hygiene, especially in the bathroom. Thorough cleanliness is ensured by easy-to-clean surfaces such as ceramics or DuroCast Nature. Toilets in the White Tulip range from Philippe Starck are equipped with the innovative HygieneFlush technology which cleans the entire inside of the toilet. The ceramic glaze HygieneGlaze ensures that approximately 90 percent of bacteria have been eliminated within six minutes, rising to approx. 99.9 percent after 24 hours. The Soleil by Starck bathroom series, toilet has a slightly protruding, delicate lid. This design feature means the lid is easily griped without touching the seat or ceramic.

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

Main image credit: Duravit

In conversation with: Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, CEO of Naumi Hotels

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In conversation with: Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, CEO of Naumi Hotels

Naumi Hotels is a family-owned business that has a refreshing approach to hospitality – the design and sustainability-led hotel group is giving the industry a serious shake-up with husband and wife duo Arshiya and Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala leading the way…

Having recently opened the doors on the seventh property in its portfolio, Naumi Wellington was quickly listed as one of New Zealand’s hottest new hotel openings. We caught up with Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, Naumi CEO to find out a little more about what it is that sets the brand apart in the competitive APAC hotel market.

Hotel Designs: Naumi is credited with developing ‘a whole new design’ of New Zealand hotels. Can you tell us what changes the brand has brought to the design table?

Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala: The design of every Naumi hotel is built behind a story of architectural and artistic concept brought to life by modern and cutting-edge design visions. Wherever our hotels are situated – whether that be New Zealand, Australia, Singapore or the UK, the vision of the property begins with its location, the history of the building and the surrounding community. The aspect that makes each hotel quintessentially Naumi is that it is anchored in the spirit of the location. Each property represents a definitive hospitality style fuelled by the desire to be whimsical, experiential, and innovative. An important factor of Naumi’s design process is breathing new life into an existing interesting property, rather than building from scratch – the essence of sustainable design: repurposing what is already there. Our most recent opening, Naumi Wellington, was originally one of many People’s Palace hotels that were built by the Salvation Army in the late 19th and early 20th century. It has been a delight repurposing the Edwardian-era building for the contemporary traveller. It is important for us to work with local designers and suppliers to support the local design and artistic community while creating an experience that is eclectic, bold, and colourful.

statement green arches with pink and yellow accents in the Parlour in Naumi Wellington

Image credit: Naumi Wellington

HD: Naumi talks about its take on modern luxury – what do you think are the new luxuries?

GJ: The Naumi guest is the epitome of modern luxury: those that prioritise high quality, well-designed spaces and features without paying above and beyond for them. Modern luxury is putting purpose and quality as the primary factors when making aesthetic and practical decisions. For example, it’s a given that all our hotels provide technology that a modern traveller is used to, like smart TV’s, USB cable points and easy access to fast Wi-Fi. It amazes me how often these tiny but significant details are missed in hotel rooms. I think the way dining experiences have changed reflect this too. Modern luxury is about being able to enjoy affordable world class cuisine that has been localised with fresh ingredients grown in the environs of a destination, innovative flavours, working with a close-knit community of growers and suppliers. Lola Rouge, our Wellington restaurant, and bar is an example of this. Our award-winning Executive Chef Kiran Ghate combines a stunning range of local ingredients, colour, flavour, and texture to reflect the Asian influences of Lola Rouge.

red walls and chairs in Lola rouge in Naumi Wellington

Image credit: Naumi

HD: Sustainability is a key issue in the hospitality industry and clearly one being addressed by Naumi – can you tell us a bit more about how this is being done in real terms?

GJ: People are at the centre of Naumi’s DNA, and we are supporting communities in the countries where we operate and where we’re from. Naumi’s goal is to help break the cycle of poverty in marginalised communities. We work on issues of food insecurity, hoping to provide children with an equal chance to a better childhood, where they can focus on their education and an increased quality of life. To date, we have partnered with KidsCan in New Zealand to provide 125 hot meals daily to children in low decile schools in New Zealand and we have supported the nutrition of 100,000 children in India and have fed 13,000 children from food insecure backgrounds in Singapore. In addition in Singapore, we have set up educational grant programs with institutions to provide financial support to women pursuing their undergraduate studies.

Through unique product placements in our hotel rooms,  we have supported  women with opportunities to up skill and create unique products for Naumi. One of the projects we are rolling out are our new lightweight bathrobes, made from waste sari offcuts by women in India. Previously, we have created our Hope Tote Bags that guests can use at all our hotels and then purchase, with 100 per cent of the profit going towards food insecure children. Working with marginalised women communities is fundamental to us. It helps us create products that are one of a kind while providing better opportunities for them.

It’s also important to say that sustainability is an ongoing process as we learn and strive to be better every year. Technology is continuously improving and that enables us to be increasingly sustainable and effective in how we operate. The key cards used in our hotels are now made of recycled wood and our amenity pouches are eco-friendly and biodegradable. One of the biggest challenges hotel groups face is land waste, to mitigate this we have eliminated all single use plastic at our hotels and restaurants. We are now also learning about and sourcing real solutions to keep land waste to a minimum. We must keep the momentum going to continuously strive to be better, which is key!

Blush pink mosaics, wood and gold surfaces in the Bar in Naumi Wellington

Image credit: Naumi

HD: With plans to expand into Europe, do you feel that the brand will need to make changes when moving into Europe – or is it more about introducing the Naumi hotel flavour to the European palette?

GJ: Our approach will be the same – find a building with an incredible history and design aspect and create a Naumi hotel for that place and space defined by its bold and colourful design. Working with local designers helps set the mood and tone to make sure that every project is different while maintaining the feel of a Naumi hotel.

HD: The design of every Naumi hotel is built on a story of architectural and artistic concept – how do you approach the design of a new property – do you use in-house designers, local designers etc?

GJ: For our New Zealand properties (two in Wellington, two in Queenstown and one in Auckland), we have worked with an incredible interior design firm called Material Creative, who are renowned for their unexpected design and for sourcing and working with local designers and creatives. We start with a seed of an idea that we take to Material Creative and then allow the brief to bloom and take form in collaboration. We plan to take this approach with all our properties. It’s been great working with up-and-coming Kiwi brands with our Naumi Wellington opening including Made of Tomorrow who have designed the bedroom’s unique bedside tables, coffee tables, and mirrors. One of my favourite artwork pieces is a sustainably designed kina, inspired by the spiky and plump sea urchin’s endemic to New Zealand, designed by local artist, Andi Regan, made from cable ties dyed in a multitude of colours. Collaboration with fellow designers allows real magic to happen and that’s what we’re about!

HD: Have there been any significant lessons learned during the journey and has the model changed or adapted with experience?

GJ: We were always clear that we never wanted to apply a cookie cutter approach to our hotels. Each Naumi has to be a unique and exciting experience. I always want each of the hotels to be different but with a shared DNA. Covid was a huge learning curve for us where we had to transition into various models. Some of our hotels were part of the isolation and quarantine facilities, and some had become long-term serviced apartments of sorts. I think one thing that I learned is fluidity in all of this. The model must serve the need of the hour and we need to be flexible and nimble to adjust to macro issues.

HD: Do you have a favourite property in your portfolio?

GJ: I think that is always my newest property because of the amount of work we all have poured into it, and it is great to see it in completion. From a sketch and concept to a final reality is very rewarding!

HD: Your dream destination for the Naumi vision?

GJ: I think there are so many cool interesting places where Naumi would be able to make a mark. I would be very interested to open hotels in Europe – Amsterdam, London, Manchester, Brussels. I am also looking at Dubai and Thailand as interesting markets. Watch this space…

HD: Finally, next steps – what’s in the Naumi pipeline?

GJ: As of now we are renovating Naumi Sydney and getting ready for its launch which I am looking forward to. It’s great for our guests to have properties in both Australia and New Zealand to stay in when they’re exploring the APAC region. We are on the lookout for new properties in Australia and New Zealand as well as newer markets.

Main image credit: Naumi

office and workspace designed by Quadrifoglio

Workspace Design Show: a closer look at the design talks

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Workspace Design Show: a closer look at the design talks

Returning to London’s Business Design Centre on February 27-28, the Workspace Design Show builds on the theme ‘Destination Workplace: Places Where People Want to Be’. Here is a little more about what to expect in the talks, interviews and discussions…

office and workspace designed by Quadrifoglio

To cover the ever-changing world of workplace strategy and design, there will be four different talks programmes running through the show: The Workspace Design Talks, Sustainability Works, The Occupiers Forum – The View from HQ and The Finishes & Interiors Sector Conference.

The Workspace Design Talks will feature the latest trends, challenges and success stories in workplace design and strategy from our country’s leading architects, designers, developers and occupiers from the likes of Gensler, MCM, KKS Savills, Foster + Partners, Squire & Partners, Grimshaw, Lloyds Banking and more. One of the panel discussions, ‘Finding common ground: when hospitality, workplace and residential design collide’ will be chaired by Hotel Designs’ editor Hamish Kilburn, featuring Conran & Partners, Squire & Partners, and Jacobs.

Spacestor design by Gensler

Image credit: Gensler

In a series of talks, interviews and discussions, the Sustainability Works programme will bring together a selection of key figures behind the workplace market’s leading sustainable initiatives, projects and product developments. Curated by Mick Jordan and the Works editorial team, the latest thought leadership on sustainable design will come from the likes of Perkins&Will, M Moser Associates, BDP, Scott Brownrigg, BDG and tp bennett.

Workspace Design Show will also be hosting the Occupiers Forum – ‘The view from HQ’, providing the audience with the chance to listen to the Occupiers’ perspectives on the future of workplaces in these fast changing times. Among the speakers from occupiers are HMRC, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Oracle, Standard Chartered, BT, CBRE and Unilever.

Gensler, the worldwide integrated architecture, design, planning, and consulting firm will be designing the show entrance, with the theme ‘Destination Workplace Rebirth’. It’s about fresh perspectives to enable new ways of working and create unique and tailored destinations for people, hence the overarching theme of rebirth.

International furniture specialist, The Furniture Practice will curate this year’s Design Talks Lounge in collaboration with multidisciplinary studio Acrylicize. The main stage space will bring together key pieces from leading furniture manufacturers, including Moroso, Andreu World, Arper, Fredericia and Vitra, alongside an immersive installation celebrating material innovation within furniture and interiors.

WDS has a brand new addition, ‘Change by Design’, lounge space concept for the Workspace Design Show, carefully curated by BDP. It is a discussion piece surrounding the current climate crisis, and questions the impact of workplace design on the natural environment. It represents a problem-solving approach that showcases the use of recycled, reused and bio materials in design projects helping to shape a low-carbon future.

design for exhibition bar at The Workspace Design Show 2023

Image credit: Workspace Design Show

The WDS Party returns this year on the evening of February 27, taking place on the show floor, featuring a stunning bar designed by M Moser Associates. The REVIVAL designed by M Moser will be a place to inspire, restore and recharge the show visitors throughout the day. The concept for this bar is inspired by their mission to reduce waste and repurpose discarded materials. The goal is to give these items a new lease of life and spark curiosity and conversation. The space which aims to take you from a state of flux to stasis.

Leading fabrics brand, Kvadrat will be running the mood board contest this year. This opportunity offers all show visitors the chance to come along, be creative, inventive and design outside the box. All entries will be judged by some of the industries most experienced creatives, with incredible prizes to be won.

Hotel Designs is proud to return in 2023 as an official media partner for Workspace Design Show. Editor Hamish Kilburn will be on the main stage on February 27 at 15:20 to moderate a discussion on when workspace hospitality and residential design collide.

Main image credit: Quadrifoglio

aerial view of new villa at Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort

Island luxe: Mykonos Grand reveals its new villa

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Island luxe: Mykonos Grand reveals its new villa

Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort, the sanctuary synonymous with Mykonian luxury, has announced its latest addition for guests seeking an ultimate retreat. We stepped inside the 945 square metre villa to have a sneak peek….

aerial view of new villa at Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort

The Mykonos Grand shelters 96 guestrooms and suites including luxurious suites with private pools and is now also home to an impressive private villa. The hotel worked in partnership with the award-winning team of interior designer, Maria Vafiadis, Founder of MKV Design, and landscape designer, Philip Jaffa, Founder of Scape Design, to create this unique residence where family gatherings or groups of friends can celebrate life and the joy of the natural world as they take in the extraordinary views over the Aegean Sea towards the sacred island of Delos, birthplace of the mythological god of light, Apollo.

white architecture and blue accessories look out over the sea at Mykonos Grand villa

Image credit: John Athimaritis

Indoors, the villa comprises four bedrooms, lounge, dining area and gym; above, there is a magnificent rooftop terrace where pool, lounging, dining and a choice of sitting areas combine to make another collection of outdoor rooms and al fresco experiences. The villa has its own arrival courtyard and car parking space. From here, guests progress into an inner courtyard that provides a wonderful, breeze free retreat, from where a staircase leads directly to the rooftop. Both courtyards are surrounded by punctured walls allowing dappled light to penetrate and the enchantment to begin.

“We wanted guests to truly experience the natural beauty of the Aegean Sea and the romance of the distant islands so creating a seamless link to the breathtaking scenery was paramount to our design approach,” said Philip Jaffa, Founder of Scape Design. “It’s very easy for a guest whilst relaxing on this roof space, to feel like they are living in a dreamscape, a haven dedicated to their own desires.”

white walls and blue cushions on built in seating in the central courtyard at Mykonos Grand Villa

Image credit: John Athimaritis

Upon entering the villa, guests are greeted by a striking work of art created by emerging Greek artist, Nano and by interiors that are pure and elegant. Architectural features reflect traditional Cycladic forms and the colour palette of white and numerous shades of blue belongs symbiotically with the island and its natural world. Curvaceous and elliptical shapes in the furniture, mirrors, wall tiles and accessories provide a contemporary take on the architectural language of Mykonos while timber elements add warmth.

blue and white tiles, blue walls, white curved furniture in the villa at Mykonos Grand

Image credit: John Athimaritis

The interiors reflect the design language of the progressive refurbishments undertaken across the resort in recent years but elevate and add to these with personal touches by the designers, including a curated collection of accessories which emphasises the residential feel of the villa.

Since the rest of the hotel accommodation sits behind the villa, residents of the villa have virtually uninterrupted views from their guestrooms offering an intimate and privileged connection with the Aegean Sea. There is a master bedroom, complete with a built-in sunken bathtub from where guests can indulge in romantic contemplation of sea and sunlight, and three further ensuite bedrooms, two of which feature a walk-in steam cabin. Each guestroom is similarly designed with little superficial adornment, instead allowing nature to create the magic as shafts of sunlight play on the walls and sheer curtains wave in the breeze.

round bath with a sea view in the private villa at Mykonos Grand

Image credit: John Athimaritis

The open plan living area, which flows from kitchen to dining area and finally the lounge, spills onto the verandah. When night-time falls, the living area can be closed down into a cosy space where contemporary task and feature lighting takes over, complemented by lanterns and the flames of a fire. Dionyssos Greek marble, polished plaster and a natural chalk-like paint were used throughout.

white bedroom interior with curved furniture, lighting and ensuite in the private villa

Image credit: John Athimaritis

“The design of the villa is about a symbiosis of indoor and outdoor living,” said Maria Vafiadis, Founder MKV Design. “It is a celebration of the unique location both in terms of views and our reinterpretation of traditional Cycladic architecture. Throughout the design there is a crisp contrast between white and blue, and a continuous play of organic shapes with linear geometric forms.”

sunset from the bedroom looking out over the sea

Image credit: John Athimaritis

The experience of the rooftop is almost a world unto itself where different levels offer retreat from, or exposure to, the natural world. Guests enter into a stylishly furnished sitting and dining area under the shade of a white pergola sufficient to make even the hottest afternoon enjoyable. From here, steps lead to the 45 square metre heated pool and an infinity edge water channel that navigates the far end of the terrace, seamlessly connecting guests to the sea and the far horizon. In the centre of the terrace and looking directly out to sea, large loungers provide a tranquil place to sunbathe during the day. The west of the terrace is a very special place to be for picture-perfect views of the setting sun, relaxing on lounge seating as the flickering flames of a sunken firepit add drama against the darkening skies.

Since the villa sits within the resort, villa guests have access to all the resort’s facilities, including the award-winning Althea Spa Retreat, concierge services, a private chef and the safety provided by the resort’s security team.

Main image credit: John Athimaritis

The Line Saudi Arabia Hotel Designs

12 studios ‘named’ as architects on The Line in Saudi Arabia

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12 studios ‘named’ as architects on The Line in Saudi Arabia

According to multiple sources, 12 studios have been named as working on the controversial project, The Line, in Saudi Arabia. Here’s what we know… 

The Line Saudi Arabia Hotel Designs

Ever since we first dropped the news of a futuristic 106-mile, mirrored metropolis to emerge in Saudi Arabia, named The Line, the demand to know more among the design and architecture community has been off the scale. Lines have been drawn over how ethical and sustainable the ambitious – some would argue controversial – engineering and architectural project will be. Questions have been raised over the oil-rich country’s track record with human rights and many are wondering how the development can be sustainable given the size of the build – roughly the size of Belgium –  and the materials required for the project.

Since drone footage was revealed on social media, though, any trepidation as to whether The Line was just another make-belief concept was wiped away. From what we can see, construction has started and it looks like progress is being made on the project that is due for completion in 2030. And now, making the project even more real, the architecture studios involved have apparently been named.

Garden in The Line by Neom

Image credit: Neom

Developed by Neom, The Line’s mirrored-wall city will cost a reported $500 Billion to design, and it will create 380,000 jobs. While on the outside The Line will reflect dessert landscape, inside the urban city is expected to contain residential, hospitality, and leisure spaces as well as vertical gardens and educational buildings. Each building will be stacked and layered in an arranged that the visionaries behind its concept are calling ‘Zero Gravity Urbanism’.

Within the space of just 200 metres, the city in-between two perfectly parallel mirrored walls, is said to house nine million people. The structure, reaching 500 metres tall and stretching more than 106 miles, if built, will become the 12th tallest – and by far the longest – building in the world. So who will be responsible for designing it?

 

Neom The Line render

Image credit: Neom

According to Architects’ Journal and later Dezeen, the 12 architecture studios are working on the project include Adjaye Associates, Morphosis, Studio Fuksas and Coop Himmelb(l)au, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, Tom Wiscombe Architecture, Oyler Wu Collaborative, HOK, CHAP, Delugan Meissl Associated Architects and UNStudio.

It is unclear, at present, which studio will be responsible for what. And given that all are refusing to comment, this information is going to, if ever, be revealed at later stages of the build. For now, the design and architecture community continue to question the development’s social impact on Saudi Arabia and its people, while also being intrigued, dare we say inspired, by the forward-thinking approach from Neom.

Main image credit: Neom

Isla-Brown Chania- lobby with open ceiling design detail

Brown Hotels unveils the new design-centric Isla Brown Chania

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Brown Hotels unveils the new design-centric Isla Brown Chania

Brown Hotels has announced the opening of a second property under its new line of Isla Brown luxury design resorts. Set to open in May, the group continues to expand its five-star offering with the arrival of Isla Brown Chania…

Isla-Brown Chania- lobby with open ceiling design detail

Located on the coastline of northern Crete featuring panoramic views that sweep across the Mediterranean Sea, Isla Brown Chania is set to invigorate the Cretan hospitality scene with its contemporary design aesthetic, elevated F&B concepts and state-of-the-art facilities, as the international hotel group continues to develop its portfolio of luxury resorts. A brand known for its quirky, design-driven boutique urban properties, Brown Hotels’ expanded into beach-side resorts in 2022 with the opening of Isla Brown Corinthia, a 166-room five-star resort on Greece’s Saronic Gulf, swiftly followed by the launch of two additional four-star resorts on Evia island: Brown Beach Eretria and Brown Beach Chalkida.

the lobby at Isla Brown Chania in natural colours with view through to the sea

Image credit: Brown Hotels

Isla Brown Chania’s design presents a clean and organic concept harmoniously reflecting the vast nature that surrounds it. Designed by Greek architectural firm Liakos Associates Architects, the new resort champions the use of natural materials with a refined interior decorated in earthy, neutral tones. The property features 148 spacious guestrooms and suites, unique restaurant concepts, an outdoor bar and lounge area, three swimming pools and a spa and wellness centre.

Isla Brown Chania guestroom with green sofa and wooden surfaces

Image credit: Brown Hotels

“At Brown Hotels, we’re passionate about hospitality in all its aspects and the stories behind each and every one of our 50 hotels from the high-spirited, urban hotels, to sophisticated design resorts,” said Leon Avigad, Founder of Brown Hotels. “Isla Brown Chania will continue to raise the standards for the Crete hospitality scene with its stylish and luxurious design, led by the famous Liakos Associates Architects, complete with all the signature Brown Hotels’ experiences.”

Maximising the use of natural materials, the guestrooms have an organic aesthetic of earthy tones, decorated in cream, taupe and brown shades, with plush green velvet and marble furnishings, natural wood fixtures and upscale gold accents. Following suit, the main areas of the hotel are decorated in the same warm, earthy tones, with natural wood fixtures and furnishings and deluxe gold detailing. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow for streams of natural light to illuminate the space, whilst connecting the inside with the out, drawing the eye across the Mediterranean Sea.

the outside bar at Isla Brown Chania with wooden furniture and natural decor

Image credit: Brown Hotels

The property shelters two guestroom types and four suite varieties to suit the needs of every traveller. Guests will be able to choose from a ‘Deluxe Garden’ or ‘Deluxe Sea’ guestroom view, or opt for one of the more spacious suites, including a ‘Junior Family’ suite, ‘Deluxe Garden View’ suite with shared pool, ‘Grand Suite’ with private pool, or ‘Honeymoon Suite’ with private splash pool. All rooms and suites at Isla Brown Chania will feature balconies, and will be equipped with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, flat HD TVs, bathrobes, slippers and luxury bathroom amenities.

outdoor bar and lounge leading down to the sea at Isla Brown Chania

Image credit: Brown Hotels

Utilising its prime location, Isla Brown Chania will boast an impressive outdoor terrace that meets the water’s edge, with a swimming pool, lounge area, and spacious bar. Gastronomy promises to be a highlight at the hotel, with the resort offering three unique restaurant concepts for an exemplary dining experience. Guests will be presented with an a la carte menu and the famous Brown Hotels breakfast buffet, a main restaurant serving contemporary, fresh dishes, in addition to a more traditional style taverna offering Greek culinary classics.

The wellness centre at Isla Brown Chania will invite guests to step into a sanctuary of calm and enjoy a selection of quality spa treatments, whilst making use of its hammam, sauna and on-site gym. In 2024, Isla Brown Chania will add an additional 30 suites with private splash pools as the resort continues to enhance its offering.

Main image credit: Brown Hotels

Jeremy Grove walking between two buildings

In conversation with: Jeremy Grove on sustainability beyond the buzzword

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In conversation with: Jeremy Grove on sustainability beyond the buzzword

CUBE recently released its original documentary, Sustainability: A Broken Record, exploring sustainability within architecture, manufacturing and design. Following the release, we sat down with Jeremy Grove, Managing Director and Head of Design at Sibley Grove to dive deeper into this topic and learn how we can move forwards from the broken record that we’re stuck on right now…

Jeremy Grove walking between two buildings

The documentary explores how we manage the relationship between people and our planet, unearths the secrets for a more substantial impact and discovers how powerful decisions can move us forward towards a nourishing future. In his role as Head of Design at Sibley Grove, Jeremy Grove is a driving force behind the company ethos that architects and interior designers can and should be vehicles for positive change. Having articulated this position clearly through the making of the documentary, we continued the conversation.

Jeremy Grove and Kate Sibley partners at Sibley Grove design studio

Image credit: CUBE

Hotel Designs: Sustainability is a real buzzword across the industry and being sustainable has arguably become a ‘trend’. What are the challenges that come as a result of that?

Jeremy Grove: I’d say that sustainability has been a buzzword, and it was a trend. I feel as though it’s already moved on and become less relevant, partly because today, people associate it with greenwash and guilt.

We’ve transitioned to an environment where we’re talking about waste, carbon, circularity, and issues such as resource depletion and biodiversity.

These are far more valuable to talk about as they’re measurable and actionable, but they’re just as at danger of becoming trends and that’s definitely an issue. Trends are transient and for these situations, we need permanent solutions.

HD: In the documentary, you describe us living in a world built on consumerism and waste, without truly understanding the consequences of our actions. How do we tackle that problem and create solutions that work?

JG: The first step is acknowledging that we have a system in place which, essentially, is about generating wealth through generating waste.

A lot of designers design products today with disregard for the future. The solutions lie in circular design practices, design for disassembly and refurbishment, and taking greater responsibility for how we source our products and materials.

From a design point of view, it’s about knowing a lot about a little and becoming specialists, rather than knowing a little about a lot.

Jeremy Grove looking at sustainable materials

Image credit: CUBE

HD: You talk about sustainability being misleading, with products often being marketed as being sustainable, while using materials that cannot be recycled and which must then be sent to landfill. How can consumers be aware of this when making buying decisions?

JG: Often, it’s just greenwash – plain and simple. But a lot of the time, it is good intentions executed poorly, or a general lack of understanding. Until you’ve tried something, you don’t really know if it works.

Part of this is understanding more about materials. We talk about hybrid materials, which is where two materials that are of good quality and are fully recyclable are combined to form a hybrid, which is then unrecyclable. Those are the products where I understand the intention. It’s a good try, but really, we need to do better.

The good products lie in closed-loop cycles. In the documentary, we use the example of a tile which is infinitely recyclable. The factory generates zero waste and these tiles will be recycled and made back into tiles; breaking the cycle of landfill.

HD: You refer to sustainability as being ‘less bad’. What does that mean, and how can we strive to be less bad?

JG: Historically, sustainability has been about limiting impact; reducing waste, reducing carbon, buying less and driving less. The problem with that is when you have a global economy built on linear consumption, you’re dealing with a fundamentally flawed system. All you can really be in that model is ‘less bad’.

We need to be using materials appropriately, sourcing them from the right places, and not constantly digging up materials, using them and then burying them again.

Michael Braungart talks about transitioning to a way of thinking that is focused on positive impact. That means keeping valuable materials in use, creating healthy spaces, eradicating exploited labour markets, supporting forestry schemes and avoiding trends.

HD: How important is it that, as businesses, we’re taking responsibility, looking at ourselves, and allowing others to critique what we’re doing?

JG: I think it’s integral. To solve problems, we have to focus on process.

A large part of our work is shifting mentality away from solution-driven design and towards process-led design. You don’t start with a solution and tinker at the edges. You start from, ‘what am I trying to achieve?’, ‘what does that look like?’, ‘what are the appropriate materials?’.

It’s important to accept critique and act on it, but also to actively challenge things when you know they’re not right. These problems can only be solved collaboratively, and we’ve got to be aligned along the way.

HD: You talk about growing up on a farm, not having a lot of money and having to be resourceful. How has that inspired your work?

JG: As a profession, farming has to react and respond to nature. Nature dictates whether you have a good year or a bad year, but a lot of professions operate outside of that. They either fight against nature or they deny its existence.

This creates a culture of consumption with a lack of awareness of the consequences. That’s a big inspiration for how we approach design, and consider our impact on things like deforestation and climate change.

In regards to income, anyone who has experienced periods with less money, or who has felt that not everything is attainable, can use that as a positive influence and to know what their motivations are.

When we’re designing Five-star hotels, we consider how we make it accessible to everyone, and how we ensure it’s inclusive. When we’re creating spaces, everyone’s experience should be fantastic. It’s easy to lose sight of your background, but it’s very valuable to refer back to.

turntable with record from CUBE documentary Sustainability: A Broken Record

Image credit: CUBE

HD: How do we move forwards from the broken record that we’re stuck on right now?

JG:I think we have to release the shackles of sustainability and move on. Sustainability, as a term, has served its purpose and has got us to where we are now, but it’s a catch-all word.

We need to focus on measurable outcomes, positive impact and something which I touched on in the documentary, the idea of holistic beauty; redefining what we think of as aesthetic.

Something which is made using exploited labour isn’t beautiful, and something which damages the environment isn’t beautiful. I think the younger generations are far more mindful of that.

HD: What has the response been to the documentary?

JG: Much of the response has been around how the documentary focuses on positive messages.

I often see frustration from people who want to make an impact and want to do things better. Designers, especially, feel as though the systems and structures they work with are the opposite of where they want to be, but they have no power to influence that.

People can now see small steps that they can take to get their own house in order. They’re watching the documentary and thinking, ‘what can I do?’, but also, ‘how can I benefit from supporting and collaborating with other people?’.

The documentary is very solution-based and I think that’s so important. It’s easy to spot problems and be cynical, but it’s far harder to see solutions.

Main image credit: CUBE

KEUCO IXMO Sensor touchless taps and brown basin

Product watch: touchless taps from KEUCO

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Product watch: touchless taps from KEUCO

Combining technology with stylish design, KEUCO has developed the IXMO Sensor series of touchless taps in response to increasing concerns about both hygiene and sustainability…

KEUCO IXMO Sensor touchless taps and brown basin

The design of the IXMO Sensor series of touchless taps by KEUCO includes a number of additional benefits that ensure the product is easy to clean and with a reduced flow rate, making it more sustainable. Flow rate is set at 5 l/p/m but is adjustable, with a flow time of one second to a maximum of ten seconds until switch-off, enabling economical and resource-saving water consumption. The water temperature is adjusted via a small lever on the back of the free-standing fitting model. If permanent temperature control is not desired, especially in public areas, the adjustment pin can be removed after the initial setting and a special blanking plug fitted to cover the access. For the wall-mounted fitting, the temperature is adjusted in the under-sink box, under the washbasin.

KEUCO IXMO Sensor touchless tap

Image credit: KEUCO

The IXMO Sensor taps are extremely versatile and can be combined with a wide range of washbasin styles. They are available in chrome plated or matt black, as either a freestanding or wall mounted variant. They have dual feed fittings but suitable for use as single feed with blended water delivered from a TMV.

The taps have a ‘cleaning stop’ function, by covering the sensor for several seconds it prevents the tap from flowing for 180s enabling the product and surrounding basin, mirror, other surface areas to be cleaned effectively. All the mixers have a range of programmable functionality including cleaning stop, automatic flushing, adjustable detection zone and adjustable run-on time following use. The functions can be set manually or via an app. when fitted in combination with the IXMO Bluetooth receiver. this is optional and is only possible to install with the mains powered fittings.

Both the surface and wall mounted options can be mains powered, but the free-standing option is the only model which can be supplied as both battery or mains powered. The battery is a 6V CRP2 lithium-ion type which has an approx. lifespan of 3 years or 200,000 uses. The battery housing is to be fixed to the wall underneath the basin and is easy to source and replace. This combination of intelligent technology and elegant design make these taps perfect for a variety of locations within the hospitality, hotel and even health care sector.

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

Main image credit: KEUCO

panoramic view across the fjords from The Bolder Cabin Norway

Cabin fever at The Bolder – luxury cabins hovering over the fjords

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Cabin fever at The Bolder – luxury cabins hovering over the fjords

The Bolder has become one of Norway’s most remarkable places to stay and the three new cabins designed by architect firm Snøhetta are now ready to offer guests an experience of nature that is far beyond the ordinary…

panoramic view across the fjords from The Bolder Cabin Norway

The moment you open the door to the lodge, the eye is drawn to the enormous panoramic window looking out towards the Lysefjord – like a landscape taken straight out of a painting. The high ceilings blur the boundaries between the lodge and the sky and with only air below, the cabin and its guests are literally hovering high above the fjord. The view from The Bolder Starlodge is picture perfect and the bolder just got even bolder.

aerial view of The Bolder cabins perched over the snowy fjords of Norway

Image credit: The Bolder

The first two lodges, called The Bolder Skylodge, have been a massive success. What developed from the slightly wild brainchild of printer and founder Tom B. Norland soon became known as one of the most remarkable places to stay in Norway. The meeting between unique architecture and nature was the starting point for further developing the project of The Bolder.

“The new Starlodges build on the experience we gained from the first two lodges we built,” said Norland. “They are 40 per cent larger, have an even higher standard, and are more at one with nature in terms of their location and the choice of materials.”

white bed linen in bedroom space in The Bolder surrounded by glass windows looking out over the fjord

Image credit: The Bolder

The eye for detail, quality and nature is what inspired the Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta to take on The Bolder project. Creativity, and a shared interest in and respect for the nature, meant the collaboration quickly came to fruition.

‘It’s not often we get to work on projects on such a small scale as this one, but it’s been a very important and exciting project for us,” said Frank Denis Foray, Project Manager at Snøhetta for The Bolder Starlodge. “It’s been challenging, but in a positive way. We normally try to find clients who have a vision and leave room for the creative process. What excited us about this project was the commitment to quality, luxury, and the desire to create something in harmony with nature.”

chairs and wooden dining table set overlooking the fjords through floor to ceiling glass windows in The bolder

Image credit: The Bolder

The cabins work with rather than against nature, leaving almost no footprint. The architects at Snøhetta rented a motorhome for several days in order to really get a sense of the place and devise a project that respects the landscape and shows consideration for mother nature.

‘We saw a unique possibility with the network of paths and the landscape and wanted to make the smallest possible footprint in what we did and we had to remain mindful of this throughout the process,” continued Foray. “The idea was to convey a sense of buildings standing free in the nature and for guests to feel alone in nature. At the same time, we wanted to use elements from the landscape in the design and let the mountain blend into the foundations and the rough style of the timber.”

The foundation on which the cabins ‘float’ uses rock from the granite mountain on which it rests. The timber is from the same type of trees that surround the lodges, and the choice of interior materials creates a sense of being sheltered, that shows respect for the landscape in which the lodges are situated. The lodges are lofty and the light creates a unique sense of space.

The details of the furniture and the interior of The Bolder Starlodge is equally something out of the ordinary, with meticulous quality in every last detail. Everything has been carefully considered, from the choice of kitchen knives to the type of wood used for the furniture. The interior has been mindfully curated with brands that include Vipp, Expo Nova and Eikund. When you sit in the chair on the first floor and rest your legs on the small pouffe, you feel like you never want to get up again. The unique comfort combined with the atmosphere in the room is designed to let your mind wander.

Misty landscapes from the comfort of the designer chair in The bolder

Image credit: The Bolder / Elin Engelsvoll

“The intention behind the lodges is to allow guests to also enjoy the beautiful nature around the lodges, ” said Foray. “What’s important is that the experience lasts for twenty-four hours, that it’s a place where you can enjoy high standards while living in and with nature. That’s the feeling we were going for and which I hope we’ve achieved.”

When the founder and designers at Snøhetta describe the lodges as being ‘in harmony with nature’, it doesn’t just mean that the buildings have a unique connection to the landscape, that the choice of materials is well considered, or that the buildings leave a minimal footprint in the landscape. Staying a night or two in the small lodges promises a rare experience of nature, and the opportunity to experience Norwegian fjord landscapes in a whole new way.

Main image credit: The Bolder