Industry insight: 4 reasons why hotels need more mirrors
Looking beyond pure aesthetics, Mirror Mania explores why all hotels of all styles and sizes need more reflective surfaces…
As interior styles change and evolve, there are few interior features that stand the test of time like mirrors. Sure, the frames may change – but what never ceases is our love affair with the looking glass.
There is something captivating about mirrors. Bespoke mirrors in particular have that certain charm. A mirror that is designed for a specific space cannot fail to impress. But in case you need persuading, here are 4 reasons why your hotel or hospitality setting needs to make more use of mirrors.
All eyes on you
Let’s not forget how effective mirrors are at improving your ability to see all around an area. Mirrors reflecting busier areas, in receptions or hallways, can make it easier for crime detection – especially in areas where security cameras can’t cover. If you do have a physical security presence, they’ll be able to use mirrors to improve surveillance.
Image credit: Mirror Mania
You look fabulous
Let’s face it: our always-on culture (cameras, that is) means we always want to look our best. That means being able to check our reflection several times before we go out – in the room, hotel bar and before we head out of the door.
To make a lasting impression, shine
We can’t help but associate a beautiful mirror with opulence. To leave a lasting impression on our guests, we need to do exactly that – impress them. A bright mirror draws us in while amplifying the atmosphere of the room. A cosy snug, slick living room or minimalist bathroom – any space can be illuminated with the right mirror.
Light + spacious = clean
Image credit: Mirror Mania
Light, spacious areas naturally feel cleaner. A well-placed mirror can go a long way to opening up a room, without risking the vast feel of an empty space. Reflections can be used to accentuate features, adding more grandeur to a reception area by reflecting ornamental pieces or even fresh flowers.
You may be looking around your space now and wondering how you can incorporate a mirror into the layout, or design. Integrating a mirror into the perfect surroundings isn’t always easy – so let the specialists at Mirror Mania do it for you!
In addition to our stock of beautiful mirrors, we can also handcraft mirrors and glass to your specific specifications. Made in our British workshop, our glass craft is shipped all over the world. We are proud to adorn the walls of some incredibly luxurious homes and hotels. Let us brighten up your space too.
Mirror Mania is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Lighting & furniture: raw materials in extraordinary essentials
Buster + Punch’s love for working with rare, solid metals in lighting and furniture has led the brand to transform everyday functional fittings into extraordinary essentials…
From the light bulb, the dimmer switch and the pendant lamp, to the door handle and the cupboard knob, Buster + Punch has created an innovative collection of unexpected design details.
All of its hardware, lighting and accessories are made from solid metal and feature a signature diamond cut knurling. This ensures all our products can be paired within the space, creating a visual, and unified design throughout any space.
The lighting ranges are designed to work in harmony to create a smooth transition between spaces.
Image credit: CAGED by Buster + Punch
Image credit: Buster + Punch
CAGED lighting takes a simple design and transforms it into a series of extraordinary building blocks. This light can be mounted as a wall or ceiling light and can work on its own in various rooms and spaces or in a linear procession for maximum impact, such as adding caged lights in a hotel hallway.
This all-time favourite classic Heavy Metal light features a single light pendant made from 450g solid metal and finished with a matt black rubber cord. A light that adds a refined touch in any room. Accent a single Heavy Metal light over a coffee table in a hotel room, or several Heavy Metal lights over a lounge.
Buster + Punch introduced the world to the beauty of cross-knurling and changed the way people felt about their forgotten home fittings. And in 2020 Buster + Punch launched LINEAR – a range of elegant, small-scale, cabinet handles inspired by fashion accessory hardware.
Image credit: Buster + Punch
Image credit: Buster + Punch
Diamond-milled from rare solid metals, the range features our new signature linear knurl pattern and machined torx screws. LINEAR features new products such as the L-Bar and Precious Bar, and new finishes Gun Metal and Burnt Steel. The hardware range can be fitted to a bedside table for a unique finish, on a dresser, or even a bathroom vanity.
Buster + Punch also launched a new door stop range featuring wall-mounted and floor-mounted door stops. The perfect final detail when entering and exiting a room. The signature diamond knurling can also be found, and comes in a range of finishes- brass, steel, smoked bronze, and brass.
Buster + Punch is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
This article was going to be about “ensuring Hotels are COVID -19 safe”, but considering the move away from short-term fixes and natural progression to understanding long-term solutions post-pandemic, we have decided to look at design in public areas.
Since lockdown, Stylo Graphics had been re-engineering itself to meet the phenomenal demand for acrylic ‘sneeze’ screens, floor vinyls and posters, hand sanitisation stations and chair or table covers; announcing ‘don’t sit here’. We implored brands, retailers, companies and hotels to try and be creative. Nobody wants this stuff, but if you’ve got to have it at least make it engaging, informative of course, and maybe even fun.
You see, Stylo know a bit about injecting a brand’s personality into a public space. It goes far beyond ensuring your logo font and colour are consistent with your corporate identity. And while in hotels great effort goes into ensuring the rooms and guest experience are given that premium feel, this doesn’t always apply to the public areas. We pondered this and concluded the spaces where people eat or wait are deemed as ‘functional’. Hotels rarely enjoy a reputation as ‘the place to go for that great dining experience’ and lounges or reception areas? Not much attention to detail required here as most visitors or guests will be absorbed in their iphones, laptops or other personal devices. So after all, you only need to deliver a decent meal and decent Wi-fi and you’re sorted right?
Wrong. Those are the basics. What experience are you creating to overlay these basics and compel people to return? What gives that unique feel, or home from home and though this may sound understated, how often do you hear ‘wow, this is nice’
Okay, so what’s all this got to do with a company that’s forged its reputation in print and graphics? True, Stylo is at the end of the creative process. The interior designers and architects weave their magic and challenged us to bring their ideas to life. We’re the guys that take (3D CAD) ideas in theory and make them work in practice. That might be a unique ‘statement art’ piece created by our giant 3D printer (appropriately named Massivit), hand crafted artworks with an artisan feel, yet mass produced. Or a textured, tactile, relief printed wallpaper.
We assist the design process by providing mood boards which can reflect yet still deliver on a modest budget. We call it ‘good, better, best’ allowing a choice of print and fabricated materials and products for those ‘money’s tight’ to ‘allow yourself to dream’ budget conversations with clients.
We also understand the design process and help by ensuring our products are available in 3D cad to enable to be easily added to the interior designers digital walk through experience. And finally there’s no substitute to building a mock environment and getting potential customers into the environment to judge via a focus group what works. And what doesn’t.
Synonymous with the interior designer’s choice of furniture, fabrics, floor covering, table height, seat depth, layout and lighting, graphics, wall covering and wall art are as essential to delivering your brand personality. Difficult to create, easy to lose.
3D print to create unique ‘statement art’ pieces for foyer or lounge:
Image credit: Stylo Graphics
Use of great photography where a subject is picked out in raised and textured print and raised print on natural materials:
Image credit: Stylo Graphics
Image credit: Stylo Graphics
‘Good, better, best’ solution. Choosing between print or faux plants on living walls, embracing the linear effect of 3D print in statement art pieces and bringing in the playful to create an experience:
Image credit: Stylo Graphics
From design to 3D cad to render to reality:
Image credit: Stylo Graphics
To find out more information about Stylo Graphics, and how the company can help to transform/adapt your public areas, check out the website.
Product watch: Focus’ sculptural fireplaces with eco credentials
The French manufacturer’s state-of-the-art, energy efficient fires are making eco-friendly specification easy for architects and interior designers. Hotel Designs explores…
With building regulations changing in 2022, Focus’s Ecodesign Ready label aims to help specifiers make eco-responsible choices when selecting fireplaces.
Ecodesign is the European Union’s programme for lowering emissions across Europe. It is due to be implemented on 1 January 2022 for wood burning and multi-fuel stoves. The characteristics that make fires and stoves Ecodesign Ready are:
A reduction of particulate emissions.
A reduction of unburned gases.
A reduction of energy consumption.
An increase in energy efficiency.
Control using measurement methods recognised by the EU.
Image credit: Focus
Around 60 per cent of Focus sales are outside France and the company has adapted to the most stringent requirements to remain competitive in the US, Russia, Europe and other countries.
Focus has recently designed the Slimfocus, a DEFRA-approved fire ideal for urban areas where there are restrictions on wood burning fires and stoves. The Slimfocus features a cylinder of flames with a hearth either suspended (in which case it can pivot) or supported by a base and fixed in place. Its streamlined shape takes up little space, whether positioned centrally in a room, near a wall or in a corner. Its fluid lines make it one of Focus’s most stylistically revolutionary fireplaces.
Image credit: Focus
The company has built its reputation on research and development and now includes 17 gas models in its catalogue. Focus gas fires emulate flames and the play of a real wood fire to an authentic degree while eliminating its disadvantages. All the gas fires in the Focus range are equipped with a CE-certified gas burner that can operate with either natural gas or propane. The state-of-the-art combustion system in Focus gas fires guarantees ease of use and high performance.
The merging of interior and exterior schemes has resulted in many leading models being adapted for outdoor use, with the pivoting, suspended Gyrofocus, Ergofocus and Emifocus recently joining this stable, with an anti-corrosion coating and a resistant black paint or rust finish that develops a patina over time.
Image credit: Focus
Image credit: Focus
Gas fires are equipped with a remote control and are easily adjustable and simple to use, while the wood fires with a thermal efficiency of 70 per cent or more are an excellent way to use renewable energies. Focus has an augmented reality app so that clients can visualise a Focus fireplace in their own home.
Focus fireplaces are available in more than 70 countries and there are 70 models to choose from. Their distinctive designs are matched only by their technology and energy efficiency.
International hotel groups, students, architects and designers are collaborating to create concept guestrooms of the future, which will be unveiled at Sleep & Eat 2020…
Sleep & Eat, which recently announced the plans around this year’s virtual event, has unveiled the hotel brand partners that will be working with award-winning architecture and design firms in the creation of this year’s ‘guestroom sets’.
The designers and Hotel Brand Partners have been tasked with not only showcasing the best of innovative hotel design today but also, in this 15th anniversary year of the event, giving us a glimpse into what to expect from our hotel guestrooms over the next 15 years. Each Hotel Brand Partner has selected one of its brands for this forward-looking adventure into design innovation: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts – Wyndham; IHG – Voco; and Accor – Mővenpick Hotels & Resorts.
Since this year Sleep & Eat will be a virtual event, the design projects will culminate in simulated digital walk-throughs allowing visitors to explore the concept in detail, navigate around the room and enjoy an interactive three-dimensional experience.
For the hotel groups, this is a unique opportunity to work with design firms that are new to them and to imagine the future for their brands.
“This year’s theme captured our imagination and enticed us to participate in Sleep & Eat 2020,” explained Chris Lee, Director of Architecture, Design & Construction for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “We have been given the opportunity to approach guestroom design with a truly open mind and to bring our vision to life. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to work with our extended team including the inspiring designer Paul Nicholson at Chalk Architecture; Katie Brinsmead-Stockham for Hotel Hussy; and Professor Layton Reid and his students at the University of West London.”
Emma King, Head of Design at IHG, said: “We have built many concept rooms in the past but this is different – the opportunity to conceptualise a room so far into the future,” she said. “Sleep & Eat is a great chance to showcase new design and we’re really pleased to be working with AD Associates on this.”
Accor’s Vice President design for Lux and Premium brands, Federico Toresi, added: “This is a great opportunity for Accor to continue imagining the future of hospitality through design. Today, more than ever before, it is vital to create hotels that are aligned with expectations of our guests whilst fully reflecting brands’ ambitions and their promise.”
Ever since their introduction, the Sets in all their iterations have proved a perennial favourite among visitors as a thought-provoking take on the hotel experience, cultural values and human desires. They have also been a rare opportunity for architects and designers to explore conceptual thought and interrogate societal and environmental issues.
Neil Andrew, Head of Hospitality at Perkins and Will, says: “For us, innovative sustainable design is pivotal to our industry, now more than ever, so our Set will be exploring the role the sector can play in meeting the environmental targets we so urgently need to reach.”
Jonny Sin, Director of ReardonSmith Architects, echoed this sentiment: “We are living through a time of re-calibration when some existing trends will accelerate and others will be re-thought. This makes it particularly meaningful to be working with students who will be the managers and owners, as well as influential guests, of hotels in 15 years’ time.”
Katharine Le Quesne, MD of HoCoSo, added: “Engagement with tomorrow’s stakeholders has been key. Based on our relationships, we handpicked a team of students from two of the best hospitality schools in Europe, to inspire the creative process.”
The four guestroom Sets will be joined by immersive wining and dining experiences as well as by a virtual lounge bar and hotel lobby, and the new on-line platform will enable all event participants and registered attendees around the globe to pre-arrange meetings at the event.
Sleep & Eat Virtual will take place on 17-19 November. For more information and to register, visit the website.
Hotel bathroom furniture solutions from Ambiance Bain
Ambiance Bain has been developing innovative bathroom furniture and shower spaces for more than 60 years. The company understands that bathroom furniture for the hotel sector needs to be robust, functional and stunning…
Bathroom brand Ambiance Bain has worked with leading designers to develop a range of bathroom furniture specially created to provide the functionality required by the hotel sector, with no compromise on style and quality.
The high volume of continual use in hotel bathrooms lends itself to requiring a durable washbasin and worktop whilst allowing a practical space to store extra towels and toiletries.
With a wide range of sizes and a choice of ceramic or SMO™ vanity basin worktop, you can be sure there is an option for every hotel shape, style and affordability required.
Whilst the ceramic basin offers a slightly more competitive solution, the SMO™ basin worktop, complete with up-stand to protect the wall from splashes, allows much more flexibility in design with a choice of matching shower trays and wall panels to add a touch of luxury.
Image credit: Ambiance Bain
Image credit: Ambiance Bain
SMO™ is an exclusive material particularly suitable for hotel spaces. Moulded from a single piece, the products are completely seamless making them easy to clean and maintain, which is particularly key with hygiene and deep cleaning of great importance to everyone at the moment.
It is also possible to repair SMO™ products using our repair kit should they become damaged, ensuring the longevity of the facilities.
The innovative hotel vanity units have an open shelving feature combining high storage capacity with ease of maintenance and all units are delivered fully assembled ready to install.
Available in a range of colours to suit your style, Ambiance Bain hotel bathroom furniture together with our shower spaces offers the ideal solution to every style and design.
Ambiance Bain is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Feature: a new era of luxury hospitality has begun
To coincide with the opening of Birch, which has been described as a ‘next-generation escape’ hotel just outside London, editor Hamish Kilburn considers how Covid-19 has challenged the luxury hotel market by hearing from international architecture and interior design firm Red Deer on the luxury hotel’s design story…
Even after lockdown, Covid-19 has created a distance between us, which is predicted to last for a while. Although we will meet again as we did before, architecture firm Red Deer believes that a new shift in the luxury market will emerge from our time apart.
“For Red Deer, luxury comes from the creation of a meaningful emotional connection between the hotel guest and the space they inhabit.”
Red Deer considers the term ‘luxury’ as degraded through overuse, and the parameters of what constitutes a ‘luxury hotel’ can be difficult to define. The concept can be specific to each individual guest, based on their own expectation, habits and culture. For Red Deer, luxury comes from the creation of a meaningful emotional connection between the hotel guest and the space they inhabit.
Image credit: Birch/Red Deer/Adam Firman
“Millennials represent only about 32 per cent of spending in the personal luxury market, but by 2025 they are expected to make up 50 per cent of the total market,” writes Forbes contributor Pamela N. Danziger. “Some 130 per cent of market growth in the next seven years will be attributed to the Millennial generation.”
Rejecting traditional wealth values
The luxury industry has often been aligned with indulgence and excess rather than sustainability and connections. Quality craftsmanship and experiences may continue to command a premium price tag, however, Millennials are creating a new focus towards sustainability. Both Millennial and Gen Z groups’ expectations from luxury brands are very different from those of Gen X and Baby Boomers who favour traditional wealth values. Social connections and insider knowledge are of more importance to these younger consumers who are more likely to make value-based acquisitions and purchases. Luxury weaves its way through their experiences, free time, travel, community, self-growth and security.
Image credit: Birch/Red Deer/Adam Firman
Image credit: Birch/Red Deer/Adam Firman
For the Birch hotel project, a 140-key hotel that is set within 55 acres of nature just outside of London, Red Deer deconstructed the meaning of a hotel and pieced it back together to ensure that no element was intrinsic without careful consideration. The obvious need for a bed and bathroom are present, however, more attention was given to the contemporary ‘luxuries’ such as a TV, telephone and smart lighting systems to ascertain their place in a luxury hotel for an increasingly younger generation of guests.
“With Birch, the firm felt it crucial to collaborate with local artists and makers to create some unique pieces in the rooms.”
Image credit: Birch/Red Deer/Adam Firman
As the landscape for luxury hospitality has evolved, the onus is now focused on creating a unique and personalised one-to-one experience for guests. This bespoke experience is a key driver throughout the design of Red Deer’s projects. With Birch, the firm felt it crucial to collaborate with local artists and makers to create some unique pieces in the rooms and challenge the idea that uniformity was essential for large batch furniture specification.
Image caption: Interior design detail inside Birch (Cheshunt), the brand’s first hotel. | credit: Birch/Red Deer/Adam Firman
Image credit: Modern lighting inside the brand’s first hotel, Birch (Cheshunt) credit: Birch/Red Deer/Adam Firman
The most prominent of these pieces is a bespoke valet stand constructed by Jan Hendzel Studio, utilising recycled plastic orbs by sustainable material designer Charlotte Kidger, textured vases by ceramicist Emma Louise Payne and hand-beaten copper bowls by metalsmith Lucie Naujalis. It’s a piece that is intimate and personal, telling a story of three different elements brought together in a single form that is simultaneously light and robust, whilst able to be easily taken apart when required and updated over time. It’s a piece designed to stimulate the guest’s senses and spark their curiosity.
Image credit: Birch/Red Deer/Adam Firman
Image credit: Birch/Red Deer/Adam Firman
Before the pandemic, the global luxury market was predicted to reach €1.3 trillion by 2025. As the hospitality industry enters a challenging period in Q2/3 2020 it is ever-important for the designers and hotel investors to consider the changing market needs and place social connections and insider knowledge alongside premium experiences at the forefront of their business models. Hotels aren’t just bedrooms with smart technology, but memory-making experiences that create value and loyalty.
Image credit: Birch/Red Deer/Adam Firman
Red Deer believes Birch to be an example of how hospitality projects should be approached, considering a long-term commitment to sustainability within a renovation or new build as a crucial component of architectural design.
Industry insight: adapting public areas to the “new normal”
Hotel Designs is on the hunt for stylish ways to adapt public areas. Reintroducing Adrenalina, the upholstery label by DOMINGO SALOTTI…
The Adrenalina first made it onto Hotel Designs’ radar in 2018. The Sir-Pent was a functional, quirky and certainly different furniture option. Two years later, in a very different landscape, we believe its design is ideal for the post-pandemic hospitality world.
Adrenalina is the upholstery label by DOMINGO Salotti, born in 1999 with the intention of “breaking the mould”. Adrenalina’s innovative and iconic styles continue to attract the attention of designers who specify our collections for their projects in hotels, restaurants, spas and social spaces around the world.
Each Adrenalina’s piece is the result of a collaboration between cutting edge designers and the knowledgeable and experienced craftsman in our workshop. Each style is 100 per cent hand-made and 100 per cent made in our workshop in Italy.
Adrenalina’s core busines is contract with designers and specifiers of commercial spaces tending to be the brand’s biggest fans and so the companies most important clients. The radical changes brought on by the recent outbreak of Covid-19 have had a considerable impact on the contract market. The last few months at Adrenalina have been quite a journey!
Image credit: TIGRAM by Adrenalina
These months have been an unprecedented experience for everybody, client and company alike. We have all experienced a radical interruption of our everyday routine (both at work and at home). Everybody is now trying to guess what their “new normal” will look like.
Much has been written on the future of workplaces and commercial spaces in general. Being one of Adrenalina’s big markets, we have been keenly following these conversations. One theme everybody would appear to agree on is that the new normal will be a blend of homeworking, virtual collaboration and physical space. People will spend more time working from home, but these months of lockdown have also made us realise that there is no virtual substitute for the authentic face to face interaction that happens at work. Smart working has its advantages, but it does not promote human connection. Human connection is not only the antidote to loneliness and isolation, but, more importantly, it is the main instigator of new the ideas and innovation that spark from causal conversations.
The physical office, our workplaces and the need to socialise at work are here to stay. We now need to work out how to reshape them. How can we bring people back to work in spaces that will promote collaboration and opportunities for human connections while respecting new safety guideline and maintain social distancing? How can we maintain aesthetically pleasing environments whilst at the same time creating safe, clean and socially distanced workplaces? This is where Adrenalina with its playful, joyful and iconic pieces can really help.
While we are still learning about the virus and workspace scenarios are still changing, the general recommendation from architects, designers and interior experts is not to take any radical decision with regards to your workplace. There is a lot you can do to adjust commercial premises to respect the new guidelines and adjust the space to your new needs. Look at your workspace with a new pair of eyes and an open mind (or better yet, hire a specialist to do that on your behalf).
Although there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, there are many Adrenalina products that have already inspired and helped many of our clients to solve these problems.
Modular systems
New social distancing rules are affecting the number of people allowed in a workspace. Meeting rooms, labs, break out spaces are being repurposed to create additional seating to address the issue in the short term.
Image credit: SIR-PENT by Adrenalina
Adrenalina modular systems have helped many of our clients creating additional desk stations and pods as companies bring people back into workplaces after the initial phase of lock down. Adrenalina modular soft seating structures are made of panels and blocs that can easily connect by a bayonet system or by hidden magnetic connectors.
The newly reconfigured layouts do not have to be a permanent solution either. The same panels and blocks can be used to create different layouts every time you need. Using one of Adrenalina’s modular structures means that once the Covid-19 emergency has ended you can still use your furniture adapting them to your changed conditions.
All our modular products can be integrated with technical devices (plugs, phone chargers, lightings etc.) and customised to better suit your project’s requirements. Ad hoc solutions can also be studied to add additional devices such as screens, tablets etc.
The systems below are favourites of designers facing the challenge of dividing open spaces to create social distancing:
Seek the advice of your favourite designers or contact our in-house team of creatives if you need help configuring your layout.
Multipurpose furniture
These unprecedented times have forced many logistics changes on a lot of companies. It is difficult to experiment with design geometry reconfiguring workspaces while budgets shrink and you have little idea of what the future is going to look like. The trick should be to allow your mind to be open and your workspace to be flexible, so that you can all evolve and adjust with the change of conditions.
Image credit: MAJI by Adrenalina
Adrenalina acoustic seating is useful to take phone calls or to do some heads-down work in isolation from background noise (check our styles GEA HIGH BACK, WOW, SLY). Adrenalina high back pieces can be used in waiting areas or in restaurant and bars to create areas for small group to gather (GEA high back chairs and Sofas / SLY / MICROMEGA just to name a few). The Gea High Back seats placed around a table can easily create a restaurant booth for diners, a private environment to have a meeting or produce some teamwork.
Single modules from our banquettes systems can work as a solo seat-desk or can become a starting point for a composition of multiple elements (stations, nukes, pods, row of desks).
The MAJI office PODS can easily be turned into desk stations thanks to the way the panels link, which allows the composition to be set up and dismantled as required.
Bigger focus on health and hygiene
Cleanliness is here to stay. Sanitising will have a bigger place in our lives. Not only our hands – it has been proven that disinfecting and cleaning provides employees with a sense of security.
Image credit: Adrenalina
Adrenalina are integrating hand sanitiser and surface cleaners into some of the furniture (MAJI). Equipping desk stations and office pods with hand gel dispenser or surface cleaning products in order to reassure your staff.
Integrating sanitising products into our furniture will help promote hygiene in the workplace and will also help promote new behaviours. With surface cleaners built into the furniture, your staff will be prompted to clean surfaces before leaving a meeting, or before starting one. This will serve to enhance your staff’s sense of safety. Making sanitising products readily available to staff will also signal to employees that their wellbeing matters.
The Adrenalina’s in-house team of designers can advise about ways to integrate sanitising products into your chosen furniture.
Growing evidence that the Covid-19 virus can remain airborne for longer than originally believed is drawing a lot of attention to the quality of the air in enclosed public spaces. Increasing ventilation with outdoor air as well as air filtration will help mitigate the spread of airborne germs.
Opening windows to let fresh air come through remains one of the best defences against airborne germs. When talking about enclosed places, being able to monitor the quality of the air and/ or the rate of airflow is important.
SIR-PENT by Adrenalina can be equipped with JSMART, an innovative air monitoring system and air purifier for the indoors. JSMART uses an ornamental plant as a filter. Once connected to the relative app, it monitors and helps control temperature, humidity and pollutant levels indoor.
Domingo/Adrenalina is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
7 years of innovation: The Lychee Garden by Timothy Oulton Studio
To celebrate Lychee Garden by Timothy Oulton Studio turning seven, Hotel Designs explores the garden that inspired so many of the studio’s innovative products…
The saying goes that we live in seven-year cycles, and as Timothy Oulton Studio’s innovative Lychee Garden turns seven, founders Tim Oulton and Simon Laws have taken time to reflect on what continues to be a transformative project.
Originally conceived as accommodation and communal living spaces for staff of furniture business Halo, the practice was briefed to make use of an established lychee orchard and vegetable garden adjacent to one of the company’s workshops in southern China.
What began as a brief to meet straightforward living needs has evolved into so much more. The Lychee Garden has afforded Timothy Oulton Studio a rare opportunity to test ideas and understand design learnings over the course of time. It has become a test of materials and techniques but, perhaps most importantly, it has shown that the understanding of how people use spaces is a lifelong observation. For an interior design studio that exists to deliver engaging commercial interiors, access to such a study presents both a personal privilege and a distinct business advantage.
Image credit: Timothy Oulton Studio
Image credit: Timothy Oulton Studio
Minimising impact on the garden and its vegetation was a crucial aim for the studio from the outset and thus the curvilinear spiral plan of seven buildings that house 14 rooms was scaled and carefully positioned amongst the mature lychee trees, meaning only three trees needed to be relocated. These round houses use reclaimed local bricks and timbers for their exterior shells, combining local construction techniques and vernacular design elements with newer ideas and materials to create high quality retreats sensitive to their surroundings.
The interiors were envisaged as cocoons, with curved walls intended to ‘hug’ occupants after long work days far from home. The warmly hued 60m2 spaces are paved in natural stone with raw off-form concrete finishes, reclaimed bricks and salvaged timber cabinetry. Windows have been positioned differently in each building to take in seasonal conditions and private vantages of the dappled greenery, which over the years has increasingly become a sanctuary for birdlife away from an ever-expanding industrial neighbourhood.
Image credit: Timothy Oulton Studio
At the heart of the garden sits the Halodome – a large communal lounge, dining room and kitchen contained in an arching 12-meter diameter timber dome certified to German Passivhaus standard. The kitchen is supplied with an abundance of fruit and vegetables fresh from the garden, which itself is fed by reused waste water filtered by a reed system that features a long shallow gravel bed densely planted with Ginger Lilies, whose roots filter water over the seven days it takes to flow through the pond.
Image credit: Timothy Oulton Studio
Those have spent time at the Lychee Garden understand it as a place of refuge – a sanctuary that steps gently, working with, not against, its surroundings. As the project’s first seven years come to a close it finds its self-sufficiency, ecological-efficiency and bubble-like nature more relevant than ever. For now, both Tim Oulton and Simon Laws are based full-time at the project, working remotely with clients to understand how the Lychee Garden concept can enable businesses to pivot their hospitality offering in a post-Covid world while developing a smaller, panoramic version of the Halodome designed to take the challenges the industry now faces head on.
Timothy Oulton Studio is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Hotel Designs LIVE was born out of the idea to keep the industry connected and the conversation flowing during the lockdown period following the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus. However, considering the noise the virtual conference created, the team at Hotel Designs have decided to return with part two. “The aim of this event on October 13 is to look beyond today’s pandemic in order to find real solutions for designers, hoteliers, architects and developers,” explains editor Hamish Kilburn who will host the virtual event. “To do this meaningfully, we have invited industry experts from around the world to sit on our virtual sofa.”
If you are designers, architect, hotelier or developer, click here to secure your complimentary seat in the audience.
On the agenda
In addition to the live interviews and panel discussions with handpicked industry experts – and to ensure that the event is aptly bridging the gap between hospitality suppliers and designers, architects, hoteliers and developers – the conference also included structured ‘PRODUCT WATCH’ pitches around each session, allowing suppliers the opportunity to pitch their products and services in a ‘live’ environment to the hospitality buyers that are tuned in.
If you are a designer, architect, hotelier or developer and would like to secure your complimentary seats in the audience, click here.
If you are a supplier to the hotel design industry and would like to promote your latest product or services to the Hotel Designs LIVE audience, please contact Katy Phillips via email or call +44 (0)1992 374050.
Access all areas: inside a minimalist’s dream – The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
The new luxury hotel offers an unparalleled vantage point in mountain region of Nikko, where a rich, untouched natural environment entwines with centuries-old traditions. Hotel Designs explores inside the minimalist hotel…
The Ritz Carlton, Nikko is set amidst a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and introduces a new level of luxury to the destination. Ideally located in the Northern Kanto region of Japan, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko is set two and a half hours north of Tokyo, accessible by rail or car, and is a true oasis promising access to a breadth of outdoor activities and cultural experiences. It features many natural treasures including the Kegon Falls and an array of famous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Nikko, and the surrounding area, has long been known as a holy place and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the cultural, religious, and architectural significance of its richly decorated shrines and temples. Perched along Lake Chuzenji and Mount Nantai, guests can easily access prominent scenic attractions, such as Nikko National Park, where the hotel is located, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage designated area.
“Following much anticipation surrounding its debut, we are thrilled to finally open the doors to The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko and to continue the growth of the luxury segment in Japan,” said Rajeev Menon, President Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International. “This marks an extremely monumental period for our brand and the entire company as we set the bar in luxury travel, embracing the new normal, while consistently instilling confidence in travel amongst all of our guests.”
Image credit: Ritz Carlton/Marriott Hotels
Taking cues from its picturesque surroundings, the hotel articulates graceful Japanese design through a modern lens to bring the natural beauty of Nikko indoors. Earthy materials such as woods and stones permeate the property and are enhanced by streaming natural light. The hotel’s 94 spacious guest rooms and suites all feature a private balcony that flows seamlessly with an engawa lounge area, offering an expanded space for guests to take in the striking scenery surrounding the hotel.
Image credit: Ritz Carlton/Marriott Hotels
“We are thrilled to be able to offer an elevated level of luxury and the first of its kind to be located in the sublime mountain region of Nikko,” said Jennie Toh, Vice President, Brand, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “Our Ladies and Gentlemen at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko are looking forward to welcoming guests and providing enriching, authentic experiences that truly embrace the local culture and destination.”
Though nature takes centre stage at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, Japanese tradition and craftsmanship guide the property’s four distinct dining experiences.
Image credit: Ritz Carlton/Marriott Hotels
The Japanese Restaurant offers all-day dining and showcases the vibrant elements of Japanese cuisine; Lakehouse uses fresh, local ingredients to create imaginative Western dishes in a tranquil setting; The Bar, is a sophisticated haven of relaxation where local ingredients are highlighted in original cocktails celebrating the culture, nature and spirituality of the ancient city; and The Lobby Lounge is the ideal place to unwind, where visitors can enjoy light bites and Afternoon Tea overlooking a picturesque garden. Ingredients from local purveyors find their way onto plates and into glasses, with every dish and drink a reflection of the culture’s appreciation for beauty and design. This acknowledgement is further showcased by exclusively crafted pottery by the well-established Mashiko pottery artists, GENDO, or by traditional wood carving motifs created by the first female wood carving artists in the 400-year history of the shrines and temples.
Image credit: Ritz Carlton/Marriott Hotels
An urban sanctuary of wellness, the Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko showcases treatments inspired by the abundance of natural revitalising elements and the rich heritage of the Nikko region within four specialised treatment rooms. The hotel is the first Ritz-Carlton property to feature an authentic hot-springs experience in the Japanese onsen tradition.
Image credit: Ritz Carlton/Marriott Hotels
The Ritz-Carlton brand, part of Marriott International that has just opened its 800th property in the Asia Pacific region, currently operates more than 100 hotels in 30 countries and territories around the world.
Success in design is based on pleasure, beauty and imagination. Innovative bathroom brand Gessi dictates the recipe to create a happier present: to revert to dream big…
Forward-thinking bathroom brand Gessi has always worked in tandem with the excellences of Italian fashion, food and furniture.
This includes collaborations and exchanges of ideas from which products and concepts transversal to the different disciplines are born, intended to interpret the present, improve life and plan the future.
Image credit: GESSI
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” wrote Eleanor Roosvelt; this time full of uncertainties filled the man with anxiety, leading him to give priority to negative information and feelings, so it became more difficult to focus on good things, to imagine the future, especially an attractive future.
Stress and anxiety prevent us from being able to dream. By drawing on imagination and dreams, it is possible to model the future with hope and optimism, such as the launch of a holistic Architectural Wellness program.
Image credit: GESSI
Have we stopped dreaming?
“When my daughter was seven, one day she asked me what I was doing at work. I told her I was working in college – my job was to teach people how to draw. She stared at me in disbelief and then said: “do you mean that they forgot hot to draw?” – Howard Ikemoto (artist and art professor).
There is something wonderfully simple in the way children see life. it’s a way of seeing where everything is possible and this means that they don’t see any reason why they can’t grow up to become an astronaut, a cowboy or a princess.
For some reason, we stopped dreaming. We actually stopped believing that dreams were possible.
“All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream at night In the dusty recesses of their minds wake up during the day to discover that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, because they can carry out their daydreams, to make it possible.” – T. E. Lawrence
The founder of Gessi talks about the horizon line that goes away every time you try to reach it. “The real meaning of life” says the entrepreneur, “is in that path that brings you closer to the goal, not the goal itself and the values that accompany this path are as fundamental as the people who get on the boat with you.”
Image credit: GESSI
In a few words is expressed all the philosophy of Gessi: a continuous trend towards improvement, positivity, courage and a success based on people, humanity and feelings. In a nutshell, the ability to dream big.
“The important thing is to start dreaming again,” says Mr. Gessi, “we need to imagine big, almost unthinkable things; new Eiffel towers, new pyramids, we need to go back to the moon”.
That’s true, a pragmatic need for tangible things, bridges, road, seems to be prevalent but we also need a new access to the poetry of things, to return to see butterflies in the city, to recreate an access to the imagination of beauty, of the magnificent.
Why is it important to dream?
Gessi recalls, according to scientific researchers, that once we project ourselves into a dream, changes begin to occur in our brain, we establish neurological traces that literally change our brain to make it look like the brain of the future. In other words, the brain begins to make us feel that the future we want to create has already happened.
When we feel the emotions of our future- whether it’s gratitude, joy, freedom, abundance, enthusiasm, love and so on – creative thoughts in the mind can become real experience: the body receives the chemical signals of these emotions, essentially the body receives the signal that the event has already occurred.
The greatest projects, the greatest entrepreneurial stories always arise from imagination. This is more true than ever for food, fashion and design industries.
Image credit: GESSI
Image credit: GESSI
Gessi has always thought of the bathroom as “private spaces” of the living, where personal needs, exceeding the functional aspect, are satisfied at an higher level and in a high and “other” dimension by the everyday and the usual, therefore places that go beyond the reality of their hygienic function, they draw on the dream, the emotional sphere, the psychophysical pleasure.
The bathroom brand believes that innovating means fulfilling dreams and anticipating needs. Its projects are born from creative freedom and from an always original trait, with a passion for objects that free themselves from codified and prescribed function to reinvent themselves to new uses: empathetic, friendly, enjoyable objects. Objects that improve people’s lives.
Gessi is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Editor checks in: calling for intelligent hospitality
The measure of intelligent hospitality is the ability to adapt. In his latest column, editor Hamish Kilburn explores this statement while explaining the motives behind Hotel Designs’ upcoming events…
Earlier this month, the long-awaited good news arrived that hospitality businesses were serving once more.
While that was a monumental leap forward amidst the coronavirus crisis, the fact that businesses would be required to shelter new social distancing measures (not something our industry is naturally good at) meant that brands, as well as consumers, had to adapt quickly in order to prevent hospitality from feeling hostile.
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to adapt,” is a memorable quote from Albert Einstein. Putting this into the perspective of the industry we serve– though I am hesitant to edit a legend like Einstein – I would like to alter this quote to read: “The measure of intelligent hospitality is the ability to adapt.”
The reopening of hospitality followed our debut Hotel Designs LIVE, which was our answer to adapting during lockdown. The one-day virtual conference included a carefully curated panel of international speakers who came together from all corners of the world to put their perspectives on technology, public areas, sleep and wellness on the record. One of the many key takeaways was that, post-pandemic, (at least in the short-term) public areas will not feel the same. Adapting as designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers to meet modern consumer demands in order to create flexible and clean spaces, while embedding discreet technology to enhance the guest experience, was key for hospitality to reassure the post-coronavirus consumer to check-in once more.
Following the success of this virtual event, we are launching Hotel Designs LIVE part two, which will take place on October 13. To aptly continue where we left off, we are welcoming eco-warrior Bill Benlsey to become our headline speaker of the event in order to put sustainability through the editorial lens, a topic that has sadly suffered from neglect over the last few months.
The adapted fun doesn’t stop there. On November 12, after much internal deliberation with the team, we have decided that The Brit List Awards 2020 will be delivered in a virtual format. Though the event will be received differently this year, it will still mark the conclusion of our nationwide search to find the top designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers who are operating in Britain. That quest started just a few days ago, when we opened this year’s applications and nominations, which are (as always) completely free. However, as we appreciate that the networking element of the event is much valued, we have decided to host a Brit List Winners’ Party, which will appropriately gate-crash MEET UP London on January 28, 2021.
On reflection, having worked through the last couple of turbulent months, adapting isn’t so bad. Like many, if not all, I miss my team and I am starting to forget what having a normal daily schedule feels like. But most of all, what I miss most about pre-Covid life, are the live events that both Hotel Designs and Forum Events are able to deliver in order to help bridge the gap between designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers.
So, it is therefore my pledge to you – our loyal readers – that our events will be back, bigger and better than ever in order to aptly serve in this new era we are now well and truly living, working and evolving in.
During August, Hotel Designs will be putting ‘Hotel Concepts’ and ‘Beds’ under the spotlight. If you would like to contribute to these topics, please do not hesitate to email me.
On or off the water, lighting technology is evolving rapidly. Voltra Lighting explores this year’s most prominent nautical lighting trends…
Every summer, discerning guests seek out the thrill of sailing away on luxury vessels to explore breathtaking far-flung destinations around the world.
In order to meet the sky-high expectations of these jet-setters, yacht owners and luxury cruise liners invest in the most sophisticated decor elements from custom linen and drapes to designer furniture and premium cutlery. But, what is often forgotten is that to enhance your charter vessel’s interior design composition and experience, creative lighting schemes are a must.
That’s why designer lighting brands, such as Voltra Lighting, offer just the right visual and chromatic accents to enhance the look and feel of your stylish marine vessel. Crafted to deliver homogeneous illumination throughout the luxe spaces of yachts and superyachts, its hallmark design is sure to compliment your vision of hi-tech and intimate lighting.
According to designer and naval architect Adam Voorhees, “lighting plays such a critical role in how we understand a space..and how we can control and direct an experience in that space.” Mirroring this thought, especially over the last few years, superyacht lighting has grown to become an essential piece of the yacht design or refit process. From stunning chandeliers, wall lights, and decorative lamps to floor and furniture inlays, there are so many innovative solutions that are mushrooming when it comes to lighting up yachts.
If you are considering using high-end lighting to create the perfect atmosphere within the cabins and lounging areas of your yacht, then here are some upcoming trends to keep in mind:
Natural stone lamps: Unique and modish, lighting fixtures fabricated from naturally occurring rock are increasingly being considered a statement decor accessory. These lamps evenly illuminate the surroundings without dazzling the eyes; thus enabling guests to navigate safely over to the deck for a relaxed evening of stargazing.
Smart lighting: These intuitive and connected vessels of light are programmed to respond to movement, external environmental conditions, or direct user input; making for an advanced way to light spaces up.
Marine light sculptures: Many lighting designers, simply through creative placement, turn tasteful lighting fixtures into works of art. This ensures that the installation remains the focal point of the yacht’s interiors.
Charging bays: Particularly useful considering the space restrictions in private yachts, Voltra has bay chargers that charge up to eight lamps simultaneously. It is easy to put anywhere on a flat surface and requires only one power-point per bay.
LEDs grow in popularity: Not only are LEDs less sensitive to vibrations of the yacht but also incredibly flexible (can be adjusted to the mood or time of the day) and provide the same (or better) quality of light as incandescent lamps.
Image credit: Voltra Lighting
Image credit: Voltra Lighting
Iconically cordless
The right mood lighting can offer the perfect backdrop for a candlelight dinner or a late evening aperitif, on the front deck of your luxury boat. But most yachts and superyachts do not have wired electricity on the deck, upfront.
Enter the ambiance-setting manna from heaven – advanced cordless lighting.
Timeless both in form and function, Voltra’s range of portable lamps are excellent design objects for your yacht’s open-air spaces. Here are some of the many reasons why our portable lamps are found in some of the finest locations across the world:
Battery-powered: Voltra’s future-proof light installations are an incredibly customizable and intelligent way to incorporate lighting into any design project. Being battery-operated it does away with design limitations relating to the location of available electrical outlets.
Rated IP 65: No need to worry about damage due to water spit and harsh winds, as our lamps are incredibly dust and water-resistant. Voltra’s iconic range is also made from materials that are anti-corrosive in the face of high humidity.
Customisable lighting: Voltra’s exquisite lamps feature power, light modes, and the freedom to change lumières, placing the power in the hands of the guests to set the ambiance they prefer.
Adherence: All Voltra lights have a silicone border on the bottom, which ensures that they adhere to any surface. And since each of our handcrafted lamp units weighs upwards of a solid 609g, it is unlikely to “slide” or fall easily during oceanic turbulence.
Ultimately, be it a private yacht charter or a corporate event at sea, if you wish to create an intimate ambiance for your onboard guests, think Voltra cordless ambient lamps.
Voltra Lightingis one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Conrad Costa del Sol, Spain’s first Conrad Hotels & Resorts property, is slated to open in early 2022…
Hilton has announced the signing of an agreement to open the Conrad Costa del Sol – a 194-key luxury resort set to bring ‘a new level of contemporary luxury’ to the Andalusian coast.
Owned by Markway Inversiones S.L., a company of the Platinum Estates Group, the property will be managed by Hilton and is set to open at the beginning of 2022, and will mark the Conrad brand’s arrival in Spain.
“The Costa del Sol is an incredibly popular destination with holidaymakers from all over Europe and beyond, thanks to its year-round good weather, expansive beaches and stunning scenery,” said Carlos Miró, Hilton’s Managing Director of Development for Spain and Portugal.” This property – our first Conrad Hotels & Resorts property in Spain – represents an important step for Hilton, as we look to expand our footprint of luxury properties across Europe. We look forward to welcoming guests to this stunning hotel.”
Roshni Mohinani, President of Platinum Estates ltd. added: “We are delighted to announce our agreement with Hilton to operate this hotel under the prestigious Conrad brand, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with our valued partners in the local community to bring this project to life. The beautiful Costa del Sol continues to attract domestic and international tourists alike, and we see great potential for investment in this area.”
The new hotel will join a collection of award-winning Conrad Hotels and Resorts spanning five continents. Each property features contemporary luxury experience, intuitive service and infinite connections with local culture, powered by the latest innovation.
The new hotel will join a collection of award-winning Conrad Hotels and Resorts spanning five continents. Each property features contemporary luxury experience, intuitive service and infinite connections with local culture, powered by the latest innovation.
Conrad Costa del Sol will be no exception, boasting stunning sea views from its vantage point in the Andalusian hills, with spacious contemporary guestrooms and expansive luxurious facilities including a large spa with indoor pool, multiple outdoor pools, two bars and a high-end restaurant. The Costa del Sol’s vast coastline, which is home to more beaches than any other area of the Andalucía region, is a five-minute drive away.
“This property, which exemplifies the contemporary design, beautiful facilities and connection to local culture with personalised experiences which guests expect from the Conrad brand, is a fitting first entry into Spain.” – Nils-Arne Schroeder, Global Head for Conrad Hotels & Resorts.
“From Bora Bora, Koh Samui and The Maldives in Asia to the Algarve and Istanbul in Europe, the Conrad brand is renowned for its award-winning hotels and resorts,” explained Nils-Arne Schroeder, Global Head for Conrad Hotels & Resorts. “This property, which exemplifies the contemporary design, beautiful facilities and connection to local culture with personalised experiences which guests expect from the Conrad brand, is a fitting first entry into Spain. We aim to bring the sophistication of the Conrad brand to key locations all over the world and we are looking forward to introducing our unique luxury to the Costa del Sol.”
The Costa del Sol attracts millions of international and domestic tourists each year, with visitors drawn to its sandy coastline, glamourous harbours and charming remote villages. The area benefits from excellent rail and air connections to the rest of Spain, Continental Europe and the UK from Malaga, which is located just over an hour from the resort.
Shanghai is a strategic addition to the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts brand, expanding its footprint in Asia. Rosewood Shanghai will join nine properties in operation and six in development across the continent…
Following recent announcements from the luxury brand to open hotels in St Barths, Madrid and Sardinia, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has been appointed by Shanghai-based property development company, Lonsen Land Group, to manage Rosewood Shanghai.
The new 200-key hotel in mainland China, which will join nine properties in operation in the continent, is set to break ground in 2022, with an expected opening in 2028.
Ideally situated in the heart of Shanghai’s Jing’An District and Suhewan area, an emerging business and cultural hub, Rosewood Shanghai will offer travellers unparalleled access to the city. The announcement of Rosewood Shanghai underscores the brand’s careful, selective growth strategy in Asia and across the globe, as well as the strength of its impressive property pipeline, which is now the most robust in Rosewood’s history.
Occupying prime real estate within a mixed-use project designed by renowned international studio Foster + Partners, Rosewood Shanghai is set to transform the city skyline. Occupying the top floors of the site’s landmark building, which will be one of the tallest complexes in the city’s Puxi district at 320 meters, the hotel will deliver unique design conceived to showcase its expansive views of the metropolis. In keeping with the brand’s guiding A Sense of Place® philosophy, the destination’s storied history, rich culture and dynamic spirit will serve as additional inspiration for the property’s design ethos and bespoke programming.
“The country’s largest city and economic hub, Shanghai embodies several of our key brand values – innovation, creativity and originality.” – Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group.
“As we continue to grow the brand throughout Asia and specifically mainland China, Shanghai has long been a priority destination in which to plant the Rosewood flag,” said Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. “The country’s largest city and economic hub, Shanghai embodies several of our key brand values – innovation, creativity and originality. We are thrilled to bring a new standard of luxury to the region and thank our partners at Lonsen Land Group for the opportunity they’ve given us to do so.”
Rosewood Shanghai will offer 200 guestrooms and suites, five food and beverage establishments and Asaya, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ revolutionary wellness concept.
“For many, Shanghai is known as “Mo Du”, the Magic City; cherished for its rich cultural heritage, modern lifestyle offerings and captivating social scenes,” says Mr Ruan Xingxiang, chairman of Lonsen Land Group. “With the brand’s A Sense of Place® philosophy and referencing to the success story of its trophy property in Hong Kong, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts makes an ideal partner of us to reinvent Shanghai’s charm as a destination to the affluential explorers from around the world.”
Rosewood Shanghai will join Rosewood’s collection of distinguished city and resort properties in Greater China, which currently includes Rosewood Hong Kong, Rosewood Beijing, Rosewood Sanya and Rosewood Guangzhou. Additional projects in development in the region include Rosewood Chengdu and Rosewood Ningbo, both set to open in 2023, along with Rosewood Shenzhen and Rosewood Taipei, which are planned to open in 2024.
Sneak peek: inside “the most stylish hotel in Crete”
CAYO Exclusive Resort and Spa – one of Greece’s most hotly-anticipated new hotel in 2021 – is expected to open in Crete on August 1. Ahead of the doors opening this weekend, Hotel Designs got a sneak peek inside…
It must come as a compliment to the Italian designer Gian Paolo Venier that his latest hotel project, CAYO Exclusive Resort and Spa, which opens this weekend, is already being hailed ‘Crete’s most stylish hotel’.
Taking luxury, gastronomy and design to a new level on the island, the property will open with a mind-body balancing spa, four gastronomic restaurants, stylish rooms, suites and villas with private plunge pools and unrivalled vistas of Spinalonga Island.
A stone’s throw from sought-after Elounda, CAYO is situated in peaceful Plaka, a quaint village lined with boutiques, traditional tavernas and a sun-soaked beach.
Image credit: CAYO
“CAYO was created with the environment in mind – alongside its innovative reusable energy sources, guests are greeted with a seedling, which they can plant anywhere around the resort.”
Image credit: CAYO
Image credit: CAYO
Drawing from a calming and neutral palette, Venier has blended cool greys, soft blues and greens with brushed marble, chic glass and stone in a nod toward the historical locale and architecture of nearby ancient city of Olous.
Image credit: CAYO
Awash with natural daylight, guestrooms and suites offer uninterrupted views of the ocean, complete with private terrace and heated plunge pool. CAYO was created with the environment in mind – alongside its innovative reusable energy sources, guests are greeted with a seedling, which they can plant anywhere around the resort.
Image credit: CAYO
With a farm to fork ethos, the menus at CAYO’s four restaurants use the freshest seasonal produce, locally-sourced from selected eco-friendly farms and the resort’s own organic garden. Curated by Chef Lefteris Lazarou, the first Greek chef to be awarded with one Michelin Star, dishes range from authentic Greek to modern Mediterranean fare. In the spa, ancient rituals are combined with cutting-edge treatment techniques, based around the concept of the spiritual, cultural and natural environment.
Image credit: CAYO
Promising to promote inner-peace and restore wellness, CAYO Spa houses three spacious treatment rooms, steam, sauna and relaxation pool. From Yoga and Pilates to detox therapies and mental wellbeing, the fitness centre takes guests on a personalised journey, and the expert team are on hand to curate a 360’ programme.
While you cannot question the thoughtful design scheme and meaningful hospitality initiatives that the hotel shelters, the jury is out as to whether this is the most stylish hotel in Crete. Feel free to let us know your thoughts over on Twitter. Whether or not it deserves that bold status, there is no denying that its opening will take the destination’s luxury and gastronomy status up a rank or two.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT: specifying fabrics for contract markets
There are a lot of things to take into account when specifying fabrics for contract environments and it can sometimes be a bit of a minefield, especially as different sectors often have different requirements and regulations. Edmund Bell explains…
Below are some key considerations to bear in mind when specifying contract fabrics:
Different technical requirements
Technical requirements differ from room to room and for different usages. Here are some examples:
A chair in a lobby will require a much higher martindale requirement than a chair in a guestroom
COVID-19 has undoubtably highlighted the need for antimicrobial requirements. To request a copy of Edmund Bells anti-microbial brochure, please email marketing@edmundbell.com
A fabric used as a bed runner will require a much higher pilling requirement than a fabric used for a curtain
A curtain used in a seminar room may need to have blackout properties, whereas a curtain a restaurant may not
Upholstery used in a healthcare environment will need to be bleach cleanable, whereas upholstery used in education may not
Image credit: Zanzibar Cobalt/Edmund Bell
Flame retardant standards
There is a lot to consider when making sure your fabric meets the correct flame retardant standards – not only are there different standards in each country, they are different again depending on the sector i.e. hospitality, healthcare or marine/cruise, and also different for each usage e.g. upholstery versus curtains versus bedding etc.
Light control
It is important to consider what light control the fabric needs to have depending on the environment it is going into – for sleep, ambience, privacy. If it is for a hotel bedroom for example, a blackout or dimout fabric is ideal to make sure visitors don’t have a disruptive sleep. Sheers or voiles on the other hand offer little light protection but are great for offering privacy or acting as room dividers where necessary.
Sound control
The use of fabrics is a highly effective way to control or enhance the acoustics by controlling noise reverberation in a certain space – they can create ambience acoustically, as well as visually.
Ecological considerations
Sustainable, ethical, ecological – all these factors are becoming increasingly important when selecting a fabric. Some to look out for include:
Oeko-tex®: a worldwide association of independent institutes for product safety and sustainable production in the textile industry. If a textile article carries the STANDARD 100 label, you can be certain that every component of this article has been tested for harmful substances and that the article therefore is harmless in human ecological terms – this is applicable to all processing steps from yarn to finished product.
REACH free: a European Union regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals.
Phthalate free: phthalates are chemical compounds used in a multitude of products that demand high performance, long-lasting wear and durability.
Inherent FR fabrics: inherently FR fabric is made using fibres that naturally contain the flame retardant properties – this means the flame retardant properties cannot be degraded through use or laundering.
Housekeeping needs
Requirements for how a fabric is washed and cared for can again differ for each industry sector. Healthcare environments will no doubt require extra performance features such as anti-microbial, waterproof, stain resistant and washable at 71 degrees for thermal disinfection to name but a few – but these features are becoming more and more desirable for other environments as well such as hospitality.
CASE STUDY: The Hard Rock Hotel London
The highly anticipated Hard Rock Hotel London opened its doors in spring 2019 and Edmund Bell was specified as one of the partners to work with GLH Hotels to supply curtain fabric for all 900 guestrooms.
Image credit: Roberto Lara Photography
Image credit: Roberto Lara Photography
The hotel, operated by GLH Hotels Management, is the first UK property for the iconic brand. Built in one of London’s most iconic locations – on the corner of Oxford Street and Park Lane – the hotel puts guests just steps away from the very best London has to offer.
Internationally recognised as a world-class entertainment and lifestyle brand, Hard Rock Hotels offer stylish and contemporary design (hardrockhotels.com) and what better way to do this than with a bespoke design using Edmund Bell’s Printlab service in collaboration with the Hard Rock design team.
Designers at Edmund Bell were tasked with creating two Ombré effect designs; one in blue and one in red – fitting the brief of cutting-edge décor, cool tones and modern design. The design was to be printed onto the chosen base fabric; flame retardant Venus dimout together with an FR blackout lining offering 100% light exclusion. These were then paired with a white FR slub sheer to add an element of privacy without blocking out the light during the day.
Click on the links below for more information about their fabrics used throughout the Hard Rock Hotel London bedrooms:
How Edmund Bell are looking towards the future regarding our efforts around sustainability:
They are working with more renewable fibres with less environmental impact and the highest quality available.
Many of their products are Oeko Tex Standard 100 approved; meaning they are completely free of toxic or allergic substances.
They are working towards complying with the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) base code within our supply chain; an internationally recognised code of good labour practice.
Sustainability remains increasingly important to their business objectives.
Edmund Bell are currently offering a FREE online presentation lasting around 40-60 minutes, discussing “Things to bear in mind when specifying fabric for contract projects”. For more information, please email marketing@edmundbell.com
Edmund Bell is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester to re-open in August
Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester, which will host MEET UP North on May 6, 2021, has sensibly decided to delay its reopening until August 28, allowing its team to put…
Following the government announcement on June 23, which highlighted that the hospitality sector could re-open once more from July 4, The Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester started to work on its re-opening plan.
The Manchester-based luxury hotel, which will host MEET UP North on May 6 2021, was among one of the first hotels in the UK to close its door to the public and offer its rooms to NHS key workers during the Covid-19 crisis. Having operated throughout the Covid-19 lockdown period due to hosting NHS professionals, the hotel has already had first-hand experience of operating under rigorous guidelines and processes in order to protect the NHS team and its own volunteers in the building. In a statement, the hotel said: “This has given us valuable insight to how to do things even more safely than we used to before the virus outbreak.
Image credit: Stock Exchange Hotel
Image credit: Stock Exchange Hotel
In order to adapt its protocols to face the post-pandemic world, the hotel released a statement, which said: “Even though our doors are not officially open, members of our sales and commercial team have returned to the business and will be dealing with any guest enquiries as we head towards our re-opening date of the August 28.”
Within the statement, the hotel outlined some of its new health and safety measures, including increasing the frequency of sanitising all public areas and facilities, PPE, increased signage and contactless check-in.
MEET UP North, which was forced to postpone this year due to the Covid-19 spread, will take place in Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester on May 6. To find out more about the event, and how to secure you tickets, click here.
Hotel Designs LIVE: ‘eco warrior’ Bill Bensley confirmed as headline speaker
Back by popular demand, following last months debut event, Hotel Designs LIVE, which will take place on October 13, has announced the renowned ‘eco warrior’ Bill Bensley as its headline speaker…
Following the positive response, highlighting how well the virtual event was received, Hotel Designs LIVE (part two) will welcome yet more internationally renowned designers, architects and hoteliers in order to start relevant conversations like no other.
If you are designer, architect, hotelier or developer, click here to secure your complimentary virtual seat in the audience for Hotel Designs LIVE on October 13.
The next edition of Hotel Designs LIVE, which takes place on October 13, will focus on sustainability, adding personality in public areas, reassuring the post-corona consumer and the revival of smart technology post-pandemic.
Editor Hamish Kilburn, who will host the event, explains: “When we launched Hotel Designs LIVE as a meaningful way to keep the industry connected throughout lockdown, it was our mission to select engaging and thought-provoking topics that would resonate with our audience. The next Hotel Designs LIVE will look past the short-term issues and solutions that emerged during the pandemic, and will instead focus the editorial lens on wider topics, with sustainability expecting to dominate the general tone of the event. It is important to for us to continue discussing new ways to challenge conventional ideas in order to find sustainable, alternative methods when it comes to design and service – and who better to discuss this than the eco-warrior himself, Bill Bensley?”
Image credit: Four Seasons Golden Triangle Tented Camp in Chiang Rai, designed by Bill Bensley
Image credit: The Siem Hotel, designed by Bill Bensley and opened in 2012
Affectionately known as the ‘Willy Wonka of Design’, Bensley is a dedicated eco-warrior and a highly qualified jack of all trades – gardener, fisherman, architect, interior designer, lover of all things natural, and most of all, a wide-ranging explorer of as many corners of the earth as he can. Most recently, he made headlines for unveiling his plans to design a human zoo after publishing his white-paper on sensible sustainable solutions.
“Sustainability is at the core of everything I create as a designer.” – Bill Bensley.
When interviewed by Hotel Designs in 2018, the award-winning designer described himself in three words as: “serious, inquisitive and wacky”. Bringing all that energy to discuss innovative and sustainable solutions, Bensley will join Kilburn on the virtual stage to explore how design, architecture and hospitality can coincide with nature. “Sustainability is at the core of everything I create as a designer,” Bensley told Hotel Designs. “I am simply ecstatic to join Hamish Kilburn for Hotel Designs LIVE where we will talk about how, as an industry, it is essential for us to work together to design hotels with meaning, and rework conventional ideas and methods in the process – all to create a more profound and considerate international hotel design landscape that puts nature first.”
Image caption: Bill Bensley will join Hamish Kilburn for Hotel Designs LIVE
Image caption: Editor Hamish Kilburn will interview Bill Bensley live on October 13.
Hotel Designs LIVE takes place virtually on October 13. Bensley is first speaker of the event who has been announced, with the full panel being unveiled next week.
If you are a designer, architect, hotelier or developer and would like to find out more about Hotel Designs LIVE, or book on to any or all of the above sessions, you can do so by visiting the event page.
If you are a supplier to the hotel design industry and would like to promote your latest product or services to the Hotel Designs LIVE audience, please contact Katy Phillips via email or call +44 (0)1992 374050.
PRODUCT WATCH: Crosswater introduces matt white finish to MPRO range
After much anticipation, bathroom brand Crosswater has introduced a new matt white finish to its much-loved MPRO collection. Hotel Designs explores…
The striking matt white colour joins the four existing finishes to continue the evolution of the iconic MPRO collection, which is as beautifully crafted as it is designed.
The latest finish, which emerges after the brand launched its carbon black finish to the MPRO Industrial collection, combines established high-end specification with beautifully considered aesthetics to create brassware that truly stands out, whilst also delivering on performance and reliability. The matt white look is perfect for a contemporary bathroom, either with crisp monochrome tones or as the neutral centrepiece to a more colourful palette.
Image credit: Crosswater
Image credit: Crosswater
The dynamically crafted matt white finish is available in everything from showerheads to shower arms, handsets to hoses, and taps to accessories, to ensure a fully cohesive look across any bathroom space. Matt White is even available in Crosswater’s innovative Crossbox, known for its easy installation method and superior range of water outlet options that create the perfect showering experience.
Image credit: Crosswater
Image credit: Crosswater
The established choice for high-quality bathrooms everywhere, MPRO continues to evolve with this contemporary addition to the range. Combining the finest components and materials, MPRO delivers superb function and precision design. The result is a complete collection of bathroom mixers, valves, showerheads and complementary accessories that meets the exacting standards of today’s modern bathroom.
The finest components and materials ensure that MPRO delivers on flow performance and, just as importantly, safety and water efficiency, with WRAS and TMV2 certification.
Crosswater is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Hyatt announces plans for its debut hotel in Cyprus
Grand Hyatt Limassol, set to open in Cyprus in 2025, will mark a significant milestone for Hyatt’s growth in Europe…
Weeks after IHG announced its arrival on the island, Hyatt has also announced that the group has entered into a management agreement to open the first Hyatt hotel in Cyprus.
With a design and architecture team yet to be assembled, the 300-room luxury resort is expected to open in 2025 and signifies Hyatt’s continued growth into Europe’s leading travel destinations.
The new-build beachfront resort will be situated at a Blue Flag beach east of Limassol, one of the island’s most cosmopolitan cities. With a prime beachfront location on the southern coast of the island and 300 bold, light-filled rooms offering sea views, Grand Hyatt Limassol will be a captivating destination within a destination featuring a stunning 43,000-square-foot (4,000 square meter) beach club including premium spa and fitness facilities as well as an indoor pool and two outdoor pools.
The resort will additionally offer five elevated food and beverage concepts as well as 15,000 square feet (1,400 square meters) of event space. Furthermore, Grand Hyatt Limassol will be a key element of Zaria Resort, a mixed-use luxury development, comprised of residential apartments and private villas totalling more than 861,100 square feet (80,000 square meters).
“We’re delighted to work with Anolia Holdings Limited to bring the Grand Hyatt brand, known for its access to iconic locales, to the island of Cyprus, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe,” said Takuya Aoyama, vice president development for Europe and Africa, Hyatt. “Grand Hyatt Limassol represents a key element of our growth strategy in Europe as we continue to seek opportunities to extend our resort footprint in the Mediterranean.”
Arriving guests will drive past the lush greenery of the hotel’s 150,000-square-foot (14,000-square-meter) public garden and promenades and enjoy a spectacular view of the Mediterranean. The resort promises to be a celebration of all the exquisite details of Cypriot culture, offering guests a stay beyond the ordinary through magnificent moments of more and superior service.
“We are thrilled to team-up with Hyatt on this development,” said Alexander Iakovlev, director of Anolia Holdings “The Grand Hyatt brand is synonymous with luxury and creating unique experiences for guests which remain authentic to the destination itself. In addition, given Limassol’s status as a financial capital of Cyprus, the hotel will not only attract leisure guests but may also prove popular for business travelers, conference-goers and event attendees. We are eager to see Grand Hyatt Limassol become the heart of the Zaria Resort development.”
The announcement of Grand Hyatt Limassol follows a significant expansion in Hyatt’s brand footprint in Europe over the last 12 months. Nine new hotels including Great Scotland Yard, Hyatt Centric Dublin, Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere, Hyatt Regency Chantilly and more opened in the region in 2019, with four more additions in Barcelona, Manchester and Frankfurt this year.
These plans for a hotel in Cyprus represent a key opportunity in Europe as it builds upon Hyatt’s existing and upcoming portfolio in Malta, Athens Thessaloniki and Izmir. The island has furthermore proven to attract travellers from Hyatt’s key strategic markets including the UK, Russia, Greece, Germany and the Middle East.
Now that nominations have officially opened for The Brit List Awards 2020, we would like you to meet this year’s judging panel, which has been carefully selected to include international experts in design, architecture and hotel development…
Here at Hotel Designs, it has become tradition, after nominations and applications have opened for The Brit List Awards, for us to then announce the judges.
In previous years, these experts were selected from all corners of the industry, including respected associations, award-winning travel journalists, stylists and developers.
This year, as well as continuing our firm relationship with the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) by welcoming both the President and the Past-President as judges, we have taken our search global to find this year’s individuals who will sit on the judging panel.
As a Chartered Designer with 30 years experience, Lester Bennett, who has recently started his presidential year at the BIID, has covered many areas of design from running his own practice to being Design Director for the residential development company Westcity. He has built up a stunning portfolio of high profile residential developments both in the UK and overseas.
Ahead of the announcement that the BIID has become an industry Partner for The Brit List Awards for a third year running, Bennett Commented: “In these extremely difficult times, the BIID, as the professional body for interior designers, is offering real support and advice to our membership and by once again partnering The Brit List Awards, this opportunity to showcase the wealth of talent we have in the UK will, I am sure, further encourage a positive future outlook.”
Harriet Forde, Past-President, BIID and co-host, DESIGNPOD
Harriet Forde, who was an instrumental judge last year for The Brit List Awards as has recently been named co-host of DESIGNPOD with editor Hamish Kilburn, is the founder and director of interior design firm Harriet Forde Design.
Ahead of this year’s event, Forde said: “On behalf of the BIID, we are delighted to partner with The Brit List Awards for the third year running. In these challenging times, it is important to look ahead to occasions when we will be able to come together once again, to network with fellow design professionals and celebrate the outstanding level of design within the hospitality industry.”
Alon Baranowitz is a guest professor at Shenkar Collect of Engineering and Design at the Rishon Lezion College, and frequently lectures at the Technion Faulty of Architecture and Town Planning School.
BARANOWITZ + KRONENBERG, which was co-founded and is led by Alon Baranowitz and Irene Kronenberg, consists of a group of talented architects and designers, all of whome have graduated from institutions around the globe, bringing their worldly cultural experience to the studio’s creative work activity.
The internationally renowned design studio, which operates from Tel Aviv, was resonsible for bringing to to life hotels such as W Amsterdam, Wyndham Grand Frankfurt, Sir Albert Hotel and Mendeli Street Hotel, and has just completed the highly anticipated W Ibiza, which will open later this year.
“We are so pleased to be joining the judging panel for The Brit List Awards 2020,” the pair told Hotel Designs. “With the future of the hospitality sector high on the agenda, we look forward to discovering the best of British talent and who will drive our industry forward into a new and transformative time.”
Erik Nissen Johansen, founder/creative director, Stylt
Erik Nissen Johansen is the founder and creative director of global award-winning hospitality design studio Stylt in Gothenburg, Sweden.
For more than 25 years, Stylt has combined concept development, interior architecture, design and branding to create unique hotel and restaurant experiences for clients all over the world. Under Erik’s leadership, Stylt has won a plethora of awards f0r his portfolio that includes more than 400 restaurants and 250 hotels.
Storytelling is Erik’s tool for bringing experiences and brands to life. Stories are always the red thread in creating the concepts, guiding every aspect of development, from brand positioning to setting of the table. This results in consistent, engaging and memorable design, which in turn creates consistent, engaging and memorable customer experiences. A Stylt story can leverage the guests themselves as marketers, creating word-of-mouth publicity. Furthermore, story-based concepts are well insulated against fluctuating fashions.
Stylt’s completed and ongoing projects include The ANDAZ by Hyatt Dubai, 25h Hotel Düsseldorf, Downtown Camper by Scandic Stockholm, Smoki Korean Marriott Dubai, LEGO House Billund, Huus Hotel Gstaad, Lydmar Stockholm, Spedition Hotel Thun Switzerland, Klaus K Helsinki, Sonya St Petersburg, Stora Hotellet Umeå, The Well Oslo, Le Rouge Stockholm, Le Pain Français Gothenburg, Creekside Villa Canmore Canada and Stenungsbaden Yacht Club Gothenburg.
Ivaylo Lefterov, Hotel Development Director, Miris
With more than 23 years of experience in the luxury hotel development and management industry, encompassing everything from site allocation and acquisition, hotel design and construction to operations and marketing/sales, Ivaylo Lefterov has an eye for quality design and hospitality.
His experience covers the establishment and development of small boutique hotels and large scale resort projects such as The Mirage, Cape Town and Umhlaba Wildlife resort, South Africa, The Cliff Beach&Spa, Bulgaria, Cibola Vista Resort, Arizona, USA; Villas Del Mar Palmar, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Currently, Lefterov is working as development director of the Svart Hotel — the worlds first energy positive hotel.
Hamish Kilburn, who will act as head judge and will also host The Brit List Awards virtually on November 12 for a third consecutive year, is the editor of Hotel Designs, the leading international hotel design website.
In his role, Kilburn has travelled the globe, to far-flung destinations, in order to review some of the world’s most impressive hotels, and has interviewed the masterminds behind their creations. As a result, he has gained a detailed understanding as to what it takes to be at the forefront of the industry’s development and evolution.
In addition to being at the helm of the editorial desk at Hotel Designs, Kilburn is a regular speaker and host at international design, architecture and hospitality events, and is co-host of DESIGNPOD, a new podcast to serve the A+D community.
So there you have it, the judges of The Brit List Awards 2020.
The judges will be asked to select the final 75 most inspirational and influential people in British design, architecture and hospitality as well as selecting this year’s individual winners of the following awards:
Interior Designer of the Year
Architect of the Year
Hotelier of the Year
Best in Tech
The Eco Award
Best in British Product Design
Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry
On November 12, the shortlisted finalists of designers, hoteliers, architects as well as key suppliers to the industry will gather virtually where The Brit List 2020 will be unveiled along with the individual winners.
If you would like to discuss various sponsorship packages available, please contact Katy Phillips via email, or call 01992 374050. Tickets to both the virtual event and the winners party will be available to secure soon.
PRODUCT WATCH: Schlüter’s stylish niches and shelves
One of Hotel Designs predictions post-pandemic is that wellness will be injected in all areas of the hotel experience, and not just in the spa. With this in mind, editor Hamish Kilburn explores Schlüter Systems’ slick niches and shelves…
Following an engaging panel discussion at the debut Hotel Designs LIVE, which explored the future of wellness post-pandemic, questions have been raised whether clients will spend more of the budget to make private bathrooms more luxurious.
One simple way to make bathrooms, wetrooms and showers more stylish, and more practical, is introducing wall niches. These offer integrated and elegant storage space that is also easy to clean. However, creating such niches can be a highly complex and time-consuming process, even for the most skilled installers. The material must be cut to size and individually sealed at the many edges and corners. Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD-N eliminates this difficulty.
Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD-N is a range of pre-fabricated niches for tile and stone, with perfect waterproofing thanks to their Schlüter-KERDI coating, which can be easily integrated into the wall surface. To create niches with two levels, you can select between two different niche formats with a positionable shelf suitable for tile or stone. Perhaps you would prefer a feature shelf to complement the tile, profiles, grate or all of them? No problem: in this case Schlüter-SHELF-N is the perfect choice. This shelf, made of brushed stainless steel or texture-coated aluminium, is integrated into the niche elements during the tile installation.
Image credit: Shlüter Systems
Designer shelves create visually appealing storage space without niches. This frequently requires drilling through tiles or joints which penetrates the waterproofing. Alternatively, the shelf design relies on poorly fitting adhesive or suction cup attachments, neither of which are ideal. In contrast, Schlüter-SHELF products are installed without drilling, yet offer a secure bond and a neat finish. Schlüter-SHELF-W is integrated into the wall during tile installation, with tiles completely covering the anchoring legs of the shelf. This makes the shelf unobtrusive, as well as sturdy enough to withstand large loads.
Corner shelves are ideally suited for creating discrete storage in even small showers and wetrooms, ensuring that you make the most of the space available. Schlüter-SHELF-E is a corner shelf that is suitable for retrofitting in the joints of tiled walls. However, it can also be installed during tile installation so whatever stage of your project, the Schlüter-SHELF-E can meet your needs.
Image credit: Schlüter Systems
Image credit: Schlüter Systems
Thanks to the choice of finishes, Schlüter-SHELF is a perfect fit for every style: While Schlüter-SHELF in brushed stainless steel offers simple elegance, textured shelves in a variety of colours including ivory, stone grey and dark graphite visually blend into the application. When the shelf is installed in showers and wetrooms, the design can also be selected to visually match the shower grate design and create a wonderful finish: The curve and floral designs originated from the KERDI-LINE-STYLE and KERDI-DRAIN-STYLE range that includes elegant grates for the drains.
Whether you are looking to add something new to your finished bathroom or want to incorporate a storage solution into a remodel, Schlüter’s solutions will provide you with easy and stylish options to suit your individual taste.
Schlüter Systems is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Case studies: hotel security solutions from NT Security
NT Security is proud to be the UK exclusive provider for several locking companies across the world and our selection of quality locks allow us to design and deliver unique projects for hotel customers across the UK…
From door locking systems, CCTV and access control through to a wide range of interior products, our hotel specialists understand how unique each and every hotel is and create completely bespoke packages to reflect this.
NT Security is proud to be the UK exclusive provider for several locking companies across the world and our selection of quality locks allow us to design and deliver unique projects for hotel customers across the UK. From boutique chains to five-star hotels, each and every project is different and we can offer everything from fully-integrated packages incorporating locking systems, CCTV and access control to card product sales.
Image credit: NT Security
As businesses grow, so do security needs. One location may quickly evolve into a complex of buildings, especially when it comes to hotels. Such expansion calls for regular and ongoing assessments of security risks and safety challenges but NT Security can minimise the threat these structural and environmental changes may pose for access control, CCTV and door locking systems within hotels.
NT Security has more than 30 years’ experience in designing and installing integrated security solutions for our impressive portfolio of hotels.
Case studies
Wood Hall Hotel
NT Security designs, installs and maintains the door locking for many of Hand Picked’s hotel collection. Wood Hall Hotel is part of Hand Picked’s unique portfolio of hotels.
Image credit: Wood Hall
Image credit: Wood Hall
The country house was completed in 1790 and has 44 unique hotel bedroom doors, each requiring their own bespoke door locking system, which can sometimes be a challenge. Some of the doors are solid oak, some are 200 years old, and some are completely curved, but with a relationship stemming back roughly 12 years, NT has yet to fail in providing a working solution for Wood Hall’s historical quirks.
The Athenaeum Hotel
The Athenaeum Hotel in London’s Mayfair undertook a huge refurbishment resulting in the main entrance, lobby and common areas such as the restaurant and bars being totally redesigned.
Image credit: The Athenaeum Hotel
Image credit: The Athenaeum Hotel
The main reception desk was removed and the entire checking-in process was changed using modern technology. As a five star boutique hotel, it wanted to utilise informal ‘greet desks’ and as a result, each reception member now carries a tablet which is used for check-ins and to generate room keys. As The Athenaeum wanted this technology in its foyer, we also upgraded the old style magnetic stripe locks on the hotel room doors to the latest in proximity technology.
NT also provided audio video entry systems throughout 34 apartments spread over four blocks plus alarms for back of house offices and panic alarms for long term guests. NT delivered a quick installation with minimal disruption to the hotel and its guests.
Murals & perception CFX: statement, without distraction
Murals may be in right now, but Hamilton Litestat’s adaptable Perception CFX wiring accessories will see you through this season, the next, and many more to come…
The wallcoverings trend shows no signs of abating, whether that’s tropical prints, traditional florals, art deco or geometric patterns.
Taking it one step further, scenic and mural wallpapers will continue to be extremely popular for 2020, creating huge picturesque scenes to get lost in. With so many options available, there’s something to suit every property and taste, from serene landscapes and textures to dramatic panoramas.
While changing a wall covering to suit the latest trend can be relatively simple, updating electrical wiring accessories to deliver the perfect finishing touch can be more difficult and costly. But Hamilton’s Perception CFX range of electrical wiring accessories are almost imperceptible, allowing a wall design to really stand out. The plate design has concealed fixings and features a 4.2mm snap-on clear front plate with a slightly rounded edge that allows your chosen wall covering to be inserted for a seamless look that blends discreetly into the décor.
We’ve seen striking interiors make fantastic use of these wiring accessories, with hotels and restaurants featuring the solutions on mural walls that depict local landscapes and historical images. And the beauty and benefit are that the insert within the plate can be changed as the wall design does, meaning that this wiring accessory will last the test of both time and trend.
Plus, there’s no compromise when it comes to configurations as Perception CFX is available in 1, 2, 3 or 4-gang plates, with a wide range of switch options including rocker, toggle, rotary and rocker dimmer switches. Power sockets, media plates, hotel card switches, Grid Fix and EuroFix are also available.
We’re particularly lusting after the bold Kews Leafy Florals mural by ATA Designs, which can really sing when paired with the Perception CFX switch plate. Whatever your wall covering, Hamilton’s range allows it to make a statement without distraction.
Hamilton Litestat, which sponsored the ‘‘technology’ seminar at Hotel Designs LIVE, is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Main image caption: Perception CFX – 1 Gang, 2 Way Rocker Switch | Image credit: Vinicius Amano/Hamilton Litestat
With Greece becoming a popular go-to destination post-lockdown, Hotel Designs explores the interior design story of Bellonias Villas in Santorini, created by Greek firms K Studio and Interni by Moda Bagno…
Natural, simple elegance is at the heart of Bellonias Villas, which is made up of 26 beach suites scattered alongside the black volcanic Kamari beach, on the east coast of the island of Santorini overlooking the mountain of ancient Thira.
This boutique hotel is also home to Elia Restaurant, a pool-side cocktail bar, and its own private stretch of beach, making it the ideal choice for couples and families who seek stylish, unpretentious luxury and beachside relaxation in a peaceful part of Santorini.
This is a contemporary project that conveys the passion and creativity of the local owners, in combination with the innovative & fresh thinking of up-and-coming Greek architects & artists. The exterior bar, pool area, restaurant and reception were designed by Athens-based design gurus K Studio. Interiors are by Greek company Interni by ModaBagno. Drawing inspiration from the unique landscape of Santorini, the designed environment is composed of natural materials such as wood and stone, with a contemporary aesthetic.
Image credit: Bellonias Villas
The hotel’s beach suites reflect this philosophy of modern elegance paired with the traditional beauty of simplicity. Pressed cement floors and built-in beds and sofas are complemented by selected designer pieces and artistic details adding flashes of colour to a largely monochrome backdrop. This fusion of traditional Cycladic elements with a modern design concept creates a sophisticated environment with a warm, natural feel.
The 26 suites come in a variety of shapes and sizes including:
The honeymoon suite
Image credit: Bellonias Villas
Located on the upper level of the hotel, framing direct sea views from its balcony and its private outdoor hot tub is The Honeymoon Suite. An indoor staircase separates the upper level bedroom from the lower level, which features a spacious bathroom, a fully equipped kitchenette and a living area for lounging.
Superior Sea View Suite
Image credit: Bellonias Villas
These suites offer direct sea views from a furnished balcony or terrace, and sleep two adults in an airy open plan space, with double bed, a fully equipped kitchenette and bathroom. Sea View Suites are located either on the upper level or on the ground floor.
Apartment Suite
Image credit: Bellonias Villas
Apartment suites, expected to be in popular demand post-pandemic, have a furnished garden view terrace or balcony, and come in a variety of sizes, comfortably accommodating up to five people – perfect for families. There is one bedroom, plus a separate living space that can become a second sleeping area if required. A fully equipped kitchenette with dining area and bathroom complete the apartment.
Studio Suite
Small but perfectly formed, the Studio Suites sleep two adults in a double or twin beds, with furnished garden view balcony or terrace, fully equipped kitchenette and bathroom.
Elia Restaurant
Image credit: Bellonias Villas
With an inspiring open air setting, and delicious food by award-winning Chef Christos Papageorgiou, Elia is one of the finest dining options in Santorini. Set between the seafront of Kamari beach and the hotel’s chic pool area, the restaurant has a stylish yet unpretentious ambiance and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Image credit: Bellonias Villas
Image credit: Bellonias Villas
Within the hotel, a wellness area includes whirlpool tub, gym, steam, sauna and treatment room is available for guests to book on request.
A note from the editor: If the industry has learned anything during its forced hibernation over the last few months, it’s that simplicity and authenticity is going to be a significant demand for consumers checking into the post-pandemic world. Stripping interiors to reveal a minimalist design, exposing the architecture of a building, and injecting personality into private and public areas with interesting lighting concepts, and stylish art and the use of meaningful colour – much like what Bellonias Villas does so effortlessly – is going to be
SPOTLIGHT ON: anti-microbial fabrics – a question of balance
To conclude our month putting fabrics and soft furnishings under the spotlight, we hear from The Lindhurst Group about anti-microbial fabrics in the post-pandemic climate…
The ramifications of Covid 19 may well be with us for months if not years. There is a new way to meet, greet, socialise and travel with procedures, processes and protocols being applied to enable the hospitality sector to re-open and to give confidence to the customer.
As we get to understand the dynamics of Covid the rules, regulations and guidance are likely to change adding further cost and complexity.
There is a lot of discussion and debate advising the use of wipe clean upholstery fabrics, faux leathers, and the Anti-microbial materials to combat the virus but is this the correct route to follow?
Anti-microbials are designed to be effective against bacteria, mould and mildew whereas Covid 19 is a virus. Whilst there appears to be a degree of viricidal activity with the use of anti-microbials, these tests are being carried out using the feline strain as specific tests are not available using Covid 19. We are also learning that there are at least 6 strains of Covid 19 in circulation in the community and it is likely that further mutations will occur over time.
Is the promotion of the use of anti-microbials as an effective mechanism against Covid 19 the right thing to do? As the results from the tests are not giving 100 per cent success against Covid and they are not being carried out using Covid 19, are Operators being given a false sense of security and could this lead to complacency during cleaning and disinfection procedures?
Anti-microbials may well play a part and be helpful in the combat of Covid 19 on major and frequent “touch points” but the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces should play a greater part in combating this disease. The World Health Organisations recommends cleaning regimes that use alcohol based disinfectants but what effect can regular cleaning using these products have on faux leathers? It is well documented that regular use of alcohol based cleaners can react with plasticisers in the faux leather causing them to dry out and crack over a relatively short space of time. This could lead to a greater risk of infection as liquids will be able to penetrate through the cracks and into the seat creating a need to replace the seat prematurely.
“Sileather is uniquely placed to be able to withstand cleaners containing up to 95 per cent ethyl alcohol or 90 per cent Isopropyl alcohol.”
It is, therefore, crucial to understand the construction and stability of a faux leather when specifying for a particular project. Sileather is uniquely placed to be able to withstand cleaners containing up to 95 per cent ethyl alcohol or 90 per cent Isopropyl alcohol.
Whilst it is crucial to restore confidence to the consumer and to get the industry up and running, it is equally important that the environmental impacts are considered. The increase in specification of faux leather derived from petrochemicals with added Flame Retardants and other chemicals should be avoided. Sileather provides that Eco-friendly option being made from Silicone* without any added chemicals and can be recycled upon replacement.
This brief introductory video covers the key features of Sileather
Siotech, the manufacturers, takes a long term approach when creating Sileather and wants to be environmentally friendly.
Image caption: Sileather used in modern cushions | Image credit: The Lindhurst Group
Sileather is coated by 100 per cent silicone, a unique, non-plastic, non-petroleum based material admired for its sustainability qualities – in its raw form it is one of the most common elements found in nature, quartz sand. Not only is it less intrusive on the environment, but the production of it is less taxing on natural resources, for examples:
The cooling water used in production is recycled to avoid sewage discharge.
The waste rubber and paper produced by the production of products are recovered and recycled by professional companies.
The product is solvent-free, ultra low Vocs.
Sileather surpasses environmental standards, so you can breathe comfortably knowing that you are using a fabric that’s safe for you, safer for the environment in addition to being 100% cruelty-free
*Silicone: The high-tech material silicone is known from medical technology and the food industry and offers innovative applications in furniture covering. Silicon, the starting material for silicone, is the second most common element in the earth’s crust. Without additional equipment and additives, the material is flame retardant, stain resistant, antibacterial and alcohol resistant. The hypoallergenic material can then also be used outdoors due to its high UV resistance. It withstands strong temperature fluctuations and is still food safe and non-toxic.
The Lindhurst Group is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Aberdeen project trials NASA technology to purify air
A leading Aberdeen accommodation provider has become the first in its sector to trial an innovative system which uses technology developed for NASA to achieve the highest levels of hygiene and cleanliness…
City centre-based Skene House Serviced Apartments is currently trialling the innovative Room to Breathe cleaning process from Glasgow-based Insite Group as an additional level of cleanliness to maximise guest reassurance.
The ground-breaking, multi-step system is believed to be the only one of its kind and uses technology originally developed by NASA to purify air and apply antimicrobial coatings to surfaces. Using non-toxic and environmentally friendly processes, Room to Breathe almost completely eliminates allergens, mould, germs, influenza, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odours. Testing and swabbing in collaboration with experts Andersen Caledonia ensure targeted application of the system, and the highest levels of confidence.
Charles Skene of Skene House Serviced Apartments said: “Delivering services of the very highest standard, including cleanliness, has always been central to what we do but it is important to constantly seek new ways of raising the bar and enhancing the customer experience.
Image credit: Room to Breath with Skene Group
“As lockdown eases, guests and clients are looking for as much safety and certainty as possible to increase their travel confidence, and we feel that the partnership of Room to Breathe’s innovative system and Andersen Caledonia’s testing protocol provides that.
“We were delighted to receive confirmation of the effectiveness of our own cleaning regime which, coupled with the installation of the Room to Breathe system, means that we really are good to go.”
“Being the first hospitality provider in Scotland to offer this service was irresistible. It offers an augmentation of the deep clean and disinfection protocol that has been the standard hospitality ‘go to’ for reopening. We are delighted that the test results evidence that we are a safe environment, the application of Biotouch prevents contact transmission via surfaces that guests come into contact with and the strategic placement of the sanifiers throughout the serviced apartments and public area delivers protection from airborne contaminants.”=
Gordon Bruce from Room to Breathe added: “The system initially came about to create a hypoallergenic room experience in the hospitality sector, spearheaded by the contaminants found in indoor environments. At the beginning, it was seen as an opportunity for those who suffer from allergies or have immunity issues to buy a room which would match their needs and give them peace of mind.
“However, Covid-19 increased people’s awareness of the dangers that are present and, because our products kill Coronavirus and the system can work in any indoor environment, the interest in what we do has been significantly greater.”
Skene House Serviced Apartments is a locally-owned, independent and family-run enterprise. It operates 49 four-star residences at Whitehall, 46 apartments at Rosemount and 35 suites at Holburn, all with free parking. When Skene House was created in the 1970s, it was believed to be the first accommodation of its kind in the UK to offer fully serviced suites with hotel concierge service.
Room to Breathe is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
FEATURE: inside Hilton Garden Inn at Heathrow airport’s £4.2m renovation
For optimists, the timing couldn’t be better for Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow Airport Hotel to unveil the result of its £4.2m renovation, which now shelters new guestrooms, meeting areas and a few Covid-friendly adaptations. Editor Hamish Kilburn takes a look inside…
Following a number of openings and completed projects that have emerged since lockdown, I, like many, am feeling optimistic about the future of hospitality post-pandemic.
The latest significant project that has opened its doors following an extensive renovation is Hilton Garden Inn London Heathroom Airport Hotel – and I am pleasantly surprised by the attention to detail in the design scheme as I step inside to have a look round.
Although Hilton Garden Inn sits below some of the more desirable brands in the Hilton cluster, the hotel is fit for purpose – it is positioned steps from Hatton Cross Station, and offers easy access to all terminals at Heathrow Airport. What’s more, the newly refurbished hotel, which is the brainchild of Swedish design team DOOS, is warm, comfortable and even knocks on the door of luxury.
Image credit: Hilton Hotels
As part of the £4.2 million renovation, all guestrooms have been refurbished, with 205 undergoing a light refurbishment and 159 undergoing a full refurbishment and upgrade to Deluxe King Rooms. Additional areas of focus include the reception, restaurant, bar, and gym. Four innovatively designed meeting rooms within the pavilion conferencing area in the gardens of the property have also been completely renovated. Further enhancements to the MICE offering include the creation of three additional meeting rooms within the main building and the renovation of a further three meeting rooms, creating a total of 10 bespoke meeting areas.
Each guestroom boasts the brand’s signature bedding featuring fresh, white duvets and crisp linens creating the perfect balance between comfort and support. All bedrooms are fitted with optimum design elements to create a restful stay with stylish headboards, sophisticated lighting fixtures that fill the open space and soft furnishings. The theme is maintained through the upgraded Deluxe King Rooms which offer a larger en-suite bathroom and more luxurious settings, with additional plush sofa and unique lounge design features. The new bathrooms have been completely renovated and now feature large walk-in showers and modern, spacious vanity countertops.
Image credit: Hilton Hotels
Image credit: Hilton Hotels
A total of 10 new and newly refurbished meeting and conference rooms have been added to the hotel’s offering. Three brand new distinctive meeting rooms are available in the hotel’s main event space, with the existing three rooms boasting full renovations. The refurbishment continues through the outdoor Pavilion event space located in the gardens of the hotel, where four modern and professional rooms with their own personalities have been created. With these built-for-purpose event amenities, Hilton’s professional spaces offer slick technology, modern menus and expert planners and service teams who are on hand to help guests create special and memorable experiences for up to 300 people. A new shop area has also been completed offering grab & go food, freshly brewed Piacetto coffee, refreshing cold drinks and convenient amenity travel items.
Image credit: Hilton Hotels
Image credit: Hilton Hotels
In-house guests at Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow Airport will find greater convenience and more personalised experiences with Hilton’s refurbished health and wellness facilities, including a light and spacious purpose-built gym with state of art cardio and strength equipment by Technogym including the new high-intensity Technogym Bike where you can join interactive live spin classes from One Rebel studios in London.
In response to the impact of Covid-19, the property has responded by implementing key protocols relating to cleanliness and hygiene. This has been done with the protection of customers, employees and collaborators in mind. The hotel is the first in the UK to receive the Certificate of Assurance from Bureau Veritas for its measures in response to Covid-19 prevention, as well as being a part of the rigorous Hilton CleanStay programme.
Owned by Pandox AB, Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Airport offers amenities including complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel, a 24-hour business centre, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, full cooked-to-order breakfast, craft cocktails and shareable plates for dinner, that appeal to those travelling for business or leisure.
Crogiolio by Casa Ceramica is a series consisting of small-sized ceramics and stoneware tiles, with multiple identities…
Crogiolio is a collection of seven; ‘Lume, Zellige, Scenario, D_Segni Blend, D_Segni Scaglie, D_Segni Colore and D_Segni’, that together interprets the craftsmanship and manual skills of traditional potters.
This caters for contemporary taste, while retaining their uniqueness. A collective of versatile and distinctive products that incorporate ideas and impressions from past times. This collective reproduces the look and feel of tiles made by hand: inspired by the flaws typical of crafted ceramics. Carefully graduated colours create intense, constantly changing, hues. Perfect for intimate, comfortable and authentic interior design schemes.
The glossiest of glazes, vibrant textures and colours. Irregular brush-strokes and old-fashioned decorative motifs: “what looks genuinely handmade is actually the product of a sophisticated technology.” This genetic make-up is shared by all the latest additions to the Crogiolo collection, with different stylistic inputs but the same narrative strength: D_Segni Blend, Scenario, Lume and Zellige. Light and carefully calculated imperfection are the key to Lume and Zellige. This porcelain stoneware series was created through leading-edge research into ultra-glossy glazes.
Lume reinterprets the irregular beauty of hand-made majolica tiles, in the unusual 6×24 cm size. Using subtle variations in; hue, density of colour (in 6 shades), and variations in patterning, it makes every module unique and generates variegated compositions for installation with narrow joints.
Zellige, on the other hand, is the 10×10 cm version of the traditional, exceptionally glossy, Moroccan glazed terracotta tiles. Its irregular edges, textures and colours (12) create the perfect replication of an exotic, hand-crafted product.
Image credit: Casa Ceramica
Image credit: Casa Ceramica
Strong graphic motifs and geometric patterns make up the identity of Scenario. A 20×20 cm stoneware with a “brush-stroke” effect inspired by the Marazzi collection of the same name, created by painter and potter Venerio Martini in 1958. The uneven application of the colour recalls the hand-decoration process in used at the time. There are two surface variants: Semi Matt in three colours, suitable for the floors and walls of residential and light commercial locations, and Ultra-Glossy in five colours with a Mediterranean flavour.
The new StepWise technology is central to D_Segni Blend. The collection of porcelain stoneware cement tiles in the 20×20 cm and 10×10 cm sizes are produced with latest-generation glazes. This provides a super-matt surface combined with a wealth of colour, in more than 40 pattern varieties and multiple tones of the same shade. All of D_Segni is enhanced by the ornamental exuberance of the mix decors, with 16 different motifs. All six colours in the range offer outstanding anti-slip performances, with no reduction in the soft surface “feel”. The resulting product is both; poetic, high-tech and, like all the other Crogiolo collection series, has a special ability to bring tradition into contemporary architecture.
Casa Ceramica is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Marriott International opens 800th property in Asia Pacific
A milestone opening underscores the continued development of the Marriott International portfolio in Asia Pacific with brand debuts expected across the region throughout 2020…
Months after claiming to open more than 30 luxury properties in 2020, Marriott International has announced the opening of its 800th property in Asia Pacific, the JW Marriott Nara, marking the brand’s the entry into Japan.
The company also expects the EDITION and Aloft brands to debut in Japan before the end of the year. Across the Asia Pacific region throughout 2020, the Moxy brand anticipates its first hotel opening in China.
“We are encouraged by recent trends, especially in China, where demand has been driven primarily by domestic tourism.” – Craig S. Smith, Group President, Asia Pacific for Marriott International
“We remain confident in the resilience of travel, our owners and franchisees, guests and associates as well as the future prospects of lodging in Asia Pacific, our second largest market, ” said Craig S. Smith, Group President, Asia Pacific for Marriott International. “We are encouraged by recent trends, especially in China, where demand has been driven primarily by domestic tourism, and we will continue to focus on strengthening our footprint in this important, growing market.”
The group in Asia Pacific has, on average, added close to 80 hotels per year in the last three years, with its pipeline growing by nearly 10 percent annually over the same time period. In the first half of 2020 alone, the company recorded 73 new signings, including 43 in the Greater China region.
“These highly anticipated brand debuts are a testament to the confidence that the owner and franchisee community has in Asia Pacific, as well as Marriott International’s long-term vision, especially in today’s challenging business climate,” said Paul Foskey, Chief Development Officer, Marriott International, Asia Pacific. “Our owners and franchisees trust and choose Marriott International because of our overall reputation for product quality, our powerful and differentiated portfolio of brands, our Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program with more than 142 million global members, and our proven track record of operational excellence.”
In the last three years, the hotel group in Asia Pacific saw a 20 per cent increase in the number of conversion hotels added to the portfolio on an annual basis. Conversions allow owners and franchisees to plug into the Marriott system at a quicker pace compared to opening a new build hotel. This year, the company signed Singapore’s first two Autograph Collection hotels – Marriott International’s dynamic collection of independent hotels that champions individuality – both anticipated to fly the Autograph Collection brand flag in 2021.
With six billion domestic trips made to China in 2019 alone, largely attributed to a rise in average disposable income, demand for brands positioned at a moderate price-point has gained momentum among both travellers and hotel owners. To meet this growing demand and support franchisees, the group has introduced an “Enhanced Franchise” model. Under this model, Marriott will appoint a general manager for the first year of a hotel’s opening to help train and equip franchisees to leverage Marriott’s powerful systems.
Marriott International recently debuted the AC Hotels by Marriott brand in Asia Pacific with three AC by Marriott hotels in Malaysia earlier this year and the AC Hotels Tokyo Ginza earlier this month. AC Hotels by Marriott celebrates the beauty of modern design with its European soul and Spanish roots with hotels that are intuitively designed. Also in Japan and situated on the edge of a 1,300-year-old garden set on former royal palace grounds, the 158-room JW Marriott Nara is the first offering from the JW Marriott brand in the country. Additionally, expected to open by the end of this year, the EDITION Toranomon in Tokyo is slated to be the brand’s debut in the country.
With millennials expected to return to travel first, the anticipated opening of the Moxy Shanghai Xujiahui this year is expected to be an ideal addition to the vibrant cosmopolitan city. The millennial-focused Moxy brand features lively public spaces, minimalist design elements and rooms fitted with custom furniture that offers a playful style of traveling.
Note from the editor: while milestones like these should be celebrated as exceptional achievements, it’s also worth understanding that, as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, the demand for hotel development, hospitality and tourism in this region specifically is expected to suffer. It is therefore my hope that familiar hotel brands, like the ones that Marriott International shelters, will re-engage with the modern traveller, giving them much needed assurance to explore destinations beyond their reach once more in the post-pandemic world.
FEATURE: Geberit lifts the lid on bathroom hygiene
While the fallout from Covid-19 has been felt everywhere, it’s fair to say that the impact has been particularly felt in the hotel industry. Here, Sophie Weston, channel marketing manager at Geberit, discusses the ‘new normal’ and examines the significance of the bathroom space in putting hygiene front-of-mind – and how existing product design and innovation can help shape the future for hotels…
From July 4, hotels began the process of re-opening their doors after more than three months of lockdown – and, just like everywhere else, guests are seeing an entirely ‘new normal’. Among the new measures implemented by many hotels are keeping check-in as short as possible, introducing queueing systems and minimising lift usage.
Yet one of the biggest shifts for guests is a move towards a more touchless experience. Using phone, emails and guests’ apps, alongside contactless payments and pre-payments, are all initiatives being encouraged where possible. As the general manager of The Four Seasons Hotel in New York City – used by medics during the height of the pandemic as a self-proclaimed guinea pig for the industry – observed about this new trend: “…(it) is completely against a hotel’s nature of being hands-on and kind. We used to be known for the human touch — but now we’re all about no touch at all….”
Image credit: Geberit
Image credit: Geberit
Going touchless?
What the pandemic has taught us is that direct contact with others or surfaces can easily spread the transmission of the virus. This has been responsible for a huge change in consumer behaviour – according to research, 80 per cent of consumers expect to now change the way they engage with publicly available technology[1].
But what of the hotel washroom – a natural focus for the highest standards of cleanliness and where hygiene is particularly crucial?
Just last year, for example, P&G Professional found that 78 per cent of hotel guests believed cleanliness to be the most important factor when deciding where to stay.[2] Indeed, a ‘fresh smelling bathroom’ and ‘an immaculate bathroom’ were the top two choices for UK travellers when searching for a hotel room. This survey was undertaken in September – a lifetime ago in Covid-19 terms. So one can only imagine just how even more critical the washroom space will now be for our hotel guests.
Image credit: Geberit
Importance of the washroom space
It’s worth touching briefly upon the history of the bathroom and its evolution alongside disease prevention to put the significance of the space in a little more context. Today’s bathrooms developed alongside the 1950’s cholera epidemic, the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic and tuberculosis outbreaks. Back then, wallpaper, floorings and finishes were all designed to minimise the spread of bacteria and to promote health and hygiene; the need for bathrooms to be easily cleaned was a crucial consideration.
In later years, when antibiotics and hygiene standards improved, the emphasis shifted from disease prevention in the bathroom. Bathrooms evolved into more sensory spaces, with trends like textured bathrooms in the 70s and into the 80s where carpets and toilet seat covers were ‘stylish’ additions in the space. More recent decades have seen the transformation of the bathroom into a sanctuary, with innovations such as bluetooth and infra-red technology developing alongside this. And hotels have, too, adapted their bathrooms in line with these consumer trends over the years.
So what will the legacy of Covid-19 be in the ‘new normal’ bathroom and what will this mean for the hotel sector?
Product innovations
With touchless technology likely to be the new norm, this is, too, something we at Geberit are now seeing unprecedented demand for from our customers. Manufacturers have, of course, been producing touchless products for many years. Infra-red wall-mounted taps, for example, such as Geberit’s Brenta and Piave products, optimise hand hygiene in high footfall public washrooms and work in conjunction with a pre-wall frame system. Likewise, touchless WC flush controls like Geberit’s Sigma80 and Sigma10 incorporate innovations such as a sensor that allows the unit to flush as soon as the toilet has been used. Making the washroom space touchless wherever possible will be a huge consideration for hotels, particularly in high footfall public areas.
But it’s not just this infra-red technology that can help put hygiene front-of-mind. More simple product developments from manufacturers – for instance, Geberit’s KeraTect Glaze – make cleaning easier with a non-porous and smoother surface; such glazes can also help prevent staining of the ceramics and create a high-gloss, effect. Solutions like this not only help maintain high levels of hygiene but also, crucially, really help to enhance the look and feel of the bathroom as a ‘clean’ space.
Similarly, developments such as Geberit’s Rimfree ceramic appliances and TurboFlush technology can eliminate tricky corners and hard-to-reach areas around the pan, with removable toilet seats also helping eradicate any hidden areas where dust and bacteria may proliferate.
Image credit: Geberit
Another area we’re predicting real growth in is wall-hung toilets and sanitaryware. Lifting the toilet from the floor naturally makes maintenance and cleaning much easier; and once again, with no hard to reach areas, dirt and dust accumulation is significantly reduced. Alongside this, we predict a strong future for the growth of the shower toilet, with products such as Geberit AquaClean providing guests with the ultimate hygienic experience.
Hotels will, naturally, have to look at all these considerations alongside the wider guest experience of the washroom space. Hotel washrooms are increasingly seen as a place of sanctuary; indeed at Geberit we produced a White Paper in 2017 on the importance of establishing the bathroom as a sensory space and a retreat from our ‘always on’ world. As the trend for selling ‘experiences’ and creating an escapism for guests continues, so too will the value of creating a unique, positive guest experience. And this will need to be carefully balanced when incorporating any new designs and technology.
Image credit: Geberit
Hygiene as a selling point?
The future will no doubt look quite different for hotels as they start to rebuild business – but there are encouraging signs. Knight Frank is confident about the sector’s potential recovery from Covid, predicting occupancy growth beginning slowly in Q3 followed by substantially stronger growth in Q4 as travel confidence returns.[3]
The industry has, of course, been looking at new standards and new ways of working during the peak of the pandemic. The UK Housekeepers’ Association (UKHA) announced the launch of a new ‘Housekeeping COVID-19 Secure Standard’, designed to provide an industry-wide approach to cleaning and offering a clear process for housekeepers and accommodation managers to follow – in line with government guidelines. With more than 700 members at UKHA, the standard will be available to hotels across the sector.
Meanwhile, the AA’s Covid Confident accreditation scheme, announced in June, is aimed at boosting public confidence as lockdown measures ease with premises indicating that they have the necessary health and safety measures in place to reopen to the public.
What will be significant about this focus on hygiene is that, while the vast majority of hotels will undoubtedly always have had the hygiene of their guests as a priority, it has never needed to be a unique selling point. Until now.
At a time when the pandemic has thrust hygiene into the spotlight, the onus is now on manufacturers and hotels to work together to find not only hygienically-optimised products but solutions and designs that also reinforce the perception of a clean space.
As one US architect observed, what is significant about these periods of disease is that “architects are often inspired to come up with fresh ideas during these moments.” And this will need to apply to manufacturers too, as we continue to innovate and work in partnership with the hotel sector to help them adapt to these new times.
Geberit is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Morris & Co. collaborates with architectural designer Ben Pentreath for AW20 collection
Ben Pentreath, renowned architectural and interior designer, collaborates with Morris & Co. to create a joyous collection of colour and iconic pattern, new for AW20. Hotel Designs explores…
Ben Pentreath’s Queen Square collection for Morris & Co. is the result of a seamless meeting of minds between an iconic brand and one of the country’s most sought after interior designers.
The latest collection, which was named after the street that sheltered the Morris & Co factory and showroom, features designs across 18 fabrics and 18 wallpapers and creates nostalgic familiarity.
“It was a wonderful experience to be let loose in the Morris & Co.” – Ben Pentreath, architectural and interior designer.
Now, more than ever, the world is in a reflective mood, finding pleasure in the simple things; an ethos shared by William Morris, who designed from a place of appreciation and understanding. With a love of the English countryside and the beauty that surrounds us, this collection showcases the longevity of expertly crafted design, filling our hopes and hearts with positivity.
“I’ve always loved the designs of William Morris, and we’ve used his superb, timeless papers and fabrics in many of our decoration projects over the years,” said Pentreath. “So it was a wonderful experience to be let loose in the Morris & Co. archive: we’ve taken many original patterns, and recoloured them in a palette of my favourite colours, to cast his designs in a completely new light.”
Claire Vallis, creative director at Morris & Co. adds: “Working with Ben has been the most wonderful experience – his knowledge and clear vision have been instrumental in how we’ve used the products. Combining our passions to create his vision has been phenomenal, and seeing patterns that we know so well in a completely different light is incredibly exciting. We’re delighted with how joyful this collection is.”
Preserving the integrity of Morris’s production methods has been paramount throughout this collection, with all 18 wallpapers surface printed on paper to retain their original look and feel. Similarly cotton/linen cloths provide the closest match to archival Morris & Co. design books, with each design screen printed for an unrivalled intensity of colour.
Queen Square will be styled exclusively by Ben at his stunning Dorset home, with photography featuring in the collection’s design books. Revival designs such as Blackthorn and Daffodil appear alongside the much- loved Willow Bough wallpaper and the favourite scrolling frescos of Bachelor’s Button fabric and wallpaper. Saturated colours exult at the wonder of life, leaning towards an altogether brighter future and the enduring legacy of exceptional design.
Morris & Co. is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Everything you need to know about hospitality salaries and staff expectations
Salaries and conditions in hospitality can be a touchy subject. It’s sometimes hard to know exactly what your staff need — and expect — to do their jobs properly. Planday’s industry expert Jonne Tanskanen explains how you can get an exclusive look at what your staff want with the results of the largest hospitality salary survey…
If you asked your staff to rank the changes they would like at work, what would they say?
For 66 per cent of hospitality workers in the UK, the answer is better financial remuneration. Then it’s a better work-life balance and the opportunities for training, development and promotion.
Image credit: Planday
So what — exactly — does that look like?
Discussions about salaries and conditions can be touchy and it’s a challenge to balance the investment you need to make in people to create quality experiences and keep your business plan on track. In a busy hotel, you can often schedule staff for the right number of hours but then reality gets in the way and your staff do more overtime, often with very little notice.
Smart businesses understand that the best possible investment any hotel can make is in finding, training and keeping quality staff. They create better experiences for your guests, keep loyal customers coming back and help you grow your business along with it.
But keeping quality staff longer takes investment and time for any HR Manager. And that’s why Planday recently partnered with the Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Show to hear exactly what more than 1,800 hospitality staff want.
Image credit: Planday
Image credit: Planday
In an exclusive report that you can download today, you’ll get the data you need to help keep your employees happy and grow your business.
Join the hundreds of hospitality businesses around the world with the insight they need to keep quality staff for longer.
Understand the importance of employee benefits
View what benefits are available and used throughout the industry
Learn about other drivers that keep employees in their role
See the average annual salaries of hospitality workers
Find out how many extra hours are usually added to contracted amount per week
Read what hospitality employees feel about their work-life balance
The Brit List Awards 2020: applications are open and FREE
FREE TO APPLY: Hotel Designs’ The Brit List Awards is back for another year to identify the leading interiors designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers operating in Britain…
Following last year’s spectacular event, The Brit List Awards is back for another year, and the nationwide search to find Britain’s leading interior designers, hoteliers and architects starts here.
Nominations for all categories are now open – and, what’s more, the process in which to apply or nominate someone deserving for The Brit List Awards 2020 remains completely free.
FREE TO ENTER: Simply click here to apply/nominate for The Brit List Awards 2020.
Once all nominations have been received by the closing date of August 27, the judging panel – made up of figures from across the hospitality, design and architecture sectors – will select the final 75 most inspirational and influential people in British design, hotels and architecture, as well as selecting this year’s individual winners of the following awards:
Interior Designer of the Year
Architect of the Year
Hotelier of the Year
Best in Tech
The Eco Award
Best in British Product Design
Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry
“The Brit List Awards 2020 will take place as a virtual event on November 12, with a live winners party scheduled for January 28 2021 at Minotti London.”
Unlike previous years, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, The Brit List Awards 2020 will take place as a virtual event on November 12, with a live winners party scheduled for January 28 2021 at Minotti London. Katy Phillips, publisher at Hotel Designs, explains: “While we would prefer to physically bridge the gap between all of our shortlisted finalists by hosting a live awards ceremony, we have made the sensible decision to carry out this year’s awards ceremony virtually,” she explains. “However, in order to ensure that we are offering the valuable networking element of our event, we look forward to welcoming the shortlisted finalists, the winners and key-industry suppliers to our live winners’ party celebration as part of MEET UP London in January 2021 at Minotti London.”
Over the last three years, The Brit List Awards has becoming a significant event in the design, architecture and hospitality calendar, as Hamish Kilburn, editor of Hotel Designs, explains: “The Brit List Awards was born out of the concept to celebrate Britain as a major design and hospitality hub,” he says. “Arguably, it is more important this year than any other year before to mark that success while celebrating the talented individuals who are continuing to design innovative spaces on the international design scene. It is therefore my pleasure to host this year’s event, albeit virtually, and I cannot wait to personally congratulate the winners when we all meet again in January 2021 for the winners’ party.”
If you would like to discuss various sponsorship packages available, please contact Katy Phillips via email, or call 01992 374050. Tickets to both the virtual event and the winners party will be available to secure soon.
In the wake of pandemic, Hotel Designs has made a few amendments to this year’s in-house event calendar. Editor Hamish Kilburn explains…
The internal whole team at Hotel Designs and Forum Events have been working tireless, reacting to the latest government guidelines, in order to organise premium networking events that are safe and effective for designers, hoteliers, architects, developers and key-industry suppliers.
Ahead of officially opening nominations for The Brit List Awards 2020, here’s some clarification around the latest amendments to this year’s in-house events.
Hotel Designs LIVE | October 13, 2020 | Virtual event
The next Hotel Designs LIVE will take place on October 13 (more details on the line-up and how to participate coming soon).
In order to continue to create conversations like no other, Hotel Designs has launched Hotel Designs LIVE, a one-day virtual conference to serve the industry during the Covid-19 crisis.
In addition to the live seminar sessions – and to ensure that the event is bridging the gap between hospitality suppliers and designers, architects, hoteliers and developers – the conference also included structured ‘PRODUCT WATCH’ pitches around each session, allowing suppliers the opportunity to pitch their products and services in a ‘live’ environment to the hospitality buyers that are tuned in.
The inaugural Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place online on June 23, defined the point on international hotel design’s most relevant topics with the help of some of design, architecture and hospitality’s leading figures as well as identifying the latest product innovations on the market.
#HotelDesignsLIVE
The Brit List Awards 2020 | November 12, 2020 | Virtual event
The Brit List Awards is back for another year to identify the leading interiors designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers operating in Britain.
Following last year’s spectacular event, the nationwide search to find Britain’s leading interior designers, hoteliers and architects has begun.
Unlike previous years, due to the outbreak of Covid-19, The Brit List Awards 2020 will take place as a virtual event on November 12, with a live winners’ party (MEET UP London) scheduled for January 28 2021 at Minotti London.
Simply click here to apply/nominate free of charge for The Brit List Awards 2020.
Sponsors:
Exclusive Headline Partner: Crosswater
Event Partner: Hamilton Litestat
Event Partner: Duravit
Award Partner: Aqualisa
Showcase Partner: Schlüter Systems
#TheBritListAwards2020
MEET UP London/The Brit List Winners’ Party | January 28, 2021 | Minotti London
For Hotel Designs’ first live networking event staged since lockdown, The Brit List Awards 2020 is gatecrashing MEET UP London.
Sheltered safely inside Minotti London’s premium and spacious Fitzrovia showroom, MEET UP London will welcome the shortlisted finalists and winners of The Brit List Awards 2020. As well as celebrating Britain as a design and hospitality hub, the event will be themed ‘Inspiring Creativity’. To aptly mark this, Hotel Designs has invited an award-winning sound designer and functional music innovation Tom Middleton and award-winning research entrepreneur Ari Peralta to become headline speakers at the event.
Applying principles of neuroscience, behaviour and psychology, the visionaries will respond to MEET UP London’s theme by immersing our audience into a sensory experience like no other before. This will be followed by an engaging talk discussing how and why sound should be considered when designing the hotel of the future. From Jet Lag to Mindfulness solutions, their unique collaboration represents the synergy and creativity needed to future-proof hospitality.
MEET UP North | May 6 | Stock Exchange Hotel, Manchester
In response to the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, MEET UP North has been forced to postpone its plans until next year. The event, which is Hotel Designs’ leading networking evening in the north, will return to Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester on May 6, 2021.
Considering the vast amount of hotel projects currently on the boards in the north – many of which are slated to complete and open this year – the theme of MEET UP North will be Manchester On The Boards. The city, which has hosted the concept since its launch in 2018, will once again welcome leading designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers for the industry’s leading networking event in the north.
Sponsors:
Event Partner: Hamilton Litestat
Headline Partner: Crosswater
If you would like to sponsor any of our upcoming events, please email Katy Phillips, or call +44 (0) 1992 374050.
In Conversation With: Penta Hotels’ new MD, Rogier Braakman
In February 2020, weeks before the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a pandemic, the new Managing Director of Penta Hotels Worldwide was announced. Following what we can only imagine was a turbulent start to his role, Editor Hamish Kilburn catches up with Rogier Braakman to understand his plans for the lifestyle hotel group…
It’s hard to recall that a few months ago, before the words ‘furlough’ and ‘pandemic’ were being splashed across the daily news channels, the industry as a whole was feeling rather optimistic about 2020. New colour trends were being predicted, hotel groups were expanding, and, in February 2020, the news broke that Rogier Braakman would take over from Eugène Staal to become Managing Director of Penta Hotels Worldwide, marking a new era for the group.
As regions were seeing record-breaking levels of development, Covid-19 sent its shockwave through all industries – arguably hitting hospitality the hardest – which decimated sales and marketing strategies as businesses went into survival mode. “It is the biggest burden of every business owner being forced to suspend operations for an undefined time,” explained Braakman in a press release that was released at the time. “Since opening, we have operated our hotels 24/7, 365 days a year, and hadn’t had to close for a single day. Yet, instead of carrying out our initial plans, we have been working around the clock to temporarily suspend operations in many hotels, restructure our processes and ask for many intense sacrifices from all team members and stakeholders. Despite all this, we have been putting a lot of effort in bringing in new innovations and improving our product throughout all hotels.”
Following the lockdown, and after what can only be described as one of the most challenging months for all hoteliers, I sat down with Braakman (virtually) to understand more about his role.
Hamish Kilburn: Where were you self-isolating during the Covid-19 pandemic?
RB: I make a weekly commute between our family home in the Dutch forest and our Frankfurt Penta office, always adhering strictly to all Covid-19 regulations. I feel privileged to be able to enjoy my family life and the positively contagious Penta-spirit!
Image caption: The lounge inside Pentahotel Berlin | Image credit: Penta Hotels
“But what sets us apart from other lifestyle brands is that our ‘neighbourhood’ promise extends to the wider community and environment, which we have committed to protecting through various initiatives and our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.” – Rogier Braakman, Managing Director, Penta Hotels.
Hamish Kilburn: What makes Penta Hotels a unique lifestyle hotel brand?
RB: Penta Hotels are characterised by our lively neighbourhood brand that emits a happy camper ambience. The positive attitude of our staff and our unique interior design makes us a model host. We have created a comfortable environment for our guests with a relaxed atmosphere centered around our buzzing Penta Lounges in every hotel, which function on a 24/7 basis where all our guests’ needs are catered for in one space. But what sets us apart from other lifestyle brands is that our ‘neighbourhood’ promise extends to the wider community and environment, which we have committed to protecting through various initiatives and our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030. In keeping with the Penta spirit, we don’t ever do single acts of charity, but instead offer ways that our guests can take part in giving back so that they too can feel a part of our community. However, lately we have had the tendency of exchanging the word ‘lifestyle’ more and more with the word ‘lively’, which we believe nowadays is more spot on.
Image caption: Corridor towards meeting area inside Pentahotel Berlin | Image credit: Penta Hotels
Hamish Kilburn: Can you explain a little bit about Penta Hotels’ plans for expansion?
RB: Our focus is to grow our brand in prime locations in secondary cities or secondary locations in primary cities across Europe. Expansion should arise as a result of our strategy, rather than the other way around.
Hamish Kilburn: You mention that lockdown has allowed you to look at new innovations and improving your product throughout all hotels. Can you elaborate on this?
RB: With the pandemic we’ve had to adapt quickly to the new normal, or as I heard an entrepreneur recently say, a ‘temporary abnormal’. In just over a month, we managed to think up and execute our Between Us campaign, based on the notion that although Covid-19 has forced more physical distance between us, it can be seen as an opportunity for bonding and creating solidarity between people. Through this campaign we are allowing our guests to feel comfortable, safe, but also have fun with social distancing. It includes the VIP Rock Star Service where we’ve mapped out routes guests can take around the hotel and Penta Lounges that limit interaction with others, cashless payments, and introduced excellent hygiene training for our staff members that includes no housekeeping, but also exciting perks like free Take Care package on entry, and free bag of snacks every morning at your door.
The campaign sets us apart from our competitors because it shows we are seizing the pandemic as an opportunity to learn how to better accommodate our guests, by finding new ways to create a safe and comfortable space. So far, guest feedback has been really positive.
Image caption: Meeting room inside Penta Hotel Paris | Image credit: Penta Hotels
Hamish Kilburn: What advice would you give the rest of the hospitality industry at this time?
RB: Unfortunately, COVID-19 is a predator and it will stay around for a while, so we are having to take a real ‘don’t crack under pressure’ attitude as we adapt to new circumstances. In order to do this, we have to stay strong and try our best to turn this crisis into a success by playing to our strengths, as well as recognising which things weren’t working well even before the crisis. Our strengths have always been a positive attitude and creative approach, and we are making sure to always be direct with each other, not beat around the bush, and take immediate actions to make our hotels safe.
Hamish Kilburn: How will lifestyle hotels, which typically focus heavily on utilising public areas, differ post-pandemic?
RB: This predator is going to remain for a long time – so we’re going to need to work with it. We have revisited our business operations and figured out how best to safely and securely reopen, and although we do not want our hotels to serve as extended intensive care units, we need to make sure that all hygienic measures are in place and that people feel safe. Luckily, we don’t have small lobbies and most of our Pentalounges are extensive spaces in which we’ve been able to encourage social distancing with our Between Us campaign, by mapping out distanced routes and introducing cashless payments.
We do not want our brand standards to vaporise due to all these extra precautions, so we had to redefine our new operating standards within the ‘temporary abnormal’. This means taking serious precautions that alter the Penta experience, including no more housekeeping, and training our staff on additional hygiene procedures. For example, when you check in, you’re given a ‘Take Care’ bag from Penta, and we’ve even made our own ‘Penta Pointer’ which is similar to a keyring that can be used to open all access points within the hotel, therefore reducing the risk of being contaminated. We’re also doing trials with heat cams to see how our guests are responding, and introduced the Penta Hotel app, which isn’t fully in place yet, but it means everyone can check in from home using their own device, or even chat to our reception team.
Hamish Kilburn: What does lifestyle in ‘lifestyle hotel’ mean to you?
RB: A lifestyle hotel means ensuring all our guests are happy campers, and however brief or extended their stay, they are made to feel part of our community. Instead of custom reception areas we have created social spaces in every hotel called the Penta Lounge, areas with 24/7 service where guests can check in, but also chill out, do some work or play on our games consoles. At our hotels, there is always an initiative that guests can take part in that benefits the wider community and environment, and our social staff members are always willing to engage with any problem a guest has
Hamish Kilburn: What do you love most about the hospitality industry?
RB: What I love best about hospitality is working with people, and I was drawn to Penta because it is an appealing and distinctive hotel brand centered around people, with a buzzing community spirit. I believe success comes from guest satisfaction and high-quality service, which is only possible when you have a team of brilliant staff members that communicate well with one another and our guests. I share Penta’s vision for a modern approach to hoteliering, where giving back to the community and providing a relaxed, neighbourhood feel is at the centre of its brand. Penta has had a rocky climb in the last year or so but our positive staff with their can-do attitude, have really helped with recent difficulties. Their team spirit and desire to truly make Penta a success has made me feel extremely supported and inspired my confidence that we will continue to succeed in the future.
Hamish Kilburn: Can you explain Penta Hotels in three words?
RB: Relaxed, positive, friendly
Hamish Kilburn: If money or development were not obstacles, where in the world would you like to open a hotel?
RB: Every self-conscious city with a sustainable, interesting and appealing backcountry deserves a Pentahotel.
Penta Hotels, which has 28 operating properties across Europe and Asia, represents a new generation of neighbourhood lifestyle hotels offering modern-minded individuals and business travellers comfort and style in a relaxed atmosphere. Known for its unique interior design and attitude, the lifestyle brand stands for true innovation in the industry’s upper- midscale segment.
IN VIDEO: Parkside’s discussion about colour & wellbeing
To officially mark the launch of the brand’s new Matrix collection, Parkside Architectural Tiles invited editor Hamish Kilburn to get comfortable on the virtual sofa to discuss colour and wellness in design, architecture and hospitality…
If the pandemic was a colour, it would arguably be a dull grey. While hospitality is reopening its doors, and designers are making their way back into studio life, the need for colour has never been greater than it is right now.
Cue the launch of Matrix collection by Parkside Architectural Tiles, which was inspired by the brand’s desire to create a range of colours that would allow the design community to curate co-ordinated looks or mix and match colours to create striking design statements.
Its launch has allowed us to question colour and its relationship to wellbeing in and outside the hotel. To start the conversation, Parkside welcomed experts in the international design and architecture arena to participate in an exclusive panel discussion where all colourful opinions were welcome, and indeed encouraged.
Chaired by Joanna Watchman from workinmind.org, the experts on the virtual sofa were Ben Channon, associate architect and head of wellbeing at Assael Architecture; Constantina Tsoutsikou, founder of Studio LOST, who brought a hospitality and public space perspective; Hamish Kilburn, editor, Hotel Designs, who was able view the topic through editorial lenses; and Vanessa Konig, Konig Colours, who collaborated with the brand to create the new collection.
Here’s the discussion in full:
Parkside Architectural Tiles is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Bathroom solutions from Kaldewei create wellness oases for your home-from-home interiors…
People are currently spending a lot of time within their own four walls – what with working from home, childcare and other daily duties, we often have little room for relaxation and soothing moments.
At times like these it is the bathroom that is the best space for calm, retreat and silence, where we can recharge our batteries. As a manufacturer of premium bathrooms Kaldewei sees itself not only as a lover of design but also as a source of inspiration for a relaxed wellness areas. With the perfectly coordinated design combination of Miena washbasin bowl, Meisterstück Conoduo bathtub and Conoflat shower, the bathroom is transformed into a stylish place for regeneration.
Treat your senses with the Meisterstück Conoduo
The Meisterstück Conoduo forms the basis of a soothing bathroom. This bathtub is key with its sophisticated design and impeccable aesthetic: architectural, geometric and seamless. For the perfect bathing experience, the Sound Wave bathtub audio system is available on request. This system turns the bathtub into an elegant sounding body. With a smartphone, laptop or tablet, you can enjoy your music collection via Bluetooth in a completely new way. Now all you have to do is lean back and relax – comfortably propped up, perhaps, with a Kaldewei bath cushion that moulds itself perfectly to your neck. with, a valve that allows you to adjust it to your required level of cushioning at will.
Image caption: The Meisterstück Conoduo | Image credit: Kaldewei
Floor-level Conoflat shower rounds off design concept
For superb comfort with no compromises, Kaldewei also offers accessible solutions that are a must in the modern bathroom. Thanks to the ingenious design concept, the floor-level Conoflat shower is the perfect visual complement to the tasteful Conoduo bathtub, it provides an extremely flat design with no tripping hazards. The enamelled waste cover integrates smoothly into the floor-level surface of the shower. This delightful feast for the eyes in your own bathroom is completed by the Miena washbasin bowls. Delicate, fine-edged, in gorgeous colours and in minimalist design, the venerable company’s classic product line fits perfectly into the coordinated concept for wellbeing in the bathroom.
Sustainable, hygienic and long-lasting: Kaldewei steel enamel
Hygiene is particularly important in times like these – especially in the bathroom. As with all of its high-quality products, Kaldewei also uses its unique material – Kaldewei steel enamel – for this bathroom concept. The non-porous vitreous surface guarantees hygiene and ultra-easy cleaning. When you wash your hands, dirt and germs are simply rinsed away with the water – no tiresome wiping and cleaning required. In addition the material is exceptionally robust so it can’t be damaged by cosmetics or cleaning agents. A further plus for steel enamel: it is 100 % recyclable. In other words, this elegant combination of steel and glass not only looks fabulous but also allows you to do your bit towards resource conservation.
Kaldewei is one of Hotel Designs’ recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Main image caption: Miena washbasin bowls, Meisterstück Conoduo bathtub and Conoflat shower | Main image credit: Kaldewei
Global lifestyle brand Nobu Hospitality, founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, has announced it will open its first hotel in Africa in 2021…
Where rich heritage meets Nobu Hospitality’s contemporary flair, Nobu Hotel Marrakech will be located in the Hivernage district, steps from the historic heart of the city, souks and vibrant Djemaa el-Fna.
Transformed into a luxury lifestyle destination, the hotel will house 71 spacious guest rooms and suites, a selection of dynamic dining venues and rooftop spaces, a 2,000 sq. ft luxurious spa and fitness centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and meeting and event space.
King Mohammed VI’s “Tourism Development Strategy Vision 2020” plan has been the driving force at encouraging foreign investment in Morocco’s tourism sector. His Majesty has outlined great vision and Nobu is pleased to be entering the market at this exciting time.
Ahmed Bennani, President Hivernage Collection said, ‘The partnership with Nobu Hospitality with the launch of the Nobu Hotel and Restaurant Marrakech will enable our existing Pearl Hotel to be taken to next level. It is further significant, as the launch in Marrakech will be the first Nobu Hotel in Africa. Marrakech as a destination fits seamlessly within the Nobu Hotel collection and we expect it will be embraced by locals and the strong base of European and US Nobu customers.’ Daniel Shamoon, Director MC Hotels comments, “We are very pleased that Marrakech will become a part of our growing collection of Nobu Hotels joining Marbella and Ibiza Bay. In a time when our global society and economies are fragile, we maintain our continued belief and commitment to hospitality.”
Trevor Horwell, Chief Executive Officer Nobu Hospitality comments, “We are excited to be working with Ahmed Bennani and his Hermitage Collection, and again with Daniel Shamoon and MC Hotels on this exciting project. An increasing number of hotel owners today want to maintain the integrity of their properties, whilst having an appetite to work with us to enable complete differentiation, revenue advantage, and leveraging our food and beverage prowess. The global health and economic crisis have underscored this, and with Nobu’s strong appeal to the local market as well as the international traveller, we are pleased to provide such advantage.”
Bathroom inspiration: 400 colours by Bette to choose from
German bathroom manufacturer Bette offers its baths, shower trays and basins in more than 400 colours – and also creates bespoke colours for large projects…
Bathroom brand Bette can create its baths, shower trays and washbasins in more than 400 colours because of the way its products are made.
Each item is individually manufactured in titanium-steel, before its durable BetteGlaze enamel finish is applied and fired. Bette mixes colour pigments into the BetteGlaze enamel finish, prior to application, which is why such a huge range of colours, including gloss, matt, shimmering and glittering options, are available.
Bette’s unique finish not only allows more than 400 colour options, but the glazed titanium-steel results in products that keep their good looks for many years, are easy to clean, 100 per cent recyclable and come with a 30 year warranty, making them ideal for both contract and residential projects.
22 matt colours
Some of Bette’s most popular colours are its 22 exclusive matt options. These colours are often selected for Bette’s flush-to-floor shower trays, as well as its baths and basins. The colours take their inspiration from natural stone colours, and also include matt white.
Bespoke colours
In addition, if customers working on large projects require a specific colour that Bette does not currently produce, the company offers the option of creating a bespoke colour.
Image credit: Bette
Image credit: Bette
Bette’s approach to colour
Sven Rensinghoff, head of marketing at Bette comments: “Our glazed titanium-steel baths, basins and shower trays can be given attractive visual depth through the colour selection. Our goal is to not only use colour as a decorative element, but to support the spatial effect of our products.
“Coloured products can provide eye-catching dashes of colour, for example, the spotlight can be put on the washing area by selecting the round BetteCraft washbasin in luminous green or a soft shade of blue. Eye-catching special effect colours, such as our Midnight black glitter colour, or the ever-changing Forest colour, can create impact and visual interest that changes as the lighting alters.
“In addition to innovative and eye-catching colours, Bette also offers a wide range of timeless, discreet shades including pastels, earth and stone colours and matt options. These can help to radiate a calming effect and convey a natural cosiness and are some of our most popular colours. For example, more than 40 per cent of Bette customers currently choose timeless, natural, matt colours for their Bette glazed titanium-steel shower floors.”
Bette is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Six Senses Antognolla, which marks the brand’s second opening in Italy, will shelter more branded residences than it will rooms…
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has announced its latest project in the group’s expanding portfolio with Six Senses Antognolla, set in Umbria, the green heart of Italy.
Opening in 2023, the same year as the hotel plans to open its debut London property, Six Senses Antognolla will welcome guests to a rural escape against the backdrop of olive groves, vineyards and cypress-topped hills.
The castle, borgo and estate are being reincarnated with a sustainable focus. There will be 71 rooms and 79 branded residences, a diverse wellness and cultural offering, 18-hole golf course, equestrian centre, cookery school and organic farm. Encompassing a 1,335-acre (540-hectare) site, the surrounding contours and forest provide privacy and exclusivity, while the variety of facilities and activities make it a year-round destination.
Image credit: Six Senses
Image credit: Six Senses
The redevelopment is being headed by VIY Management (VIYM), a London-based investment firm focused on luxury hospitality and mixed-use real estate projects and Alessio Carabba Tettamanti, an investor in Antognolla and the owner of the luxury Umbrian estate Tenuta di Murlo. The masterplan is by Woods Bagot, ranked sixth in the BD World Architecture 100. Interiors are by Tokyo-based Design Studio SPIN, known for transforming the interiors of renowned hotels and restaurants into the most luxurious venues.
“We are delighted that our vision of the project is in line with that of Six Senses.” – Jim Ryan, development director, Antognolla
“We are thrilled to start bringing our collaborative plans with Six Senses to life. Antognolla is a unique project in Italy in terms of its concept; combining a luxury hotel in a medieval castle, stylish serviced residential properties, an exceptional golf course and a luxurious spa complex – all of which will be operated by a world-renowned international hospitality brand,” said development director Jim Ryan of Antognolla. “We are delighted that our vision of the project is in line with that of Six Senses, and we have a truly unique opportunity to carefully preserve and develop this area of historical and cultural significance.”
A new chapter in this rich history has now begun. The 71 guest rooms and suites will be located within the historical castle and traditional old borgo buildings. The 79 residences, which will soon be available to purchase, range from apartments and two-bedroom villas to six-bedroom farmhouses, combining the heritage of Umbria with the comfort of modern living. All accommodations offer a unique home-from-home retreat thanks to the location, design features and abundant resort facilities. Old or new, everything blends seamlessly with the surroundings.
Six Senses Spa will be located within a contemporary wing of the new main building, and will offer wellness programming that incorporates sleep health, nutrition, movement and self-discovery.
Running through the centre of the estate, the 18-hole golf course has been designed by renowned designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. With long, cliff-lined fairways, undulating greens and pesky lakes, the course has been installed to provide year-round playability and quick-drying surfaces. Drainage water is captured and recycled, boosting the course’s eco-credentials.
The charm of Umbria’s ancient towns and villages is complemented by its cuisine, which is renowned for superb ingredients and authentically rustic dishes. Guests and residents will enjoy the very best of local produce, including herbs, olives, fruit and vegetables grown on the estate itself.
The drive for sustainability has grown tremendously in the last few years, with individuals and businesses alike becoming committed to sustainable values. What once was more of a fashionable trend has rightly become a major cross-sector movement, and increasingly diverse industries are promoting eco-conscious practices. Most importantly, consumers are holding companies accountable for their claims, and want them to do more than swap out plastic straws or reuse cups. This has led to a push for innovative new concepts, uses of materials, and structural changes, so that the needs of projects are met in a significantly more sustainable way.
Within sectors such as luxury hospitality, a major question has arisen over how to deliver the exquisite interior design that a discerning clientele have come to expect, whilst also being sustainable. Naturally, the two do not need to be mutually exclusive – much of cutting-edge luxury design now favours natural materials and a stripped-back simplicity, which lends itself to sustainable products. A key way of sustainably creating adding luxury to these spaces are intelligently curated artworks. Sustainable artworks can bridge the gap between creating a stunning aesthetic experience and promoting environmentally responsible design.
As art consultants, Artelier have discovered first-hand how art can enhance and deepen a project’s focus on sustainability. Here, Artelier’s curators offer their insight into the dilemmas faced by luxury industries, and explore how inventive artists can create sustainable artworks by transforming humble materials into stunning installations.
The dilemma of decorating sustainably
After the architectural and engineering efforts in new-build projects, it is critical for the interior design to likewise be sustainable, whilst creating the right aesthetic impression. Few luxury items, however, can offer sustainability, since often they are made from materials like precious metals and rare marbles. Artworks are in themselves luxury items, and can meanwhile be produced with full sustainability in mind – artists can take basic and sustainable materials and through their craftsmanship make them luxury items. Rather than being a ‘token’ sustainable element, a newly commissioned artwork can reflect the owner’s own sustainable philosophy as each aspect of producing the artwork can be transparently low-impact.
The idea of bespoke items and artworks has long been at the height of luxury, and so many private clients have supported artists through commissioning artworks. In their pursuit of the bespoke and one-off, patrons have championed low-volume craftsmanship for their willingness to pay for artworks to be hand-made specially for them. In recent years, technology has advanced so much that a similar visual effect can be achieved – eye-catching surfaces can be cost-effectively created by companies with faux metals, resins and plastics. Whilst they meet the tastes of clients and can be seductively beautiful objects, the materials used to create these effects are not sustainable. When private clients instead choose to invest in commissioned artworks, they not only receive an ultra-bespoke interior feature, but a significantly more sustainable option.
Image credit: Artelier
Image credit: Artelier
Image credit: Artelier
Natural materials
While some contemporary artists actively use ancient craft techniques, more broadly many artists authentically engage with sustainability through using exclusively natural materials. Taking humble and widespread materials such as wood, they are able to creatively transform them into fine art. The artworks communicate the natural beauty of earth’s resources, and deeply connect viewers with the environment by making them experience nature in new and surprising ways.
One such artist is Christian Burchard, who creates wood sculptures from a tree species native to the area surrounding his studio in Oregon, USA. His expressive carving creates poetic and dynamic sculptural compositions. He aims to show viewers the essence of the wood’s natural structures, allowing the material to ‘speak its own language’, rather than imposing onto it. Artelier commissioned a collection of Burchard’s work for superyacht Pelorus (115m). The client and the interior designer used a neutral palette within the interiors, as they wanted a pure and natural design that utilised organic materials. They approached Artelier for us to identify artists that were in tune with their own materials, and would contribute to the sustainable feel of the overall design.
Artist Stuart Ian Frost’s creates site-specific installations from natural, and often foraged, raw materials. Each installation is created specially for its landscape, and Frost seeks to evoke the particularities of the individual environment. He draws inspiration from local geographical features and the raw materials themselves, but also often looks to incorporate the culture and architecture of the area. Like Burchard, Frost’s artworks seek to present nature in an unfamiliar, yet illuminating way, encouraging the viewer to challenge their own perceptions of the materials. His large-scale sculptures playfully incorporate pattern and organic shapes to transform the raw materials, giving them a newfound vitality. Meanwhile, his smaller scale artworks use foraged natural materials, such as bird quills, and represent them in expressive geometric designs.
Found materials are also central to British multi-disciplinary artist Sir Richard Long, who uses basic materials like mud or rocks to create sculptures, paintings, and installations. In so doing, he pushes the boundaries of which materials are typically considered suitable for fine art. Many of his artworks are created while on walks in landscapes, a primordial engagement between man and earth, and are left to be reclaimed by nature. His gallery artworks likewise present a visceral engagement with natural resources, such as his paintings created from mud from the Riven Avon in England; Long uses his bare hands to paint, preserving his gestures by leaving his hand and finger prints visible.
In such ways, many artists are naturally resourceful and low impact, by their use of foraged and natural materials. Conceptually, many of these artists are also inspired by how the natural world can be represented to viewers, in a way that emphasises man’s harmony with nature rather than dominance over it. Within a sustainable project, these artworks bear special significance, as they symbolise the objective behind incorporating sustainability – a re-evaluation of how humankind interacts with the environment, and how we can better preserve and respect natural resources.
Sustainability in the world of hospitality
As modern, eco-conscious people travel the world, they seek hotels that are likewise committed to sustainability. Hoteliers and hospitality designers must respond to this demand, and while efforts to promote environmentally conscious operations like reducing washing or plastic waste are worthwhile, sustainability has to be a key concern from the initial stages of hotel design to be more deeply effective.
However, when considering the sheer scale of hotels and how hotel areas will be used, ensuring sustainability throughout the hotel poses more obstacles than in private spaces. Many materials, for example, need to be more hard-wearing: carpets that use synthetic fibres are easier to clean, and often need to be synthetic in order to comply with fire safety regulations. Meanwhile, while materials like marbles or metals can be used sparingly in private properties, they are simply not sustainable at the quantity required for hotels.
Image credit: Artelier
For a hotel project to be truly sustainable, sustainability has to be a core consideration from the inception of the project. It has to be considered in everything from structural materials and utilising natural sun and ventilation, to being rigorous in sourcing reputable interior suppliers who prioritise sustainable production. In order to make sustainable hotel design more than simply tapping into a trend, new hotels have focus on longevity – much negative environmental impact comes from the waste of replacing worn-out features.
Considering this level of care to incorporate sustainability, it is essential that decorative aspects are not an afterthought to the project. After great effort has gone into sustainable design solutions, artworks can be overlooked, and in reality not be that sustainable. Whilst on an individual basis each artwork’s sustainability may not be a major source for concern, together they can make a significant impact. If every room features artworks as well as the lobby, stairwells, and spa areas, irresponsible sourcing and using even small amounts of unsustainable materials can quickly add up. It is essential, therefore, to work coherently with specialist art consultants who are able to make sourcing sustainable art straightforward, and curate the entire collection for minimal environmental impact.
In addition, sustainable artworks bring many benefits to the hotel project. If a hotel decides to compromise on luxury materials in favour of sustainability, and opt for a more neutral, pared-back approach to interior design, the artwork can become the accent or focal point in the space. Sourcing art is further a great opportunity for supporting local artists, as artworks can be created from local materials and shipping costs are minimised. Supporting sustainable artists also makes for an engaging way for the hotel to promote its values and reflect its context.
Image credit: Artelier
Communicating sustainability through art
With the move towards environmental concern, many mass-producing companies have tried to meet this demand by providing ‘sustainable’ products. However, is there really space for this in the future, when increasingly the move towards sustainability goes beyond natural materials, but also sustainable practices in the studio? Clients are trying to achieve a sense of connection in their projects, and so the individualism of makers is in itself becoming increasingly more valued. Bespoke artworks are a more authentic and personal way of decorating. A specially commissioned artwork can symbolically convey the central concerns of a client, and communicate their focus on sustainability.
Image credit: Artelier
Ever since artworks were created by ancient civilisations, artists have used their work as a traditional form of visual communication, that goes beyond simply decorative enhancement. Art engages the viewer’s attention and creates atmosphere, producing an immediate and non-verbal understanding. A basic material transformed into a large-scale art installation instantly conveys to viewers the artist’s commentary on man’s relationship with the natural world. For instance, in a commission for the headquarters of a company at the forefront of recycling innovation, Artelier commissioned a mobile sculpture that embodied the company values. Created from sustainable steam-bent wood, the mobile constantly evolves and transforms, representing the concept of recycling forms.
Art offers a way to combine luxury with truly sustainable practices, and is one of the few products to be able to do so. But it more than simply decoration – art is able to tell a story. It communicates the deeper essence of the project, and is an evocative way of representing its sustainable values. The skill of the art consultant is to be able to source artworks that stay true to the project’s commitment to sustainability, and curate them in such a way that conveys the message to a wider audience.
Artelier is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
PRODUCT WATCH: WellTek launches ‘next gen’ of air purification systems
WellTek, one of the leading providers of products that support wellbeing in the workplace, introduces Air0, described as the next generation of air purifiers to the UK market…
Air0 Clean Air System is an air purification solution ensuring that indoor air is clean and safe to breathe.
Indoor air is polluted by multiple everyday sources including traffic, smoke, bacteria & viruses and chemicals, from miniscule pollutants that are impossible for the human body to detect or stop before they enter into our lungs and even all the way into our blood circulation and are incredibly harmful.
Not only will polluted air make people less productive and feeling dizzy or tired at work, there is also the potential for viruses and bacteria to travel in the air spreading infectious diseases, causing an elevated health risk of lung cancer, strokes and other respiratory illnesses.
The Air0 purifiers are an elegant and sleek design; made of wood, with hand-crafted details and can be customised to suit their surroundings. While its state of the art technology tackles indoor air quality issues by removing even the smallest pollutants.
Air0 Purifiers provide exceptionally high amounts of clean air. Air0’s patented smAIRt air purification technology is different from traditional air purification technologies due to the amount of clean air it is able to produce. Whilst traditional air purifiers need to compromise between purification efficiency and the amount of air flow, Air0’s smAIRt technology excels in both, which is very important in order to be able to efficiently clean the air for the whole room. Very high filtration efficiency and very high air flow results in exceptionally high amounts of clean air.
The beauty of the smAIRt technology is in the charging chamber. The pollutants pass the charger with such speed that not all of them get an electrical charge. However, spending some time in the charging chamber with other charged pollutants, the pollutants will effectively get charged. This is very different from traditional electrical filtration, which is limited by the air flow speed, as it needs to charge directly all the passing particles. Continuing forward, the fine-particle filters will then collect the charged pollutants effectively. The charge enables filter material to be looser-knit than traditional, very tight-knit HEPA filter, again enabling high air flow through the filter.
Not just an air purifier, the innovation by Air0 continuously measures the levels of air pollutants in indoor air with high quality indoor air quality (IAQ) sensors. Combining these elements into one IoT system, air quality and air purification can be monitored and managed centrally from anywhere.
The IoT sensors enable users to see the invisible – what we breathe. Air0 IAQ monitoring comes with portable, wireless sensor units which continuously measure air quality, and an intuitive traffic light classification gives increased awareness. This helps the user to understand the current status of the air quality at a glance, without being an expert on the air quality. The same colours are used in reports and data analysis, and throughout all Air0 solutions.
The air purification can be scheduled to run on weekly purification programs, which in most cases means “set and forget”. E.g. for office, the program could run on “turbo” mode for a few hours before people get in, setting then to a nice, quiet level for office hours. Air0 Purifiers can also run on automatic mode for full- or part- time – in this case the purification will be adjusted continuously according to the current IAQ data from the sensors.
To make indoor air quality management even more care-free, automatic alarms to email and phone can be set for any unexpected events, whether something happens with the purifiers, their programs or with the air quality.
Air0 Clean Air System is an IoT solution, meaning all the elements are connected to Air0 Cloud. The connected system scales up to any needs (unlimited number of sensors and purifiers) and can be fully managed and monitored centrally via the Air0 App and Web solutions.
WellTek is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
PRODUCT WATCH: 2 pieces that demonstrate timeless core of Timage
Timage’s background in the architectural and yacht sectors has resulted in a high quality and varied product range. Hotel Designs identifies two pieces that perfectly define the brand’s timeless core both on and off the water…
The hospitality sector can benefit from this collection of marine-grade components which all fit the company’s sustainable philosophy of “buy to last” and that quality is timeless.
When beautiful design is also brought into play then you have the recipe for success. Two key products that perfectly demonstrate the company’s core beliefs, albeit with very different purposes, are the Piacentini table lamp and both the Iseo and Montisola director’s chairs.
Piacentini
The Piacentini table lamp – A new icon and a unique product designed by Christian Grande Designworks. The table lamp takes its name from its main inspiration, the works of Marcello Piacentini. Piacentini was one of the great early 20th century Italian theorists and the main proponent of Italian fascist architecture. Designed and hand-crafted in Italy with the finest materials, the lamp’s luxurious deco design is embodied in its refined components, brass and marble, bringing together some of the finest materials in two stunning forms. Both materials offer a solidity and permanency to the product, once again drawing attention to its source of inspiration.
The modern interpretation of a classic design language is demonstrated using the latest LED technology, incorporating an “invisible” touch dimmer on the marble base. This marble piece can be specified in several standard Italian varieties of stone. It is also possible to use a customer supplied marble for situations where the lamp must match another material already in use in a space. The brass metal elements are available in a range of different finishes or platings for a versatile product to suit a wide variety of interior styles. The rotating lamp shade is adjustable and allows the user to arrange the lamp for best use, making the Piacentini a practical solution for bedside or side table application.
Montisola & Iseo
Functional and stylish seating is always in demand within the hospitality sector. The answer to this requirement is the director’s chair – an iconic and classic piece of design. Originally intended as an outdoor seating solution, the director’s chair was then adopted by the yacht community and quickly, by association, became a symbol of luxury. Within the hospitality sector, the director’s chair has also been welcomed thanks to its ability to bring a comfortable seating solution to a wide variety of spaces. Whether it is a balcony, terrace, poolside bar or perhaps even a restaurant environment, the director’s chair promises to bring an elegant but relaxed feel whilst continuing to be a flexible tool in the creation of seating areas.
The Montisola and Iseo director’s chairs elevate this practical piece of furniture design to an entirely new level, bringing together some of the finest materials in two stunning forms penned by Christian Grande Designworks. The chairs are made from solid teak and are available in a wide range of Maria Flora outdoor fabrics. Both models of chair feature exquisite details such as mirror polished hinges and leather protective pads on the feet to avoid marking any flooring.
The director’s chair is the ultimate space saving solution and these models too can be neatly folded away when not required. Each chair is also supplied with a tailored carry bag.
Timage is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT: enhancing guestrooms and suites post-pandemic
While public areas in hotel design are having to adapt in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, Hotel Designs asks the experts at Billiards how their products can add entertainment in suites and large guestrooms…
With the hospitality industry seeking creative responses to the short and long term effects of the Pandemic, Hoteliers and Interior Designers are looking especially at the division between public and private spaces, and the need to make significant changes to appeal to guests in the first place, and to provide an ideal environment for them when they arrive.
The need for Social distancing creates challenges in Public areas in particular, so one area of focus will be on expanding and enhancing the Private areas, and providing entertainment within these, that might previously have been features of the Public areas. Key to attracting guests, for extended stays especially, will be to offer them ways to enjoy spending more time with family and fellow travellers in their own space, without the need to socialise more widely, and thus less safely.
Imagine the option of a home away from home in a fabulous location, the opportunity to enjoy a luxury ‘staycation’ with all the comforts of home, or, even better, with more. What better way to entice your wealthier guests, than to provide them with luxury leisure items, in the comfort and security of their own Rooms, Suites or Apartments. By doing so, you significantly enhance their experience of the Private area, and therefore of their entire holiday.
Snooker tables and Pool tables, whether in a Bar or dedicated billiard or games room, have long been a staple piece in many hospitality venues. At the luxury end of the market especially, bar-owners, and interior designers have often chosen to make a statement of quality, and personality, at the same time as creating a focal point for social entertainment, with a truly bespoke, well-designed and hand-crafted table, like the ones made by Sir William Bentley Billiards, at its workshops in Marten, England.
Image credit: Billiards
Image credit: Billiards
Ranging from carefully restored antique billiard tables, through strikingly contemporary pool tables, to dual-purpose dining & conference tables, examples of the company’s work can be found in hotels and bars as far afield as Macau, Singapore, Dubai & New York, and as close to home as Mayfair and the West country. Every piece is uniquely specified and finished to suit the room it is being made or restored for; and, although most have been purchased outright, for commercial clients, the company also offers tables on a rental basis.
The majority of its tables, however, will be found in the homes of discerning private clients. For more than 40 years, Sir William Bentley Billiards has been the choice of Interior designers and private clients seeking to furnish their games rooms, dining rooms or open-plan living spaces with unique, bespoke Snooker, Pool and dual-purpose dining tables. It is this experience of providing truly personalised pieces of furniture that makes them so unique, and so suited to the ‘boutique’ or independent hotel.
During the lockdown, we have all been made to realise how important our living space can be to us; what we’re lacking, and what we’re so lucky to have. Those whose homes already had a focus for social entertainment such as a Pool table or Table tennis table, have appreciated it more than ever. And many who haven’t, have begun to realise how valuable something of this sort might be. As a result, in residential environments at least, there is now an even greater perception of the value of a Pool or Snooker table – for those who have the space for a games room – or a multi-purpose Pool-dining table, for those who want or need to make better use of a dining room or open plan living space.
For hotels and resorts, therefore, and especially lifestyle hotels, and those at the higher end of the market place, there is an opportunity to take advantage of this desire for luxury social entertainment, and provide your guests with a reason to escape the public spaces and indulge their private spaces with a friendly frame or two of Snooker or Pool.
Billiards is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
IN PICTURES: Inside the soon-to-open Hotel Fariones, Lanzarote
The new five-star Hotel Fariones, which will open in Lanzarote in September of this year, will shelter laid-back luxury. Editor Hamish Kilburn gets a sneak peek inside…
Hotel Fariones will open in Lanzarote on September 1, having undergone a significant refurbishment under the privately-owned PY Hotels & Resorts family that also owns the acclaimed Princesa Yaiza resort.
Located in the centre of Puerto del Carmen on the southeast coast of the island, the hotel boasts an enviable beachfront location surrounded by palm trees with direct access to an idyllic sandy cove and the extensive Playa Grande beach.
Image credit: Hotel Fariones
Image credit: Hotel Fariones
Featuring 213 contemporary rooms, guests can choose from a range of categories, all with outdoor terraces and many with panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean. There are a range of spacious suites accommodating up to four adults, including the impressive 150m² Royal Suite Fariones with an expansive outdoor terrace and private Jacuzzi.
Image credit: Hotel Fariones
A spectacular sea view infinity pool and two heated outdoor Jacuzzis encircled by palm trees provide a tranquil setting at all times of day.
Image credit: Hotel Fariones
Image credit: Hotel Fariones
A rooftop pool and lounge bar will launch in the second phase of the hotel’s opening. The rooftop will provide one of the best locations to watch the sunset in Lanzarote, with views over Fuerteventura and The Isla de Lobos.
Image credit: Hotel Fariones
The hotel will offer a variety of restaurants to suit every palate. The main à la carte restaurant, Restaurant Atlantico, will serve fresh local fish and shellfish with traditional Canarian influences, whilst a snack bar will serve light lunches on a sophisticated outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean. A buffet restaurant will launch in phase two, along with Kaori restaurant specialising in Asian Haute Cuisine.
Image credit: Hotel Fariones
Open year round, Hotel Fariones is the ideal destination, with a quirky interior design scheme that is complimented further by Lanzarote’s 365 days of sunshine.
Gessi unveils holistic Architectural Wellness program
Gessi Architectural Wellness is a revolutionary concept, which allows the customer to immerse emotionally in the fusion of light and water, perfectly merged into “holistic” wellness areas. Hotel Designs explores…
The bathroom brand Gessi has become synonymous with wellness with its aims to create unique environments, characterised by authentic beauty, innovation and technology that represent the best in bathroom design.
Architectural Wellness was born from Gessi’s passion and research for innovation, technology and architecture. The creative solution brilliantly blends all these elements together. Architectural Wellness matches the most advanced attainments in lighting engineering by the historical brand Artemide with the science of water by Gessi.
Image credit: Gessi
Image credit: Gessi
Gessi Architectural Wellness is a revolutionary concept, which allows the customer to immerse emotionally in the fusion of light and water, perfectly merged into “holistic” wellness areas.
Image credit: Gessi
Harmonising design, customisation and “five sense wellness” functions to a new level, the Binario System of the Program provides for the ceiling installation of rails similar to those used in the lighting industry. In these locations, customisable in number, length and shape, the user can place modules with different functions: waterfall, atomisation, rainfall, designer lighting spots by Artemide or chromo-therapy lights and sound loudspeakers. Gessi has developed the lighting technology with Artemide following a long-standing collaboration in this field. The technical ceiling rail, where the chosen elements for lighting, water and sound are fitted, can be arranged and customised in almost infinite ways even adding new modules. It can even be extended beyond the shower area in order to provide lighting and sound to the bathroom and it could create architectural compositions.
Image credit: Gessi
The System provides for the greatest liberty in customisation of the wellness experience by allowing the user the management of manifold water and light functions according to the his/her needs and pleasures.
Gessi is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
FEATURE: inside Timothy Oulton’s self-isolation dome
It may not be a hotel, but Timothy Oulton Studio’s Halodome was meaningfully created ahead of its time to shelter a luxurious home-from-home. Its dynamically designed interiors are enclosed under a dome structure – and its naturally isolating features meet the new demands of modern travellers…
Originally conceived as a refuge for visitors, Timothy Oulton Studio’s Halodome, which is nestled at the centre of a mature lychee garden in southern China, has evolved into a living, breathing test bed – the kind of experiment in sustainable architecture, materiality and hospitality that can only happen meaningfully over the course of time.
Image credit: Timothy Oulton Studio
Image credit: Timothy Oulton Studio
The current global situation has only served to push this testing bed to new extremes, with co-founders Timothy Oulton and Simon Laws establishing the garden their base for 2020, allowing them to continue working whilst riding out the storm.
“The Halodome is China’s first residential building certified to German Passivhaus standard.”
Designed and built entirely by the practice, the Halodome is China’s first residential building certified to German Passivhaus standard. It uses sustainably sourced FSC and reclaimed timbers alongside high performance glazing to create a soaring column free space that can be internally configured to suit the varying needs of visitors who arrive from all four corners of the globe, with guests typically staying for anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
Image credit: Timothy Oulton Studio
More recently however, Oulton and Laws have found themselves part of a small group, residing permanently in the garden; using the dome as a base from which to continue working on projects whilst simultaneously contemplating what the future holds for hospitality and design post-Covid 19. Time spent in the dome living, working and hosting local industry leaders as their businesses began to emerge from lockdown has proved an invaluable insight. It is precisely Halodome’s ability to offer a hospitable environment bridging the gap between living and visiting that has stimulated so much interest in the design this year.
“Furthermore, it [the Halodome] can offer guests the chance to escape crowded cities and reconnect with nature.” – Simon Laws, co-founder, Timothy Oulton Studio.
“The hospitality sector in is in a deep period of reflection and transition,” Laws told Hotel Designs. “Hoteliers are looking to pivot their businesses and adapt to the new normal. At the same time, there is an opportunity for the industry to actively turn towards a more sustainable future. What the Halodome does rather successfully is offer a multipurpose space that meets unique new demands – it is in itself a bubble, cocooning its occupants safely in a manner that can be easily adapted to individual or group needs. Furthermore, it can offer guests the chance to escape crowded cities and reconnect with nature in a really unique setting.”
Image credit: Timothy Oulton Studio
Image credit: Timothy Oulton Studio
Image credit: Timothy Oulton Studio
The Halodome’s ecological, logistical and long-term fiscal credentials undoubtedly play a part in concept’s appeal to the sector. The prefabricated building can be shipped anywhere in the world in just three containers, which can be combined with the shipping of pieces crafted by the studio’s sister company – the global furniture manufacturer Timothy Oulton – to offer an entire hospitality solution where needed. Its passive energy design principles take careful consideration of sun control, ventilation and insulation, combined with modern, high performance and recycled materials, to create a building with a smaller ecological footprint and ongoing energy cost savings.
Hoteliers have found themselves charting unknown territory and the Timothy Oulton Studio team believes concepts like the Halodome can help to navigate these choppy new waters.
Timothy Oulton Studio is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
The collection by Ulster Carpets is full of quick contract carpet solutions…
Ulster Carpets understands that many projects require quick turnaround times and speedy delivery. That’s why many of its stock ranges are becoming ever more popular within the commercial market.
From contemporary styles to traditional elegance, the diversity of Ulster’s stock ranges means there is a stock collection to suit every type of project and the quality, extensive colour and design options will leave interior designers spoilt for choice.
Here’s a look at some of the stock designs on offer:
Vescent – The eclectic new contract stock collection features six contemporary designs – Linea, Arbor, Nebula, Calx, Vapor and Nexus – in 21 colourways. The neutral colour palette reflects modern textile trends, while a flash of colour is added for those seeking something different. From structured designs to more organic styles, the secret to the success of Vescent is the diversity of the collection.
Fusion – Striking patterns and colourways that have been designed to make an impact set Fusion apart. The selection of blues, greys and neutrals are perfect for current colouring demands, while the scale of the bold designs is tempered by the use of texture to accentuate the softness and practicality of the axminster pile.
Image credit: Ulster Carpets
The Mix – this collection, typifies our core values of design, excellence, customer focus and outstanding product quality. Designed exclusively to meet the varied demands of the international hospitality industry, The Mix consists of 8 contemporary designs that are as eye-catching in public areas as they are in guestrooms.
Image credit: Ulster Carpets
As well as design choice, Ulster also provides quality. As we control every aspect of the manufacturing process, we can guarantee the quality of every carpet. Carpets in the Stock Collection are manufactured in a hard wearing combination of 80 per cent wool and 20 per cent nylon in a variety of colour matching widths making them perfect for a wide range of busy contract applications, including bedrooms and suites; corridors; meeting rooms; and public areas.
Vescent, Fusion and The Mix are just three examples of our comprehensive stock collection, giving you an unrivalled level of choice.
Ulster Carpets is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Borders between the indoors and outdoors cease to exist in the 2020 Outdoor Collection by Minotti, which was marvellously coordinated by Rodolfo Dordoni. Editor Hamish Kilburn shares his first peek of the collection…
Long before the pandemic disrupted our social lives, the industry had identified a rising interest in open-air living.
A demand for biophillic design, combined with a desire to explore new sustainable approaches and materials to evoke wellbeing, opened the door so that designers could flirt with nature to design innovative spaces.
Minotti, very much a pioneer behind changing the definition of premium outdoor furniture, has used this approach for some time now in its designs for furnishing open-air areas. The brand realised early on that spaces with an inviting, relaxing vibe – whether they are corners of urban nature, exteriors nestled in the lush green landscape or overlooking the tranquil waters – evoke a natural sense of luxury and escape.
The 2020 Outdoor Collection develops these principles with targeted design proposals, which originate from different design cultures but are conceived to co-exist in a harmonious dialogue. It focuses on the independence of the individual pieces, each with its own identity and original personality, but also with the versatility required to design compositions that can furnish large spaces, and to be mixed with other elements of different styles from the 2020 Outdoor Collection.
The collection, coordinated by Rodolfo Dordoni with Minotti Studio, hosts pieces by leading international designers, such as GamFratesi, Marcio Kogan / studio mk27 and Dordoni himself. The outdoor furniture pieces are based on the main geometric shapes – square, rectangle, circle -, one of the characterising features of the 2020 Indoor Collection. The couture aspect, another leitmotiv of Minotti’s interior design projects, can be found in the sophisticated juxtaposition of the materials, in the choice of precious natural wood types, in the exquisite finishes, the textures and the tactile feel of the textile coverings.
Statement pieces of the 2020 Outdoor Collection, coordinated by Rodolfo Dordoni with Minotti Studio, include:
Sunray – Rodolfo Dordoni Design
Image credit: Minotti
Sunray designs a new, open-air landscape where exquisite design and carefully researched comfort join forces to create an intimate, relaxing atmosphere. With its enveloping design, the Sunray seating system is inspired by the desire to design situations that convey a sensation of intimacy and relaxation, in line with the concept of open-air living that imitates the comfort and beauty of indoor furnishing solutions.I
It is designed both to play a leading role in outdoor settings and to complement the other furnishing pieces in the collection. It juxtaposes different shapes and materials: its airy surface in natural teak wood defines its horizontal line, while the curved backrest with interwoven cords gives it a dynamic allure.
The system, composed of pieces that can be used alone or combined together, offers a variety of compositional solutions thanks to the high versatility of its elements. The family is composed of armchair, sofa, end element with or without extending top, chaise-longue, loveseat, daybed with reclining backrest, and square and rectangular coffee tables.
Sunray Meg – Rodolfo Dordoni
Image credit: Minotti
With a simple and clean design but a vibrant personality, the Sunray Meg coffee tables add a distinctive splash of colour to outdoor settings. The Sunray Meg family hosts a series of versatile, practical coffee tables in various sizes and heights that blend in perfectly with the most diverse compositions of the Outdoor collection.
The simple, airy design of the metal tubular structure in polished Bronze finish allows for its combination with all the products in the collection. Its distinctive feature is the colour of the top in stratified HPL laminate, available in glossy lacquered White, Rust and Khaki Green finishes, blending in seamlessly with the palette of the outdoor textile collection.
EDITOR’S PICK: Florida – Rodolfo Dordoni
Image credit: Minotti
Natural teak is the wood chosen for Florida to complement the mood of the 2020 Collection and design living compositions blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
The wide range of elements in Florida allows for the creation of many linear or sinuous compositions that meet the increasingly common need to enjoy smaller, more intimate spaces, as well as convivial spaces also in outdoor environments.
The seating system presents itself as a carefully-designed collection of soft and geometric volumes, defined by profiles in eco-leather suitable for outdoor use, available in four colours – Light Grey, Dark Grey, Brown and Sand. The structure of Florida is in metal, appropriately treated to resist corrosion, and it is immersed in a foam padding, then covered in waterproof fibre and fabric, making it weatherproof.
The Florida coffee table features feet in solid natural teak wood and a top with shaped edge in Pietra del Cardoso, in a brushed finish. Due to its mineral composition, Pietra del Cardoso is exceptionally compact and extremely weatherproof. The backrest cushions are attached to the wooden rear supports thanks to refined Pewter coloured metal frog fasteners, allowing for the quick release of the cushions and consequently an easy removal of the coverings. The feet are made of solid natural teak wood, as are the rear reinforcements that support the padded backrest.
Fynn Outdoor – GamFratesi
Image credit: Minotti
In Fynn, Scandinavian values meet Italian tradition. A contemporary design for outdoor spaces in teak wood, crafted with fine cabinet-making workmanship.
With a completely innovative approach, the fine cabinet-making process used for the manufacturing of outdoor wooden furniture is applied to a family of outdoor furnishing pieces in solid teak, combining sophisticated workmanship with an ultra-contemporary design.
Characterised by an interwoven frame that hosts soft seat and backrest cushions, Fynn has in the armrest its signature element. Elongated and slightly curved, rounded and smooth to the touch, it is completely handmade: its precise, well-defined line identifies the entire family, composed of armchair, lounge and dining little armchairs, benches, footstools, coffee tables in different sizes and a dining table.
The Fynn Outdoor armchair and little armchairs feature a distinctive ultra-lightweight aesthetic with a simple structure in teak. The frame is interwoven with wicker-effect cords in Mud colour, hosting a padded seat and backrest cushion, designed as a single element. The informal rigour with which Fynn Outdoor hosts the padded element designs a comfortable seat.
The bench completes the family. Its cushions sit on a frame interwoven with wicker-effect cords in Mud colour. The coffee tables also share the same line as the wooden armrest, which designs a slight curve also found in the rounded sides of the top. The central part of the coffee table is enhanced by the presence of the top in Pietra del Cardoso, creating a sophisticated combination of materials.
Daiki Outdoor – Marcio Kogan/studio mk27
Image credit: Minotti
The Daiki seats, born out of the Brazilian architect’s passion for Japanese culture, go outdoors, where the open-air space is conceived and experienced as an extension of the indoor living area: a veritable tribute to Japanese design culture. The Daiki family includes armchairs with a deep seat, available both with and without arms, a dining little armchair and a footstool.
Created using sophisticated wood crafting techniques, the curved shell in solid teak comprises two elements joined at a 45° angle, with a sloping backrest that guarantees maximum comfort. In the outdoor version the shell offers a snug fit for the stitched cushions, and is set on a stainless-steel frame with Bronze-coloured varnished polished legs.
A design that also explores and reinterprets the American Mid-Century atmospheres, injecting new life into the style of contemporary outdoor furnishing with its clean, bold lines, exquisite teak working technique and balanced proportions.
Block Outdoor – Rodolfo Dordoni
Image credit: Minotti
With its sculptural look and frame in solid wood inspired by Brutalist architecture, Block Outdoor stands out for its big personality. Structured in the form of a block of solid wood, the base of the Outdoor version of the Block coffee table retains its solid volume in the shape of an “L” or an upside-down “T”, but it is proposed in natural teak.
The top, with smooth edges resembling a river pebble, and tactile finish, is available in Pietra del Cardoso or with a plastic look in White glossy lacquer plastic finish.
The Block Outdoor coffee table is available in two different heights, both with rectangular top.
Avery – Minotti Studio
Image credit: Minotti
With its modern vibe and reassuring, sophisticated colour, the Avery rug elegantly furnishes outdoor spaces. The Avery rug stands out for its woven mesh structure, made with special looms that are exclusively custom-engineered for Minotti. It is the result of a semi-artisanal crafting process, which involves assembling strips of material sewn with high tenacity yarn. The acrylic fibre used to make it respects and enhances its characteristics of permeability, breathability and suitability for humid environments.
In conclusion, by using the same designers and styles in both areas of the 2020 collection, Minotti and the masterful designers behind each piece have further blurred the line between indoor and outdoor furniture, and in the process have taken luxury furniture into a new era.
PRODUCT WATCH: AXOR Edge, transcending boundaries in bathroom aesthetics
13 years after the first collection with French designer Jean-Marie Massaud, Hotel Designs speaks to the designer about AXOR Edge; a striking symbiosis of geometrical form and precision manufacturing…
Using a new ultra-precise manufacturing process ordinarily reserved for diamond milling and space construction, the collection still transcends boundaries in aesthetics and technology. Asymmetrically combined cubes set smooth polished surfaces against intricate texture to yield a design that is strong yet delicate.
Image credit: AXOR Edge/hansgrohe
Design: geometric, architectural, and asymmetrical
The collection is defined by avant-garde expression, celebrating the interplay of perfectly proportioned plains and edges in an asymmetrical form. Partially enriched with a fine texture, the three-dimensional mixer offers a more tactile experience with water. For those who prefer a more minimalistic appearance, AXOR Edge is also available without texturing.
Every element of the mixer, including the handle and the spout, has perfect 45° chamfers. Ordinarily recognised in the field of construction as a safety measure, here the chamfers pay testament to the small architectural details and overall virtuosity of design.
Image credit: AXOR edge/hansgrohe
Image credit: AXOR edge/hansgrohe
Technology: precision at the heart of design
Especially developed for the production of AXOR Edge, a state-of-the-art diamond-cutting machine assures accurate planes and contours. The diamond-tipped tool, which is more commonly seen in the space and laser industries, is used here to mill the chamfers with the same high base quality required for diamond milling.
Image credit: AXOR edge/hansgrohe
Image credit: AXOR edge/hansgrohe
With high speeds of 60,000 revolutions per minute and hyper-controlled temperatures, allowing a variation of barely 0.1 degree, the result creates tolerances that are 600 times finer than conventional methods of milling brass: ultraprecision. Line by line, precision-pointed pyramids are created in this way, reflecting the interplay of light and shadow in a such a way to inspire a pause in a world of fast-moving transience.
Jean-Marie Massaud tells Hotel Designs: “In my collaboration with AXOR, we always seek to provide a better user experience. With AXOR Edge, we have answered the demand for refinement and uniqueness. More than a mixer, each product in the collection is a jewel, a masterpiece, a unique architectural object drilled from a brass block and then dressed with personal finishes. A real functional piece of art that shares your intimacy for life – that’s my understanding of luxury.”
Image credit: AXOR edge/hansgrohe
AXOR Edge is available for the washbasin, bath, bidet and with shower thermostat modules. Manufactured in the vacuum chambers of the AXOR production plant, AXOR Edge is available in five polished AXOR FinishPlus surface colours, from Polished Brass to Polished Black Chrome.
hansgrohe is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
FEATURE: How commercial spaces can adapt to social distancing measures
Now that the industry is reopening its doors, many wonder ‘how’, ‘when’ and ‘where’ to implement social distancing barriers in order to keep guests safe while also keeping the consumer journey smooth. KAI Interiors shares its views…
KAI Interiors is an award-winning interior design studio that has been at the forefront of designing bars, restaurants and hotels for the past 10 years.
Over the last couple of weeks, we have been asked to advise many of our existing clients on how to adapt their spaces to re-open in the coming months. Now the government guidelines have been released, there are some big changes happening in the food and beverage industry. The guidelines include a new reduction in social distancing to one metre with the proviso that other measures, such as screens, are in place to protect both guests and staff. Here at KAI we have been developing social distancing screens for the past couple of months in the belief that this would be the government’s likely recommendation! However, we wanted to differentiate our protection screens from others on the market by being design led. We believe that as people start venturing out, many social distancing measures may feel clinical and sterile, and customers may not feel as comfortable in their favourite locations. So we wanted to focus on developing screens that will complement and enhance hospitality environments.
Our screens can be used in different areas of your restaurant, cafe, hotel, bar, pub or office. We have three different styles for you to choose from: one which screws to the underside of your counter or table-top for extra stability, a freestanding countertop or table-top version, and a floor-standing screen. With sustainability in mind, we have used rubberwood to produce the framework for all our screens. It seems likely that social distancing screens may need to be in place for quite some time, so we wanted to design them to be long lasting, our timber-framed screens are made for strength and to withstand the heavy-duty use of any hospitality environment. A 4mm insert can be slid inside, which means you can supply your own insert if you prefer to have something branded, or you can use one of our 4mm perspex inserts or our ribbed effect polycarbonate inserts. Both give a more premium feel to your screening than many on the market at present. The floor-standing screen is great for space-saving as its base frame can fold back on itself, so if you do need to store it away you can do so easily.
Furthermore, following the need for social distancing, these screens can be easily adapted to become signage holders, so you could insert a blackboard or printed graphic to suit your requirements. You can find more details on the range of screens, sizes, finishes, and availability on our shop. If you need screening made to a bespoke colour to suit your interior, or a different size, we can also achieve this for you so just get in touch. Orders over 10 screens will be subject to a discount
In addition, with every order of social distancing screens we will include a 40 page guide which we have developed to combine our knowledge of hospitality design with the government’s current guidelines, so throughout the booklet there is advice on what to be aware of, checklists and KAI’s tips. The wealth of information out there can be overwhelming and time consuming to assimilate. Hotel, restaurant and bar owners have enough to think about during this hectic time, so we are here to help them make small changes which can promote social distancing, while helping these measures remain compatible with their chosen interior. We’ve compiled essential operational and design advice in relation to the atmosphere and practicalities of the space. Additionally, we have compiled a list of over one hundred specific product suggestions, with links, covering many elements such as entry, table top, ordering, service, payment and toilets.
KAI Interiorsis one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
3D printing in bathroom brassware design: GROHE publishes first RIBA-approved CPD seminar
GROHE published the seminars 3D Printing for Advanced Bathroom Fittings on July 2 and 8, sharing its expertise on 3D printing manufacturing innovations and its potential to transform the bathroom design landscape…
GROHE, global supplier of complete bathroom solutions and first leading European sanitaryware brand to launch 3D-printed taps, is now able to share its expertise on the innovations behind 3D printing manufacturing and its potential to transform the bathroom design landscape, with the architect and design community via its newly RIBA-approved CPD seminar.
3D Printing for Advanced Bathroom Fittings dissects 3D printing technology, its place in the manufacturing sector and its ongoing growth across many industries due to its ability to create small batch custom manufacturing in a much more sustainable and accessible way. The seminar delves into GROHE’s application of the technique and how the brand has instrumented a new design freedom for interior architects and designers, providing them with the opportunity to procure customised products for bespoke client specifications in the future. The session also sheds light on the positive sustainability impact 3D printing can have on reducing CO2 emissions and saving water thanks to less wastage and more efficient use of raw materials.
“Now we have acquired first-hand experience and understanding of 3D printing, we want to share this knowledge with architect professionals to challenge the status quo around manufacturing processes and help inspire a more widespread shift in thinking when it comes to considering sustainable options.” – Glen Wilson, Head of Projects at GROHE UK.
“Sustainability, along with quality, design and technology, are at the core of GROHE’s brand values and are implemented across all of our processes; from carbon neutral production across all our global plants and our pledge to remove all plastic packaging by 2021, to the exploration of alternative sustainable production methods and the consequential development of its Icon 3D range”, says Raj Mistry, GROHE Marketing Director at GROHE UK, who developed the latest training seminar. Glen Wilson, Head of Projects at GROHE UK adds, “Now we have acquired first-hand experience and understanding of 3D printing, we want to share this knowledge with architect professionals to challenge the status quo around manufacturing processes and help inspire a more widespread shift in thinking when it comes to considering sustainable options. The more information architects have at their fingertips, the more they will understand the potential of this technology for bathroom specification”.
Bookings for 3D Printing for Advanced Bathroom Fittings sessions are available for all design professionals to book now. All RIBA-registered architect attendees who complete the sessions will acquire one hour of continued professional development.
GROHE is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
PRODUCT WATCH: Crosswater’s Carbon Black Finish (MPRO Industrial collection)
Bring a strikingly dramatic, on-trend finish to the bathroom this year with Crosswater’s brand new addition to its aspirational MPRO Industrial collection: Carbon Black…
Featuring an elegant and time-proven design, seen in a number of lifestyle and luxury hotels, the stunning carbon black finish in the MPRO Industrial range by Crosswater is guaranteed to make an impressive impact to any contemporary bathroom space…
An extension of Crosswater’s popular MPRO Industrial range, the Carbon Black finish features intricate details inspired by industrial design that stands out from the crowd, making a real style statement with its fusion of modern and vintage influences. Blending proven performance and reliable components, these new products feature the best of superb functionality and precision aesthetics for a clean look that meets the exacting standards of today’s modern bathroom.
The new Carbon Black joins two popular existing finishes within the range: sleek Chrome and a unique Unlacquered Brushed Brass. Together, these three options allow for more design choices to create even more tailored bathroom spaces for a range of different interiors.
Image credit: Crosswater
Image credit: Crosswater
The finish is available in everything from showerheads to shower arms, handsets to hoses, and valves to taps, to ensure a cohesive and unified look across the bathing space. Carbon Black is even available in Crosswater’s innovative Crossbox, known for it’s easy installation method and superior range of water outlet options that allow you to create the perfect showering experience.
MPRO Industrial is truly a remarkable collection, created with the finest components and materials to ensure the product delivers on flow performance, water efficiency and style in the bathroom.
Crosswater is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
The debut Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place during lockdown on June 23, broadcasted four engaging virtual seminars. Editor Hamish Kilburn and publisher Katy Phillips share the highlights…
On June 23, hundreds of leading designers, architects and hoteliers from around the world tuned in for the debut of Hotel Designs LIVE.
The new one-day virtual conference, hosted by editor Hamish Kilburn from his hometown of Whitstable in England, broadcasted live conversations with industry experts on topics such as technology, public areas, sleep and wellness. In his opening speech, Kilburn explained how the concept emerged. “Hotel Designs LIVE (sponsored by Technological Innovations Group) was born in the chaotic realms of the coronavirus crisis,” he said. “It is our way – and we believe the most meaningful method – to keep the industry connected while also keeping the conversation flowing.”
Seminar 1: technology
To kick-start the event in a spectacular fashion, Jason Bradbury made a dramatic entrance, on a hover board (we wouldn’t expect anything less). The former presenter of The Gadget Show, who has built an international career as a futurology and tech-trends corporate speaker, took the microphone to start the conference’s debut session entitled: Technology’s role in tomorrow’s hotel.
Emma King (Head of Design (Europe) IHG), Alon Barronwitz (Director at Baranowitz + Kronenberg) and Geraldine Dohogne (Founder of Beyond Design) got comfortable on the virtual sofa to discuss the difficult reality of public areas post-pandemic. The main takeaways were adapting as designers to meet modern consumer demands to create flexible and clean spaces, while embedding discreet technology to enhance the guest experience. The panel also discussed the need for intuitive public areas for ‘bleisure’ guests.
Stylo Graphics, which sponsored the session, asked the panel whether they have managed to implement directional signage controls and physical distancing measures to safeguard guest and staff wellbeing whilst maintaining great guest experience. King responded: “We have adjusted layouts of public areas and included social distancing measures in our hotels. To do this effectively, we have ensured that the colours and styles we have used are in keeping with our brand standards.”
Up next, steering the conversation away from the pandemic, Kilburn focuses the editorial lens on sleep with a session entitled: Designing the guestroom to evoke a better night’s sleep, which was sponsored by Silentnight Group.
In order to explore this area of the hotel experience, he welcomed Darija Aziz, the in-house designer for Zedwell Hotels, to discuss one particular project that centres its entire model around sleep performance; Zedwell Piccadilly.
Zedwell has been designed with sleep at its core but also to promote health and wellbeing in every form,” Aziz explained. “Rooms were designed to eliminate clutter and remove anxiety, hence no TV or complicated controls. Interestingly, all the guestrooms have no windows in order to eliminate central London noise and bright lights.”
Adding context to the conversation, and bringing technology back into the discussion, Kilburn welcomes sound architect Tom Middleton into the seminar who explained that technology generically exposes the wrong frequency, and the fact that influences such a circadian rhythm needs to be more considered when designing the guestroom to evoke sleep performance.
To aptly conclude the series of seminars, Kilburn hosted the session entitled: The future of wellness post-pandemic, and shared the screen with Beverley Bayes (Director of Sparcstudio), Michael Lahm (Vice President and COO of TLEE Spa and Ivaylo Lefterov (Hotel Development Director at Miris), which is the developer behind Svart, the world’s first ‘energy positive’ hotel.
As well as looking at hygiene, the panel discussed the demand for biophilic design, Covid-19 friendly materials such as copper and pushing the limits of wellness. In addition, injecting personalisation (and bespoke elements) in design and service.
Short-term, the pandemic has put a question mark on F&B in spa areas, but the general thoughts of the day were that healthy cuisine was a link that connects wellness and wellbeing.
When asked what each of the panelists look for in a spa experience, the general consensus was a meaningful treatment and seamless execution and experiences within the spa that balance indoor and outdoor spaces.
The seminar included an insightful PRODUCT WATCH pitch from hansgrohe.
Following the success of the inaugural virtual conference, Hotel Designs LIVE is back for a second edition, which will take place on October 13. The themes selected for the next event will include the evolution of discreet technology in hotel design, sustainability in design and architecture, reassuring the hotel consumer post-pandemic and adding personality in public areas.
Tickets for Hotel Designs LIVE will be available shortly. To discuss sponsorship opportunities for any of the sessions above, please contact Katy Phillips or call +44 (0) 1992 374050.
5 Minutes With: Sarah Beall on how Forum Events went digital
Like all businesses, Forum Events & Media Group (owner of Hotel Designs, Hotel Summit and Interior Design & Architecture Summit) has been forced to adjust its operations in the face of Covid-19 and the resulting lockdown’. Managing Director Sarah Beall explains how Forum has used technology to take its events business into the digital age…
Hotel Designs LIVE, the one-day virtual conference which took place last month, was the collective result of an adaptable team who put content first. The four seminars put the editorial spotlight on integral topics and debates, while also welcoming relevant suppliers to pitch their latest products. The parent company – the infrastructure, if you like – behind Hotel Designs is Forum Events & Media. And in order to share how the company is adapting, and able to host virtual events such as Hotel Designs LIVE, we caught up with its Managing Director, Sarah Beall.
Hotel Designs: How has Forum Events & Media transitioned from live to virtual events during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Sarah Beall: Our Forums and Summits are unlike exhibitions or other large scale B2B events – they facilitate supply and demand, and serve their industries by bringing together buyers and suppliers for a series of pre-arranged face-to-face meetings.
We’ve tackled the Covid-19 crisis head-on by using our cutting-edge proprietary matching-making software to create an interface for live video meetings in a ‘virtual Forum’ environment, taking our live experience online.
HD: How was this achieved and what role has technology played during the transition?
SB: Redirecting our focus from live events to virtual means we can continue to deliver expectations to our exhibitor partners and delegates alike. Our appointment setting software is bespoke – we assigned our development team the task of integrating it with a video conferencing platform, so we can now create and deliver a live itinerary of pre-arranged meetings for participants.
“Our virtual format replicates our live events” – Sarah Beall, Managing Director, Forum Events & Media.
HD: How can people attend your virtual events and how do they work?
SB: Our virtual format replicates our live events, bringing together 65 key decision makers with 35 industry suppliers. The event registration process is exactly the same for both delegates and suppliers – the only difference is that all the meetings take place online as opposed to a physical venue.
HD: What are the main benefits of virtual events for your supplier partners?
SB: It’s all too easy to bury your head in the sand and wait for this pandemic to pass – but at Forum we know how important it is to stay in touch with our clients and create new business relationships with future prospects. Our virtual Forums are a powerful way to do business and stay connected from anywhere in the world.
HD: What are the main benefits of virtual events for your attending delegates?
SB: For anyone in procurement, events and meetings are keys to success – relationships with suppliers all start from an initial meeting and product knowledge. But right now companies will want to reduce the risk of their employees catching coronavirus, so we expect they will carry out due diligence as to whether they can attend live events. As a response, we are providing a safe solution for everyone, with buyers and suppliers meeting via video call from the comfort of their home office.
HD: Will virtual events operate alongside live events as part of the ‘new normal’?
SB: Live events are where deals are done and new products are put into the hands of a buyer – I do not see that changing. However, as we move out of lockdown hybrid events that offer both live and virtual attendees the opportunity to meet with trusted suppliers can only help expand the marketplace and increase supplier export worldwide.
HD: How does Forum intend to develop its virtual events offering going forward?
SB: Our virtual platform will allow us to hold our Forums and Summits worldwide, enter new industries and connect even more buyers and suppliers.
We cannot wait to welcome attendees back to our live events from September and have implemented a Covid safe risk assessment at all our venues.
But we are prepared and ready to kickstart our Forums from this month across four industries via our virtual platform. And we will continue to serve industries by holding hybrid live and virtual events that are Covid safe throughout the remainder of the year and beyond, if required.
With lighting playing a vital role in all first impressions, Hotel Designs takes a closer look at the modern interpretation of Chandelier by Buster + Punch…
Designers and architects are often willing to think outside the box in order to evoke a lasting first impression.
When it comes to lighting in public areas, however, often opting for a simple, clean and striking design scheme can make the brightest statement. A pendant chandelier, for example, will complement a modern and contemporary interior design style.
Chandelier by Buster + Punch is an eye-catching lighting display that can work in many lifestyle and luxury settings. Designers can choose from classic diamond or cascade formation, as well as a 19-pendant drop or a 31-pendant drop.
Image credit: Buster + Punch
Image credit: Buster + Punch
The dimmable lighting product aims to immediately set the tone by allowing users to personalise the brightness so that they can achieve the right ambience in all public areas. As well as the lobby and dining areas, designers may wish to add the pendent chandelier in the stairwell in order to add a new layer while acting as a decorative feature that also provides much needed functional lighting.
Image credit: Buster + Punch
Image credit: Buster + Punch
The bespoke heavy metal chandelier is a stylish LED light for large stairwell spaces or living areas. The chandelier is teamed with the brand’s critically acclaimed LED Buster bulbs available in gold, smoked or crystal finishes. The brand’s heavy metal solid metal pendants are available in smoked, bronze, steel or brass.
Buster + Punch is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
An update to the classic Princess radiator for the 21st century, the Neptune collection by Castrads offers flawless casting, smooth flowing lines and is effortlessly elegant…
Ridged shoulders, sleek feet and a striking pinched top are all quirky characteristics of the Neptune collection by Castrads, an updated aesthetic to a classic design.
The Neptune is available in both two and three columns and in four heights across the range.
The Neptune 2 Column, available in heights of 520mm, 620mm, 720mm and 920mm and has a depth of 180mm. Great for achieving a high heat without imposing in the room too much.
The Neptune 3 Column, available in heights of 620mm, 720, and 920mm and has a depth of 200mm. Perfect for large rooms where you require a lot of heat and for providing a real statement piece.
Image credit: Castrads
The Neptune can be finished in a stunning range of bare metal finishes or paint from Little Greene, Farrow & Ball and Benjamin Moore.
Our curated collection of accessories, including valves, shrouds and base plates and wall stays, can be finished in a range of colours and will complete the look.
All of Castrads radiators are tested in accordance with EN442 by BSRIA to ensure that we offer the highest standard of quality.
Castrads is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT: Make a statement with a striking tiled feature wall
CTD Architectural Tiles explains how designers create an eye-catching moment in the lobby with a tiled feature wall…
Interior design is vital to the success of today’s hospitality spaces: where, in a world of social media and photo sharing, it becomes a key component of a guest’s stay.
Feature walls provide energy and vibrancy to liven up any hotel space, from the lobby to the restaurant to the bedrooms, and are sure to make an impactful first impression.
The purpose of a feature wall is to draw the eye to a particular area – this is likely to be the room’s existing focal point. In the bathroom, this might be a shower wall, whereas in the bedroom, it might be the headboard behind the bed. In any case, it should be used to create an eye-catching centrepiece, around which the rest of the room will flow.
Image caption: Genesis range by CTD Architectural Tiles
All a space needs is one beautiful feature wall to make the room really stand out. Whether you’re working with a client who wants to make a statement in a large, grand hotel, or you’re working in a smaller, more bespoke space, a feature wall can be used to make an impact in a variety of ways.
Typically, most designers will tend to use paint or wallpaper when creating a feature wall, but tiles actually offer a more effective alternative – especially for bathrooms. With so many textures and colours to choose from, tiles are a great way to add visual interest to an otherwise plain space and can often create a much more impressive impact! Tiles come in a variety of finishes, sizes and colours, making them the perfect option for creating style.
Image caption: The Metallic collection by CTD Architectural Tiles in bathroom setting
Patterned, textured and wood effect tiles all look great as feature walls. Textured tiles add warmth and depth, while contrasting colours can be used to make a striking wall pattern. Meanwhile, wood effect tiles can be used to create a final look ranging from rustic and weathered, to modern and elegant, depending on the hotel’s overall aesthetic.
Image caption: The Metalic collection by CTD Architectural Tiles in retail setting
Image caption: The Genesis collection by CTD Architectural Tiles in bathroom setting
CTD Architectural Tiles offers a wide range of tiles for all styles of hotels, ideal for creating a beautiful feature wall. Most recently, it has launched a new collection called Genesis, which offers cutting-edge design with an interesting variety of textures and decorations, inspired by sensory touch and visual sensations. Presented across ten different formats, from tri-dimensional design to nature patterns, the smooth colours of this range are perfect for creating a feature wall in minimalist settings. White and Sand present a more neutral option, whereas Black, Deep Blue and Red offer a truly intense option for statement walls.
Another one of CTD Architectural’s most stylish collections for creating a tiled feature wall is the Metallic range. These enamelled stoneware tiles are inspired by crude steels and metals, creating an on-trend look of modernity and urban style. These tiles are guaranteed to bring a strong personality to any space and the collection offers both a smooth and a structured surface for greater versatility in designing a feature wall for any hotel space.
CTD Architectural Tiles is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
The ultra-luxury property in Sardinia is to shelter Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ debut island resort in Italy…
With recent announcements stating that the brand is preparing its arrivals in Madrid and St Barths – and now Sardinia – it’s safe to say that Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has embarked on a new chapter of luxury hotel development.
The most recent news from the brand is that it has been appointed by Quianto Capital Limited to manage Rosewood Porto Cervo, which will open on Sardinia, Italy in 2022.
Joining sister properties in Tuscany and Venice as the group’s third opening in Italy, this latest jewel in the collection will bring Rosewood’s signature style of ultra-luxury hospitality to one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the Mediterranean.
“Rosewood Porto Cervo will showcase our visionary, innovative ambition for creating one-of-a-kind resorts through Rosewood’s uniquely sophisticated lens,” says Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. “We look forward to showcasing our brand’s A Sense of Place philosophy as we create a luxurious haven in Sardinia,”
“The three-story Rosewood Porto Cervo will feature 65 guestrooms, including 26 suites, all complemented by spectacular 180-degree ocean views of the Mediterranean Sea.”
The resort will be located in Costa Smeralda, Italy’s jet-set destination, known for its stunning white sand beaches and turquoise water. Just 1.5 kilometers south of Porto Cervo town, the three-story Rosewood Porto Cervo will feature 65 guestrooms, including 26 suites, all complemented by spectacular 180-degree ocean views of the Mediterranean Sea and thoughtful amenities, which are finely tuned to the desires of today’s affluential explorers. A modern oasis, the resort’s serene design aesthetic will exude a captivating estate-style atmosphere coupled with personalised services and exceptional privacy.
Set to become the new social nexus of Sardinia, Rosewood Porto Cervo will house a spectrum of distinctive dining and leisure concepts designed to reflect the surrounding nature and local culture.
“We are honored to join hands with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts,” says Petra Hofer, chief executive officer of Quianto Capital Limited. “We are proud to showcase the rich offerings of Sardinia, as well as Rosewood’s refined ultra-luxury hospitality, to create a new legacy and world-class retreat in the Mediterranean.”
Furthering Rosewood’s reputation for exceptional culinary standards, the resort will feature four versatile dining venues for an ultra-luxurious island experience. A bistro and lounge bar will serve sumptuous dishes and handcrafted cocktails inspired by the flavours and colours of local produce, while the property’s pool bar and beach club will host lively music with the sun-kissed shoreline as a backdrop.
“As the strategic advisor to Quianto Capital Limited during the operator selection process, we held firm on finding a luxury hospitality partner that would add the most value to reflect the destination’s unique culture, history and geography in the design and operation of the hotel,” says Enrico Meneghetti, chief executive officer of Enma Capital & Partners Limited. “Through its A Sense of Place philosophy, Rosewood Porto Cervo will definitely achieve this goal.”
In addition, the resort will be expressly designed as a sanctuary for renewal and rejuvenation. From signature spa journeys to body therapies, guests will be spoiled with an array of bespoke experiences that will harmonise the body and mind, improve well-being, and leave guests feeling serene, radiant and refreshed.
The architecture and design team that will create the Sardinian jewel is yet to be announced. Meanwhile, Rosewood’s luxury journey of expansion into new destinations continues…
Following designer Peter Mance’s editorial gaze into reflective surfaces, Hotel Designs takes a look at Mirror Mania’s world of mirrors…
There’s something truly special about a unique, handmade mirror. Mirror Mania believes that a mirror is much more than a simple reflective surface – it is a work of art that can truly enhance and transform its surroundings.
Established for more than 20 years, the company is a family run business, based in Norfolk where we design and manufacture all our mirrors.
Headed by one of the Britain’s leading Mirror Artists – Phillip Orr, the brand understands that it is sometimes difficult to find a company that offers unique and bespoke products which is why its wide range of handmade, exclusively designed products, include art deco, modern and traditional designs, as wells as framed, frameless and metal framed mirrors, ceiling domes and decorative glass panels.
Whether designers are looking for a mirror to enhance their interior theme, or they need a mirror around which to design a room, Mirror Mania’s one-of-a-kind designs are sure to meet your requirements. Each mirror takes its inspiration from different works of art – including culture-inspired themes.
Mirrors inspired by cultures of the world
Different cultures often inspire interior decor trends – the last few years have seen major influences from Morocco, Japan and Scandinavia. If you’re going for a country theme in your home, it needs to run through all aspects of your decor. The company has rounded up some of its favourite hand-crafted mirrors from our collection to suit whatever style – or country – you’re creating in your home.
Scandanavia
Image credit: Mirror Mania
Contrasting colours and a combination of smooth and sharp lines means this gorgeous circular mirror will complement any Scandinavian themed interior. With a choice of bronze, black or grey glass effects and various trimming colours, you can truly make this mirror your own.
Greece
Image credit: Mirror Mania
With staggered vertical mirrors and an overhanging edge, this stunning mirror is reminiscent of the temples of ancient Greece. For a statement of grandeur and luxury, there really is no other choice – while the bronze colouring makes this mirror bang on trend, and perfect for combining with lush colourways.
Africa
Image credit: Mirror Mania
African-inspired interiors can’t be complete without a safari theme, and this beautiful zebra striped glass wall art is the perfect way to add a modern safari feel to any room. Hand painted stripes and a strip of narrow mirror creates the perfect combination of elegance and authentic style.
England
Image credit: Mirror Mania
This mirror could have been taken from any mill in England. Reminiscent of the industrial Victorian era with black metal edging and a tall, curved arch, this authentic mirror will look wonderful in any surroundings that nod to the bygone Industrial Revolution.
Japan
Image credit: Mirror Mania
If you’re going for an Oriental theme, this mirror embodies the Far East style: minimalist symmetry. The metal frame – available in a selection of colours – adds a modern twist to this stunning Oriental style mirror.
Handmade mirrors delivered internationally
The company recently received an order from North Carolina, for two of our Babushka mirrors. The geometric style and sharp lines make this mirror stand out – and geography doesn’t need to stand in the way of you and your perfect mirror.
With international delivery from Mirror Mania, you can place your order from anywhere in the world and the company will ensure it is delivered to you in perfect condition.
Mirror Mania is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
SPOTLIGHT ON: how Edmund bell grew as a textile brand
To celebrate Soft Furnishings and Fabrics being placed under the editorial spotlight this month, Hotel Designs asks the team at Edmund Bell to explain its past, present and predict its future…
Ever since Edmund Bell was founded in 1855, as a merchant converter in textiles, it has always been proud of its heritage – becoming a major supplier of blackout fabrics during World War II, which is how it inadvertently entered the soft furnishings market.
Fast forward 165 years and the company now supplies for more than 8,000 customers across the globe in more than 50 different countries, directly from its headquarters in Rochdale, UK. One of its recent projects was Hard Rock Hotel London, which Hotel Designs exclusively reviewed shortly after opening.
The team at Edmund Bell take pride in the fact that when a company chooses to work with them, they are:
Investing in skilled craftsmanship.
Investing in something of quality that will last.
Securing the future of manufacturing within Europe.
Buying a product that has passed our rigorous quality checks.
Buying a product that we are trying to ensure has significantly lower carbon footprint than others on the market
Edmund Bell’s products are rigorously tested to ensure they meet all the relevant technical requirements necessary for each sector they could be going into; from Retail, Hospitality, Workplace and Education, to Healthcare and Cruise.
For example:
The ranges meet multiple flame retardant standards from the UK and internationally.
The brand aims for longevity in our fabrics with relevant testing for colour fastness to light, washability and durability to wear.
Many ranges benefit from special properties such as Anti-Microbial, Stain Resistance or Crease Resistance finishes, plus many more.
The brand tries to use more natural raw materials with less environmental impacts.
All the technical specification details for each range can be viewed online, where it is available to download as well as all available test certificates to ensure you have all the relevant information for your project.
To make sure that designers, architects and specifiers have as much choice as possible when working on a new design concept, the brand offers the option to order free samples of all our fabric ranges directly from our website. Browse Edmund Bell’s wide selection of fabrics such as blackouts, dimouts, sheers, upholstery and more – and add them to your sample basket straight from the product page.
As the brand looks forward to the future, and with many consumers becoming more socially conscious and changing their shopping behaviour; sustainability in its products, Edmund Bell’s manufacturing and within the business generally, remains increasingly important to its ongoing objectives and plans.
As a business, the company is striving to be more sustainable and work with more renewable fibres that have less environmental impact whilst still offering the highest quality products available.
Many of its products are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 approved; meaning they are completely free of toxic or allergic substances. And it is working towards complying with the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) base code within its supply chain; an internationally recognised code of good labour practice.
Edmund Bell is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it will manage a luxury hotel and branded residences in Vienna, Austria that is scheduled to open in late 2023…
Mandarin Oriental, Vienna will be housed in a heritage building that originally served as the city’s commercial law court from 1912 to 2003.
Mandarin Oriental, Vienna is located in a peaceful street in District One of Vienna within the Ringstrasse. It is in easy walking distance of the city’s major attractions, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Imperial Palace, Vienna State Opera and a wide range of restaurants and bars.
“On completion, the hotel will comprise 151 guestrooms and suites.”
The conversion of the property is already underway, and the restoration will preserve many of the building’s original design elements. On completion, the hotel will comprise 151 guestrooms and suites surrounding a courtyard in the centre of the property, incorporating a restaurant, bar and outdoor garden. The property will also house a Spa at Mandarin Oriental featuring a series of treatment rooms, a swimming pool and a well-equipped fitness centre. A range of adaptable banqueting and meeting spaces will be available for events and social occasions.
The 17 Residences at Mandarin Oriental will be located on the top two floors of the building and will have private access to the roof, with several of the apartments offering outdoor terraces and stunning citywide views. These will be some of the most exclusive apartments in the city, with owners enjoying Mandarin Oriental’s legendary service and direct access to the hotel’s facilities.
“We look forward to extending the Group’s presence into one of Europe’s most popular destinations for art, music and culture and introducing the city to Mandarin Oriental’s exemplary quality of service,” said James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental. “This iconic redevelopment of a historic building in a prime location, will offer guests a truly memorable experience, and fits ideally within the Group’s increasing portfolio of central European hotels.”
The project is owned by Brisen Group, headquartered in Geneva and operating in the European real estate investment and wealth management sectors. London based designers, Goddard Littlefair, which recently completed Villa Copenhagen, have been appointed to create the hotel and residences interiors.
“We are delighted to partner with Mandarin Oriental, one of the world’s best luxury hotel brands, on this project. Mandarin Oriental’s reputation for providing an unparalleled level of luxury service and attention to detail, matches our own wish to create an exceptional luxury hotel and residences in the heart of Vienna,” said Mr Dimitry Vallen of Brisen Group.
It may not be the unveiling that the Italian furniture brand had in mind, but the 2020 collection of indoor furniture pieces by Minotti reaffirms its identity and reputation in the luxury interior design arena. Editor Hamish Kilburn learns more…
Celebrating the arrival of a new collection by Minotti has become somewhat of an annual phenomenon at Hotel Designs.
The grand unveiling has traditionally taken place during Milan Design Week. This year, however, while the industry has been forced to adapt to social distancing guidelines following the outbreak of Covid-19, the brand has instead launched the 2020 collection virtually. And while the manner of which the pieces have been unveiled has been disrupted, the same cannot be said for the new line of furniture, which are all (in true Minotti style) characterised by the purity of their shapes and volumes, defined by rigorous geometries with an architectural appeal.
The 2020 Indoor Collection reflects a contemporary, modernist style and extends the identity of Minotti, connected to the same high-quality sartorial savoir-faire found in haute couture, used to craft a range of products that are increasingly exclusive. The new upholstered seating systems, seats and furnishing pieces are combined with a sophisticated tailoring thanks to the exquisite materials and the exclusive textile collection.
Each item evokes a silent elegance – Minotti needs not shout – with a strong international vocation in terms of style and design, though entirely Italian in its imprinting. This is the common thread in all the projects, designed by a strong team coordinated by Rodolfo Dordoni with the Minotti Studio.
With Rodolfo Dordoni, nendo, Marcio Kogan/studio mk27, Christophe Delcourt and GamFratesi, the 2020 Indoor Collection looks West, to the sophisticated Mid-Century atmospheres of California; East, to the formal minimalism of Japan; and North, to the striking rigour of Scandinavia, all filtered by Minotti’s own well-defined sensitivity and personality. The Collection develops a language that embraces the know-how of the tradition related to the world of upholstery, with a high level of sartorial craftsmanship. It features sculptural complements and seating elements with a strong personality that look back to the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies, reinterpreting their spirit, and was created for use in interiors located at different latitudes, in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Statement pieces of the 2020 Indoor Collection, coordinated by Rodolfo Dordoni with Minotti Studio, include:
Connery – Rodolfo Dordoni design
Image credit: Minotti
Contemporary, with a strong architectural appeal and pure lines reminiscent of the Mid-Century American spirit, the Connery seating system sports an exquisite aesthetic and design that instantly catch the eye.
The clever combination of fine materials and sophisticated details adds a hint of couture to its design. An extremely versatile seating system, in terms of both composition and combination of materials, Connery has a distinctive personality also expressed in the pairing of original square and round chaise-lounges.
Torii– nendo design
Image credit: Minotti
Airy, with constructive details linked to Japanese tradition, the Torii modular seats play with round edged volumes, thin profiles and the apparent formal simplicity of an extremely detailed design. The metal structure of the legs of the seats and tables is Nendo’s nod to the image of the “torii”, the entrance gate to Shinto shrines in Japan.
With an interlocking game, the horizontal elements are laid on the vertical supports, ensuring a sophisticated visual lightness that accommodates the padded volume, characterised by couture craftsmanship.
The Torii family includes sofas – with high or low backrest and a linear shape, rounded at the arms – inclined sofas with a combination of two different depths, armchairs and lounge and dining little armchairs, ottomans, coffee tables, and a slender, oval-shaped console table, ideal for placing anywhere in the living area.
Blazer – Rodolfo Dordoni design
Image credit: Minotti
A virtuous combination of its design appeal, visible in the rigorous geometry of its volumes, and the haute couture approach exemplified by its precise, meticulous sartorial craftsmanship, Blazer is one of the creations that best expresses the most authentic artisanal attitude of Minotti. All the surfaces of the elements feature stitching, designing evenly-spaced bands on the covering of the base, cushions, armrests and backrest, and creating a quilting effect that identifies its look and instantly provides a sensation of comfort.
The system includes seats with a depth of 108 cm and chaise-longue elements with a depth of 143 cm – with high and low backrests and armrests. The system is complemented by a series of cushions in different sizes and headrests, which can be freely positioned, decorating the seats and offering maximum comfort.
The wide range, comprising sofas with strong character as well as modular elements, allows for the creation of original configurations, freely customisable thanks to the extensive choice of elements and exclusive coverings available.
Inspired by the Brazilian architect’s many trips to Japan, the Daiki seats are born out of Marcio Kogan’s deep passion for Japanese culture and are conceived as a real tribute to Japanese design.
The Daiki family includes armchairs with a deep seat, available both with and without armrests, and footstool. Created using sophisticated wood crafting techniques, the curved shell comprises two elements joined at a 45° angle, with a sloping backrest that guarantees maximum comfort. In palisander Santos or flamed ash veneer with Liquorice colour stain, the shell offers a snug fit for the cushions, and sits on a metal frame with legs in a Black-Nickel finish. In the version with leather upholstery, the cushions are quilted with stitching, while in the fabric version they only feature stitching.
Daiki offers a design that also explores and reinterprets the American Mid-Century atmospheres in its bold, clean lines, precious materials and balanced proportions.
Fynn Collection – GamFratesi design
Image credit: Minotti
Scandinavian values meet Italian tradition in Fynn, a project created by combining fine cabinet-making in the wooden elements and sophisticated upholstering with fabric or saddle-hide.
The signature element of the Fynn seats is the armrest, elongated and slightly curved, rounded and smooth to the touch, 100 per cent handmade. Its precise, well-defined line identifies the whole family of seats, in the two Fynn and Fynn Saddle-Hide versions. Covered with the exclusive fabrics and saddle-hides in the collection, it fully expresses the high level of the elegant sartorial process which has always been Minotti’s distinguishing mark.
The family comprises armchairs, lounge and dining little armchairs, benches, footstools and coffee tables.
Mattia – Rodolfo Dordoni design
Image credit: Minotti
Mattia is inspired by the reinterpretation of a creative sign from the early Seventies, offering a modern take on a design from the Minotti archive. The finely contoured shell accommodates the seat, opening up like a corolla to host the original roller feature of the backrest. Formal solutions reminiscent of sculptures and the balance between the rigid structure and the suspended volume give life to seats with a soft, enveloping look.
The family comprises a three-seater sofa, an armchair and swivel lounge armchair, available with leather shell and fabric upholstered seat and backrest, or with total fabric or leather covering.
Conceived as precious details to streamline and lighten the design, the steel feet jetting out from underneath sport a Black-Nickel finish. The swivel base of the lounge armchair is available in the same finish.
Liam – Rodolfo Dordoni design
Image credit: Minotti
With its clean lines, exquisite materials and sophisticated finishes, Liam adopts an architectural approach to design, expressed in its rational shapes.
The family of Liam coffee tables is characterised by the airy 1 cm square steel structure, which designs a lightweight volume, defined by a polished Pewter colour finish. It hosts a top in Calacatta marble, Grigio Orobico marble, Black pâte de verre glass or brushed oak with Moka colour lacquer finish. In some elements, it also accommodates a lower, wooden surface for holding books, magazines and objects, also in brushed oak with Moka colour lacquer finish. Liam comes in a range of different sizes, with a square or rectangular shape, which can be used together to design original configurations, also matching them with tops of different materials.
Flirt – Rodolfo Dordoni design
Image credit: Minotti
Image credit: Minotti
Designed as a jewel-sculpture, with its metallic glints, the Flirt coffee table adds a bright touch to interiors. The structure, made entirely from a sheet of polished stainless-steel, is bent to form two “C”s facing one another, offering two semi-circular tops on different levels. Like an artist’s multiple, Flirt only comes in one size and is varnished in Black-Nickel or Gold. The screws that join the two C-shaped elements serve as decorative details, enhancing the metal sheet.
In conclusion, the new Indoor Collection was designed imagining those living in them, their gestures and daily routines, tactile sensations, exclusive materials, the effect of the light as it illuminates a wooden or marble surface, and the gleam of a metal detail. Sophisticated furnishings, like a tailored suit, made to fit the user’s personality and taste, in line with Minotti’s design tradition. The different cultural backgrounds of the designers merge and contribute to give shape and voice to the “Minotti project”, which gathers the creative stimuli of the designers and is an exceptional example of contemporary style.
Hotel Designs will be publishing its round-up of the Outdoor Collection 2020 by Minotti shortly. Minotti London, which is exclusive style partner at MEET UP London, is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Designed in collaboration with a leading colour consultant, Matrix is the latest ceramic wall tile collection from specification company Parkside Architectural Tiles…
Inspiring creativity, Matrix offers an unprecedented portfolio of 23 tile colours, available in matt or gloss finishes, accompanied by matching grouts and trims.
With the Matrix collection, Parkside wanted to create a range of colours that would allow the design community to curate co-ordinated looks or mix and match colours to create striking design statements.
The Matrix colours were developed in collaboration with colour consultant Vanessa Konig, who wanted to ensure that they would complement natural materials as well as work across a range of environments; from warm, cosy restaurants and bars to more pared-back, minimalist designs.
Image credit: Parkside Architectural Tiles
The colours range from neutrals and pastels through to brights and jewels with some colours, such as Victoria Purple or Heritage Blue, being particularly on trend. Vanessa comments, “The deep, almost ultramarine, Heritage Blue would team up well with crisp white architectural details, used as you would a paint colour. For example, completely tiling a bathroom space floor to ceiling in this rich, elegant colour.”
Available in 148 x 148mm and 98 x 198mm, every Matrix colour is accompanied by matching straight edge and box trims, as well as grout, allowing the creation of a beautifully coordinated end result in solid colour, or to experiment with striking designs combining contrasting tiles, grouts and trims. Sample boxes are available that include all 23 tile colours, grouts and a selection of trims.
Image credit: Parkside Architectural Tiles
If Matrix doesn’t have the options to meet specific colour requirements for a project, then Parkside’s Design Lab can work to any RAL or Pantone reference for ceramic wall tiles in a variety of sizes. However, with 23 tile, grout and trim colours to choose from, Matrix is a wonderful place to start.
Parkside Architectural Tiles is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
GOING LIVE: Discussing colour & wellbeing with Parkside
Placing colour and wellbeing under the spotlight, editor Hamish Kilburn will join Parkside Architectural Tiles’ live at 16:00 (BST) today for the virtual panel discussion entitled: Curative Colour: the power to heal
Parkside Architectural Tiles is hosting a webinar to celebrate the upcoming launch of its new ceramic wall tile collection. Inspiring creativity, Matrix offers a range of 23 colours, accompanied by matching grouts and trims, that will allow the design community to curate co-ordinated looks or mix and match colours to create striking design statements.
Chaired by Joanna Watchman from workinmind.org, experts in wellbeing in the workplace, key designers and industry professionals will discuss how colour can improve wellbeing and be incorporated into thoughtful design. Joining Watchman on the virtual sofa will be Ben Channon, associate architect and head of wellbeing at Assael Architecture; Constantina Tsoutsikou, founder of Studio LOST who will bring a hospitality and public space perspective; Hamish Kilburn, editor, Hotel Designs; and Vanessa Konig, Konig Colours.
The webinar will be recorded and sent out afterwards to all registered attendees. If you have a question in advance for our panel then please pop this in the ‘questions and comments’ box when registering or email the team here.
Parkside Architectural Tiles is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
UK Bathrooms, one of the leading online store for premium designer bathroom products, has launched the UK Bathrooms Design Awards…
The size of your project isn’t important, from the smallest cloakroom to a spacious house bathroom, all entries for the UK Bathrooms Design Awards are welcome.
The expert panel of judges will be looking at sources of inspiration, clever use of space, product choice, overall design and lifestyle features.
Entering couldn’t be easier, you simply need to take photos of your space, preferably before, during and after shots, log onto the website and complete the online entry form. A bathroom space is not always the easiest to take photographs of so UK Bathrooms offer the following advice:
Prepare the space first by starting with a blank canvas and then add back in a few *lifestyle items, maybe a candle or plant
Ensure everything is spotless and gleaming
Pop the toilet lid down
Focus on the best feature in the space
Try to balance the brightness form any window by switching off flash
Give a sense of space by stepping back as far you can in the room
Check reflections in mirrors and shower screens – make sure you’re not in them
Try different heights but usually best angle is from waist height or from sitting down
Avoid unwanted corners of furniture or parts of items around the edge of your shot
Avoid extra photo filters try to keep as real as possible
Once you have taken your photos you only need to decide which category to enter, choosing from best design, where the prize is £500 Love 2 Shop Vouchers, best traditional bathroom or best contemporary bathroom and win Villeroy & Boch Tableware worth £500. There are also three categories for professionals who can enter to win best architect/interior designer bathroom, best hotel/guest house/restaurant bathroom or best trades bathroom and enjoy the prize of £500 worth of products from www.ukbathrooms.com.
Graeme Borchard, Managing Director at UK Bathrooms explains: “As the leading online store for premium designer bathroom products we sell to thousands of homeowners and professionals and decided that it was time to give something back and to recognise some of the stunning bathrooms that are being created in homes and businesses across the UK. The UK Bathrooms Design Awards have been launched to recognise innovation in bathroom design.” Graeme continues “We are extremely grateful to our manufacturers and distributors for their help and support, these currently include Arnolds, Bayswater, Barwicks, Crosswater, hansgrohe, Keuco, Matki, Perrin & Rowe, Victoria+Albert, Villeroy & Boch, VitrA and Zehnder Bisque.”
The panel of judges will carefully consider all entries before making their decision in October 2020. For further details including full terms and conditions visit the website.
UK Bathrooms is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Designed by Carlos Mendonca, Mondri is the latest digitally printed floor from cork maestros Granorte…
Heavily influenced by the paintings of Diet Mondrian and the De Stijl movement, Mondri Pale presents a vector and modular composition intervened by soft colours for a pattern that brings a sophisticated and subtle interpretation of the bold graphic style.
As part of the Vita Décor collection by Granorte, Mondri Pale’s pattern and colours are digitally printed onto a cork wear layer and finished with WEARTOP, a water-based protective finish. Using a HDF core with Uniclic, the floor is fast to install, its cork base layer providing additional comfort, thermal insulation and acoustic absorption. With Microban, Mondri Pale also answers the challenges of life in the new normal, providing a more hygienic floor. Mondri Pale is suitable for residential and commercial use.
“Mondri Pale’s elegant take on the bold art of Mondrian is a great way to embrace one of the 20th Century’s most famed artists without overplaying the role of colour within the home,” explained Paulo Rocha, product and R&D manager, Granorte. “As an addition to our striking Vita Décor collection, the floor joins a formidable collection of design-centric cork flooring styles, aimed at elevating interior schemes beyond the ordinary and adding a playful element to rooms.”
Granorte makes the Vita Décor collection in Portugal from the waste of the wine stopper industry. Cork’s natural and renewable status is finding new impetus with a new generation of homeowners focused on the impacts of the products they choose. With the ease of living of modern laminate and LVT floors, Vita Décor offers no real-world trade-off in a product with proven environmental prowess.
Granorte is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT: Human-centric lighting in hotels
Never has it been a better time for a new lighting brand with a plethora of experience and a fresh ethos to enter the international hotel design arena. Cue the launch of humanlumen…
Coronavirus has swept through the world causing a trail of destruction to everyday lives everywhere – how and where we work, live, play and learn has been reimagined on an unprecedented scale.
Wellbeing has been high on the agenda for a good few years now, and as the human race begins to emerge cautiously from lockdown, the health and safety of individuals will be even more critical.
Designers of the built environment have always built spaces for people to thrive and flourish however now it is more overt in the integration of biophilia through green walls, as well as the technology enabled tuneable lighting which can impact on the circadian rhythm of humans.
As we all begin to inhabit public spaces such as airports and hotels once again, I believe that customers will increasingly seek experiences that have their wellbeing at heart. Increased assurance that operators are adhering to the highest standards of hygiene for example and the guarantee of todays most valuable asset in the health currency right now – sleep.
Jet lag can be a debilitating condition for frequent flyers but imagine if the lighting in your hotel room could accelerate the adjustment to a new time zone?
This is how it would work: as you enter your hotel room, your key card tells the control system where you have arrived from and the lights then change to the ideal colour temperature to adjust your body to the new time zone. The lighting prescribed by the system would differ depending on where in the world you were, and where you had travelled from.
For example, if you are travelling east from London across more than eight time zones, you need to avoid morning light and actively seek out afternoon light for the first three or four days because dusk light delays the circadian clock, while morning light advances it.
There is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that the right light – at the right time – can stabilise hormonal rhythms, enhance night-time melatonin secretion, improve sleep quality, increase day-time vigilance and raise our resilience to stress.
The rule of thumb for alertness is that 30 minutes before you want to go to bed, you should minimise light exposure. But what’s the last thing most of us do before we go to bed? We stand in the most brightly lit room, the bathroom, looking into the mirror cleaning our teeth! A dial by the bathroom mirror which could change the lighting from blue-enriched to red-enriched before you go to bed, may help many of us sleep far more soundly.
Human centric lighting: benefits for hotels
The human-centric lighting system has plenty of benefits which hotels and restaurants.
Helps in Setting the Mood
The ideal lighting temperature and colour is very subjective, using HCL the lighting experience can be customised.
With the human-centric lighting system, you can easily adjust the brightness level of lights as per your every customer needs and offer a comfortable experience to everyone.
Cost-Effective
HCL is incredibly energy-efficient, light is focused around where the user is and will automatically shut off and on when sensors detect human presence around them.
Stimulating environment
HCL allows for the creation of stimulating environments for all guests, operators can design bespoke decorative and ambient settings in accordance with the mood of customers.
Increase Productivity
Conclusion: lighting has a well-documented impact on productivity, which hotel owners and staff can benefit from.
Humanlumen, which is based in Clerkenwell, is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Hotel Designs explores how design firm KAI Interiors converted an authentic Moroccan building into a timeless hotel…
The Dar Jasmine Boutique Hotel began as a dream in owner Yasmina Markouch’s mind when she began digging to make way for the building that now stands proudly in Chefchaouen, Morocco.
After hunting for the ideal designer, she finally found KAI Interiors and we came on board to bring her dream into reality.
Kai Interiors wanted to create an authentic, welcoming boutique hotel, led by traditional techniques, taking inspiration from Moroccan style and utilising local craftspeople to produce the majority of items and finishes. It needed to be authentic, but to have a contemporary twist, so it stands apart from the other hotels in the area.
The build and fit-out itself took four years to complete. A vast amount of the elements are bespoke and handcrafted. The design is a perfect combination of Moroccan culture and traditional techniques, with a modern European edge. It is colourful and rich, yet calming and inviting. It feels elegant and luxurious, yet still feels rustic and sympathetic to the local area and surroundings. The aesthetic of the hotel sets the tone, but it was imperative that everything was practical too.
Rich green planting and Jasmine flowers feature throughout the site, enhancing the natural light and the stunning view. We aimed to incorporate the view into the interior, and integrating the inside with natural surroundings was essential. One of the special elements about this hotel is the natural setting, featuring a wonderful roof terrace space perfect for yoga sessions and enjoying the view. One side overlooks the mountains, whilst the other looks down on the Chefchaouen city below, which is sprinkled with many variations of blue painted homes. The exterior of the hotel is painted in a very pale blue, in keeping with the theme of the city. Huge windows in the restaurant allow guests to view the city below and form a smooth transition into the natural setting outside.
The restaurant and bar space is an impactful statement with dark blue tadelakt walls, contrasted with the bright exotic fabric. The lighting is a mix of hand-carved pineapple wall lights and perforated bronze pendants, designed to create delicate shadows against the walls in the evenings. Internal furniture and joinery were made by one joiner, which brought a cohesive character to the space. A stand out piece is the bar frontage, which features hand carved palm leaves.
Image credit: KAI Interiors/The Dar Jasmine Hotel
The communal spaces were designed to feel like a relaxing, home environment where guests feel comfortable to roam the grounds. It was requested that guests have the opportunity to enjoy peaceful moments within the space, so small nooks and hideaways were created throughout.
Image credit: KAI Interiors/The Dar Jasmine Hotel
Image credit: KAI Interiors/The Dar Jasmine Hotel
The hotel rooms are all inspired by different areas of the world; this is a hotel designed both to accommodate, but also inspire, travel. All of the tiles used within the hotel were hand cut and glazed to bespoke colours, then set into bespoke patterns and shapes. Striking elements of the hotel are the marble parquet flooring, which makes a strong statement on arrival, and the many Moroccan tiles which are celebrated from room to room. Vases and pots with hand painted patterns were made by local tribes in the mountains and brought down to the city, then positioned within the hotel.
KAI Interiorsis one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Main image credit: KAI Interiors/The Dar Jasmine Hotel
Summer, according to Focus, should be spent outside surrounded by elegance and warmth. Hotel Designs gets cosy around the outdoor fire to understand the brand’s latest range of products…
Gathering around a fire is the highlight of convivial summer evenings.
But a Focus design gives the experience extra soul and style, making special moments of life, whether on vacation, on the terrace or by the pool, unforgettable.
Image credit: Focus
Focus’s outdoor range, which includes seven models – Gyrofocus, Bathyscafocus, Domofocus, Emifocus, Ergofocus, Miofocus and Paxfocus available in two versions: rust or black paint with anti-corrosion treatment. This range offers a warm welcome to guests in any location.
New for Summer 2020: compact and moveable, the amazing Bubble takes over the terrace.
Image credit: Focus
The new Bubble brazier is designed as a wood-burning outdoor fire. Intended to be installed in a garden or on a terrace, for the city or country, it is a compact and chic heat source with flickering flames designed to be enjoyed on balmy summer evenings. Equipped with two castors (on the back) and measuring a compact 700 mm in diameter, this brazier can be easily moved on level ground. Its removable inner bowl makes for low maintenance while its anti-corrosion coating allows it to withstand the effects of environment, protecting the quality of its finish and its design. Bubble is part of the brazier-barbecue range that includes the ever-popular Sigmafocus and Diagofocus.
Specialist outdoor treatments and finishes
With the rust version, the fireplaces are treated with acid in the factory to start the process which allows metal to age naturally. Whilst, on delivery, the rust-finished fires are orange, the outdoor installation will allow the rust to evolve over time. Rusty steel will darken and evolve a unique patina resembling old leather or patinated bronze. It is then, according to Focus its most authentic and resplendent.
Image credit: Focus
In the matt black version, the paint has a specific anti-corrosion treatment. To benefit from the Focus guarantee, all outdoor models must be installed under cover and at least 10 km from the seaside.
Focus is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
With the launch of Bespoke by Burlington, Bathroom Brands Group Projects has just stretched the limits of possibilities when it comes to customisation in bathroom aesthetics.
Representing a new era of classic bathroom design, Bespoke by Burlington is a distinctive and unique collection of coloured and hand-decorated ceramics. Offering true customisation, the new products provide architects, specifiers and designers with an unsurpassed level of individuality, placing Burlington at the very forefront of modern-day bathroom design, whilst remaining true to its historic influences and style.
Image caption: Burlington Botanical Pink from the Bespoke by Burlington collection
Image caption: Burlington Botanical Pink from the Bespoke by Burlington collection
“The new Bespoke by Burlington collection marks a really exciting turning point for us as a Group,” explained Mick Bone, Director of Group Projects at Bathroom Brands. “Burlington’s products, in particular the Edwardian collection, have long been favourites of specifiers, designers and architects, especially within the hospitality market. Now, we can offer them even more choice when it comes to customisation, whilst maintaining the enduring quality and sought after authentic traditional style that Burlington has become known for.”
Image caption: Oriental Blossum from the Bespoke by Burlington collection
Drawing inspiration from the decorated and coloured ceramics of bygone eras, Burlington worked in collaboration with British designer Julie Ingham to create the Bespoke by Burlington collection. Made to order by skilled craft workers in Staffordshire, in England, using the finest materials, the collection is presented on a selection of Burlington’s best-selling Edwardian basins and WCs.
From the intricate hand-illustrated patterns of the Art Deco, Floral, Seascape and Cityscape decorated designs to the bold and captivating shades of the Confetti Pink, Alaska Blue and Moon Grey ceramics, the wide choice of stunning pieces broadens Burlington’s portfolio to now encompass bolder colours and exquisite decorative details, offering the opportunity to deliver truly unique projects.
Image caption: Cityscape (Venice) from the Bespoke by Burlington collection
Image caption: Cityscape (London) from the Bespoke by Burlington collection
Ideal for commercial, hospitality and residential design projects, Bespoke Lettering provides the ultimate opportunity for personalisation. Customers may choose between three lettering styles and a choice of two locations on selected basin sizes in Burlington’s Edwardian basin collection, the perfect individual finishing touch a bathroom scheme.
Burlington is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Expected to open in early 2021, Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas will become the brand’s debut new-build resort and will shelter innovative eco-design and authentic destination experiences…
Hyatt has announced plans for the first new-build Alila resort in the Americas, which will be located in Encinitas, Calif., a quintessential beach town in San Diego’s North County Coastal region.
Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas is being designed by San Diego-based Joseph Wong Design Associates with interior design by Mark Zeff Associates. Developed by JMI Realty and Fenway Capital Advisors, the hotel will add to Hyatt’s growing Alila brand portfolio, joining Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort, as the brand’s second hotel in California and the U.S., along with 14 other luxury properties worldwide.
“We are thrilled to announce the development of the first new-build Alila resort in the Americas, marking a significant milestone for Hyatt,” said Susan Santiago, Global Head of Lifestyle and Miraval Operations at Hyatt. “The Alila brand has long been a leader in crafted luxury and responsible tourism, and Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas will embody that same ethos when it debuts in Southern California.”
Image credit: Hyatt/Alila
Image credit: Hyatt/Alila
Situated along coastal bluffs and overlooking Grandview and South Ponto Beaches, Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas will be a luxury oceanfront hotel with 130 guestrooms, including 16 suites. The resort will offer an ocean-view restaurant with rooftop patio, a pool with pool bar and an infinity-edge hot tub, a luxury Spa Alila and spectacular wedding and events venues, all with panoramic Pacific Ocean and lagoon views.
The hotel will seamlessly blend into the bluffs with natural building materials and native plants, delivering on the brand’s reputation of innovative eco-design. With the hotel’s namesake, “Marea,” meaning “tide” in Italian and Spanish, the resort will provide a distinctly Southern California feel, with bespoke experiences inspired by the area’s natural landscape, as well as its vibrant surf and beach culture.
MINIVIEW: Designing a ‘bare foot luxury spa’ at Sopwell House
Design studio Sparcstudio created a relaxed, yet elegant design concept to the recently refurbished £14 million Cottonmill Club spa within Sopwell House in St Albans, Hertfordshire…
Set in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, on the outskirts of historic St Albans in England, the Club at Cottonmill within Sopwell House was unveiled to the public in August last year.
With an eye on the luxury guest market, the £14 million project covered an extensive development period of six years. Owned since 1986 by the family-run AB Hotels, Sopwell House retains its original Georgian grandeur with the main building sheltering the majority of the hotel’s accommodation, its restaurants and the spa, which now has a two-tiered membership that offers a new level of exclusivity in the shape of The Club at Cottonmill.
Image credit: Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, designed by Sparcstudio Design
Sparcstudio developed the interiors and architectural design for the project which included a total refurbishment of the existing spa areas and the addition of a large, sleek glazed three-storey extension linking on to a new private spa garden (designed by Ann Marie Powell). Sparcstudio worked with Debi Green to develop the operational details and ISA Architects were appointed to assist with the delivery of the building itself.
Tasked with creating a premium aesthetic throughout the spa, Sparcstudio employed a rich, natural palette of materials, including marble and carved limestone relief tiles in the reception’s column cladding, as well as end-grain timbers to create a tactile feel.
Image credit: Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, designed by Sparcstudio
Clever space planning with bespoke designed elements and experiences create moments of surprise for the guest as Beverley Bayes, Creative Director, Sparcstudio explains: “The unique feel of Cottonmill is largely down to space-planning and the inclusion of so many bespoke aspects and experiences.
Image credit: Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, designed by Sparcstudio
“We hope there is an element of surprise in the guest journey, which begins in the spaces carved out of original rooms within the Georgian building, but ends in an amazing contemporary new build over three levels with full-height glazing and direct links to the glamorous spa garden.”
The project features bespoke furniture design and fittings, from the small oval glass, brass and stone tables in the ‘sitting room’, the luxurious bespoke double loungers for the Garden Relaxation and Whisper rooms to bronze privacy screens, as well as the glazed critical screens between reception and the ‘sitting room’ with ‘cotton-reel’ installation.
Image credit: Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, designed by Sparcstudio
Bayes elaborates: “We are very lucky to have worked with a visionary client who has been involved in every detail. AB Hotels managed the implementation of this huge project themselves and we respect the extra mile they went to ensure the design was beautifully implemented, from the ‘sunray’ veneered doors with their Calacatta-lined architraves to the etched glass doors and bespoke cast metal handles of the heat cabins.”
Image credit: Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, designed by Sparcstudio
Barefoot luxury
The overall feel of the interiors is über luxurious and is driven by the guest experience and the desire to create a beautiful spa journey that is stimulating as well as ‘Relaxed and Informal’, combining glamour and a sense of ‘Barefoot luxury’ that you might enjoy in a luxury resort outside of the UK. Bayes explains: “The swinging woven suspended seats around the bespoke fireplaces (clad with blocks of end grain willow) provide a playful touch and the social centre piece of each of the main relaxation spaces.
Image credit: Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, designed by Sparcstudio
“We are particularly proud of the variety of bespoke designed heat cabins that we created which range from the organic sauna which is formed from Aspen, a white timber, and with the natural light flooding in, feels like you are sitting in the garden, to the glamorously lit Quartz lined salt stream room, and the first floor angular Panoramic that provides dramatic views on two sides of the grounds. ‘The jewel in the crown’ is the green slate lined outdoor Hydro-pool which is designed to provide an experience akin to ‘wild swimming’.
Image credit: Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, designed by Sparcstudio
Image credit: Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, designed by Sparcstudio
Comfort was key in the design of aspects and elements throughout the spa which boasts deep bespoke sofas laden with cushions in grey green and aqua shades crafted from fabrics including washed cotton and linen. Interiors feature a rich and sumptuous, but natural palette of materials, which includes smerelda marble, carved limestone relief tiles (reception column cladding) and end grain timbers to create a tactile feel. Bayes concludes: “We think the overall outcome is luxurious, warm and welcoming, definitely relaxing and conducive to contemplation and wellbeing.”
Sparcstudio is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, how do I meaningfully design reflective surfaces?
Reflective surfaces mirror a fascination for us all. Whether viewed across a becalmed lake or through an ornate framed reflection over the mantel place they each are seemingly a portal to another world. Designer Peter Mance, the director of MAAPS Design and Architecture, explains…
For interior design, mirrors and reflective surfaces are a material superpower and an integral component of how MAAPS reimagines and designs space.
Once solely a mystical surface and religious metaphor for divine interpretation by Scryers and Soothsayers, mirrors are seemingly a portal to another world. As such, reflection continues to carry a residual sense of visual mystery, fascination and wonder, whether viewed across a becalmed lake or through an ornate framed mirror above the mantel.
In the context of architecture and interiors, mirrors retain a magical ability to bend, extend, and morph our perception of and our relationship to inhabited space. Hovering between two and three dimensions, and in the fleeting moment of transparency, mimicry, and illusion, one’s imagination and perception of reality both instantly undergo four remarkable kinds of spatial transformation through a looking glass. This is what Plato refers to as a “visual spirit” which zips from the eye to a mirror, is reflected back to the observer’s face, thence to the mirror again, and finally back to the eye…
Compressed History
The first mirrored surfaces recorded are in found in polished artifacts dating back to 600BC. Hero(n) of Alexandria (15 to 75AD), a Greek mathematician and engineer who invented the steam engine, extols the many virtues and practical applications of refraction and reflection in his work of Catoptrica.
His explorations and observations form the philosophical foundations of perception and understanding of visual reality.
Later, and more menacingly, the power of reflected light was deployed in warfare by Anthemius (of Tralles) in ~500AD. Adopting a central hexagonal mirror and an encircling corona to guide the light of the sun to a single point of focus, Anthemius created the “burning” mirror – effectively the first analogue laser capable of incinerating approaching fleets or armies.
Greek explorations seeking answers to the secret of light and perception, and later taken up by Arabic scholars, were lost; then rediscovered and translated into Latin to be studied anew throughout Europe during the Renaissance period. Murano in Italy became the epicentre of glass and subsequently mirror technology during the 15th & 16thC. It is no coincidence that Venetian artisans evolve the highly coveted skill of applying tin backing to glass sheets
As Italy’s economic dominance wains during the 17thC, France’s unrelenting desire to acquire the secrets of mirrors finally succeeds when three Murano masters are bribed and transported into France. The Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles is the first dramatic spatial expression of this transfer of knowledge and breaks the Venetian monopoly of this magical surface. The captured technology of mirror making is here wielded by the Sun King as a regal platform, reflecting and multiplying the ornate splendour of this spectacular room and the expansive gardens beyond – representing a kingdom of infinite opulence.
Public/private view
Mirrors in a public place provide a collective shared view and simultaneous private view. We are constantly intrigued, anticipating what may happen consciously when these parallel views states and individual perceptions of realities collide. A tantalising, fractured kaleidoscope of splintered shards of illusionary reality are experienced as space and time are transformed by these glamourous and beguiling surfaces.
Humankind are one of the few species that can intellectually comprehend reflection and identify ourselves in a reflection. It is interesting to note that we often describe our internal mental landscape and moods using outward spatial perceptions – to reflect, to gain a sense of perspective.
The mirror is a unique facet of a noetic experience within the places in which we dwell and inhabit. Providing an internalised realm of calm meditation of what we see. Sometimes pleasurable, occasionally surprising or reassuring, often strangely disconcerting, the act of catching oneself in a reflective surface is so fundamental to our continual assessment of ourselves. The viewer, through their observation is necessary reflected, and the conscious moment of evaluation, place, and time, is instant.
Image caption: Entrance Hall | Image credit: MAAPS
Designing with mirrors is to invite a space to transform and open. The use of a large statement mirror can make a small room appear much larger than it is, particularly if the mirror encompasses an entire wall, is placed in a central location, or even if it is shaped like a window to create the illusion of openness and space beyond.
Image caption: Jewel Hotel Guestroom, New York | Image credit: MAAPS/RHA
Depending on the size, shape, placement, and ornamentation of a mirror, it can serve a variety of different aesthetic and functional purposes in an architectural or interior setting. Mirrors can act as spatial camouflage, layering, collapsing, and disrupting the passage of light. Within interiors mirrors can be considered as deliberate object, or as a mass surface, a portal, or as a focusing device.
Glancing views providing anticipation of approaching spaces, providing visual intrigue and pull, a sense of discovery, and self-animated movement. Mirrors positioned close to the line of the ceiling visually appropriate illusionary volumes and breath into the implied space beyond.
Image caption: Mirage installation for Hungary’s 2014 Sziget Music Festival | IMage credit: Studio Nomad
Ultimately, mirrors possess a chameleon quality and can dramatically transform a built space, where an interior either expands or dissolves and our visual experience of perception is shifted. Whether mirrors serve to accentuate an existing interior, lead you visually through to another space, tease and stimulate our curiosity, keep the imagination engaged, or simply to characterise a newly built space, they are versatile devices and instruments of light.
Image caption: The Infiniti Bathroom | Image credit: MAAPS
Therefore, it is only natural as designers that we want to celebrate reflection within the interior as both a quality of physical and mental space. In a constrained bathroom, 900mm wide, we played the Infiniti game and applied mirrors to directly opposing surfaces. The smallest room transforms into a meditative space for expansive contemplation.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Soane’s s use of light and mirrors is perhaps the most captivating aspect of the museum interior for us. Many of the principle rooms are delightfully augmented and subtly rendered with natural lighting effects and carefully positioned mirrors. Perhaps seen to greatest effect in the Library, Dining Room and Breakfast Room.
Soane’s use of light is a distinctive and consistent trait of his architecture and interiors. He produced complex, multi-layered effects with light and shade by innovatively deploying forms and structure to marshal the play of light. Creatively implementing devices, still in use today, such as top-lighting, strategically aligned mirrored surfaces and vistas, along with coloured glass to transform the experience of the spaces he designed.
Soane’s spatial techniques were instrumental and one of the contextual sources of inspiration for our use of mirrors with the guestrooms at Club Quarters Lincoln’s Inn Fields hotel.
Image caption: Club Quarters, Lincoln’s Inn Fields Alumni Guestroom | Image credit: MAAPS
Perception of light
Lebbeus Woods’ notes on “Measuring Light” (April 30, 2012) are apposite when considering our relationship and engagement with the reflected self. As with Sir John Soane, it is the handling of light that is important. “Light is a natural phenomenon the complexity of which reveals the structure of human consciousness. Objects, including building, in their absorption and reflection of light stimulate a human’s neural networks, in effect activating the brain. The more complex and nuanced the stimulation the more the brain comes to life. Shape, edge, texture, colour, shadow, highlight – play with and against one another – effectively enable the brain to make the most subtle distinctions, thereby imbuing human experiences with a richness and complexity that defines it… the perception of light is central.”
The mirror can therefore be viewed as an instrument that reveals the presence of light and therefore giving it a precise measure and place in our conception of interior space. As designers for Zoffini we have taken to heart Woods’ sensibilities of light and aligned it with Anthemius’ articulated mirror instrument to create our own variant of a “Shift Mirror”. Breaking the reflected surface, to redirect light, and to offer an altered sense of perspective.
Image caption: Shift Mirror, Crown Mirror, and Sutton Fire Surround for Zoffini | Image credit: MAAPS
In conclusion, it is not at all surprising that we have come to appreciate the mirrored surface as such a wonderful and adaptive material in the world of design. The mirror is an oddly passive, introspective, intrusive, and energetic surface. Not just because it reflects the environments and people around it, but because by the very nature of its reflective quality transforms the way we see the world that surrounds us.
Though we may have rationally put away all mystical metaphors, mirrors will remain analogous with the stuff of magic and imagination – from mirrors on walls used by manipulative stepmothers to joining Alice with her Looking Glass portal to step through into a different world.
Written and pondered while listening too: The Beat – ‘Mirror in the Bathroom’, Benjamin Britten – ‘Narcissus from Six Metamorphoses after Ovid’, Need For Mirrors – ‘Reverie’, Maurice Ravel – ‘Miroirs III’, Harold Budd – ‘The Serpent in Quicksilver’, Bomb The Base – ‘So Special (Toob’s Special Special Mix), John McCarthy & Ken Currie, BBC Something Understood (06/03/2016) – ‘On Reflection’; Reading Mark Pendergrast – Mirror Mirror, Lebbeus Woods blog notes from Slow Manifesto, Jonathan Miller – On Reflection, Stefan Buzas & Richard Bryant – Sir John Soane’s Museum, Team Yellowtrace – Mesmerising Mirrors in Art & Architecture, David Hockney – Secret Knowledge… at home.
MAAPS Design and Architecture is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Main image credit: David Hockney – Viewers Looking at a Ready-Made with Skull and Mirrors
Lighting expert Mortiz Waldemeyer’s innovative collection was born from the simple act of playing with fire. Hotel Designs learns more…
As far back as the collective memory of mankind goes, the flame has been the first and only light source, guiding our ancestors through history from the moment we dared to differentiate ourselves from the animal kingdom. The fascination with the movement and warmth of this light source is hardwired into our brains thanks to millions of years of this most special of relationships. The advent of electric light has done nothing to diminish our love for candle light, if anything it has helped to emphasise, just how special it’s effect is to us.
A few years back a playful experiment with a small LED matrix at Studio Waldemeyer produced a surprising result. Despite it’s very low resolution, the digital circuit managed to perfectly reproduce the complex motion of a flame. But the surprise was less in the technical ability but in people’s response to it. As if by magic we had captured the essence of everything a flame means, and added some intrigue. The tiny circuit had its own soul and captured peoples imagination unlike anything we had created up to this point or since.
After an encouraging debut with Ingo Maurer, London based Studio Waldemeyer launched their own brand mori.london on Kickstarter in 2017 while simultaneously showing the new line during Milan Design Week.
Image credit: Studio Waldemeyer
mori.london sets out to define a completely new category of LED lighting: playful, emotional, atmospheric and elegant, always innovative and always low power and low impact on the environment. mori.london creates the perfect balance of beautifully crafted objects with a sprinkling of tech. We use inspiration from the past to re-invent the future.
The response to the concept has been incredible: thumbs up from design heroes such as Ingo Maurer, Philippe Starck and Tom Dixon and a place in MoMA’s permanent collection. The London Design Museum shows the history of light inventions starting with Edison’s light bulb and finishing with the mori.london LED candle.
The versatility of the concept perfectly lends itself to beautiful bespoke installations. Bicester village trusted Studio Waldemeyer two years in a row with gigantic Christmas installations based on LED flames. Thousands of oil lamps and flying lanterns magically transformed their UK, French and German retail villages.
Nobu Hotel’s minimalist Christmas tree made it onto every single list of London’s best Christmas trees in 2018 while mori.london chandeliers started appearing at Rossana Orlandi Gallery during Milan design week.
Image Credit: Studio Waldemeyer
The product range is growing further, currently, new wall lights and XL flames are in the works with higher resolution and more detailed animation, while the studio has taken on new commissions of the largest installations yet to be seen.
Studio Waldemeyer is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) has welcomed the new BIID President for the 2020-2021 term, Lester Bennett, who officially took on the role at the BIID Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 2, which was held via online video conference.
Bennett has 40 years’ experience gained from running his own practice, being a design director for a plc residential developer, a founding partner of Folio Design LLP and now an independent consultant. Although his main sphere of expertise is residential interior architecture and design, Lester has experience in commercial and retail design, industrial, exhibition and product design.
Prior to setting up Folio Design LLP, Lester was Design Director at Westcity Wates/Westcity Developers, delivering prestigious and iconic London residential schemes such as West End Quay, The Phillimores (now Academy Gardens), Pavilion Apartments and Phillimore Square (now Thornwood Gardens). His concept work and his understanding of high end, and often cutting-edge, residential design earned these schemes national and international awards.
In addition to his work in the contemporary field, Lester has studied, and lectured on, the history of the English House and is well versed in period interiors, informing his work on many historic and listed buildings. Lester also has a thorough understanding of cabinet making and site construction techniques, materials and processes, and is a passionate advocate for the art of hand drawing.
“I feel very honoured to be the new president of the BIID,” commented Bennett. “There have been so many amazing people who have fulfilled this role in the past, not least Harriet from whom I am taking over, that I am only too aware that these are big boots to fill.
“This will certainly be a challenging year, but I am extremely lucky in that I have the support of a most excellent Council and admin staff who work tirelessly for the benefit of the Institute and its members.
“I look forward to continuing the work on the initiatives we already have in place, to help our members through this difficult time, and to help develop further ideas to benefit and expand our membership.”
Established in 1965, the BIID is the UK’s only professional institute for interior designers. The Institute sets national professional standards, promotes learning and debate, and champions the value of interior design on the national and international stage.
Following the industry emerging from the pandemic, lighting brand Franklite explains how guests are at the heart as the hospitality industry enters unchartered waters…
It’s important to understand how the right light can be used in different environments. For instance, in a hotel, light can be used to create an ambience and welcoming feel when paired with the right decor and natural light.
The right light can create a warm and friendly atmosphere; however, the wrong light can easily detract from a nicely decorated room.
Lighting in hotels should be installed with guests at the heart. The entire guest experience starts as soon as you arrive at the front desk of a hotel. If you are arriving late at night, the lighting should be warm and welcoming, helping you to feel relaxed and comforted. This is in contrast to when arriving in the morning, where there should be plenty of daylight or if not possible, bright white lighting, to help you feel energised and awake.
Image credit: Franklite
It’s important to make the best use of light in each space, to create a relaxing atmosphere throughout the entire hotel. For example, the lighting in the restaurant will require different lighting at different times of the day. During the day, where natural light changes are more noticeable, different scenes make it easy to adapt and maintain the right light level. At night, the lighting may be needed to assist in creating a romantic setting.
Understanding these nuances has been the key to Franklite’s success, having manufactured and distributed decorative lighting products from our purpose-built premises for more than 45 years. The brand is renowned, both in the U.K. and abroad, for the quality and versatility of its lighting, a reputation built on using only the finest components in the manufacturing process.
The lighting brand has evolved into a company offering a diverse range of decorative LED lighting products for both interior and exterior, domestic and contract applications, including all areas of hospitality and especially in hotels.
Franklite was one of the first manufacturers of energy saving chandeliers within the U.K. lighting industry. The brand understands the importance of keeping up to date with changes in regulation, the development of super-efficient light sources, and changing interior design trends.
Along with its constantly updated catalogue range, Franklite is able to offer bespoke LED lighting solutions for special projects, ensuring your design is ahead of the game and adding that ‘WOW’ factor when required. The company has dedicated contract sales and technical teams with many years of experience in lighting to assist with all your requirements.
If you would like any assistance or advice on using our products in your next project, please contact us on 01908 691818 or visit the website.
Raffles Bali has opened, taking the brand’s global portfolio of luxury hotels up to 15 properties…
Following the grand reopening of the symbolic Raffles Singapore, the luxury hotel brand has opened its 15th property; Raffles Bali.
With unparalleled views that stretch over the Indian Ocean and the famous Jimbaran Bay sunsets, Raffles Bali shelters just 32 private pool villas.
From each of the exquisite Pool Villas – the largest and most private in Jimbaran – abundant sunlight streams in through the patio doors to gleam off rich hardwood floors. The soft batik tapestry hanging behind the king bed is a tribute to the skill of Bali’s local craftsmen, while rustic rattan furniture complements sweeping views of your private garden and the ocean beyond. All villas include indoor and outdoor showers, yoga mats and bespoke beach accessories, in addition to an indulgent soaking tub.
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Located at the resort’s highest point, Rumari restaurant is caressed by cooling breezes, which carry the tantalising scent of Balinese cooking from the kitchen, unveiling a culinary journey on a sunset terrace overlooking the ocean. Loloan Beach Bar and Grill, meanwhile, is located on the resort’s secluded beach, overlooking a 25-metre infinity pool. Enjoy a sumptuous seafood feast beneath the shade of the Balinese-style ceilings. As twilight falls, the atmosphere shifts from laid-back fun to casual elegance.
The hotel also features the iconic Writers Bar and the adjoining Library, which is described by the brand as ‘a relaxing haven to savour classic or whimsically spiced cocktails, a glass of Champagne, or an after-dinner digestif’. Set in the heart of the resort, this intimate bar brings the Raffles heritage to Bali, with the bespoke Raffles Bali Sling, especially curated by our expert mixologist.
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
“We are delighted to introduce our most iconic hotel brand to the beautiful island of Bali,” explained Michael Issenberg, Chairman & CEO Accor Asia Pacific. “The highly-anticipated Raffles Bali will be the brand’s second hotel in Indonesia, joining the stunning Raffles Jakarta, and is set to become a special retreat for guests to feel pampered, through meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive.”
With the opening of Raffles Bali, the luxury brand continues to set the standard for luxury hospitality with a carefully curated list of distinguished addresses in leading markets around the world.
Exclusive Tents: working with nature to create one-off luxury experiences
To conclude a three-part editorial series, Hotel Designs understands Exclusive Tents’ unique relationship with nature when its comes to designing luxury tented accomodation …
Indeed, the African heritage of these luxury products is reflected in their names with most of the tents named after the legendary elephants of Africa, mainly past and some still present. Zway’s vision is to apply Exclusive Tents’ experience, skills and enthusiasm to the accomplishment of his clients’ dreams.
Image credit: Exclusive Tents
The appeal of a stronger, more fundamental link with nature is often a factor shared with their clients. It is a joy for Zway and his team when clients invest wholeheartedly in the adventure and go the extra mile to work with all that nature can offer. The most rewarding projects seek to integrate their natural assets as much as possible with their living spaces, even going so far as to reintroduce indigenous wildlife and replant species that have been driven out or endangered by human activity.
Alternative forms of accommodation are gaining popularity around the World, and Glamping is foremost amongst them. For those not familiar with African luxury safaris, the versatility and potential of these large, beautiful, ruggedly elegant, traditional real canvas tents requires reevaluating most, if not all, of the core elements of a project that might otherwise be taken for granted. It is a refreshing and eye-opening process that can and should encompass all aspects of a project.
Deciding to use tents rather than main-stream construction solutions can prove to be beneficial and advantageous for a number of key reasons – both aesthetic and financial. If you are reading this article there is a good chance that you are already intrigued by the possibilities that luxury tents might offer. Of course, the romance of a closer link with nature, the exhilaration of creating something exotic, seductive and sexy is foremost in the mind. Yet other key factors are equally important.
Image credit: Exclusive Tents
Development time and costs can both be significantly reduced. The tents can be in production whilst the project site is being prepared, with tent installation time being very quick – normally a few days for accommodation lodges, and a couple of weeks for the largest of the main tents. All Exclusive Tents’ products are made to client’s order such that each tent is configured with the desired materials, colours, door and window placements, etc., that best serve the project. Whilst this means that they are bespoke products, all fabrication is exclusively in-house with typical dispatch for delivery in only eight-10 weeks.
On-site preparation can also become most efficient. Exclusive Tents recommend installing the tents on raised decks – most often timber, but sometimes masonry depending upon the environment. The advantage of raised timber decks is that they can be quickly installed with little or no ground works, gliding above the natural topography, providing raised views, an elegant presence, and minimal impact upon the site.
“Exclusive Tents will never be the cheapest source of tents, but their mission is to offer the best “value-for-money”.” – Paul Zway, Founder, Exclusive Tents.
Price is important, and good quality genuine luxury tents are not cheap per se, but remain significantly less expensive than hard-construction of a comparable quality. It should go without saying that the sourcing of the tents is fundamental to success: they should be of the highest quality, providing not only beauty but also technical performance, longevity and practicality. Exclusive Tents will never be the cheapest source of tents, but their mission is to offer the best “value-for-money”: High quality, robust, durable, beautiful traditional real canvas luxury tents at a fair price. It is often worth remembering the saying: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” or, as once reminded, “The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot, it cannot be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run and if you do that, you will then have enough to pay for something better”.
For any commercial venture the cornerstone is ROI (Return on Investment): Successful resorts offer a quality experience & service at an attractive ROI. Luxury tent resorts embody this principal with the advantage of a quicker and potentially better ROI. Of course, any resort project depends on much more than just choosing what type of guest accommodation to offer or how to embody the resort facilities. However, reduced development costs, reduced construction time, low maintenance costs, and (almost always) higher room rates than for their main stream or hard-construction equivalent are strong arguments in favour of opting for a luxury tent resort.
Image credit: Exclusive Tents
…And, that’s before remembering the exquisite charm of creating a project where magnificent vistas and a unique experience are enjoyed from the nature-infused deck of a beautifully made and furnished luxury tent! Even in trickier climates, the whole experience of staying in a luxury tent, relaxing on a beautiful terrace and enjoying the surroundings is invigorating.
Glamping has evolved a lot in the short time since the name was coined. Exclusive Tents are at the forefront of this wave, constantly innovating, improving, and showing the way forward in all variety of environments, climates, and conditions.
For example, all the tent designs are now available with a new frame wall system for harsh climates or where increased thermal and/or acoustic insulation are desired. The system gives a new clean aesthetic to the tents and incorporates a minimum of 50mm thermal / acoustic insulation without external or internal wood poles, steel legs, or outriggers, although these can be integrated into the design if desired. Furthermore, the tents can be enhanced with increased insulation and fully integral (hidden) hard-walls.
As the glamping movement evolves, Exclusive Tents are also providing an ever-larger range of delightful tent designs, with the Mabarule and Dida tents having recently been unveiled. The Mabarule is a subtle blend between the traditional safari tent with the more modern designs. At its heart is an opening in the roof, a pivotal focal point between the internal volumes and the spacious covered veranda. Light cascades through the opening in the roof, reinforcing the connection with the outside, and lends itself to creating a water or plant ‘art-scape’ coming up through the deck.
Exclusive tents is as much an adventure as a business, being pursued passionately by Zway, his wife and business partner Angelika, and Johan Maree. Their tight knit team includes their children and colleagues spread across the globe. For the team, the biggest reward to emerge from the adventure is the bonds they have forged with amazing clients and talented professionals who have become close friends.
Every project, no matter how big or small, is driven by the passion and desire of its owner. Luxury tents and glamping appeal to those of us willing to look beyond the established order of things and welcome a challenge. Some of the most exciting projects come to Exclusive Tents as an essentially blank canvas (pun intended!) where the painting of the dream and vision commence.
Many new clients will, quite logically, start with little knowledge about tents (especially large, genuine canvas tents – as opposed to stretch fabric tents and canopies), and may be unaware of the versatility that they embody. For example, some of the key considerations for a luxury tent project:
The guiding vision for the project.
Location: Desert, tropical, savanna, forest, open countryside, hilly, mountainous, coastline, semi-urban or even urban, and so on.
Topography and geology.
Climatic conditions, proximity to the ocean, and how to best harness the local meteorology.
What are the requirements for the project accommodation and facilities, and how can tents satisfy them?
Design features, desired internal and external spaces.
Materials, finishes, performance.
What is possible? What isn’t?
What is recommended, and what should best be avoided?
Tent model selection, configuration, or bespoke custom design.
How to integrate resort design and tent design?
Adapting interior design to suit luxury tents.
Common area tents and staff accommodations – pros and cons.
Density of development.
Soft or hard openings
Off-grid solutions, rain water collection, etc.
Exclusive Tents is a close knit two-family run business that believes passionately in what they do: They will enthusiastically inform and guide clients and their consultants. Importantly, they also offer expertise and alternative solutions working hand-in-hand with equally passionate and diligent partners: The clients and friends mentioned earlier, such as Valentin of four Rivers Floating Lodge and Emanuela of Sandat and Canonici di San Marco, and consummate professionals including the uniquely talented architect Patrice Belle who creates wonderful designs and succinct solutions, for example Telal Resort in the UAE, and has a complete understanding of luxury tents within the wider context of project design.
As a team, they will not systematically propose tents for all and every situation. Instead, their philosophy is to advise their client and provide to the project exciting, beautiful solutions in the context of short, medium and long-term project objectives.
While we are all looking forward to a bright, natural and healthy future, Zway welcomes you to share Exclusive Tents’ vision, mission and passion!
Exclusive Tents International is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Bathroom brand Ambiance Bain is continually striving to deliver new, innovative, exciting products, has succeeded again with a comprehensive range of shower trays and wall panels…
Manufactured in its own factories, Ambiance Bain’s new collection of shower spaces is created from a unique solid surface material SMO.
Developed by Ambiance Bain, SMO is a mixture of natural stone powders and low-density mineral granules from recycling and a binder, which is then coated with a 1mm thick protective gel coat for durability and strength. This material can be cast in one single piece with no seals or bonding to deliver an easy to clean, hygienic finish.
Image credit: Ambiance Bain
Meticulously finished by hand down to the last detail, we have developed a manufacturing process which enables us to produce individual shower trays and panels within bespoke configurations as well as small and large runs for our collections and major projects.
If you already have a bath and want to replace it with a shower space, Ambiance Bain SMO shower trays and wall panels are the ideal choice. Considerable costs can be saved by installing a shower in the space left behind by a bath. Existing drain lines and water supplies will already be in place and this will significantly reduce plumbing costs. Our comprehensive range of shower trays and wall panels can transform your bath area into a beautiful, accessible shower space, which will use less water and is easier to clean.
Image credit: Ambiance Bain
Choose from four adjustable shower trays, Origin, Oka, Altima and Altimax or two made to measure options Universal and Elegance, all with co-ordinating shower wall panels, which complement our SMO worktops for a completely harmonious design.
Available in an array of beautiful gloss, matt and sparkly colours, you can be sure there is an option for every style of hotel design. You can even choose your own RAL colour if you need a completely bespoke look.
Image credit: Ambiance Bain
Image credit: Ambiance Bain
All our shower trays and wall panels can be cut to size as per your specification or easily adjusted on site and are quick and easy to install.
With hygiene and deep cleaning on the top of everyone’s priority list at the moment, it makes sense to choose products which are robust and easy to maintain. Ambiance Bain SMO shower trays and wall panels, with no grout lines, make cleaning a pleasure whilst helping protect the environment, without the need for cleaning agents, they can be maintained merely with a lint free cloth and mild soapy water.
Ambiance Bain is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
This year’s Sleep & Eat, which was due to physically take place at Olympia London in November, will now happen in a virtual format…
The highly anticipated Sleep & Eat event, which year-on-year welcomes designers, architects and suppliers from across the UK and Europe, has announced that the 2020 event will go ahead, but in a slightly different format.
Instead of being sheltered inside Olympia London, the event will now be rebranded as Sleep & Eat Virtual 2020, following the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.
In a statement, the organisers said: “For 15 years Sleep & Eat has been the place where the hospitality design community connects, and we understand the importance of this in the current climate. With Sleep & Eat Virtual we are excited to create an event which will enable the industry to continue to gain inspiration, source new products, expand their knowledge and network with contacts old and new.”
Uniquely, Sleep & Eat Virtual 2020 will also co-locate virtually with Decorex with the aim to bring the industry together on November 3 – 5. This co-location is said to offer new and exciting opportunities for both events, which will attract new audiences.
“For the industry to bounce back quickly there is a real need for us to come together in 2020 and discuss our future,” said Sleep & Event Director, Mark Gordon. “There is still a huge desire for the industry to be united, to be inspired, share knowledge, and spark planned and ad-hoc conversations. Sleep & Eat Virtual will give all the opportunity to achieve this and we are very excited.”
Along with social distancing requests, sanitising stations and increased hygiene methods, a popular approach is to ask staff and guests to wear face coverings whilst on site in some areas.
Many hotels are choosing to offer them as welcome gifts for guests to use long after their stay and encouraging them to wear them whilst moving around their hotel such as in communal lobby areas and lifts.
But what makes a good mask and, as we write this, with no formal rules on the wearing of face coverings required should you ask your staff and guests to wear them?
Image credit: The Fine Cotton Company
Image credit: The Fine Cotton Company
Image credit: The Fine Cotton Company
It’s a dilemma for hoteliers who quite understandably want to return to normal as quickly as possible and make their guests and staff feel comfortable.
Professor Sir Venki Ramakrishman, president of the UK’s National Academy of Science recently said that coverings should be worn “whenever you are in crowded places” and that there is evidence that shows they protect the wearer as well as those nearby.
With this in mind hoteliers need to consider their customer experience more than ever as they encourage guests back. If quality face masks can give them confidence in their stay then it seems a logical and simple way to reassure them. And many hoteliers and restauranteurs seem to think so.
Traditionally supplying bed, bath, spa and table linens to clients such as The Newt in Somerset, The Fine Cotton Company have turned their textiles expertise to mask making during the pandemic and have seen a huge demand for their washable, quality three-layer masks.
Made exclusively in Portugal in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations the reusable masks have been designed with a breathable, cotton lining, a crucial outer layer of polyester which does not absorb droplets and a polyurethane membrane sandwiched between the 2 layers of fabric. And reassuringly, unlike many fabric masks available, they are certified by Citeve in Portugal as a Level 3 Social Mask. They are available in both adults and children’s sizes so hoteliers can accommodate for their VIP younger guests too.
For discerning hoteliers who want to maintain their brand through these unusual times, The Fine Cotton Company are also offering bespoke face coverings, which may be printed with your own brand colours and logo, thus ensuring your staff look smart but your guests can also take home something from their stay.
The Fine Cotton Company’s personalised masks are available from just 50 units. For preferential trade pricing for face masks please call the helpful team on 0345602 9050.
The Fine Cotton Company is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
CASE STUDY: a bespoke lighting scheme for The St. Regis Venice
Bespoke lighting solution provider Inspired by Design was approached by interior design firm Sagrada to assist in sourcing lighting for just under 200 guestrooms and suites inside The St Regis Venice…
The St Regis Venice, designed by London-based design firm Sagrada, captures unmatched vistas that stretch over the building’s luxurious gardens, as well as the Grand Canal.
When it came to lighting, here’s how the designers created the appropriate ambiance in both the public areas and guestrooms.
“It was a difficult project to achieve as it required our extensive knowledge of manufacturers worldwide to produce a bespoke floor light reminiscent of the 1950s,” explains Simon Shuck from Inspired by Design. “As always, we rose to the challenge and found a factory that still had the molds available.” The factory then provided sample finishes with slightly colour variation to ensure we could match the clients exacting finishes. To finish the floorlight there was a shade manufactured to the interior designers choice of fabric and detailing.
However, the involvement did not stop there.
The next item was to produce a bespoke triptych mirror for the bathrooms. It had an exquisite sandblasted detailing to be produced on either side, backlit and to a very specific size and shape. The factory worked closely with the design team as numerous drawings and revisions were made until all the finer details of their designs were achieved before the triptych went into production.
Image credit: St Regis Venice/Marriott Hotels
Within the nearly 200 guestrooms and suites, the company’s expertise was tested again to produce both the bedside and vanity pendants . These required a facetted design to the glass, produced by Venetian master glass blowers to replicate the ceiling details. At the same time the faceting enabled the light to to cast a shadow onto the headboards to mimic the detailing on the ceiling and drapes.
Many samples had to be produced to ensure that the overall design intent would be achieved and as always the Venetian artisans lived up to their reputation.
The completed lighting creates a perfect ambience in the guestrooms, which compliments the history of the building. Shuck adds: “We are confident that when the guests arrive into their room they will be greeted by a beautifully and tastefully designed bedroom creating a luxurious stay in a very relaxed atmosphere.”
Inspired By Design is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Main image credit: St Regis Venice/Marriott Hotels
Checking in to Hotel Brooklyn in Manchester, the best of both worlds
Two years after Hotel Designs reviewed Hotel Gotham, editor Hamish Kilburn is transported to New York City without having to leave Manchester as he checks in to review Hotel Brooklyn…
Could checking in to places like Hotel Brooklyn, in Manchester – experiencing the unequivocal flair and flavour of a destination from the safety and comfort of your once hometown – become a new method of travel in the post-pandemic world, I wonder?
Positioned, I’m told, in the exact spot which used to be the main stage for Manchester Pride, on the fringe of the Gay Village, Hotel Brooklyn is anything but closeted. Its playful and at times voyeuristic design scheme reflects the authentic personality of a city that I have grown to love, Manchester.
The hotel’s new-build shell not only sets it apart from other properties in the Bespoke Hotels portfolio, including its big sister in the same neighbourhood, Hotel Gotham, but it also presents a unique opportunity for the building and brand to play a role in rewriting the lifestyle hospitality scene in the north.
Image caption: The welcoming lobby inside Hotel Brooklyn.
“Weaving the lines between Manchester and Brooklyn is a bold and inspirational project that draws many parallels and it was incredibly fun to do, partnering with some of the best local suppliers to create the finished look.” – Olly Redfern, lead interior designer of Squid Inc.
After much anticipation, and two years of sworn secrecy from me, Hotel Brooklyn finally opened in February with the aim to become an epicentre of eclectic substance and a home-away-from-home to the creators and style setters.
The concept for the hotel, which was imagined by design studio Squid Inc., was to create sanctuary for urban explorers – think of a living room away from home and a workplace away from the office.
Image credit: Brooklyn Heights inside Hotel Brooklyn
3,334 miles away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan – the most obvious source of inspiration for hotel’s creation – Hotel Brooklyn is about raw, unpolished creativity, irresistible in its youthful heat. “Weaving the lines between Manchester and Brooklyn is a bold and inspirational project that draws many parallels and it was incredibly fun to do, partnering with some of the best local suppliers to create the finished look,” explained Olly Redfern, lead interior designer of Squid Inc. “It was an honour to work with Bespoke Hotels again on creating another iconic Manchester hotel with a strong identity and character.”
That bold spirit starts in the lobby, often blended together with the sound of live music as guests check in. The walk-in-the-park design scheme, complete with charming park benches under an exposed industrial ceiling, is uncluttered and smartly blends in biophilic design elements while reflecting modern, industrial vibes. Around the corner from the understated check-in desks is a tiered seated cinema, which offers a communal area unlike anywhere else in the city, where guests can relax and unwind.
Image caption: The cinema adjacent to the lobby inside Hotel Brooklyn
Image caption: The cinema adjacent to the lobby inside Hotel Brooklyn
Runyon’s Bar and Restaurant was named after New York journalist and writer Damon Runyon, who was renowned for his depictions of Brooklyn characters. The F&B area, complete with chandeliers made from upcycled glass bottles, is an energetic and refreshing in its design. The iconic backdrop of a wall mural featuring the hybrid cable-stayed Brooklyn Bridge, which was the world’s first steel-wire suspension bridge and is one of the oldest roadway bridges in the United States of America, can be seen from all angles of the restaurant and further distorts guests’ sense of place.
Image credti: Runyon’s Bar and Restaurant inside Hotel Brooklyn
Image credti: Runyon’s Bar and Restaurant inside Hotel Brooklyn
Upstairs, while the 189 rooms are impressively designed, it is the 18 fully accessible suites that set the hotel aside from others. With Bespoke Hotels being award-winningly famous for pioneering stylish accessibility in hospitality for all, the group turned to Motionspot, the UK’s leading accessible design company, to help delicately balance style and functionality. “Accessible accommodation at Hotel Brooklyn features subtle details like basins with integrated hand grips, removable matt black grab rails, accessible bedroom storage and a hidden ceiling track hoist”, said Ed Warner, Founder and CEO of Motionspot. “We hope this high level of attention paid to inclusivity will make Hotel Brooklyn one of the most sought-after venues for guests of all abilities.”
Image caption: Hotel Brooklyn shelters 18 accessible design-led suites
The aesthetic of each guestrooms was inspired by Brooklyn’s loft spaces, peppered with immaculate features that favour quality and high-spec finishes. The beds, for example, have brass adornments, while Turkish-inspired carpets by Brintons contrast with the concrete walls. Wooden pink and blue chairs, supplied by TON, compliment black desks, while modern lamps by R&S Robertson and a traditional dial phone from Orbis add to the interior’s overall mise en scene.
Image caption: A large, modern suite inside Hotel Brooklyn
The modern bathrooms within the rooms feature matt-black fixtures and fittings from Geberit, which stand out against a simple white-tiled backdrop. The majority of bathroom configurations in each room have been cleverly-angled to allow their back walls and semi opaque windows to look out across the bedroom – a nod, I feel, to the city’s voyeuristic and playful side.
Image credit: Hotel Brooklyn
Image caption: Hotel Brooklyn
On the top floor, the hotel’s meeting and event space has been aptly named, Brooklyn Heights. Complete with hanging baskets and panoramic vistas across the city, Salvation Bar has the swag to become a new destination venue.
Image caption: Terrace Suite inside Hotel Brooklyn
Now familiar with its surroundings, Hotel Brooklyn has redefined luxury lifestyle in the city by bringing together the best elements of two vivacious destinations. With another Hotel Brooklyn ‘lair’ in Leicester on the way, and Bespoke Hotels welcoming a new CEO in Thomas Greenall who is taking the helm, the Manchester property is officially re-emerging from the Covid-19 hospitality slumber on August 21, and it is determined not be ignored as a middle sibling. With its comfortable, timeless guestroom interiors layered with vibrant and adaptable public areas, I predict that Hotel Brooklyn will be standing loud and proud, giving guests checking in each time an accurate taste of Brooklyn in Manchester, for many years to come.
TREND ALERT: Aspirational lifestyle interior design is in!
Following pandemic paralysis, forcing the world’s population to become short-term introverts, aspirational lifestyle interior design is now on trend, argues Deborah Heath from Design by Deborah…
Social media is full of images of how the celebrated live and play and ideas on how to create your own version of their lifestyles.
We are more likely to see where they go on holiday than in their own homes, providing the backdrop for their seemingly perfect lives. We are looking to share that experience. We all want our hotels to be more exciting, comfortable and luxurious than our own home. We want to stay somewhere special, create memories and escape our normal lives and dream.
The digital world now has another layer of influence. There are bloggers, Facebook and Instagram masters, who follow, promote and create trends quickly and easily. During this lockdown period many of your clients will have spent many hours browsing the many different ideas on offer. Everyone is looking forward to that moment when they can stay in a hotel again. So it is important to offer something exciting and so different to staying at home.
image credit: Design By Deborah
image credit: Design By Deborah
Of course we don’t all share the lifestyle to which we aspire, thank goodness. When looking at how to market a hotel the team will consider the aspirations of its clients. In essence what experience do they want. Are they looking for a gastronomic encounter, is there a significant local attraction, it may be health and beauty or perhaps enjoying nature at its best. You may have predominantly foreign clients, who are looking for the traditional British experience or may be the majority of your clients are business people. While these aren’t mutually exclusive it does give a marketing direction, which should then be reflected in the interior design.
Once there is a clear outline of the design direction for the hotel the chosen interior design partner can then develop the scheme. It is important that a hotel has an identity, this allows the client to both understand the offering and make their choice. A web site that shows a monochrome minimalist bedroom design is offering something very different to a four poster bed with embroidered silks and chandeliers. Both are aspirational experiences.
At Design by Deborah Ltd, we believe in taking the design one step further. The interior design of the hotel that they have chosen should exceed their expectations. The clients should be delighted and surprised by the interior. The lifestyle that they aspire to, they can experience whilst on holiday staying at your hotel.
Design By Deborah is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
TREND ALERT: Natural stone in hotel design lighting
With designers and architects looking for new innovative ways in which to inject biophilic design, Voltra Lighting takes a look at beneficial properties of natural stone…
Cappadocia, an ancient district in Turkey, never fails to capture the imagination of discerning travellers with its high-end rock-cut hotels that exude pure elegance and character. Everything from the hotel fireplace to floating shelves and even the bathroom fittings tend to transport visitors into the lap of luxury, by virtue of being carved out of timeless and all-natural stone.
Be it luxe beach stays in Greece or heritage hotels in India, there are many such examples where floor-to-ceiling natural stone designs add a distinctly tasteful texture to the interiors. So much so that avant-garde designers are increasingly considering richly patterned accent walls of stone to be works of art in itself; doing away with the need for additional wall hangings and paintings.
Oftentimes, even a few accent pieces fashioned from natural stone can transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary interior marvels. One such decor essential is the precision-cut alabaster lamp by luxury cordless lighting brand Voltra. This vessel of light is designed to create an ambience of heightened intimacy and sophistication.
Image credit: Voltra Lighting
Image credit: Voltra Lighting
The allure of natural stone explained
Hotels can choose to adorn their interiors with the likes of stylish Italian marble, delicately polished granite, or beautifully layered slate – each of which has an inherently unique appeal.
But, here are the features that make natural stone decor elements universally captivating:
Sustainable: Luxury hotel properties that have an environmentally conscious bent will find ethically sourced natural stone decor pieces to be great for the triple-bottom-line – being extremely recyclable and fabricated in a zero-waste industry.
Classic and timeless: At a time when trends and forecasts dominate, handmade stone decor pieces will always be an elegant choice. Especially when it’s just the right balance between design and craft, stone is perfectly suited for both traditional and contemporary decor themes.
Easy to maintain: Being able to resist rot, mold, extreme temperatures and water damage, makes natural stone particularly great for high-end bathrooms, outdoor spaces and kitchens.
Incredibly durable: Trust mother nature to produce some of the most resilient and exquisite building materials there is. Classy natural stones materials such as granite and quartz are known for their durability and longevity.
Unique: Just like a snowflake, the intricate designs and colors of no two stones occurring in nature can ever be exactly alike. You may choose from variants that have delicate golden sparkles, different colors, subtle textures and complex veins. This natural diversity of form makes it possible for you to design your hotel interiors to be exclusive and distinctive.
Keeping it trendy with natural stone
The versatility of natural stone has ensured that it remains a symbol of luxury and refinement for decades now. To help your hotel interiors to stand out from the crowd, here are the latest stone-based trends for 2020:
Source local: Hotels in Brazil can use local quartz, those in Italy can choose Calacatta marble, while Lundhs Larvikite can be the stone of choice for Norwegian properties. These indigenous stone varieties, if used with vernacular architecture as inspiration, will not only tick the sustainability box but really add to the cultural richness of your space.
Super-size the tiles: The latest trend is to have large tiles, on flooring, walls or even centre tables; at sizes starting from 60x60cms. This is ideal for creating that modern, sleek look.
Experiment with stone statement pieces: Eye-catching yet understated designs of table lamps, showerheads and planters, made of natural stone, can establish tasteful imagery. Even one exquisite stone art installation can help create a one-of-a-kind look for your interiors.
Luxuriously distressed: Gone are the days when the stone had to be polished to be ready. Nowadays, a well-worn rustic look is in vogue. These distressed materials, with stunningly life-like details, are a classic choice to really suit your garden and outdoor design.
Aim for earthy vibes: Natural stone intimately connects your interiors with nature and the earth to generate versatile and old-fashioned opulence. Unify your decor by pairing your stone decor feature with plants, soil, wood, water and fire.
Voltra Lightingis one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Falcon Contract Flooring: the people behind the brand
To celebrate putting flooring under this month’s editorial spotlight, Hotel Designs was given access into one of the industry’s most trusted carpet and vinyl specialist brands. Editor Hamish Kilburn learns more about Falcon Contract Flooring’s ethos and the people who are driving its continued success…
By the time Charles and Tom Hassall took over the reins, Falcon Contract Flooring had vast grown since the beginning with two men and a van. They had secured a huge client in Whitbread (think Premier Inn, Beefeaters, Brewers Fayre, Table Table and Bar + Block) thanks to Ian Hassall and had the determination to expand further. They did just that.
Since 2012, Falcon have experienced 675 per cent growth. Two office staff has increased to more than 30. From once having 10 installers, they now have more than 100, working up to seven days a week. It is likely you will have seen a Falcon van on the road, considering they have gone from a fleet of five vans, to a fleet of more than 65. In the short space of only eight years; this amount of growth is unprecedented.
Gone are the days of servicing areas around Birmingham, the company works on a nationwide basis and has work from John O’Groats Grouts to Land’s End. Over the last eight years, Falcon had forecast a growth of 30 per cent year-on-year, and they have achieved it, even beyond their expectation. Last year alone, Falcon reached a 45 per cent growth from the year before. Part of this is down to installing 15,000 bedrooms for hotels around Britain in 2019. To put that into perspective, the average Travelodge hotel in the UK holds 75 rooms, to complete as many rooms as they did, Falcon would be fitting nearly three full hotels a week; and that’s just part of the works completed! There is a reason Falcon are the chosen contractor for some of the top hospitality clients.
Falcon have storage throughout England and Scotland to accommodate for the capacity of projects and enquiries. In April 2019, Falcon bought their second warehouse in order to withstand the constant growth and were thrilled at the prospect of expanding further. Nowhere is unreachable, the Falcon fly’s high and goes far.
Image credit: Falcon Contract Flooring
Transparency
The key to Falcon’s success has arguably been their morals, their values, their honesty and their integrity. The transparency offered to each client is completely guaranteed. From original enquiry, to free survey, to quotation, to the running of the works up to completion and invoicing; the team will be clear every step of the way.
The surveyors will offer advice and strategy in terms of work and the quotation is transparent and concise, detailing every part of the job. Project Managers are allocated to each project and this will be their first port of call, day or night; they are available 24 hours a day. This is a company based on honesty, and when issues and problems arise, they do not shy away. Falcon come up with solutions, not problems and any complications are handled professionally and efficiently.
With clients in the medical sector, Falcon realise how important it is to adhere to scopes of work and set timeframes. Installers will work at all hours of the day and night to achieve the best results with minimal snagging. With the amount of work completed last year, it is clear the team are streamlined and successful in their methods.
As an innovative differentiator, Falcon are currently in the process of developing their very own CRM (Customer Relationship Manager) system, something they have been working on for several years to get just right, in the hope of achieving the perfect client and contractor relationship. The primary objective is drive transparency through so the client can see exactly what stage their project is at; a tracking process, you could say. This will be a first for the flooring trade and is a first to market application; again, confirming Falcon to be the most forward thinking and pioneering company of its industry.
Falcon are also fantastic at saving clients’ money. Last year they saved their clients more than one million pounds from sourcing better and using innovative ways to produce great results. Above all else they are a partner of choice.
Image credit: Falcon Contract Flooring
The clients
Falcon’s reputation has earned them some of the top hospitality clients in the UK, including the biggest hotel chains in the UK – Travelodge and Premier Inn. Covering new builds and refurbishments, Falcon have held the contract with these two hotel giants for several years. But it wasn’t just handed to them; Falcon work hard for the results they are seeing today. When Travelodge suffered a leak in a London hotel on a Friday evening, Falcon bought the whole team in to measure, cut and prepare the carpet for replacement. Installers travelled and worked through the night to amend the flood damage and by morning, the hotel was back up and running.
Falcon can offer a reactive and maintenance service; offering work completions with 24 hours SLA. If a hotel room goes offline, Falcon can potentially attend, repair or replace within a day; helping the hospitality sector keep up with demand and revenue. They offer minimal disruption to a business whilst working to strict Health and Safety guidelines.
As one of the UK’s leading contractors, Falcon are experienced in working alongside other companies and every team member, internal staff or installers are approachable and friendly. Their installers are experienced and experts of their trade, making it easy for them to work alone or to be supervised on site.
Although a large amount of their work comes from hospitality, Falcon have worked hard over the past few years to build up a good portfolio in Healthcare with a large contract with BMI hospitals around the UK, as well as Audley villages Retirement homes. During the recent global pandemic, for a company who strive to help others, they were grateful to those on the frontline and did everything they could to make their jobs a little easier in the hospitals. When working in healthcare, it is important to complete works at a convenient time. Falcon can adapt to the client’s needs and last-minute changes do not faze them, they will always make sure the job is completed and the job is completed to the highest of standards.
What’s next?
So, what’s left to achieve for this nationwide flooring contractor? Managing Director Charles has the drive and determination to take Falcon to a global platform and is thrilled to be opening the first Falcon office in India in October 2020. With enquiries coming from all over Europe and the Far East, it is no surprise now is the time to branch out.
With initial interest coming from the US, Falcon plan to open the first of 12 proposed offices over a 3-year period in America from March 2021. Having spent months there, Falcon have a clear vision of where they will take the brand and they also have a very strategic plan on how this will be executed.
It would be wrong to say Covid-19 hasn’t impacted on every one of us. Falcon are no different, but they refuse to sit back. One of Falcon’s biggest traits is helping the local community and anybody in need. They are offering to fully audit an estate or site to generate a report for what could be done to aid the reopening of site’s and maintaining government guidelines. This could be using Hazard warning signs or stop signs imbedded in vinyl or carpet. There is also the ability to replace carpet for more infection control safe materials if required.
So, why choose Falcon over any other UK based flooring contractor? It may be their experience and knowledge of all flooring aspects from carpet, to wooden floors, to vinyl, to safety flooring. It may be their USP for their fast and reactive response to a problem. It may be their top client list and contracts obtained over a period of years. It may be the incredible growth showing the real success they have achieved over the last five years. But the main reason, the real reason why Falcon should be the contractor of choice? The people who work there. The people who run the jobs, who dedicate their time to guarantee a successful project and to guarantee a happy client. You won’t find a more committed or hard-working team.
Following my address to the audience of designers, architects, hoteliers and developers, I took five minutes ahead of going live to the first seminar of the day to speak to the brand’s Director of Hospitality, Leisure and Retail (EMEA), Christophe Malsot. In the quick-fire interview, I wanted to know more about the TIG ‘ecosystem of solutions’, understand how its meeting new demands of modern travellers and users as well as understanding Malsot’s view on where technology in hospitality is heading.
Hamish Kilburn: Christophe, in a sentence, what does Technological Innovations Group (TIG) do?
Christophe Malsot: We are an EMEA sales agency offering an ecosystem of brands at the forefront of leading-edge technology development – we provide a full range of AV, UC, IT and control solutions that work together to create superior smart spaces that transform your future!
HK: Your vision is to create smart spaces that transform the future. Define a smart space?
CM: Smart Spaces connect people and technology in new ways: they add real value and are created with the latest AV/UC solutions that work together seamlessly to provide a convenient, efficient and secure user experience.
The term refers to a space that uses Internet of Things to connect every device with a simple, intuitive and user-friendly control solution. This significantly enhances the customer experience, and increases their loyalty to you.
For example, hosting a large group seminar or conference is easier than ever before. Guests will be impressed by the ease with which they can run their presentation and control the technologies in the room. Wireless presentation systems offer flexibility, enabling guests to stream uncompressed video from any laptop or mobile device, with just the touch of a button. Hosts can enjoy full control over the lighting, shades, temperature, and audio volume in the room through a simple touch screen. With cost-effective and energy-efficient technologies such as occupancy sensors and room scheduling software, the lighting and AV systems automatically shut down when the room is empty. And any system troubles can be remotely solved.
HK: On your website, you mention that TIG is an eco-system of solutions for smart spaces, can you explain what you mean by this?
CM: At TIG, we work hard to push the boundaries of technological integration for Smart Spaces. We offer a solutions-based approach to your current and future needs. There is no ‘one size fits all’, so our portfolio includes solutions that complement one another to create bespoke experiences. Our biggest technology provider is Crestron, and Crestron always sits at the heart of our ecosystem. But the other brands we represent work together to perfectly complete the desired user experience!
To help people understand how our ecosystem works, we have actually just launched a new Virtual Experience Space on our website, where visitors can see smart space examples, which demonstrate how the technologies integrate.
Our portfolio includes beautiful control hardware, AV and electricity remote management, applications and software, room booking, and furniture designed to fit in perfectly with specific technologies, making meeting rooms sleek and stylish.
“Technology will be a game changer for the hotel industry in a post-pandemic world.” – Christophe Malsot, Director of Hospitality, Leisure and Retail (EMEA), TIG.
HK: How has tech become more relevant since Covid-19?
CM: Technology will be a game changer for the hotel industry in a post-pandemic world, as it helps to cater to new habits and a different user experience.
“Customers will expect more technology to reduce the risk of contamination.” – Christophe Malsot, Director of Hospitality, Leisure and Retail (EMEA), TIG.
The hospitality industry will need to offer more contactless, but still very personalised, experiences for guests. For instance, their own smartphones will be used to manage most things, such as check in and check out, to open their room, control their environment and entertainment (Audio/Video), and get in touch with the staff or the concierge… with or without app downloading! Crestron uses QR code flashing to provide a beautiful HTML 5 layout on the phone or tablet.
Hotels need to review their existing service offerings so as to adapt to the changes in customer experience. Customers will expect more technology to reduce the risk of contamination. In order to maintain social distancing, virtual hotel tours will help to introduce the different spaces, and solutions will indicate the occupancy, availability and cleanliness status of the common areas such as gyms, restaurants, bars… For example, in meeting rooms and lobbies, expect to see fewer chairs and digital information about the last time they were used/cleaned.
Restaurants in hotels may start using contactless delivery for in-room-dining and digital menus… Paper will disappear!
HK: From a tech perspective, what will be the biggest change/evolution post-pandemic?
CM: The move to contactless control. For example, upon entering the hotel, the doors may open automatically, before you enter the elevator, you might tell it where you’d like to go with your voice, rather than pressing the many buttons. When you reach your room, you can enter with your smartphone instead of a key and sensors will turn the lights on…
Also, inside the guestrooms the learning curve must be close to zero… if you spend the whole evening understanding how the room works, you become frustrated. It needs to be quick and touchless for the guest to remain loyal.
These are just the changes the guest will see. Less noticeable in the post-coronavirus hotel would be more frequent cleaning policies, antimicrobial properties woven into fabrics and materials, amped-up ventilation systems, or even the addition of UV lights for more thorough disinfecting of the common areas at night.
Due to the reduction of travel and the increased usage of videoconferencing, the meeting rooms will have to provide an element of remote communication as well. TIG offers advanced remote collaboration tools from Hoylu.
HK: In a sentence, what’s the biggest innovation in technology in hotel design right now?
For a long period guests were able to find services they did not have in their home like international channels. Nowadays, hotel clients and international travellers have everything they need at home and they want to find the same experience in the guestroom. This means that BYOD connection is especially important. Hoteliers have to provide guests with the capacity to use their own devices to control the TV, to manage presentations in the meeting room, to connect to playlists for music, and communication apps such as Zoom, Teams… this is now a must have!
The perfect user experience will come from ergonomics and, to provide a perfect integration, the technology systems need to be built into the hotel’s design from the very beginning. Having the right networks (Electricity and IP) in place is hugely important! This is the only way to guarantee the perfect guest and staff experience.
Main image credit: Technological Innovations Group
Housed in the century-old Danish Post and Telegraph office, adjacent to Tivoli Gardens, Villa Copenhagen is a Grande Dame hotel for the 21st century, offering approachable, conscious luxury through a commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and meaningful experiences that connect guests to the landscape, culture, and energy of the city.
Image credit: Villa Copenhagen
To ensure that the new interiors matched the grandeur of the 1912 Neo-Baroque architecture, and to keep the building at the forefront of Scandinavian design for another hundred years, the hotel appointed several design and architecture firms. The overall look and feel is credit to Universal Design Studio, which was appointed to create 381 guestrooms across the hotel’s five floors and Goddard Littlefair, which, following a number of recent award-winning projects, was responsible for the design of no less than five F&B areas sheltered within the hotel, as well as the wellness areas and meeting areas and conference rooms.
Image credit: Villa Copenhagen
Evoking the ambiance of a sophisticated Danish residence, rooms feature high ceilings, herringbone floors, restored original windows, gold accents, and muted colour palettes that pay homage to paintings by 19th century Danish master Vilhelm Hammershøi. Thoughtful touches include keyless entry and remote check-in, virtual check-out, and an optional white glove service.
IMage credit: Villa Copenhagen
Image credit: Villa Copenhagen
The two-storey Universal Penthouse Suite features a grand walnut and steel spiral staircase leading up to lounge space and a master bedroom. Other contributors include Danish architect Eva Harlou, who designed the sought-after Earth Suite, a fully sustainable suite entirely comprised of recycled materials and textiles with eco-friendly furniture by Mater Design; and Shamballa Jewels, a Danish fine jewellery brand that designed the remaining seven suites, including The Shamballa Master Suite, which is the most expensive suite in Denmark at US$8,100 per night, as well as two other spaces within the hotel, specifically The Courtyard and Old Boardroom.
Image caption: The Courtyard | Image credit: Villa Copenhagen/Stine Christiansen
Villa Copenhagen is also home to the city’s finest private art collection valued at more than US$2 million. With celebrated art curator Sune Nordgren at the helm, current artworks on display include pieces by local talent and celebrated international artists, including Jaume Plensa, Per Kirkeby, and Ian McKeever.
The new luxury address features ample outdoor and interior green spaces, including a generous rooftop pool, to promote a sense of wellbeing and tranquillity across its public areas, going above and beyond current government health and sanitation regulations while maintaining its vision of delivering an inspiring and playful ambiance.
Image credit: Villa Copenhagen/Stine Christiansen
Executive Chef Tore Gustafsson is responsible for Villa Copenhagen’s sustainable food profile, which focuses on ‘carbon-free’ dining and zero food waste. He worked with Epicurean, an F&B design studio from celebrated interior design house Goddard Littlefair, to develop all five of the hotel’s food and beverage outlets.
Located on the ground floor in the former sorting room of the Post House, the Public and Rug Bakery outlets make up a spacious breakfast and flexible event space with an open kitchen, where guests are provided with personalised options for fresh bread, pastries, and coffee, including individually sealed to-go ‘FIKA’ bags, as well as à la carte options that can be served via in-room dining.
The T37 Bar & Lounge offers a menu of tongue-in-cheek aesthetic, craft cocktails, and light dishes in a beautifully restored corner with original marble columns.
Image caption: Kontrast | Image credit: Villa Copenhagen/Stine Christiansen
Next door, the Playroom is stocked with table and board games, books, and plush furniture for laidback evenings. Kontrast brasserie has its own street entrance facing Central Station, and provides a cosy all-day restaurant open to city residents with contemporary takes on mid-century décor. Fresh, flavourful dishes made with organic ingredients from the hidden garden and local suppliers are served by Gustafsson and his team from a bustling open kitchen.
Image caption: The Brasserie | Image credit: Villa Copenhagen
Opening in the post-pandemic world, in this new era for hospitality, the 390-room hotel has developed its health and hygiene policies in tandem with operational procedures to ensure travellers and local visitors enjoy a seamless guest journey, finding comfort in every corner– from the private sanctuary of the guestrooms and suites, to social hubs and dining outlets.
Main image credit: Villa Copenhagen/Stine Christiansen
With hospitality re-emerging in England, hotels would’ve spent the last few weeks closely reviewing and creating Covid-19 policies so that hygiene and wellbeing are a top priority. Victor Kristoffersson, Business Development Manager EMEA at Swedish air purifier brand Blueair, explains the wellbeing benefits of clean air…
Due to restrictions on travel we will see a rise in “staycations” as more people opt to holiday in the UK rather than travel abroad. Clean air will become more important than ever before when it comes to choosing where to stay. By investing in air purifiers, hotels will stay ahead of the competition and show guests they are going above and beyond to ensure their safety and wellbeing. While an air purifier is great for your health, it can also benefit your skin, productivity and sleep quality.
What you can’t see in the air can affect your health
Indoor air is made up of a concoction of particles including dust, pollen, allergens, bacteria and viruses. Breathing in this fine dust or PM2.5 (also known as fine particulate matter) can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause respiratory difficulties, heart and lung problems and a host of other diseases, studies show. Even if you have no other underlying health issues, studies show that improved air quality is conducive to better productivity, sleep quality and a general sense of wellbeing.
Image credit: Blueair Classic 200
Clean air improves quality of sleep
Clean air helps to promote deep sleep, and people who live in areas with higher levels of air pollution are 60 per cent more likely to sleep poorly than those living in areas with cleaner air, according to a YouGov survey looking into global perceptions of air quality, commissioned by Blueair. A 2017 study by The American Thoracic Society also found that people who live in areas with high air pollution are up to 60 per cent more likely to suffer a bad night’s sleep.
Since we spend the majority of our hotel stays asleep, hotels should consider the role air pollution plays in this – especially those located in cities where air pollution will be higher. Blueair’s air purifiers are Quiet Mark approved so will not distract from a good night’s sleep while they silently remove airborne particles in the bedroom.
Protect your skin from air pollution
Atmospheric factors such as air pollution have been implicated in premature skin aging – this includes air pollutants such as smog, ozone and particulate matter. Studies also show a correlation between higher levels of PM2.5 with an increased number of people suffering from skin problems such as pigment spots and wrinkles, hives and eczema.
As air pollution can be up to five times higher indoors than outside, the negative effects of air pollution are intensified inside. Blueair’s air purifiers are designed to remove harmful particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. VOCs can be anything from aerosol sprays to fumes from paint. Invest in an air purifier to remove the particulate matter and VOCs that are harmful to your skin.
Blueair’s recommendation is to place an air purifier in every guest room no matter what they pay, as well as throughout the hotel in areas such as in the lobby where people tend to gather. By doing this, you are providing the cleanest air possible for your guests – you may not be able to travel but you can bring air as clean as the Swedish archipelago to your hotel.
Blueair is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Lusso Stone: achieving luxury status in surface design
Renowned for designing and creating bespoke, luxury bathroom spaces, Lusso Stone’s talented designers can offer a truly unique service designed to your exact specifications…
Whether clients are looking to develop their own ideas or undertake a modification to an existing bathroom product, the team at Lusso Stone will work with customers every step of the way, to bring dazzling designs to life.
Lusso’s designers embrace the challenge of creating a unique design that is tailored to individual needs and specifications, ensuring clients get a real feel for what the business specialises in. With privately-owned Lusso factories, products are manufactured from raw materials and therefore the team can often work with clients to customise products to fit their specific requirements.
Image credit: Lusso Stone
Image credit: Lusso Stone
Whether the unique bespoke service is needed for a project that requires something extra special, or a commercial project that involves a number of customised items, the Lusso team will work to a client’s needs to fully understand and deliver the project on budget and on time.
For commercial projects, Lusso will design products from inception, taking them from concept to completion and guiding clients through all possibilities to ensure accurate costings and lead times.
Image credit: Lusso Stone
Lusso have worked on complete hotel refurbishments such as the Trocadero Hotel in London, Sugar Beach Resort in St Lucia and a multitude of other projects around the world.
Image credit: Lusso Stone
Image credit: Lusso Stone
The business’s bespoke service has also been used to create specific items for the refurbishments of prestigious hotels including The Connaught and Claridge’s, part of the famous Maybourne Group.
Lusso’s main aim is to set the standard for what living should be. When only bespoke will do, make sure you speak to the experts.
Lusso materials
By utilising a unique blend of pure white limestone infused with high-performance resin, Lusso’s products are all hand-finished by experienced, passionate craftsmen. The team strives to create the ultimate bathroom experience, combining modern luxury with elegant design in a selection of finishes. Quality lies at the heart of everything they do, with a lifetime guarantee on all Lusso products.
The naturally formed, quarried limestone used is carefully selected and cleaned for purity before it is ground into a fine powder. Next, the powder is skillfully mixed with clear resin to create a radiant finish that looks naturally white without the synthetic, bleached look of acrylic.
As a renewable material, almost any damage to the stone surface can be fixed easily to a like-new condition. It is also non-porous, preventing the build-up of any bacteria in areas where it matters most.
Every Lusso product is hand-finished to offer a perfectly smooth surface that is elegant on the eye and a pleasure to touch. The natural stone gives each finished piece unique warmth and a beautiful, tactile feel. The addition of Lusso’s premium-grade resin creates a bond with unbeatable strength and discernible durability.
Lusso’s signature formula and striking designs combine to create a luxurious feel with an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The natural appeal of the stone resin conveys an air of tranquility, exceptional comfort and enviable elegance, which is why the products have been carefully chosen by some of the UK’s leading four and five-star luxury hotels, as well as beautiful resorts across the world.
A bathroom should be a place of effortless comfort and relaxation, creating an atmosphere that soothes the soul and invigorates the senses.
Lusso Stone is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Main image credit: Lusso Stone/Dorchester Collection
The sleep brand that has provided quality solutions for decades
Silentnight Group is the home of the most trusted sleep brands in the bed industry, including Silentnight, the UK’s leading sleep brand and Sealy, the largest bed brand in the world. Sales Director David Lawernson explains more…
We, Silentnight Group, have been providing quality sleep solutions for the hospitality market for decades. During that time the UK Hospitality and contract market has been serviced by Silentnight Group via licence agreements with Sealy and Serta, one of the world’s leading hospitality sleep providers.
Image credit: Silentnight Group
Our approach to innovation and sustainability has meant that new brands can now be launched which will target specific markets in the world of Hospitality with benefit led, functional sleep solutions. Developed with the client and sleeper in mind, across a portfolio of trusted brands. Silentnight Group are on a mission to help everyone get a great night’s sleep in the world of hospitality.
“Our awareness of the latest industry developments and maintaining a focus on quality, and a market leading customer service position, deliver true quality to our customers and clients.”
Through our trusted brands, expertise and scientifically proven products, we provide the right sleep solution for every hospitality occasion, whether it is a hotel, hostel, student accommodation, or the private rental sector. We also have IMO accreditation for marine based projects.
By constantly researching the science of sleep, through our in-house sleep researchers and partnership with the University of Central Lancashire we remain at the peak of sleep innovation. Our awareness of the latest industry developments and maintaining a focus on quality, and a market leading customer service position, deliver true quality to our customers and clients throughout their entire experience of working with Silentnight Group.
We recycle an incredible 90 per cent of the waste produced across our sites, for a more efficient, resourceful and responsible manufacturing process. To ensure that we meet our stringent objectives and divert waste from landfills, all of our wood, foam quilt, foam-free quilt, paper and card, polythene film and metal waste go to local and national recycling companies. However, we are not resting on our laurels and expect to be at 100 per cent by the end of 2020.
Image credit: Silentnight Group
We comply with the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) – a government-led energy assessment scheme that requires us to audit the energy-use on all of our buildings to improve external conditions for people and wildlife. This helps us identify cost-effective energy-saving opportunities, as well as significantly reducing our carbon footprint. This process has resulted in us ascertaining our Carbon Neutral status.
The Silentnight Group has also officially been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This ensures that the timber or fibre used in the divans and headboards comes from responsible sources, where trees harvested are replaced or allowed to regenerate naturally. Looking after the planet is the responsibility of us all, and we’re proud to play our part which is why we were also very proud to be the first bed company to be accredited under the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) – which aims to improve the furniture industry’s sustainability credentials.
Image credit: Silentnight Group
Image credit: Silentnight Group
When you buy from a Silentnight Group brand (including Sealy UK), you can do so in the complete confidence that the materials used have been replenished in an environmentally-friendly way, be it from how we source our raw materials to how we recycle any waste or old returned beds.
When manufacturing the beds, we respect the time-honoured lessons of traditional bed and mattress making, combined with innovation and new technology to deliver a product that offers the best of both worlds.
“Hygiene, cleanliness, fire retardancy and functionality are just as important as the comfort and support of a bed.”
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, there is a real need for hospitality properties to be able to demonstrate its cleanliness to customers and suppliers, now more than ever, need to step up and support the industry. Our innovation and new product development is very much focused on this. Hygiene, cleanliness, fire retardancy and functionality are just as important as the comfort and support of a bed and ours are provided by a team of hospitality bed industry experts. The products are also tested at the on-site state-of-the-art testing laboratory that is independently accredited and indeed is one of only ten SATRA and ISO: 9001 accredited labs in the UK. This ensures that each and every purchase from the Silentnight Group can be trusted, safe and procured in the knowledge that it comes from an ethical organisation that manufactures in a sustainable way from a team that endeavour to make the process as simple as possible whilst aiming to provide 100 per cent user satisfaction.
As home to the UK’s leading bed and mattress manufacturers, we are committed to working to the highest standards, and you can trust that our products are clean, safe and durable. This is how we deliver total peace of mind to all of our hospitality partners and their customers.
The new virtual event, Designscape, will take place August 11 – 13…
From the creative minds behind Sleep & Eat, Designscape aims to bring together those at the forefront of residential, hospitality and retail at a time when physical networking and deal-making is unfeasible.
The three-day programme will look into the future of design, combining virtual discussions, educational and topical symposiums, global matchmaking, speed networking as well as a product directory.
Image credit: Designscape
The exclusive content programme will focus beyond forecasts, instead digging deeper into how behavioural changes and outside influences are transforming the design landscape as we know it. The event promises to deliver a diverse line-up of discussions and symposiums from trailblazers in business and design to innovators in science and technology and we would love you to be a part of it.
Crafted to stimulate every corner of the industry, ‘Day 1 [Retail]’ of our programme will examine physical spaces becoming experience driven, the intersection of retail and digital, the progression of the everyday kitchen and the shop window as the ultimate storyteller. ‘Day 2 [Residential]’ will focus on new criteria and considerations governing the design of the home, the evolving and uncomfortable notion of luxury, the emergence of modern primitive styles and the current state of the residential market. ‘Day 3 [Hospitality]’ will host a line-up of talks around the alignment of sustainability and safety, AI’s impact on customer experiences and future-proofing expansion and investment plans.
For more information, and to secure your virtual seats in the audience, head over to the website.
FEATURE: How ‘hometels’ and long-term stays will thrive
The extended stay portion of the lodging business continues to see strong demand. But are extended stay brands doing enough to keep up with travellers’ evolving tastes and needs? Editor Hamish Kilburn speaks to Sam Ghosh, Vice President at STAY…
A few weeks ago, during Hotel Designs LIVE, former presenter of The Gadget Show Jason Bradbury boldly told me that the hotel model as we know it will change forever in the post-pandemic world.
With this in mind, I caught up with Sam Ghosh, who is the Vice President of STAY, a residential brand offering serviced apartments in iconic and well-connected locations that shelters the comforts and convenience of home, while combining the luxuries of a boutique hotel. With the recent opening of STAY Camden and with new properties on the horizon, Ghosh seemed like an apt person to speak to in order to understand the ever-evolving needs and demands of modern travellers.
Hamish Kilburn: Hi Sam! So, we have identified that there’s a growing accommodation trend of ‘hometels’, but how does STAY fit within this landscape?
Sam Ghosh: STAY is the residential brand from LABS Collective. Located in Hawley Wharf, STAY residences cater to extended stays offering access to LABS flexible workspaces, which is particularly beneficial for business travellers. The design led apartments are created to optimise sleep, productivity, and play, ideal for the mobile workforce.
STAY is a brand that was born with the hybrid ethos in mind – rooms are complete with kitchens with considered design. Guests can also enjoy a concierge service, housekeeping, and premium facilities such as access to a gym. Residents are actively encouraged to make use of the generous communal areas plus it’s on the doorstep of one of London’s most exciting new developments, Hawley Wharf, when it opens in late 2020.
As we emerge out of lockdown, we’re actually seeing a higher demand for serviced apartment living and flexible office space strengthening. Hawley Wharf offers this cautious half step between home and returning full time to offices. Cutting out the commute with STAY and offering a variety of community areas and programming in LABS, we are providing room for people to feel comfortable together again. With careful safety and hygiene adaptations to the space we are creating a comfortable environment for people to re-socialise and feel part of a community.
HK: Can you explain the design scheme inside a STAY property?
SG: The head of architecture and design for LABS Collective, Yaara Gooner, is the creative eye behind our carefully designed spaces. She leads a team of dedicated in-house designers and architects that magically transform our properties, whether LABS workspaces or STAY residences, to create hubs of enterprise, designed for wellbeing, productivity, and growth.
The design of STAY Camden holds the need for our long-term guests to relax, work and entertain. Each apartment has been designed to provide superior comfort to each guest, created by combining natural materials, including marble, stone and natural oak with soft furnishings and brass touches. The majority of our furniture has been sourced by Menu, a Scandinavian design brand providing a distinct Nordic influence across the property.
Within the communal areas, plants also complement the warm colour palette. Nature is imperative to our design process and plants are used for their aesthetic quality and ability to increase productivity, memory retention and decrease stress. They’re also fundamental to creating safe and healthy spaces for our guests and members. Owing to their air purifying qualities we have selected greenery for our public spaces, known to absorb 75 per cent of airborne pollutants.
Image credit: STAY Camden
HK: Can you tell us more about the new safety measures in place?
SG: As a business, our first priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our staff, members and guests and new standards have been incorporated into LABS Collective’s shared workspaces and serviced apartment environments. The measures in place remain so long as the threat of COVID-19 does, but also inform our strategic approach to design and operations in the long term. STAY Camden in fact remained open and operational since the pandemic began, accepting new bookings for guests seeking mid to long term accommodation, prioritising those categorised as key workers or those displaced from their primary place of residence.
We have gone above and beyond the recommended Government guidelines, elevating our standards to ensure that members and guests can enjoy our spaces with total confidence and to support the wellbeing of our whole community. As an example, at Hawley Wharf, Camden where LABS members and STAY guests share the same entrance, visitor screenings are in operation on arrival as well as one-way systems to ensure seamless movement throughout the building for all.
For our STAY residences, we have totally reworked our guest protocols to translate the best practices in safety and hygiene standards to the apartments whilst providing comfortable accommodation that feels like home. These new measures include reduction of touch points across STAY’s three apartment buildings, including the use of a digital link to pay instead of the regular chip and pin machine, and digitising the guest registration form to reduce the proximity of interaction needed at the time of guest check-in.
A barrier spray is applied to all furniture that provides long term coverage to kill pathogens on contact. Upon guest check out, the apartments receive a 48 hour deep clean, including the use of Pro Zone machines to cleanse the air and eliminate bacteria. In preparation for new arrivals a ‘seal of reassurance’ will be applied to the front door of each apartment. Guests will have to physically break the seal to enter the apartment, safe in the knowledge it hasn’t been entered into after a deep clean.
“We also know that people are desperate for interaction after such a long time working at home.” – Sam Ghosh, Vice President, STAY.
HK: You mention an increase in the demand of guests/members wanting to use the Hawley Wharf campus due to the LABS and STAY offering. Are you doing anything further to aid this flexibility of working and living?
SG: With many central London offices remaining shut into the Autumn and beyond, we know that businesses are looking for shorter obligations and for safe spaces to bring their workforce back in comfort in residential zones. We also know that people are desperate for interaction after such a long time working at home.
Recognising the important part that flexible workspaces are playing in this transition to normality, LABS and STAY have launched a new membership which offer a cautious half-way step between working from home and returning fully to the office. Residential spaces like STAY which allow access to LABS flexible workspaces cut out the commute and the vast community areas provide ample room for people to feel comfortable together again. The STAY at LABS membership starts at £2,425 a month and includes a one bedroom apartment at STAY Camden and a Roaming membership providing access to all LABS workspaces.
We are also working to put additional measures in place across all our LABS spaces in London where we have on-site provisions (such as showers and bike storage) for those walking and cycling to work. To support entrepreneurs and start-ups returning to the workplace successfully, LABS has set up a new incubator initiative which provides discounted office space for qualifying small businesses. Initiatives like this will be integral to a future generation of thriving companies and talent.
Meet the team behind hotel design community, Design Equals
With a unique model based on bringing a network of creatives together, Design Equals is a community transforming hotel interiors. BAHA in The Lake District is just one of many examples…
Founder Katie McCarthy has an extensive career history including a long stint as Interior Design Director at The Resort Group. Here, she managed projects such as Midland Hotel, The Grosvenor, Michelin Star boutique hotel Hampton Manor and several 5-star resorts in Cape Verde.
With a lifelong ambition to operate her own design studio combined with a deep passion for supporting up and coming creatives, she founded Design Equals in December 2018 from her kitchen table.
With a uniquely holistic approach to interior design for hospitality and residential industries, Katie and her team exist to implement the power of design to make a business-critical difference. Katie said: “I founded Design= to capitalise on the freelance design community which in and around the UK, is incredibly talented and diverse.
“We believe that making interior spaces look fabulous is just the beginning; the end result should be nothing less than a transformed and multi-sensory customer experience, delivering your desired commercial outcome.
“We blend exceptional experience, deep knowledge and a wealth of resources to solve our clients’ business challenges. We back this up with dedicated support at every stage of every project. We are here to help you maximise your profitability and grow your business.”
One of the team’s first project after being founded is a fond memory and now, a huge success story.
Bar and restaurant BAHA. The team transformed a local bar in the Lake District to a must visit destination which jaw dropping interior, reflective of its surroundings with a modern twist and the ability to transition its atmosphere as the day goes on.
Image caption: Asian Fusion restaurant, BAHA in the Lake District designed by Design Equals.
The business, BAHA, now boasts a unique offering of Asian Fusion food in surroundings you would expect to find in the heart of London. However, it is in the centre of Bowness-on-Windermere, a town usually known for its glacial ribbon lakes, rugged fell mountains and historic literary associations.
McCarthy said; “The concept for BAHA came from its surroundings. The Lake District is renowned for magical tales, wildlife and beautiful landscapes. We wanted to capture this whimsical feel with a modern twist for BAHA. Something quirky and fun you would find in a bustling city with a nod to the culture and heritage of the local area. The venue has three floors and offers everything from casual drinks to dining and events and the interior is suitable for each cycle of the day, from morning coffees to late, lively evenings.”
“Design Equals’ vision for us allowed us to be unique and different from the typical Lake District bar or restaurant which can be a little dated,” said owner Owner Stephen Hargreave. “We knew if we were to create a fresh exciting place to go in the lakes with good music and great food – creating the best atmosphere – then tourists, locals and passing trade would be drawn to us. Since the refurbishment we’ve seen an increase in footfall by 25 per cent.”
Image caption: The creative and characterful interiors inside BAHA, designed by Design Equals.
McCarthy added: “Since the start of our journey as Design Equals, we have been fortunate enough to work on some great hospitality projects.
“Working with Design= means joining the creative community that is right for your project. A community in which everyone, supports each other through the good and the bad – and feels empowered to deliver the best outcome for you.”
Finding the right creative design solutions for you is the essence of everything we do: inspiring our community of professionals, making the difference every client desires, so you get a single source of outstandingly creative interior design solutions.
At Design = we blend exceptional experience, deep knowledge and a wealth of resources to solve our clients’ business challenges. We back this up with dedicated support at every stage of every project. We are here to help you maximise your profitability and grow your business.
Design Equals is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Furniture Product Watch: DIVINITAS by DOMINGO SALOTTI
DIVINITAS is the latest luxury collection of upholstered furniture and accessories launched by DOMINGO SALOTTI. To celebrate soft furnishings and fabrics being under the spotlight this month, Hotel Designs learns more…
The idea was to create a collection of the upholstered furniture that would add layers of elegance, comfort, and character to our homes. The result is a series of products that can blend effortlessly into a sophisticated residential scheme as well as into luxury hotel designs.
The DIVINITAS line by DOMINGO SALOTTI includes sofas, sofa-beds, armchairs, ottomans and tables reminiscent of the ideals of beauty and perfection as defined by Renaissance and Neoclassical Art. The featured styles are named after nymphs and heroes who were the offspring of Gods.
The luxury collection takes the traditional notions of volume and shape and reworks them to create a feeling of timeless elegance and effortless sophistication.
The DIVINITAS sofas, armchairs, and ottomans are upholstered in opulent materials such as velvets, satins, elegant leathers, and eco-leather – should your project be required to give priority to durability.
Main image credit: DOMINGO SALOTTI
What’s more, the team at DOMINGO SALOTTI can ensure that all fabrics and foam offered for your luxury design projects meet with Flame Retardancy legislation of the country where the product is destined. Not all Countries share the same FR legislation but DOMINGO has many decades of experience delivering commercial projects. Our staff will be able to advise you accordingly and to provide you with the relevant certification.
The details in the collection can be made with a wide selection of finishes and processes that will help designers to add their bespoke touches to projects. Lively texture combinations, embossed fabrics, and leathers, contrast piping, studs detailing, sumptuous deep buttoning.
DOMINGO handcrafts each product according to the best Italian tradition, by our knowledgeable workers in our internal workshop. The brand makes each product in-house and works each style by hand. This allows the team to deliver the highest possible quality whilst being able to be incredibly flexible and reactive to your requests. Each upholstered product made by DOMINGO can be modified in width, length, and depth. Finishes can be added or removed to reach the client’s desired effect. Beds can be integrated into a few of our DIVINITAS styles – turning a stylish couch into a refined sofa bed.
None of this would be possible without the legacy of DOMINGO and the skills and craftsmanship of the artisans (carpenters, tailors, and upholsterers) who have been working with the brand for decades. Craftsmen who are now training the new generation of craftsmen.
DOMINGO SALOTTI is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here
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