Hotel Designs

Throughout April Hotel Designs will focus on two timely sectors – outdoor furniture and spas

If you want to get your company and products in front of an audience of interior designers, procurement specialists and hoteliers for a month of specially focussed commentary, this is a fantastic opportunity.

OUTDOOR FURNITURE SEES A RESURGENCE OF NATURAL MATERIALS AND SOOTHING COLOURS

We will look at how to embrace outdoor spaces. From small, statement pieces to sweeping overhauls of outdoor décor, we take a look at some of the hottest trends, as well as the hotels leading the way with their al fresco style.

POPS OF COLOUR EMBRACE THE LIGHT OF DAY

‘Wellness’ is a huge market for hospitality nowadays and spas are big business. Continuing our ‘outdoor’ theme, we will spend time throughout the month discussing all things spa related – from small independent properties, to mega-chains, to the companies providing the equipment.

SPA AND FITNESS TECHNOLOGY WILL EXCEL TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF A TECH HUNGRY GENERATON

The emergence of ‘wellness architecture’ is sweeping the industry right now. Mental health is a big health topic right now and hotels need to consider – more than ever before – the physical and mental health of the people they service. As such, spa spaces need to be structurally beautiful, but also comfortable, functional and sustainable so that they complement a hotel guest’s physical and mental state. ‘Living’ buildings, with greenery that grows inside, and design that encourages human movement and mindfulness are something you will see far more of in 2018.

There are plenty of ways you can get involved with these features, from supplying an opinion piece to working with us on a targeted mini-series.

If you wish to find out more, please contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or j.lane@forumevents.co.uk

TIN Hotels is introducing lifestyle travellers to a new generation of accommodations with plans to build new hotels in the Tibet Autonomous Region of Lhasa, which is widely regarded as the centre of the Tibetan Buddhist world as well as an exotic and elusive travel destination.

TIN Lhasa will boast an excellent location: as the anchor to a nearly 29,000 square-metre six-storey mixed-use development, its close proximity to the main tourist attractions such as Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Square and Potala Palace lends enhanced accessibility for travellers and allows them to be closer to all that they can experience of the destination the moment they step out of the hotel.

The hotel’s facilities and amenities, in line with the brand direction for TIN Hotels, will focus on creating an elevated experience for the discerning traveller that extends beyond a place to rest. Instead, it is a social space where real-life encounters with the community provides for a transformative and enlightening experience.

Upon arriving at TIN Lhasa, guests will be welcomed by authentic Himalayan art throughout the hotel, an experience much like stepping into a museum where the destination’s history and culture immediately come to life.

Progressing to the public areas, the open concept will generate interaction and at its heart, the main restaurant is a communal space where conversations, like the authentic craft food and gourmet tea will flow. The meeting spaces and function rooms will even incorporate co-working spaces so that the local community will feel invited to stay, work, and socialise at TIN. Travellers will also be drawn to our rooftop teahouse where sipping fragrant tea is as rewarding as the stunning view of Potala Palace amidst the breathtaking landscape.

Peter van de Bunt, Chairman of TIN Hotels, shares his enthusiasm for the brand’s promising beginning, “TIN Hotels was created to challenge the status quo without compromising style and excellence, and to offer the lifestyle traveller a unique proposition.” said van de Bunt.

“Travel demands are changing and hotel accommodations need to stay ahead of evolving wants, be it in design, F&B offerings, cultural awareness or the larger eco-environment. It is the embrace of the holistic travel experience that TIN Hotels celebrates and we are excited to launch this with TIN Lhasa.”

Currently, details of TIN Lhasa are still being worked out by all parties, including the active involvement of Mr. Daji from the owning group.The respected entrepreneur has one of the largest collections of Himalayan art worldwide, to the extent that the Dagye Himalayan Arts and Crafts Museum in Chengdu is as much a tribute to his prolific procurement as it is an appreciation of Mr. Daji’s world-class collection.

At TIN Lhasa, Mr. Daji intends to showcase his inspiring Himalayan archive of art and artefacts through regular tours exclusively for hotel guests, to bring these discerning travellers face-to-face with an invaluable display of treasures from the Himalayas. The emphasis on art is evident from the moment one steps foot in the hotel’s museum-like entrance, and quickly, one will realise that TIN Lhasa embodies the spirit of art. Boutique design firm Studio Affandy & Yeo whose founders had been mentored by the late Jaya Ibrahim, will weave these disinct elements into TIN Lhasa to give it a sense of authenticity while maintaining a contemporary design language.

Founded in Venice in 1968, Boscavenezia is one of the most renowned luxury firms in the interior design world today.

Specialized in the production of furniture and space division systems, Boscavenezia makes the most of a great experience in order to combine the most typical craftsmanship traditions of a proper workshop with the perpetual evolution of production techniques.

Boscavenezia offers unique and inimitable products thanks to a craftsmanship dexterity in the finishing processes and avant-garde architectural and design solutions. The products show qualitative and esthetical demands of an increasingly demanding and sophisticated market.

The key elements of the new Boscavenezia collection “Tailor Made” are a luxurious manufacture, an endless care brought to details, the respect of traditional finishing techniques and a meticulous choice of materials. The collection represents the message the company wants to spread: “Take a look at the past as a starting point in order to understand and spread its values to the contemporaneity of our time”.

And that’s precisely to the contemporaneity of our time that Boscavenezia gives a formal elegance and a sophisticated and aesthetic harmony from another time. It matches with a dedicated passion for design and its trends, still evolving.

Sliding doors, interior doors and furniture show a spirit of great craftsmanship and mastery that have always been part of Boscavenezia soul and its collections. Idea and Innovation perfectly embody the value and the quality of the Made in Italy. They are the base of unique products able to arouse emotions and desire in all of us.

Officials of the PRISA Group, a family-owned developer, builder and owner of hospitality, resort and entertainment projects in Puerto Rico and Florida, together with its capital partners Peachtree Hotel Group and Argosy Real Estate Partners, today announced the grand opening of the newly constructed, 175-room AC Hotel by Marriott Tampa/Airport – Westshore.

PRISA developed the hotel, with Peachtree and Argosy acting as additional equity investors in the project.  Marriott Corporation will operate the hotel.  The construction was conducted by a partnership between PRISA Group and Orlando-based Welbro Building Corporation. The Miami-based offices of Popular Community Bank provided the debt financing.

“This marks the first of three Marriott-branded hotels we are opening in Florida, including an under-construction, dual-branded SpringHill Suites/Residence Inn in Orlando at the Mall of Millenia, and we remain bullish on the market,” said Federico Stubbe, PRISA president and CEO.  “We now own the newest, design-focused, lifestyle product on the market, a key driver for both business and leisure travelers who want something beyond the ‘typical’ hotel stay.  As a company, we focus on delivering best-in-class, quality hotels in their respective segments while innovating in architecture, art and interior design relative to the brands we represent. With its European flair and emphasis on high quality accommodations, amenities, food and beverages, we are confident the AC Hotel by Marriott Tampa/Airport-Westshore quickly will become the place to see and be seen for visitors and locals alike.”

AC Hotel by Marriott Tampa/Airport – Westshore
The hotel is housed within MetWest International, a high-end, 32-acre, mixed-use development in Tampa’s thriving Westshore Business District.  The hotel is a short distance from Tampa International Airport and is adjacent to International Plaza Mall, Bay Street and Tampa International Airport, which currently is undergoing one of the largest airport expansions in the U.S. The MetWest International mixed-use complex contains multiple restaurants and bars within steps of the hotel, as well as a variety of large corporate tenants. Nearby attractions include downtown Tampa, the Raymond James Stadium and George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Designed simply in a European style, luxurious guest rooms feature plush bedding, with an integrated work desk and a luggage bench, signature closet and 47” television. Bathrooms provide glass-enclosed showers that offer AC Hotel’s signature amenities from Gilchrist & Soames.  Hotel public space is equipped with a communal table and reading section, signature lounge seating and a multimedia area. Additional amenities include a market, two media salons and a business/social events room, featuring Workspace on Demand by Marriott for online meetings at other locations.  The hotel also houses a 900-plus square foot, state-of-the-art fitness center, pool and pool bar, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property and 2,300 square feet of meeting space.  The hotel also boasts an outdoor, 25’ x 58’ digital art installation that projects colorful, abstract imagery on the side of the hotel, creating a unique nighttime light show for passers-by.

Craft beer lovers will enjoy the hotel’s AC Lounge, serving a wide array of craft beers, specialty wines and unique cocktails.  Guests and locals alike will enjoy the fine cuisine provided by the AC Kitchen, offering European-inspired breakfast with flaky croissants, savory egg tarts, Iberico prosciutto and Nespresso coffee, all at an affordable price.

“These properties are indicative of what we seek in hotel assets: ground-up development opportunities in attractive markets with multiple demand generators and a lack of new supply,” said Brent LeBlanc, Peachtree SVP.  “Additionally, we continue to seek acquisition and third-party management candidates to round out our portfolio of select-, limited- and extended-stay service hotels throughout the United States.  While deals are growing harder to come by, there remain ample opportunities for savvy hoteliers in this phase of the cycle.”

A boutique Cambridgeshire hotel is set for a stunning £2.5m extension after planning permission was granted.

The grand Felix Hotel in Cambridge is set for 16 new bedrooms and a glass reception area which was likened to the world-famous Barcelona Pavilion by planners.

Taking a methodical and rational approach to the planning, the main objective is to improve the guest experience at Felix Hotel.

One of the rooms you can currently stay at in the Hotel Felix

A new reception area will greatly improve accessibility and has been designed to incorporate bespoke commercial furniture, designed by OSA.

It was essential that the update’s contemporary design complemented the Victorian style of the original 1852 building, which had been the house of a botanist.

This horticultural legacy has been respected by Felix Hotel since the acquisition of the building in 2001, including maintaining the site’s green-belt status.

The project was designed by OSA Director Armine Sutton.

Armine, explained: “We are extremely pleased that this innovative project has been given the green light. We are confident that this exciting project will more than live up to expectation.”

She added: “The glass for the reception adds a contrasting contemporary element whilst endeavouring to respect the original structure.  The idea was for the area to be eye-catching and draw the attention of visitors. It is a bold design and for planners to liken its minimalism to one the world’s most iconic and inspirational buildings is very flattering.”

Jeremy Cassel, Managing Director at Cassel Hotels Ltd, said: “OSA did a tremendous job with their plans for Felix Hotel and I am delighted that their vision has been approved. The update is going to be a very exciting process which will transform the guest experience for our customers.”

Building works on Felix Hotel are expected to begin in early 2019.

The bathroom of the Penthouse Suite

OSA is a multi-disciplinary practice providing bespoke solutions for a range of private and business clients across the UK.

Clients include Kwik Fit and Majestic Wine. The firm prides itself on its holistic approach when designing a new space and frequently integrates bespoke commercial furniture design into its client-oriented services.

Interior lights are often the finishing touch that entirely transforms a space, and this has never been truer than it is today. With continuous redesigns and developments in lighting technology, the trends are quick to change and continue to flourish…

Indoor and outdoor lighting company, Festive Lights, have advised on lighting trends for 2018 and how they can be incorporated in your space.

Gold and copper

There’s a new finish in town: chrome, silver and pewter are out; the warmth of copper and gold are in. These softer colours pair well with grey and ‘greige’, which have seen a huge rise in popularity over the past couple of years, outshining beige as the new neutral in interior design.

The most popular way we’ll see gold and copper work in lighting fixtures is with a brushed and matte finish rather than the brassy and shiny golds of days gone by.

LEDs on a budget

Over the past few years, there has been a huge push to be more environmentally friendly, and being more efficient in the home and in artificially-lit spaces is a big part of this. Gradually, over time, consumers have been making the transition to LED lighting to save on money and energy. However, this has been a process that has taken time since, despite LED lights saving money in the long run, they have been a more expensive upfront option.

This year will see LED lighting finally starting to drop in price, allowing it to be more accessible for those needing to replace large areas of lighting, or numbers of bulbs – such as hotels, restaurants or office buildings. With LED bulbs available in various shapes, colours and brightness, opening the way for unique designs, and with their price soon to drop, their popularity is bound to boom this year.

Bring the outside in and the inside out

In terms of home and interior design in general, bringing the outside in has been a big trend for a long time. Botanicals, plants and flowers have always been popular, but designs incorporating more greenery, succulents and cacti are thriving.

This year, we’ll see this trend extent to lighting; garden design features illuminated by festoon lights, and patios lit up by solar lighting. Vice versa, indoors we’ll be able to incorporate green fabric cables or enamel pendant lights in shades of green to mimic and match the greenery we’re so fond of, or chandeliers designed with twisting branches, twigs and leaves. Combine this trend with the brushed gold by creating your own terrarium light, including twinkling lights, delicate greenery and smoked glass in a gold polygonal frame.

Whimsical

Unicorns, mermaids, dinosaurs and mythical creatures have never been more popular. While these were once thought of as the realm of children’s bedrooms, they’re now being marketed as an interior design scheme in themselves.

Lighting lends itself perfectly to the whimsical nature of mythology; whether that’s with a fairy light canopy mimicking the stars, or delicate shimmering lampshades that give an undersea illusion, highlighted and reflected with mirrors and elegantly draped fabrics. This trend can even blend with bringing the outside in for a unique mystic woodland feel for adventurous homeowners, or one-of-a-kind cafés and architectural spaces.

The Conservatorium reveals its Van Gogh Suites in collaboration with the national museum.

Marking a first for the city of Amsterdam, the new artistic project will bring Van Gogh’s iconic works to a series of suites, as well as enable guaranteed access to the exhibition.

Exceptional loans from museums and private collections from all over the world will be brought to Amsterdam and exhibited at Van Gogh & Japan, including Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, 1889 (The Courtauld Gallery, London), a fragile work that has not left the UK since 1955 and has not been in The Netherlands since 1930.

This is the first time that an exhibition that highlights Van Gogh’s admiration for Japanese art has been organised on such a scale, and guests can make a night of it in one of the Van Gogh Suites with Conservatorium’s package.

The Van Gogh Museum has worked with the hotel to design a unique experience that represents Van Gogh’s work in unconventional ways, enabling guests to decorate the walls of their rooms with their choice of his iconic works, including Almost Blossom, Flowering Plum Orchard, Self-Portrait With Grey Felt Hat or Courtesan.

The Suites also feature specially designed items such as pillows, teacups and teapots that were inspired by these works and are available for purchase at the Van Gogh Museum shop next-door. Encouraging creativity, each room will feature its own aquarelle set and guestbook, the first page of which will include a painting by hotel General Manager and accomplished artist Roy Tomassen.

Located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Museum Square District, Conservatorium is the perfect base to explore the “Van Gogh x Japan” exhibition, especially as the hotel offers complimentary direct access tickets to the exhibition when staying in one of the Van Gogh Suites. The Van Gogh Suites will be available for the duration of the exhibition, from 23 March until 24 June 2018.

Guests can continue the experience in the Brasserie as Executive Chef Schilo van Coevorden has created a “Van Gogh x Japan” exhibition inspired Afternoon Tea.

Amsterdam is recognised amongst art aficionados as being one of the most exciting cities for art and design. Since opening in 2011, Conservatorium has been regarded as a living canvas for Dutch designers and artists with its guest rooms, hallways and restaurants showcasing home-grown talent.

Art and design pervades every aspect of the hotel – with interiors by Piero Lissoni, and featuring regular art exhibitions with local artists including the Artist in Residence programme – Conservatorium continues to hold a central place in the capital’s art and design scene.

Available from 23 March until 24 June, The Van Gogh Suite package starts at €920 (£805) per night, and includes:

• One-night stay in the Van Gogh Suite (Junior Suite level)
• Breakfast for two guests
• “Van Gogh & Japan” inspired Afternoon Tea in the Brasserie for two guests
• Direct and complimentary access to the ‘Van Gogh & Japan’ exhibition for two guests
• Welcome letter from Willem Van Gogh, nephew of Vincent Van Gogh and founder of the Van Gogh Museum

Renowned British interior designer Kelly Hoppen and Mauritian architect Jean-Francois Adam have unveiled their total redesign of the latest LUX* Hotel and Resort. 

Having undergone the $32 (£22.81) million refurbishment, the all-new LUX* Grand Gaube on the northern coast of Mauritius has re-opened and welcomed its first guests.

With a simple yet refined design style and considered comfort throughout the resort, British interior designer Kelly Hoppen and Mauritian architect Jean-Francois Adam have achieved their vision of contemporary yet timeless Indian Ocean living.

All rooms, suites and villas open out to airy verandas with views of the Indian Ocean, some with outdoor baths or sundecks over the resort’s private cove.

All bedrooms are fitted with LUX* Sleeptight mattresses for the best night’s sleep and huge doors allow a flood of natural. Decorative touches to the rooms include woven African baskets, wicker tables, geometric tiles and reclaimed Victorian bathtubs, giving them a retro chic and homely feel.

The resort is home to six restaurants and seven bars with some dining concepts  a first for Mauritius. A firm favourite across all of LUX*’s resorts is the latest outpost of buzzy beach club Beach Rouge, which features pop-style artwork and graffiti by Camille Walala.

The Palm Court restaurant serves an impressive selection of world cuisines from breakfast through to dinner, cooked from seven live and interactive cooking stations, serving everything from freshly made sushi to wood-fire pizzas and house-made kombucha tonics.

With its vibrant décor and Latin American soundtrack, INTI is the first Argentinian-Peruvian restaurant in Mauritius and even has its own ceviche and Pisco Bar serving up seafood specialities and accompanying cocktails. Across the bay, Bodrum Blue is a tribute to LUX*’s award-winning resort in Turkey and serves authentic Turkish dishes accompanied by excellent Turkish wines.

For more intimate or special occasions, groups can book the private Wine Cellar for wine paired dining experiences hosted by the resort’s in-house sommelier, and take advantage of the largest selection of prosecco and cider in the country.

Over in the dedicated adults-only Banyan Area, inventive cocktails from 88 varieties of rum flow all day from the Rum Tree House and traditional local dishes cooked on wood and charcoal are served up from the Creole Smokehouse.

The peaceful spa and wellness area offers LUX* Me therapies from Shirley Page and Carita Haute Beauté anti-ageing treatments and meditation expert Kamran Bedi of the Mind Body Method is on hand to help guests re-balance and engage in mindfulness.

LUX* Grand Gaube is also the first resort in Mauritius to have an Essie nail bar and a Murdoch’s of London barbershop.

In line with the fresh look of the resort comes a brand new set of Reasons to Go LUX*, with Padel Tennis, a G&T 100 Club, Veggie Heaven and Beach Bento boxes awaiting guests. These welcome additions join the existing and widely celebrated Café LUX* coffee bar, ICI ice cream van, Phone Home telephone box, Cinema Paradiso beach pop-up, Scrucap wines, Mama Aroma toiletries, Message in a Bottle, Tree of Wishes, Junk Art Gallery, Panama Hat station, Photofanatics studio and the Wanderlust Library.

Built in the 1870s as a private home by Mr Edward Thorneycroft overlooking the north-east shore of Lake Windermere, The Samling enjoys an elevated position from which to soak in a truly wonderful view across the length of the lake and out over woodlands, fields and the properties landscaped gardens.

Design
The interiors of The Samling have been designed to offer an experience of deep comfort, from the soothing shades of dove grey of the walls in the bedrooms to the sumptuously generous pillows on every Hypnos bed. Stepping into the hotel, a light and airy reception area greets guests, with a snug library to one side, perfect for a quiet afternoon, and an elegant lounge leading on to the bar and finally to the marvellous restaurant. There are 12 guest bedrooms and suites, each named after notable Lake District locations, and each designed with an individual layout.

Coniston, a Junior Suite in the main house, has a lofty double-height vaulted ceiling and lovely view of the lake, whilst Windermere is a two-floor cottage set to the side of the main house, with a large sitting room, upstairs sleeping area and a private patio overlooking the lake. Design highlights include a magnificent copper bathtub and a thick natural local slate wall in the living area. Blea Tarn and Buttermere sit next to the main house and comprise two interconnecting bedrooms which can be booked separately or as a pair for families or friends exploring the lakes together.

Food and drink
The Samling has fine food and drink at its heart with Head Chef Peter Howarth, who joined in October 2017. The restaurant is housed in an impressive new glass fronted space positioned to frame Lake Windermere in dramatic effect from three sides. In the development kitchen – which also enjoys amazing views – (Chef Howarth works closely with the gardener to plan and create dishes that will excite and tantalize.

The Samling uses progressive growing techniques to create fresh daily produce supplying the core ingredients for the restaurant’s dish development, and great importance is placed upon adding to this with local suppliers and seasonal produce). The team rear their own chickens in the garden to supply fresh eggs daily.

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner tasting menus as well as breakfast, with the option to enjoy any of these meals outside on the wonderful lake-side terrace or in the privacy of your own room. Dishes might include Hay Smoked Halibut, Scottish Langoustine and horseradish as an appetiser course, a meat course of Lakeland Lamb, Pumpkin and Anchovy, and Carrot Cake, Walnuts and Milk Ice Cream to finish.

The 4-course lunch tasting menu is priced at £45 per person, the 7-course seasonal menu is £80 and the 10-course signature menu is £100. A popular afternoon tea is also offered, with locally inspired patisserie and savoury items, and all menus regularly change with the seasons.

Activities
Diversions might include a visit to Wordsworth’s cottage, exploring the neighbouring Ullswater Valley via the challenging Kirkstone Pass, or simply relaxing in the outdoor hot tub and soaking in the view. The team at The Samling can craft individual experiences depending on the interest of every guest, including driver guided bespoke lakes tours exploring the UNESCO World Heritage status landscape of the lakes.

There’s also cycling, mountain biking, water sports on Lake Windermere such as sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and boat rides, all of which can be organised at the water sports centre two minutes from the property. Additional activities can be organised on request, with the many expert and qualified companies operating in the Lakes, from canyoning to mountain winter skills.

Getting there
Regular trains to Oxenholme from London Euston take approximately 2 hours 50 minutes, The Samling is an easy 20-minute taxi ride from Oxenholme station. There is also a local train service connecting Oxenholme to Windermere station which is 3.5 miles from the hotel. The nearest airports are Carlisle, Liverpool and Manchester.

The Samling offers nightly rates from £310 based on two sharing a Double Room in low season, on a bed and breakfast basis.

We have seen something of a revival in the golden age of Art Deco design. Building on this influence, the Newmor Studio is introducing their interpretation in six elegant and contemporary custom designs which can be recoloured, rescaled, and printed to any of our wallcoverings.

Deco Block

Packing a real punch, this adaptable design works across commercial sectors, whether its hospitality or office, geometrics that echo design provenance are sure to rule.

Deco Arches

Classically deco, this pattern arches over retro and contemporary design, equally suitable as a feature wall in a country hotel or urban coffee shop.

Marble Tiles

A wonderfully versatile geometric interlaid with a subtle marble effect. Recolorations change the whole ambience of the design space.

Concrete Tiles

A tile effect with a difference, intricate hexagonal tiles distinctly placed on concreate textured effect, creates a combination of raw and refined surfaces.

Deutsche Hospitality is presenting a new hotel brand. MAXX by Steigenberger will be joining Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts, Jaz in the City and IntercityHotel in its portfolio in future. The group launched its new Deutsche Hospitality umbrella brand just under 18 months ago with the intention of instigating further hotel brands. This latest addition represents a robust continuation of the course of growth the company has embarked upon and targets a part of the market that was previously vacant.

MAXX by Steigenberger will occupy the upscale segment and thus fill an existing space between the brands Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts (luxury and upper upscale), IntercityHotel (upper mid-scale) and Jaz in the City (lifestyle). Deutsche Hospitality’s CEO Thomas Willms explained that the group was taking this step in order to make better use of the available opportunities and to accelerate growth. “Up until now, we have been operating with three strong hotel brands. Their positioning has, however, imposed highly restrictive requirements regarding the respective destinations, locations and properties. For this reason, we have regularly had to reject projects that were not a good fit for this portfolio. MAXX by Steigenberger possesses more flexible hardware standards and this provides us with the leeway we need to pursue qualitative and quantitative growth”.

The name affix “by Steigenberger” spells out the quality commitment which Deutsche Hospitality associates with the new brand. Clear stipulations aligned with the standards of Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts are in place for aspects such as service, staff and F&B. At the same time, however, the brand is able to embrace different destinations, locations and room sizes and the architecture of individual hotels. “The respective hotels are permitted to have their own character,” continued Mr. Willms. “The important thing is for each property to be coherent in itself. This gives owners and franchise partners the chance to achieve affiliation with Deutsche Hospitality via a modest rebranding investment, thus allowing them to benefit from our established sales channels and know-how.”

The brand launch of MAXX by Steigenberger is in line with the group’s strategy of striving for expansion both within its German language domestic base and in the burgeoning international growth markets. The new brand will act as a crucial lever for the generation of even more dynamism in this process. Specific negotiations for the first MAXX by Steigenberger hotels are already underway, and initial locations are expected to be announced shortly.

Luxury lifestyle hotel brand, ME by Meliá, has launched its first property on the Catalan coast, ME Sitges Terramar, which will open officially during Spring 2018. Located just 20 miles along the coast from Barcelona, it follows the success of ME Mallorca and ME Ibiza in the Balearic Islands and represents a luxurious addition to one of Spain’s most renowned destinations.

Owned and developed by Hotel Investment Partners and located in the vibrant Paseo Marítimo in Sitges, ME Sitges Terramar is surrounded by palm trees and situated on the seafront, offering a tranquil, relaxing setting, with thriving bars, restaurants and shops nearby. Sitges, a beautiful, Mediterranean, gay-friendly beach town capital is just 16 miles from Barcelona Airport (BCN) by car, making it a popular coastal destination. With 26 beautiful beaches, historic architecture, from Renaissance to Art Nouveau, museums, water sports and golf, as well as an array of friendly, quirky pop-up beach bars and a vibrant nightlife, Sitges is fast becoming a mini Ibiza.

ME Sitges Terramar boasts 213 rooms, nearly all of which feature stunning sea views. The iconic ME Suite will provide guests with panoramic sea views, a private social lounge and a ME+ Service, which includes a variety of luxury privileges. The hotel also features the Personality Suite with large terraces and breath-taking sea views as well as 24 Chic Suites, all of which come with spacious terraces. In keeping with the ME by Meliá brand, ME Sitges Terramar’s interiors will be a fusion of contemporary and innovative design with cream and grey hues. The hotel has been renovated by design studio, LaGranja, which is based in Barcelona.

The property will offer two restaurants, including Beso Sitges, which comprises of 200 covers and feature Mediterranean-inspired dishes, paellas and an extensive cocktail menu, as well as Beso Beach, located on the beachfront, perfect for chilling out to laid-back lounge music, while taking in the magnificent Sitges sunset. Guests will be able to enjoy the ultimate Gourmet experience, with a delicious menu of Basque recipes with touches of local cuisine and seasonal ingredients. ME Sitges Terramar will also feature the Oyster Bar located in the lobby, offering the best selection of fresh oysters, crab and seafood, as well as cheeses and charcuterie, accompanied by an extensive list of wines and Champagne. While guests relaxing by the pool can enjoy delicious natural juices, smoothies and superfood cocktails at Pool Bar.

ME by Meliá hotels are renowned for their breath-taking rooftop spaces, with the brand’s flagship hotel ME London, ME Milan Il Duca and ME Madrid Reina Victoria featuring rooftop bars with impressive skyline views.

Opening this summer, RADIO ME Sitges, Rooftop Bar will also offer panoramic views of the surrounding area where guests can relax under the stars, chill out to music and enjoy a signature cocktail.

Guests will be able to indulge in ‘ME time’ at the Spa, which will offer a range of relaxing massages and personalised treatments. ME Sitges Terramar will also provide an out-of-the-ordinary backdrop for holding meetings, events and private parties as well as offering free, high-speed Wi-Fi.

René Hoeltschl, General Manager of ME Sitges Terramar, said: “ME Sitges Terramar will be a hotel-destination on the Mediterranean coast which will become a “must” for sophisticated travellers seeking a place in which to rest their body and mind. ME Sitges Terramar takes the attributes of the ME by Meliá brand to another level after its great success with the most discerning travellers on the beaches of Ibiza, Mallorca and Los Cabos.”

ME by Meliá is for culture-seeking guests that are driven by new luxury experiences. The brand has been built on first-rate service and ME Sitges Terramar is no exception. Each guest’s stay is orchestrated by a dedicated Aura Manager, whose job it is to know the coastal town back-to-front and use this knowledge to make the hotel’s service truly bespoke.

British designer Jo Downs has unveiled new work at the cutting edge of contemporary glass design, expanding her portfolio for the first time to the creation of spectacular chandelier lighting. Cut, crafted, fired and finished at her Cornwall studio, these uniquely beautiful works represent the next step in the complex field of fused-glass design, and are available as part of Jo’s bespoke design service.

From her trademark, ocean inspired motifs, to geometrically inspired collections, these new works update the classic concept of the chandelier for the 21^st century interior design market and are currently on show at her flagship galleries in Ripley, Surrey, and Launceston, Cornwall.

The launch also marks the beginning of a new creative partnership between Jo Downs Handmade Glass and design company Northern Lights, who have been creating inspiring lighting solutions since 1987, and have worked with Jo to create integrated lighting for her new range of chandeliers.

L’oscar is an exclusive new 39-bedroom luxury hotel and a previously-abandoned architectural gem, now fantastically-restored and re-imagined in all its Baroque glory.

Once left derelict, this 110-year-old treasure has been subject to a no-expense-spared refurbishment by highly-esteemed French architect and designer Jacques Garcia.

Hidden in the heart of one of London’s trendiest Borough’s, on Southampton Row, it boasts a spectacular octagonal chapel alongside ornate ceilings, carved fireplaces, oak panelling and magnificently proportioned rooms, all cleverly complemented by a mischievously-talented redesign that adds elegant and unexpected new twists.

Every room is delightfully individual, with extravagant styling, high ceilings, large windows and a wealth of original detail, all personalised and curated by Garcia’s high-quality design. The staff, overseen by General Manager, Michael Voigt, promise to deliver the highest levels of service, while the restaurant and bar, The Baptist, run by Executive Chef Tony Fleming, takes pride of place in the Grade II building’s breath-taking and architecturally-significant chapel.

Far from its original purpose, L’oscar promises to be a visual and gastronomic temptation when it opens May 2018.

And, there are just 5 tickets left. If you want to join us and network with the likes of Dyson, Bang & Olufsen, Dorchester, Nobu and Russell Sage Studio, then keep reading.

Our next event takes place on Wednesday 21st March at The London Edition – located in Fitzrovia on the edge of Soho – between 6pm-9.30pm.

Just a five minute walk from Tottenham Court Road or Oxford Circus, this boutique hotel blends thoughtful design and intuitive service, and features custom lighting by Patrick Woodroffe.

In addition to those we announced as attending last week, we also have designers and hoteliers from the likes of Chocolate Boutique Hotel, CourtHouse Hotel, Blush International, Fitzroy of London, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, GLH Hotels, 33 Interiors, Alexander James Interiors, Associated Designers, David Collins Studio Ltd, Dawson Design Associates, EHG Home, Elegance interiors, GA Design, Gensler, Grimshaw, Inspired By Design, KCA International, M Studio, Nina Campbell, Oro Bianco Interior Design, Osborn Interiors, Rethink Interiors, Russel Sage Studio, RWD, Scott Brownrigg, SMC Design, Stern Graham Director, Tara Bernerd & Partners, The Plant, Twenty2 Degrees, Two Company Interior Design Ltd, UpCircle, Vallgren & Co Design Studio, Yoo worldwide, and many more.

Enjoy drinks and canapés while you network with like-minded professionals from 6pm – 9.30pm in the basement space. Here’s the itinerary:

6.00 p.m. Event starts

7.00 p.m. ‘Raising the Bar’ welcome speech courtesy of Gilly Craft, owner of Koubou Interiors and President elect of the BIID

Following this, we welcome our guests to enjoy a selection of drinks and canapés as you mingle with industry leaders and experts.

If you are a supplier to the hospitality industry looking to meet top names from both industries, contact Jennie Lane on 01992 374098 or on J.Lane@forumevents.co.uk– or click here to book your place.

The Hotel Designs spring Meet Up is completely free for hoteliers and designers; click here to confirm your attendance.

Designed by Matthews Mee Interior Design and managed by Redefine|BDL Hotels, the hotel combines contemporary style and heritage-rich designs to reflect its Welsh location, the new Hotel Indigo Cardiff opens this November. 

Electrical accessories supplier Hamilton Litestat was selected to supply its modern solutions that complement the design themes and deliver a high-quality look.

As with all Hotel Indigo establishments, the surrounding area was carefully researched to discover the location’s intricacies, its history, special events, industry and people. The hotel is then designed around this to provide a unique and more meaningful experience that reflects the hotel’s location.

The Cardiff hotel features 122 guest bedrooms and 122 bathrooms, with a Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill restaurant located on the roof of the building. The greatest attention has been paid to crafting unique spaces throughout the hotel that reflect the history and vibrancy of the Welsh capital. The guest rooms are themed ‘Made in Wales’, ‘Welsh Industry’ and ‘Music’, with each featuring local art and regionally-sourced natural materials to reflect the city’s strong legacy.

Working with electrical contractor Kier and local wholesaler Evans Electrical, Hamilton’s sleek and stylish Hartland collection of box-fix decorative wiring accessories were selected for the 122-guestroom hotel.

Hartland 1, 2 and 3-gang rocker switches were specified for lighting. 2-gang dual-switched sockets were selected for power supply while dual-switched sockets with two USB charger points were fitted at bedsides. The 1A rated USB port is for mobile phone charging and the 2.1A port is for tablets and other devices, supporting modern guest demands for 24/7 connectivity.

Hamilton’s hotel key card switch welcomes guests, while a European SCHUKO and dual USB 2-gang switched socket was fitted in a bespoke plate above the vanity table to make European visitors more comfortable.

The Hartland design in Matt Black finish with Copper switches and Matt Black inserts furnishes the 72 ‘Made in Wales’ and 31 ‘Welsh Industry’ rooms. The 19 ‘Music’ rooms feature Hartland in Antique Brass with Antique Brass switches and Black inserts. All 122 bathrooms are fitted with Hartland plates in Satin Steel with White inserts.

Andrew Miles, senior project manager, Kier Construction Western and Wales, said: “Having seen the hotel’s design we were confident we could successfully collaborate with Hamilton and deliver a bespoke solution that could achieve the aspirations of Mathew Mee. The clean, timeless design of the Hartland collection was perfect for this project.”

Hotel Indigo Cardiff’s General Manager, Tom Gaskell, added: “We take immense pride in our attention to detail and we’re pleased to have found an electrical partner that takes this as seriously as us. It’s these little touches that turns a nice hotel into an exceptional hotel.”

Cost reductions without sacrificing quality is a hotelier’s top priority, but do you realise how much money you could be saving with the right light fixtures?

When you run a hotel, it is important that profit is at the forefront of your mind. Essentially, this means you need to try and save money where possible, without compromising quality or guest experience, of course.

One area that you should look to is your lighting system. It is a rather large part of your hotels infrastructure and, therefore, your cost allocation. In fact, did you know that 40% of your electricity usage is taken up by your hotel’s lighting?

Additionally, your lighting system can also take up a huge amount of your maintenance time and budget, as bulbs need to be changed regularly and any lighting faults fixed quickly.

So, how can you reduce your lighting costs as well as ensuring longevity?

Maintenance
Regular, scheduled maintenance of your entire lighting system will ensure that any issues are dealt with quickly, limiting the chances of breakdowns. This will not only save time and money, but will ensure that your system is running at its optimum level, increasing its life expectancy.

Switch To LED
The days of traditional fluorescent tube lighting are well and truly over. Not only are they a major source of energy wastage, but when they get to the end of their life the energy costs increase even more, plus the lighting becomes poor.

If you haven’t already, then a complete replacement of your lighting system to an LED system is advisable. Your energy costs will be dramatically reduced, in some cases up to 90%. On top of this, LED lighting lasts, generally for over 8 years. This reduces the need for replacements which cost money and time, as well as ruining your customers experience of your hotel as they negotiate faulty lighting and repair teams. Similarly, this also minimises the need for regular maintenance, as LEDs run with little issue. If a failure does occur, repairs are simple and quick.

Lighting Controls
In a hotel environment, it is essential that your lighting system is linked to some form of intelligent control. This will help reduce unnecessary usage, lower your energy bills and increase the life span of your lights.

For example, you may want to consider sensor lights in certain areas of your hotel, so that lights switch off in a room that is not occupied. Or a bedroom lighting system that is triggered by the introduction of a room key, thus limiting the chances of the lights being kept on when guests have left the room. Daylight sensors are also ideal for saving energy, as they adjust the artificial light alongside the natural light to create a balance.

Maintenance companies can offer a comprehensive planned maintenance schedule which will take into account all aspects of your hotel, including your lighting, to ensure that your equipment stays running for as long as possible. Additionally, they will be able to install or update your lighting system to make sure it is energy efficient, again, reducing your outgoings significantly and the longevity of the system. This allows you time to concentrate on the important aspects of your hotel and make sure the future is bright!

“When I was drawing up my design for Duravit, the image in my mind’s eye from the very start was a bowl filled with water on a simple table,” said the Danish designer Cecilie Manz. This image inspired Duravit’s Luv bathroom series, which affords brand new design opportunities for larger rooms or guest bathrooms.

Luv’s unusual design combines Nordic purism and timeless elegance. Gentle forms follow a sharp geometry. The selection of materials and colours is testament to Cecilie Manz’s refined sense for nuanced form. Her colour palate of matt lacquers and glazes in soft shades was developed exclusively for Duravit and emphasizes the fresh character of Luv.

Three sizes of oval above-counter basins made from DuraCeram® impress with their subtle lines, generous inner basins, and clean edges. On the variants with an incorporated tap hole platform, the tap fitting is mounted centrally at the rear, and on the small handrinse basins it is fitted on the left or right side. The optionally glazed exterior is available in satin matte White, Grey or Sand. This contrast with the glossy white glazed inner basin produces unique pieces with a special look and feel. Ceramic drain covers complete and overall harmonious look.

The washbasin stand consists of a console table on four gently curved, height-adjustable feet. Using this unique design language, Cecilie Manz skilfully realizes the original image of a table and water bowl. Three widths are available: 1788 mm for the double washbasin, 1388 mm for the single and 688 mm for the guest bathroom. Lacquered in satin matte and available in white, Nordic white, taupe, stone grey, light blue and night blue, the console tables contribute significantly to the feeling of space. Quartz console panels in three perfectly harmonized colour variants and a solid-wood version in American walnut can be combined as desired by the customer. Storage space is available in the form of handle-free pull-out compartments and drawers, conveniently fitted with tip-on technology and self-closing mechanisms.

The series is completed by new mirrors in three widths ranging from 500 to 1600 mm with an integrated dimming function and mirror heating. In addition to the standard mirror height of 800 mm, all models are also available in a height of 1200 mm. The glare-free LED lighting at the top edge of the mirror with activated ambient lighting guarantees optimum illumination of up to 700 lux.

Luv also offers no-nonsense bathtubs that are based on the shape of the wash bowls. Seamless, and made from DuraSolid A, they offer a pleasantly warm feel and high-quality matte look. They are available in free-standing, back-to-wall and corner (left or right) versions. As a special extra, the bathtub can be equipped with a discreetly integrated air whirl system (exclusive to the back-to-wall and corner version), or with an integrated sound system which can be operated using any Bluetooth-compatible device.

Duravit AG
Founded in 1817 in Hornberg in the Black Forest, Duravit AG is today a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms. The company operates in more than 130 countries worldwide and stands for innovations in the field of good design, the intelligent use of technology and top quality. In cooperation with high-profile international designers, such as Philippe Starck and EOOS, the company develops comfortable bathrooms that really enhance quality of life for users on a sustained basis. Duravit’s product portfolio comprises sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, baths and shower trays, wellness systems, shower-toilets, faucets and accessories.

We’re just two weeks from the Hotel Designs Spring Meet Up networking event, being held on 21st March at The London Edition, located in Fitzrovia on the edge of Soho between 6pm-9.30pm.

Nearby to Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street, this boutique hotel blends thoughtful design and intuitive service featuring custom lighting by Patrick Woodroffe.

Already signed up for the next event are designers from 33 interiors, Alexander James Interiors, Associated Designers Ltd, Benoy, Blush International, David Collins Studio Ltd, Dawson Design Associates, EHG Home, Elegance interiors, GA Design, Gensler, Grimshaw, Inspired By Design, KCA International, M Studio, Nicholas Haslam, Nicky Dobree, Nina Campbell, Oro Bianco Interior Design, Osborn Interiors, Rethink Interiors, Russel Sage Studio, RWD, Scott Brownrigg, SMC Design, Stern Graham Director, Tara Bernerd & Partners, The Plant, Twenty2 Degrees, Two Company Interior Design Ltd, UpCircle, Vallgren & Co Design Studio, Yoo worldwide, and many more.

Enjoy drinks and canapés while you network with like-minded professionals from 6pm – 9.30pm in the basement space;

6.00 p.m. Event starts

7.00 p.m. ‘Raising the Bar’ welcome speech courtesy of Gilly Craft, owner of Koubou Interiors and President elect of the BIID

Following this, we welcome you to enjoy a selection of drinks and canapés as you mingle with industry leaders and experts.

New Fabrics by Doshi Levien for Kettal Riva by Jasper Morrison.

The Riva collection of outdoor furniture is above all about achieving a certain atmosphere for the better enjoyment of outdoor space. The plank construction of seat and back follows a long and varied tradition of outdoor chairs made in similar ways, and which in this case provide a high level of comfort and good looks!

The Riva collection is a complete collection, dining armchairs, club armchair, dining tables, 2 seater sofa, 3 seater sofa, small tables and deckchair, made in teak.

The brand-new Hyatt House Jersey City creates an exciting destination with spectacular views of Manhattan in Exchange Place’s increasingly popular waterfront downtown area.

Stonehill Taylor completed Interior Design for the hotel, housed in a 10-story bank building from the 1920s with a 3-story modern glass addition on top by Atlanta-based PFVS. The interiors feature striking historic features of the old bank building layered with comfortable contemporary accommodations, bringing in richness in texture and a sense of history.

The ground floor, which includes the entrance and concierge desk, highlights the building’s impressive historic features, including original 12-foot-tall ornate bronze doors, a brass filigree decorative screen, Portoro marble walls, and travertine flooring.

Visitors then ascend directly to the upper floor Terrace Level, where they are met with 12-foot-high ceilings and views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline through the wrap-around floor to ceiling windows. The expansive Terrace Level contains the Lobby, Lounge & Dining areas, along with the Bar.

The Kenya Black marble reception desk sits in front of a custom-designed back-lit glass and wood screen, elegantly hiding the back offices. The sophisticated look in the reception and dining areas are complete with wood floors, mahogany millwork, accent silk upholstered walls, and brass lighting fixtures and case goods inspired by the bank building’s original metal ornamentation.

The furniture material palette includes leathers, patterned textiles, and a combination of jewel and natural colour tones with dark bronze accents.

Adjacent to the dining area is a spacious, elegant buffet with built-in cabinetry, an accent metal mosaic, and a Rimadesio glass sliding door system. Directly next to the Lobby is the Bar, which offers guests several lounging options with an array of seating groups. Live edge wood tables and sofas with integrated power and lamps enable the space to function for work, dining, and lounging.

A fireplace creates an additional area for conversation and warmth. The ceiling’s hexagonal pattern nods to the original building and adds to the bar’s visual interest. Two spaces off the main bar can be used for private events: a lounge space with views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and an enclosed terrace with operable glass walls and a direct view of Lower Manhattan.

Connected to the Terrace-level is a rooftop lounge, one of the first in Jersey City. This rooftop lounge is an expansive year-round outdoor space complete with a reflecting fire and water feature, two bars, and a retractable roof. A glass elevator provides direct street access to the lounge for local neighbours and guests.

The lounge boasts amazing views and exudes the feeling of an urban oasis through extensive planting, natural teak furniture, and concrete-like finishes. Plants hang from beams creating an industrial garden in the middle of bustling Jersey City. Guest rooms feature a custom artwork program selected specifically for the property.

The most typical room layout is a residential-style studio with an adjoining kitchen and living room. Among the furnishings in the studios are sofa beds, a 360-degree swivel TV cabinetry unit, and bathrooms separated by glass barn doors. Alternative guestrooms include double beds in addition to sofa beds – a perfect option for travelling families.

Hotel rooms are a natural extension of the brand, and the bathroom is no exception. They can either make or break your guest’s stay. It is critical therefore to have bathrooms are stylish and breath-taking to your guests. The clean elegance of a wetroom is ideal for a stylish, modern hotel brand.

Today a bathroom is so much more than a functional space. The bathroom in a hotel has become a living space and a haven of well-being and is one of the main things that guests remember. Exciting, functional designs and high-quality, light materials that are easy to clean help to make the bathroom into a very individual haven of well-being.

But cost-effective yet stylish does not have to be a contradiction in terms. There are a variety of ways, from design to cleaning to management, that you can make your hotel bathroom cost effective without compromising on the experience.

Control water temperature and flow rates
Save energy by setting an upper limit of hot water. The average length of a shower is eight minutes, but in a hotel environment, people tend to linger. During that time, your shower is using around 60-70 litres of hot water. By maintaining control of the temperature and ensuring flow rates are consistent, you can keep firm control of your bathroom energy costs.

Ensure durability
By investing in reliable, hardwearing materials, from tiles to taps, you can reduce the chances of leaks and repairs. A poorly build hotel bathroom will end up costing more money in lost room rates and repair outlays than spending a little more in solid installation at inception. With repairs in mind…

Have fewer parts
Fewer parts mean fewer things that can break. Stick to having only the appliances and features the guests need and make sure they are reliable and of high quality. Extraneous bells and whistles are invariably worth more than their upkeep.

Make it easy to clean
When your housekeeping staff are responsible for the fast and efficient cleaning of hundreds of rooms, making your bathroom easy to clean can save thousands on worker hours. For example, choosing a minimalist, open plan design or a wetroom, you can reduce the time it takes to clean the bathroom by a third. Multiply that over hundreds of rooms 7 days a week and you’re looking at a serious time saving.

Make the bathroom feel like an upsell
Designing a bathroom that is exciting, stylish and instantly Instagram-able gives a premium feel to a hotel room. A premium feel justifies a premium price. After all, 68% of customers are prepared to pay more for better quality.

A wetroom-style bathroom can address a number of these solutions. Modern, minimalist and easy to clean, wetrooms can be fitted with a variety of tiles and materials, including stone, marble, glass or steel. So whatever effect you’re looking to achieve in your hotel room interior, a wetroom can easily blend into your style. They are easy to clean and when installed by professionals, you can rely on the waterproofing for over 20 years.

For hotels looking to combine style with cost savings, wetrooms are certainly a valid option when it comes to bathroom design.

From New York to Nairobi, Expedia’s new infographic is perfect for travellers looking to plan a cultural holiday.

The rise in hotels as a cultural experience shows that holidaymakers want more than a place to rest their head

Want to wake up next to some world-class art? You don’t need to sneak into a museum or gallery to do so, as art hotels are growing in popularity and number around the world, showcasing masterpieces for guests to enjoy throughout their stay.

No longer is a hotel simply a place to rest your head, many hotels now offer cultural experiences that art fanatics will love. Expedia’s new infographic showcases nine of the best art hotels in exciting destinations around the world, offering interesting information about each hotel’s art collection including the number of pieces of art housed, the art mediums exhibited and the type of art or movement associated with the hotel. The infographic also features arty facts about the city that are home to these hotels.

Expedia’s top art hotels offer holidaymakers hundreds of artworks from some of the world’s most creative minds of past and present. From Budapest’s Bohem Art Hotel, a perfect reflection of an artist’s bohemian lifestyle, to the XVA Art Hotel in Dubai, a homage to Middle Eastern art, the infographic is a definitive guide to the most picture-perfect art hotels on the planet.

“We no longer have to go to a museum to enjoy a cultural experience — we can stay at an art hotel instead, waking up to a masterpiece each morning,” said Kasha Dubaniewicz. “We hope our infographic will help cultural holidaymakers plan the art trip of a lifetime.”

Here are nine of Expedia’s picture-perfect art hotels;

The First Roma, Rome

art’otel, Amsterdam

The Merrion, Dublin

XVA Art Hotel, Dubai

The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas

Bohem Art Hotel, Budapest

Hotel Eclat, Beijing

Sankara, Nairobi

Kimpton Hotel Eventi, New York

With only four months until the opening of the Grand Central Hotel in Belfast, Hastings Hotels has compiled seven things you didn’t know about the construction of Northern Ireland’s largest hotel.

“The Grand Central Hotel represents the single biggest project that Hastings Hotels has ever undertaken,” said Julie Hastings, Marketing Director of Hastings Hotels. “The construction process has been very exciting for the group as a whole and we’ve been able to use our collective experience to create something very special for Northern Ireland.”

Hoping to give the public a little insight into the sheer size of the hotel, and the massive task of transforming the 1974 office block into a 23-storey luxury destination in Belfast, the team have put together seven facts in the run up to the grand opening later this year.

A Goliath job
840 tonnes of concrete were removed from the old façade of Windsor House for recycling. This is the same weight as the maximum lifting load of the Samson and Goliath cranes

Great Scott
560 tonnes of new steel were used for the structure, this is equivalent to 455 DeLorean DMC-12 cars, the model famously used for Doc Brown and Marty McFly’s time machine in the 1985 film Back to the Future.

Peak engineering
There will be 1,280 doors which is a total height of 2,688 metres and is equivalent to three Slieve Donard mountains.

Long stay
The total length of plasterboard sheets being used is 46,800 metres, this is equivalent to the height of 980 Europa hotels

Try hard
The total amount of new concrete used has a combined weight of 1,810 tonnes, this would be the equivalent to over 1,200 Ulster Rugby teams.

Going the distance
310 miles of new electrical cables is being used, which is just over the length of Ireland.

Not quite under the radar
A flight path into Belfast City Airport had to be adjusted to accommodate the 475 feet tall Tower Crane which was used to support the initial construction work of the hotel

Journalist and specialist Chris Richardson has compiled a list of 10 ways you can effectively tackle the digital world and maintain your hotel’s reputation online.

As more and more people get used to booking their future accommodation online, hotels must pay even more attention to their online reputation. The ratings, the comments, and the feedback that your hotel receives are going to heavily influence your future bookings’ performance.

For your hotel’s reputation to continue glowing so that your profits can remain stable and consistent, you must find some effective reputation management techniques, and here’s 10 ways you can confidently maintain your digital reputation.

Ensure that you provide the best possible experience
First things first. If you ever expect your hotel’s reputation to shine in the online environment, your hotel must offer a satisfying experience. Obvious right? How do you do that?

First off, ensure that your ad postings are always genuine. People shouldn’t expect Wi-Fi if there’s no Wi-Fi. Keep your rooms clean, have kind and helpful employees, and don’t give your clients reasons to complain.

Listen to the direct and the indirect feedback you get
There are two types of feedback and each one is useful in its own way. The direct feedback comes from the reviews and testimonials your hotel receives on the web. Analyze them closely and figure out the good points and the bad points given by your customers.

The second type of feedback is the indirect one. This is harder to find because you’ll never get it unless you put yourself and your customers in special circumstances. For example, a small talk on the terrace with an average customer will tell you what he loves and hates about the experience that your hotel brings.

Consistently monitor your hotel’s mentions
Use Google Alerts to receive instant updates whenever your hotel’s name is mentioned online. By consistently monitoring your brand’s mentions, your reputation is always “safe”. Even if you get negative reviews, you’ll be present and ready to acknowledge your mistakes. If that’s not the case, you’ll be ready to tell the truth.

Keep your employees updated
Let all your employees understand how important your hotel’s reputation is and how much influence they have when it comes to improving it. If your employees are aligned with your goal, they will do their best to improve the image of your hotel. To motivate them, promise benefits or rewards for whoever becomes more friendly, responsible, or productive.

Always reply to negative testimonials and reviews
Negative reviews are definitely something you don’t want to see. When your hotel’s reputation is attacked by negative testimonials, you must be ready to deal with it. Find the mention by leveraging Google Alerts, understand why such a negative review has been posted, and try your best to throw the best answer.

“If your employees are the cause of the problem, simply admit your mistake and promise that it’ll never happen again. Stay humble and modest and people will forgive you! However, if you don’t even bother answering negative reviews, your reputation will suffer a lot.” – Jane Grunges, Marketing Specialist at Essay Geeks.

Occasionally answer the positive reviews
You really don’t have to obsessively reply to all your positive reviews and testimonials. Keep it moderate. Reply to the comments and reviews that receive a lot of traffic, so you can lead some curious individuals to your professional website.

Don’t act too sales-oriented
Whenever you manage your hotel’s reputation through replies and answers, don’t sound “salesy”. That means you shouldn’t use “marketing” language that aims to convince other people to try your rooms. That’ll hurt your reputation instead of boosting it. Be friendly, professional, and concise.

Always be fair
Your hotel’s long-term success is significantly influenced by your overall “fairness”. So for example, if you know that one of your customers has been mistreated, you should never leave it like that. You need to be a true professional and be fair whenever you’re required too.

Did your customers miss the Wi-Fi benefits because the Internet was down for two days? Offer compensation. Did the customers wake up with bugs in their bed? Offer 10 times the price of their stay and beg them not to report you. That was exaggerated, but I think I made my point. Be fair!

Manage all your public listings
Don’t forget about your public listings. If you’re promoting your business on different platforms, you need to ensure that you keep those listings updated. You don’t want to cause misunderstandings or false hopes.

Have a great social media profile
Social media marketing is surely something you shouldn’t neglect, especially in the hospitality business. Develop a professional social media presence by building professional profiles on more distribution channels. For example, you should have a Facebook page, a LinkedIn page, a Twitter page, or an Instagram page that effectively showcases your hotel’s rooms, the external environment, the employees, and so on.

Takeaways
Managing your hotel’s reputation is often a complex task. There are many pretentious individuals who truly don’t care about anything but themselves. Therefore, it really has no point arguing or fighting with the “problematic” clients.

Be humble and keep your calm in every situation. Improve your customer’s experience and your ratings will also grow. Good luck!

Marriott International’s experimental, ‘playful’ brand for younger travellers, Moxy, is set to expand its reach across 40 new cities by the end of 2020.

Launching a new arm of the hotel in Stratford earlier this year, Marriott have currently opened three Moxy Hotels across the UK, as it continues to enter international markets throughout Europe, setting its sights on key destinations including France, Portugal and The Netherlands.

The Moxy brand debuted in Europe in 2014 with the opening of Moxy Milan and has since grown to include 20 open hotels in destinations in Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific regions, with over 90 properties in its development pipeline globally.

The brand looks to define itself through its attitude rather than its price point, aiming to redesign the affordable hotel experience as it allows guests to work, play and connect whilst surrounded by bold design and contemporary style.

With its vibrant lobby spaces based around an amped-up bar experience, cosy rooms with premium comforts, 24/7 self-service grab and go, ample plug-ins for personal devices and free Wi-Fi, Moxy aims to surprise budget-conscious travellers with a thoughtful, spirited and fun guest experience – giving them only what they want and nothing that they don’t.

“Moxy was developed to respond to the changing needs of the next generation of travellers and it is this tailored experience that has made it so appealing to both guests and developers alike,” said John Licence, Vice President of Premium and Select Brands at Marriott International, Europe. “Moxy Hotels allow our guests to not take themselves too seriously, providing them with personalized experiences in a well-designed space that is surprisingly affordable, with the latest technology and plenty of social spaces that blend work and play.”

Moxy is largely franchised, which drives rapid growth of the brand.  Owners recognize the brand’s value proposition offering quick entry to market, access to world-class global platforms and backing by Marriott Rewards, the industry’s leading loyalty programme.

“Moxy is experiencing tremendous growth momentum driven by owners looking to maximize the value of their assets quickly with adaptive, re-use and conversion opportunities,” said Carlton Ervin, Chief Development Officer at Marriott International, Europe. “Moxy’s flexible design makes it a smart choice for owners, as it easily adapts to a range of development projects, including the transformation of unconventional spaces – a spice warehouse, historical office building or vodka factory, for example – into a stylish, disruptive hotel experience.”

17 London students have spent the past week running Crown Plaza London – The City as part of InterContinental Hotel Group’s (IHG’s) National Hotel Takeover to encourage more young people in the hospitality industry.

Aged between 16 and 18, the students have ran a range of aspects throughout the hotel, from checking-in to serving food to even running housekeeping and room service.

Shadowed by hotel department managers, they were given the practical opportunity to almost totally run a fully functioning hotel, complementing their classroom training.

Taking place in partnership with People 1^st and as part of the IHG Academy, the hotel giant is collaborating with educational providers and community groups to help local people build their hospitality skills and improve their employability.

Since 2013, more than 47,000 people have benefitted from the IHG Academy across 2,133 programmes in 79 countries.

The Newham College London students began their working day with the standard hotel Morning Meeting before making their way to their respective departments. Group activities include changing the linens in the guest bedrooms for the Housekeeping department, a Dim Sum Master Class at the hotels AA Rosette award winning restaurant Chinese Cricket Club and a final day of presentations from each student on what they learnt from their working week.

“We’re really delighted to be participating in the takeover,” said Paul Watson, General Manager of Crowne Plaza London – The City. “This is the 18th year this initiative has been running and it’s proven to be a hugely successful recruitment tool.”

Crowne Plaza London – The City, located in the Square Mile opposite Blackfriars station is among 34 IHG hotels across the U.K. to be participating in the takeover, aimed at encouraging more people to choose careers in hospitality.

“Some of our best team members, even a former General Manager, participated in the takeover as students and we look forward to giving the class of 2018 valuable on the job training and experience.”

With beef overtaking chicken as the number one protein eaten out-of-home, Essential Cuisine has launched a brand-new range of classic accompaniments, helping chefs save valuable time and giving sites an irresistible upsell opportunity worth over £55 per jar.

The new flavours, Wild Mushroom and Peppercorn, have been created by the British company’s development chefs, using the finest quality ingredients, and are the first new products to emerge from the company’s state-of-the-art Innovation Kitchen opened last year. Both are supplied in a concentrated liquid format that means kitchens can simply mix with water and fresh double cream before serving.

With operators looking to recoup margin from profitable starters and side dishes, Essential Cuisine’s new sauces can add £55 per jar to the bottom line. One 800g jar plus 600ml of fresh double cream results in a superior yield of five litres of product. With outlets charging an average sell out price of £2 per accompaniment, 50 x 100ml servings can result in over £55 profit.   For those that prefer the personal touch, the range has been created to play into the hands of skilled chefs and carry additional ingredients.

However they are served, kitchens can reap the rewards of profitable customer favourites – recent research has revealed Peppercorn (44%), Wild Mushroom (18%) as the top two sauces for steak.

“Offering incremental sauces and sides as accompaniments to protein, gives operators a big up-sell opportunity, helping to offset margin squeezes elsewhere on menus,” said Nigel Crane, Managing Director, Essential Cuisine. “Our new Sauce Collection presents chefs and kitchens with the perfect opportunity to drive increased menu margin, safeguard quality and consistency, save time, offer up classic flavours we know consumers love, and still get down to the business of creativity.

“We couldn’t be prouder that this range is the first to emerge from our Innovation Kitchen –watch this space for more additions to the collection soon. Able to be stored ambient for 12 months, even once opened, Essential Cuisine’s new Sauce Collection is also gluten-free.

The country’s biggest and boldest event for Hoteliers is back this week, from Monday March 5 to Thursday March 8 at the massive ExCeL London, and there’s plenty to see and find across the showfloor. A goliath event made up of four hotel shows; The Professional Kitchen Show; Hospitality Tech Show; The Foodservice Show and The Interiors & Tableware Show (where you’ll find our team at Booth 2859), there’s a huge range of brand new products launching here this week, and here are some of the highlights to keep an eye out for during Hotelympia.

The Professional Kitchen Show
WashSmart App by Hobart Warewash, Stand 1350
This new app by Hobart will let operators take control of multiple kitchen appliances at once, with a simple touch of a phone or tablet device. Levels of detergent and water can be monitored in real time to determine your operating costs, while new parts and consumables can be ordered straight from the app.

Mareno iChef by Grande Cuisine, Stand 1440
Touted as the true kitchen of the future, the iChef is the first fully-touchscreen-enabled kitchen space. Regulating usage and offering a simple control scheme, the iChef is expected to deliver energy savings of up to 40% through its Power Guardian technology.

Carpigiani 161, Stand 1910
Set to maximise profits for coffee shops and smaller restaurant areas, the Capigiani 161 series is a unique 300mm x 630mm x 850mm ice cream machine, capable of an impressive 42-day cleaning cycle.

Hoshizaki Snowflake Gen II Drawer Unit, Stand 1630
The new undercounter refrigeration unit by Hoshizaki UK is capable of operating among temperatures higher than 40 degrees Celcius without taking up the space required by many of equivalent products.

Procusini’s 3D Food Printing System 3.0, Stand 2018
A fitting stand number for a very on-trend system, the world’s first universal plug-and-play food printer can create personalised products using a variety of ingredients, from cheese and chocolate to pasta and beyond.

The Foodservice Show
The Sauce collection by Essential Cuisine, Stand 3840
Launching two classic sauce flavours for the visitors this week, the brand new lines are expected to provide serious profits, as they have an upsell value of more than £55 per jar.

Pagan Potions, Stand 3601
Boasting the best Bloody Mary on the market today, the high quality ingredients are expected to set your tastebuds alight on the showfloor… maybe it’s best to wait until the afternoon to give it a try, however.

Sleep Well, Stand 3455
These milk-based organic drinks are expected to sweep the hotel industry over the next few years, offering ‘sip & sleep’ cartons for vending machines, minibars and in-flight services. A natural solution to getting to bed at night, it’s expected to do well amongst business travellers.

Kettle Bites Sweet Chilli Quinoa Curls, Stand 3360
Iconic brand Kettle Foods are launching a healthier option to their standard chips, without having to substitute the flavour or iconic crunch that comes with Kettle. Probably good to investigate before the lunchtime rush.

Chief Chocolate Officer, Stand 4010
A new chocolate bar by The Wine Bar is being described as the perfect paring for wine. Supplying six flavours to pair with the likes of a nice Sauvignon Blanc or a rich Malbec, the flavours include pear and elderflower.

Hospitality Tech Show
QuantumTM Pixel from Dormakaba, Stand 3211
The latest in Bluetooth locking technology, guests will be able to use their phone to gain access to their rooms. Developed to work alongside Domakaba’s electronic locks, the system aims to achieve security with elegance and finesse.

Corkscrew by Ordamo, Stand 3328
This app wants to be the Sommelier in your pocket, revolutionising the way guests interact with wine by recommending the perfect accompaniment to dishes. Also taking into account price ranges, the app is able to view live wine lists from local supermarkets and restaurants to make the best possible choice.

Waste Master by Ecowastemaster, Stand 3040a
Using unique proprietary technology, the Waste Master will accelerate the decomposition of food waste without any additional additives and without unpleasant odours. Turning waste into a compost-like substance, it’s set to totally change the way we view waste materials.

EazyCharge, Stand 3144
Providing businesses with low-cost wireless charging solutions to shops, hotels and restaurants.

Mintfinity, Stand 3040g
Printing bespoke vouchers for hospitality outlets to give away with the bill, diners can upload the cheque-like voucher online to offer continued offers and exclusives to happy customers.

Interiors & Tableware Show
Copper Coated Cutlery by Amefa, Stand 2304
Combining durability and style, this highly on-trend cutlery will set tables apart without breaking the bank.

The Mixology Collection by Luigi Bormioli/Artis, Stand 2420
Vintage is back with these crystal glassware by Luigi Bormioli. Crafted to optimise drink preparation as well as a gorgeous classical presentation, the glass will maintain its transparency after 4,000 dishwasher cycles.

Stalwart Crafts Deluxe Leather Aprons, Stand 2857
Ultra-soft leather with a coating layer makes these stylish aprons easy to wash again and again, with oil dripping off without leaving a mark.

Bodyverde Speed Shave by Mahi Naturals, Stand 2234
The all-in-one travel razoe with a rinse free shave lotion inside the handle itself. No water, no fuss, the face-and-body unisex razor will be a big hit amongst business travellers and holidaygoers alike.

Equillibrium Kitchen Knife by Grunwerg, Stand 2930
Perfectly balanced Chefs’ knives, these blades are made from ice-hardened German steel and curved handles to create a knife with lasting sharpness.

easyHotel, the super budget hotel group, are seeking a huge cash injection as they look to extend their portfolio of stripped-back hotels.

The hotel will grow the brand through a conditional placing of 45,454,546 shares, valued at 110.0 pence per share. The end goal for the group is to raise £50 million to fuel further growth.

“Excellent progress…”

easyHotel aim to acquire a further 1,122 rooms across the UK and in Europe with this funding, and will target hubs of business and leisure travel.

The group already run 26 hotels, with a cumulative 2,343 rooms across the portfolio, with seven more hotels already pegged to open over the next two years.

Those seven are just the start. Asides from this new push for cash, a further 2,739 further hotels are already funded by the brand to roll out in the coming years.

“Underpinning the long-term growth of the easyHotel brand”

Guy Parsons, Chief Executive Officer of Investor who is acting as nominated adviser explained: “The Group has made excellent progress in line with its strategy to speed up owned hotel development and accelerate the roll-out of franchise hotels to drive returns on investment.”

“The strong and ongoing market outperformance of our growing owned hotel portfolio has continued into the current financial year with RevPAR up 10.9% against their competitive set as measured by STR”.

“The proceeds from today’s placing will enable us to continue the acceleration of our owned hotel development pipeline, allowing us to take advantage of the significant opportunities within our markets, delivering enhanced returns for our shareholders and underpinning the long-term growth of the easyHotel brand”.

Find out more about the easyHotel group online

The Forbes Travel Guide 2018 has awarded a set of hotels their much-coveted 5 stars at this year’s 2018 Star Awards, celebrating the hotels with the best service and facilities from around the globe.

The publication unveiled 27 new 5 star hotel destinations worldwide, and among the list of newcomers were two Trump hotels: Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver, and Intercontinental Hotel Washington,D.C. Another three Trump hotels feature elsewhere in the awards list, so despite the contentious presidency, Trump’s hotels seem to have retained their gold standard.

Hotels to be awarded the 5 star certificate can be found in territories including China, Brazil, Japan, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. The publication review anonymously, and base their reviews on the quality of service and facilities.

Forbes: “We verify luxury with objective reviewing”

Forbes say they “verify luxury. Our highly trained inspectors visit every property we rate, evaluating based on up to 900 objective criteria. Our hotel stays span a minimum of two nights”.

“We pay our own way – no one can buy a rating”

“We pay our own way. No one can buy a rating; all ratings are earned through our objective inspection process. Our global team of inspectors are anonymous at all times, so they have the same experience as a typical guest”.

“While we inspect both service and facility, our Star Rating system emphasizes service because your experience at a hotel, restaurant or spa goes beyond looks — how it makes you feel is what you will remember most”.

Overall, 199 hotels were awarded five star which the publication insist can only go to hotels with “amazing services” and “virtually flawless service”.

Hotel reviewers work for Forbes throughout the year to gain the research from the world’s top hotels. Below the five star rating is a four star, and then a “recommended” selection, divided into hotels, spas and restaurants.

For the full list of winners from this year’s awards, visit the official website

Built dramatically onto the fringes of the tallest land-based mountain on Earth, Sheldon Chalet offers incredible “luxury on a glacier”. The chalet is built on the designs of famous explorer Don Sheldon and his wife Roberta, who first dreamt of creating accommodation in these supposedly uninhabitable mountains in the Sixties. You can see the Northern Lights, hike Denali’s ridges, fly in a chopper around knife-edge peaks, go sledding, or sit in and eat privately-cooked seasonal, locally foraged food and watch geophysics change the colours of the sky, with nightly light shows from floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

Robert Sheldon, son of the famous explorer Don, who explored these parts, told Hotel Designs about the chalet. His message is: “I’ve visited six of the seven summits of the world, and none of them compare to the Sheldon Chalet.”

“Sheldon Chalet allows access to a remote environment in a way previously only available to mountaineers willing to risk their lives. Our helicopter tour takes guests around knife-edged, near vertical peaks”

The wondrous expanse of the 35 square mile Don Sheldon Amphitheater (the immediate mountain area around the chalet) has to be explored to be believed. Helicopter tours fly through incredible 10-mile-long gorges as deep as the Grand Canyon, and around prominent knife edged and near vertical granite peaks.

At one peak, our helicopter manoeuvres through a summit slot to help guests understand perspective. The slot appears tiny but has hundreds of feet of clearance on either side when flown through. From this high point the tour descends to a massive crevassed ice field with truest bluest blue ice. Our pilot also performs a fly-by of the south face of massive Denali, and the spiral-shaped Mount Huntington before descending again to land at the tiny Sheldon Nunatak (the technical term for an obtruding slab of rock covered in snow). The helicopter landing feels like something out of a James Bond movie.

“The vastness of this place is spellbinding when sizes and distances are understood”

Endless geophysical events such as cascading avalanches and living glacier sounds morph every experience. A blanket of cotton candy like fog sometimes obscures the glacier from view. It’s ever-changing.

“I’ve visited six of the seven summits of the world, none of them compare to the Sheldon Chalet”

Having traveled to nearly 50 countries and also visiting six of the “seven summits” of the world, I haven’t seen anything remotely comparable. Especially when the aurora dances with shooting stars across the night sky, and guests are cozied up on the sofa.

“Geophysical weather displays offer guests a buffet of avalanches, Northern Lights and shooting stars”

Shooting stars and the illuminated milky way are easily visible due to our zero light pollution, high latitude & altitude, and the resulting thin atmosphere. The Aurora radiates across the sky with a fantastic display of green, purple and even some blue.

“Don and Roberta Sheldon had a goal to share this property with as many people as possible”

So that guests could experience this soul-stirring place on their own terms. With that in mind Kate, Marne and I have worked hard to ensure that each guest truly has an experience in a way that is unique to them and true to the wishes of Don and Roberta.

“Inside the chalet, luxury rules. Snuggle in goose down blankets and watch the rich pastille skies from floor-to-ceiling glass windows”

The 20,310 feet Denali summit is viewable from the Chalet’s window. Then, breakfast treats, which range from traditional baked goods to myriad fruits and cheeses, are served before our private chef prepares the morning’s hot dishes, to be enjoyed with French pressed coffee to the tune of the sunrise.

The chef prepares Alaskan sablefish on 400 Fahrenheit river rocks from the valley for supper. He serves it with a simple, thoughtfully dressed salad with a medley of seasoned vegetables. Around 8.30pm in the evening the geophysics begin, with an early and brilliant display of purple and green Aurora interspersed with several glowing shooting stars, if you’re lucky. You don’t need to go out to the observation deck to view this. Instead, turn off the lights inside and snuggle down.

“My mum and dad, Don and Roberta Sheldon, are responsible for the look of the chalet from the outside”

Don and Roberta Sheldon are responsible for much of the design. They wrote their thoughts into plans dated 1968. The plans were the result of experimentation, as they constructed the historic Mountain House (also in the area), built in 1966. We adopted many of the general structural design, look, and feel for the interior of the chalet from these plans. The thoughtful planning and execution by Cynthia Johnson of Cynthia Johnson Designs in Seattle Washington helped us along.

This combined effort of past and present accentuates and compliments the natural surroundings. As Roberta Sheldon would have said, “simple elegance” is important. So we have a look consisting of clean lines and tasteful decor, which feels warm and comfortable. It took nearly 50 years to complete the project because Don Sheldon passed away in 1975, and Roberta lost her desire to continue the effort.

“The Sheldon Chalet is designed to integrate with, and resist, the harsh environment of the Alaskan mountain Range”

The chalet is renewable energy focused, made from optimized steel, wood and glass. Materials were carefully chosen to ensure durability, sustainability and efficiency. Fabrics, furniture and utensils are carefully matched to compliment and accent the myriad aspect of the surrounding Nature. In this way our family’s vision for guests to more intimately, luxuriously, and exclusively experience the grandeur of Denali can be realized without any concern that it is at expense to the environment itself. We worked with as many local Alaskan businesses as possible for the Chalet decor, fixtures and fittings.

The Sheldon Chalet is available to book now, for groups of up to 14, and mixed groups are taken as well as private takeovers of the whole chalet